Friday, September 18, 2015

Metallic | Strength with Kelly Griglione

Hi all! Are you excited about all the metallic inspiration this month at Winnie & Walter? Want to get your metallic on, but don't have any metallic sheets? No problem! Look no further than your recycling bin. I'm happy to share a new-to-me technique of die cutting pop cans (soda cans, Coke cans, you know what you call them in your area of the world!) I know this has been tried before, but I never took the time to experiment until w&w's metallic theme got me going. Let's take a look!



All you really need is a pop can and scissors. I have heavy-duty wire-cutting scissors here, but you can also use ordinary kitchen shears. I'd just avoid using your good paper cutting scissors : )


Cut through the drink hole and start cutting around the can. It's much easier to cut a straight line if you cut counter-clockwise (with the long end of the can on your right, if you're right-handed).
 
 
 Cut down the seam of the can.
 

Cut the bottom off. Again, keep the long end of the can on the right if you're right-handed.


Now you're all set to die cut as usual. For cans with patterns and writing on them you'll want to think about what sections to cut for each cutaway. In this case I wanted the base of the flower to be blue, the outline silver, and the center red.


Don't forget you can use the inside of the can too, which is how I got the silver outline. Here you can see my not-so-glamorous die-cutting plate with a crack running through it. Nice, Kelly. 


And here it is! The flower is from In Bloom: Maggie's Roses Cutaways. The red center I used a hole punch for. The aluminum is a little tricky to adhere together, especially since I can't find my glossy accents from our move this summer (ugh). So I used a Tiny Attacher in two places along the metal outline. It's hidden pretty well I think. The leaves I cut so "Pepsi-Cola" and "150 calories" would be visible. After all that work you want the recipient to know what it is!


Surprisingly, you can also heat emboss on aluminum. I chose the "strength" sentiment from The Big, The Bold and Comfort. Not sure if you noticed, but the two waves on the base of the card also mimic the Pepsi logo. I love details! 

Thanks so much for looking!
- Kelly

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18 comments:

  1. Superb way to use those cans for creating embellishments ! Beautiful card !

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  2. WOW Woulda never thought of doing this. Incredible idea. Love it.

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  3. My first instinct is to say 'only you' but I can totally see me trying it, for sure! Tell me this though... are the edges of the flower sharp? or does the die round them somewhat? I just need to try it myself ... I'll let you know ... thank you, Kelly!!! Very happy to see you in my blogger today!!
    =] Michele

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    1. Hey Michele! OK, so here's the scoop ... the flower with the thin outline die on top is very rounded and couldn't possibly be a danger to anyone. Probably since it is such a thin cut? The leaves are rounded as well, but they still feel a little sharp on the end. I ran my fingers roughly over the edges and it hurt a little bit, but I did not get a cut. I do have the metallic craft sheets and I have to say I was surprised the aluminum was not as dangerous-feeling as the craft sheets. I hope you end up trying it! After I started with the blue Pepsi can I was feeling a little stuck since I never use that shade on my cards. Next time I'll pick a different can!

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  4. What a cool look, I love anything "shiny" :)

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  5. WOWZERS - what a unique and VERY COOL idea!!! Love the shine that you got and way to go - for AMAZING Out of the Box thinking!!!!

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  6. FABULOUS card and EXCITING tutorial!!!

    THANK YOU for sharing your COOL & CREATIVE INSPIRATION Kelly ... I confess that I go through plenty of Pepsi Max cans, so I have plenty of material to work with, NEVER tried this before, feeling excited about some crafty recycling :)

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  7. Wonderful Kelly! I love how you did the leaves! So fun!

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  8. Fabulous Kelly. I have certainly used aluminium cans before. But generally just for the silver colour to emboss checker plate, etc. This is definitely stretching your stash. Thank you for the inspiration.

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  9. Great idea. This is very pretty. I tried cutting a can once, and using alcohol ink to change the color of the inside of the can; then I was going to run it through an embossing folder, and use it that way, but the ink never dried right and was tacky. So, I figured I may have done something wrong.. hehe I may try it again like you did, and just get the colorful cans. ^_^ Thanks for such a fun technique

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    1. Love your idea to run it through an embossing folder, Shari!! I'm sure it would look great just in silver. I might try that : )

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  10. Oh my stars Kelly, you are one creative cookie!! This is such a fun idea and think of the color possibilities!!

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  11. Wow! That was an awesome tutorial and a fantastic card!

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  12. Ingenious...absolutely ingenious...and gorgeous!
    ~c

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  13. I was impressed BEFORE I knew it was a pop can, Kelly, and doubly impressed after. What a wowser of a flower. I've seen lots of things made from cans but never thought to die cut them.

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