(click on the pics to enbiggan)
You may remember a previous article featuring the FUSE tool by We R Memory Keepers to make "Hot Li'l Pockets"--another option for creating those infamous Pocket Letters™ by Janette Lane...
With shaker cards popular once again, which I'm so happy to see, I wanted to play more with my FUSE tool and try a few things, like making shaped shaker embellishments for my cards--I warn you, I was having so much fun with these little projects, I had to force myself to put down the FUSE; I just wanted to keep making all kinds of shaker embellishments with this thing! And they are go so quick!
I actually like the dashed line the FUSE tool creates--they remind me of stitching--but you could design the cards to conceal them, if you wanted.
I had to try a full-front shaker--ridiculous fast, ridiculous easy!!! Nesting dies, like the Card Layers set by We R Memory Keepers, means your pocket will be a perfectly sized match to the panel you slip inside--just cut your paper (layer/shape, etc.) using a die, then use the outer edge of the very same die to guide your FUSE tool.
Incidentally, the Card Layers die set is one of my most frequently used and is sized to A-2 cards--awesome work-horse set of dies!
Definitely wanted to attempt a "sectioned" shaker (no clue what they call this kind of shaker, so that's what I'm callin' it because I fused off a section, right?!) The pocket is made the same way as the first card, and I used the same die to cut the patterned paper panels; I then cut all those layers the same with my paper trimmer so I could mix and match the different papers but they would all fit together properly.
With this style, it helped to fuse one piece of paper into the pocket at a time, adding the next, and sealing/fusing as you go. It made the spacing between the pieces easy for fusing, and the pieces can always be shaved off with your paper trimmer, if necessary, to make everything fit snugly inside each section.
To create a peek-a-boo window effect, I die cut through both the patterned paper layer and the card front--this keeps both shapes perfectly aligned. I used the outside edge of the same balloon die, as a guide for the FUSE tool.
Because this pocket is rather small, and the filler material is fairly large for the size, there isn't as much room for it to shake all that much, but the fused lines are concealed. If you wanted more shaker action, you could make a larger sized pocket to sandwich between the card layers, and possibly add foam tape, as well, so there is more of a gap to allow the filler to move freely.
And, then I had to try a shape that would be more like an embellishment, mounted to the front a new baby card!
TIPS:
- A wide-mouth canning jar, made of heat-tempered glass (They are able to withstand the heat and pressure associated with water bath and pressure canning), seems to work awesome as a holder for my FUSE; the glass can get hot to the touch, but did not get hot enough to cause a burn nor harm my work surface. I liked the fact that I could set the entire hot tip down inside the jar; it wasn't exposed so I didn't have to worry about my hand accidentally bumping into it/causing injury.
- Full-size page protectors worked awesome for these projects, providing plenty of area for creating different custom shapes, in different sizes.
- Practice a little on a scrap piece of photo sleeve/sheet protector so you can the feel for how much pressure and speed required to fuse the plastic layers together; a lot will depend on the mil/thickness of what you are using.
- Working on top of a piece of card stock can be helpful because it's a great indicator of whether or not your fuse line is sealed; if it sticks to the card stock, you had enough heat and the right speed to fuse through both layers of plastic; if it doesn't stick to the card stock at all, you probably didn't.
- You can double-check your fuse lines by running the tip of a bone folder or similar along the edges.
- If you have any gaps in your fused line, you can go over those areas again.
- The outside edge of your metal craft dies makes a great guide for the FUSE; you could also try metal cookie cutter shapes.
- You can fill your shaker pockets with sequins, and micro and seed beads, chunky glitters, sand, coffee grounds, etc. I must admit to being partial to the sequins simply because I love those flashy orbs of color! :) For small openings, I found a spoon or tweezers helpful for filling the pockets...
The video is available in HD on our YouTube Channel, and thank you for taking a moment to give it a thumbs up! :)
The FUSE is so easy to use, I won't be surprised if you get carried away with making all kinds of shaker type goodies!
