Izbzee

A Polkadoodle Halloween

I had a little fun making these Halloween cards the other day. 

Lots of Print and cut here.  I created the background using a chunky font, filling with a digital paper from 2 of the Halloween collections I've purchased from Polkadoodles.co.uk.  AND.....these are fun and quick to make - even quicker using the pre-colored images and setting up for print and cut.

Everything was done in SCAL 6 Pro, but the same could be accomplished in the regular version of SCAL.  I really like using SCAL much more than a word processing program or Photoshop as I feel I have a little more control over things generally. 

I didn't have a lot of crafting time available that day, so I resorted to using the pre-colored character images found in the collections, and if you know me, I hate to leave things unfinished and having to pick up another day.  :)  

For the card base, choose your words and create using a chunky font (Avenir Black), center on a 3.75 x 5.0 panel in the software.  Group the words together once you have them arranged on the panel.  Make sure just the group of words is highlighted at this point.  In the Fill and Stroke Panel (color palette icon), choose Pattern in the Fill box drop down.  Load image and choose from one of the many digital patterns available to you in the collection(s) you're using.  You can adjust the size of the pattern fill  - I chose to use a 6 x 6 fill, click on Preview and make any adjustments, then click on Okay.  The digital paper pattern will fill the letters.  You can then choose the color of the stroke on the letters - or choose none.  Be sure to set the words to print only in the Style Panel (the wrench icon).  Set the panel stroke to none.  

For the focal image, choose your desired Polkadoodle collection and the pre-colored images folder.  I picked images and papers from these 2 collections:  Halloween Gnome Big Kahuna Collection and Boo Halloween Big Kahuna Bundle  

Be sure the png images are set to print.  Using the Effects tab in SCAL, choose Shadow Layer (Contour Cut) and make the shadow just a little smaller .025 and change the shadow color to white.  Select okay or hit the return key to close that pop up window.  Select the shadow and the image layers and group them together.  Repeat as needed for each of the cards you wish to make.  

Print the panels and the focal images.  Cut using your electronic cutting machine following the step by step instructions in SCAL.  I'm using a Skycut model machine and I love the spot on print to cuts I get.  Mount the printed card panel on a 4.25 x 5.5 solid color background (black was chosen for this group of cards) add to your card base.  

Here are the individual cards:

These cards are perfect for framing for some fun Halloween decor -- and if you don't want to add a card base, you could simply add a panel on the back with your sentiment and signature  

Have a happy Halloween and hoping your crafting time is nurturing for your soul.  

I'm entering the following challenge Polkadoodles Week 41 - Anything Goes



 

Stack em up!

Once again, I found a fun idea on Pinterest and thought I might be able to translate the idea into an all paper project with a few adaptations. 

Of course, it's not perfect, but I do like the results...

I used files from Simply Crafty SVGs to create my stack.... Let's start at the top and work our way down.

The Witch's Cauldron is at the top. I used just the cauldron and not the base.  I added a string of fairy lights and some tulle for a little more interest.  The panels on the cauldron are embossed with an old embossing folder from Provo Craft and "wiped" with some gold ink.  The base is about 4.t inches in diameter.  





The middle layer is the Birthday Cake file -- I altered the lid and added inked strips of paper to "mummify" the box.  You can't open the box -- A couple of buttons from the button jar  to finish it off.  This box is about 5.5 inches in diameter.  

I used the same file for the Frankie box.  No altering other than adding the eyes, bolts and drawing the mouth on.  The files are resized so the base is nearly 5.8" in diameter.  

The Display Stand SVG file has been resized and is larger than the original file.  It is 6" in diameter.  I cut a couple of extra layers for added strength.  I altered the side panel using a half circle.  You do need to alter the side tab as it will show if you don't.  
This piece is inked with white and would look cool with some purple mica or pearl ex rubbed on it.  

The legs are from the Elf Pants Box that was released a couple of months ago.  I didn't alter them.  However, for a future iteration of this project, I would use foam core for added strength on the inside of the legs and lengthen them about 1.5 inches. And add a box that would hold the legs to the underside of the display layer for added stability.  




The shoes are fun... I used the 3D Witch Bot Lantern SVG file -  they are sized down a bit and the front panel is doubled and inked heavily along the cut line (the designer paper is my own design).  Add additional embellishments as desired.  For best results, weight the shoes using some floral gems or rocks.  Add a piece of floral foam that fits snugly into the shoe.  Create a depression and glue the legs into the shoes let that glue dry.  Make sure that both legs are at the same height.  Glue the legs to the bottom of the display table.  Once things have dried, you can stack the boxes and cauldron and enjoy your project.  

2024 - 3 Fall Tags Reveal #3

Tag 3 is a grouping of  tags.  

I used several ideas to create this project.  The puzzle pieces were generated in SCAL using the Puzzle Generator under the effects tab.  I had a few digital vintage dictionary pages in my stash that I chose from to use as a background image for the puzzle pieces.  Once that was printed and cut, the interior pieces were used for these tags. 


They were inked for a little more texture.  The flowers were files found in the SCAL library (Sandra Createinspain's collection from the old eShape store).  I cut the larger flowers in Kraft and the smaller flowers using watercolor paper.  The glossy accents "burped" on the flower centers -- I decided to let them just be to add a little more quirkiness to each of the tags.  

If desired, once you're inked the puzzle pieces, add a small eyelet to the tag to allow for your hanging string.  For a little more interest and texture you could also emboss the puzzle pieces and don't forget to add a little twine for more interest as well.  

2024- 3 Fall Tags Reveal #2

I decided to keep things pretty simple this year.  No lights, sound and not lots of movement.  Time for crafting is limited and only a minutes and rarely more than an hour at a time.  

I used shapes from the library  for the tag base and added pieces.  Ribbon, a small strip of mesh and a stamp from my stash were also used to make this tag. 

The tag started out in white paper and I used Ohuhu markers to add the color.  A white paint pen adds the details to the pumpkin ovals that have been colored using the markers. Additional ink was added to edges and to create texture and detail on the tag.  

Bearly Art Precision glue was used to adhere the pieces together.  

2024 - 3 Fall Tags Challenge - #1

I've been looking forward to creating some tags again.  The example below was inspired by a Pinterest find -- 

what I used:
Kraft card stock (base and lace)
The tag shape was designed in SCAL 6
Lace is a design from Designs by Miss Mandee
pumpkin png is from Polkadoodles' Autumn Bundle
decorative paper is a buy from Etsy - HappyFoxSupply shop
fonts were from Creative Fabrica
Distress inks
emory board
twine
Nuvo Drops

While setting up this tag, I decided to use P2C on the tag instead of the foil quill and also printed the rectangle and pumpkin.  Make your print following the directions given in your software program.  Cut all shapes using the software directions for best results.  

I did cut two tag shapes, glued them back to back for more stability.  Humidity was up a bit and so I didn't get an absolutely clean cut -- however, adding some additional distress along the edges helped with that a bit on both the tag and lace.  Adding inking and swiping the mini pads across the face of both the tag and lace.

Ink the edge of the decorative paper rectangle.  Attach the lace to the bottom edge of the decorative paper piece.  Adhere to the tag.  Add some twine and pop up the pumpkin placing as desired on the tag. Add a twine hanger to finish.