Izbzee

a little more shaking going on...

Nope, not earthquake related though there have been a few very mild shakers  recorded, we just haven't felt them.  

I couldn't help but make a few more using the TP kit from Queen & Co.  AC cardstock for the bases and the black background.  An old Recollections stack from Michaels for the patterned paper.  

These are so easy to put together and one of the advantages of of using the precut foam is that you can make a few shakers in advance and have them at the ready when needed. I found my stash of clear seed beads to use as a filler for these shakers.  I'm hoping the recipients enjoy a laugh or two as well.  

For each card you'll need:
White card base for a 4 inch square card (4 x 8 inches, scored at 4 inches on the long side)
4 inch square of black AC cardstock
3 1/2 inch square of patterned paper
1 1/2 x 1 3/4 rectangle of black AC cardstock
Scrap white for sentiment
TP kit (dies, foam and acetate) from Queen & Co. 
Seed beads or other filler for the shaker
3 x 6 inch white textured AC cardstock

Die cutting machine (Big Kick by Sizzix)
Adhesive of choice (Lineco Glue and Scor Tape)
pop up dots
Anti static buddy
ink pad (black)
Stamp positioner
Paper trimmer 
Scissors (optional)

Using the dies, cut the elements you need.  All of the dies were used for this project -- the large plain cut became the back of the shaker.  It fits perfectly and can also be used to cut the acetate as well.  

Ink edges of the die cuts if desired.  That wasn't done for this trio of cards.  Assemble the base of the shaker.  Assemble the top of the shaker.  Rub the anti-static buddy on the underside of the acetate.  Fill the base of the shaker as desired.  Remove the top paper to expose the adhesive and apply the shaker top to the base.  Press firmly to get a good seal.  Set aside.

Layer the pieces of cardstock and patterned paper as shown in the image above and secure with your preferred adhesive.  Apply the shaker using some strong double sticky tape.  

If you haven't already, stamp your sentiment -- there are several to choose from in the kit and each one brings a smile.  Choose the one that best suits yours.  Adhere as desired.

This is a quick make and easy to get a few done in just a little bit of time if the shakers are pre assembled.  

Hoping you're creating time in your busy week to do some nurturing of your soul.   Have an amazing sort of creative day, week and launch into a brand new month of creativity.    

New adventures...

The days have been a bit on the dreary side with recent storms -- rain and snow seem to be the forecast for the time being.  Not much in the way of sunshine.... BUT...  Sometimes you just need to break away from what you've been doing and try something new or go back to something old and do a "refresh."  The next few posts will be just about that!  I've had so much fun in the last couple of weeks, that it's hard not to explore things I've been wanting to do for a long time, but didn't have enough hours in the day.... or night.

I was gifted an IkonStencilArt kit just before Christmas and thought I might be able to create a few stencils for use in other projects and learn more about the silkscreen process.  It has been a lot of fun.  I've tried several different mediums some with success, others not so much... it has been an interesting journey and I'm not done yet, that's for sure.  Lots of ideas formulating and I'm looking forward to some serious "makes" in the future.  

The project showcased in this post is for a two step stencil.  

You'll need:
eCal3/SCAL5
Printer (laser or inkjet) - this project used an inkjet printer
Printer acetate for your printer
Silkscreen material
Blacklight kit (IkonStencilArt)
Desired medium (chalk paste, acrylic paint, speedball silkscreen print ink)
Foam brush
Fonts 

*some links used in this post are affiliate links.  

I'm using my eCal3 software to create the artwork.  You can use other editing programs (PaintShop, PrintShop, etc.) including Word or Pages (though I don't see as much flexibility as might be needed for a more advanced design in Word or Pages).  

Open eCal
From the library, select a horizontal rectangle and size to 4x6 inches - in the color palette, make the background white and select none for the stroke.
Type Hello in caps using the font Smart Choices Sans Regular from CreativeFabrica.   In the color palette, select Black for the fill color and non for the stroke.  Arrange the word in the center of the rectangle both vertically and horizontally.  You can group the two layers together if designed.  Move to the upper left corner of the mat.  

From the library select another horizontal rectangle and size to 4 x 6 inches - return to the color palette and make the background white and select none for the strock. 
Type Sunshine using the script font: Sign a Day Regular also from CreativeFabrica.  Move the font and center over the Hello.  You may need to stretch is a bit.  Then move the font back down to the second rectangle. Center both horizontally and vertically.  Make sure the font fill is set to black and the stroke to none.  

Reverse both images so the writing is backwards.  You will print the images in this way on the printer transfer acetate.  This way the printer ink lays against the silkscreen material when being exposed for a much sharper image.  

Printer settings are really important.  So make sure you have the correct printer setup settings in the eCal program.  I use a Canon Pixma printer with a rear feed.  I have a special setting for printing the acetate -- following the suggestions by the manufacturer.  I chose to print the entire sheet, not just a portion, so after printing, cut the the images into the desired sizes.  Again, the rectangles were 4 x 6 inches.  I filled the remainder of the sheet with smaller images and words to be used at a later time.  

Following the manufacturer's directions expose the stencil material, wash, dry and post expose.  You can watch a video of this process here.  

Yep, these are used and the acrylic paint does leave them stained.  I got a little anxious and wanted to use them and forgot to take a pic in their new and fresh state!  

For this project, I chose to test on yellow cardstock from Bazill.  I tried chalk paste, but still got some bleeding using the black paste.  
1.  Place the HELLO stencil centered over the yellow cardstock.  Apply the chalk paste (Bright White was used in this sample).  Wash the stencil while the paste is drying.  It doesn't take long to do either. 
2.  When the white has dried, center the Sunshine stencil over the Hello as desired.  Black chalk paste was applied.  In this sample the black paste bled under the stencil -- which has been a consistent problem with this particular brand. (I'll be testing another brand later this week as I'm not happy at all with the results.)

This test was made using acrylic paint (yes, it will stain your stencil) and you need to wash the stencil quickly or slip into a basin with water prior to washing out.  I used a foam brush to move the paint across the stencil.  The results were near perfect.  

These stencils can be used over and over and you can get some pretty fine lines and small lettering.  

I'm very excited about the possibilities.  I see lots of potential use for these stencils and a few others in the works.   

Hoping you have some creative time calendared in over the next few days.  Enjoy the time you spend nurturing your creative soul.  Happy Crafting!  

 

shaking it up

I really do enjoy making shaker cards.  This kit from Queen & Co was perfect earlier this year when the pandemic was still "new" and everyone was trying to carve out their new normal. It still is - especially when you have a day that's not going quite as you would have hoped.  

I don't know about you, but there have been a few days recently that have been far from perfect or even close!  I do hope the recipient of this card will be smiling when the card is pulled from the envelope.  

All the papers are from AC cardstock and a Recollections stack of patterned paper.  I decided that setting the papers up in perfect alignment wasn't going to work... so each of the layers is slightly off kilter.  I think it works perfectly.  The sentiment was also included in the kit.  I used some sprinkles from another kit to fill the shaker.   

There are a few more to put together this evening... so best be getting to that.  Looking forward to a little more time at the craft table this evening.  Happy Crafting, Everyone!  Hoping you have some creative time set aside this week.  Be safe, stay well!  Craft a lot!  

Where sunsets and slimline cards meet

I was so excited to get the Slim Line Die-cutting system from Picket Fence Stamps.  8 dies and so many possibilities!  as soon as I saw the set, I knew what I was going to do first!

You'll need: 
Picket Fence Slim Line Die-cutting system (SDCS-100)
Black cardstock (American Crafts Smooth)
White cardstock (American Crafts Textured)
Big Shot
Distress Inks (see images for colors)
blender
adhesive (Score Tape

White Gel pen (Sakura)
Susanna Font* (Creative Fabrica)
electronic die cutting machine (eclips 2 and eCal3 software with pen tool)

Die cut the slim line card front using the narrow rectangle and the tree line dies using the black cardstock.  I set the treeline die about 1/2 inch down from the top of the rectangle.  

Create you sunset background using the distress inks, blender tool on the white textured cardstock.  Blend the colors as shown in the images below.    

 

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Adhere the sunset image behind the trees cutout.

Using your electronic die cutting machine and software and the Susanna font, create your sentiment.  The sentiment measures W 1.594 x H 0.630 (inches)  Make sure that you've set the text lines to DRAW. Place the sentiment as desired on your card.  Proceed to the cutting window, making sure you have the settings to DRAW, and you're using the pen tool, draw the sentiment on your cardstock.  

This is a very simple card front and easy to complete in just a few minutes. 

 

A stack would be easy to put together in a short period of time... and you could create a number of sentiment to go with your backgrounds.  Try a galaxy or a starry night or a snowy night.  Add a little "snow" to the trees for more dimension and interest.  

What's crafting in your corner this week?  Nurture your creativity and schedule some in a little creative time doing something you enjoy! 

*Disclaimer:  Some affiliate links have been used in this post.  Using the affiliate link does not add any additional costs to you.  Any proceeds I may receive are used to purchase/replace supplies for future projects.  

 

Birdhouse - more color

Not quite finished yet, but getting there.  The last post for this birdhouse featured adding the color to the roof.  For this post, I added a bright cheery yellow Ohuhu marker to the house in hopes of bringing some cheer to what is normally a pretty dreary January around here.  More details and the final project coming soon.  

Once again, I used the eBrush and the hacked adapter.  If you're a copic marker user, make sure that you have a second adapter on hand. 

Need to hack an adapter?  This youtube video that Mitsyana (UpOnTippyToes.com) created is a super reference video.  You'll find more helpful hints on the eBrush page on Facebook.  Link below.    

Craftwell, is offering a special deal this first week of January!   If you've been wanting an eBrush, now's the time to get it! 

Head over to the Facebook eBrush, AirBrush Fun page for all the details.  The special is only good until January 9, 2021!  This is a fabulous deal, so don't miss out.  Order yours today!  

And while you're waiting for your eBrush to arrive, hope you have some creative time set aside for some play time.  I'm looking forward to sharing more eBrush fun with you in the weeks ahead as well as other fun ideas that have been filling my mind in recent weeks.  

rolling into 2021 -- lots of changes ahead

While the pandemic (COVID) continues to create new "normals" on a daily basis, there are more new beginnings for us as well this year.

My plans to retire late 2021 were sped up a bit in late December of 2020 and I was launched into the realm of being free to rethink the timeline.  There's a part of me that is ecstatic about new opportunities and more time to craft and create during the hours I used to spend working. 

New opportunities await  -- ideas and projects that were pushed to the back burner are now moving to the front and may finally see the light of day much sooner than previously thought.

Looking forward to new beginnings starting now.  

Let's begin with a stack of Thank You cards. 

CAS panel - 3.5 x 3.5 print 2 cut on Kraft 
card base - 4 x 8 colored base, scored at 4 along the 8 inch side.  
Adhere panel to card base front*.  
** I chose to insert one of the thank you cards in a frame as a gift for a special friend.  The "box" also contains a small gift.  

All Occasion cards



Panel - 3.75 x 5.00 speech bubble cut out with word (designed in eCal3 and cut on eclips2
card base - 4.25 x 11.00, scored at 5.50 along the 11 inch side.
Attach panel to card base.  
Glue another copy of the word on the card panel

And lastly, Photo print Cards



Panel - print 2 cut image panel (4.00 x 5.25), designed in eCal 3 and cut on eclips2 (photo credit to Debi Tullier)
Vinyl - cut and apply focus word (631 vinyl)
Card base - 4.25 x 11.00, scored at 5.50 along the 11 inch side.
Attach card panel to card base. 

*Scor-tape and Lineco glue used for these projects.  
AC cardstock used for all card bases and boxes in this post

Hoping your outlook for creating time is looking great this year!  Let's get ready for some major creative play!