Izbzee

More Halloween ....

The Frightful Flower from SimplyCrafty SVGs has joined this year's Halloween decor and I'm loving it!  It's definitely worth the time to cut, color, ink and assemble. Here's my version.

Isn't it fun?  The flower petals are hand painted -- well, I let the Watercolor ink from Poetique just run on some wet areas of the cardstock.  The edges are inked with distress ink for a little more definition.  Erase any pencil lines if you need to.  I used them to create a basic shape for the colored area of the petals.  

The face of our flower has just a little bit of inking and I did leave one of the pieces off (dripping blood).  

I added additional texture to the leaves using the backside of a craft knife... inked the entire leaf using Distress Inks and a blending tool.  

Three leaves were used for this version of the Frightful Flower.  The file does include 3 different leaf patterns for you to mix and match for your own special version of the file.  

For the easiest way of assembling this project, be sure to watch the video here.  Just scroll down the page for the video.  TIP: Be sure to pull your embossing folders, inks and a spritzer filled with diluted mica for another layer of interest before you begin to assemble.  

 

All papers from AC Cardstock and Stampin' Up!  
Skycut C24 and SCAL 5 Pro
Green wrapped wire
Hot glue gun, clear glue sticks
Poetique Watercolor Ink refill (Argyle Red)
Waterbrush, flat and fine
Distress Inks, blender tool
Bearly Art Precision Craft Glue
Silver Pearl Ex
Rubbing Alcohol
Mister spray bottle
Brown moss

 

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.   

Fall pumpkin

This was a fun project to work with and it's my own design!  I used an oval from the SCAL Library as a starting point and went from there.  Playing with nodes can be relaxing or just plain frustrating.  Yes, there were a few of those moments during the early part of the process.  

The leaf is a shadow of a png image and filled with a pattern. The veins were dry embossed from the back side of the printed leaf, then lightly sanded to distress and show a little lighter paper.  

The stem was also designed in SCAL using basic shapes.  

I love that this is dimensional and stands on it's own.  From a slight distance this looks like it is made from wood.  

You'll need:
Electronic die cutting machine and associated software
(3) 12 x 12 cardstock (orange) 
(1) scrap of dark green or brown for stem
(1) 6 x 6 cardstock or sketch paper
Printer
Digital paper
Embossing tool and mat (for leaf)
Embossing folder and Big Kick/Big Shot (for stem)
Glue (Bearly Art)
Hot glue gun
ink and blender tool (pumpkin toned)
Assorted items for embellishment 

August cards

Tried to get a head start on August's cards, but I'm still working on them.  I let one of them get out into the mail yesterday without getting a picture of the finished under the sea shaker card.  Might have to try to recreate that one in the future.  

In the meantime, I did manage to get all the ministering cards done in good time.  This was a much easier card to print, assemble and get into the mail just before the end of the month.  BONUS:  Easy to change out the greeting on the front of the card too!  

After creating the design in SCAL, printing and folding the card base, I thought the card front was a little too plain with just the word smile and the patterned paper strip.  So I added a little color using some splattered color on the card front.  The splatters were created using some FSJ Silks I've had in my stash for a few years. It was a good way to use a little of that and it does go a long way.  I chose Cranberry and Sour Lemon as they were the closest to the colors in the paper strip.  When the splatters were dry, the paper almost looked like a little more expensive handmade paper I have always loved.

Adding the printed, cut and inked paper strip popped up with some foam tape, adds the finishing touch to the front of the card.  

Anniversaries start on the first Friday in August.  I wasn't sure I could meet that deadline, but yesterday was a good day for designing in SCAL and getting a little cutting done early in the morning and then printing the card base a little later.   I tried a new technique to me - still needs some refining, but I think it works for this design.  I hope to do a little more playing in Procreate to see if I can get the background just the way I see it in my brain.  Fingers crossed.  


I used the color cube system to choose the colors - I think they blended quite well.  Now to make a palette using that system for a few upcoming projects I'd like to try using Procreate again.  

4 more birthdays to do for August.  Hoping to make a dent in one or two of those today for the grands and then focus on the last two cards for the month.  

Happy 4th!

June pretty much blew right by -- and July has popped up on the calendar!  We needed to refresh a few things around here and of course that meant a little holiday decor.  The mantel is filled with lots of Red, White and Blue stuff from years past and now, we have a new small banner.

The gnome Uncle Sam is from My Scrap Chick -- it's a freebie for a few more days...I'm really glad I grabbed it as soon as it was posted.  It's very adaptable from a treat box to a flat design.  And adding a little inking really adds some definition!

They are pretty easy to put together and aren't too heavy for hanging on the banner.

The stars are from the SCAL library (Basic Shapes).  I added an inset shadow and the lettering is cut in 2 layers.  White ink for the blue and red stars and a little pumice stone ink for the white star.  Bearly Art glue for the assembly of both the gnome and stars.  

I added sleeves to the back of each of the elements and then threaded with a ribbon for hanging.  

A new door hanging was also needed for this year's fabulous 4th.  I have a stash of some 12 inch rounds -- did a quick paint with some acrylic full body paint and added some vinyl cuts to the bottom half of the painted round.  The bow uses some leftover ribbon from a previous project and I added one of the patriotic gnomes to finish off the round.  


Hope you're finding some creative time in your creative space.  Enjoy and have an awesome week!  

It's HOT!

Temps climbing into the high 90's and maybe creeping into the 100's have been the norm the last week or so - time for lots of ice, cool drinks and cool treats. 

I saw a cute idea on Pinterest and decided to try to recreate it with my own spin on it for July's ministering stack of cards.  The popsicle file is from Creative Fabrica and the file has several different styles of cool treats in it - so you could mix things up a bit if you wanted.  I decided to do a little hand coloring and while that took a bit of time, it was fun to make up 16 cards and have each just a little different than the others.  


The sentiment was printed on each card front before cutting and the corners rounded.  I added some Nuvo drops for a little more interest and I like the way things turned out.


I used: 
Tombow markers
water brush
pop up dots
Bearly Art Glue
Nuvo drops (asstd colors and clear)
Mod podge  Glossy
Skycut C24
SCAL 6 Pro
AC cardstock (smooth white)
Printer for sentiment on card front and inside

Day 3 - Tag 3

There's a part of me that's sad this Reveal is coming to an end, however I'm ready to move on to some other projects -- including some birthday cards for July that need to go out very soon and for the soon to be 92 year old in mid-July.  

I saw something recently on a reel posted by chibitronics and thought that would be a nice idea and make it so much easier to change the battery in a card or tag.  Sadly, since it was a reel, it's disappeared.  However, you can cut a small 3 sided door where the battery is placed and change out the batter where needed.  There's something similar you could do here. 

 

I've used this basic design for a card before, but have never considered using it for a tag until now.  The tag  base is a simple rounded rectangle.  I did cut a mask for the inking and I like how it turned out.  The sentiment was done using print 2 cut and I used an old background stamp to add a little more interest to the base.  Stamp off first - so your impression is light in color.  The dragonfly's body (from SVG Cuts Dragonfly Lantern) is cut using black paper, but is brushed with some DecoArt Metallic Lustre (it's water based) and then a little pearlex for a little more sheen.  The under wings are cut from some vellum




I added a light and circuit using some copper tape and an LED chibi light.  I think I'll be using the "door" in the future on most of my projects that use lights.  It really is helpful and does make it easier to change the battery when necessary. 

I had some clips in my stash and decided to use that as my hanger.  

Day 2 -- Tag 2

After a recent scrolling time through Pinterest, I found a few tags that caught my eye.  I decided it would be fun to try at least one of the ideas I liked the most.

I found a simple tag shape in the basic shapes library and made a couple of changes to the design.  I found a flower image that looked like something you might get using a die in the Cutters Market files found through the SCAL software.  I sized for a small tag.  You could use the foil quill or a pen to draw the sentiment on the tag, however, I chose to use a stamp.  After cutting, stamp the sentiment.  Ink the edges of the tag shape if desired.

I chose to cut the flower and leaves out of white cardstock and add color using Tombow Markers.  

Grab a plastic sleeve and your Fuse Tool.  After the tool has warmed up, seal 3 sides of the plastic sleeve with the tag inserted between the two layers.  Trim the three side.  Add your sprinkles.  Seal the top edge of the sleeve.  Trim.  Attach a loop of floss, thread or ribbon with a staple.  Secure the flower and leaves using double sided tape to adhere.  

Using the same method as described above, I created a second tag using different embellishments.  The flower and leaves svg is from Dreaming Tree (3dsvg.com).  I resized it at 50% to work on the smaller tag size.  

Thanks for stopping by.  Again, I invite you to hop on over to the Facebook page and see the other projects that have been posted.  Tomorrow is our last day of the reveal.  I don't know about you, but I'm really looking forward to seeing what everyone has created.

Have a wonderful creative sort of day.