Izbzee

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.  

Create One-of-a-Kind Backgrounds with Layering Stencils - Creative Fabrica

via www.creativefabrica.com

I'm in love with this stencil. Hope you'll enjoy the results of using it too!

Enjoy a fun way to 'fuse' mixed media and some quirky digital images. Loved playing with them for this article on the Artistry! https://www.creativefabrica.com/the-artistry/mixed-media/a-trio-of-quirky-mixed-media-atc-cards/

ATC and a little mixed media

The eclips/eCal Facebook page is having another ATC challenge - CELEBRATIONS!   and all of the elements used to create the ATC must be designed and cut using the eclips and eCal. 

Here's my finished card.  It was inspired by a find on Pinterest --

I started with a plain piece of cardstock that had a light layer of Gesso.  I masked off a section of the gelli plate slightly larger than the ATC dimensions, brayered on some paint and pulled a print.  I added a few additional pulls of color  to the print using some stencils (cut with the eclips) and additional pink and white and yellow paints until I got the desired results. 

Using the eCal software, size a vertical rectangle to 2.5 x 3.5, set the line to Print 2 Cut Cut.  Create text on an arch.  I used Funky Mother for the fun text.  Fill the text with color (I chose black) and set the stroke to none.  Change from cut to Print 2 Cut Print.  Print, make sure you select registration marks.  Since the cardstock has some tooth from the Gesso and gelli print, you can opt to use some embossing powder and a heat gun to add a little more texture to the card.  I used some Ranger Black embossing powder. 

Now for the cutting.  Place the gessoed paper on the mat and following the print 2 cut directions, cut the ATC. 

I found a fun cupcake graphic at Creative Fabrica and decided to use the base of the cupcake as the stencil.  Size it to approximately 2 inches high with keep proportions checked. Cut using stencil material or regular cardstock.

 

Position the cupcake stencil on the ATC base as desired and using some watercolors and a water brush, add some additional colors.  Let dry. 

Add some sprinkles to your frosting.  I used the sprinkles in the original design, grouped them together and created a small stencil for those and added a little more color. 

 

Add additional details using a Micron pen.  For a little extra shine, use a sparkle brush and let dry.

 

Thanks for dropping by!  Hoping you have built in some creative time this week! 

 

 

 

 

brushing off the dust and cobwebs

It's been a busy sort of spring with all sorts of fun projects .... however, I haven't published a post in nearly a month!  And here's the reason why:  I have an agreement with Invite By Voice not to publish anything I create for them until they have published it on their social media.  It's hard to sit on so many fun ideas for this long, but I hope you'll agree that it will be well worth the wait once they publish....

AND:  Mom care has sort of taken over our lives too.  Things are changing a bit here and we have had to "up our game" to stay on top of things regarding her care. 

Now back to crafting again so let's see:  a recent ATC Challenge brought this little goodie forth.  I'm still hoping to add a few little details, like a book and some reading glasses, but for now, this project was a fun create using the eclips2 and eCal3. 

The adirondack chair is a free file from SVGCuts.com and the umbrella is from the Summer folder in the Basic Library on eCal.  I purchased the vintage label shape from the eShape Store and the sentiment is from Creative Fabrica.  The blanket is a rectangle and just folded and crunched a bit.  The background image is a photo I purchased for commercial use and modification -- I used photoshop to add the watercolor filter.  and removed a couple of people from the photo.  Then placed the image on the mat in eCal and created a clipping path using a rectangle the size of the ATC card and used the print 2 cut option in eCal3.  So much fun! 

I really enjoy playing with the ATC size cards -- and here's the link to a grouping  of ATC's I made last year. 

Father's Day is just around the corner - a couple of weeks away.  Haven't sent out this year's cards yet, but they are made and I'll create a separate post for those in a couple of days.  In the meantime, how about checking out the cards we sent out a couple of years ago....  the post is here. 

And lastly, as we gear up for summer holidays, last year's fun included a fun 4th of July marquee --all the details are here. 

Thanks so stopping by and I hope you'll enjoy revisiting some of my past posts and will be looking forward to what's coming in the next couple of weeks.  It just might turn into project OVERLOAD! 

Keep on creating and nurturing your soul. 

 

 

 

 

2018 - going, going, gone

2018 has been a full year.  Lots of good things have happened overall and even the not to great stuff wasn't all that bad when you think about it.

I've really enjoyed my creative time so much more this year.  A few artsy and fun classes from penwork to gelli plate/art and general play with paper, clay and fabric.  Grateful for it all. 

I've decided that for me, it would be fun to recap the year with a few pictures of some of my favorite projects....  you can check the archives by the year and month for the whole year's worth of fun.   

January the Valentine Ornament box.  File from Lori Whitlock - Halloween house adapted for the holiday. 

February a little clay play.  Love using Sculpey, stamps, mica and more.  This was among my favorites for some mixed media play and design team work for Mixed Media Supplies. 

March Lots of pastel colors and a touch of non-caloric chocolate for this fun dimensional card from Simply Crafty SVGs  was a favorite for the month. 

April  A sweet shadowbox card using G45's Secret Garden.  File from SVGCuts.com

May  ATC sized gelli prints -- and digital stamps.  So much play fun! 

June  quick and easy card using a digital stamp from RGStudio360. 

July -  July porch decor using a recycled shelving side panel...

August - we got an early start with October crafting with this paper quilt. So much fun kicking up a few heels! 

September  The Geodesic Pumpkin from SVGCuts was a perfect addition to the mantel for September and October! 

October  brought more than a change in the weather.... it's also anniversary time for our youngest son. We went a little overboard on this year's card, but it was so worth it! 

 

November I couldn't pick just one project for this month, so I'm sharing two!  The first was a fun 12 Tags of Christmas challenge.  All of the details for this one including a video can be found here. 

Dreaming Tree also put out a bevy of great files to work with in 2018... among my favorites was this cutie! 

December   Our Gnomie tree - I love my laser etcher and I've loving having found a new way to showcase some digital artwork using wood pieces from my stash!  

I hope you've enjoyed this review of my year. Crafting is my respite -- my discovery for the year.  I've loved taking the online classes and exploring more ways to develop my talents and play.  I'm grateful to my family for their generosity in time, space and respite. 

We look forward to a fabulous 2019 -- carving in creative time each week. Hoping you're doing the same! 
My word for 2019 - Inspire

Laser play

For the first time in many years, I didn't buy my own birthday present, T did!  Got to love a hubby that listens and says "let's do it!"

I've been wanting a laser engraver for a long time -- especially after seeing a model that also cuts, but the pricing was way out of our comfort zone.  When we saw this model, we couldn't help but make the purchase even though the cutting area is very small, it does suffice for what I wanted to do. 

Peggy at Mixed Media Supplies has some digital stamps that I'd hoped would have excellent results.  So, let the play begin.

 

You'll need:
Mini Maker by Nejetool.com
Rose Stencil Digital Stamp (Mixed Media Supplies)
wood cuts (1/8" birch) - from my stash
Tombow markers
Gesso
Cardstock
eBrush w/ Tombow adapter
Foam brush
Adhesive, ScorTape, Red Line heavy duty tape, Scotch Quick Dry glue
Fixative
Printer
Word Processing program
used fabric softener sheet (optional)
metallic rub on (gold)
Craft knife
adhesive
glue
ModPodge
twine (optional)

I don't have a lot of pictures for this project, but I'm pretty sure you'll figure out the steps on your own.

Begin by selecting and sizing the digital stamp in the NJ software (I enlarged to fill the design window) The finished design was 1 x 1.5 inches. As you'll notice in the pictures below, the image was engraved on a wooden tag I had in my stash.

Once the image has been engraved, remove it from the machine.  Trim if needed.  Set aside.

Gesso and ATC sized piece of card stock.  Let dry.  Using the eBrush and Tombow markers, color as desired.  I originally had plans to use the lighter edges as the top of the ATC, however, decided to flip it.  Color the engraved piece and the mini heart.

Open your word processing program and select the fonts and sentiments for your ATC.  I chose Summer Sunsets, the color of roses as a reminder of the beautiful sunsets we have been seeing in recent days and the garden of roses I pass by nearly every morning on walk through the neighborhood. 

Print on plain paper, Then using some repositionable glue/tape, place the ATC over the printing noting the placement.  Print again.  At this point, you can spray with a bit of fixative OR using some embossing powder, emboss for another layer of texture.

If desired, add a bit of gold metallic rub to the edges of the ATC. 

"Glue" some torn pieces of the used dryer sheet on the ATC with the mod podge.  Let dry.  Glue a small piece of the dryer sheet to the heart.  Let that dry as well.  When dry, add a bit of looped twine on the back of the heart.  Secure with glue or redline tape. 

When the ATC base has dried, secure the ATC to a base (3 x 4).  Add embellishments.  If desired add a light layer of ModPodge to the entire ATC, making sure that the edges of your wood pieces are also sealed.  Let dry and you're ready to sign and frame your work of art.  

 

playing with clay.... again.

I was pretty excited to win a sampler pack of clay from Polyform Products aka Sculpey.  I was excited to see all the colors and wanted to start playing as soon as they arrived, but life had other plans..... until this morning.  This piece is ATC size, loaded with mica and involves a real live leave from the sycamore tree that shades our west facing yard.

Let's get started.

You'll need:
Clay - black or brown
Mica (Mixed Media Supplies)
Leaf (from a tree or plant)
Gelli Print (stash)
Digital stamp (Mixed Media Supplies)
Tombow Markers
Glossy Resin
Xyron Creative Station (permanent adhesive)
1/4" double stick tape (ScorTape)
soft bristle paint brush. 
Pasta Machine (for clay conditioning)
Acrylic roller
Craft Knife
Card stock (white 3 x 4 inch piece)

Condition clay as directed by manufacturer, beginning at 1 and finishing at 3.

If you need to, clean and dry the leaf to remove any dirt or chemicals.  Apply a coat of mica powder to the back of the leaf (there is more texture there). 

Place the leaf on the clay with the mica facing the clay.  Using the acrylic roller, roll the leaf lightly into the clay.  Leave in place and trim the excess clay using the craft knife.  Remove the unneeded clay and remove the leaf. 

At this point bake the clay according to manufacturer's directions.  Let cool and remove from baking plate. 

Print the dragonfly on vellum in the desired size.  Color on the wrong side (non-printed) as desired using Tombow markers.  The color is transparent on the vellum.  Cut as close to the outside lines as you can.  Apply a light coat of the glossy resin to the printed side of the dragonfly.  Set aside to draw.

Assemble the background.  Because my gelli print is done using copy paper, I add an extra backing of cardstock the same size as the ATC (2.5 x 3.5 in).  Then I add another backing that frames the gelli print (3 x 4).  Adhere using your favorite method.  I run the gelli print through the Xyron for edge to edge coverage.  Adhere the clay leaf to the gelli print, add the dragonfly and frame as desired. 

Thanks for stopping by and taking a peek today.  Hoping you have some creative time on your calendar this week!  Nurture your heart! 

where stencils and gelli prints meet

Hi everyone!  It's been a crazy few weeks here and crafting time has been limited, but I wanted to share this quick and fun ATC with you. 

A couple of months ago I created a whole stack of gelli prints -- and began a journey creating some art  in ATC size.  I still have a stack of prints, albeit it's a tad bit smaller.  So let's start there...

I picked one with a pink, orange and yellow base.  The colors remind me some recent sunrises here and even an occasional sunset when the colors are high in the sky. 

Select a stencil.  My stencil is a new digi from Mixed Media Supplies.  I'm so excited to get to share the Alpha stencil.  There's also some numerals in the digi and it's created at ATC size  for perfect use on these mini sized canvases. 

I got my eBrush out and a Tombow® marker ( which worked well with the colors in my background.  Place the stencil as desired and spray.  Reposition and spray again 

Challenged to use some cardboard for another project, I cut a few hearts using a Sizzis® Originals die (Hearts, Primitive - retired) and removed a bit of the paper exposing the corrugated layer.  I "painted" a light coat of Gesso on the cardboard with a finger and let it dry.  Mix a little mica with some water and brush onto the dried Gesso for a bit more color and sheen.  

Print and color one of the beautiful butterfly digi stamps from MMS.  I used a couple of Tombow markers on the reverse side of the vellum.  Add some Glaze to the front of the digi and let dry. 

Once everything is dry, arrange as desired on your background and secure in place.  If desired, add an appropriate word or phrase to your artwork.  Sign, date and frame!

Thanks for stopping by today.... hope you'll join me again soon and don't forget to nurtured your creative soul as frequently as possible. 

ATCs again

A few more ATCs created using gelli prints (acrylic paint), digital stamps from Mixed Media Supplies printed on vellum.  Unity Stamps, Tombow Markers, printer, embossing powder, seed beads....

more coming....