Izbzee

Stack of cards

The number of this November/Thanksgiving stack of cards continues to grow as T has decided he wants to share a few as well.  Do I mind?  Of course not! 

Pinterest inspired, but with a slightly different take, this card is cut on the Skycut using SCAL 5 Pro and shapes from the Library and a few different techniques I thought I'd like to try.  Lots of enjoyable "play" time.  

I used the back minus front command in SCAL to create the leaf cuts  (I now have nearly a hundred white leaves ready to color to use in a future large shaker project).   I used two separate sentiments created using fonts and the p2c option offered in SCAL.  (Both fonts are from Creative Fabrica) for this stack of cards.

It was fun adding the score lines for the leaf cuts using a shadow cut as a panel behind the card front face.  

The panel was colored using distress inks.  Once the panel was adhered to the back of the card face, I flecked some gold shimmer on the card face and the shadow layer.   Once dry, the card face and panel were adhered to the larger panel and then to the card base.  

These are pretty quick to assemble once the stock was printed, cut and pieces colored.  This month's stack jumped from 12 to 20.  I've already figured in that we'll be adding this number to the our Christmas card list as I begin that process next month. 

Hoping you will be enjoying some creative time in the next few days if not sooner.  Enjoy and thanks again for dropping by.   

2022 Three Tags of Fall - Tag 3

It's the last day of the reveal.  There are times I wish we could have done additional tags, but I'm grateful to have had the time to get these three done.  

Today's tag reminds me of the crisp Fall air -- and apples from the tree.  There's nothing better than picking a ripe apple from the tree... 

 

Just a few notes for this one. I was able to create the design for the paper doll using shapes from the SCAL library.  The design is loosely based on the images created by Christiana Bellini.  The skirt of the patterned paper dress is "pleated."  Just glue the top pleated edge to the doll body.  Add the additional elements for the dress.  Add the hair which consists of an oval and a half oval with a line of  stitching.  Ink the edges if desired.  Glue the large oval to the back of the head.  Glue the half oval to the front, covering the top of the head.  You could add a bow made of paper or ribbon if wanted.  

The tree is from the Valentine Gnome file from Simply Crafty SVGs.  The top of the tree was cut 3 times and resized.  All of the papers were inked to add a little more interest. The top 2 pieces were popped up using foam dots.  

The tag was colored using distress inks to create a background.  Be sure to stop by the Facebook page to see all the rest of the images posted for this Reveal.  

The lettering on the apple basket was hand lettered using a .01 Micron pen.  The basket edges were inked with a dark brown ink pad.  

The apples are from the SCAL library.  You can ink the edges.  Apply a light coat of Mod Podge Hi Lustre glaze with a paint brush to make them shiny if you'd like.  Let dry and stack the apples in the basket.  Add a couple of foam tape squares to the back to adhere to the tag.  

I think tag is my favorite of the three this year.  

 

Thanks for stopping by!  Hoping you've carved out some creative time this coming week.  I have and I'm looking forward to sharing a couple of new projects that I'm working on.  

 

2022 Three Tags of Fall - Tag 2

It's day 2 of the 3 Tags of Fall Reveal.  Yesterday's  tags were pretty awesome.  Did you stop by the Facebook page to see them?  If not, you should -- and it's likely that one or two of today's tags have posted as well.  

Today's tag was a fun one.  I'd been looking for a "long-boxy" sort of bear but couldn't find what I was looking for as an image or SVG, so I thought I'd give designing what I was looking for based on the sketch in my sketchbook for this year's tags.  It didn't turn out too badly and was all done in SCAL5 Pro - using shapes in the library. 

The leaves were from a file I've had for a while and got at Creative Fabrica.  After coloring, I added some foam tape to the back of the top two.  Created the bundle of three and slipped it under the one arm as shown in the image above.  

I used the same tag shape but didn't add the frame.  You'll find the directions to create it in yesterday's post.  I extended the length of the tag by adding a piece of 2" wide plaid ribbon I've had in my stash for a very long time, stapling it to the bottom of the tag. 

The leaves and bear were colored using Ohuhu alcohol markers.  I like the primitive colored look for this version.  It was fun to make.

Stop by the Facebook page today to see the tags that have posted.  I'm sure there will be some additional lovelies added today and again tomorrow.  

2022 Three Tags of Fall - Tag 1

It's time for the annual 3 Tags of Fall reveal.  After perusing Pinterest for a little bit, I found a couple of ideas that I thought would translate to paper very well.

Using the library in SCAL5, the elements for this tag were created.  The tag shape was made using the vertical rectangle, a half circle.  These two elements were "fused" using the union command once the half circle was elongated a bit and centered on the upper edge of the rectangle.  A small circle (.10) was added and centered in the upper portion of the half circle.  Front minus Back was used again.  If you want a reinforcement for the tag, you can create on in a different color or in the same paper you used to cut the tag.  

The tag frame was created using two vertical rectangles and the Back minus Front command.  some foam tape was added to the back of this piece and then attached to the tag base.  Edge all the pieces with some black ink.  

The flowers are created using stars from the library.  Place two stars together, shifting one star slightly to the left or right.  Use Union to create the petals.  Cut two petals for each flower. Color and ink the edges.  For the flower centers, cut a solid circle and a frame.  Emboss the flower center and using some off white ink, ink the edges of the circle frame.  Using a paper piercer, curl some of the petals.  Attach the flowers using some pop dots.  Add some twine for a little interest if desired.  

Stop by the eCal-SCAL Facebook page to see all of the wonderful tags that are being created for this year's Reveal.  

2021 quick review

While 2021 was filled with lots of ups and downs, it was also a new start in many ways.  

My Top 9 projects created for Creative Fabrica:  

Over the course of the year, I was able to explore new techniques, use new products and explore a new cutting machine and put a twist on a few of the old techniques.  

To explore any of the photos in the collage above, go to my Author page at Creative Fabrica.  You'll find it here.  All of the articles for the year are posted there.  My crafting stash came in very handy and while we made a few new purchases, for the most part, we were able to stick to a pretty austere crafting budget over the course of the last 12 months.  

I'm looking forward to exploring additional techniques and creative play in 2022 and hope you will be able to do the same.  Keep nurturing that creative part of your being in the months to come!  It's time!

Thanksgiving Hydrangea Wreath

What a fun project this was.  I'm so excited to share it with you.  You'll find all the assembly details over on The Artistry.  

Beautiful rich fall colors, faux wood plaque and more.  Hope you'll enjoy looking at it as well.  

3 Fall Tags - Tag 3

These tags have been so fun to make.  Today's tag is the last in this short Tag Challenge.  Today's tag is the smallest.  but it still packs a punch, I think.  It's also pinterest inspired.

Supplies used:
Neenah 110 lb.  White
Poetique Ink Refills
Skycut cutter/plotter
Christmas Acorn Leaf SVG (from Creative Fabrica)
SCAL 5 Pro
Nuvo Drops
Adhesive (Bearly Art glue & foam dots)

Open SCAL5 Pro and choose the acorn leaf pattern from the file and drag and drop to the mat.  Size as needed.  Add Tag #2 from the library and made sure that the images will fit.  

Add another page and place vertical rectangle and add desired sentiment.  Make sure that all of the type is set to P2C.  Size as desired.  Print and cut the image.  Ink the edges of the piece. 

Cut the leaves and tag.  

Use the same method for coloring the leaves and tag as used in yesterday's tag details.  Let all the images dry.  
Assemble the tag as desired.  Add a few Nuvo drops in desired color on the leaves and around the tag.  


Enjoy the process if you try this.  Hoping you'll enjoy some creative time soon.  Take care and happy crafting!  

 

3 Fall Tags - Tag 2

Oversized and big!  These tags measure nearly 6" x 10.5"!  They're cute and simple and made of paper and vinyl!  




Once again, I chose to use Tag 2 from the SCAL library.  Resize and ungroup to resize the circle.  Since I chose to use 1 1/2 in wide burlap ribbon, the hole is about 1 inch in diameter.  Cut using your cutting machine.  

Choose your font (CK Emily Pen).  Choose your words and using the text tool, type and size as needed to fit within the bounds of the tag, leaving a bit of a margin all the way around the tag.  Using the vinyl setting for your machine, cut, weed and transfer to the tag.  Highlight a shadow using a white gel pen as desired. I also round the bottom corners of the tags for a softer look.  

Add any other embellishments as desired.  

Since these are pretty large and I decided not to embellish, I added them to a 24" diameter grapevine wreath.  Centered under a paper twist tied bow and a few dyed* paper leaves.  

You'll need:  
Kraft paper for tags (12 x 12)
Vinyl
White Gel pen
Leaves (two collections from Creative Fabrica were used you'll find them here and here)
Poetique ink refills
Glass plate
Water
Toothbrush
Freezer paper
Skycut
SCAL5 Pro
Glue gun, glue
Paper twist (deep olive green)
wire
Burlap ribbon
24" grapevine wreath

To dye the leaves: 
Cut the leaves from AC white cardstock.  I used the textured stock.  It adds a look of watercolor paper - but that is purely optional.  Place a couple of drops of the desired ink refills on a glass plate and spritz a bit of water on the plate to spread the color. Lay the leaf cut face down in the color, lift and set aside to dry.  


Use a toothbrush to flick a little extra color if desired.  

Expect to get a little inky during the process if you don't want to wear gloves.  

Thanks for stopping by.  Tag 3 to be posted tomorrow.  

Enjoy some creative time today, or set some aside.  

3 Fall tags - Tag 1

the eCal/Scal FB page is hosting another tag reveal beginning today, September 1.  Only 3 tags -- but they've been incredibly fun to make and create.  

The tag I'm choosing to share today is this one.  

 

 

I love fall and have lots of fun memories of raking leaves into great big piles, helping my dad put them into a wheel barrow and moving them to a bigger pile.  We would play for hours in the piles.  Once all the "play" was done, we would have a bon-fire (the leaves were the fuel), roast marshmallows and make s'mores.  As the cooler weather arrived, warm cider or hot chocolate in mugs and freshly made doughnuts would often great us.  

Supplies needed: 
All digital images are from Creative Fabrica (affiliate links are used and help provide vouchers for participants in the challenges on the Facebook page) 
Harvest Hayrides Apple Cider...  found here.


Take out coffee cup found here


Autumn Plaid Papers found here


Printer
Skycut C24 cutter/plotter
SCAL5 Pro
Ribbon (stash)
White (Neenah 110 lb)
Black, Pumpkin, Gray, Kraft (FSJ, Bazill, Crate Paper)
Pumpkin Bread Ink (FSJ)
ScorTape
Foam tape

Open SCAL and select Tag 2 from the library.  Size to 4 inches wide and 6 inches tall.  You'll need to ungroup and resize the circle near the top of the tag and center.  

Open the quote bundle and select the quote, size as needed.  Make sure the image is set to print + cut print.  The SVG was colored using the Gradient feature and 4 colors using the radial feature.  You can play with the sliders to get the best effect.  

Create your Spiced Cider image.  Don't have a cent sign, create your own using a lower case "c" and a lower case "l" in separate text boxes and overlap the l onto the c.  Center in the circle.  If you have trouble creating the text, refer to the SCAL user manual for best results.  Set all the lettering to print + cut print.  Highlight the circle, select Effects < Contour Cut (Shadow Layer) and leave at the default setting.  

The plaid border at the bottom of the tag is a separate horizontal rectangle and is filled with one of the digital papers in the pack.  It was pretty close to the ribbon I had on hand, so I used it. 

Drag and drop the Cup onto the mat.  DO NOT UNGROUP yet.  Highlight and select Effects < Contour Cut (Shadow Layer).  Create a shadow that is .30.  Select blackout.  Click ok.  Now, you can ungroup the cup and separate the pieces for cutting.  Fill the middle band with the same plaid you used for the rectangle.  Be sure to set it to print + cut print.  

Print all printables.  Cut all pieces.  Ink if desired for a little more dimension and texture.  Assemble the cup.  Place foam dots on the back and place on the tag as shown below.  Adhere the spiced cider circle to the shadow circle.  Foam dots were also added to the back of the shadow of the spiced cider circle.  Add your ribbon and secure as desired.  A staple was used in this example.  



Thanks for dropping by.  Hope you'll check out all the tags being shared this week on the Facebook page and elsewhere.  Set aside some creative time this week.  Enjoy the flow and nurture your heart along the way.  

 

2019 holiday season

It seems like the holidays have descended in one fell swoop... late Thanksgiving and before you know it... well Christmas is just 10 days out now.

We've been busy "elves" the last several months!  I can now share a couple of things I've created now that InviteByVoice has shared the projects on their site.  

The turkey is a design we used several years ago and I decided it was time to bring it back.  I couldn't find the original cutting file and created my own using ecal3 and cut the shapes with the eclips2.  A little inking, pen and a wobble added a little dimension to the turkey.  The background was embossed and inked.  The sentiment was a file from CreativeFabrica and was printed in reverse on transparency... TIP:  Print and let dry for 24 hours before using.  I also added an EZ Sound module to this card -- the sentiment on the inside says and compliments the Gobble til you Wobble ringtone.  

A also created a trio of 15 minute cards using the same basic design, just altering the embellishments.  These cards were featured on the InviteByVoice blog - you'll find that post and a step by step tutorial  here.  

There are several other projects on the crafting table... will be sharing those very soon.  Thanks for dropping by.  Hoping you'll make some time this holiday season to do a little creating.  Happy Holidays!