Izbzee

a first for me...

in a very long time.... A little paper house.  

I used the Bird House file and the stand from Smiling Jack O' Lantern file from Simply Crafty SVGs with an added beveled box I created using Blender and Pepakura. This was lots of fun!

The panels on the outside of the house are embossed with a rock embossing folder and the inside walls of the house are also paneled for a little more sturdiness to compensate for the added weight of the moss on the roof and to cover the prongs used in the hinges.    

.... after opening the bird house file in SCAL, I made a few changes to the door and added a few additional details. 

The door is comprised of 4 layers of cardstock.  The top layer is embossed and inked and was washed with a bit of water.  the window element was created in SCAL combining some basic shapes.  The door is set off center on the front of the house.  A half arch was added to one side (not shown above) and is also made of 4 layers, embossed and inked.  

The door knocker is made with some jewelry findings (a bead and jump ring) glued to a metallic (aluminum can) heart die cut. In the final design, they are colored with a black sharpie.   The hinges were a find on Amazon.  I used some small brads to secure the hinges to the door and house frame.  The door knob (not shown) is a brad minus the prongs.  E6000 glue was used to secure the metallic pieces to the door.  Let dry overnight for best results!

Assemble the house following the basic assembly instructions provided at Simply Crafty SVGs.  The video instruction does not include the door used for this project.  

A sheet of hobby craft moss was cut to size to use on the roof.  I used some heavy duty double stick tape to secure it on the roof pieces.  

I really like the stand from the Smiling Jack O'Lantern file.  I've used it for several other projects and it's a favorite and so easy to assemble.  No need to alter the size or design. An additional beveled box was added to the stand to add more width and stability at the top to accommodate the house.   

 

Is it perfect?  NO, not at all!  But I've learned a lot in this construction, and hope to add a few additional houses in the months to come implementing some additional ideas.  Overall, it was an enjoyable project and got me out of my comfort zone in several areas and using materials I don't often use or combine with paper.

Supplies:
Paper:  American Cardstock (AC) and Bazill  80lb (textured)
Adhesives:  Bearly Art Glue, e6000, red line tape (heavy duty)
Software used:  SCAL 5, Blender, Pepakura
Skycut C24
embossing folders, small heart die
Big Shot
Findings:  small bead, jump ring, aluminum can, hinges, brads
Jewelry round nose pliers, wire cutters
Water brush
Distress Inks
Ink blending tool

Thanks for stopping by.  Hoping you've carved out some creative time this week.  I have and I'm looking forward to some fun time crafting and creating.  If you choose to make this or something similar... please be sure to let me know and tag #simplycraftysvgs too!  Sandy would love to see your make as well!  

It's birthday season again

We have quite a few birthdays coming up in the next few weeks.  LOTS of birthdays!  Pinterest offered the inspiration for this card.

I love the retro look in the way the triangle shapes are organized.  This was the first card I cut on the new machine (#skycut) and I was amazed at how quickly the machine  cut everything but the card base.  It was probably less than 1 1/2 minutes from start to finish.  

A little inking around each of the triangles.  The word "birthday" is a stamp from a Tim Holtz set, embossed with white detail embossing powder from Ranger.  The enamel dot is from FSJ.  Paper is from SU, FSJ, Bazill and AC.  

This card is so adaptable for other occasions as well.  Change out the words, papers and even the font if you'd like to suit the occasion.  Looking forward to making a few with some of the digital papers I have in my stash....  

Off to cut and make a stack!  Hoping you have some creative time planned in the next few days!  Enjoy!  

It's been a fun week!

Thanks for stopping by this week during the #eclipsecalmaker Bunny Hop for 2019!  Hoping you spent a little bit of time in your craft room too! 

Here's a quick recap if you're wanting to review the week. 

 

Links to the posts below.
Tag #1

Tag #2

Tag #3

Tag #4

Tag#5

 

Again, thanks for joining us!  Be a maker in your own creative way!  Ready, set, PLAY! 

clay, texture, mica

Time to get back to some clay.... it feels so good in my hands and is a good "stress" reliever for me.  I had a "brick" of black Sculpey III and some previous posts (here and here) reminded me of some things I wanted to try. 

Using some heart shaped cutters, texture stamps, mica and a bit of wire, some beads, I'd like to share two of the pieces I created during a recent play session. 

You'll need:
Sculpey III
Sculpey liquid clay (used as glue)
Sculpey Glaze
Heart Shaped clay cutters
Acrylic roller
Mica  Powder(Mixed Media Supplies)
Texture stamps
Wire
Round needle nose pliers
Wire cutters
beads and other pieces for embellishment
Paint brush
Baking tile or pan with aluminum foil

 

Condition clay according to manufacturer's directions. Using the acrylic roller, roll the clay to approximately 1/4 inch thick. Press the texture stamp into the clay and roll with the roller to get a good impression.  Cut with the cutters.  Smooth the sides of the clay.

Add beads, gems, embellishments. Use "glue" if needed. 

Brush on a little mica as desired. 

Optional:  Cut 2 pieces of wire about 3 inches long. Create a loop and twist the ends.  Repeat with the second piece of wire.  Flatten and insert into the clay. 

Bake as directed.  I generally add about 5 extra minutes to the baking process.  When the clay has thoroughly cooled, Apply glaze and let dry for 24 hours.  (If you chose not to add the loops, you can glue a flat backed bail to the back of the pendant or a pin back.) 

Add additional beads and chain as desired for a necklace. 

Thanks for dropping by and hope you'll be creating in your crafting space soon! 

more clay and texture

Clay is ranking a close second to working with paper.  Paper has been a fun medium to work with for the last 15+ years... but as you may have noticed recently, I'm delving a little deeper into some basic clay fun.  It's so relaxing to condition, shape, cut and add texture to the clay.

Today's project is a simple pin.  Made with some Sculpey clay, condition as directed by the manufacturer.  Create the desired shape.  Using the Mixed Media Supplies, Bark Background stamp, I added a bit of texture to the clay's surface altering directions a couple of times for a little bit of  "cross-hatching" effect.   Using a piercing tool, add some stems and leaves and add the beads for the flower heads.  I baked the clay according to the direction, adding a couple of extra minutes since the "handle" at the top of the piece was a bit thicker than the base was.  

After the piece has cooled, apply a wash of black acrylic paint, making sure you get a bit into the stem and leaf depressions.  Wipe off any excess.  Let dry.  Apply a light coat of Sculpey Gloss and let dry.  Once it is thoroughly dry, to finish, add the pin to the back with a good jewelry glue or add a large jump ring and chain to use as a pendant. 

You'll Need:
Sculpey Terra Cotta clay
Pasta machine (dedicated to clay use)
Acrylic Roller if  you don't have a pasta machine
Clay blades
Mixed Media Supplies Bark Background Stamp
Black Acrylic paint/water
paint brush for acrylic paints
paper towel
Piercing Tool
beads
pin back finding

clay play 3

Did a little playing with some clay this morning after work was done.  I'm sort of liking these, but they still need a little tweaking. 

These two aren't quite finished -  and, I forgot to put a hanging hole  on both of these... so I'll have to create an alternative way of hanging them.  They're a little too big to be a pendant or a pin...

Sculpey Clay III, some seed beads, and a few "tools" from the kitchen are perfect for adding a few details.  All items were baked according to manufacturer's directions.  These are slightly thicker than 1/4"  so I baked for about 30 minutes and they were perfect.  Coloring was done using some watercolor pencils and a waterbrush.    Once the coloring has dried, I began applying a thin coat of Sculpey Glaze. The bunny on the left only has a coat of the blaze on his "belly" at the moment.  I'll apply another coat (full coverage) and let dry. 

There are a couple of additional details to add. I'm really hoping to get another 20 or so done for the tree in the foyer.  Fingers crossed I'll get them all done... and each having a bit of personality to boot.  Should have more photos come Tuesday!  6 down and another dozen or so to go!

I think I'll put on that second coat AND roll out a bit more clay for cutting!  My new Mantra for this week is START.  What's yours? 

Happy Crafting!