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2023 5 Tags of Spring - Day 4

While looking through some pins on Pinterest, I noticed some beautiful book spines that were being used as bookmarks.  I can't bear to cut up a book, so I thought it might be fun to do a simple spine and use a background paper I created in SPARK.  I added a  resin bezel and an antiqued tag after foiling the "spine"  with some simple lines and fill.  

Using SCAL 6 Pro, I filled the tag shape with the background paper using Pattern Fill.  Print and then foil.  I used two colors of foil, Gold for the broader rectangle shape and pink for the lines.  I left the paper in the upper left corner of the mat and used the WYSIWYG method of adding the foil.  This also allowed ease in changing the foil for the two colors,   Once the foiling was finished, I used the Print 2 cut method for cutting tag.  

I added a gold diamond shaped eyelet tof the ribbon to thread through and hang the heart bezel and tag that had some jewelry rings added.

Thanks again for stopping by - we're nearing the conclusion of this year's reveal.  It's always sad to see it end, but then again, we look forward to the next year's makes.  What's crafting in your creative space this week?  Hoping good things!  

3d Heart Treasure Box

When I first got a sneak peek at this box, I was so excited!  I had a couple of thoughts on how to make it. Below is my final version.

I love that the front and back walls of this piece are reinforced, making the box very sturdy and the box top is hinged in the back, keeping the top and bottom together. The box is made from a rusty colored cardstock that complimented the colors in the panel pieces and reminded me of the colors in the sand in the area where the image was originally taken.  

The front flap doesn't require a closure, but you could certainly add one if desired.   This file from Simply Crafty SVGs will be a go to in the future for several projects through the year.    

Using SCAL 6 Pro, I used the clip path command to place the image in the panel shapes.  This made it pretty easy for the print to cut process for the Skycut as well.  The slot canyon image was printed on glossy photo stock and the colors from the printer were incredibly vibrant!  

 

Thanks for stopping by.  Each visit is appreciated.  Hoping you have some creative time marked out this week - if not, find some time.  Your heart and spirit will benefit (among other things).  

Valentine Tags

Have you ever made glassine paper?  I remember doing this years ago, but tried it again using a couple of different types of paper.  The plan was to use the paper in some Valentine tags - These tags are oversized a bit -- as I didn't want to lose any of the detail in the images.

The article with most of the details can be found on the Artistry here.

Rather than stamp images I decided to print on the papers....  I used tracing paper and tissue paper as my test mediums... The prints came out as expected.  The tissue paper image colors are a little diffused and the tracing paper image is much brighter.  I used SCAL 6 Pro as my editing program to size and print from while using the png images from Creative Fabrica. 

I didn't antique either paper before printing or afterwards.  Once the printing was completed, I finished the process by adding the wax and loving the change in the look of each of the papers.  

tissue paper

tracing paper

These were really fun to make and I have some ideas for some other versions I'd like to try in the next couple of months.  We'll see how that rolls out!  LOL 

The tags were created in SCAL 6 Pro using several steps... it's important to have your tag just the way your want it before going to the next step.  Once the tag was ready, I placed an image on the mat, placed the tag on top and used Clip Path > Set Clip Path and printed the tags and cut them using the Skycut C24.  

Details for assembling the tags is in the article -- found here.  

Thanks for dropping by and I hope you've carved out some creative time this week and month.  Nurture your creative spirit any way you feel you  must.  

Valentine Fresh Blooms

Everyone I know likes flowers... even paper ones especially at Valentine's Day.

How about this one created using files from Simply Crafty SVGs? I used the box base from the Santa Hat box and the flowers from the Bee Hive files.  I added Heart 6, a star and a leaf from the shapes library in SCAL.  

The florals, hearts, leaves and sepals were cut using some sketch pad paper.  The skycut had no problem cutting the images including the smallest of the centers of the flower.  They were all colored using alcohol markers, front and back.  I used a star for the sepal on each of the flowers.  The petals of the flowers were shaped with the petals going down.  All of these pieces are wired and hot glue was used to attach the wire to each flower.  You can add some additional details to the wire by wrapping around a skewer if desired.  

No changes to the box file were necessary other than copying an additional panel for the front panel since you won't be using the Santa face included with the file.  Using the Pattern command, fill the panel pieces with a fun digital paper.  The paper used in our sample is from Creative Fabrica.  The score lines were changed to DRAW and the scoring tool was used to draw those lines.  

Once the pieces are scored and cut, glue the printed panels to the box sides.  Glue the two sides of the box together as instructed in the video Sandy has created for putting the box together.  The panels were inked using some distress ink in a pink that nearly matched the pink in the flowers.  The ink adds another layer of color and interest to the overall box.  You can add the ink BEFORE adding to the box sides, or after.  

The metallic LOVE stamp is an old retired embossing and die set from Sizzix Cuttlebug.  It was cut from a piece of an aluminum soda can scrap. 

This project would be easy to replicate and could be finished within a hour or two once the florals are colored.

Thanks for stopping by!.  Hope you've marked out some creative time this week and enjoy the process of nurturing your creative spirit.

 

Take Out Surprise!

If you're a hot drink sort of fan, this project would be a fun gift to share with a friend.  Especially with the surprise they'd get when opening the lid. If you don't want to add our suggested insert, you could add a couple of keurig cups or a gift card to their favorite shop. 

The Takeout Coffee cup file is from Simply Crafty Svgs.  A very easy file to use and assemble.  The large version was used for our project.  The penguin head is from the Penguin Explosion Box also from Simply Crafty Svgs. 

After finding some fun mechanisms created by Rob Ives, I thought I could use the Spring Mechanism with this project.  The mechanism itself is easy to assemble and use.   

(image from RobIves.com website)

Two flaps were glued to the top of the inside of the spring mechanism and to the underside of the head.  There are also 2 flaps glued to the bottom of the mechanism and are glued to the inside bottom of the cup.  The flaps provide the stability in keeping the spring mechanism vertical in the cup.  

Mat and cut the cup as designed.  No changes necessary.  The penguin head is resized to a smaller size -- you may want to test the perfect size for you if you use the spring assembly as designed or change the size.  The penguin head pieces were resized to 70% of the original design size.  

(a short video can be seen here)

AC cardstock was used for each base construction Digital papers used in this project are Snowed In from Echo Park.  The cup panels and band are filled with papers from the collection using SCAL 5 Pro.  The stitched heart is also from the collection.  Ink the edges of the panels in a compatible color.  All base elements and print to cut images are cut using the Skycut C24.  

You'll need:  
AC Cardstock (white, black, yellow)
white gel pen
holographic glitter pen
Bearly Art Glue
Skycut C24
SCAL 5 Pro
Elastic band
Spring Mechanism (RobIves.com) - Spring file used in this project is found here. 

 

Thanks for stopping by!  Hoping your creative time this year has been plentiful and will continue to be so.  Have a happy day!

A Spring Prim

Winter just arrived and after the most recent storms, everyone is anxious for Spring to roll in!  I'm not sure I'd go that far, but it was fun to do a little playing and combining a few Simply Crafty SVGs files to create 2 versions of this Spring Prim Bunny.  

The head from the Smiling Snowman file once again makes up the central portion of this piece.  I did not cut the bottom piece that wraps around the bottom of the head.  Add some ears from the Bunny Easter Basket file. 

The head and ear cuts were reduced to 85%.  Double embossing* of the panels and a small amount of inking using some grey distress ink and blender tool.  The coloring for the inner ear pieces was done using colored pencils.  A small slit on each side of the top piece allowed for the ear to be inset into the head about 1/4 of an inch.  Glue in place.  The facial features are a pink glittered brad nose.  The prongs of the brad were cut off and 2 beads were used for eyes and some scrap cardstock was used for the eyebrows.  

A fluffy organza bow is attached to the lower portion of the head.  

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I made two bases -- the first base is made using the carrot from the Carrot Patch file and increasing it in size just a little bit.  You don't need to cut the top piece with the slit in it.  

Ink all the edges and let the ink travel into the center of each side if desired.  I added about a tablespoon of rice in a small plastic bag to the inside of the carrot piece before closing it up and gluing it shut. the rice was used as a weight and for stability. You can just place the head of the rabbit over the top of the carrot and it should fit snugly.  Cut another carrot piece for the base.  You'll need to cut 2 inches off to create a truncated cone.  Add a little inking.  Assemble and flip with the lid as your base.  You will have an opening for the carrot to sit in.  I added some small punched flowers and some grass edging found in this file: Bunny in a Basket Card  (I placed three of the grass strips together slightly overlapped and used the Union command in SCAL 5 to make the strip one long piece.  Copy and paste the strip -- and on one of the pieces, make it slightly taller.  Cut and ink.  Wrap around the base.  Add some pastel flowers and set the carrot in the base.

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For the second base, I used the spindle stand from the Smiling Jack O'Lantern from Simply Crafty SVGs.  No changes were made and it was cut as it was designed in the file.  Once the stand is assembled, ink as desired for additional texture and interest.  Place the head on the stand.  You could add a small cube to the top of the stand for a little more stability of the head, but we wanted to add a small battery operated tealight for an additional element of surprise.  

You'll also need:

AC cardstock (12 x 12 white, weave, rust, dk olive green)
Distress inks (colors as desired) and blending tool or felt to blend
1 1/2 yard white organza ribbon (1/2 inch wide)
Brad
Seed Beads
Hot Glue gun
Bearly Art Precision Art Glue
SkyCut C24 and SCAL 5 Pro
Colored pencils
wire cutters
wire
Embossing folders 
Embossing machine (Big Kick by Sizzix was used)

*to double emboss:  Run the pieces through the embossing machine with the most detailed folder first.  Then make a second pass using the second folder.  The embossing from the first run will be still visible, but not as detailed.  You'll be able to pick up most of the design if you lightly brush the top with some ink.  

Hoping you'll enjoy some creative time in the next few days and nurture your soul.  Crafting is my stress release and I always look forward to setting aside some creative time.  Hoping you do too!  

Neighbor gifts

Pinterest has been my go to lately for some inspiration and we decided to a do a little more for a gift for our neighbors this year.  Using some fabric from my stash, I made some simple bags.  We added some boxed cookie mix, though with an adjustment in the size of the bags, you could add a mix in a jar if wanted or fill the bag with wrapped baked goodies or candies, etc.    

Some greenery, berries and a small wooden spoon found in the wood crafts section at Hobby Lobby worked well. 

The kraft tag was a print 2 cut done using SCAL 5 Pro and cut on the skycut.  The edges of the tag are swiped with some white ink.  We used some brown paper wrapped wire to pull everything together.  

Lanterns

 

I was asked to create some lanterns for some table centerpieces for a friend.  She needed 10 lanterns.  I remembered a post from a few years back where another designer for SVGCuts had altered a file and added some windows to the basic lantern file.  I figured that would work.

A pack of AC Cardstock in crimson paper was perfect!  Some greenery, berries, ribbon and a tealight and some "snow" finished these off perfectly.  They were ready to add to the other decor being used for the centerpieces.

The skycut C24 made easy work of all the cutting... including the transparency for the windows.  Bearly Art Precision Glue was used to glue the side walls and bottom piece together.  I did use some scor-tape to adhere the transparency to the inside walls.  

You can find the lantern file here and the adaptation for the windows and more here.  

I don't have a pic of the finished tables yet, but hope to have one soon.  

 

 

2022 Holiday Tags - #12

Today's the final day... the reveal of the last tag.  This digi stamp, Christmas Gnome with Lantern, from Polkdoodles.com was the perfect image to use.  

Colored with colored pencils and blended with Gamsol.  There is some shimmer added to the beard and a few stars around the tag edges.  It just doesn't show well in the above images.  

To add a little more to the tag -- the EZ light from Pear Blossom Press was added to the back panel.  There's no need to create a circuit as the circuit is built into the EZ light.  Just add the battery, secure the light in place as directed in the instructions provided with the product packaging - and making sure that the button is facing the front of the tag.  Once you have the light in place, add some foam tape around the edges.  I placed two layers of the tape along the edges and secured the two tag pieces together.

Press the button and voila!  You have light and a very special tag that will be fun for any recipient!  

This has been a delightful 12 days again this year.  Thanks again for stopping by.   I'll be posting a recap a little later this month.  If you're so inclined, we'd love to have you join us next year for our annual reveal and share your 12 tags as well.  All of the tags shared this year here and on the Facebook page can be found in the 2022 - 12 Holiday Tags Reveal album.  

2022 Holiday Tags - #10

Have you ever looked at the fabulous iced cookies that are being created out there?  They are amazing.  I wish I could hold an icing bag again to do some of them - but arthritis makes it a little more difficult.    Using a cutting machine and paper makes it possible to create this small paperquilt/paper-pieced tag.  

This star "cookie" was a fun one and adding some details using embossing folder added a little more texture for the finished tag.  It was fun to dig through my tub of embossing folders and choose what to use for this tag.  Both folders were from Sizzix.  Basic shapes for the five-sided star, circle for the nose and an oval for the face.  The raindrops in the Spring folder for the general make-up of this tag.  I used a couple of horizontal lines found in the Basic Shapes folder -- and used the wave effect to create a slight curve in both lines. This tag is also a great way to use up some of your scraps.  Nothing over 4 x 4!  Bearly Art glue was used.  

Thanks for stopping by!  Join us over on the Facebook page to check out the rest of the makes!