Izbzee

a little mixed media

Playing with a little mixed media in this card... loving the gelli print background, stamping, edge die, clay (Sculpey) and mica (Mixed Media Supplies) for this dimensional card front.    

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The print background paper is a copy of an original gelli print with a stamped image (retired SU).  Scanning the prints has really been a blessing.  It's fun to be able to incorporate the digital image in lots of projects.

The heart is crafted from black sculpey clay heart with a leaf imprint.  The mica was transferred directly to the heart using the leaf.  Baked and sealed with clear sealer from Sculpey.  This heart is one of several I made a while back and didn't give away - but wasn't quite sure how to incorporate into a project.  Thankfully, it's found a home and it's perfect for this card which was sent to someone needing a little cheer last month.  

It was also quite nice to have a stash in place and not have to worry about placing an order and waiting for items to come through the mail or delivery services.  Dear hubby was pleased as well to know that there were a few cards he needed in the stash too.  

As you've probably noticed, crafting has been a little sparse the last few months. The mojo has been elusive and time as well.  Hoping with summer approaching I'll be able to get back into my weekly routine of crafting and creating on Wednesdays again with fabric, fiber and paper... and maybe even begin some additional digital stuff as well.  Fingers crossed that things will come together as planned and sharing some of these ideas soon.  

Hoping you'll find or make some time available to nurture your creative spirit this coming week or during the month if this week has already been filled to capacity....  Be safe, stay well and remember: 

 

 

Father's Day 2020

One thing that hasn't changed this year, thankfully, is some timely crafting and preparing gifts for Father's Day.

Dreaming Tree was so helpful in sharing this file* (just one in the collection) that was a perfect choice for a couple of our guys.

 

I decided to notch up this easy to do card with an EZ Sound module from InviteByVoice.com.  The music is called League of Heroes from MelodyLoops.com and I just took a short sound bite from it to record to the sound module.  

Following the directions in the file and assembly tutorial found at Dreaming Tree's website, assemble the front of the card as directed and the inside insert, but don't adhere.

Add your recording to the sound module following the easy directions in the package, or view the video here. Once that's done, Remove the backing from the module and place the sound module on the center panel about 1 1/2 inches up from the bottom of the card base.  One the back of the insert, stack 2 layers of foam tape at the bottom and at the top, center and adhere to the card base.  

This card could also be used as a birthday card or a celebration for a new job or graduation... lots of possibilities with just a few adaptations to the shield and the "belly band."  

Here's the video with just a small sound bite.  

Hoping you have some creative time planned for the coming week.  Have some fun and get a little play time in using your favorite mediums.  

* Affiliate link

Creating during Covid-19

This is a pretty quick project and instructions were clear and easy to follow from a new designer on Etsy. Rafael Migliorini, has a brand spanking new Etsy store and some fun designs are showing up. (https://www.etsy.com/shop/RMDesignerGrafico) 

The rat is a print 2 cut graphic from CreativeFabrica.  The box will fit some fun treats too.  

 

Mother's Day cards were quick to make (especially since time to play is in short supply). 

The background for this card is a purchased image is from Dreamstime.com.  The sentiment is a Print2Cut created in eCal3 and cut with the eclips2.  The stamped tulips are from WaffleFlower.  Dies are also available.   Colored pencils from Rembrandt were used for the stamped images.  

There's more... but until the cards are delivered, the images are under wraps for the time being.  

May birthdays have come and gone -- and June celebrations are just around the corner... Looking forward to sharing a few more ideas here over the weekend.  

Spend some time in your creative space soon.  Make time for a some fun and play.  Will be checking back in again soon.  

Tag 5 - Spring Tag Challenge 2020

Well, it's Friday and it's been a fun week. Thanks for dropping by and sharing a bit of your day  or evening checking things out. As you can see I decided to make another shaker card - a perfect way to round out the week.  

The background is an image I purchased on Dreamstime.com - I've used it for a couple of cards and have plans to use it for another couple of projects in the days to come.  I loved the colors and thought they would serve well as the background for this tag.  

Printed on photo paper (4x6 -borderless setting).  

The sentiment is written in the Walking Wind font and is from CreativeFabrica.com  I used the foil quill and some pink glimmer mist foil from Spellbinders.  I think it turned out quite lovely.   

Stack 5 ovals cut using the eclips and ecal and adhere them to form your shaker box, centering the stack around the sentiment.  

Add the sequin mix.  Adhere an oval cut piece of transparency and the top card stock oval.  If desired add a few more sequins to the oval and the tag base.  Add some ribbon or fibers to hang your tag.  

Thanks for joining me this week.  It's been a fun week.  Don't let COVID-19 get you down .... I hope you'll be able to find a few minutes, hours or more to craft as you can.  Be safe, stay well.  

Tag 4 - Spring Tag Challenge 2020

 

Covid-19 is still disrupting lives across the world and now in our community.  I'm grateful for our online communities and the flexibility we have of working from home.  I'm still grateful for a crafting stash and no need to leave the house.  I'm pretty sure my hubby was wondering about the boxes that arrived earlier this year filled with glue, paper, and more.

This tag features another fun image from Buddly Crafts -- While this is printed on white stock, it would look wonderful on some antiqued paper for a more vintage look.  

Size, print and color the image as desired.  Using the print 2 cut feature in eCal, cut the tag.  Add a shadow layer or more as shown in the tag featured in yesterday's post.  

Embellish as desired for gifting.  Create multiples for a fun Spring banner.  

Be safe, stay well and craft on! 

Tag 3 - Spring Tag Challenge 2020

Hard to believe that we're already mid-week in the challenge.  Have you checked out all the tags showing up on the page?  If note or you need the link, you'll find the images here.  

Digital stamps to the rescue -- and I really like this one from Buddly Crafts.  Their digital stamps are nicely detailed and don't lose anything in the resizing using eCal3.  Perfect for using the print 2 cut and print 2 cut print features offered in eCal.  If you'd like, you can also print your sentiment at the same time using a fun font*.  

Print and color your stamped image.  Coloring has always been a good way for me to destress after a busy day at work or providing care for Mom.  I used Rembrandt professional colored pencils for this image.  

After the coloring is done, cut the images as desired.  I used a cloud shape from the shape library -- You can add a couple of shadow layers and cut those in colors that will coordinate with your image. 

* Or add a sentiment if desired using a stamp of choice.  This is a really quick tag - pretty easy and reminds me of one of the vintage images in my old scrapbook.  

 

Happy January -- 2020

The Christmas cards were a hit with the fam... and being able to share Mom's voice in a recording was the highlight at our family party. These 5 x 5 cards are actually a triple fold with an EZ Sound module with a recording on them.  We were able to get Mom to record a Christmas greeting -- we finally got a usable one after 3 tries.  We thought it would be a perfect touch to the cards we were sharing with my siblings this holiday season.  THEY WERE A HIT!  The image is one taken by a friend of ours and I purchased the rights for commercial use.  Printed on glossy photo paper and trimmed to 3.50 x 3.50 for the 5 x 5 card version.  The foil quill was the perfect tool to use to apply the foil on the vellum.  Trim the vellum as desired and using some vellum tape, adhere to the card front.  I used Print Shop to create the insert for the inside of the card.  


Materials:
Per card:
5 x 15 cardstock, scored at 5 and 10 inches (cardstock from Envelopes.com 11x17 in navy, matching envelopes are available)
EZ sound module (InviteByVoice.com), with desired recording (voice and music clip - a royalty free clip was purchased from Melody Loops)
Audio editing software (Audacity - it's free)
vellum
eClips 2 and eCal3 software
WRMK Foil Quill ( fine tip and adaptor for your cutting machine , heat activated foil (glimmer mist from Spellbinders)
Focal image 
Printer
glossy photo paper (4 x 6)
PhotoShop Elements (17)
Envelopes (I used a plastic box for cards from Clear Bags with an elastic band the same color as the foiling)

It's been a busy couple of months -- hopefully, as things slow down a bit now that the BIG work projects has been completed there will be more craftiness to come in the next few weeks.  Stay tuned!  

Time to deck the porch

Our pencil Christmas trees were beginning to look a little ragged and half the lights were out on the smallest of the three trees -- it was time to look at replacing the trees....but out budget for a replacement was a little skimpier than what I had plans for... so we bought one tree to replace the three.  No regrets... but then what do we do with the 3 old trees?  

Grab an old blanket or some felt, yarn and a ball ornament.  Some caulking, tin snips, a bucket and hot glue gun and sticks - this is a NO-SEW project!  

They've been transformed!  We now have 3 decked out gnomes ready to greet our guests as they approach the front door.  And since we no longer have a tree in the foyer, we opted for a smaller version. These are also no sew and quick to make, taking about 45 minutes each to make.  

The laser cut wood sign is from Expressions in Vinyl.  Thank you, Pinterest for the fun holiday decor idea.  These Dollar Tree gnomes are quick and easy to make.  I was very sad to learn that they had sold out of the trees when we went to puck another cart of trees to make more.  The buckets were from Lowes.  

I decided that i would add a couple more signs to our holiday decor this year.  

Let it Snow

Jingle Bells 

and the Nativity triptych 

More details (and better pictures) to follow on each of these projects in the next few days.  Thanks for dropping by.  Hoping your holiday crafting time brings you joy!   

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!  

2019 12 Tags of Christmas Day 12

Today is the final reveal... Another simple tag and using stamps from my stash.

Find a fun snowflake and place on your tag and if desired, using the eCal software, choose path and back minus front.  Design your sentiment.  It's a little difficult to read Christmas on this one... sorry about that.  Use the foil quill to draw and then cut the tag.  I cut a second tag for the background piece. 

Stamp the tree.  I chose to use a color that would give a faint image, then added some background color.  Add a little snow to the branches if desired using a white gel pen.  Add some sparkle.  Set aside. (Stamp is from SU, retired)

Stamp the front of the tag. (Snowflake stamp is from Pink and Main, retired) I decided to heat emboss with some detail white embossing powder,

Glue the tag front to the stamped background.