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Holiday card making - part 1

There's a new collection out at Simply Crafty SVGs.  I fell in love with the penguin card as soon as I saw it and decided to jump and get the set as soon as it was released and put my spin on it.  I had ideas swirling!  

Here's my take:  
I cut an extra layer of the solid blackout version of the penguin.   I wanted to make sure the insert was stable enough to handle the wobble.  I also cut a vellum version of the lights and then trimmed the "bulbs" from the black cut.  I used an embossing tool to add a little dimension to the vellum bulbs.  You could also color them if desired or color the light different colors with alcohol markers if you didn't have any colored LED lights.

I used some lights from a chibi kit I'd purchased a while back.  Create your circuit.  I did cut a slot in the panel that goes on the card base back after coloring the panel with distress inks for a night sky.  The panel had been altered by adding some small holes in the spots where the bulbs would be.  You can do that before cutting or marking the panel after cutting.  Mark the back piece of the card base for placement of the LEDs.  Create your circuit.  Since I'd added a slot, i used a slider switch to complete the circuit to turn the lights on and off.  It is hidden behind the insert but very accessible.  The "handle" will fold down for mailing and doesn't add a lot of bulk to the card.

You'll assembly the card pretty much as directed in the video on Sandy's site -- I added some inking and used a small piece of cotton for the pom-pom on the hat for a little more fun.  

Hoping you'll find some creative time soon as well!  

2023 - 5 Tags of Summer - tag 5

For my last tag for this challenge, I created a nighttime mountain scene.  I found a couple of files at Creative Fabrica that would work.  I chose dark papers for this tag to remind me of my last trip to the mountains and looking up at the night sky.  Wouldn't it be neat to see the northern lights too?  Sadly, we hardly ever have the opportunity to see them where we live... but it would be fun!  

I used the same design for this tag as I used for the Summer Reads tag.  I didn't change the size of the tag.  To add the flap to the front of the tag, I added an altered tag from the basic library in SCAL.  This flap will also be the important to the interactive portion of the tag. 

The sentiment, Summer's last hurrah! is foiled using the foil quill.  

Before assembling the front of the tag, I marked the 2nd tag I cut so I could create a circuit for the chibitronics LED lights I planned to add for the interactive piece.  I created the circuit using conductive fabric tape.  Added the lights and secured the lights with an extra layer of tape.  To make sure the tape that would be placed on the back of the tag front would make contact with the battery and circuit, I added a small piece of foam tape and burnished a small piece of tape on the circuit on the back tag.  Add foam tape around the perimeter of the tag and make sure there is a border around the battery to hold it in place.  

Ink the layer pieces as desired.  I added some Pearl Ex mixed with water to the upper portion of the tag front.  Let dry.  Assemble and glue the remaining pieces for the front of that tag.   In the area where the opening is, place a piece of conductive fabric, making sure it aligns with the battery and the circuit.  Test to make sure the lights will light when the flap is pressed against the tag.  

Remove the release paper on the foam tape and align the tag front to the tag back and secure in place.  I used black foam tape.  

 

Light the candle - cupcake spinner card

I couldn't leave the spinner cards alone and decided to try another one - this one with a birthday theme. 

The Reindeer Spinner Card and the Cupcake Center Panel Card files are from Simply Crafty SVGs (links below).  The candle lights up too.. and if you pull the slider just enough to close the circuit, the candle light flicker!  

The Chibitronic blog has some great examples to look at and I snagged this idea from there.  To create the card, you will need to resize the cupcake (and decorative pieces) a bit.  I used vellum for the flame on the candle.  The vellum will allow the light to shine through.  

I cut all the pieces for this card from 110 lb cardstock.  Plan on a little bit of time to create the circuit if you've not created one before.  Follow Eiko's video (here) for step-by-step details on how to sew the conductive thread to the light and to the circuit.  It's a very important part of the process.  

The circuit:  

For this card, I did used another battery instead of the CR2016 recommended because I was out of that size.  Since making this card, I've been able to pick up a couple of extra batteries to have on hand as I have several other ideas for a few upcoming cards and batteries will be required!  

Once you've got things assembled, turn that cupcake around and get ready for some fun!  

The sentiment is a self-designed cut I created in SCAL 5 Pro and cut using the Skycut. 

You'll need: 
Chibitronic LED light (white was used in this project)
Copper tape with adhesive backing
conductive thread
foam tape
CR2016 battery
Heavy duty double sided tape
Bearly Art Glue
Decorative paper (1 8.5 x 11 inch sheet)
110 lb cardstock for card base and circuit layer and sentiment.  
scissors
paper piercer
electronic cutting machine 
Reindeer Spinner card (Simply Crafty SVGs)
Cupcake Center Panel Card (Simply Craft SVGs)
vellum (transparent)
yellow, orange and red alcohol markers

Thanks for stopping by.  Hoping you're enjoying some creative time this week as well.  

Buzzing by to say.... card

this was so fun to make after seeing something similar on the Chibitronics blog a while back.  The lights under the wings of the bees is a perfect addition to the digital clip art from Creative Fabrica.  You'll find the details to create this card here.  

SCAL 5 Pro and the skycut were perfect partners for the print + cut print option in the software.  The machine once again performed perfects cuts.  

Since I couldn't find a stamp for the sentiment in my stash and I didn't want to do the foil quill or pen since the background was already cut, I used a Micron pen to write the sentiment.  It's not perfect, but it does add a personal touch for this card and I do like it.  

The circuit was a bit challenging -- but it's not the fault of the Chibi product, just my own inability to follow the plan!  I did get the + and - mixed up on the first go round and nixed the slider switch.  The second time around was a lot quicker and successful!  

I did end up using foam squares since my white mounting tape has done a disappearing act.   :(  Once all the foam was added, we did another test of the lights and they worked.

Building the front image was a breeze since placement was marked earlier in the process.  Bearly Art glue was used to adhere the flowers to the card front.  Foam pop ups were used to attach the bees to the cards.  

It's fun to share these makes with a friend and neighbor.  She's always a little amazed at the "fun!"  This card was no exception and I have a feeling there will be a time in the future to make a few with her for her to gift to family and close friends.  

Thanks for stopping by -- hope you'll look at trying to "light up" one of your cards or makes in the near future.  

Enjoy your time in your creative space!  

 

 

Spinner Card ala Gnome

Making this card was a challenge for me.  The circuit involved more than just copper tape, a battery and a light.  This also involved some conductive thread which I hadn't used previously.  

I did watch a few videos to make sure that I understood the way the circuit would work .... and it did!  I was ecstatic when the slide switch turned the light on!  Use this link  to view the video as YouTube isn't playing nice and letting me embed the short today. 

The Gnome All Occasion Treat Box is a new release from Simply Crafty SVGs ... and the bonus included with the basic gnome pattern comes are the 12 different elements for decorations!  Of course, if you have your own ideas, you can add those to personalize the gnome even more.  It was very easy to resize the gnome and have it become the focal piece for this project.  

I used the Reindeer Spinner Card from Simply Crafty SVGs as the base for the card.  Digital papers used on the card front and inside of the card are from NitWit Collections (Farmhouse Collection) and pulled a few pieces or cardstock, vellum and dotted paper from my stash.  

The circuit was created following details in Eiko's post for a spinner card I found on the Chibitronics blog.  Following the directions in the video, cut three pieces of the image you plan to use for the spinner.  Cut two panels for the card and the card base.  One of the card panels will become the card front.  The other will be used for the circuit.  The card base will be adhered to the back of the circuit panel.  (Click on the image below for a full size view)

I will have a  more detailed step by step assembly post added in a week or so.  So please stay tuned.  

 

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!

say Cheese!

A current challenge on the eclips & eCal Facebook page was the basis for creating this fun interactive card.  The challenge requires use of a shaker element.  The shaker must be created using eCal and cutting with the eclips cutting machine.  

This idea has been in a sketchbook for over a year --the challenge was perfect timing and the opportunity to bring this project to the top of the list opened a bevy of other ideas!  The shaker for this card had to be transparent all the way to the base of the card -- as that would be where the sentiment would be adhered under the shutter elements.  

You'll need:
Bazzil cardstock:
2 8.5 x 11 sheets for the card base (5.5 x 8.5) , 2 panels (1.875 x 5), clasp (optional), shutter mechanism pieces (1 6 x 6 piece)
1 6 x 6 inch for camera
1 3 x 4 inch piece for foil quilled sentiment 
1 6 x 6 inch piece for Lens and bar
1 6 x 6 inch transparency for lens

Foil quill standard tip
Foil
sprinkles for the shaker
Foam for back of camera to adhere to card base.  Foam for the shaker.

Assemble card base, create a gatefold card.  The gatefold will be used in landscape orientation with the flaps being on the top and bottom.  You can add the panels to the front of the card now.  In this version, the panels were dry embossed.  Open the card base. Form the shutter mechanism and adhere to the card base.  While the card base is open, adhere the foil quilled sentiment.  It should be centered in the opening of the shutter when fully opened. 

This card also features an LED light for a flash - using a simple circuit using copper tape, battery and light.  (Check out Chibitronics for the basics.)  A 1/8 inch punch was used to create the spot for the LED to shine through. Apply foam tape around the 2 outside short edges of the camera - and around the battery to keep it in place.  Adhere to the card base, making sure the sentiment is centered in the lens opening.  

Create the shaker, Glue both of the lense cardstock shapes together -- this provides a firm top for the shaker.  To the back of these, adhere on of the transparency circles.  

Adhere the 2nd transparency shape to the front of the camera, centered over the opening in the camera.  Add a foam tape circle to the transparency.  This version used thin strips of 1/8 thick tape - stacked with a second layer of tape.  Add some sprinkles and then place the top of the shaker over this piece. 

Add the clasp and closing (if desired).  Many of the cards you can find using the gatefold method use a belly band.  The clasp used her consists of a rounded rectangle and a decorative piece.  Adhere about 1/3 of the clasp piece to the top fold of the card base.  Glue a small hook and loop to the clasp and bottom flap to keep the card closed. 

Plans are to make several versions of this card.  The shutter element is perfect.  If desired the shaker element could be left off and just the lens piece with one transparency piece used.  Change the sentiment to a stamped image or even a selfie that would fit in the opening area of the shutter.  

 

Hoping you have some time built into your schedules to do a little creating this week.  Nurture your spirit along the way too!  

Coming soon:  5 Spring Tags!  Annual challenge reveal. 

2018 12 Tags of Christmas - Tag 1

 

With Christmas just around the corner,  this #eclipsecalmaker 12 Tags of Christmas Challenge is getting things off on the right footing!

Today's tag is called Christmas Peace and it has a surprise - it lights up with the help of the Chibitronic LED.

 

You'll need:
Sizzix eclips 2 and eCal software (I'm using eCal3)
White 110lb cardstock (Neenah)
Digital paper
Printed Vellum
Chibitronic LED, copper tape, battery (as per manufacturer's direction)
Scor Tape
sequins (optional)
Glue

Using basic shapes (triangle and a rectangle) create a tree.  Copy it two additional times.  Adjust sizes as desired.  The tag is found in the basic shapes library (mine is oversized and measures 3.5 inches x 6.5 inches). Then place one of the trees in the desired spot on the tag to cut out. Cut 2. 

Using the pattern option in the color palette, fill the other two trees with digital paper as desired and set the two trees to print2cut print.  Use the preview option to make sure that all of the pieces will cut as desired -- if not, then create a shadow set at 0.00 and change the color to none and the stroke to none. to the trees you have set with the print2cut print command.  The shadow should be set to print2cut cut. 

NOTE:  Your print2cut print layer should have the stroke set to none.  If your machine is calibrated correctly, you should be spot on with your cuts and no white will show around the cut edges. 

I cut a rectangle of vellum to put under the tag with the cutout.  Adhere in place.  If desired, add the LED and battery.  Mine is pressure sensitive and will light when a slight amount of pressure is applied to the left tree.

Glue a second tag to the back for more stability and to hide the LED circuit. 

Add a bit of ribbon to decorate and create a hanger if desired. 

Thanks for dropping by... stay tuned, Tag 2 will post tomorrow!