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2018 - going, going, gone

2018 has been a full year.  Lots of good things have happened overall and even the not to great stuff wasn't all that bad when you think about it.

I've really enjoyed my creative time so much more this year.  A few artsy and fun classes from penwork to gelli plate/art and general play with paper, clay and fabric.  Grateful for it all. 

I've decided that for me, it would be fun to recap the year with a few pictures of some of my favorite projects....  you can check the archives by the year and month for the whole year's worth of fun.   

January the Valentine Ornament box.  File from Lori Whitlock - Halloween house adapted for the holiday. 

February a little clay play.  Love using Sculpey, stamps, mica and more.  This was among my favorites for some mixed media play and design team work for Mixed Media Supplies. 

March Lots of pastel colors and a touch of non-caloric chocolate for this fun dimensional card from Simply Crafty SVGs  was a favorite for the month. 

April  A sweet shadowbox card using G45's Secret Garden.  File from SVGCuts.com

May  ATC sized gelli prints -- and digital stamps.  So much play fun! 

June  quick and easy card using a digital stamp from RGStudio360. 

July -  July porch decor using a recycled shelving side panel...

August - we got an early start with October crafting with this paper quilt. So much fun kicking up a few heels! 

September  The Geodesic Pumpkin from SVGCuts was a perfect addition to the mantel for September and October! 

October  brought more than a change in the weather.... it's also anniversary time for our youngest son. We went a little overboard on this year's card, but it was so worth it! 

 

November I couldn't pick just one project for this month, so I'm sharing two!  The first was a fun 12 Tags of Christmas challenge.  All of the details for this one including a video can be found here. 

Dreaming Tree also put out a bevy of great files to work with in 2018... among my favorites was this cutie! 

December   Our Gnomie tree - I love my laser etcher and I've loving having found a new way to showcase some digital artwork using wood pieces from my stash!  

I hope you've enjoyed this review of my year. Crafting is my respite -- my discovery for the year.  I've loved taking the online classes and exploring more ways to develop my talents and play.  I'm grateful to my family for their generosity in time, space and respite. 

We look forward to a fabulous 2019 -- carving in creative time each week. Hoping you're doing the same! 
My word for 2019 - Inspire

Our Gnomie tree

This year, I decided to expand on the gnome ornaments I created last year.  A quick hop over to 123rf.com for a fun black and white background image filled with 5 different gnomes.  I duplicated the file, cropped each of the 5 gnomes as single images and saved each as a jpg  Preview on the MAC makes it a quick process.  I transferred the file to my PC and changed the files to bmp in Paint.  No distortion or change in size needed.  The NEJE software for the laser etcher requires a bmp format and I included the dimensions in pixels in the bmp file and dropped those files in the collection folder of the software folder.

You can find the file here on 123rf.com  There's also a color version that would make a perfect backdrop for a card or holder for the ornament!

Set up the etcher, open the program and find the image you want to etch.  I didn't have to do much resizing for the etching size.  I burned the images on some small tags, added a twine loop and hung them on the tree. You could also color the tags using watercolor pencils or markers for a little pop of additional color if you wanted.

The snowflakes were another addition this year.  Also burned using the etcher on some shaped pieces we picked up at the local thrift store (about 100 shapes for 50 cents).  We definitely found a good use for them. 

Shhh, don't say anything about the lean of the tree.... the littles got a little rambunctious the other night and toppled it --- not the first time and won't be the last I'm sure. 

  Grateful for mostly unbreakable ornaments on that tree!  :)  And it sort of reminds me of the tree in a Charlie Brown Christmas.  I expect next year, we'll be adding a few more and tossing a few of the snowflakes in that basket on too.  :) 

Happy Crafting! 

 

 

Hi Gnomie!

 Simply Crafty SVGs has the cutest file for a 3D gnome.

Thought I would drop in and share this with you in a quick post.  You'll find the svg file here.

All pieces were cut using the Sizzix eclips2 and eCal 3.  paper from Paper Studio, Fun Stampers Journey, Neenah)

I opted to use some white on white print for the beard and trim on the hat.  Sandy has some nice directions in her video - If you've been putting dimensional pieces together for a while, you could probably put this together without viewing the video on her youtube channel. 

Inking the edges gives the nose and body panels a little more dimension. 

This piece is sitting at the base of our Gnomie tree this year.  The littles really like it and the tree.  Pics of the tree coming in a couple of days. 

 

 

 

 

winter chill

This cute box is from creatieve papier uitspattingen, a European company specializing in 3D paper crafts.  Corina has created some beautiful files and is easy to cut using the eclips2 and eCal3.  

The box is large enough to hold a small gift like some mittens, gloves or a silky scarf; a sweet treat or even a gift card. 

This is a quick cut and glue project.  Add a little inking to the edges of the panels.  The inside of the bottom of the box has a clean finish and if I were to make it again, I would cut one more base piece to make it a little sturdier.  

I used a stack of Holiday prints for the panels and FSJ's 12 x 12 Forest Green paper for the box top and bottom.  Scotch Quick Dry glue.  FSJ Forest Green ink and a blender tool.  

Thanks for stopping by!  Hoping you're enjoying some creative time this weekend and are making a bit more time available in the near future.  

 

 

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Noel

Loving the layers in this card  - the last version of our cards for this holiday season. 

Created in eCal3 and cut with the eclips.  The flower measures an inch! 

You'll need:
eclips2
eCal3
White cardstock for all the cuts
12 x 12 Colored stock for card bases ( cut to 5.5" square card base)
Poinsettia SVG (a file in my SVG folder, no attribution given)
Spectrum Noir markers (DR5, DR6, JG6)
mini domed jewels (stash)
Glaze (FSJ)
Lineco glue
Scor Tape
Glue dot

Cut all the elements.  Weld the letters together for the base.  Cut another layer of letters -- I chose to unlink them and cut separately.  Glue the letters to the welded layer.  I started with the L and left the O to glue on last.  Set aside to dry.

I used the markers to color the flower.  Blend both reds together on the bottom layer, use the darker of the two reds for the middle layer and the lightest red for the top layer of the flower.  Glue the layers together and using a drop of the glaze, add the jewel.  Set aside to dry. 

Cut card bases.  I'm using a 5.5 inch base for these cards as they will be hand delivered.  Glue the letter layer to the base, using a glue dot, attach the flower.  Add a sentiment to the inside of the card.  Use a clear adhesive sticker to close the card and deliver to your recipients! 

Thanks for stopping by today!  Wishing you all the best as you continue to create during the month!  #eclipsecalmaker

Cards of the season

This card inspired by this Z-fold card made by Lisa (found here) is our primary Christmas card for this year.  I love how it turned out.  I didn't have the dies for the label or anything I felt was quite similar, but I did have an SVG set of nested labels I'd gotten from Penny Duncan a few years ago in my SVG vault of files.  So, opening eCal3 and gathering all the needed files, I got started on creating my own z-fold version of this card.

You'll need:
eCal3
Sizzix eclips2
cardstock (script print-paperstudio, black-FSJ, white-Neenah 110 lb)
bone folder
adhesives (scor tape, Lineco glue, glue dots)
White or holographic gel pen
Nested Labels (Penny Duncan)
Bethlehem and Nativity SVGs (123rf.com)
Sentiment stamp

due to the fact that Penny holds the copyright and is the creator of the label file, I can't share my SVG file with you.  these were fun to make and once all the pieces are cut, it's very rewarding to put them together and see the final results.  I know our friends and family will enjoy them this year. 

Thanks for dropping by today.  Hoping you're enjoying some creative time in your craft space this month.  #eclipsecalmaker


 

12 Tags Overview

The 12 Tags of Christmas Challenge has come to an end.  Over 60 tags were shared on the eclips/eCal FB page.  I hope you've taken a few minutes to browse the album and take a peek at all the creative shares over the last 12 days.  If not, the album on the page is always available for viewing by members of the group. 

Details regarding all the tags I created for the challenge are in the links below.   

tag 1: https://bit.ly/2OjLU9K

tag 2: https://bit.ly/2P1t78u

tag 3: https://bit.ly/2OlUTrd

tag 4: https://bit.ly/2zjyMfu

tag 5: https://bit.ly/2zkQW0u

tag 6: https://bit.ly/2Di0VYI

tag 7: https://bit.ly/2QdoTY1

tag 8: https://bit.ly/2Ol6KWu

tag 9: https://bit.ly/2SE0Kvk

tag 10: https://bit.ly/2SGxljU

tag 11: https://bit.ly/2SFx1lv

tag 12: https://bit.ly/2CWI3gP

Hoping your creative time continues through the upcoming holidays and provides your heart the nurturing it needs.  Thanks again for dropping by. 

#eclipsecalmaker

 

2018 12 Tags of Christmas - Tag 12

My final tag for this series is another prim looking tag. 

This prim tag was very quick and easy to complete.  Using the basic shapes library,  create 2 snowmen and add the facial features using the print2cut print feature.  Create 2 hats and the sentiment, cut using the print2cut print feature.  Add a little glossy accents to the eyes, a little white gel pen on the hats.  Place on the tea stained card base.  All pieces are cut using Sizzix' eclips2 and eCal3 software.   Add a bit of burlap ribbon, tied with a bit of twine. 

You'll need:
Sizzix eclips2 and eCal3 software
Cardstock (tea-stained and black, orange)
ink
blending tool
white gel pen
twine
burlap ribbon
glossy accents
adhesive

Thanks for joining us and hope you've been inspired to do a little crafting as well.  Have a wonderful holiday season!  Be sure to drop by the Facebook page to see the full range of tags for this Challenge and projects that other makers are creating for this upcoming holiday season! 

2018 12 Tags of Christmas - Tag 11

 

Today's prim angel is tag #11.

Using basic shapes create the angel and wings.  The heart is also from basic shapes.  Cut the angel, wings and tag base using some tea-stained cardstock.  Emboss the wings, add some mica and metallic rubs to the wings.  Wrap a bit of twine around the head for a halo.  Add a knotted piece of twine for the arms and glue a prim heart on the knotted "arms."  Create your sentiment using a script font.  Add a shadow layer and cut.  Add some bling -- and spritz some mica over all. 

 

You'll need:
Sizzix eclips2 and eCal3
cardstock (white and tea-stained)
metallic rub
mica (Mixed Media Supplies)
pop dots
adhesive
unbleached cheesecloth
sequins
printer

Thanks again for dropping by.  Be sure to check out the eclips/eCal page on FB to see what the other #eclipsecalmakers are doing!  You won't be disappointed! 

2018 12 Tags of Christmas - Tag 9

It's day 9 of the 12 Tags of Christmas!  At our house, Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without some gingerbread.  This version has no calories! 

The tag, ginger and sentiment were all made using eCal3 and the tag was set to print2cut print and the shadow print2cut cut.  The tag base was made using a white piece of cardstock.  The Gingerbread man was also done on white paper and colored using inks and a blending too.  Using an embossing folder, emboss the base using a crimping tool.  Repeat  for the gingerbread man.  Ink all the edges.  I added some brads to the X's for the eyes (quick and easy eyelashes) and the heart shaped brads  we added before adhering the ginger to the card base.  Finish as desired -- unbleached muslin and some twine.  Red jute bow on the ginger's neck. 

You'll need:
Sizzix eclips2 and eCal3 software
White cardstock (2 8.5 x 11 sheets)
Gingerman shape (Basic Library - eCal)
brown inks (2 shades)
blending tool
Paper Crimper
adhesive
brads
jute
unbleached cheesecloth

Join us on the Facebook page for more tag ideas using the eclips and eCal software!  Happy crafting!