Izbzee

August updates

It's mid-month already!  Where did July and the first part of August go?  The days and nights have been filled with all sorts of things.... mostly caregiving, related, though.  Crafting has taken a backseat the last 3 month, but I'm really  hoping to get back into the swing of things here soon.  

Just to prove that I have done some crafting, here are a few of the things I have finished up since my last post in July.

Printed paper pinwheels were part of July's Tiered tray decor.  Discover more here.  

This fun interactive card (lights, spinner and shaker) wasn't has big a challenge as I thought it might be... but loved the Halo light set from Pear Blossom Press.  They were perfect to use on this card.  For all the details click here.  

Birthday cards, anniversary cards and more have filled envelopes and be sent along their way in the last few weeks.  Since there are a few that still haven't been seen or published, I'll post them soon... but not today.  

In the meantime, I hope that you'll be able to find some creative time in the days to come.  Enjoy it and nurture your soul... relieve stress and more!  It's felt so good to spend a little bit of time in the craft room and I'm really hoping that there will be more creative time coming my way in the days and weeks to come.  My want to do list has grown even longer!  

COMING SOON!  Anniversary Easel Stand up card!  

 

new stuff...

I know it's been a bit on the quiet side, but some things you just can't rush.  So let's get started with post #1 for the week.  

Today is publication day for The Artistry.  This one has been in the queue for a couple of weeks, so I'm glad I can finally share this.  

This was so fun to put together!  Lumiere by Jacquard, IkonArt Stencils and Ohuhu Alcohol based markers for the win on this project.  You'll find the details for this project here.  

Working on raw clay.  

Loved working on the baked clay too. 

 

These two options will be used again in the future for a couple of projects on my list.  

I think of the two projects, I love the notebook the best.  So much fun to make and showcase the clay image.  Hope you like them too.  For additional ideas, visit my author page on The Artistry.  

Enjoy some creative time today!  

Clay Play Class

I've always loved to work with clay.  It's soothing and relaxing and you can do so much with it.  Creative Fabrica has just opened their classroom platform... Take a peek at this class*:  How to Make Polymer Clay Slabs

There are quite a few other classes that explore other mediums and you can find them by using the link above and then clicking on classes.  If you have an All Access subscription, you can access the classes and all content on Creative Fabrica with your subscription.  Purchase a Classes subscription and you'll only have access to the classes.  You'll find subscription pricing at this link.  

*The link to the class is an affiliate link -- I get a small reward for purchases you make on the website using that link.  All proceeds from those purchases are used to purchase gift certificates for challenges on the eclips/SCAL users page on Facebook.  

Stencils and Clay

Take a peek at this new share on The Artistry!  Perfect for some Spring or Summer decor.  Lightweight stenciled clay ornaments using doodles and mandalas as stencils...  


And while you're visiting be sure to check out the promos now going on!  (shameless plug for @CreativeFabrica.com and affiliate link.)  All promotional pricing on the site is good through April 6!  Don't miss out on some fabulous deals.    

Birdhouse - more color

Not quite finished yet, but getting there.  The last post for this birdhouse featured adding the color to the roof.  For this post, I added a bright cheery yellow Ohuhu marker to the house in hopes of bringing some cheer to what is normally a pretty dreary January around here.  More details and the final project coming soon.  

Once again, I used the eBrush and the hacked adapter.  If you're a copic marker user, make sure that you have a second adapter on hand. 

Need to hack an adapter?  This youtube video that Mitsyana (UpOnTippyToes.com) created is a super reference video.  You'll find more helpful hints on the eBrush page on Facebook.  Link below.    

Craftwell, is offering a special deal this first week of January!   If you've been wanting an eBrush, now's the time to get it! 

Head over to the Facebook eBrush, AirBrush Fun page for all the details.  The special is only good until January 9, 2021!  This is a fabulous deal, so don't miss out.  Order yours today!  

And while you're waiting for your eBrush to arrive, hope you have some creative time set aside for some play time.  I'm looking forward to sharing more eBrush fun with you in the weeks ahead as well as other fun ideas that have been filling my mind in recent weeks.  

Birdhouse project - adding color

It's been a couple of weeks and a trigger thumb flare... so working on this project has been a bit of a hit and miss as far as crafting is concerned.

The new markers posed a bit of a problem in that they didn't fit into any of the adapters made for the eBrush, however I was able to hack one of the Copic adapters to work.  You can learn how to hack the adapter in this youtube video  The barrels of the markers are the same shape as the copic markers but differ just enough not to fit into the adapter.  

The  markers are from Ohuhu. They're a good price for the larger bundles and are juicy from the get go.  The only drawback to using them is you would need to buy bundles in order to replace individual markers once the color was used up in an individual marker.  They aren't refillable and the nibs cannot be adjusted like some other brands.   

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The color I got while spraying was perfect with a limited amount of fiddling to find the sweet spot for each of the pens I used.  
This is a sneak peek of the roof after using the eBrush and a warm gray to color. 

More to come as I continue to work between the flares....  In the meantime, I hope you're carving out some creative time and nurturing that part of your being this season.  

birdhouse progress #1

Stress relief -- played with the clay for a couple of hours and it was so much fun.  I'd forgotten how much good it does!  :)

I conditioned the clay (warming it up a bit and making it more pliable. I used a pasta machine setting of 5 for the sides, roof and stones. 

I covered all but the base of the birdhouse with the clay. TIP:  Use Bake and Bond on the wood to secure the clay.  Lay the clay gently to make sure you don't get any bubbles.  Trim as needed with your clay blade or an exacto knife for those tight spots.  

Texture the clay here and there as desired and then following the manufacturer's directions the project was baked at 275 for about 20 minutes since I did have some spots that were slightly thicker than 1/4 inch.  

 

house front

thatched roof view

Next up is adding color.  I still haven't quite decided on the medium yet... acrylic paint with a brush, eBrush with markers or paint or the airbrush.  Might need to play a little and see which one I like best.  I see a little more clay play today to test the best color application.  

new project in the works....

Yep, this is a teaser... we'll see how it turns out. 

The gathering of the basic materials... all from the stash.  Birdhouse is from Darice. the circle is from Wood Hollow, Sculpey clay (yep, I bought it in bulk a couple of years ago... so good!) the dowel was originally used as a "fishing pole" for my Sunday School class.  Being upcycled a bit.  

My craft dedicated pasta machine is at the ready as are my other clay crafting tools.  Let's get started!  

Hoping you'll enjoy some creative time this coming week!  I'm really looking forward to some fun with this project.  

 

 

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: 

 

 

leaf imprints

Before all the leaves fall from the trees, make a few imprints in your favorite medium!  Right now, clay is on my table, so I thought I'd take my heart-shaped cuts in a different direction. 

The imprints are crisp and clean and adding the mica metallic powder to the back of the leaf* before imprinting creates even more opportunities for adding color and shine.  Bake as directed by manufacturer and seal with a coat of Sculpey Clear glaze. Be sure to apply some glaze on the back of your piece as well. 

 

*For these imprints I used a leaf from our apple tree. 

I added a flat jewelry bail to the back so they could be used as pendants.