Izbzee

Posy Pockets

These are so fun and easy to make....

I whipped a few out the last couple of days after designing the pocket in SCAL 5 Pro.  One piece for the main pocket and 2 bands to go around the top and the bottom of the pocket.  The skycut required about 1 1/2 minutes to do the cutting and scoring.  Once you have added the inking, texture and embellishment, assembly is accomplished with a seam in the back and gluing the bottom edge together.  Glue on the bands and add your hanger.

I used wire for the hanger, but ribbon, twine or other fibers would work well.  Fill the pocket with whatever your heart desires.  

Silk flowers were used in the 2 pockets above. 

For this pocket, we added Spanish Moss (green) and a paper air plant (file from Creative Fabrica).  The air plant was made using white sketch paper and colored using some spectrum noir markers and the Ebrush by CraftwellUSA.  

No watering needed.... EVER!  

Labels ( Label Creator Font found here) are printed with an inkjet printer on tissue paper.  Let dry for about 15 minutes before using Matte acrylic medium to apply to the pocket.  You can add some additional inking around the edges once the medium has dried to cover the edges of the label that was applied to the pocket.  

While some of the details can't be seen in the images, you can also use a scoreboard and score some lines from the back of the piece to make the pocket look like it has some ridges  like a can might have. Then use a ball stylus to emphasize the ridge a bit.   This is a great way to add some additional texture and interest to you piece.  You can also use an embossing folder to add interest. Lots of options to make each pocket unique and have your personal touch.  

Thanks for stopping by and hoping that you've set aside some creative time this week.  Enjoy it! 

* Affiliate links have been used.  

 

Spring Pitcher of flowers

Sandy's been a super support lately and I really appreciate her help with this project.  I'm sure at some point the pitcher design will be in her shop -- so stay tuned!

 

 

After perusing Pinterest a couple of weeks ago, I found an antique pitcher shape I really liked... however, there wasn't much in the design shops that I could find that looked close to the shape and would be simple to put together without using panels.  Sandy had already started something similar and she was gracious enough to send me a test version of a file.  

Needless to say, I fell in love with it and the shape was near spot on to what I had in mind.  This was created in Blender and Pepakura.  NitWit Collections Lilac Blossoms collection was a perfect fit for a Spring look.  I used SCAL5's option for print 2 cut and added the Lilac spray to the base of the pitcher cut.  

Assembly is easy for someone with a little experience.  The handle is 3 strips of paper glued together and shaped before the glue dries. It is attached to the back seam wall of the pitcher with some white washed brads I've had in my stash for years!  

Apply a coat of gloss Mod Podge to the outside for a nice finish and a little more strength.  If you plan to use live flowers, you do need to seal the interior of the pitcher BEFORE you assemble.  A tall pharmacy prescription bottle fits nicely inside and a 2 inch styro ball can be scrunched into the bottle to help with placement of your paper or silk floral pieces.  

Did you know that only one shop has a design for 3D lilac flowers? And that site requires a paid membership to access.  Budget being what it is, I looked for something that I could use - and found the Filler Flower at Maison Gregoria's Etsy shop to be a great fit.  Lots of tiny flowers, all cut on the Skycut using sketchbook paper.  Assembly is a bit tedious since each bloom is on it's own wire.  But it's worth the time and effort.  Once everything is wired and bundled into groups, it was time to use the eBrush for a little color.  Tombow markers in three shades of purple (623, 620, 636) were used to add some texture and depth to the shapes.  Even bundled the color went on fairly evenly.  PLUS:  it didn't take but a minute for the bundles to dry with the layered colors and you're ready to start putting your arrangement together.  

Add some additional greenery from the Poinsettia Wreath file (also from Maison Gregoria on CreativeFabrica.com) which I downsized a bit and also cut using the Skycut.  Wired and ready for use.  I used some chalk for a little extra color and used my exacto knife and a pair of craft tweezers to add the veins to the greenery.  While most of it is too tiny to see in the images, it was worth the time and effort to make it happen.  




The pitcher and floral arrangement stands about 8.5 inches tall and would be perfect for a side table, tablescape tray or open tiered tray or riser decor.  

 

Thanks for dropping by today.  Hope your day is filled with beautiful things!  Wishing you a creative day!  

 

Featured Blog post on IkonArt Stencils

I was pretty excited to hear that an article was accepted and is now published on the IkonArt Stencil blog.  You'll find it here:  https://ikonartstencil.com/blog/airbrush-handmade-cards-with-ikonart-stencils/

It features a second grouping of cards made using a stencil with images from Creative Fabrica and Craftwell's eBrush and the Poetique refillable Watercolor markers.  It's very similar to this article posted on The Artistry last fall... matter of fact, they picked up the process video.

On a side note, the finished cards were a big hit with Mom.  Her face lit up when I showed her the finished cards (both sets).  Today would have been her 90th birthday.  I miss sharing my projects with her and getting her feedback -- the good and bad.  

on the Artistry

Take a peek at my latest article posted on the Artistry.  I'm so excited to share today.  

The  Gramophone file is from The Cutting Room Digital Designs store at Creative Fabrica.  The file has been adapted to feature a turntable that turns and a recordable Invite By Voice sound box.  

 

Thanksgiving Hydrangea Wreath

What a fun project this was.  I'm so excited to share it with you.  You'll find all the assembly details over on The Artistry.  

Beautiful rich fall colors, faux wood plaque and more.  Hope you'll enjoy looking at it as well.  

Create One-of-a-Kind Backgrounds with Layering Stencils - Creative Fabrica

via www.creativefabrica.com

I'm in love with this stencil. Hope you'll enjoy the results of using it too!

2021 Spring Tags Challenge - day 4

Day 4 reveal is underway!  Thanks in advance for stopping by to check out the new tag and to catch up on the rest of the tags, drop by the FB page for more.  

This tag started out on stark white AC smooth cardstock.  Once again, dipping into a 6 in pad of paper for some additional interest, 2 strips were cut from 2 papers and secured to the tag.  Dry-brushing some white acrylic over the tag, softened the papers a bit and pulled the two patterns together.  Edges of the tag were blended using some Old Paper distress ink.  

The focal piece for this tag is from Dreaming Tree's Lavender Greetings. Cut from white cardstock, the 3 pieces of the image are colored using Ohuhu markers and Craftwell's eBrush.  The colors are rich and vivid.  

Once the coloring was finished, a small embossing tool was used to add a little more texture. If desired for a little shimmer, add a touch of Pearl Ex to the floral portion of the cuts and a few drops of Crystal Nuvo. 

 A wrapped ribbon on the stems finishes off the focal piece.  Add a few mini gems (nail art kit), sequins and Nuvo drops as desired to finish it off.  Let dry and add your ribbon hanger.  

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.  

the music box

It's been a while -- and this project has been in the making for several months.  Just kept hitting some snags with the build. I do need to thank Sandy Stark from SimplyCraftySVGs.com for the hexagon box and base.  They're perfect!

 

 

You'll need
Hexagon box and base file (currently not available for retail sale)
African Violets (Dreaming Tree - Alluring Floral Bundle)
Cyclamen Leaves (Lia Griffith)
Wood Texture Background (Creative Fabrica)
cardstock
printer
electronic die cutting machine and software (eclips2 and eCal3)
WRMK's Foil Quill
Gold Foil
4 x 2 round styrofoam
box knife
Music box with turntable (the forks for the music box in this instance have been disabled) NationalArtCraft.com
EZSound Box - Front Play from InvitebyVoice.com
Audio file (MP3 - MelodyLoops - Spring Flowers)  or track of your choice (make sure you have the appropriate license for use)
Lineco Bookbinder Glue

Print, foil, cut and assemble the box and base, leaving the top of the box off. Do not glue the box and the base together yet.  You'll have two pieces. 

Add music to the EZSound Box according to manufacturer's directions from the instruction card in the packaging or from the video on the website.  It's really easy!   

Position the music box without the turntable attached on the top of the foam, with the turntable spindle as near the center of the foam as possible.  The spindle should be facing up.  Trace around the box with a pen. 

 

Place the EZSound Box on the top farthest from the music box and trace.  Using a craft knife or box knife, trim out that area.  Trim out the area for the turntable as well.  The foam and boxes should fit snugly in the foam. 

Secure the foam and boxes in the hexagon box.  Glue the hexagon box to the base.  Using a little dye or pigment ink pad, apply a little ink to the top of the spindle of the turntable box.  Carefully lay the top of the box centered and press lightly.  This will mark the placement of the hole in the top.  Using a punch, place that hold and glue the top to the tabs of the hexagon box.  Secure the turntable to the music box spindle.  you will need to turn the turntable to wind it up so it will spin.  I have about 1/4" of space between the top of the box and the turntable.  




Add your choice of decor to the turn table.  

Spring always reminds me of my Grandmother's yard and the violets that grew wild in the grass.  I'm using a file from Dreaming Tree from the Alluring Florals Bundle - African Violets (file pieces were reduced by 50%).  The leaves were from a file from Lia Griffin's site (paid membership).  

 

Hope this inspires you to do a little Spring crafting.  Nurture your heart and soul with creativity this week.