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2019 - a fresh start

My first projects for the new year are a couple of cards... This interactive peek a boo card using Lettering Delights Bee Knees was fun and easy to accomplish.

Jennifer McGuire's card was the inspiration.  I just translated it into a cut file using her measurements.  Placing the images directly to the mat and resizing them allowed me to place and center them on the pieces cut pieces.  One thought I have now, is just to place them directly on the card stock rather than have two additional cut pieces, however, I'll keep this file as is for the time being. 

P2C (Print 2 Cut) using eCal and the eclips makes for a very easy completion. 

 

Hoping your new year is filled with lots of inspiration and joy!  Happy Crafting! More to come in a couple of days....

 

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 8

Have you been watching the FB page?  Lots of wonderful reveals this week.  We have some amazing makers!

Today, I'd like to share my 8th tag. 

another base of tea stained paper, a little bit of stenciling  using a doily cut over the print2cut printed tag.  The altered heart shape from the basic shapes library is filled with a digital paper pattern and also used the print2cut print feature in eCal.  I wet the back of the paper very lightly and scrunched the paper a bit for a little more texture.  Lightly inked the edges and added the stitching with a black ultra-fine Sharpie.  Wrap the heart with some twine and add a silver heart and glue in place.  Spritz with a bit of mica for a little more shine.  My photo doesn't show it well. 

You'll need:
tea-stained paper (1 8.5 x 11 sheet)
Sizzix eclips2 and eCal3
digital paper
lacy doily  (SVG Cuts)
Printer
Sharpie
unbleached chesecloth
twine
ink
blending tool
Mica (Mixed Media Supplies) in water - to spritz and add a little bit of shine. 

2018 12 Tags of Christmas - Tag 7

Yesterday's tags by the rest of the #eclipsecalmakers were awesome!  Did you check them out?  If not, take a peek here. 

Today's tag is dimensional and has a bit of a prim look. 

The star is found in the basic shapes library of ecal -- and using the nodes tool, I altered the shape a bit. Fill the shape with a pattern using some digital paper.   To add some dimension, you can add some paths and set to score. When you've printed and cut the shape, you can fold along the scored lines.  I added a small box under the center of star and glued that to the tag.  Wrap the tag with some loosely woven material.  Add a button and some twine to finish.  

You'll need:
Cardstock (1 sheet 8.5 x 11 inch)
Sizzix eclips2 and software eCal3
ink
blending tool
Mica (Mixed Media Supplies)
Printer
hot glue

This tag uses the Print2Cut Print and Print2Cut Cut features in the software.  Scoring is a breeze with solid lines and the kiss cut feature. 

2018 12 Tags of Christmas - Tag 6

Today marks the half way point in our #eclipsecalmaker 12 Tags of Christmas.  I hope this will become an annual event.  It's been so much fun! Check out what our other gals are creating on the Facebook page. 

Such a simple tag.  This one uses a tea stained sheet of white paper. Once again, use the Print2Cut Print feature in eCal3 (and in previous versions) for the sentiment.  I used pattern fill for the stocking (from the Basic Shapes library) on the right.  The stocking on the left is colored using the eBrush and Spectrum Noir marker. Color the holly and heart using markers. Add a couple of pop dots to add a little more dimension and tie a bit of twine around the cheesecloth. 

You'll need:
Tea -Stained cardstock *(1 8.5 x 11 inch sheet)
Sizzix eclips2 and eCal3 software
mica (Mixed Media Supplies)
eBrush (SN adapter)
Spectrum Noir markers
Digital paper
Blending tool
ink
Glue/adhesive
Glossy Accents
Unbleached cheesecloth, twine
Tea bags, water, ground cinnamon, water, foam brush

*Tea-staining your own cardstock is easy.  I use about 2/3 cup of boiling water and 3 regular size teabags and an 1/8 tsp of ground cinnamon for a little deeper color (and it smells good, too).  Let steep and cool a bit. You can dip the paper, but I prefer to use a foam brush and sweep across the paper.  After that has partially dried, I add a few drips and while the drips are still sort of "puddled" I use a lid or the bottom of the mug to create some additional markings.  Let dry.  If necessary, using a dry iron (no steam), press the paper to flatten.  You can also sprinkle with a little bit of water and wrinkle the paper.  Just be careful not to tear it.  Because I was doing some print to cut, I wanted a smooth paper for this one. If you want to wrinkle your paper, consider scanning and printing.  You can add some additional depth and texture with ink and a blending tool or the eBrush and markers. 

Hope you'll drop back again tomorrow!  Happy Crafting! 

 

 

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! 

Love at Home

"There is beauty all around When there's love at home." *

I purchased some wood shaped houses a while back and I decided I would use them for this last post of May. 

You'll need:
Wood Houses in graduated sizes (Fun Stampers Journey)
Digital Journal Pages (Mixed Media Supplies)
Doily stencil
Digital photo editing program (Photo Shop Elements)
Digital cutting machine and software (Sizzix eclips2, eCal2)
American Typewriter (light) Font
Souffle Polymer Clay (Gold)
Modeling Paste
Acrylic Medium (or Gel Medium)
Gesso
Digital paper (This & That Collection from Echo Park)
Foam brush (1 inch)
Glossy Accents or Hot Glue Gun
Craft knife
Scissors
Xyron X with permanent adhesive
Sandpaper
eBrush, TB adapter
Tombow markers
Ink

Prep your wood. Apply a thin coat of Gesso and let dry. 


This piece has an oops!  I started out doing a transfer and it didn't work out as planned -- so this piece has been sanded and a second light coat of Gesso was added. 

Open your photo editing program and open the journal pages you want to use.  I created a new file and set the size to the same size as the largest house.  Copy and paste a small portion of the desired journal page into the new file as a new layer.  Using the Type Tool, create your text.  Adjust size if needed.   Repeat for the other two houses adjusting the size of the base layer. 

Print the papers for the houses on copy paper.  Print the digital paper from the Echo Park collection on cardstock (110 lb). 

Using the acrylic medium, apply a thin coat to the wood and burnish the journal page prints to the houses.  Trim with the craft knife as needed.  Let dry.

Using the stencil and the modeling paste stencil on the largest house as desired.  You can repeat on the other houses if you'd like.  Let the modeling paste dry thoroughly. 

With the eBrush, lightly spray some color around the edges of the houses.  You'll get some color on the modeling paste, but that is fine. 

Using the cutting machine, cut the lettering using American Typewriter  as desired.  My lettering is just a bit over 1 in high.  Apply adhesive to the back of the lettering by using the Xyron X and permanent adhesive.  Apply to the houses. 

Soften the clay according to manufacturer's direction.  Use a texture plate and add a little texture to the clay.  Cut in to the heart shape using a cutter or a template.  Bake according to the manufacturer's direction.  Let cool.  Attach the heart using some Glossy Accents or hot glue gun. 

Cut some strips from the digital paper.  Measure and trim as needed.  Using the ink or the eBrush, add a little color along each of the edges to soften the colors just a bit. Using some double stick tape, or glue, apply the "roof" to each house. 

 

*(Love at Home, Text and music: John Hugh McNaughton

 

Thanks for stopping by today.  Have oodles of fun in your creative endeavors! 

More Mixed Media ATCs

So loving the play involved with these little pieces.  Today, I'm sharing 3. 

All pieces begin on printed copy paper, acrylic gelli print pull, embossing, vellum print and colored digital stamps from Mixed Media Supplies.

Add a bit of mica, sequins, gems or glitter for a little more "light" play.  Mount and sign.  Ready for framing!  

Supplies: 
digital stamps
printed copy paper
Gelli plate
Acrylic Paints
Gesso
printer
embossing powder, Black (Fine Detail), Clear (Find Detail and Ultra Thick)
Versa Mark Ink
Stencils
Stamps (Textured stamps from Mixed Media Supplies)
Tombow markers
eBrush ( with TB adaptor)
Metallic rubs
mica powder (Mixed Media Supplies)
sequins (iridescent)
Clear Glaze
brush
water
vellum
photo editing software
Computer
Xyron permanent adhesive, Creative Station 9"
cardstock
paper trimmer

ATC Oopsie

Learning to embrace the oops has always been an issue for me in the past, however, after taking a couple of classes from Carolyn Dube, I have been able to do much better about letting go of some things and let a few of the oops be visible and be a part of the finished project. 

Matter of fact - these oops have sort of grown on me. 

 

You'll need
Mixed Media Birds and Butterflies
copy paper
digitized dictionary page
cardstock (white)
vellum
laser printer
Gesso
foam brush
Gelli Plate
Acrylic paint
brush or brayer (optional)
Mister filled with water
Painters Tape
stencil (mini dot - my design)
stamps, (Texture stamps from Mixed Media Supplies, assorted sentiment stamps)
ink pad (black)
Markers (Tombow Dual Brush, SN Sparkle, clear or pearl mica mixed with alcohol or water)
Tape runner (Tombow)
Clear foam Tape (Kool Tak)
seed bead (optional)
Silver, gold mica in misters


Open your favorite photo editing program and size the digital bird and butterflies image as desired.  Print using a laser printer.  Open the dictionary page and print on copy paper. 

Cut the printed dictionary page into ATC sized pieces.  Trim as needed if your printer doesn't do a bleed print.  The pieces should be a finished size of 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches.  Using the foam brush, apply a light coat of gesso on the printed side.  The print should show through.  Set aside to dry.

Print the butterfly page on a sheet of translucent white vellum.  Cut the butterflies and birds you will use for your project and set aside. 

Section off an area of the Gelli Plate using the printer's tape.  The area should be slightly larger than your ATC card.  Place small dabs of acrylic paint on the gelli plate, blend the colors with your fingers (brayer or brush) and lightly mist with some water.  Place the gessoed paper face down on the gelli plate and pull a print.   Pull a second print.  Repeat as needed. Let these pieces dry thoroughly.

Color the reverse side of the butterfly as desired using the markers.   The vellum may curl -- you can flatten it by placing it in a heavy book or pressing lightly with a craft iron between two pieces of copy paper.   Embellish with some sparkles using the SN sparkle pen.  Let dry. 

Add a little more texture to the front of your gelli print using a stencil (mini dot) and some ink and a blender or air brush.  Stamp the sentiment (I jiggled the stamp - creating my blurred image and the OOPS!)  Using the blender and some light brown, add a little color around the edges. 

Adhere your print to a piece of cardstock cut to the size of the ATC.  Using a blender or the ink pad, add a little more color to the edges of the card. 

Mist or fleck the mica on the ATC card as desired, add other embellishments  -

Using the clear foam tape, add the fussy cut butterfly and bird images  you've colored.  Name and sign your finished image. 

Thanks for joining me today... hope you'll stop by again soon.  In the meantime enjoy some creative time in your own studio, and remember, embrace the oops!  

Come, sit with me

Hi everyone, thanks for stopping by.  I'm so thrilled to be back as a Design Team member for Mixed Media Supplies again this term and I wanted to share this project with you.

You'll need:
cardboard (about 8 x 6), with some of the corrugated areas visible
Printed book paper sheet - stash
Park bench (cut 5 times) - stash
Mica (Sapphire)
Texture Background stamps (bark background, diamond fence background)
ink
markers
e-brush with marker adaptor
leaf and vine punch
acrylic medium
flexible modeling paste
gesso
putty knife
brush
small spray bottle
gelatos (green, blue, lavendar)
white tube paint
flowers
small jewels (flower centers)
word processing program
micron pen - .01 black

Prep the cardboard, remove additional paper if desired exposing more of the ridges.  Apply a light coat of gesso and let dry. 

Rub the Gelatos on the gessoed surface.  Using a waterbrush, smooth the color a bit on the surface.  Let dry. Spritz a little of the mica if desired at this stage.

On a palette, shave a little bit of the gelatos and mix with a small amount of modeling paste.  The color should be a little lighter than the surface of your now colored cardboard.  Lightly spread the colored modeling paste for a little more texture on the surface.   Let dry. 

Stack the 5 cut benches and let the glue dry thoroughly. 

With the bark texture stamp, lightly add some texture to the bench.  I used some black and medium brown ink...

it was pretty stark looking so I dry brushed a bit of white paint on the surface to soften the tone a bit.  Set aside.

Tear the printed book page into strips and using the acrylic medium "glue" to the cardboard as desired. Apply a light coat of the acrylic medium to the surface of the project.  Let dry.  Glue the bench in place on the cardboard.  Let dry.  



Using the diamond fence stamp, lightly add the texture to the far right of the cardboard. 

Add flowers and leaves and vines as desired on the fence, secure with glue and or acrylic medium. 

Using the ebrush and a marker in a very light brown, lightly spray the edges and around the bench and on the book print.  Just for a little more aged look. 

Add the gems to the flowers, add vines and leaves.  Print Come, sit with me. and add a doodled box around the words.  Lightly spray the edges using the eBrush and glue to the cardboard. 

When everything has dried, lightly spritz with the sapphire mica for a subtle bit of shine. 

Sign your work and display as desired. 

Again, thanks for stopping by. Hoping you are enjoying some creative time this week!  I'll be back with another Mixed Media Supply project in a couple of weeks!  In the meantime, keep on creating!

*I have used products that were provided by Mixed Media Supplies - the project and opinions in this blog are mine and I have not been compensated otherwise.