Izbzee

Playing with AI images

I've always wanted to create my own background papers, but found it quite frustrating when trying to create seamless backgrounds.  Creative Fabrica has a set of AI tools on their site that you can access with a subscription.  Thanks to Creative Fabrica's generous gift of 1 month's access, I was able to create a collection of images to use in a playful Pinterest inspired Paper Quilt.  

While I didn't use all the images I created, it was fun to see what the tools would come up with using prompts and then tweaking the prompts for other images that could be used.  Some editing was done in Photoshop Elements and Affinity Designer.  I'm still a dabbler with Affinity, but I did learn quite a bit through this experience as well.  

One of the images I created but didn't use in the project is this one.

It only had one line of flowers at the bottom of the image and I wanted flowers throughout on the stripes.  So I downloaded and saved the file to my computer and put it in a folder shared with my iPad.  Opened Affinity and played, creating a new image and incorporating the stripes and flowers into one new image.  

It was a fun experiment -- I'm not sure I would use the tools often enough with my current library of digital prints to warrant the extra subscription, but in a crunch if I needed something I didn't have, I might use the tools again.    

Here's a link to the completed PAPER QUILT project I completed using the SPARK tools on The Artistry.  I used SCAL 6 Pro and the Skycut to make all the shapes and to save on ink -- you can use the pattern fill command and only fill the shapes with the desired digital patterns you create in SPARK.  

If you give SPARK a whirl, I'd love to hear about it!  Leave a comment!  

Carve out some creative time over the weekend if you can.  Enjoy your play!  

 

 

 

B-days in November

Dropping in to update:  We have a few birthdays this month -- two cards are in the mail and should have arrived at their destination yesterday.  Fingers crossed!  

 

It was fun using papers from my stash.  One of the stacks is 15  years old!  Time to get it used up!  Ink for some texture, pop up dots for some layers and a surprise on the inside which can't be shared right now. 

Do you like to get b-day cards?  I certainly do.  Especially those that have been created with me specifically in mind.   

Cuts made using the Skycut C24 and SCAL 5 Pro.  

More cards to finish up in the next week or so and I'm looking forward to some creative time in the next few days.  How about you?  Have  you built in some creative time in the next few days?  If not, try.  It really is good for the soul.  

 

Prim Stenciled Sunflowers

This latest project created for CreativeFabrica.com was lots of fun - and turned out just the way I'd hoped.

Fabric, felt, tulle, cheesecloth, dowels, paint, ink and lots of tea stain brought this project to life along with the reusable stencils created with files from Creative Fabrica and the IkonArt Stencil kit.  For all the details, you can check here. 

Even the #10 tin can got a do over with a quick rusting process using Hydrogen Peroxide, salt and vinegar.  It only took about an hour for the can to rust.  Sprayed with a seal coat will keep some of the flaking at bay.  

While I've cut back on the number of projects I've been working on, it's still a joy to complete the ones I have selected to move forward with.  This is one that I really have liked seeing come to life...  and it was worth it.  Hope you enjoy the process article on The Artistry.  

shrunken heads candlesticks

These candlesticks were fun to make using files from Simply Crafty SVGs.  

Combining the following files: 

Smiling Jack-o-Lantern (using the stand and panels only)

Skull Head Candle Holder (just the skull and panels)

Round Candy Box (use the base only - and alter the depth of the side)

Using your cutting machine and software, cut the stand and panels at 100%.  Emboss, foil and ink as desired.  Assemble according to the video found at the link above for the Smiling Jack-o-lantern.  Set aside.

Cut the skull head and panels at 50%.  Emboss and ink the panels as desired.  Assemble the skull.  If desired, add a piece of vellum behind the open areas of the face and side piece 3.  We chose to add the vellum to the back of the panel pieces.  Assemble according to the video that accompanies the Skull Head Candle Holder page.  Glue the skull to the top of the stand.  The tabs at the top of the skull will be adhered to the base of the round candy box.

Cut the round candy box at 75%.  Cut one extra bottom circle for a little more stability if you wish to fill the base and add your battery operated light in the base.  The side of the base should be 7/8" in height.  Cut another piece that is the same height and long enough to go around the base.  If desired, cut a 1/4-inch strip as a decorative piece.  Once you've assembled the base according to the assembly instructions, add the last circle to the inside of the base.  Adhere this piece to the top of the skull, centering it.  

If desired, add a 4-inch diameter circle to the top of the candy box base.  for a little more stability, we created a "box"  and glued it to the base.  There was enough surface to adhere the circle to the top and provide the platform for the shreds and battery operated candle we added as our finishing touch.  

I'm looking forward to getting the rest of our Halloween decor out in the next couple of days and adding these candlesticks to the mix.  Hope you'll be able to carve out some creative time in the next few days and nurture your spirit!  Have fun and thanks for stopping by.  

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!  

 

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.  

 

Father's Day

We got a bit of a headstart on some Father's day pieces for next month.  For this project we used files from SimplyCrafty SVGs and papers and embellishments from the Gentlemen Folk from NitWit Collections* .  We LOVE the plaids and stripes included in the collection and wanted to showcase them in all three of our pieces.  

We used the Tool Caddy, Dad Easel Card and the Tie Gift Box.  

The Tool Caddy - SCAL 5 and the pattern fill option allows you to just fill a shape with the image and print only the pieces you want.  It was fun to add the images, do the print and even print an embellishment or two from the collection.  We made a coupon book using the shirt images in the collection to join the candy in the tool caddy as part of the gift.  Print and cut is made super simple using SCAL and the Skycut.  All the cuts were spot on!  Assembly instructions are really easy to follow on Sandy's videos.  Be sure to watch them if you have any questions.    

The Dad Easel Card  - again we used pattern fill for several of the elements and cut an extra DAD to add a little more interest to the card using an off white as the "shadow" for the word DAD.  We used another wordstrip for the inside of the card.  Oh, and we did use brads -- but cut off the prongs and glued them in place with E6000 to ensure a good hold.  

The Tie Gift Box is probably the fastest piece of the three to complete.  The belly band is a 1 by 12 inch strip of the color of the base of the box.  The box top and panel are filled using the pattern fill option in SCAL.  Print and cut! 

Pop up the wordstrip from the digital collection and add a tie clip to the edge of the wordstrip to finish it off.  The tie clip is a piece I found in my Dad's box.  I'm sure that T will like it too.  

I'm happy to share that these are also showcased on the blog at SimplyCraftySVGs.com.  

*graphics by www.nitwitcollections.com under License #115854

FAMILY PHOTO:  SAM CRUMP PHOTOGRAPHY.

Home sign Month 6

I'm really hoping that June will bring lots of sunny days and we'll be indulging in some of our favorite summer treats this summer.... thus, the reason for this element for our indoor Home sign.  

You'll find all the details for creating this on The Artistry.  And don't forget to check out the other elements for the sun we've made so far.  Additional articles can be found here.  

Indulging in my passion for paper art....  can't wait to share more paper art fun in the near future.  

2 more additions to the indoor HOME sign

These were so fun to make and add a breath of color (and Spring) to the sign.  Perfect to use in March and April.  

I enjoyed learning a new (to me technique) using the SCAL5 Pro software and the Skycut cutter/plotter was spot on when it came to the print 2 cut images.  For all the details on how to make the circle mandala from a square one, check out the article now published on The Artistry.  

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.