Izbzee

Spring is coming....

But the flowers and buds on the trees are still a bit slow in blooming.  Probably a good thing since there's a frost expected on Monday.   What has been fun is creating this series of vintage postcards.  Stop by the Artistry to take a look at the full article.  Even the frames are paper!   

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.  

2021 Spring Challenge Tags - day 2

Did you see all the fun tags created for day 1?  If not, hop on over to the FB page for a fun look at what our #eCalmakers are doing.  Day 2 tags are being revealed today.

For my tag, I decided to use a couple of simple shapes and the lattice option in the eCal software.  Basic shapes for the tag shape.  

Added a bit of watercolor to the tag shape for some added interest.  Create the lattice oval.  If you have the Hydrangea tray from Dreaming Tree, the hydrangea blossom file is perfect for the blooms in the vase reduced to about 1/4in in diameter.  The eclips cuts them cleanly and easily.  The vase is a polygon, reshaped and elongated a bit.  The Spring banner was from basic shapes as well -- Again all pieces for this tag were cut from white presentation paper.  Pieces were watercolored using Art Philosophy's Vintage Pastels set.  The word Spring was written with a white gel pen.  The blossoms have an added "pearl" of Nuvo Drops.  A gold pen was run around the edges of the tag for a little more interest.  

Thanks for dropping by. Again, hoping you have some creative time mapped out in your day's journey!  Enjoy.  

Father's Day 2020

One thing that hasn't changed this year, thankfully, is some timely crafting and preparing gifts for Father's Day.

Dreaming Tree was so helpful in sharing this file* (just one in the collection) that was a perfect choice for a couple of our guys.

 

I decided to notch up this easy to do card with an EZ Sound module from InviteByVoice.com.  The music is called League of Heroes from MelodyLoops.com and I just took a short sound bite from it to record to the sound module.  

Following the directions in the file and assembly tutorial found at Dreaming Tree's website, assemble the front of the card as directed and the inside insert, but don't adhere.

Add your recording to the sound module following the easy directions in the package, or view the video here. Once that's done, Remove the backing from the module and place the sound module on the center panel about 1 1/2 inches up from the bottom of the card base.  One the back of the insert, stack 2 layers of foam tape at the bottom and at the top, center and adhere to the card base.  

This card could also be used as a birthday card or a celebration for a new job or graduation... lots of possibilities with just a few adaptations to the shield and the "belly band."  

Here's the video with just a small sound bite.  

Hoping you have some creative time planned for the coming week.  Have some fun and get a little play time in using your favorite mediums.  

* Affiliate link

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.  

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

Autumn friends

Dreaming Tree recently released an Autumn kit!  Loved the Scarecrow Gift Treat box most of all and decided to make a couple.  Love how they turned out. 

 

You'll need:
Cardstock (see the Supply list - look in the details above the assembly video) FSJ, AC and Paper Studio papers used in my samples.
Sizzix eclips2, eCal3
Lineco book binder glue
embossing folder (Craftwell -8.5 x 11 Design Grids)
Big Shot Pro (base plate, acrylic plates)
Rolling pin
ink (Oatmeal, Olive Green, Sunshine Yellow, Blue - Fun Stamper's Journey)
raffia
pop dots (Glue dots)

For a lighter impression from the embossing folder, use a rolling pin instead of the Big Shot. 

I liked this look much better than the pieces that I put through the Big Shot using the correct  sandwich.  Next time, I think I'll leave off one of the shims. 

Ink all the embellishment pieces  before gluing to the base. 

There is an assembly video available on Dreaming Tree's site.  See the link above.  I often find it useful to watch before beginning the gluing process. 

These are fun and relatively quick to put together in an afternoon. 

An idea I had was to cut a circle in the base piece, glue the hat to the head piece and the Gift box could become a tree topper. 

boo

This was a quick card project -- though it could be mounted and framed t00.  I've used basic shapes to create the background, and the moon from the library in eCal3.  The house, bat and tree are from SVGCuts Fright Night Box card and the fence if from Dreaming Tree's Stingy Jack's Halloween Lantern.  I used a serif font for the BOO.  The background and fence were cut from white paper and inked for color.  The house, bat and tree from black and inked.  the BOO and moon from the colored stock and inked.  I cut two boos and used the Xyron "X" to add adhesive to the back.  I cut some thin pieces of pop up dots for the tree.  The eclips and eCal 3 software made this so easy to cut! 

The finished card measures about 4.5 by 3 inches and the inside of the card has a flap allowing for a light sensor audio chip  and also makes the card a little more sturdy. 

You'll need:
cutting machine and software (Sizzix eclips2, eCal3)
SVG Cuts Fright Night Box Card
Dreaming Tree Stingy Jack's Halloween Lantern
Cardstock (white, black and dark yellow)
Inks (light yellow, dk yellow, dark olive green, light olive green, mid-blue, white)
Blending tool and felt pads
Glue
Xyron X with permanent adhesive
Pop up dots (stash)

boxes and bands

Just a quick stop to share. 

This free box file from Dreaming Tree is a new favorite of mine.  Simple to put together and so many opportunities to embellish and make it special.  Originally a Halloween box, I adapted the band for Valentine's Day using the eCal2 software. and a heart shape from the basic shapes library.   

I had prepped some paper with Gesso for another project or two but decided to see if the eclips2 would be able to make the cut... and it did -- smooth as silk even though some of the texture wasn't smooth in a few places.  I was able to foil and stencil on the gesso'd heart. 

I'll have more on the process in a few days.... in the meantime, I hope you'll find some time to craft and create and join us on the Facebook Sizzix eclips and eCal page for some fun this year.  This is a consumer based support group. 

A new challenge begins on Monday!  Come join us and learn more about the ins and outs of the eCal2 software and using your eclips cutting machine. 

Holiday fun.

Finally got to get back in the crafting zone again.  Grateful for a little more time to "play."  

Hoping for a bit more in the coming weeks.... I've got lots of plans.  

The tag file is from Dreaming Tree
The mitten file is from SVGCuts.  

All cut using the @Sizzix eclips2 and eCal2

The fun thing about this banner is that it is reversible.... stay tuned!