Izbzee

Valentine Tiered Tray take 2

Last year, I created this one.

 

I wanted a few new things in 2023... so this was the result!

I even cut the fabric for the mini hearts using the Skycut and SCAL 5 pro!  That was a fun and very successful project, though my stitching small stuff like that wasn't as "perfect" as I would have liked.  But it was fun and very enjoyable seeing how the skycut managed the fabric.  I used Jacquard's cotton fabric.  It's already pre-treated and can be run through the rear tray of my inkjet printer with ease.  

You'll find all the details for creating the hearts and other items for this year's tray on The Artistry.  

 

Neighbor gifts

Pinterest has been my go to lately for some inspiration and we decided to a do a little more for a gift for our neighbors this year.  Using some fabric from my stash, I made some simple bags.  We added some boxed cookie mix, though with an adjustment in the size of the bags, you could add a mix in a jar if wanted or fill the bag with wrapped baked goodies or candies, etc.    

Some greenery, berries and a small wooden spoon found in the wood crafts section at Hobby Lobby worked well. 

The kraft tag was a print 2 cut done using SCAL 5 Pro and cut on the skycut.  The edges of the tag are swiped with some white ink.  We used some brown paper wrapped wire to pull everything together.  

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.  

Halloween with Simply Crafty SVGs

It has been a joy creating this fun piece that will be displayed in our front hall next month. Three files from the many Halloween files available at Simply Crafty SVGs.  I took a little liberty with the boot and the cat -- and I'll share a little more about that in a bit.  

I started with the Hovering Witch Hat.  Resized to 50% of the original file and assembled according to the video Sandy created.  Sandy suggested the use of tweezers on the upper pieces of the hat.  They were an essential tool -- as the space was too small for my fingers to fit to hold while the glue set.  

Ink all the edges of the flower pieces.  Sandy's idea shown in her video are perfect.  I added a small glittery sequin for the center of the flower on the hat and used an old technique for the creating some suede like paper for the leaves and the fern.  

Resize all pieces to 50%.  I altered the Witch Boot Lantern file slightly by cutting the large panels for the top of the boot in half, punching small holes to thread the ribbon through. Before threading the ribbon in the holes, ink all the edges of the panels. Once you've completed the threading, the panels are then adhered to the boot using your favorite method.  Tie a bow in the ribbon.  

 

The cat is made of fabric and the face is from the Black Cat Treat box.  I layered the facial features together and grouped them.  Then resized to about 2 x 2.1 inches.  Using the IkonArt Stencil kit, a stencil was created and then stenciled using some acrylic heavy duty paint on some black fabric.  Heat set the image.  The fabric was stitched around the outside of the image with a small body added and then lightly stuffed.  The stuffed image is tea stained to add a little distressed look.  

The fact that this piece is stitched and has raw edges, it is meant to fray.  If you choose to try this, you'll want to choose a tightly woven fabric.  

Fill the boot with some sphagnum moss (brown/gray) Set the cat in the boot.  You can use a bamboo skewer glued to the inside of the heel of the boot to make sure the cat stays in place if you're worried about shifting.   Place the hat on the cat and tip as desired.  

 

Additional supplies: 
SCAL 5 Pro and Skycut C24 were used to cut all paper pieces.  
Liquitex Heavy Body White Acrylic Paint
Foam brush
AC cardstock (white, black)
Bazzil cardstock (purples)
embossing folder (optional)
Digital paper (Halloween Gnome Paper Packs from PolkaDoodle)
IkonArt Stencil Kit.  
Printer
Distress inks
White pigment ink
Black Fabric
Sewing machine
Polyester stuffing
Grunge mix for tea stain
Ribbon (1/8")
1/8" round paper punch
Sphagnum moss
glittered sequin (Hocus Pocus mix from Kat Scrappiness)
Bearly Art Precision Glue
ScorTape (1/8", 1/4")

Thanks for stopping by.  Hope you have some creative time carved out this weekend.  Enjoy.

 

 

dimensional butterfly

We haven't seen too many butterflies this year... but the ones we have seen around have been beautiful. 

I had so much fun creating this dimensional project for The Artistry, using fabric, paper, stencils and paint, distress inks and some inkjet printed fabric and cardstock!  The butterfly pattern was an Etsy purchase, but the remaining files used were from Creative Fabrica.  I even upcycled a needlework frame I've had for ages!  You'll find the details here.  

Thanks for stopping by.  Hoping you have some creative time lined out this week.  Enjoy it!  Nurture your heart along the way too.  

 

 

It's warming up...

and time to chill out with a cool drink!  The old coasters we've been using were showing a bit of wear - and heck they were made of coated chipboard purchased from the $ store.  New ones are needed and needed ASAP!  So my solution?  Make some brightly colored new ones using mason jar lids and rings and some printable fabric.  

Finding the perfect images was easy on Creative Fabrica.  You'll find the tutorial on The Artistry today.  Hope you'll take a look.  

I love the bright colors and hope you do too!  SCAL 5 and an inkjet printer make it all happen!  And once the images have been printed, ironed to set the ink (plus a couple of other quick and easy steps) and been sprayed with some waterproofing, your glassware can sweat and drip all it wants once the coaster is assembled.  

All of my previous projects for Creative Fabrica are posted on my author page at The Artistry.  Take a peek there for more creative ideas you may have missed.  

Prim Spring Bouquet

It's official!  Spring has arrived -- at least on the calendar.  We've even heard a few lawn mowers in the neighborhood in the last week or so -- hoping to see a few more sprigs of green and color in a few more days

I've wanted to do a hanging mason jar project for a long time... but just didn't get the right vibes until the tulips came to mind.  So let's get started.

You'll need:
cream colored brushed flannel (2 fat quarters or a 1/4 yard)
Tulip fabric dyes (green, orange, yellor)
tea (berry and black)
sewing machine
fiber fill
bamboo skewers
hot glue
wire cutters
board
screw
mason jar/with lid
twine
mica powder (Mixed Media Supplies)
filler (optional)
scissors
pattern (I drew my own)
gloves

Plan on working on this project for a couple of days.... First steps for me were

1) draw my patterns.  Be sure to allow a 1/4" seam for the flowers. 

2) I chose to make 3 different colored flowers... 3 in each color.  Cut three pieces of fabric large enough to cut 6 flowers from.  Remember you'll also need a piece for the leaves.

3) Mix the dyes as directed by the manufacturer.  I poured about an inch of mixed dye into a pint sized mason jar and placed the fabric  - one for yellow and one for orange.  In a third mason jar, steep a couple of bags of the berry tea.  Add the fabric.  In a 4th jar, add some green dye and place the fabric you've set aside for the leaves in that jar.  Let the fabric soak for about 30 minutes.  Using gloves, lightly wring the fabric.  I did not rinse the extra dye out of the fabric before air drying.  After the fabric has dried, heat set using an iron.  Use a towel to absorb any additional ink that may be released with the iron.  Begin with the lightest color first, then gradually work to the darker colors.  Set aside.  But you're not ready to cut yet.  You can return the leftover dye to their storage containers to use at a later date.  Clean the jars.




4) Steep 2 large bags of black tea.  Divide between the 4 jars and place a piece of fabric in each of the jars.  Allow to soak for about 20 minutes or until the fabric is sufficiently grunged.  Again, using gloves, wring the fabric.  Let dry.  Heat set the fabric again as described previously.

5)  Trace the patterns on the fabric and cut. You'll need two cuts for each flower and one cut for each leaf - I forgot to take a picture of the leaves.  OOPS!  

6) Stitch each flower, wrong sides together using a 1/4" seam allowance, leaving about 3/4 " area unstitched to allow for turning.  Clip curves and corners and turn.  Set aside.

7)  Lightly stuff each flower with some fiberfill. 

8) If desired, "paint" the skewers green. 

9) Using the glue gun, apply a small bit to the base of the flower and attach to the skewer.  Repeat until all the flowers are attached.  Spritz each flower with a bit of Mixed Media Supplies mica powder mixed with water and let dry. 

10)  Trim skewers if needed.  Glue a leaf to the skewer and repeat until all the flowers have been completed. 

11) With the crop-o-dile, punch a hole on the ring on either side.  Thread some twine through the holes and tie off leaving enough to hang the mason jar from the hook in the board.

12) Arrange the flowers in the jar as desired.  Add filler if desired.  Spritz with a little more mica powder dissolved in water.  And you're done! 


There's a little bit of shimmer on the flowers and leaves, but it's hard to catch.

I added a string of fairy lights to my bottle before adding the flowers.  They're easy to turn on and off and sure add a touch of whimsy to this prim bouquet. 

Hope you have some creative time scheduled soon! Thanks for stopping by!