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!  

 

the first of May brings lots of cardmaking

I loved making multiples of this card, Congrats Graduation Card, designed by Sandy at Simply Crafty SVGs. 

I switched things up a bit... removing the diploma and adding another pop-up.  The stamp set is from Simon Says Stamp and the dies were also purchased.  The CELEBRATE was created in SCAL 5 Pro using a chunky font and a shadow layer.  

With Mother's Day just around the corner.... well, you know, I couldn't stop at just creating one card this go round.  I made two.  Both using stamps!  Coloring with markers and inks.  A little bit of fussy cutting and some layering.  

I love my stamp jig... makes for near perfect sentiment placement every time when stamping a stack!!  

The wildflower stamp set is Unknown.  The doodle flowers are from Fun Stampers Journey.  Sentiments are from Stampin' Up and Unknown source.  Cuttlebug (Dotted Swiss) embossing folder.  Colored Cardstock from Bazill.  

Now it's time to tackle all the birthday cards!  I think I counted 10 in the next 2 weeks!  Time to get a move on.  

"pewter" planter

I decided to give Simply Crafty SVGs Round Candy Box another go.  Last time, I used the box to make the pocket watch for the Wonderland Hat (found here).  This time, using only the bottom pieces, it's a planter hosting a small gathering of pansies from Maison Gregoria. * 

 

A renewed relationship with an often forgotten tool, the paper crimper was used on the "wall" of the box.  I added a band at the top and bottom of the box.  Added a couple of brads to secure the bands to the box for a little more strength.  

Sandy's assembly video is pretty straight forward for the basic put together of the box base.  The bands I used were  1/2 inch wide and about 1/2" longer than the box side.  glue them to the top and bottom of the side of the box.  For a little extra ornamentation, 2 brads were added to each of the bands where the ends meet and cross.  Once the bottom of the box is completely assembled, a coat of Lumiere (by Jacquard) in Pewter was applied.  Let that dry.  

I decided some flowers were in order and pansies seemed to fit the bill.  The studio is still in transition and a few of my coloring tools aren't available, but we made do with some paint crayons for color on white cardstock.  They turned out okay, but the colors aren't quite as bright as I would like.  The next bunch will be much brighter in color - yellow and purple, I think.  Jamie's tutorials for coloring, shaping and assembling are thorough - so be sure to take a look at the step by step tutorials he has.  I have enough flower and leaf cuts left to make another pot of pansies next week.  

I had a 3 x 2 inch round piece of styrofoam.  I cut the styro to about 2 1/2 inches so it would slide into the box and fit snugly.  No extra glue to secure is needed.  Add some moss and arrange the flowers, buds and leaves.  

 

*affiliate link used for this file.  A small amount will be paid to me if you use the link and purchase the file.  There is no additional cost to you.  

Thanks for stopping by.  Hope you'll have some creative time soon!  

5 Tags of Spring -- shortened version for 2022

This week, the eCal/SCAL Facebook group celebrated the reveal of the annual 5 Tags of Spring Challenge and today is the last day of the reveal.  

Due to time constraints and ongoing projects, I've combined a week's worth of posts into one.  All tags were cut using the SkyCut C24 and SCAL 5 Pro.  

Day 1's reveal:  
Bunny Silhouette from a Creative Fabrica collection.  Tag shape and leaf cut are found in the SCAL library.  This is a large tag and will be used on a gift bag with an added silk ribbon hanger.  Distress Inks were used for color.  Misted with some water for some additional texture.  

Day 2 Reveal:  

This shape was created using a half circle with added circles distributed across the arch and unioned with a rounded rectangle.  The shape was stenciled using a script stencil from StencilGirls and pan pastels.  After the stencil was removed, the pastels were blended a bit.  Hoppy Easter - the bunny silhouette was unioned with the text.  Masked while the color was added and adhered to the tag.  A spray fixative was used to prevent further movement of the color.  

Day 3 Reveal:  

A fun shape created using basic shapes found in the library.  A little shading done with some chalk on the ears and cheeks.  Brads, twine and a jewel for facial details.  

 

Day 4 Reveal:  

No week would be complete without the addition of a shaker tag in my opinion.  Combined use of the skycut and a die (from Queen and Company - to cut the foam  which was too thick for the skycut) the piece covering the foam is also cut using the die.  The acetate circle was cut using the skycut. This tag will be a focal point on a gift bag.  It measures about 3 inches across.  Love all the sprinkles inside too!  

 

Day 5 Reveal:
My favorite for this week's tag reveal.  

Tag shape created in SCAL using a half circle and the rounded rectangle.  Score and swipe the color on the tag for a wood look .  The inset rounded rectangle tag is foiled using black foil and the foil quill. The use of the line fill command gives a distressed look to the foil.   A  Rabbit silhouette cropped to fit in the boot and small ovals were used for the carrot shapes.  Boots from the Spring folder in the shapes library were cut in blue and dots were added using the end of a paint brush and a small outline using a Micron marker.  Green raffia was hot glued to the back of each carrot for the green tops.  

if you have some time, stop by the page and check out all the fab tags created for this challenge in the Challenge Album.  Happy Crafting, All!  

Wonderland Themed Hat

Spring is on hold for the moment.  More snow in the forecast, but Spring is definitely taking a hold in the studio this month.  

Using the Victorian Top Hat and Round Candy Box file from SimplyCraftySVGs.com, I added a few more fun details to decorate the hat.  

The roses are found in the Top Hat file.  I reduced the size of the round candy box to make the pocket watch and added a couple of beads to create the fob.  The hands of the watch are an old die and there's a brad holding the hands in place.  The clock face is a file from CreativeFabrica.com and the "crocheted" lace edging is a file from SVGCuts.com

Using the rabbit in the Spring folder of the SCAL library, changed things up a bit and only using the rabbit's ears added those behind the rosette with printed hearts on it.  

Add a band of tulle and tie in a trailing bow at the back.  Sprinkle a few extra hearts around the brim as a finishing touch.  

The hat stand is included in the Top Hat file.  There's so much you can do with this file -- I'm looking forward to creating another version of the hat in the near future!  

Hope you'll have some crafting time soon.  

Files used in this project:  
Victorian Top Hat
Round Candy Box
Battenburg Lace and Crocheted Lace 
Clock Face - Template 17

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.  

2021 quick review

While 2021 was filled with lots of ups and downs, it was also a new start in many ways.  

My Top 9 projects created for Creative Fabrica:  

Over the course of the year, I was able to explore new techniques, use new products and explore a new cutting machine and put a twist on a few of the old techniques.  

To explore any of the photos in the collage above, go to my Author page at Creative Fabrica.  You'll find it here.  All of the articles for the year are posted there.  My crafting stash came in very handy and while we made a few new purchases, for the most part, we were able to stick to a pretty austere crafting budget over the course of the last 12 months.  

I'm looking forward to exploring additional techniques and creative play in 2022 and hope you will be able to do the same.  Keep nurturing that creative part of your being in the months to come!  It's time!

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.  

Halloween isn't that far off

And there's always a little hocus pocus going on around here as we get ready for Halloween.  The pumpkins are ripening -- a little more slowly than the norm, but we will harvest a few more before the freeze we're expecting next week.  This week has been peak viewing of the change in color of the leaves on the mountains in the area.  They've been brilliant this year.  Even our peach trees have given us quite the show.  It's time for apple cider, hot chocolate and if the snow arrives as forecast, there'll be some doughnuts too.  

It's been a fun couple of weeks designing and assembling some fun holiday decor this year and I'm so happy that the Skycut and SCAL 5 Pro have made it easy to accomplish.  The first project is a new banner to hang over the fireplace.  It's a featured article this week on The Artistry and I'm excited to share it with you.  


You'll find the creative details and assembly instructions here.  

And I still had a few rosettes left over, so I thought they would make a fun bouquet.  



Hoping you're enjoying some creative time this week and if not, will be able to carve out a bit of time in the near future.  I know that crafting makes my spirits lighter.  Thanks for dropping by.  For more inspiration, feel free to read some of my archived posts here on the blog or hop on over to my page over on The Artistry.