Izbzee

playing with eCal3

There are lots of commands I haven't used previously, but it sure was fun to do a little playing to create this sun.... and the best part is that I can size as needed  -

 

Supplies:
Cardstock, white 110lb Neenah; Bazzill texture, yellow; unknown smooth, blue
Tombow markers
Craftwell's eBrush with TB adapter
WRMK's Foil Quill, fine tip pen with D adapter for the eclips
Spellbinder's Black Foil
Sizzix eclips2 and eCal3
Scor-Tape, 1/4 in wide

I also used some black foil and the foil quill to add the "You Are So" to the vellum cloud piece. 
Tombow markers and the eBrush added the fun coloring to the word "amazing" and some highlights to the sun.

Object to path is a great tool to use for things other than text.  Adding a series of shapes (narrow triangles in this case) to another shape (the circle) is so simple and made quick work of the sun. 

 

The cloud piece was made using a horizontal rectangle and half circles and the Union command. 

More playing time coming in the next few days! 

 

All a Flutter

The foiling quill is one of my favorite tools and it was a perfect choice for this 4 x 4 card.  The blue foil from Spellbinders worked perfectly and is paired with a brilliant blue watercolor pencil from InkTense.  Add a shaker filled with some sequins for a little more bling. 

The butterfly svg is in a file by WRMK's Paige Evans in the Butterfly and Bees folder.  Add a bit of crosshatching to the body and a few other spots that need a little more filling before foiling.  eCal3 makes it so easy! Add a shadow.  I resized the shadow t0 .010 and the machine cut nearly spot on after foiling

For the sentiment, using the font of your choice, write it in your cutting software.  Export as an svg.  Open the svg in your software program, resize and using the Effects Tab > Line Fill > Cross Hatch and adjust the angle and other options as needed - select Auto Preview -- when satisfied, click okay.  Resize the sentiment as needed to fit behind the shaker.  Foil.  I used a punch to cut, but you can cut using your electronic die cutter just as you did the butterfly. 

Foil Quill results

I finally was able to pick up a Foil Quill here locally. 

I'd pre-ordered from another company back in January, but they weren't able to secure all of their order and were still waiting for their first shipment.... so grateful they were willing to completely refund and I could go pick one up at one of the local craft stores.

I'm very impressed.  My first samples were near perfect.  Using cross-hatching or line fill and just adjusting it a bit will fill in most of the lettering. 


Just a little more tweaking and I think the fill will be perfected on the lettering.  In the meantime....

I found some really neat svg/png files to cut, but decided to use them as foiling patterns.    Using the Foil Quill fine tip and no additional adjustments to the draw/pen settings in eCal 3 and cut using the eclips2. 

I used Inktense watercolor pencils and a waterbrush to apply the color.  Love the results and hope you do too.  The background is an altered digi background (PhotoShop Elements) print of a "faux watercolor" piece I shared in this post

Thanks for stopping by.  So looking forward to my next bit of creative time.... hoping you have some time carved out in your busy schedule too! 

 

from coaster to album cover

 

 

Hi Everyone. It's my turn on the Mixed Media blog again.

This project begins with a 3.5 in cardboard coaster.  These were in my stash, but were purchased at a dollar store a few years ago. (Thanks, Dayna for the stash!)  Who would have thought we would have found so many ways to use them over the years!

 

You'll need:
coaster (cardboard)
Gesso
digital stamps (Rose from Mixed Media Supplies)
tissue paper
printer
computer, image editing software
stencil
modeling paste
palette knife
gel medium/mod podge (matte)
deco art foil pen
deco art gold foid
shimmer mist (gold)
reinkers (blushing bride, moss green)
water brush, size 2
hole punch, optional

My step to step photos are not usable for this post... my apologies! 

Apply a thin layer of Gesso to the coaster. Set aside and let dry

Open the digital file for the rose and resize as desired.  Print on tissue paper.  I used a laser printer. (If you use an ink jet printer, I suggest that you let the ink dry overnight before applying to the coaster and using the gel medium.)

Tear the roses from the tissue paper... or trim with scissors.  Using the gel medium or Mod Podge, adhere the printed stamp images to the coaster.  Burnish the edges of the paper to the coaster if needed while the medium is wet.  When dry, using a water brush apply a little color with the reinkers. Let dry.

Secure the stencil to the front of the coaster.  Apply a thin layer of modeling paste and let dry.  My paste is homemade and is an Antique White color. (If you're in a hurry, you can use a heat gun to hurry the process)

When dry, "draw" some accent lines with the deco art foil pen.  Let dry according to the manufacturer's directions.  Lay a piece of gold foil on the coaster and burnish.  Pull the foil and then lightly mist the coaster with the shimmer mist.

Add a title or sentiment as desired.  Foil around the edges of the piece if desired. 

Be sure to sign your work. 

Repeat for the back cover if desired.  Here are the photos that did turn out...









At this point, you can punch a couple of holes or leave as is and use another type of binding for the covers and page inserts. 

Thanks for stopping by.  Enjoy some crafting time in the week to come!  And be sure to stop by the Mixed Media blog often to see more Mixed Media projects by the design team. 

* No affiliate links were used in this post. 

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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. 

tag along

We're having a Tag Along challenge on the FB eclips & eCal page... if you're an eclips user, come join in the fun!  (There's even a free file - (optional to use) for those in the challenge.

Here's a couple of my samples and a quick run down of how I made them.

Create the top tag using basic shapes.  Position a heart on the tag, resizing if needed.  I flipped mine.  Select all and using the PATH dropdown, select Back minus Front.  Select the desired font -- I chose one that is called Stencil.  Position as desired and once again, use PATH > Back minus Front.  Add a small circle near the top of the tag and centered.  Again, repeat the PATH ? Back minus Front command.

You can add a another layer  - but the easiest for me was to choose EFFECTS >Shadow (Contour Cut). Adjust the width to .09 and change the shadow to rounded shadow and select BLACKOUT SHADOW.  Click on OK.

Go back to the basica shapes library and select a circle.  With both layers showing on the mat, center the circle on the top where the hole is and then in the layers' palette, hide the top layer (Click the eye in the layers palette, selecting the layer with the heart and sentiment).  Select the shadow layer and the circle and choose PATH > Back Minus Front. 

At this point, you can separate the two pieces for cutting.  Cut with your machine. 

I wanted to make some custom backgrounds, so I added a layer of Gesso to each of the pieces.  Using some dye based inks and a blending tool, add colors and blend lightly.  Spritz with water lightly and dab with a cloth or paper towel for a little more texture and to remove a little bit of color.  Add additional sparkle using a glitter pen and white gel pen.  Repeat for the bottom layer or shadow and then adhere the top to the bottom using your favorite adhesive.

 

For this single layered tag, I colored directly to the stock.  Spritzed lightly with water and let dry.  I used a stamp from Purple Onion and sentiment from the same set.  Using the decor art foil glue pen, fill in the heart and let dry according to manufacturer's directions.  Apply foil and burnish.  I colored the flower using Tombow markers.  Quick and easy. 

ADDITIONAL OPTIONS: 
1) Choose a digital stamp, trace and use the Print2CutPrint feature in the eCal software instead of stamps and ink
2) Choose a digital stamp, trace and use the DRAW (pen) feature in the eCal software

 I still need to laminate them and add my ribbons and a charm.   

Join us in the challenge! You'll find all the details on the Facebook page in the pinned post. #sizzixeclipsecalmakers

 

 

 

Tag it in Style!

These were so much fun!  Print 2 Print, Foiling, and the eBrush and dry embossing were techniques used to complete these.  Let's get started

You'll need:
cardstock
electronic cutting
Foil Transfer Sheets (iCraft)
laminator
eBrush
Markers
Embossing folder
Cut-n-Boss
laser printer
background stamp
Versa Mark ink

General instructions

Open your design software for your cutting machine.  I'm using eCal2 (2.033) and the eclips2.  From the library select a tag and place on the mat.  Resize to 2.375 wide x 4.75 inches high.  Ungroup, resize the hole.  Regroup.  Copy and paste on your mat (my material size is set at 8.5 x 11 inches).  

I went ahead and cut my tags using some heavy cardstock (source unknown).

Do not close the program.... now, select the fonts and choose your saying.  Type, resize and center on the tags.  Set all the font text groups to Print 2 Print.  Hide each of the tags.  I clicked on the eye in the layers palette to hide the tag.  Select the print to cut command in the cutter drop down menu, then click on the print button in the popup window.  Uncheck the print registration marks.  Print your text on a piece of regular copy paper.  Set aside.

Get your eBrush, markers and the embossing folder, Cut-n-Boss ready for use! 

 




You can emboss a portion of your tag using the embossing folder and the Cut-n-Boss as in Tag 2. 



Using the eBrush spray the background and add a few splats as in Tag 1 if desired. 




Tag 3  has been stamped with Versa Mark, but the stamped effect is not very visible in the photo.  The eBrush was used to color the base. 




Using the printed copy as a base, center the tags you cut earlier over each of the printed images.  Tape in place.  Click the print button again on the print 2 cut window.  The tag outlines should still be hidden and the print registration marks should be unchecked in the print window.  Print. This time the images will print on the tags.  Check out some of the step by step in this video. 



Turn on the laminator and let it heat.  Cut the foil to the correct size.  place on top of the tags.  Place the tags and foil in a copy paper sandwich and run through the laminator.  For my own personal use, I've found that I need to put the sandwich through the machine two times.  Rub and then remove the foil.

Add ribbons and embellish as desired. 

PS:  If you attended Creativation and say any of these tags hanging on the wall of tags at the DCWV booth, please leave a comment!  

Enjoy some creative crafting time this week!  

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Just a quick tip I've found really helpful.

 

 

Once your cuts are made, there's more fun to be had.  Prep your pieces of foil (I used Therm O' Web foil transfer sheets)  Warm up the laminator and set as 5ml thickness.  Since my cardstock was of medium weight, I added a "shim" of similar weight paper and placed my cut pieces, with the foil on top and sandwiched in a folded piece of copy paper.  Feed the sandwich into the laminator with the folded side facing the laminator.  My laminator requires a second time through for best results.....  when the sandwich has gone through,  open and rub the foil with your finger or a bone folder.  Remove the foil. 

I apologize for the blurry photo....
Hoping you have some crafting time available soon!