Izbzee

Happy January -- 2020

The Christmas cards were a hit with the fam... and being able to share Mom's voice in a recording was the highlight at our family party. These 5 x 5 cards are actually a triple fold with an EZ Sound module with a recording on them.  We were able to get Mom to record a Christmas greeting -- we finally got a usable one after 3 tries.  We thought it would be a perfect touch to the cards we were sharing with my siblings this holiday season.  THEY WERE A HIT!  The image is one taken by a friend of ours and I purchased the rights for commercial use.  Printed on glossy photo paper and trimmed to 3.50 x 3.50 for the 5 x 5 card version.  The foil quill was the perfect tool to use to apply the foil on the vellum.  Trim the vellum as desired and using some vellum tape, adhere to the card front.  I used Print Shop to create the insert for the inside of the card.  


Materials:
Per card:
5 x 15 cardstock, scored at 5 and 10 inches (cardstock from Envelopes.com 11x17 in navy, matching envelopes are available)
EZ sound module (InviteByVoice.com), with desired recording (voice and music clip - a royalty free clip was purchased from Melody Loops)
Audio editing software (Audacity - it's free)
vellum
eClips 2 and eCal3 software
WRMK Foil Quill ( fine tip and adaptor for your cutting machine , heat activated foil (glimmer mist from Spellbinders)
Focal image 
Printer
glossy photo paper (4 x 6)
PhotoShop Elements (17)
Envelopes (I used a plastic box for cards from Clear Bags with an elastic band the same color as the foiling)

It's been a busy couple of months -- hopefully, as things slow down a bit now that the BIG work projects has been completed there will be more craftiness to come in the next few weeks.  Stay tuned!  

Sweet Birthday Treats

This was fairly quick and easy to make using the eclips2 and eCal3 software. And best of all, gluten free, sugar-free, and 0 carbs! 

You'll need:
Donut Fun (The Cutting Cafe)
Sizzix eclips2 and eCal software
DIY Audio Card EZ Sound Module (Invite By Voice)
Happy Birthday.mp3 ringtone (Zedge.com)
Cardstock (white, pink, kraft brown)
Transparency for box window
Distress Ink and blender tool and pads
Adhesive (glue and scor tape)
Glitter (stash)

Assembly:

• The card base is a sheet measuring 8.5 x 16.5.  Score at 5.50, and 11 inches. You will have 3 sections to the card.
• Create your sentiment for the inside of the card before adding the sound card to the center portion of the card base.  This will make it so much easier.  Add any other details to the card inside as desired. (I've left the sentiment off for personal reasons)
• I made the card front using basic shapes to create a "box front" with a layered banner.  This card front is just slightly smaller than the card front 8.25 x 5.25. The donuts are reduced to 80% and all pieces are cut using the eclips2.
• Ink the edges of the donut pieces.  Adhere the 'frosting" to the base and add a few sprinkles using some snowy glitter*.  Let dry. 
• Prepare the box top.  Adhere the transparency to the back of the box top and add the banner to the front.  Set aside.
• Record the sound module according to manufacturer's directions.  It's really so easy. For this particular card, I chose a free ringtone from Zedge.com  Replace the "block" until you have the sound module installed in your card.
• Assemble the card front and adhere.  Place the donuts on the card base front, add the "box" top.  I used scor tape to adhere the box front.  You could use a foam tape if you wanted a little more height to the project.
• Now place your sound module in the card.  Make sure that the area with the small triangular cuts is on the fold as it provides the "trigger" to start and stop the play of the module.  Apply some score tape to the top and bottom edges of the card base.  Remove the release tape and the shield from the module (it may start playing).  Fold the right third of the card over to the center, lining up the edges and secure to the tape.  Fold the top over to "close" the card. 

 

Happy Crafting vibes to you!  Hoping you're planning some time in your crafting space this coming week! 

for the record

 

 

Vinyl is making a comeback!  And I was excited to see some creative pieces recently showcasing them.  Die-namics has a cool set of dies -- but they were too small for the 6 x 6 card I needed to make.. so eCal3 and the eclips2 to the rescue.

Using the basic shapes library in eCal, I created the record, the needle arm and "knobs" very quickly.  To make the record look a little more realistic, I added additional scoring lines and covered the cardstock with some black 651 permanent glossy vinyl. 

Fill a half circle with an image.  Place on top of the circle for the label, weld, then use the print2cut feature in eCal.    Print and cut. 

I created a cover and base for the card.  there's a bit of dimension there -- enough to place a recorded sound card by Invite by Voice in the base part of the card.  Create a small hold that allows enough light to activate the card.  Sound clip was purchased at Amazon. 

To make it a little more interactive, I added a pull string that turns the record. 

Our youngest grandson loves it!  He enjoys listening to one of his favorite songs!  Nice thing is when he grows out of this song, we can re-record and add a new one for him. 

There's another one of these floating around the house -- made one for Valentine's Day for the hubs.  He rather likes it and had fun making it play too.... I purchased a track of a song we use to tease each other with during our "courting" days and recorded it to a light activated sound card as well.     



Hoping you have some creative time planned over the course of the coming week. Enjoy the time and joy creating brings to you and yours!  We'll see you again soon! 

 

 

Valentine's Day is just around the corner

but at our house we'll be celebrating a little early. 

I'm so excited that the eclips2 and eCal3 software was able to do the "fussy cutting" for me!  There's no way I could have tackled that after last week's fall and hurting my wrist! 

All of my tags are now completed and ready to add to the goodies we're sharing with the grands.  I'll share that post at a later date when the "gifts" are all put together.  Here's one of the 10 I made.

 

• I used some images I've had in my digital stash for a very long time - images must be in png format for this to work
• Open eCal3 and under the FILE tab in the tool bar ribbon, use the IMPORT command. Select the image
• Size as needed, preview to make sure all of the images have the cut line around them properly. 
• Then use the print 2 cut feature - print then cut your images.
• The tags are also print 2 cut and I used the Funky Mother font for the lettering.  I added a heart to dot the 'i' by using the break apart command under OBJECT.  Remove the dot, open basic shapes and select the heart you want to use.  Resize and place over the 'i' as desired, making sure that all the lettering is set to print 2 cut print. 

Made this project so easy!  Using the import command will also work in eCal2 if you haven't upgraded yet.  

 

 

 

 

winter chill

This cute box is from creatieve papier uitspattingen, a European company specializing in 3D paper crafts.  Corina has created some beautiful files and is easy to cut using the eclips2 and eCal3.  

The box is large enough to hold a small gift like some mittens, gloves or a silky scarf; a sweet treat or even a gift card. 

This is a quick cut and glue project.  Add a little inking to the edges of the panels.  The inside of the bottom of the box has a clean finish and if I were to make it again, I would cut one more base piece to make it a little sturdier.  

I used a stack of Holiday prints for the panels and FSJ's 12 x 12 Forest Green paper for the box top and bottom.  Scotch Quick Dry glue.  FSJ Forest Green ink and a blender tool.  

Thanks for stopping by!  Hoping you're enjoying some creative time this weekend and are making a bit more time available in the near future.  

 

 

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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. 

season of change

 

Fall has definitely arrived here.  The leaves are beginning to fall from the trees and the vibrant colors are beginning to fade a bit too.  That's not all that's changed... we're celebrating a huge change for our family!  T starts a new job today!  We're so excited for him! And for part of our celebration, I made this fun combat boot from SVGAttic's My Hero collection. 


I made it extra study since we're loading it down with a couple pounds of goodies. 

His BDUs and dress blues are now out of storage for what I hope is his dream job.  He's excited and looking forward to this teaching experience - middle school math  and possibly coaching X-Country again.  

You'll need:
JGW My Hero Collection from SVGAttic
Sizzix eclips2 and ecal 3
12 x 12 cardstock (stash)
White scrap for "dog tag*"
Shoe lace (I used some ribbon from my stash since the regular shoelace was too thick for my holes)
eyelets (15)
eyelet tool
adhesive (Lineco book binder glue)
Xyron
Markers (Tombow - blue, Spectrum Noir - black) optional

*I created a print to cut dog tag using the rounded rectangle shape in the library and didn't use the one supplied in the kit.

Follow the directions posted here to put your boot together.  I think I would add the toe to the boot before adding gluing to the sole piece.  My fingers had a difficult time getting into a couple of places to make sure that the tabs were in place correctly. 

Thanks for stopping by and hope you will be creating and crafting soon!  Check in with you again soon! 

quick gifts

SimplyCraftySVGs has some simple but cute mason jar boxes available.  They are easy to put together and make for a quick gift box. 

Two of the grandsons are starting fresh with a new list of "jobs" at their house.  Their mom wanted something similar to this that she saw on Pinterest.  I created a stencil and etched on the bottles and then using the Mini-maker, I etched a couple of tags.  Love the way this project turned out. 

The etching doesn't show well on the glass, but it's there! 

8 1/2 x 11 cardstock (Fun Stamper's Journey)
12 x 12 sheet for panel (from stash)
Lineco glue
Sizzix eclips2 / eCal 3

pint size mason jar
vinyl /  removable shelf liner
transfer tape
Armour Etching cream

wood tag (Craftparts.com)
Mini Maker laser etch machine

Holiday Ornament house #2

Hi everyone!  The Christmas House ornaments have been well received by a few friends and family members.  I found some fun brick and rock digital papers on Etsy and the eCal2 software makes it very simple to resize the images to fit the dimensions of this small ornament house, print,  then cut with the eclips2.  .

The file is from Lori Whitlock's shop.  I decided to keep the original dimensions and remove the window from the back panel and add an elongated half circle cut to  accommodate a tealight or some fairy lights.  I added a tree from the basic shapes library and colored with Bic-Mark-Its and a silver sharpie.  Vellum in the windows and a small brad for the doorknob. 

I'm looking forward to creating some this week to celebrate New Year's and get a start on some Valentine ones too! 

 

quick cards

I've evidently lost the family birthday calendar - and slacked on having enough cards in the box to send out to celebrate some very important dates!  I'd really started out the year on better footing.  Think I need to get back on track again... so here's my attempt at making that happen.

I've always loved SVGCuts' Waterfall Cards collection.  Just haven't used the files for a while.  The Sizzix eclips2 & eCal2 software made it so easy to set the files up and quick to cut.  It took longer to select the base colors for the elements!  I cut a bunch of card sets -- and still have a few more to put together!  Lots of fun to make and a great "make and take" for an afternoon of crating! 

After checking out a couple of stamp sets (including some digital stamps), I decided to change up the fronts of the blocks and use stamps.... so here goes. (no affiliate links are used in this post)

You'll need:
Sizzix eclips2 and eCal2 software
SVGCuts Waterfall Cards
card stock (Fun Stampers Journey)
stamps, focal image and sentiments (clear, red rubber or digital)
watercolor pencils
gel pens
ScorTape (1/4" wide)
quick dry glue (Scotch Quick Dry)
markers (optional)
ribbon (stash)
mini brads (Oriental Trading)
embossing folder (optional)

The card above uses Laurel Burch's Indigo Cat set  from Stampendous-- love them and you can be so creative with the colors.  The sentiment stamps are from Wplus9.com - Hand-lettered Hello

I really had a fun time creating the background paper and stamped images using the Be A Unicorn digital stamp from Craftin Desert Divas.  I used gel pens and watercolor pencils from my stash to add a little more color to the images.  The set does come with a colored image,  I just liked the handcolored look better. 

One of the cards was mailed before I could get a snapshot, but I do hope the recipients will like it when it lands in their mailbox just in time for their Hallow-versary tomorrow.  Imagine the owl from Tim Holtz' Crazy Birds set as the focal....  So much fun! 

I hope you have some creative time calendared in this week!  Have fun and nurtured your soul while you're at it!