Izbzee

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.  

Tag 3 - Spring Tag Challenge 2020

Hard to believe that we're already mid-week in the challenge.  Have you checked out all the tags showing up on the page?  If note or you need the link, you'll find the images here.  

Digital stamps to the rescue -- and I really like this one from Buddly Crafts.  Their digital stamps are nicely detailed and don't lose anything in the resizing using eCal3.  Perfect for using the print 2 cut and print 2 cut print features offered in eCal.  If you'd like, you can also print your sentiment at the same time using a fun font*.  

Print and color your stamped image.  Coloring has always been a good way for me to destress after a busy day at work or providing care for Mom.  I used Rembrandt professional colored pencils for this image.  

After the coloring is done, cut the images as desired.  I used a cloud shape from the shape library -- You can add a couple of shadow layers and cut those in colors that will coordinate with your image. 

* Or add a sentiment if desired using a stamp of choice.  This is a really quick tag - pretty easy and reminds me of one of the vintage images in my old scrapbook.  

 

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!  

Paper Piecing for <3 day

This file has been in my digital cutting file archives for a very long time.  I was happy to re-discover it and put it to good use.

The file is from Paper Piecing by Nikki (PPBN).  It was a fun image to put together and pretty straightforward.  And a breeze to cut using the eclips2 and eCal3 software. 

No real instructions necessary and it's a pretty good way to use up some of those scraps. 

Inking the edges adds dimension and a little more interest.  I added a little sparkle with a clear sparkle pen from Spectrum Noir, but you could use Wink of Stella or brush on some mica for that bit of shimmer on the tumbling hearts and wings.  I added a small swipe on the nose and in the eyes...but it doesn't show up much.   Add a piece of twine for the bucket handle and slip it under the arm to hold it in place. 

2018 12 Tags of Christmas - Tag 2

It's Day 2 of the #eclipsecalmaker 12 Tags of Christmas Challenge.  Loved the way this tag turned out.  It's called Peaceful... 

 

You'll need:
white cardstock (110 lb Neenah)
vellum
inks (night time sky)
white gel pen
Sizzix eclips2 and software (I used eCal3)
Basic shapes library
Creative Fabrica Christmas Scene Maker
Glitter
Glue

Using the eCal software and basic shapes, create a church - square, rectangles, oval and half circle or oval.   Open the Christmas Scene maker file from Creative Fabrica and use tree 2.  Copy and paste is 2 additional times on your mat.  Resize as needed.
Resize one of the tags in the library as desired.  Add  3 stars to cut across the top. 

Create your rolling hills.  I used three layers. I used print2cut print for the tag's title on the middle layer. 

Cut and color as desired.  Stampin' Up inks  were used to color the background on the tag and were blended with a blending tool.  The trees were colored using Tombow markers.  Shade as desired.  

Thanks for stopping by.  Tag 3 will appear soon....

 

If you missed, the previous tag, here's the link.  https://bit.ly/2OjLU9K

 

Create some space and time to do a little creative work as well!  Happy Creating! 

 

clay play 3

Did a little playing with some clay this morning after work was done.  I'm sort of liking these, but they still need a little tweaking. 

These two aren't quite finished -  and, I forgot to put a hanging hole  on both of these... so I'll have to create an alternative way of hanging them.  They're a little too big to be a pendant or a pin...

Sculpey Clay III, some seed beads, and a few "tools" from the kitchen are perfect for adding a few details.  All items were baked according to manufacturer's directions.  These are slightly thicker than 1/4"  so I baked for about 30 minutes and they were perfect.  Coloring was done using some watercolor pencils and a waterbrush.    Once the coloring has dried, I began applying a thin coat of Sculpey Glaze. The bunny on the left only has a coat of the blaze on his "belly" at the moment.  I'll apply another coat (full coverage) and let dry. 

There are a couple of additional details to add. I'm really hoping to get another 20 or so done for the tree in the foyer.  Fingers crossed I'll get them all done... and each having a bit of personality to boot.  Should have more photos come Tuesday!  6 down and another dozen or so to go!

I think I'll put on that second coat AND roll out a bit more clay for cutting!  My new Mantra for this week is START.  What's yours? 

Happy Crafting!  

RG Studio 360 Magic Unicorn - #rgmagicaldreams

 

Ok, I have to admit it, I'm loving this free download from RGStudio360.  It's been fun to play with and I'm excited to be a part of his online class tomorrow (Saturday, January 6, 2018). 

Dabbling a little more with some mixed media options and had so much fun "glazing" the card stock with a thin layer of Gesso to give it a little more "tooth" for coloring.  While this background is simple and basically smooth, the colors were much easier to blend (without a tool) and just a small piece of felt. 

I used Tombow Dual Brush markers to color the unicorn in this project, colors:  N89, 173, 533 and 451.  Some now retired SU ink spots for the background on the paper. 

The "bling" is from my stash, but I think they were from a Michael's or HL clearance a few years back. 

You  still have time to sign up for the #RGMagicalDreams class... and it's free! Register here. 

 

Thanks for stopping by and maybe I'll see you in class, Saturday, January 6! 

 

EDITED to ADD:
The class was fun!  RG offered some great ideas for creating backgrounds.  I didn't like my samples too much, but did get 2 additional cards made today. ... I now have 4 cards made with this digi set and I'm sure I'll re-try some of the techniques again in the near future with much more success. 

This last card has a lot of sparkle and shine.... but it's stormy outside and the lighting just doesn't pick it up. 

 

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