Izbzee

Bunny Hop Day 4

We're at day 4 of 5...  and it's a given that no bunny hop would be complete without a bunny crossing tag!  Here's mine:

You'll need:
Kraft / Oatmeal cardstock (FSJ)
Chocolate cardstock scrap (FSJ)
blue textured cardstock scrap (Bazzil)
Sizzix eclips2 and ecal3
Hoppy Easter craft file from Creative Fabrica
Burlap ribbon (stash)
Twine (FSJ)
blue ink
TombowUSA marker in brown
Foam pop up dots (1/4 inch squares)
blending tool and felt
Glue (lineco)

CUTTING & ASSEMBLY:
Select the tag from the Basic Shapes Library.  Size as desired.  Copy and paste a second tag to the mat.  Open the Hoppy Easter craft file and ungroup, break apart.  Highlight the bunny.  and move just the outer shape to the bottom of on of the tags.  Center and nudge for placement as needed.  Delete the rest of the Hoppy Easter file from the mat.   Cut the Craft paper tags, and cut a third tag using the blue texture paper and trim as desired. 

Using the Text Tool and Tool on Arch command, create the bunny crossing text - I'm using Bodini in this instance.  Fill is selected on color palette and stroke is set to none.  Make sure the text is then set to print 2 cut print.  Drop a half circle on the mat and size to the same width as the tag. Move away from the tag and set layer to back. Move the text to the top of the half circle, size  and center.   Drop a heart just under the text and open the Spring folder in basic shapes and click on the raindrops.  Ungroup or break apart.  Select the small raindrop.  Size and move to one side of the heart, turning as shown in the picture above.  Copy the raindrop, flip it horizontally and move to the other side of the heart.  Set the stroke to none and the fill to none.  for the three shapes you just added to the half circle.  They will disappear.  Click on preview and you'll see that they will cut, but not visible during the print, print 2 cut portion of the process.  You're ready to print and cut.  Follow the directions on the software screen for best results. 

Cut two small strips of the chocolate paper - just bit enough to go behind the rabbit cut out and the heart and raindrop cuts on the half circle.  use a bit of glue to secure to the back of the cut tag and the half circle. 

Glue the second tag to the back of the first covering the chocolate paper.  Ink the edges of the blue paper before adhering to the front of the tag.  Ink the rest of the tag as desired.

The rabbit cut has a dot added for an eye using a marker and if desired, you can edge the cut with a marker  so it stands out a little more.  Rub a little ink on the cut too.  Set the rabbit slightly off center of the cut using some pop dots.  Apply some pop dots to the half circle and secure in place.  Add a burlap ribbon tied with some twine to finish. 

Again, thanks for stopping by.  Hoping you're having some creative fun of your own this week!  Hope you'll check in tomorrow for the final day of the hop.  And don't forget to check out all of the creativity on the FB page! 

Bunny Hop Day 3

Welcome back!  So happy you stopped by for day 3's tag.  I just love this one!  Hope you do too!

You'll need:
White cardstock
Chocolate cardstock
Tombow Markers
Ink (light green and sky blue, oatmeal)
Easter Grass (Sizzix eShape Store)
Tombow markers
Flower shaped sequins
Clear and white seed beads
Glue (Lineco)
Foam pop dots (1/4 inch)
Scissors
Blender Tool and felt
Sizzix eclips2 and eCal3

CUTTING AND ASSEMBLY:
Size and cut the shapes from the Easter Grass file and a tag from the Shape Library.   

Color the background of the tag using the ink and blender tool.  Set aside.

Put the basket together.  I glued the vertical splines at the bottom only and did a over/under weave.  Make sure the top edge is open and not glued shut. 

Color the "grass" using markers.  I crumpled mine up a bit and glued to the back inside of the basket.  You can't really see it, but it's there for a little bit of filler.

Using the brown/oatmeal ink, add a little bit of color to the edges of the bunny pieces.  Color the pads of the feet with a bit of pink.  Glue the pads to the feet and add the tail using a piece of the foam pad.  Glue  the body to the grass, tucking the bottom of the body into the basket.  Add a pop up to the feet.

Glue the basket to the tag.  Glue a few sequins to the basket and add some seed beads to the sequin centers. 

You can see a little more detail in this image -- the weave on the basket is pretty tight and the seed beads are a perfect fill if you're not stitching the sequins to the paper. 

The Sentiment was created in eCal3 as a print 2 print.  Super easy and the font is Bodini.  Just fill the font with the desired color and set the stroke to none.  Size the font, make sure it is set to print*; add a rectangle (Fill is white and stroke is set to none and layer to the back).   Print and cut according to the step by step instructions in the software. 

*Check preview to make sure the sentiment will print and the rectangle cuts. 

 

Hoping you have some more creative time set for this coming week.  Don't forget to stop by the FB page for more inspiration and if you'd like to participate, we'd be happy to have you join in the fun too! 

Bunny Hop Tag 2

It's day 2 of the hop -- have you stopped by the eclips/eCal page yet?  You'll love all of yesterday's tags and enjoy the ones that will be shared today.

Here's my tag for today.

 

You'll need:
White cardstock (8.5 x 11)
Green Textured Cardstock (Bazzil)
Green watercolor print paper (Bazzil)
Ink
Tombow Dual Brush Markers
Sizzix Shapes Library (Bunny, Boot, Tag)
Xyron X (permanent adhesive)
Glue (Lineco)
Foam pop dots (1/4 inch squares)
Ribbon
Sizzix eclips2 and eCal3

CUTTING AND ASSEMBLY:
Select the tag shape from the library.  Size as desired.  Draw a line the same width as the tag and apply the Wave effect and place on the tag.  Group.  Copy and paste to cut 2 from the green papers.  Cut a tag (hide the wave line) from white stock. 

Place the bunny on the mat, using the knife tool cut the bunny just below the paws. Select the top portion of the image and close path.  You can delete the other portion of the image.  Copy and paste the head to cut 2.  Create a small flower, stem and leaves using shapes from the library.  Select the boot from the library and size to fit the rabbit.  Make sure it will fit on the tag.  Cut the boot, flower, and two rabbits from white card stock.

Using the white tag as the base, choose one piece from each of the two green cuts.  I used the plain textured stock for the top portion of the tag and the print for the bottom of the tag.  Before gluing in place, using the blender tool, blend a little color to the edges of the pieces.  Glue in place.  Be sure to rub a little more color along the edges to hide the white paper a bit more. 

Pick one of the rabbit cuts and put through the Xyron.  Apply to the other rabbit head. Add an eye and nose using markers. 
Color the boot and add some dots to the boot and line the sole with a darker color.  Using some ink, add a little more color along the edges to cover the white. 

Fold over the front ear and glue the rabbit to the boot.  Secure the folded ear to the front of the boot with a little bit of glue.  Add the flower after you have colored it.  Add some pop ups to the back of the boot and secure to the front of the tag.

Add your sentiment as desired.  Add a ribbon hanger.  And it's all done. 

Thanks for stopping by again today!  If you missed yesterday's post, just scroll down the page a bit for yesterday's tag.

Hoping you have some creative time scheduled  this week and  be sure to stop by the Facebook page for a little more inspiration from other #eclipsecalmakers. 

Bunny Hop 2019 #eclipsecalmaker

Today on the eClips/eCal FB page, we're launching 5 days of tags with a Spring Bunny Hop theme.  Come join us and see what other makers have been creating.

Here's my first tag... simple and quick!

You'll need:
Kraft/oatmeal card stock (6 x 6))
Chocolate cardstock (6 x 6)
Foil Quill, standard tip and machine adapter
Silver heat activated foil
White cardstock (4 x 4)
Hoppy Easter Craft File (Creative Fabrica)
Easter Grass (eShape store)
Sizzix eclips2 and eCal3 software
scissors
Tombow markers (green)
Silver gel pen
Oatmeal Cookie Ink
blender tool with pads
foam pop dots (1/4 inch)
Glue (Lineco)

Using a basic tag shape from the library, size as desired.  The sentiment is a free file from CreativeFabrica.    The coloring is very subtle on the kraft/oatmeal colored paper.  Open the file, break apart and remove the rabbit.  Re-group the image.  Size and place the image on the tag shape.  Set the Hoppy Easter image to print2cut and print following the step by step instructions in the software to cut. 

The rabbit is an old free digital stamp (unknown origin); set the image to draw in the software.  Remove the blade housing from the machine and replace with the foil quill.  Secure the foil as the manufacturer directs and heat the tip.  "Cut" using the pen settings in the cutting window.  Once the foiling step has been completed, remove the foil.  DO NOT remove the mat from the machine.  Cut the rabbit. 

Cut 2 of the grass svgs using the white cardstock.  The file, Easter Grass, can be purchased through the eShape store.  Color using a marker - I used Tombow Dual Brush markers for this tag. 

ASSEMBLY: 
Using the Oatmeal ink and the blender tool, blend along the edges of the tag.  Outline the lettering Hoppy Easter using the silver gel pen. 

Glue one layer of grass to the bottom edge of the tag.  I wrapped the excess around the back of the tag.  If desired, you can cut an additional tag and glue to the back for additional support and to cover any excess grass.  Apply some pop dots to the back of the bunny and set in place.  Add the second piece of grass, gluing to secure. 

Add some complimentary colored ribbon, burlap ribbon in this case to the tag to hang. 

Thanks for dropping by today.

I hope you'll stop by over the course of the next several days and check out the remaining tags for this hop.  And be sure to stop by the eclips/eCal Facebook page to see more creative work from other makes who use the eclips and eCal software. 

Enjoy your time in your creative space this week!  Nurture your heart and soul! 

 

I have been busy....

just haven't been able to share some of the things I've been making.... until now! 

Let's start with this one now the featured post on www.invitebyvoice.com! 


For all the details, follow this link:  https://invitebyvoice.com/blogs/news/easter-bunny-hop-card-with-the-hipwaders-song 

I'm so excited to be designing some more sound cards and other projects using their EZ Sound Modules and voice boxes.  So stay tuned... more goodies to come. 

I've got a couple more projects that use the EZ Sound Modules by invitebyvoice.com in the archives: 
You Are - https://izbzee.typepad.com/izbzee/2019/03/you-are.html
For The Record - https://izbzee.typepad.com/izbzee/2019/03/for-the-record.html
Spook-tacular - https://izbzee.typepad.com/izbzee/2018/10/spook-tacular.html

 

 

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! 

 

 

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. 

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.  

 

 

 

 

2018 - going, going, gone

2018 has been a full year.  Lots of good things have happened overall and even the not to great stuff wasn't all that bad when you think about it.

I've really enjoyed my creative time so much more this year.  A few artsy and fun classes from penwork to gelli plate/art and general play with paper, clay and fabric.  Grateful for it all. 

I've decided that for me, it would be fun to recap the year with a few pictures of some of my favorite projects....  you can check the archives by the year and month for the whole year's worth of fun.   

January the Valentine Ornament box.  File from Lori Whitlock - Halloween house adapted for the holiday. 

February a little clay play.  Love using Sculpey, stamps, mica and more.  This was among my favorites for some mixed media play and design team work for Mixed Media Supplies. 

March Lots of pastel colors and a touch of non-caloric chocolate for this fun dimensional card from Simply Crafty SVGs  was a favorite for the month. 

April  A sweet shadowbox card using G45's Secret Garden.  File from SVGCuts.com

May  ATC sized gelli prints -- and digital stamps.  So much play fun! 

June  quick and easy card using a digital stamp from RGStudio360. 

July -  July porch decor using a recycled shelving side panel...

August - we got an early start with October crafting with this paper quilt. So much fun kicking up a few heels! 

September  The Geodesic Pumpkin from SVGCuts was a perfect addition to the mantel for September and October! 

October  brought more than a change in the weather.... it's also anniversary time for our youngest son. We went a little overboard on this year's card, but it was so worth it! 

 

November I couldn't pick just one project for this month, so I'm sharing two!  The first was a fun 12 Tags of Christmas challenge.  All of the details for this one including a video can be found here. 

Dreaming Tree also put out a bevy of great files to work with in 2018... among my favorites was this cutie! 

December   Our Gnomie tree - I love my laser etcher and I've loving having found a new way to showcase some digital artwork using wood pieces from my stash!  

I hope you've enjoyed this review of my year. Crafting is my respite -- my discovery for the year.  I've loved taking the online classes and exploring more ways to develop my talents and play.  I'm grateful to my family for their generosity in time, space and respite. 

We look forward to a fabulous 2019 -- carving in creative time each week. Hoping you're doing the same! 
My word for 2019 - Inspire

Our Gnomie tree

This year, I decided to expand on the gnome ornaments I created last year.  A quick hop over to 123rf.com for a fun black and white background image filled with 5 different gnomes.  I duplicated the file, cropped each of the 5 gnomes as single images and saved each as a jpg  Preview on the MAC makes it a quick process.  I transferred the file to my PC and changed the files to bmp in Paint.  No distortion or change in size needed.  The NEJE software for the laser etcher requires a bmp format and I included the dimensions in pixels in the bmp file and dropped those files in the collection folder of the software folder.

You can find the file here on 123rf.com  There's also a color version that would make a perfect backdrop for a card or holder for the ornament!

Set up the etcher, open the program and find the image you want to etch.  I didn't have to do much resizing for the etching size.  I burned the images on some small tags, added a twine loop and hung them on the tree. You could also color the tags using watercolor pencils or markers for a little pop of additional color if you wanted.

The snowflakes were another addition this year.  Also burned using the etcher on some shaped pieces we picked up at the local thrift store (about 100 shapes for 50 cents).  We definitely found a good use for them. 

Shhh, don't say anything about the lean of the tree.... the littles got a little rambunctious the other night and toppled it --- not the first time and won't be the last I'm sure. 

  Grateful for mostly unbreakable ornaments on that tree!  :)  And it sort of reminds me of the tree in a Charlie Brown Christmas.  I expect next year, we'll be adding a few more and tossing a few of the snowflakes in that basket on too.  :) 

Happy Crafting!