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My Father in law has been asking to hear the songbirds.  Sadly, they're not making a regular appearance as the bird feeders and bird bath aren't set out yet. However, in the meantime, I created this fun piece to hopefully cheer his spirits a bit.  

The birdhouse and lattice SVG files are from Creative Fabrica.  This piece is being featured on their blog, The Artistry, here.  For additional details regarding cutting and assembly of the birdhouses and lattice, please visit the blog post there.  

The recordable EZSound Box is from InviteByVoice and was the perfect way to incorporate the songbirds' songs.  Take a listen:  

 

To record your audio, just follow the easy instructions included in the packaging or watch the video found here. 

Once the recording is done, insert the box into the box.  Attach the button to the back of the box with some adhesive.  NOTE:  We generally switch out the contents of the box every few months, so we don't attach anything permanently.  

On a side note, we're setting up the bird feeders and baths this next week -- they'll be just outside the window by his chair so he can watch them daily.  

 

Tag 5 - The Sweetheart Tree

Not sure if the title of this tag brings the song to mind or not, but when I thought about making this, it came to mind and of course, that means we need a sound module and the song to play too!  



This tag is oversized.. it's just over 5 inches tall.  The tag shape is the result of some added elements found in the SCAL library and combining those shapes to make the top of the tag.  The tree is in the library as are the hearts.  I cut all of the elements from white paper and added color using alcohol markers.  Complete the tag front and set aside.  

I altered the sound module slightly to fit into the interior of the base tag.  The sound module also has an extended pull tab that was glued to the one that comes with the module for a little more stability. 

Record the module BEFORE securing to the base tag following the manufacturer's directions found here.   Add three layers of foam tape around the perimeter of the tag as the sound module has some height and you need to accommodate for that.  

 

  Thanks for stopping by this week.  Hoping your weekend has some crafting time built in.  Enjoy!  

Countdown to Graduation

We have a BIG graduation coming up next year.  It will be wonderful to see this journey come to fruition.  So creating this explosion box will be her focus piece for the next few semesters as she finishes up and prepares for the walk to get her degree.

This project is a feature piece on The Artistry.  You'll find more details and a short video here.

The quill pen and inkwell are not found among the files at Creative Fabrica.  However, I was able to create the inkwell using Blender and Pepakura.  It was so much fun to see this one come together once I got the sizing right.  I made the writing piece using basic shapes in SCAL 5.  Both pieces were cut using the Skycut.  A little embossing and some Mod Podge strengthens the paper a bit and adds some sheen.  

The push button sound module by Invite by Voice really adds a pop to the box.  You can actually activate the module by simply pressing down on the lid just a little bit or press directly over the button on the inner layer as indicated.  

We chose the flamingo theme because one of her professors asked each student in the class to identify their spirit animal.  She's always love the bird and it has been her spirit animal through this education journey and also helped her emotionally as she has had to go through some serious health issues (non-COVID) the past 2 years.  There was a time we didn't think she would be able to finish, but with lots of determination, she continued and carried a full load and has done very well overall.  

As always, thanks for stopping by.  Hope you'll be spending some time in your creative space.  

on the Artistry

Take a peek at my latest article posted on the Artistry.  I'm so excited to share today.  

The  Gramophone file is from The Cutting Room Digital Designs store at Creative Fabrica.  The file has been adapted to feature a turntable that turns and a recordable Invite By Voice sound box.  

 

Say Cheese!

Gotta love these shutter mechanism cards!  So happy that The Artistry liked it too. This card also features an EZ Sound Module, button activated from InviteByVoice.com.  Bonus:  there's an SVG / PDF file you can download as well for the shutter mechanism.  Hope you'll stop by!  

 

 

 

Beyond the basics Box card

Lots of color, sound* and fun in this card.  All the details on the Artistry today.   

Click here.  

* sound module from InvitebyVoice, learn more here about the module.  

Halloween Haunts

We've turned another page on the calendar.... yep, we still have a paper calendar hanging on the wall in the kitchen.  I know, it's old fashioned with all the electronic calendars AND planners out there... but it works for us.  

Last year, we made Venus Flytraps for our big Halloween projects. Remember these?

You can find the blog post here.  And that project set another in motion at Simply Crafty SVGs -- Sandy did an amazing job creating a 3D paper project in a smaller version!  

Sandy's file is available here.  

While on the hunt for something fun to make this year.....  Les Pensees en Papier Etsy shop had the perfect solution. 

A Haunted House explosion box!  
And there are interactive elements -- such as the 2 waterfall slides (pumpkins and skulls) on 2 panels of the second box!
The "attic" holds a couple of surprises too!  

 

The SVG files cut neatly with the eclips and eCal3.  Directions were clear and easy to complete (link to a youtube tutorial is included with your download).  I used AC Smooth Cardstock in black and white.  Colored paper is Bazzill.  Some is textured and some pieces are smooth.  The roof is all one piece and is easy to attach and I love the texture!

My finishing touch was to add the Light Activated Sound Module from InviteByVoice.  Music is "Haunted House on the Hill" from MelodyLoops.com.  And when the light filters through to the sensor, well, let's just say, we've been surprised a couple of times with music playing without lifting the roof off!  

Thanks for stopping by... Nurtured your heart and soul doing a little creating.  Have fun and we'll be checking back in soon.  

 

 

 

Sandy's file is available here.  

While on the hunt for something fun to make this year.....  Les Pensees en Papier Etsy shop had the perfect solution. 

A Haunted House explosion box!  
And there are interactive elements -- such as the 2 waterfall slides (pumpkins and skulls) on 2 panels of the second box!
The "attic" holds a couple of surprises too!  

 

The SVG files cut neatly with the eclips and eCal3.  Directions were clear and easy to complete (link to a youtube tutorial is included with your download).  I used AC Smooth Cardstock in black and white.  Colored paper is Bazzill.  Some is textured and some pieces are smooth.  The roof is all one piece and is easy to attach and I love the texture!

My finishing touch was to add the Light Activated Sound Module from InviteByVoice.  Music is "Haunted House on the Hill" from MelodyLoops.com.  And when the light filters through to the sensor, well, let's just say, we've been surprised a couple of times with music playing without lifting the roof off!  

Thanks for stopping by... Nurtured your heart and soul doing a little creating.  Have fun and we'll be checking back in soon.  

Father's Day 2020

One thing that hasn't changed this year, thankfully, is some timely crafting and preparing gifts for Father's Day.

Dreaming Tree was so helpful in sharing this file* (just one in the collection) that was a perfect choice for a couple of our guys.

 

I decided to notch up this easy to do card with an EZ Sound module from InviteByVoice.com.  The music is called League of Heroes from MelodyLoops.com and I just took a short sound bite from it to record to the sound module.  

Following the directions in the file and assembly tutorial found at Dreaming Tree's website, assemble the front of the card as directed and the inside insert, but don't adhere.

Add your recording to the sound module following the easy directions in the package, or view the video here. Once that's done, Remove the backing from the module and place the sound module on the center panel about 1 1/2 inches up from the bottom of the card base.  One the back of the insert, stack 2 layers of foam tape at the bottom and at the top, center and adhere to the card base.  

This card could also be used as a birthday card or a celebration for a new job or graduation... lots of possibilities with just a few adaptations to the shield and the "belly band."  

Here's the video with just a small sound bite.  

Hoping you have some creative time planned for the coming week.  Have some fun and get a little play time in using your favorite mediums.  

* Affiliate link

the music box

It's been a while -- and this project has been in the making for several months.  Just kept hitting some snags with the build. I do need to thank Sandy Stark from SimplyCraftySVGs.com for the hexagon box and base.  They're perfect!

 

 

You'll need
Hexagon box and base file (currently not available for retail sale)
African Violets (Dreaming Tree - Alluring Floral Bundle)
Cyclamen Leaves (Lia Griffith)
Wood Texture Background (Creative Fabrica)
cardstock
printer
electronic die cutting machine and software (eclips2 and eCal3)
WRMK's Foil Quill
Gold Foil
4 x 2 round styrofoam
box knife
Music box with turntable (the forks for the music box in this instance have been disabled) NationalArtCraft.com
EZSound Box - Front Play from InvitebyVoice.com
Audio file (MP3 - MelodyLoops - Spring Flowers)  or track of your choice (make sure you have the appropriate license for use)
Lineco Bookbinder Glue

Print, foil, cut and assemble the box and base, leaving the top of the box off. Do not glue the box and the base together yet.  You'll have two pieces. 

Add music to the EZSound Box according to manufacturer's directions from the instruction card in the packaging or from the video on the website.  It's really easy!   

Position the music box without the turntable attached on the top of the foam, with the turntable spindle as near the center of the foam as possible.  The spindle should be facing up.  Trace around the box with a pen. 

 

Place the EZSound Box on the top farthest from the music box and trace.  Using a craft knife or box knife, trim out that area.  Trim out the area for the turntable as well.  The foam and boxes should fit snugly in the foam. 

Secure the foam and boxes in the hexagon box.  Glue the hexagon box to the base.  Using a little dye or pigment ink pad, apply a little ink to the top of the spindle of the turntable box.  Carefully lay the top of the box centered and press lightly.  This will mark the placement of the hole in the top.  Using a punch, place that hold and glue the top to the tabs of the hexagon box.  Secure the turntable to the music box spindle.  you will need to turn the turntable to wind it up so it will spin.  I have about 1/4" of space between the top of the box and the turntable.  




Add your choice of decor to the turn table.  

Spring always reminds me of my Grandmother's yard and the violets that grew wild in the grass.  I'm using a file from Dreaming Tree from the Alluring Florals Bundle - African Violets (file pieces were reduced by 50%).  The leaves were from a file from Lia Griffin's site (paid membership).  

 

Hope this inspires you to do a little Spring crafting.  Nurture your heart and soul with creativity this week.  

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! 

Getting a start on some Halloween projects

This idea has been formulating for a couple of months.  Lots of different iterations, but I do like how the "idea" ultimately came together.

 

I asked Sandy Stark at Simply Crafty SVGs for the design of the egg shape***. She graciously accepted and created the SVG file for me.  Sandy's design skills were spot on and the design worked perfectly. 

The teeth were made using basic shapes from the eCal library (triangle and horizontal rectangle, Union)

All of the leaves were cut from heavy white crepe paper using a template created in the eCal3 software and cut with the eclips2 using a heart shape from the library and the knife to cut the shapes in half and the close path command. 

Since the eclips doesn't cut crepe well, I invited a friend over to cut the crepe since my tendonitis is still in flare mode. Wires were glued to the crepe paper pieces before coloring using a technique from a Lia Griffeth you tube video. The leaves were colored using the eBrush and Bic Mark-it markers.  

The tongue was a hand cut shape.  A  highly texture paper would work, or you could use some paper twist or heavy floral crepe paper and have it work. 

The Feed Me sign was made using a font from Creative Fabrica - Halloween.  (affiliate link)

An 18" dowel was attached at the back of the head and the wired leaves added using floral tape and hot glue.  Secure in the pot (10") and add any finishing touches. 

As you know, I love to add lights and music to a lot of my pieces, and this one was no exception.  An InviteByVoice sound module with push button was added with a little  bit of an instrumental version of "Feed Me" from Little Shop of Horrors recorded on the module.  A string of fairy lights under the lip of the pot and through the center were added as well. 

 

I hope you enjoyed this bit of whimsy and fun!  Thanks for stopping by.  Have some fun in your creative world this month! 

***NOW AVAILABLE IN THE SIMPLYCRAFTYSVGS SHOP!*** 
https://www.simplycraftysvgs.com/shop/holidays/halloween/venus-flytrap/