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Spring Tag 2020 Challenge

It's that time of year again - with all the chaos that Covid-19 has been causing, this challenge has offered a bit of respite during this period of self-isolation and social distancing.  The first cases of the virus wreaked havoc in the stores as people hoarded certain items and made it nearly impossible for the general public to have access.  One of the items was toilet paper -- and in true crafter fashion Whimsey stamps offered this digital freebie!  

eCal3's Print 2 cut feature was perfect for this tag using the digital image from Whimsey Stamps.
Creative Fabrica's font library provided the font, name of font.  Font was "filled" with the line fill command and printed (I had originally planned on using the foil quill, but my quill broke and I didn't want to wait for the delivery (yeah, some days it's just like that.) You just have to keep crafting.  

Rembrandt colored pencils were used to color Dudley and the print 2 cut feature was used to cut both the tag and Dudley.  

Run the lower 1/3 to 1/2 through an embossing folder and the Big Shot for a little extra texture.  I decided to add a little more dimension using the eBrush and a light gray marker.  Just a little color added enough dimension.  

Using some strategically placed pop-dots place Dudley as desired on the tag and embellish as desired.Add a for a hanger.

 

Hop on over to the eclips/ecal FB page to see what others are making this year.  It's time to get some more crafting on!  Hoping you're finding some time to do the same.  Enjoy!

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 (digital file)
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 on 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.  

2019 12 Tags of Christmas Tag 8

Happy Llama-Days!  Tag 8 is another quick and easy tag to complete.

Fill the tag with the background pattern of your choice.  My pattern is from CreativeFabrica.com.  They have a huge selection of backgrounds you can choose from (a few are even free!)

I added a little color to the print2cut llama also available from CreativeFabrica.com. I used Tombow markers and a little bit of glaze to add a little dimension and interest.  The sentiment is made using the WRMK Foil Quill (Black foil, fine tip, D adapter*) This section was added as an extension to the original tag cut.  The llama is secured to the tag base with some pop dots. 

Additional details for the foil quill and settings using the eclips2 and eCal3 software can be found here. 

Lots of good ideas for tags are filling the 12 Tags of Christmas album on the Facebook group page.  Don't forget to stop by there to see the rest of the makers' tags. 

Thanks again for stopping by!  Enjoy your creative time! 

 

tendonitis vs crafting

And the tendonitis is winning at the moment.  So bummed!  And a visit with the specialist is still a month out!

Every now and then, I can get a few minutes in - ice and then a few more minutes.  I did sneak in a little bit of time to create this playful "get well" card for my brother-in-law who just had some shoulder surgery. 

I used eCal3's library of basic shapes to create the band-aids and fill a card shape. I used a square and a half circle to form the sides of the band-aids.  Place a few circles and center a square over the bands and you've got the shape. Add a few other details as desired. Group all the pieces in the band-aid and then set the lines to Print2Cut Print.  Copy and paste to fill.  Print and then follow the step by step directions to cut your card base to size. 

Color with a couple of swipes of a Tombow marker, the coloring is done.  Adhere the card front to the base, add your sentiment and it's ready to deliver.

I think I'll print a full page or two for future cards. I imagine we'll need a few more cards this coming winter. 

Hoping to be able to share a few more projects in the coming weeks.  Hoping you've set aside a bit of time in your studio or craft room.  Celebrate your creative spirit! 

 

 

Celebrations!

We've just celebrated the 4th of July here in the states.  It was a near picture perfect day here in the Mountain West! 

This month is also host to several birthdays and I'd like to share this card made for my Father in Law using the Going Fishing Truck from @SimplyCraftySvgs.  It's very easy to cut, put together and adding additional embellishments is super easy using the blank extras found in the file.

This is a great reminder of many fond memories of Gpa's old truck.  Making lots of trips to and from the river, the lake, a camping trip or two, and even to classes at the Burley College of Southern Idaho campus.  Lots of good memories, not only for me, but for the kids and T.

Paper is from AC Cardstock
SVG File from SimplyCraftySvg's*
FORD - my design in stencil form reverse embossed on a blank cut.
Markers and ink pads for additional shading and texture
Project cut using Sizzix eclips2 and eCal3

 

*no affiliate links used in this post.

More birthdays coming and I'm busy at work on a couple more -- hoping to share soon.   

 

Revisiting Sunny Sunflowers

I love sunflowers!  And this post always brings a smile to my face.  I got a little "inky" from all the eBrushing, but it was truly worth it.  Originall published April 2015, I'd like to share this one again. 

 

I'm so excited to share that I'm on the Craftwell eBrush team for another term.  I wanted to start off this term with some sunshine!  And sunflowers  seem to fit the bill!  They have always been a favorite of mine and it's been a pleasure to watch them turn their heads towards the sun in our gardens in years past.  My friend, Diann, is fabulous photographer and it was her photo that has inspired this project.

This project, cards and box to store them in,  is based around a stencil created using a file from SVGCuts.com  (my box files can be found here and here)  Once I got started ebrushing the flowers, I couldn't stop at just one!  So I made up a set of cards and a box to store them in.  Cards are standard A2 (4.25 x 5.50) size.  8 cards and envelopes will fit into the box easily. 

Plan on using both the negative and the positive elements from the flower petals cut.  I added a square (basic shapes) around each of the 2 layers of petals available in the eCal shapes library.  Cut with your cutting machine (I use the eclips2)I also added a circle similar in size to the center of the flower petal shape and cut that as a separate element to be used during the stenciling process.   You'll want to resize as needed, just be sure to resize all the pieces you'll be using to make sure everything fits. 

Since the negative area of the stencil has lots of little pieces that are not connected to each other, you may want to use a little bit of repositionable glue on both of those layers as well as the circle.  You'll find you'll get a crisper edge. Set aside until needed. 

Choose your colors (I used Spectrum Noir's LY3 and OR1, EB5, EB8 and GB3).  I also used GB3 and EB3 along the outside edges for additional contrast on my finished card fronts and to add details on the flowers.

Using the eBrush and the LY3 marker in the SN adapter - with the top layer of your stencil secured on your cardstock, make sure your marker is in the sweet spot and spray lightly.  You may choose to deepen the color with a second layer... it's purely up to you.  Watch the video below to see how I used the other pieces of the stencils to work on my sunflower. 

Here are a few more pictures of this project.

Both layers of the stencil have been used and the center has been sprayed and some of the detail work completed.  You can use a white paint pen (mine was a Sharpie) to add a few highlights.

The sunflower cardstock is cut to 5.00 x 3.75.  Additional layers are cut slightly larger.  To a few of the other bases, I added a dark brown before applying the standard card base.  Most of my top layers began at 5.25 x 4.00 and trimmed if needed. 

These will make a beautiful gift for a special friend of mine. 

Thanks for dropping by.  Stay tuned, more to come! 

Revisiting some Summer fun!

It's nearly the 4th of July and Watermelon time is here! I thought I would re-share this post from 2014!  This was my first project using the eBrush as a design team member! 

The end of the holiday season offers a bounty of paper coasters for a minimal cost at the neighborhood dollar stores in our area.  Most of the designs don't catch my eye, but the $.25 a pack makes them worth the purchase.  And here's my latest upcycle of one of the packs in the stash!

Materials needed:
1 pkg - paper coasters (my package had 6 coasters in it)
White cardstock
Craftwell eBrush
Markers, permanent -- for this piece I used Spectrum Noir (two shades of red, green) - if you use a water based marker, you may experience some bleeding when you apply the sealer to the surface...just saying!  :)
Adhesive - permanent bond (waterproof if using a liquid glue) - I used Xyron's permanent adhesive.
Electronic Die Cutting machine to cut your stencils/masks (I used my Sizzix eclips and eCal software)
Zig Marker - black
Waterproof Sealer (for this project, I used Collage Pauge from Aleene's/Duncan Enterprises)
foam brush
emory board or 220 grit sandpaper

Gather all the materials you need.  Open your software; using basic shapes, resize your first circle to 4 inches in diameter.  Create another circle slightly smaller (about 3.350 inches making sure that keep proportions is checked. )  Center inside the 4 inch circle. When you cut these circles, you'll have your "mask" for the outer green and white of your watermelon, while you fill in the watermelon center using your eBrush.  Make another circle at 3.495 inches (keeping proportions checked).  This will be your mask for the center of the melon and the white portion.  Cut your masks.  You'll also need enough 4 inch circles to cover each coaster.

Grab some fine grit sandpaper or an emory board and roughen up the printed side of the coaster -- not a lot, but you do want a little bit of tooth to hold the adhesive when you apply the 4 inch cardstock circle to the top. Wipe any dust off of the surface.   I used my xyron 510 to adhere the cardstock.  Trim edges if necessary. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you used a liquid glue, be sure your surface is smooth and there are no bubbles. Let dry thoroughly.

Center the 3.495 inch circle on your coaster.  Using the eBrush, and a green marker fill in the outer edge.  Use a smooth side to side movement starting off the edge of the coaster and moving towards the center (which is now covered up with your mask).  When you have completed that process and are satisfied with the color and depth, carefully remove the circle and place the other mask on the coaster.  It should be even with the outer edge of the coaster and cover slightly more than the green area you just applied.  Using a lighter red marker, lightly spray the center of the coaster.  I found that setting the nib so it was slight off -- so I got some splotching, I sprayed the entire center.  You can use the side to side method or as I did, used a circular motion to imitate the interior of a natural melon.  I changed markers once I was satisfied and completed using circular motions. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Add a few seeds to your slice.  Embellish with a white gel pen if desired.  Once the paper has thoroughly dried, apply at least 2 coats of sealer to the top and sides of the coaster.  Let dry thoroughly between coats and if you can, wait at least 24 hours before stacking or using.  (The humidity is horrible here right now, so I'm giving mine an extra 24 hours before using. 

I have a feeling there will be some oranges, limes and lemons coming soon!  How about you?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Join the new CraftwellUSA  Facebook page!  They've got goodies to share as long as supplies last! 

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! 

 

It's been a fun week!

Thanks for stopping by this week during the #eclipsecalmaker Bunny Hop for 2019!  Hoping you spent a little bit of time in your craft room too! 

Here's a quick recap if you're wanting to review the week. 

 

Links to the posts below.
Tag #1

Tag #2

Tag #3

Tag #4

Tag#5

 

Again, thanks for joining us!  Be a maker in your own creative way!  Ready, set, PLAY! 

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!