Izbzee

It's time for our 2022 Holiday Tag Reveal! Tag 1

Tag 1 for this year was inspired by a find in pinterest.  Using SCAL to design and cut on the Skycut C24.   AC cardstock in  Kraft for the base.   The sentiment Merry and Bright is foiled using the foil quill and the standard point.  The holly and berries are from the SCAL library, also cut in Kraft and colored using alcohol markers.  Tied off with a bit of twine.  The pine bough stamp is stamped using Versamark embossing ink.  

These are super easy and quick to make ...  thanks for stopping by today. 

Come on over to our Facebook page -- and see all the other fabulous tags our makers are creating!  

more Halloween decor

The Topsy Turvy Cake file from Simply Crafty SVGs was the perfect base for this fun project.  It also pairs really well with the Shrunken Head Candlesticks found in this post.  

It was fun using a digital striped paper (from Creative Fabrica) to fill the pieces for that section.  The SCAL 5 software makes it so easy and the Skycut cuts a printed image perfectly!  We added a "stripe" of light gray marker along each side of the stripe.  This adds a little more depth to the striped pattern on the paper.  

Assemble the cake as demonstrated in the video found here.  We used Bearly Art Precision Craft glue to adhere most of the pieces in this project.  

The "eyes on you" border was created in SCAL 5 and is simply a series of duplicated circles evenly distributed on a long narrow rectangle.   The union command was used to make it all one connected piece.  Cut.  Ink the edges with some mid to dark gray ink.  Create additional circles in slightly smaller sizes for the remaining 2 pieces of the eyes.  Assemble.  Add some white gel pen details if desired.   and coat lightly with some glaze.  We used Mod Podge Collage Medium.  Let dry and then using some narrow double stick tape, adhere to the edge of each of the cake layers after assembling the cake.  We made 5 strips (23 circles) measuring 11.5 inches in length cut on the diagonal and used most of the strips to decorate the edge of the cake layers.  

The "It's Show Time" marquee is simply 3 pieces of paper cut to the width of the top layer.  2 white and 1 black slightly larger in size.  You can cut the text on both pieces of white -- however, we chose to use it only on one piece.  Sandwich the black between the two white pieces.  We added a toothpick to each end and slid the picks between the border and edge of the top cake layer.  

Since we plan to fill the cake box with some goodies for our upcoming family dinner, we decided to add some weight and strength to the cake base.  We cut an extra bottom for the base and filled a sandwich bag with about 1/2 cup of rice.  Seal the bag and carefully stuff into the base.  Add an additional circle under the doily piece.  This will add a bit more strength to the entire base and stiffen the edges a bit.  

The cake with the marquee in place is nearly the same height as the candlesticks... so together, they work quite well.  

Hoping you're enjoying some creative time in your space this weekend.  Enjoy and relax!  Crafting is a great way to destress.  

Thanks for stopping by!  There are a couple of additional ideas coming together here ... can't wait to share in the next week or so.  

2022 Three Tags of Fall - Tag 2

It's day 2 of the 3 Tags of Fall Reveal.  Yesterday's  tags were pretty awesome.  Did you stop by the Facebook page to see them?  If not, you should -- and it's likely that one or two of today's tags have posted as well.  

Today's tag was a fun one.  I'd been looking for a "long-boxy" sort of bear but couldn't find what I was looking for as an image or SVG, so I thought I'd give designing what I was looking for based on the sketch in my sketchbook for this year's tags.  It didn't turn out too badly and was all done in SCAL5 Pro - using shapes in the library. 

The leaves were from a file I've had for a while and got at Creative Fabrica.  After coloring, I added some foam tape to the back of the top two.  Created the bundle of three and slipped it under the one arm as shown in the image above.  

I used the same tag shape but didn't add the frame.  You'll find the directions to create it in yesterday's post.  I extended the length of the tag by adding a piece of 2" wide plaid ribbon I've had in my stash for a very long time, stapling it to the bottom of the tag. 

The leaves and bear were colored using Ohuhu alcohol markers.  I like the primitive colored look for this version.  It was fun to make.

Stop by the Facebook page today to see the tags that have posted.  I'm sure there will be some additional lovelies added today and again tomorrow.  

Color Splash

Pinterest has been filled with lots of ideas using these dies and other similar dies.  I fell in love with them and decided to create something a little different for my ministering cards this month.  After several ideas just didn't gel - I chose something really simple and I'm very happy I went that route.  I found a quote that would go with it.  

I used several Tombow markers and a silver paint pen to color all the elements.  The tag was created using a shape in the SCAL library.  The text was created using Type-writer 1 a font from Creative Fabrica and sized to fit in the tag.  Set the text to print and then followed the prompts in the software to do a perfect print 2 cut.  Tied a tag to each of the assembled paint brushes with some twine.  

Things are pretty dry here and every burst of color from a flower or a tree is a welcome sight!  Hoping we'll get some more rain soon.  

 

Posy Pockets

These are so fun and easy to make....

I whipped a few out the last couple of days after designing the pocket in SCAL 5 Pro.  One piece for the main pocket and 2 bands to go around the top and the bottom of the pocket.  The skycut required about 1 1/2 minutes to do the cutting and scoring.  Once you have added the inking, texture and embellishment, assembly is accomplished with a seam in the back and gluing the bottom edge together.  Glue on the bands and add your hanger.

I used wire for the hanger, but ribbon, twine or other fibers would work well.  Fill the pocket with whatever your heart desires.  

Silk flowers were used in the 2 pockets above. 

For this pocket, we added Spanish Moss (green) and a paper air plant (file from Creative Fabrica).  The air plant was made using white sketch paper and colored using some spectrum noir markers and the Ebrush by CraftwellUSA.  

No watering needed.... EVER!  

Labels ( Label Creator Font found here) are printed with an inkjet printer on tissue paper.  Let dry for about 15 minutes before using Matte acrylic medium to apply to the pocket.  You can add some additional inking around the edges once the medium has dried to cover the edges of the label that was applied to the pocket.  

While some of the details can't be seen in the images, you can also use a scoreboard and score some lines from the back of the piece to make the pocket look like it has some ridges  like a can might have. Then use a ball stylus to emphasize the ridge a bit.   This is a great way to add some additional texture and interest to you piece.  You can also use an embossing folder to add interest. Lots of options to make each pocket unique and have your personal touch.  

Thanks for stopping by and hoping that you've set aside some creative time this week.  Enjoy it! 

* Affiliate links have been used.  

 

Spring Pitcher of flowers

Sandy's been a super support lately and I really appreciate her help with this project.  I'm sure at some point the pitcher design will be in her shop -- so stay tuned!

 

 

After perusing Pinterest a couple of weeks ago, I found an antique pitcher shape I really liked... however, there wasn't much in the design shops that I could find that looked close to the shape and would be simple to put together without using panels.  Sandy had already started something similar and she was gracious enough to send me a test version of a file.  

Needless to say, I fell in love with it and the shape was near spot on to what I had in mind.  This was created in Blender and Pepakura.  NitWit Collections Lilac Blossoms collection was a perfect fit for a Spring look.  I used SCAL5's option for print 2 cut and added the Lilac spray to the base of the pitcher cut.  

Assembly is easy for someone with a little experience.  The handle is 3 strips of paper glued together and shaped before the glue dries. It is attached to the back seam wall of the pitcher with some white washed brads I've had in my stash for years!  

Apply a coat of gloss Mod Podge to the outside for a nice finish and a little more strength.  If you plan to use live flowers, you do need to seal the interior of the pitcher BEFORE you assemble.  A tall pharmacy prescription bottle fits nicely inside and a 2 inch styro ball can be scrunched into the bottle to help with placement of your paper or silk floral pieces.  

Did you know that only one shop has a design for 3D lilac flowers? And that site requires a paid membership to access.  Budget being what it is, I looked for something that I could use - and found the Filler Flower at Maison Gregoria's Etsy shop to be a great fit.  Lots of tiny flowers, all cut on the Skycut using sketchbook paper.  Assembly is a bit tedious since each bloom is on it's own wire.  But it's worth the time and effort.  Once everything is wired and bundled into groups, it was time to use the eBrush for a little color.  Tombow markers in three shades of purple (623, 620, 636) were used to add some texture and depth to the shapes.  Even bundled the color went on fairly evenly.  PLUS:  it didn't take but a minute for the bundles to dry with the layered colors and you're ready to start putting your arrangement together.  

Add some additional greenery from the Poinsettia Wreath file (also from Maison Gregoria on CreativeFabrica.com) which I downsized a bit and also cut using the Skycut.  Wired and ready for use.  I used some chalk for a little extra color and used my exacto knife and a pair of craft tweezers to add the veins to the greenery.  While most of it is too tiny to see in the images, it was worth the time and effort to make it happen.  




The pitcher and floral arrangement stands about 8.5 inches tall and would be perfect for a side table, tablescape tray or open tiered tray or riser decor.  

 

Thanks for dropping by today.  Hope your day is filled with beautiful things!  Wishing you a creative day!  

 

new stuff...

I know it's been a bit on the quiet side, but some things you just can't rush.  So let's get started with post #1 for the week.  

Today is publication day for The Artistry.  This one has been in the queue for a couple of weeks, so I'm glad I can finally share this.  

This was so fun to put together!  Lumiere by Jacquard, IkonArt Stencils and Ohuhu Alcohol based markers for the win on this project.  You'll find the details for this project here.  

Working on raw clay.  

Loved working on the baked clay too. 

 

These two options will be used again in the future for a couple of projects on my list.  

I think of the two projects, I love the notebook the best.  So much fun to make and showcase the clay image.  Hope you like them too.  For additional ideas, visit my author page on The Artistry.  

Enjoy some creative time today!  

Featured Blog post on IkonArt Stencils

I was pretty excited to hear that an article was accepted and is now published on the IkonArt Stencil blog.  You'll find it here:  https://ikonartstencil.com/blog/airbrush-handmade-cards-with-ikonart-stencils/

It features a second grouping of cards made using a stencil with images from Creative Fabrica and Craftwell's eBrush and the Poetique refillable Watercolor markers.  It's very similar to this article posted on The Artistry last fall... matter of fact, they picked up the process video.

On a side note, the finished cards were a big hit with Mom.  Her face lit up when I showed her the finished cards (both sets).  Today would have been her 90th birthday.  I miss sharing my projects with her and getting her feedback -- the good and bad.  

from dingbat to wreath!

Dingbat fonts are fun!  The wreath used in this card was created using a dingbat font I found on Creative Fabrica.  Check out all the details (including a process video) on The Artistry.  

I also created a couple of other versions - using the same dingbat font -- but finished them differently.  And remember those hearts I stenciled in the last post?  Well they were used on these cards.  The wreaths and hearts are created in SCAL5 Pro and cut with the Skycut C24.  

And the card below was colored using some NUVO drops.  

and here's a close up to show some of the details:  

 

The same process in creating the wreaths was used as in the post on The Artistry.. so be sure to check it out.  

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you've carved out some creative time this week.  

Thanksgiving Hydrangea Wreath

What a fun project this was.  I'm so excited to share it with you.  You'll find all the assembly details over on The Artistry.  

Beautiful rich fall colors, faux wood plaque and more.  Hope you'll enjoy looking at it as well.