Thanksgiving is just around the corner... I saw this cute and whimsical wood cut in an ad and figured why not? :)
I think it turned out pretty cute. The turkey has his own personality... Love the eyelash yarn I found in my stash leftover from some projects a number of years ago. He might need a little trim on top though. I haven't quite decided.
And I decided to make some printable Thanksgiving postcards using the eCal3 software and basic shapes library.
You'll Need: Turkey Time WoodCreations. Gesso White paint Tack cloth Foam brush Paper or paint glue Yarn white gel pen ink (optional for edges) glue gun eCal3 (basic shapes library and fonts of your choosing) eclips2 printer
Thanks for dropping by. Hope you enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving wherever you are. We're looking forward to an early celebration with our family this weekend.
Nurture your creativity and create space and time to do it!
The 12 Tags of Christmas Challenge has come to an end. Over 60 tags were shared on the eclips/eCal FB page. I hope you've taken a few minutes to browse the album and take a peek at all the creative shares over the last 12 days. If not, the album on the page is always available for viewing by members of the group.
Details regarding all the tags I created for the challenge are in the links below.
Have you been watching the FB page? Lots of wonderful reveals this week. We have some amazing makers!
Today, I'd like to share my 8th tag.
another base of tea stained paper, a little bit of stenciling using a doily cut over the print2cut printed tag. The altered heart shape from the basic shapes library is filled with a digital paper pattern and also used the print2cut print feature in eCal. I wet the back of the paper very lightly and scrunched the paper a bit for a little more texture. Lightly inked the edges and added the stitching with a black ultra-fine Sharpie. Wrap the heart with some twine and add a silver heart and glue in place. Spritz with a bit of mica for a little more shine. My photo doesn't show it well.
You'll need: tea-stained paper (1 8.5 x 11 sheet) Sizzix eclips2 and eCal3 digital paper lacy doily (SVG Cuts) Printer Sharpie unbleached chesecloth twine ink blending tool Mica (Mixed Media Supplies) in water - to spritz and add a little bit of shine.
Today marks the half way point in our #eclipsecalmaker 12 Tags of Christmas. I hope this will become an annual event. It's been so much fun! Check out what our other gals are creating on the Facebook page.
Such a simple tag. This one uses a tea stained sheet of white paper. Once again, use the Print2Cut Print feature in eCal3 (and in previous versions) for the sentiment. I used pattern fill for the stocking (from the Basic Shapes library) on the right. The stocking on the left is colored using the eBrush and Spectrum Noir marker. Color the holly and heart using markers. Add a couple of pop dots to add a little more dimension and tie a bit of twine around the cheesecloth.
You'll need: Tea -Stained cardstock *(1 8.5 x 11 inch sheet) Sizzix eclips2 and eCal3 software mica (Mixed Media Supplies) eBrush (SN adapter) Spectrum Noir markers Digital paper Blending tool ink Glue/adhesive Glossy Accents Unbleached cheesecloth, twine Tea bags, water, ground cinnamon, water, foam brush
*Tea-staining your own cardstock is easy. I use about 2/3 cup of boiling water and 3 regular size teabags and an 1/8 tsp of ground cinnamon for a little deeper color (and it smells good, too). Let steep and cool a bit. You can dip the paper, but I prefer to use a foam brush and sweep across the paper. After that has partially dried, I add a few drips and while the drips are still sort of "puddled" I use a lid or the bottom of the mug to create some additional markings. Let dry. If necessary, using a dry iron (no steam), press the paper to flatten. You can also sprinkle with a little bit of water and wrinkle the paper. Just be careful not to tear it. Because I was doing some print to cut, I wanted a smooth paper for this one. If you want to wrinkle your paper, consider scanning and printing. You can add some additional depth and texture with ink and a blending tool or the eBrush and markers.
Hope you'll drop back again tomorrow! Happy Crafting!
It's day 5 and I hope you're enjoying seeing all the fabulous tags on the Facebook page and are looking forward to the rest of the week's reveals.
For this tag, I chose a file from SVGCuts' Merry and Bright SVG Kit, resizing the cardinal card pieces to fit the tag. I love how easy the this file cut and went together. Using the Nest feature in eCal 3 - you can group all the pieces of similar color in a group and not waste a bunch of paper. Fill the mat with desired colors according to the placement in the software and let the eclips do all the work.
The sentiment is print2cut print directly on the tag. For a little more detail, consider using an embossing folder.
You'll need: Cardstock, patterned paper (can be digital and use the pattern fill option on the color palette) Sizzix eclips2 and eCal3 software ink blending tool unbleached cheesecloth, twine mini black brad glue/adhesive of choice
Open eCal 3 and open the Basic Shapes library. I used a tag I found in the library. Size as desired. Using the font tool, type your sentiment and size. Set to print2cut print. Print then cut the tag.
Open the cardinal file and size to fit on the tag. As soon as you have everything sized, separate into colored sections. Cut Emboss and shade the pieces as desired. Finish. I added a pop up under the wing for a little more dimension.
It's day 4 of the 12 Tags of Christmas Challenge on our eclips/eCal Facebook page... have you take a peek at all the fun ideas being shared? If not, you might want to drop in and check it out.
Here's my tag...
a fun and quick file for bit of paper piecing from Creative Kuts. It was offered as a freebie when joining their new FB page a few months ago. All of the pieces were cut from white cardstock and colored with ink or markers. I used a blending tool as well.
You'll need: Sizzix eclips and eCal software SVG files (reindeer) Tag shape from Basic Library White cardstock Markers (Tombow) Ink (Stampin' Up, Fun Stampers' Journey) Glue, pop up dots Glossy Accents white gel pen Ribbon
The print2cut printed title also uses the new drop shadow feature available in eCal3 (be sure to set the shadow to print2cut print too). Add a shadow layer and make sure you check that print2cut cut layer.
Fall has definitely arrived here. The leaves are beginning to fall from the trees and the vibrant colors are beginning to fade a bit too. That's not all that's changed... we're celebrating a huge change for our family! T starts a new job today! We're so excited for him! And for part of our celebration, I made this fun combat boot from SVGAttic's My Hero collection.
I made it extra study since we're loading it down with a couple pounds of goodies.
His BDUs and dress blues are now out of storage for what I hope is his dream job. He's excited and looking forward to this teaching experience - middle school math and possibly coaching X-Country again.
You'll need: JGW My Hero Collection from SVGAttic Sizzix eclips2 and ecal 3 12 x 12 cardstock (stash) White scrap for "dog tag*" Shoe lace (I used some ribbon from my stash since the regular shoelace was too thick for my holes) eyelets (15) eyelet tool adhesive (Lineco book binder glue) Xyron Markers (Tombow - blue, Spectrum Noir - black) optional
*I created a print to cut dog tag using the rounded rectangle shape in the library and didn't use the one supplied in the kit.
Follow the directions posted here to put your boot together. I think I would add the toe to the boot before adding gluing to the sole piece. My fingers had a difficult time getting into a couple of places to make sure that the tabs were in place correctly.
Thanks for stopping by and hope you will be creating and crafting soon! Check in with you again soon!
Zombie Wedding from SVGCuttingFiles.com was perfect for this year's anniversary celebration for our oldest son and his wife.
The paper-pieced figures were eBrushed using Tombow Markers and a few glossy highlights were added using SN Clear Sparkle pen and Journey Glaze from Fun Stampers Journey. one 12 x 12 sheet was enough to cut both figures. I left the cuts on the mat and masked and sprayed until all the color was applied.
My card is made using 1 piece of 8 x 11 white stock and a 2nd piece measuring 6 x 8 1/2. Fold the full sheet of card sso it is 5 1/2 by 8 1/2 inches. Score the 1/2 sheet 1/2 inch from the left side. Crease. Apply some adhesive to the scored 1/2" and adhere to the back outer edge of the card so it will measure 11" wide. You will be folding this to meet the center of the card. Do not close.
Since my patterned papers had lots of black in them, I decided to use some additional black to frame the larger background piece. Add a smaller rectangle with backing to the front of the card at an angle. You'll need some foam tape under the heads and upper portions of the figurines when securing them to the front of the card. They make quite a statement I think.
I created a sentiment using Cherry Swash and Funky Mother fonts. I wanted the curl on the Cherry Swash "S" to be on the bottom of the letter, so I flipped it horizontally and vertically. The O's are merged and the command Union in the eCal3 software make them one. I created 2 inset shadows in different colors (green and white) and 2 eyes as well. After a little fiddling and a test cut, I decided to do a print to cut with the sentiment. The eyes were cut separately and glued in place. I think if I were to do it again, I would probably add a white stroke to all the lettering and maybe not weld any of the letters together. I did like the layered look of the first test cut, however, the Have a and Anniversary didn't cut cleanly enough for my liking. It was a paper issue, and not the machine or software. I've had success before cutting 1/8" high letters with no difficulty at all.... this paper just didn't cut clean.
To make this even more unique, I added a recordable audio button (light sensitive) to the card. This proved to be a bit of a challenge with the button I purchased and the software isn't compatible with MAC or with Windows 10. We were able to find an older PC with Windows 7 and complete the recording. There are other recordable buttons on the market. You might want to check a few of those if this is something you would like to try.
Once the button was secured in place, adhere the edges of the back piece at the top and bottom. You can leave the edge at the center fold open if desired.
Supplies used*: 1 - 12 x 12 cardstock, Whipped Cream (Fun Stampers Journey) Zombie Wedding (SVGCuttingFiles.com) Sizzix eclips2 / eCal3 software 2- 8 x 11 cardstock, white (stash) Patterned paper (stash) eBrush Tombow Markers Journey Glaze Spectrum Noir Sparkle pen (clear) Scor-Tape (1/4") Lineco Book Binding Glue (Amazon) Recordable audio button (Invitebyvoice.com) and audio file (Tubular Bells Ringtone was a free download)
No affiliate links are used in this post. I am not being compensated by any company/entity.
Hope you have some crafting and/or creative time planned into this week's schedule! Nurture your heart today!
Oh! How I wish my eyes would cooperate and let me cross-stitch again, but I tend to go cross-eyed anymore regardless the size of the stitches... so I'm falling back on some paper quilting to ease that "itch" if you will.
This 12 x 12 paper quilt was fun to create and I'm excited to share this quick tutorial and background file with you. The shoes are available in Hazel's Wicked Witch SVG Collection at SVGCuts.
You'll need: Cardstock - 2 butter cream fromFSJ and similar textured piece from AC Cardstock eBrush, SN adapter and Spectrum Noir markers Sizzix eClips2 and eCal software (or your preferred electronic cutting machine) Hazel's Wicked Witch SVG Collection (shoe, buckle optional) SVG paper quilt background (my design for you to download and use - personal use only) stamps (whatever's in your stash) embossing powder (Ranger fine detail white and black) Versamark inkpad Heat gun Weave embossing folder Embossing machine (Big Kick from Sizzix is my go to) Blending tool (optional) ink pop - up dots, scor tape, Lineco quick dry glue
Open your machine's cutting software, place the background SVG on your mat (download link in the supplies list above). In this case, I created a 10 inch square and arranged my "patches" on the square. Open a second page (mat) and place the shoes on the mat, resize to and copy and paste 9 shoes on the mat. You can also cut the buckles, but I chose not to for this quilt. Make legs and stockings to fit. Play around with basic shapes to get what works best for you.
Cut
Emboss the patches using a weave embossing folder. Color the patches as desired. I used Spectrum Noir markers and the SN adapter with my eBrush. It made pretty quick work of things. If desired, spray again along the edges for a little more depth. I wanted a light texture on the windows of my framing mat. So I used the blending tool and some ink to add a little bit of color along all the cut edges and outside of my 10 inch square.
Color the shoes with the eBrush and a black SN marker. The color is smooth and blends well (no streaking). You can heat emboss using stamps and embossing powder as desired. Color the stockings and stamps as desired.
Glue the stockings to the shoes.
Now, it's time to assemble. Center the 10 in square on the 12 in backing piece of textured cardstock. I used pop-up dots on the back of the patches and place in their respective places in the 10 in mat. Glue the shoes in place as shown or however you wish. As an afterthought, I glued some brads in place I had from a long ago collection from StampinUp. They were perfect since they have little stars on them.
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