Izbzee

prim for sure

This snowman was so fun to work with and I enjoyed "grunging" things up a bit to give him a little more personality

This file can be found in the Silhouette store -- a SnapDragonSnippets creation.  Be aware that you will have to adjust the pieces a bit as the SVG needs a few adjustments.  

 

I used a "new to me" grunging technique which was fun.  A bit of paint and ground cinnamon and cloves.  Best thing is that your paper smells good even after you're finished with the project!  And clean up is easy.  I plan to keep a small bottle of the spices in my crafting supplies now so I'm not raiding my cooking and baking ones.  Clean up is easy if you use acrylic paints.  And the "rust" looks pretty real!  

The file does not come with a hat for our snow dude, so I resized the hat from here to fit.  Added a bit of cotton to the edges, grunged it up with some tea with added cinnamon and cloves.  Just be careful not to get the paper too damp or it will tear.  

Rather than go out and purchase a dowel to help support the center post, I used a colored pencil from the grandkids' coloring stash.  They won't miss it and it was the perfect height.  I chose to put the head on an angle so the nose is lifted a bit more than is shown in the original file.  


Add the snowflake buttons and the rest of the embellishments - I grunged things up a bit on the buttons too.  

This is a relatively quick project and was fun as well -- I wouldn't be surprised if a few more appear this holiday season.  

Thanks for stopping by today.  Happy Creating!  

ATC and a little mixed media

The eclips/eCal Facebook page is having another ATC challenge - CELEBRATIONS!   and all of the elements used to create the ATC must be designed and cut using the eclips and eCal. 

Here's my finished card.  It was inspired by a find on Pinterest --

I started with a plain piece of cardstock that had a light layer of Gesso.  I masked off a section of the gelli plate slightly larger than the ATC dimensions, brayered on some paint and pulled a print.  I added a few additional pulls of color  to the print using some stencils (cut with the eclips) and additional pink and white and yellow paints until I got the desired results. 

Using the eCal software, size a vertical rectangle to 2.5 x 3.5, set the line to Print 2 Cut Cut.  Create text on an arch.  I used Funky Mother for the fun text.  Fill the text with color (I chose black) and set the stroke to none.  Change from cut to Print 2 Cut Print.  Print, make sure you select registration marks.  Since the cardstock has some tooth from the Gesso and gelli print, you can opt to use some embossing powder and a heat gun to add a little more texture to the card.  I used some Ranger Black embossing powder. 

Now for the cutting.  Place the gessoed paper on the mat and following the print 2 cut directions, cut the ATC. 

I found a fun cupcake graphic at Creative Fabrica and decided to use the base of the cupcake as the stencil.  Size it to approximately 2 inches high with keep proportions checked. Cut using stencil material or regular cardstock.

 

Position the cupcake stencil on the ATC base as desired and using some watercolors and a water brush, add some additional colors.  Let dry. 

Add some sprinkles to your frosting.  I used the sprinkles in the original design, grouped them together and created a small stencil for those and added a little more color. 

 

Add additional details using a Micron pen.  For a little extra shine, use a sparkle brush and let dry.

 

Thanks for dropping by!  Hoping you have built in some creative time this week! 

 

 

 

 

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! 

Moving Color with the eBrush

 I'm happy to be sharing this post with CraftwellUSA as a guest blogger this week.

This can be addicting! 

Prep your paper - apply a very thin layer of gesso and let dry.

I generally Gesso several  full 8.5 x 11 sheets and then cut to size once the paper has dried. 

Other things you'll need:
eBrush and marker adapter
Markers (I used Tombow dual brush markers)
background stamps
inks
painter tape
small water mister
embellishments, digital stamps (optional)

Once you've prepped your paper, if desired, apply a piece of tap around the edges of the paper.  Press the edge down to keep the color from bleeding into the edges For a little interest on in the background, stamp as desired.  

Set up the eBrush and seat the marker.... begin spraying.  Below is a video that shows how I accomplished this piece.

 

Hope you've carved out some creative time this week!  Enjoy and try something new! 

 

It's been a bit of a dry spell, and hopefully, the posts will be back again on a fairly regular basis - February illnesses hit us hard. 

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

Ornament card

I saw this idea on a Gelli Art video shared recently on their blog.  I just had to make a few.  I love gelli printing and figured it was worth the price to get a couple of small circle plates -- LOVE THEM and it was good retail therapy to boot!  LOL

 

 

You'll need:
Paint (colors of your choice)
brayer
stencils and other texture supplies
Gelli plate (circle, small)
Oatmeal/kraft color cardstock - FSJ
twine, ribbon
adhesive (Lineco)
white cardstock
Silver Sharpie
Mixed Media Supplies mica

eclips2
eCal3
printer/scanner (optional)

Create your prints using the gelli plate and paints.  Set aside to dry.  You can print directly onto your card front as shown in the video or stamp several onto a sheet and scan and then trace in eCal to cut. 

Create the ornament top using the basic shapes library and cut on white cardstock.  Color with the silver Sharpie.  My marker wasn't as juicy as a new one, and I was able to get the ridge lines with ease.  😊

If you printed directly to your card front, glue on the ornament top and add the twine or ribbon to finish off.  I used a stamp on the inside, but you could certainly print before you add your gelli print to the front of the stock. 

Because I desired some cleaner edges on most of my prints (I got a little heavy handed with the paint on a few of the prints), I cut my prints and glued to the front of the cardstock bases.  I added some mica to all the fronts for a little more bling even though it doesn't show up well in this image. 

Thanks for stopping by as we close out 2018.  I'm looking forward to more creative time in 2019!  #eclipsecalmaker

gobble gobble

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! 

12 Tags Overview

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.   

tag 1: https://bit.ly/2OjLU9K

tag 2: https://bit.ly/2P1t78u

tag 3: https://bit.ly/2OlUTrd

tag 4: https://bit.ly/2zjyMfu

tag 5: https://bit.ly/2zkQW0u

tag 6: https://bit.ly/2Di0VYI

tag 7: https://bit.ly/2QdoTY1

tag 8: https://bit.ly/2Ol6KWu

tag 9: https://bit.ly/2SE0Kvk

tag 10: https://bit.ly/2SGxljU

tag 11: https://bit.ly/2SFx1lv

tag 12: https://bit.ly/2CWI3gP

Hoping your creative time continues through the upcoming holidays and provides your heart the nurturing it needs.  Thanks again for dropping by. 

#eclipsecalmaker

 

2018 12 Tags of Christmas - Tag 7

Yesterday's tags by the rest of the #eclipsecalmakers were awesome!  Did you check them out?  If not, take a peek here. 

Today's tag is dimensional and has a bit of a prim look. 

The star is found in the basic shapes library of ecal -- and using the nodes tool, I altered the shape a bit. Fill the shape with a pattern using some digital paper.   To add some dimension, you can add some paths and set to score. When you've printed and cut the shape, you can fold along the scored lines.  I added a small box under the center of star and glued that to the tag.  Wrap the tag with some loosely woven material.  Add a button and some twine to finish.  

You'll need:
Cardstock (1 sheet 8.5 x 11 inch)
Sizzix eclips2 and software eCal3
ink
blending tool
Mica (Mixed Media Supplies)
Printer
hot glue

This tag uses the Print2Cut Print and Print2Cut Cut features in the software.  Scoring is a breeze with solid lines and the kiss cut feature. 

2018 12 Tags of Christmas - Tag 6

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!