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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! 

 

 

leaf imprints

Before all the leaves fall from the trees, make a few imprints in your favorite medium!  Right now, clay is on my table, so I thought I'd take my heart-shaped cuts in a different direction. 

The imprints are crisp and clean and adding the mica metallic powder to the back of the leaf* before imprinting creates even more opportunities for adding color and shine.  Bake as directed by manufacturer and seal with a coat of Sculpey Clear glaze. Be sure to apply some glaze on the back of your piece as well. 

 

*For these imprints I used a leaf from our apple tree. 

I added a flat jewelry bail to the back so they could be used as pendants. 

 

 

clay, texture, mica

Time to get back to some clay.... it feels so good in my hands and is a good "stress" reliever for me.  I had a "brick" of black Sculpey III and some previous posts (here and here) reminded me of some things I wanted to try. 

Using some heart shaped cutters, texture stamps, mica and a bit of wire, some beads, I'd like to share two of the pieces I created during a recent play session. 

You'll need:
Sculpey III
Sculpey liquid clay (used as glue)
Sculpey Glaze
Heart Shaped clay cutters
Acrylic roller
Mica  Powder(Mixed Media Supplies)
Texture stamps
Wire
Round needle nose pliers
Wire cutters
beads and other pieces for embellishment
Paint brush
Baking tile or pan with aluminum foil

 

Condition clay according to manufacturer's directions. Using the acrylic roller, roll the clay to approximately 1/4 inch thick. Press the texture stamp into the clay and roll with the roller to get a good impression.  Cut with the cutters.  Smooth the sides of the clay.

Add beads, gems, embellishments. Use "glue" if needed. 

Brush on a little mica as desired. 

Optional:  Cut 2 pieces of wire about 3 inches long. Create a loop and twist the ends.  Repeat with the second piece of wire.  Flatten and insert into the clay. 

Bake as directed.  I generally add about 5 extra minutes to the baking process.  When the clay has thoroughly cooled, Apply glaze and let dry for 24 hours.  (If you chose not to add the loops, you can glue a flat backed bail to the back of the pendant or a pin back.) 

Add additional beads and chain as desired for a necklace. 

Thanks for dropping by and hope you'll be creating in your crafting space soon! 

paper quilt 1

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. 

Frame as desired.  Paper quilt 2 up next!  

Laser play

For the first time in many years, I didn't buy my own birthday present, T did!  Got to love a hubby that listens and says "let's do it!"

I've been wanting a laser engraver for a long time -- especially after seeing a model that also cuts, but the pricing was way out of our comfort zone.  When we saw this model, we couldn't help but make the purchase even though the cutting area is very small, it does suffice for what I wanted to do. 

Peggy at Mixed Media Supplies has some digital stamps that I'd hoped would have excellent results.  So, let the play begin.

 

You'll need:
Mini Maker by Nejetool.com
Rose Stencil Digital Stamp (Mixed Media Supplies)
wood cuts (1/8" birch) - from my stash
Tombow markers
Gesso
Cardstock
eBrush w/ Tombow adapter
Foam brush
Adhesive, ScorTape, Red Line heavy duty tape, Scotch Quick Dry glue
Fixative
Printer
Word Processing program
used fabric softener sheet (optional)
metallic rub on (gold)
Craft knife
adhesive
glue
ModPodge
twine (optional)

I don't have a lot of pictures for this project, but I'm pretty sure you'll figure out the steps on your own.

Begin by selecting and sizing the digital stamp in the NJ software (I enlarged to fill the design window) The finished design was 1 x 1.5 inches. As you'll notice in the pictures below, the image was engraved on a wooden tag I had in my stash.

Once the image has been engraved, remove it from the machine.  Trim if needed.  Set aside.

Gesso and ATC sized piece of card stock.  Let dry.  Using the eBrush and Tombow markers, color as desired.  I originally had plans to use the lighter edges as the top of the ATC, however, decided to flip it.  Color the engraved piece and the mini heart.

Open your word processing program and select the fonts and sentiments for your ATC.  I chose Summer Sunsets, the color of roses as a reminder of the beautiful sunsets we have been seeing in recent days and the garden of roses I pass by nearly every morning on walk through the neighborhood. 

Print on plain paper, Then using some repositionable glue/tape, place the ATC over the printing noting the placement.  Print again.  At this point, you can spray with a bit of fixative OR using some embossing powder, emboss for another layer of texture.

If desired, add a bit of gold metallic rub to the edges of the ATC. 

"Glue" some torn pieces of the used dryer sheet on the ATC with the mod podge.  Let dry.  Glue a small piece of the dryer sheet to the heart.  Let that dry as well.  When dry, add a bit of looped twine on the back of the heart.  Secure with glue or redline tape. 

When the ATC base has dried, secure the ATC to a base (3 x 4).  Add embellishments.  If desired add a light layer of ModPodge to the entire ATC, making sure that the edges of your wood pieces are also sealed.  Let dry and you're ready to sign and frame your work of art.