Izbzee

Stencils and Clay

Take a peek at this new share on The Artistry!  Perfect for some Spring or Summer decor.  Lightweight stenciled clay ornaments using doodles and mandalas as stencils...  


And while you're visiting be sure to check out the promos now going on!  (shameless plug for @CreativeFabrica.com and affiliate link.)  All promotional pricing on the site is good through April 6!  Don't miss out on some fabulous deals.    

Spring is coming....

But the flowers and buds on the trees are still a bit slow in blooming.  Probably a good thing since there's a frost expected on Monday.   What has been fun is creating this series of vintage postcards.  Stop by the Artistry to take a look at the full article.  Even the frames are paper!   

Birdhouse project - adding color

It's been a couple of weeks and a trigger thumb flare... so working on this project has been a bit of a hit and miss as far as crafting is concerned.

The new markers posed a bit of a problem in that they didn't fit into any of the adapters made for the eBrush, however I was able to hack one of the Copic adapters to work.  You can learn how to hack the adapter in this youtube video  The barrels of the markers are the same shape as the copic markers but differ just enough not to fit into the adapter.  

The  markers are from Ohuhu. They're a good price for the larger bundles and are juicy from the get go.  The only drawback to using them is you would need to buy bundles in order to replace individual markers once the color was used up in an individual marker.  They aren't refillable and the nibs cannot be adjusted like some other brands.   

• 
• 
• 
• 

The color I got while spraying was perfect with a limited amount of fiddling to find the sweet spot for each of the pens I used.  
This is a sneak peek of the roof after using the eBrush and a warm gray to color. 

More to come as I continue to work between the flares....  In the meantime, I hope you're carving out some creative time and nurturing that part of your being this season.  

2020 - 12 Tags of Christmas Tag 10

Pinterest inspired this tag -- I liked the lines and I'm glad that the eCal software provides the tools to make it happen.  Basic tag shape from the library, sized as needed.  Make a second copy and using the knife, cut the second one on an angle.  Add a line and use the wave tool and close the bottom half of the tag.  I added a line of small circles  -- I decided that the Let it Snow would be a simple print 2 cut  and I used heart 2 from the basic shapes library for the heart.  

The snowman is colored using Ohuhu markers, a sargent metallic pen and a bit of silver mica was brushed across a few places.  He is popped up on some dimensional foam.   I added some dimensional glaze to the front, let dry and then secure in place on the front of the tag using some dimensional tape..  The back of the tag is embossed with the Swiss Dots folder.  

Thanks for stopping by.  Have a great week!  

a little mixed media

Playing with a little mixed media in this card... loving the gelli print background, stamping, edge die, clay (Sculpey) and mica (Mixed Media Supplies) for this dimensional card front.    

• 
• 
• 

The print background paper is a copy of an original gelli print with a stamped image (retired SU).  Scanning the prints has really been a blessing.  It's fun to be able to incorporate the digital image in lots of projects.

The heart is crafted from black sculpey clay heart with a leaf imprint.  The mica was transferred directly to the heart using the leaf.  Baked and sealed with clear sealer from Sculpey.  This heart is one of several I made a while back and didn't give away - but wasn't quite sure how to incorporate into a project.  Thankfully, it's found a home and it's perfect for this card which was sent to someone needing a little cheer last month.  

It was also quite nice to have a stash in place and not have to worry about placing an order and waiting for items to come through the mail or delivery services.  Dear hubby was pleased as well to know that there were a few cards he needed in the stash too.  

As you've probably noticed, crafting has been a little sparse the last few months. The mojo has been elusive and time as well.  Hoping with summer approaching I'll be able to get back into my weekly routine of crafting and creating on Wednesdays again with fabric, fiber and paper... and maybe even begin some additional digital stuff as well.  Fingers crossed that things will come together as planned and sharing some of these ideas soon.  

Hoping you'll find or make some time available to nurture your creative spirit this coming week or during the month if this week has already been filled to capacity....  Be safe, stay well and remember: 

 

 

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