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 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
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
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.
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
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.
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!
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.
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!
Recent Comments