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2020 - 12 Tags of Christmas

It's that time of the year again... and we're celebrating the holidays on the eclips/eCal FB page with our annual 12 Tags of Christmas reveal.  

Tag 1:  Playing with basic shapes in the eCal 3 library - place a circle and half circle on the  mat - using the union command, create a single shape for the ornament base. Fill using a buffalo plaid* using the pattern fill command.   The smaller circle has a foil quilled sentiment. 

Fonts (Charming and Charlotte) from CreativeFabrica.  
Buffalo plaid from CreativeFabrica.  

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

Our Gnomie tree

This year, I decided to expand on the gnome ornaments I created last year.  A quick hop over to 123rf.com for a fun black and white background image filled with 5 different gnomes.  I duplicated the file, cropped each of the 5 gnomes as single images and saved each as a jpg  Preview on the MAC makes it a quick process.  I transferred the file to my PC and changed the files to bmp in Paint.  No distortion or change in size needed.  The NEJE software for the laser etcher requires a bmp format and I included the dimensions in pixels in the bmp file and dropped those files in the collection folder of the software folder.

You can find the file here on 123rf.com  There's also a color version that would make a perfect backdrop for a card or holder for the ornament!

Set up the etcher, open the program and find the image you want to etch.  I didn't have to do much resizing for the etching size.  I burned the images on some small tags, added a twine loop and hung them on the tree. You could also color the tags using watercolor pencils or markers for a little pop of additional color if you wanted.

The snowflakes were another addition this year.  Also burned using the etcher on some shaped pieces we picked up at the local thrift store (about 100 shapes for 50 cents).  We definitely found a good use for them. 

Shhh, don't say anything about the lean of the tree.... the littles got a little rambunctious the other night and toppled it --- not the first time and won't be the last I'm sure. 

  Grateful for mostly unbreakable ornaments on that tree!  :)  And it sort of reminds me of the tree in a Charlie Brown Christmas.  I expect next year, we'll be adding a few more and tossing a few of the snowflakes in that basket on too.  :) 

Happy Crafting! 

 

 

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

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! 

 

 

2018 12 Tags of Christmas - Tag 5

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. 

 

 

 

2018 12 Tags of Christmas - Tag 4

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. 

2018 12 Tags of Christmas - Tag 3

Hoping you've dropped by the eclips/eCal FB page to check out all the other amazing creations by some of our fabulous group members. 

Tag 3 of this #eclipsecalmaker challenge reminds me of our first winter here in Utah in 2015.  Lots of snow that year! 

You'll need:
Sizzix eclips2 and eCal software (I used eCal3)
white cardstock
ink
blending tool
white gel pen
printer
ribbon (organza, white)

Size the tag as desired and begin building your scene.  The snowman, the "hill" and your print 2 cut title will be separate pieces from your tag. 

Print the title and after cutting the pieces using the eclips, color the tag as desired using inks and a blending tool.  Set aside to dry if needed.  Shade the snowman with a little bit of blue grey and add the eyes, buttons and nose if you didn't choose to do a print2cut print.  Glue the twig arm in place.  Shade the edge of the 'hill" and glue in place.  Add pop dots to the snowman and adhere to the tag.  Glue the title to the tag and VOILA!  You're tag is complete! 

2018 12 Tags of Christmas - Tag 1

 

With Christmas just around the corner,  this #eclipsecalmaker 12 Tags of Christmas Challenge is getting things off on the right footing!

Today's tag is called Christmas Peace and it has a surprise - it lights up with the help of the Chibitronic LED.

 

You'll need:
Sizzix eclips 2 and eCal software (I'm using eCal3)
White 110lb cardstock (Neenah)
Digital paper
Printed Vellum
Chibitronic LED, copper tape, battery (as per manufacturer's direction)
Scor Tape
sequins (optional)
Glue

Using basic shapes (triangle and a rectangle) create a tree.  Copy it two additional times.  Adjust sizes as desired.  The tag is found in the basic shapes library (mine is oversized and measures 3.5 inches x 6.5 inches). Then place one of the trees in the desired spot on the tag to cut out. Cut 2. 

Using the pattern option in the color palette, fill the other two trees with digital paper as desired and set the two trees to print2cut print.  Use the preview option to make sure that all of the pieces will cut as desired -- if not, then create a shadow set at 0.00 and change the color to none and the stroke to none. to the trees you have set with the print2cut print command.  The shadow should be set to print2cut cut. 

NOTE:  Your print2cut print layer should have the stroke set to none.  If your machine is calibrated correctly, you should be spot on with your cuts and no white will show around the cut edges. 

I cut a rectangle of vellum to put under the tag with the cutout.  Adhere in place.  If desired, add the LED and battery.  Mine is pressure sensitive and will light when a slight amount of pressure is applied to the left tree.

Glue a second tag to the back for more stability and to hide the LED circuit. 

Add a bit of ribbon to decorate and create a hanger if desired. 

Thanks for dropping by... stay tuned, Tag 2 will post tomorrow!