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My Father in law has been asking to hear the songbirds.  Sadly, they're not making a regular appearance as the bird feeders and bird bath aren't set out yet. However, in the meantime, I created this fun piece to hopefully cheer his spirits a bit.  

The birdhouse and lattice SVG files are from Creative Fabrica.  This piece is being featured on their blog, The Artistry, here.  For additional details regarding cutting and assembly of the birdhouses and lattice, please visit the blog post there.  

The recordable EZSound Box is from InviteByVoice and was the perfect way to incorporate the songbirds' songs.  Take a listen:  

 

To record your audio, just follow the easy instructions included in the packaging or watch the video found here. 

Once the recording is done, insert the box into the box.  Attach the button to the back of the box with some adhesive.  NOTE:  We generally switch out the contents of the box every few months, so we don't attach anything permanently.  

On a side note, we're setting up the bird feeders and baths this next week -- they'll be just outside the window by his chair so he can watch them daily.  

 

January 2025

I'm  not sure where this year or this month is going to take me - but I do hope it will be a good year.  

I've been making cards -- and yes, the stack of January cards were delivered on the 31st of December with the exception of 4 which will be hand delivered today.  I used my postage mat and a couple of images from Creative Fabrica for this card.  I love the fact that I can use clip path and have the background image look like it was hand painted or stenciled in place. 





I found this idea on Instagram and was able to get a free copy of the file.  I really like it and it's quick to put together once you decided on your papers and embellishments.  I'm definitely going to have to invest in some more ribbon this year.  My stash is getting pretty lean!  The digital papers and ephemra are from Hello Valentine by Echo Park.  No glue needed for the basic pieces though I did use some double sided tape to hold the transparent wrap in place.  

I've decided to revive the monthly decorated tree again.  I've got a space to put it in and most of the "ornaments" are already made - though I do have plans to incorporate a few new ones as the months unfold if I can keep the momentum going. 

I made a couple of items for the tiered tray this year -- These are pretty simple... one with Jenga blocks and the other is just a simple narrow box.  I think they both turned out nicely.  Inspired by finds on Pinterest.  Fonts from Creative Fabrica





We also celebrate our anniversary this month.  Amazingly, we've made it to 31 years and we still like each other a lot!  LOL  I found this file through an ad on FB (Crazy Cat Svg).  While I do like the finished piece, I'm not very happy with the way the file comes bundled.  I realize the stacking is necessary, but the layers are not clearly labeled and you have to go through each to find the one you want, make any changes needed, save the changes and then hide everything but what you plan on cutting.  I did find that one of the layers was off about 1/8 of an inch -- enough to make a difference in the look... I was able to fix it without having to recut the layer on the machine.  Getting T to sit long enough for a pic proved to be a bit of a challenge.. but we got it done  


It's only the 5th and there's more on my craft table for the month.  Can't wait to fire up the machine again in the coming week.  Have a great month and enjoy your creative time!  

Tag 12

De-embossing and holographic paper adds a different take on the use of these crafting items.  




The holographic vinyl was applied to the white AC textured cardstock, cut using the skycut and then is de-embossed using a paper studio snowflake folder -- the tag is placed face down in the folder and the impression will be the opposite of what you would normally get.  

Shadow cuts of the "H" are also covered with the holographic vinyl and cut.  The upper versions of the H have cut designs of stars, circles and narrow rectangles decorating them.  The "O's" have been manipulated slightly, though that doesn't show much after adding the print 2 cut image.  

Font used is Iowan Old Style. A rounded shadow was added for a little more bulk on the letter.  Then the cuts were added.  A contour cut/shadow layer was created and is the exact size of the letter.  

The digital images are sized to fit into the "o" and are print and cut using the Print 2 Cut  directions in the SCAL software.  

Tag 11

This tag was inspired by a tag seen on Pinterest.  The tag layers and elements started as white textured AC cardstock.  The stitching lines are foiled using the Foil Quill as is the sentiment.  The trees are colored using Distress inks and oversprayed with gold. 




The tag layers, star, starburst and sentiment strip are inked using distress ink.  Foam strips pop up the star, the center tree and the sentiment strip.  

The assembled tag is attached to the backing forming a pocket for an extra special something to be added.  

Tag 10

How about these cuties from Vera Lane Studios (etsy)?  Digital stamps are so much fun to work with and I do like the images from Vera Lane.


 Coloring done with pencils -- on a printed image sized for the frame.  The image was scanned and printed on glossy photo paper and the paper trimmed to size.  The frame has the sentiment printed on it.   I used Susanna and Monday fonts  for the text.  

Tag 9

Just a few more tags to go for this year's reveal.  Today's snowman tag uses scrap vinyl, layers, a colored digital image (my design), a little ribbon.

The base tag shape is a rounded rectangle. Both the shadow and basic layer are covered with vinyl scraps.  The Satin ribbon is stapled to the base layers.  The upper lower layer is also covered in vinyl, the snowman was colored in Procreate, imported into SCAL and cut using the print 2 cut option in the software. A few issues with the glossy accents --

Tag 8

2/3 of the way through this year's tag reveal.  My  mojo hasn't been top notch for this year's group.  Today's tag, is a little mixed media offering.  I love mixing things up a bit and adding some different patterned papers and layering for the tree, dimension with the paper crimper for the main portion of the tag, torn paper, inking, half-dome gems and some modeling paste "snow."    

Tag 7

This framed and layered tag was reminiscent of a tag I remember on a gift received a number of years ago.  The floral is from Creative Fabrica, the candy canes from the SCAL library and the basic shape of the tag is a rounded rectangle.  The "framed pieces are stacked to add some additional depth around the frame.  

The candy canes are colored using Ohuhu markers.  Some glitter was added to the flower centers.  

Tag 6

Print and cut elements for this easy to make tag.  The tag is a personal design created in SCAL 6 using shapes and the union command.  I like the lacy look for this one.  

Using Pattern Fill apply the background fill in the tag shape.  Add a small rectangle filled with a similar color, a bit of lace and a circle with sentiment and a star cut out.  A half dome gem was added to the star cutout.  

Tag 5

Today's tag is a little different.  It could also be used to hold a small gift or gift card.  This box is from SVGCuts.com and was a free file.  You can find it here.  I sized it down a bit and used a wood grain image and pattern fill for print and cut.  The lettering was also set to print.  A designer print filled the flap panel and some silver organza ribbon was used.  

Tag 4

This Geometric tag was a fun one to design and cut.  The tag shape was created using a couple of shapes, the blade and close path.  The house silhouette is from Creative Fabrica. 

The background is made using distress inks and the blending tool. Trees and house are colored using the distress inks as well.   Foam tape was used to add some dimension.  The twine hanger is threaded through a backing piece that can be personalized.  


AC textured cardstock was used for all of the pieces of this tag.  All pieces cut using the Skycut and all of the tag layers are adhered together using Bearly Art Glue.