Izbzee

3d Heart Treasure Box

When I first got a sneak peek at this box, I was so excited!  I had a couple of thoughts on how to make it. Below is my final version.

I love that the front and back walls of this piece are reinforced, making the box very sturdy and the box top is hinged in the back, keeping the top and bottom together. The box is made from a rusty colored cardstock that complimented the colors in the panel pieces and reminded me of the colors in the sand in the area where the image was originally taken.  

The front flap doesn't require a closure, but you could certainly add one if desired.   This file from Simply Crafty SVGs will be a go to in the future for several projects through the year.    

Using SCAL 6 Pro, I used the clip path command to place the image in the panel shapes.  This made it pretty easy for the print to cut process for the Skycut as well.  The slot canyon image was printed on glossy photo stock and the colors from the printer were incredibly vibrant!  

 

Thanks for stopping by.  Each visit is appreciated.  Hoping you have some creative time marked out this week - if not, find some time.  Your heart and spirit will benefit (among other things).  

2024 - 3 Fall Tags Reveal #3

Tag 3 is a grouping of  tags.  

I used several ideas to create this project.  The puzzle pieces were generated in SCAL using the Puzzle Generator under the effects tab.  I had a few digital vintage dictionary pages in my stash that I chose from to use as a background image for the puzzle pieces.  Once that was printed and cut, the interior pieces were used for these tags. 


They were inked for a little more texture.  The flowers were files found in the SCAL library (Sandra Createinspain's collection from the old eShape store).  I cut the larger flowers in Kraft and the smaller flowers using watercolor paper.  The glossy accents "burped" on the flower centers -- I decided to let them just be to add a little more quirkiness to each of the tags.  

If desired, once you're inked the puzzle pieces, add a small eyelet to the tag to allow for your hanging string.  For a little more interest and texture you could also emboss the puzzle pieces and don't forget to add a little twine for more interest as well.  

2024- 3 Fall Tags Reveal #2

I decided to keep things pretty simple this year.  No lights, sound and not lots of movement.  Time for crafting is limited and only a minutes and rarely more than an hour at a time.  

I used shapes from the library  for the tag base and added pieces.  Ribbon, a small strip of mesh and a stamp from my stash were also used to make this tag. 

The tag started out in white paper and I used Ohuhu markers to add the color.  A white paint pen adds the details to the pumpkin ovals that have been colored using the markers. Additional ink was added to edges and to create texture and detail on the tag.  

Bearly Art Precision glue was used to adhere the pieces together.  

2024 - 3 Fall Tags Challenge - #1

I've been looking forward to creating some tags again.  The example below was inspired by a Pinterest find -- 

what I used:
Kraft card stock (base and lace)
The tag shape was designed in SCAL 6
Lace is a design from Designs by Miss Mandee
pumpkin png is from Polkadoodles' Autumn Bundle
decorative paper is a buy from Etsy - HappyFoxSupply shop
fonts were from Creative Fabrica
Distress inks
emory board
twine
Nuvo Drops

While setting up this tag, I decided to use P2C on the tag instead of the foil quill and also printed the rectangle and pumpkin.  Make your print following the directions given in your software program.  Cut all shapes using the software directions for best results.  

I did cut two tag shapes, glued them back to back for more stability.  Humidity was up a bit and so I didn't get an absolutely clean cut -- however, adding some additional distress along the edges helped with that a bit on both the tag and lace.  Adding inking and swiping the mini pads across the face of both the tag and lace.

Ink the edge of the decorative paper rectangle.  Attach the lace to the bottom edge of the decorative paper piece.  Adhere to the tag.  Add some twine and pop up the pumpkin placing as desired on the tag. Add a twine hanger to finish.   

Fall pumpkin

This was a fun project to work with and it's my own design!  I used an oval from the SCAL Library as a starting point and went from there.  Playing with nodes can be relaxing or just plain frustrating.  Yes, there were a few of those moments during the early part of the process.  

The leaf is a shadow of a png image and filled with a pattern. The veins were dry embossed from the back side of the printed leaf, then lightly sanded to distress and show a little lighter paper.  

The stem was also designed in SCAL using basic shapes.  

I love that this is dimensional and stands on it's own.  From a slight distance this looks like it is made from wood.  

You'll need:
Electronic die cutting machine and associated software
(3) 12 x 12 cardstock (orange) 
(1) scrap of dark green or brown for stem
(1) 6 x 6 cardstock or sketch paper
Printer
Digital paper
Embossing tool and mat (for leaf)
Embossing folder and Big Kick/Big Shot (for stem)
Glue (Bearly Art)
Hot glue gun
ink and blender tool (pumpkin toned)
Assorted items for embellishment 

August cards

Tried to get a head start on August's cards, but I'm still working on them.  I let one of them get out into the mail yesterday without getting a picture of the finished under the sea shaker card.  Might have to try to recreate that one in the future.  

In the meantime, I did manage to get all the ministering cards done in good time.  This was a much easier card to print, assemble and get into the mail just before the end of the month.  BONUS:  Easy to change out the greeting on the front of the card too!  

After creating the design in SCAL, printing and folding the card base, I thought the card front was a little too plain with just the word smile and the patterned paper strip.  So I added a little color using some splattered color on the card front.  The splatters were created using some FSJ Silks I've had in my stash for a few years. It was a good way to use a little of that and it does go a long way.  I chose Cranberry and Sour Lemon as they were the closest to the colors in the paper strip.  When the splatters were dry, the paper almost looked like a little more expensive handmade paper I have always loved.

Adding the printed, cut and inked paper strip popped up with some foam tape, adds the finishing touch to the front of the card.  

Anniversaries start on the first Friday in August.  I wasn't sure I could meet that deadline, but yesterday was a good day for designing in SCAL and getting a little cutting done early in the morning and then printing the card base a little later.   I tried a new technique to me - still needs some refining, but I think it works for this design.  I hope to do a little more playing in Procreate to see if I can get the background just the way I see it in my brain.  Fingers crossed.  


I used the color cube system to choose the colors - I think they blended quite well.  Now to make a palette using that system for a few upcoming projects I'd like to try using Procreate again.  

4 more birthdays to do for August.  Hoping to make a dent in one or two of those today for the grands and then focus on the last two cards for the month.  

Family Reunion

We were trying to explain to the 92 year old that he had quite a posterity.... but he couldn't wrap his head around the number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren he had.  So what better way than to create a visual of that -- and who belonged to who!  

We've done family group shots in previous years -- But that isn't quite the same and doesn't make it any easier at times... so after looking around for the perfect SVG of a tree that could be used as a background for the project, I found one on Creative Fabrica that would work.  It needed to be big... the 8 x 8 original size of the file wasn't going to allow me to put a large enough image for each grouping... so resizing in SCAL 6 Pro was easy enough and the final size of the tree is 20 x 20 inches.  Hobby Lobby has sheets of watercolor paper in different weights in the 23 x 30 inch size and that was perfect for what we needed to cut the tree -- and having a mat in the right size made it possible to cut the tree as one piece.  

The tree is painted with watercolor paint.  We let it dry overnight before taking the next steps.  

The sentiment at the bottom of the tree is foil quilled using a Single Line Font -- I think Gma would have given a thumbs up on that choice.  

We gathered images from family FB pages and special email requests and could fill all but a very few of the spots -- we still have a couple of blank spots yet.  I'm hoping they'll help us "fill" the circles in over the course of the next few weeks.  The goal was to have the tree finished by the 20th in time for the reunion and share at our gathering.  I initially planned on using hearts to showcase the family photos, but found that difficult with many of the photo choices I had -- so we bagged that went to a circle with a shadow behind it.  We popped up pictures depending on the generation for a little more interest and dimension. 

The frame was one we found on Amazon -- we'd purchased it for another project, but the puzzle didn't fit into it -- so the frame has been sitting for over a year waiting for another opportunity to be used.  

It's a keeper!  Gpa loves it and points out many of the pictures he can identify individuals in.  

another door hanger

A little paint and piece of vinyl, fabric strip and some greenery from my stash.  I just happened to find a piece of fabric I could use for some "ribbon" too.  

Yeah, there are a few rough edges (loose threads - oops), but I do like how this one turned out.  No time to head to HL to look for ribbon -- and not sure I would find anything similar at this point in time... however, the fabric remnant worked for this project at any rate.

Mistakes happen when you're in a hurry... I forgot to union the letters in Hello -- but unless you're looking close, you don't  notice the extra cuts too much.... Accidents do happen and I'm  not immune to them that's for sure.  I am happy to have this hanging on the front door and looking forward to make a few more for later in the year in the next several weeks.  

DETAILS: 
I made a wash of the brown acrylic paint in the upper portion of the round.  Added some stripes of white and yellow using painters tape for a pretty clean edge between colors.  The vinyl is from HL -- it works, but it's not my favorite.  My good rolls of both white and black vinyl have gone MIA... what's up with that?  Time for a complete overhaul of my supplies, I guess, and get things back in order.  Fonts used for this project include Gracias (source unknown) and Impact (source unknown)

Hoping you have a creative day!  Nurture your heart and soul doing something you enjoy for a few minutes every day.  It's well worth it.  

 

 

Happy 4th!

June pretty much blew right by -- and July has popped up on the calendar!  We needed to refresh a few things around here and of course that meant a little holiday decor.  The mantel is filled with lots of Red, White and Blue stuff from years past and now, we have a new small banner.

The gnome Uncle Sam is from My Scrap Chick -- it's a freebie for a few more days...I'm really glad I grabbed it as soon as it was posted.  It's very adaptable from a treat box to a flat design.  And adding a little inking really adds some definition!

They are pretty easy to put together and aren't too heavy for hanging on the banner.

The stars are from the SCAL library (Basic Shapes).  I added an inset shadow and the lettering is cut in 2 layers.  White ink for the blue and red stars and a little pumice stone ink for the white star.  Bearly Art glue for the assembly of both the gnome and stars.  

I added sleeves to the back of each of the elements and then threaded with a ribbon for hanging.  

A new door hanging was also needed for this year's fabulous 4th.  I have a stash of some 12 inch rounds -- did a quick paint with some acrylic full body paint and added some vinyl cuts to the bottom half of the painted round.  The bow uses some leftover ribbon from a previous project and I added one of the patriotic gnomes to finish off the round.  


Hope you're finding some creative time in your creative space.  Enjoy and have an awesome week!  

It's HOT!

Temps climbing into the high 90's and maybe creeping into the 100's have been the norm the last week or so - time for lots of ice, cool drinks and cool treats. 

I saw a cute idea on Pinterest and decided to try to recreate it with my own spin on it for July's ministering stack of cards.  The popsicle file is from Creative Fabrica and the file has several different styles of cool treats in it - so you could mix things up a bit if you wanted.  I decided to do a little hand coloring and while that took a bit of time, it was fun to make up 16 cards and have each just a little different than the others.  


The sentiment was printed on each card front before cutting and the corners rounded.  I added some Nuvo drops for a little more interest and I like the way things turned out.


I used: 
Tombow markers
water brush
pop up dots
Bearly Art Glue
Nuvo drops (asstd colors and clear)
Mod podge  Glossy
Skycut C24
SCAL 6 Pro
AC cardstock (smooth white)
Printer for sentiment on card front and inside

Day 3 - Tag 3

There's a part of me that's sad this Reveal is coming to an end, however I'm ready to move on to some other projects -- including some birthday cards for July that need to go out very soon and for the soon to be 92 year old in mid-July.  

I saw something recently on a reel posted by chibitronics and thought that would be a nice idea and make it so much easier to change the battery in a card or tag.  Sadly, since it was a reel, it's disappeared.  However, you can cut a small 3 sided door where the battery is placed and change out the batter where needed.  There's something similar you could do here. 

 

I've used this basic design for a card before, but have never considered using it for a tag until now.  The tag  base is a simple rounded rectangle.  I did cut a mask for the inking and I like how it turned out.  The sentiment was done using print 2 cut and I used an old background stamp to add a little more interest to the base.  Stamp off first - so your impression is light in color.  The dragonfly's body (from SVG Cuts Dragonfly Lantern) is cut using black paper, but is brushed with some DecoArt Metallic Lustre (it's water based) and then a little pearlex for a little more sheen.  The under wings are cut from some vellum




I added a light and circuit using some copper tape and an LED chibi light.  I think I'll be using the "door" in the future on most of my projects that use lights.  It really is helpful and does make it easier to change the battery when necessary. 

I had some clips in my stash and decided to use that as my hanger.