Izbzee

Celebrations!

We've just celebrated the 4th of July here in the states.  It was a near picture perfect day here in the Mountain West! 

This month is also host to several birthdays and I'd like to share this card made for my Father in Law using the Going Fishing Truck from @SimplyCraftySvgs.  It's very easy to cut, put together and adding additional embellishments is super easy using the blank extras found in the file.

This is a great reminder of many fond memories of Gpa's old truck.  Making lots of trips to and from the river, the lake, a camping trip or two, and even to classes at the Burley College of Southern Idaho campus.  Lots of good memories, not only for me, but for the kids and T.

Paper is from AC Cardstock
SVG File from SimplyCraftySvg's*
FORD - my design in stencil form reverse embossed on a blank cut.
Markers and ink pads for additional shading and texture
Project cut using Sizzix eclips2 and eCal3

 

*no affiliate links used in this post.

More birthdays coming and I'm busy at work on a couple more -- hoping to share soon.   

 

playing with eCal3

There are lots of commands I haven't used previously, but it sure was fun to do a little playing to create this sun.... and the best part is that I can size as needed  -

 

Supplies:
Cardstock, white 110lb Neenah; Bazzill texture, yellow; unknown smooth, blue
Tombow markers
Craftwell's eBrush with TB adapter
WRMK's Foil Quill, fine tip pen with D adapter for the eclips
Spellbinder's Black Foil
Sizzix eclips2 and eCal3
Scor-Tape, 1/4 in wide

I also used some black foil and the foil quill to add the "You Are So" to the vellum cloud piece. 
Tombow markers and the eBrush added the fun coloring to the word "amazing" and some highlights to the sun.

Object to path is a great tool to use for things other than text.  Adding a series of shapes (narrow triangles in this case) to another shape (the circle) is so simple and made quick work of the sun. 

 

The cloud piece was made using a horizontal rectangle and half circles and the Union command. 

More playing time coming in the next few days! 

 

Bunny Hop Day 3

Welcome back!  So happy you stopped by for day 3's tag.  I just love this one!  Hope you do too!

You'll need:
White cardstock
Chocolate cardstock
Tombow Markers
Ink (light green and sky blue, oatmeal)
Easter Grass (Sizzix eShape Store)
Tombow markers
Flower shaped sequins
Clear and white seed beads
Glue (Lineco)
Foam pop dots (1/4 inch)
Scissors
Blender Tool and felt
Sizzix eclips2 and eCal3

CUTTING AND ASSEMBLY:
Size and cut the shapes from the Easter Grass file and a tag from the Shape Library.   

Color the background of the tag using the ink and blender tool.  Set aside.

Put the basket together.  I glued the vertical splines at the bottom only and did a over/under weave.  Make sure the top edge is open and not glued shut. 

Color the "grass" using markers.  I crumpled mine up a bit and glued to the back inside of the basket.  You can't really see it, but it's there for a little bit of filler.

Using the brown/oatmeal ink, add a little bit of color to the edges of the bunny pieces.  Color the pads of the feet with a bit of pink.  Glue the pads to the feet and add the tail using a piece of the foam pad.  Glue  the body to the grass, tucking the bottom of the body into the basket.  Add a pop up to the feet.

Glue the basket to the tag.  Glue a few sequins to the basket and add some seed beads to the sequin centers. 

You can see a little more detail in this image -- the weave on the basket is pretty tight and the seed beads are a perfect fill if you're not stitching the sequins to the paper. 

The Sentiment was created in eCal3 as a print 2 print.  Super easy and the font is Bodini.  Just fill the font with the desired color and set the stroke to none.  Size the font, make sure it is set to print*; add a rectangle (Fill is white and stroke is set to none and layer to the back).   Print and cut according to the step by step instructions in the software. 

*Check preview to make sure the sentiment will print and the rectangle cuts. 

 

Hoping you have some more creative time set for this coming week.  Don't forget to stop by the FB page for more inspiration and if you'd like to participate, we'd be happy to have you join in the fun too! 

Bunny Hop Tag 2

It's day 2 of the hop -- have you stopped by the eclips/eCal page yet?  You'll love all of yesterday's tags and enjoy the ones that will be shared today.

Here's my tag for today.

 

You'll need:
White cardstock (8.5 x 11)
Green Textured Cardstock (Bazzil)
Green watercolor print paper (Bazzil)
Ink
Tombow Dual Brush Markers
Sizzix Shapes Library (Bunny, Boot, Tag)
Xyron X (permanent adhesive)
Glue (Lineco)
Foam pop dots (1/4 inch squares)
Ribbon
Sizzix eclips2 and eCal3

CUTTING AND ASSEMBLY:
Select the tag shape from the library.  Size as desired.  Draw a line the same width as the tag and apply the Wave effect and place on the tag.  Group.  Copy and paste to cut 2 from the green papers.  Cut a tag (hide the wave line) from white stock. 

Place the bunny on the mat, using the knife tool cut the bunny just below the paws. Select the top portion of the image and close path.  You can delete the other portion of the image.  Copy and paste the head to cut 2.  Create a small flower, stem and leaves using shapes from the library.  Select the boot from the library and size to fit the rabbit.  Make sure it will fit on the tag.  Cut the boot, flower, and two rabbits from white card stock.

Using the white tag as the base, choose one piece from each of the two green cuts.  I used the plain textured stock for the top portion of the tag and the print for the bottom of the tag.  Before gluing in place, using the blender tool, blend a little color to the edges of the pieces.  Glue in place.  Be sure to rub a little more color along the edges to hide the white paper a bit more. 

Pick one of the rabbit cuts and put through the Xyron.  Apply to the other rabbit head. Add an eye and nose using markers. 
Color the boot and add some dots to the boot and line the sole with a darker color.  Using some ink, add a little more color along the edges to cover the white. 

Fold over the front ear and glue the rabbit to the boot.  Secure the folded ear to the front of the boot with a little bit of glue.  Add the flower after you have colored it.  Add some pop ups to the back of the boot and secure to the front of the tag.

Add your sentiment as desired.  Add a ribbon hanger.  And it's all done. 

Thanks for stopping by again today!  If you missed yesterday's post, just scroll down the page a bit for yesterday's tag.

Hoping you have some creative time scheduled  this week and  be sure to stop by the Facebook page for a little more inspiration from other #eclipsecalmakers. 

Bunny Hop 2019 #eclipsecalmaker

Today on the eClips/eCal FB page, we're launching 5 days of tags with a Spring Bunny Hop theme.  Come join us and see what other makers have been creating.

Here's my first tag... simple and quick!

You'll need:
Kraft/oatmeal card stock (6 x 6))
Chocolate cardstock (6 x 6)
Foil Quill, standard tip and machine adapter
Silver heat activated foil
White cardstock (4 x 4)
Hoppy Easter Craft File (Creative Fabrica)
Easter Grass (eShape store)
Sizzix eclips2 and eCal3 software
scissors
Tombow markers (green)
Silver gel pen
Oatmeal Cookie Ink
blender tool with pads
foam pop dots (1/4 inch)
Glue (Lineco)

Using a basic tag shape from the library, size as desired.  The sentiment is a free file from CreativeFabrica.    The coloring is very subtle on the kraft/oatmeal colored paper.  Open the file, break apart and remove the rabbit.  Re-group the image.  Size and place the image on the tag shape.  Set the Hoppy Easter image to print2cut and print following the step by step instructions in the software to cut. 

The rabbit is an old free digital stamp (unknown origin); set the image to draw in the software.  Remove the blade housing from the machine and replace with the foil quill.  Secure the foil as the manufacturer directs and heat the tip.  "Cut" using the pen settings in the cutting window.  Once the foiling step has been completed, remove the foil.  DO NOT remove the mat from the machine.  Cut the rabbit. 

Cut 2 of the grass svgs using the white cardstock.  The file, Easter Grass, can be purchased through the eShape store.  Color using a marker - I used Tombow Dual Brush markers for this tag. 

ASSEMBLY: 
Using the Oatmeal ink and the blender tool, blend along the edges of the tag.  Outline the lettering Hoppy Easter using the silver gel pen. 

Glue one layer of grass to the bottom edge of the tag.  I wrapped the excess around the back of the tag.  If desired, you can cut an additional tag and glue to the back for additional support and to cover any excess grass.  Apply some pop dots to the back of the bunny and set in place.  Add the second piece of grass, gluing to secure. 

Add some complimentary colored ribbon, burlap ribbon in this case to the tag to hang. 

Thanks for dropping by today.

I hope you'll stop by over the course of the next several days and check out the remaining tags for this hop.  And be sure to stop by the eclips/eCal Facebook page to see more creative work from other makes who use the eclips and eCal software. 

Enjoy your time in your creative space this week!  Nurture your heart and soul! 

 

fairy tales

Life gets a little crazy around here with birthdays in the spring and with 10 grands I need to come up with something a little different for each.

Since I started the year with Holden's interactive card, I figured I'd best get designing a few more for the rest of the grands that have birthdays coming up on the calendar.  It's going to be a busy Spring!

This card is inspired by a card I saw on Instagram (MFT Stamps).  Reminds me of a fairy tale.  How about you? 

eCal3 has a gradient tool and it makes it easy to add colors to make the perfect sky!  You can save your presets too!  Fill a rectangle using the gradient tool and set it to print to cut.  Create a shadow layer, set as print 2 cut cut layer.  I made the castle turret using basic shapes and using the pattern fill, and also set that as print to cut.  I used one of the unicorns from a Crafting Desert Diva digital set -- resized to fit.  You can also fill the hills and trees using patterns from your digital paper collection OR use scraps from your patterned papers.   All pieces are cut using the eclips2.  Have a stash of foam squares for added dimension ready -- you'll need them!  I used the eBrush  and Tombow USA markers to add a little shading to the clouds and to the 'hills." 

If desired, create a sliding tab mechanism and attach the braid to the slide.  Pulling the slide will pull the braid up a bit inside the turret.  Pulling the end of the braid lengthens the braid for the interactive component. I added a couple of layers of primary colored card stock to add a little bit of contrast and secured to a card base. 

I know the stamping is a little messed up....  dang it all!  Will try a little more blending to see if I can fix it for a more shaded look. 

Thanks for taking a few minutes out of your busy day and stopping by.  Hope you have some creative time scheduled on your calendar and soon!  Enjoy!  We'll be back again soon... there's more Spring birthdays ahead! 

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. 

eBrush and paper Applique

I'm excited to be able to share a project I've been working on for the last few weeks.  It's a paper quilt project!  I'm also excited to post as a guest designer on the CraftwellUSA blog -- showcasing their eBrush.  The eBrush has been one of my favorite crafting tools to use since I bought my first machine the year it was introduced on HSN!  I enjoyed being a part of Craftwell's eBrush design team for several years.  Thanks for asking me back to share a part of this paper quilt series with you. 

Just a few supplies are all that are needed to create this fun 7 piece panel for part 4 of the paper quilt sample.  I've listed them below.  

You will find part 1 of this sampler here.  Part 2 is here and part 3 is here. 

Once your images are cut*, and your background panels are cut (I used some parchment resume paper I purchased from an office supply store a while back), you can start coloring.  I've also incorporated some stamps and ink on the background panels and one or two of the appliques. as you'll see in the images below.  If you choose to use the Skitch A Day patterns, I have altered the dress in this week's sketches after coloring.  

Using the eBrush, spray the color as desired on each of the appliques.  Make sure your marker is seated correctly for an even spray.  Use a side to side motion to fill the image.  You can add a little shadowing along the edges if you'd like. 

If desired, add a faux stitch using an ultra fine Sharpie. 

The beauty of this project is that all of the pieces are interchangeable at this point.  I can frame each skitch individually or as a group.  The materials needed are pretty basic as well. 

Supplies: 
Paper (white cardstock for the appliques and parchment resume paper for the backgrounds)
Paper trimmer (to cut the backgrounds)
*electronic die cutting machine (optional) you could hand cut each of the images using the patterns in the weekly packets
eBrush, marker adaptor
Tombow markers were used in my samples, but other brands can be used as well. 
Glue (Lineco book binding glue)
Stamps (for backgrounds and adding texture and dimension to the paper "fabric.")
Ink pads (I used browns that blended with the parchment colored paper -- and stamped off so the colors weren't too dark. 
Stencils (I created the stencil used in this week's projects -- using basic shapes in the eCal3 library)

Click on the images for full size. 

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Thanks for dropping by today.  Hoping your creative time is well spent and brings you joy! 

paper quilt - week 3

These have really been fun!  Rather enjoyable!  Here's a peek at week 3's Skitch a Day (from the Gourmet Quilter) doings.

Once again these are all done in paper.  I used the eclips2 and eCal3 to cut the "appliques."  An old SU background stamp adds a little interest on the background pieces and all coloring is done using Tombow markers and the eBrush.   Details and faux stitching added using an ultra-fine sharpie where needed. 

Here are a couple of my favorites from this week's seven (click on the pic for a larger version of the image):

I'm looking forward to next week's 7 "skitches" and hope you don't mind taking this journey with me in 2019! 

Carve out some creative time in your schedule for some "play" in a medium you love to work with -- or try something new! 

If you're interested in an eBrush, you can find more information at http://craftwellusa.com and click on the Shop tab. 

This sale is good until February 6th.  Don't miss out! 

paper quilt - week 2

Another week of creative play using the eclips2, eCal3, the eBrush and Tombow markers. and let's  not forget to throw in a background stamp and a mini dotted stencil just for fun!

These were fun and I enjoyed coloring them using the markers and eBrush.  Adding a little detail here and there too.  Here's a closer look at a few of the images.  You can click on the images for a closer look. 

Remember, all the appliques started out as white cardstock -

Hoping you're enjoying some creative time this week!  Check back with you soon!