Izbzee

Faux China Plate Heart

This was such a fun project to make and I'm glad that it's now live on The Artistry.  Check out all the details here.  I've also done a couple of other similar projects using paper mosaic pieces and They will post shortly here on the blog.  

Here's what this final piece looked like:  

A second heart:  

Using the same paper, just a different part of the cut photo paper.  Not sure which one I like better -- but both are heading out the door as gifts in the next few days.  Wood for both hearts is from Thoughts in Vinyl.  

A scrappy wood project

WE initially thought maybe painting some gnomes on these pieces, but then again, the trees won out.  They were so fun and easy to do.  A bit of staining, a little painting and a fun stencil.  Files from Creative Fabrica and the stencil kit is from Ikonart Stencil.  Definitely a must have in my crafting room for a long time to come.  

You'll find all the details for creating this on The Artistry.  

birdhouse progress #1

Stress relief -- played with the clay for a couple of hours and it was so much fun.  I'd forgotten how much good it does!  :)

I conditioned the clay (warming it up a bit and making it more pliable. I used a pasta machine setting of 5 for the sides, roof and stones. 

I covered all but the base of the birdhouse with the clay. TIP:  Use Bake and Bond on the wood to secure the clay.  Lay the clay gently to make sure you don't get any bubbles.  Trim as needed with your clay blade or an exacto knife for those tight spots.  

Texture the clay here and there as desired and then following the manufacturer's directions the project was baked at 275 for about 20 minutes since I did have some spots that were slightly thicker than 1/4 inch.  

 

house front

thatched roof view

Next up is adding color.  I still haven't quite decided on the medium yet... acrylic paint with a brush, eBrush with markers or paint or the airbrush.  Might need to play a little and see which one I like best.  I see a little more clay play today to test the best color application.  

new project in the works....

Yep, this is a teaser... we'll see how it turns out. 

The gathering of the basic materials... all from the stash.  Birdhouse is from Darice. the circle is from Wood Hollow, Sculpey clay (yep, I bought it in bulk a couple of years ago... so good!) the dowel was originally used as a "fishing pole" for my Sunday School class.  Being upcycled a bit.  

My craft dedicated pasta machine is at the ready as are my other clay crafting tools.  Let's get started!  

Hoping you'll enjoy some creative time this coming week!  I'm really looking forward to some fun with this project.  

 

 

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! 

 

 

gobble gobble

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! 

quick gifts

SimplyCraftySVGs has some simple but cute mason jar boxes available.  They are easy to put together and make for a quick gift box. 

Two of the grandsons are starting fresh with a new list of "jobs" at their house.  Their mom wanted something similar to this that she saw on Pinterest.  I created a stencil and etched on the bottles and then using the Mini-maker, I etched a couple of tags.  Love the way this project turned out. 

The etching doesn't show well on the glass, but it's there! 

8 1/2 x 11 cardstock (Fun Stamper's Journey)
12 x 12 sheet for panel (from stash)
Lineco glue
Sizzix eclips2 / eCal 3

pint size mason jar
vinyl /  removable shelf liner
transfer tape
Armour Etching cream

wood tag (Craftparts.com)
Mini Maker laser etch machine

Laser play

For the first time in many years, I didn't buy my own birthday present, T did!  Got to love a hubby that listens and says "let's do it!"

I've been wanting a laser engraver for a long time -- especially after seeing a model that also cuts, but the pricing was way out of our comfort zone.  When we saw this model, we couldn't help but make the purchase even though the cutting area is very small, it does suffice for what I wanted to do. 

Peggy at Mixed Media Supplies has some digital stamps that I'd hoped would have excellent results.  So, let the play begin.

 

You'll need:
Mini Maker by Nejetool.com
Rose Stencil Digital Stamp (Mixed Media Supplies)
wood cuts (1/8" birch) - from my stash
Tombow markers
Gesso
Cardstock
eBrush w/ Tombow adapter
Foam brush
Adhesive, ScorTape, Red Line heavy duty tape, Scotch Quick Dry glue
Fixative
Printer
Word Processing program
used fabric softener sheet (optional)
metallic rub on (gold)
Craft knife
adhesive
glue
ModPodge
twine (optional)

I don't have a lot of pictures for this project, but I'm pretty sure you'll figure out the steps on your own.

Begin by selecting and sizing the digital stamp in the NJ software (I enlarged to fill the design window) The finished design was 1 x 1.5 inches. As you'll notice in the pictures below, the image was engraved on a wooden tag I had in my stash.

Once the image has been engraved, remove it from the machine.  Trim if needed.  Set aside.

Gesso and ATC sized piece of card stock.  Let dry.  Using the eBrush and Tombow markers, color as desired.  I originally had plans to use the lighter edges as the top of the ATC, however, decided to flip it.  Color the engraved piece and the mini heart.

Open your word processing program and select the fonts and sentiments for your ATC.  I chose Summer Sunsets, the color of roses as a reminder of the beautiful sunsets we have been seeing in recent days and the garden of roses I pass by nearly every morning on walk through the neighborhood. 

Print on plain paper, Then using some repositionable glue/tape, place the ATC over the printing noting the placement.  Print again.  At this point, you can spray with a bit of fixative OR using some embossing powder, emboss for another layer of texture.

If desired, add a bit of gold metallic rub to the edges of the ATC. 

"Glue" some torn pieces of the used dryer sheet on the ATC with the mod podge.  Let dry.  Glue a small piece of the dryer sheet to the heart.  Let that dry as well.  When dry, add a bit of looped twine on the back of the heart.  Secure with glue or redline tape. 

When the ATC base has dried, secure the ATC to a base (3 x 4).  Add embellishments.  If desired add a light layer of ModPodge to the entire ATC, making sure that the edges of your wood pieces are also sealed.  Let dry and you're ready to sign and frame your work of art.  

 

stamping as a stencil

I thought I would drag out the woodburning tool and play for a little while after seeing a few ideas on Pinterest....  my skills are a bit on the rusty side and while I'm waiting for my laser engraver to land here at home, it sounded like some fun.

 

You'll need:
woodburning tool (mine is really old -- and not many safety features -- adult supervision is essential if you're letting kids do this)
Mixed Media Diamond Fence background stamp
water based inks (do not use a solvent based ink to stamp the background stamp on your wood)
blending tool
sandpaper
ModPodge matte finish
Wood (a Jenga or Tumbling Block wood piece is perfect)
eye screw
key chain ring

Prep the wood.  The wood I used is untreated -- no finish (therefore no toxic fumes). If it needs a little sanding for a smooth stamping surface, do it now.  Clean as needed. 

Using a black or gray ink,  lightly stamp as desired around the block.

Preheat the woodburning tool.  Following the pattern of the stamp, burn the pattern into the wood.  You don't need to go really deep, follow the inked pattern as closely as you can. The wood I used was pretty soft -- and I got a nice color quickly.  Once you have the pattern burned in, make sure you unplug the burner and set aside to cool.  If desired, grab that sandpaper again for a quick go over.  I didn't want a deep pattern, so I did a light sanding.  Wipe any any excess dust. 

Using a blending tool and desired ink colors, apply to the wood on all four sides. 

Let the inks sit overnight to ensure they are dry and won't move a lot when you brush on ModPodge sealer.  I coated half of the piece, let dry and then added a coat to the remaining sides, let dry.  Add the screw eye and key chain ring. 




I can see so many possibilities with other stencils and stamps for all holidays and these becoming ornaments. Hope you have set aside some creative time this weekend!  Thanks for stopping by.