Izbzee

Cut n Create Challenge piece

Insomnia has played a huge part in this project.... I got all the matting done after finding all the required files in my stash the other night after searching through lots of files to find just the right cutting files to create this framed wreath.  


The leafy wreath and square shadow box frame file are both from Creative Fabrica.  I used an old Stampin Up punch for a few extra "branches."

The rolled roses are from a file from Simply Crafty SVGS (Victorian Hat) and the small flowers are from a Dreaming Tree file (Hydrangea Tray).  The doily is a file from SVG Cuts Doily Collection.  

All files were matted in SCAL6 Pro.  I used print 2 cut print for the sentiment on the doily and then it was cut using the SkyCut.  I cut 3 of the leafy wreaths and inked them.  I wanted a little more depth and used foam tape between two of the layers.  The roses are inked on both sides and the top of the petals are slightly flared for a little more dimension.  They are glued directly to the wreath.  The smaller flowers have a small pearl in the center and are glued to the wreath as well.  Additional pearls are glued using E6000 and allowed to dry for a couple of hours to make sure everything is secure.   I added a loopy bow using 1/4" wide lavender ribbon and secured with a drop of hot glue.  

The 6" box frame is a single piece file.  Easy to put together.  The center area of the frame is about 5 inches.... it's a pretty snug fit.  

from dingbat to wreath!

Dingbat fonts are fun!  The wreath used in this card was created using a dingbat font I found on Creative Fabrica.  Check out all the details (including a process video) on The Artistry.  

I also created a couple of other versions - using the same dingbat font -- but finished them differently.  And remember those hearts I stenciled in the last post?  Well they were used on these cards.  The wreaths and hearts are created in SCAL5 Pro and cut with the Skycut C24.  

And the card below was colored using some NUVO drops.  

and here's a close up to show some of the details:  

 

The same process in creating the wreaths was used as in the post on The Artistry.. so be sure to check it out.  

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you've carved out some creative time this week.  

3 Fall Tags - Tag 2

Oversized and big!  These tags measure nearly 6" x 10.5"!  They're cute and simple and made of paper and vinyl!  




Once again, I chose to use Tag 2 from the SCAL library.  Resize and ungroup to resize the circle.  Since I chose to use 1 1/2 in wide burlap ribbon, the hole is about 1 inch in diameter.  Cut using your cutting machine.  

Choose your font (CK Emily Pen).  Choose your words and using the text tool, type and size as needed to fit within the bounds of the tag, leaving a bit of a margin all the way around the tag.  Using the vinyl setting for your machine, cut, weed and transfer to the tag.  Highlight a shadow using a white gel pen as desired. I also round the bottom corners of the tags for a softer look.  

Add any other embellishments as desired.  

Since these are pretty large and I decided not to embellish, I added them to a 24" diameter grapevine wreath.  Centered under a paper twist tied bow and a few dyed* paper leaves.  

You'll need:  
Kraft paper for tags (12 x 12)
Vinyl
White Gel pen
Leaves (two collections from Creative Fabrica were used you'll find them here and here)
Poetique ink refills
Glass plate
Water
Toothbrush
Freezer paper
Skycut
SCAL5 Pro
Glue gun, glue
Paper twist (deep olive green)
wire
Burlap ribbon
24" grapevine wreath

To dye the leaves: 
Cut the leaves from AC white cardstock.  I used the textured stock.  It adds a look of watercolor paper - but that is purely optional.  Place a couple of drops of the desired ink refills on a glass plate and spritz a bit of water on the plate to spread the color. Lay the leaf cut face down in the color, lift and set aside to dry.  


Use a toothbrush to flick a little extra color if desired.  

Expect to get a little inky during the process if you don't want to wear gloves.  

Thanks for stopping by.  Tag 3 to be posted tomorrow.  

Enjoy some creative time today, or set some aside.  

Violets

 

I've no doubt that there are several among us who feel like Spring can't come soon enough with all the crazy winter weather we've had of late.  

I'm reminded of picking violets and violas in Grandma's yard.  They grew wild in her side yard and the infusion of purples and yellows and white peeking from the green blades of grass was as sure a sign of Spring as the blooming of the crocus, daffodils and tulips that were sprinkled throughout the flower beds.  

Our gardens are still covered in snow and are seriously lacking in the way of spring flowering bulbs.... so this project will have to do.  

You'll need:
images of violas, violets and or pansies in isolation 
Photo Shop Elements or another similar photo editing program if the images do not have a transparent background
Vellum 
Electronic die cutting machine & associated software or sharp detail scissors to cut
wreath base (white cardstock)
12 x 12 back (plain or designer paper)
12 x 12 frame (with or without glass)
Gel Medium and a brush

If you need to remove the white from the images, use the magic wand in PhotoShop and delete the white, leaving only the flower image.  Save as a png.  

Open your cutting machine software, import the png images and size as desired.  Set the images to print2cut.  Check preview to make sure that you just have the outline cutting and no cutting lines inside the flower.  If you see cutting lines, use the contour cut (shadow) feature and create a blackout shadow.  Set the shadow to 0, so it will cut with the outline.  If your software can create a print2cut outline, you can use that was well.  Group the image and shadow together for ease in making any adjustments to placement before printing and cutting.  Repeat with additional images and fill the mat for the size of paper you will be printing to.  When you're satisfied with the size of all your images, send to the printer and cut using the machine's software instructions.  This project used  3 12 x 12 vellum sheets¹.  Approximately 60 flowers were cut (20 images per sheet).

If you don't have a cutting machine,  you can use a word editing program or photo program and set the size of the paper to the desired dimensions for the paper you will be printing to.  Size and place the images as desired and print on the vellum.  Cut the images using sharp scissors and trim close to the printed edges.  

Cut the wreath base -  I used was a 9 inch diameter circle, the center being cut out leaving approximately a 1.25 inch wide section to glue the flowers to.  

Glue one of the images to the wreath of the base using the brush and gel medium - just a little goes a long way.  Add additional images filling the wreath base using the gel medium  Let that layer dry.  Add additional images to fill in and fill out the wreath.  Let dry thoroughly.  Just a small amount of gel medium² where the images overlap is necessary.  The petal edges can remain loose.  If your base has warped at all because of the moisture in the gel medium, place under a heavy book for several hours and the base should flatten out. 

The background I chose is from AC cardstock and is the textured white.  It does have a slight gray tint to it and plays well with the colors printed on the vellum.  

Mount and frame as desired. I had a few images left over and used them for another project which I will share very soon.  

Happy Crafting and wishing you a week filled with nurturing your creative spirit!  

  
¹ Vellum was chosen for the translucency that many dried and pressed flowers have.  
² Gel medium will dry clear and did not show through the images as normal adhesive does.

happy "hello"

The wreath I posted earlier this week is too small to stand on it's on in a large space -- Right now, I don't have a grouping or small place it can stand out as a focal point.... so another shelving piece upcycle to the rescue. 

Super simple... a little bit of white acrylic paint, vinyl and sandpaper.  A hook for hanging (and it also will make it easier to switch out wreaths each season! 

I used the Gracias font and Gracias Stylized Font for the lettering. 

Open your software, and type in your lettering.  I stretched it to 18 inches.  Weld all the letters together.  When you add the glyph from the Stylized font, use the Union Command under the Path tab.  Be sure to check Preview to make sure that all the letters are connected and will cut as one.

Cut using the vinyl setting.  Weed the excess vinyl away and apply some transfer tape.  For best results, apply the vinyl first...  burnish as needed. 

Dry brush some white acrylic paint on the board.  While the paint is still not quite dry, lightly brush another light coat.  This will cause the paint to crackle a bit and add some additional texture.  Let dry. 

Using a piece of sandpaper, scrub some of the paint away.  Wipe away the dust.  Repeat that process as needed. 

My piece isn't going to be subjected to weather or extreme temps, so I chose not to seal it at this point.  Add a cup hook to the board and slide the wreath on the hook.  My board is setting on the mantel -- you could add hangers to the back of your board BEFORE you paint and hang if desired. 

Products used*:
Sizzix eclips2, eCal2
Expressions Vinyl - white 651
Apple Barrel White paint
foam brush
cup hook
sandpaper (120 grit)
wreath details can be found in this post. 

No affiliate links are used in this post.  Some of the materials used in the wreath were provided by MixedMediaSupplies.

Spring Wreath

You'll need: 
Digital  Printable Journal papers from Mixed Media Supplies
dies*
die cutting machine*
Printer
copy paper
Micron Pen .01
Marker AirBrush*
3/4 " circle paper punch
markers*
Hot glue
Sapphire and Pearl Mica from Mixed Media Supplies
grapevine wreath
floral wire
green or brown floral tape

 

Download and print the journal page from Mixed Media Supplies using regular copy paper.  Using your favorite flower dies, cut an assortment of flowers and layers.  TIP:  Cut multiple layers at a time.  

Remove cuts from the dies, sort according to size.

If desired, add a doodled outline to the "petals" using the micron pen. 




Punch a circle in the yellow paper for the stamens of you flower.  Fold in half, cut a small vertical slit in the fold.  On the arched area of the circle, make small cuts to form a fringe.  Unfold, and slide onto the brad,    Make one for each of the flowers that will be open flowers (not buds).

My wreath is a 10 in wreath -- relatively small, so I chose to use the smaller of the dies and create a small arrangement for the wreath. 

Cut a few leaves.  I used white card stock -- they need a little more body.  Color using the marker airbrush and colors as desired.

Add a spritz or two of pearl and sapphire mica to the edges of the flower petals and buds.  If desired, add a little pearl or gold mica to the leaves.

Secure the flowers and leaves on the wreath using a little hot glue.  Add any additional embellishments and fillers as desired.




Add a ribbon if desired and hanger. 


Thanks for stopping by and I hope you'll be setting aside some #CRE8Time this month and every month!  Explore new ideas and new techniques! 

No affiliate links are used in this post. 
*Specific products used:
Sizzix Big Shot (you could also use an electronic cutting machine and files specific to your machine)
Spellbinders Rose Creations by Donna Salazar
Craftwell eBrush and SN adapter
Spectrum Noir Markers