What a productive weekend!

Do you ever wonder why I'm not on Facebook during the weekend?  Well, that's my prime time to spend with family, catch up with housework and of course to create!  (Facebook can be a real time suck, I'm just saying).

So I've been working on creating something everyday (or at least playing).  Friday I took a break after a long week and watched YouTube videos (another huge time suck).  But I was inspired to try making cards with my scraps.  More to come on that!

Saturday started with what was suppose to be a simple clean up of my craft studio.  It turned into a whole day organizing fest.  It still looks like a hot mess, but it's more organized!  I think it would take me a full week to get that looking picture ready!

Sunday, I created the below card.  I've made 9 of them, but have not completed the envelope or packaging yet.  I love this design and have lots more creative designs to do!

Them came Monday.  I'm off on Monday's during the summer.  (Don't be too jealous, I work 10 hour days during the rest of the week for the privilege!)  I spent the day with my mom creating.  We share stamps and other supplies (it's a great way to save money and have more variety).  

First I finished this packaging for this note card set. You know, the one that's a gift and I should have given over two weeks ago?  Here's the finished product:

Speaking of gifts, I have another one that I'm working on for a friend.  You know how I love color - right?  (It's kind of my thing).  I decided to create this card with "controlled" ink splatters (anyone who has ever working with ink splatters may continue to laugh...) on a watercolor paper background. Actually, the technique is called "smooshing". Once it was dried, I stamped the envelopes and sentiment.  I love how it mimicked the front inside the card as well!  I didn't bring my envelopes with me, so I need to finish those as well as the packaging.  But I have until Friday...

And now onto some of my unfinished projects.  The first is a set of watercolor backgrounds that I created using my Zig clean brush markers.  I have an idea of where these are going, just didn't have everything I needed to finish creating them.  Plus I ran out of time!

Next is a set for four leaf backgrounds that I made using my gelatos and some of my mom's stamps.  The stamp of the mouse holding the leaf will be included in the design.

  

And finally, here's a bunch of stamped images that I plan on coloring (probably with watercolor).  I stamped each about 9-11 times.  These are also my mom's stamps.  She loves the House of Mouse line!

For most of the images, I know how I'm going to design the cards.  It's just getting to them!  Want to see more of my finished projects?  Follow me on Facebook!

Change is Coming!

Hello Everyone!  I know it's been a while.  Summer vacations, juggling the kids, etc...  I also wanted to take some time to think about the direction I wanted to take my business.  Sometimes you get stuck and can't go in a new directions for a various reasons.  You may have noticed that I'm not doing many craft shows - I wanted to take time off from shows to work on developing new products.  I can't always do that when I'm trying to crank out products for shows and to fill my inventory.  With that being said, you're going to see some changes with EBL Designs!

The first change is my logo.  I've worked really hard over the years to develop my brand for my business.  It's not easy and it's not cheap to change it!  That's why I've been working on it for a couple of months to get it just right!  If you follow me on Facebook, you may have seen some proto types.  Thanks for the comments and feedback - they've really helped me tweak it!  Here it is:

 

I will also be focusing more on my stationary line and introducing items that are more suitable for ready-to-give gifting.  What does that mean?  How about stationary that is bundled in matching packaging?  Sets that will include pens and washi tape?  How about small gift-able items that you can grab and stash like covered sticky notes?

Stationary set that includes set of 4 note cards, matching envelopes, pen and binder.  Also has a small pocket to store your stamps.  Ready to grab and go to write that quick note!  

Covered sticky notes - perfect for your purse to jot down a quick note or list. Stock up on these for that quick gift for teacher or friend.  These come in a variety of colors and are currently available at Eclectic Calico.

I haven't made these items available in my Etsy shop yet, but they will be soon!  Contact me if you're interested in a set or click over to my Facebook page to find out more!

New toy = lots of fun!

I've been watching a lot of bloggers lately making cards using Deco Foil and a heat laminator.  You can use the Deco foil with the laminator using a couple of techniques, but the one that I jumped right in for my first project was printer toner on plain white card stock.

Basically, on my computer, I created a new Word document and added a large, black rectangle that took up almost all of the page.  I printed the image several times using a laser printer.  It's important to use a laser printer because it's the toner that works as the adhesive for the Deco foil when it's sent thought the laminator.  Then I die cut several images using dies that I had on hand.

To apply the Deco foil, I placed the die cut images onto a piece of typing paper that I folded in half to create a folder to send through the laminator.  Place a piece of Deco foil cut to size on top of the black print side of die cut with colored side of Deco foil facing up.  Then I ran it through my laminator.  Amazing results - love it!

Make Monday - Alcohol Inks

Last summer, I posted a how to make alcohol ink tiles.  To see that post, click here.  Last week, I was catching up on my YouTube subscriptions, when I came across a video by Jogglesdotcom.  She used alcohol inks on Yapo paper and then doodled onto of the ink.  To see that video, click here.

After watching the video (and I need to say it was about 10 pm on a week night), I had to go play.  I pulled out my collection of alcohol inks and my Tim Holtz Adirondack Alcohol Ink Cardstock, 4-1/4-Inch by 5-1/2-Inch.  I have a couple of packs of this paper in my stash, but didn't know how I was going to use it.  Love it when I have everything I need on hand.   I don't have any Yapo paper, but would like to give it a try one day.  Another suggestion, go to the $1 store and pick up photo paper.  I've also used vellum.  Each paper has different properties and the ink may react differently.  Just try what you have on hand - by it needs to be non-porous. 

After playing with dropping inks onto a couple of sheets of paper, I let it dry over night.  (Hey, it was really, really late).  Then through out the day I doodled on the ink drops.  I used a Sharpie fine tip white oil base paint pen and my Micron .03 pen in black.  I haven't tried my white gel pen on this - I'm afraid it might smear.

Here's what I came up with!

I also had a couple of tiles that didn't quite turn out how I would like them.  So, I'm using the same pens to doodle on them.  These have already been sealed once.  I'll seal them again with an acrylic clear spray once I'm done.

Then I tried the ink on vellum - both with just the ink and then with versamark ink and white embossing powder with stamps.

I hope I inspired you to play - happy crafting!

Supplies:
Alcohol Inks
Tim Holtz Adirondack Alcohol Ink Cardstock, 4-1/4-Inch by 5-1/2-Inch
White Sharpie extra fine tip oil based paint pen
Micron Black Ink Pen

EBL Designs will be at the East West Pop Up Shop!

EBL Designs will be at the East West Sunday Market on June 28th from 10 am - 4 pm.  The market is located in Asheville, NC.

Enjoy some summer shopping at East West, the last Sunday of every month throughout the Summer.  Come have a bite to eat, enjoy a mimosa, and shop around the curated marketplace.

For more info:
http://www.eastwestpopupshop.com/#about-us