EBL Designs at Tate Street Festival

EBL Designs will be at the Tate Street Festival on Saturday, September 26th from 1-7 pm. This annual event showcases the heart and soul of Greensboro. Presenting live music and performance, fine arts and craft, as well as celebrating community!

For more information about the event: https://www.facebook.com/tatestreetfestival

Catch a Falling Star!

"Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket, never let it fade away...."  I love that song!  And it was my inspiration for this card.  You see, I was in Target (buying all those school supplies for the boys) when I found these glitter papers.  It was on an end cap in the DYI section (which was by the school supplies).  A pack of four was only $2 and I've been wanting to try them with my Cricut and die cutting.  But before I impulse buy, I try to think what am I going to use this for and am I really going to use it?  The pack that I picked up had both gold and black glitter sheets.  I instantly thought of stars for the gold, which made me think of that song.  Pockets...what if I made a pocket for the inside of the card for a gift card or cash?  Wait, I have a friend moving soon - I can make the card for her!  And so I spent $2 on a pack of glitter paper from Target.

Ok, some of you may be asking, "What song are you talking about???"  Catch a Falling Star was originally sung by Perry Como in 1957.  Click here, to hear the original song.  I was introduced to the song from the movie, Never Been Kissed. Click here to here that version.

Original Cricut Design

Here's my original Cricut design.  I didn't have the pack of glitter paper with me when designing - I thought it was gold and silver.  I cut out the design using the Cricut and it was an epic fail.  More likely from user error than design or machine.  First, my mats aren't in the best of shape.  One needs more sticky and the other I re-purposed the sticky using a DIY method, but it was too strong. When I tried (very carefully) not to rip every thing, it happened any way.  When I used the other mat, the paper didn't stick and went every where.  I was able to get the black card background with the gold writing done, but ended up having to use my paper cutter to clean up the edges.  I probably need a new blade as well...

Finished card with envelope.

So I was able to savage a few of the small glitter stars, the pocket and the background.  I have a set of star dies, so I cut a few of those out of the gold glitter paper.  I made a basic black A2 side folding card to adhere the panels.  I noticed the pocket that I cut wasn't big enough.  So I cut a larger rectangle from the black glitter card.  I assembled the card and added some gold glitter for the tail.  I used the left over star dies to decorate the back of the card and envelope.

The card didn't go as planned, but I love how it turned out! Below are some images of the finished project - what do you think?

Front of card.

Inside of card - I love how the star is tucked into the pocket.  You know, like you're putting it in your pocket!

Showing the functionality of the pocket.

Close up of inside of card.  Use a gold glitter gel pen to write a note inside!

Back of card.

Get Well Soon

If you follow me on Facebook, you may have seen this card that I've been working on for my nephew.  He has had a series of unfortnate boo-boos over the summer and I wanted to send him a get well card and special treat.

I was inspired for the layout of the card with all it's angles from some other cards I've found on Pinterest.  I love how it's not your usual card layout and it looks unique.  I tried going back to my Pinterest board to find the example that inspire this card, but I couldn't find it.  Go figure!

For this card I used the House Mouse: First Aid Stamp with 
Ranger Black Archival Ink stamped onto white card stock.  This card stock was originally cut into a 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" rectangle.  I then colored the image using Prismacolor Pencils. (These are a left over from college - I was an Interior Design minor).

For the card base, I cut a piece of 8 1/2" x 11" black card stock in half vertically and then score it at 5 1/2 inches for a "top opening" card base (it will be long and skinny).  Fold and burnish for a completed card base of 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" or a standard A2 card (turned horizontally for a side opening card).

For the red card stock, again I started with a 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" rectangle which I embossed using the We R Memory Keepers Star Embossing Folder.  Then I trimmed the card down to 5 1/2" x 4" (carefully trim around stars to keep symmetrical).  Adhere, with Tombow Mono Liquid Glue, the red card stock to the front of the black card (this is a side opening card) and allow an 1/8 in black board both on top and bottom.

For the mouse image, I trimmed the card stock down to 5"x 3 1/2" (again carefully trim to keep image centered) and adhered the image to the red card stock at a sloping angle.  Play around before gluing to see how it will look the best. My corners of the image touch the sides of the red card stock.

Then, on a small strip of grey and white polka dot paper (this was from my stash - I don't know who makes it or where I got it), stamp the GET WELL WISHES (Papertrey Ink: Keep It Simple: Get Well Mini Stamp Set ) with the black ink.  Trim down to "band-aid" size.  Mine measured roughly 7/8" x 3". I also sketched into the center of the bandage, using pencil, what looks to be the line where the gauze pad would be. Then use a Foam Adhesive Square place on the center  of the back of the bandage.  Use a slight bit of glue around the edges and adhere to card front.  I placed mine in the right corner at an angle.  

Finish the card by cutting and gluing a 5 1/4" x 4" piece of white card stock onto the inside of the card.

I used quite a bit of supplies from my craft room.  I'm an addict, and I admit it.  If you don't have all the supplies I have listed (and please don't run out and buy them just to make this one card), here are a few tips on how to make the card using basic supplies.

You will need: the House Mouse: First Aid Stamp, Ranger Black Archival Ink Pad, colored pencils (your kids Crayolas would do!), a ruler, scissors (but I would highly recommend the paper trimmer), red, black and white card stock (or stick with white and "color" a background for the red card stock), glue, a pencil and a black pen.  

Follow the instructions above but use a ruler, pencil and scissors for cutting/measuring your paper.  (Again, I highly recommend a paper trimmer.  I promise you'll find multiple uses for it.  Plus, use a 50% off coupon at your big box craft store and get one for about $10.)  

For the sentiment and bandage, use the white card stock and hand write it in black pen. Want to make it look more like a band-aid?  Use those colored pencils! You don't have to use a foam square adhesive - that's just for embellishment.  The red card stock doesn't have to be embossed - it just adds a little something to the card.


Supplies:
House Mouse: First Aid Stamp
Papertrey Ink: Keep It Simple: Get Well Mini Stamp Set 
Ranger Black Archival Ink Pad
Prismacolor Pencils
We R Memory Keepers Star Embossing Folder
Stamp mounting acryilic block
Tombow Mono Liquid Glue
Foam Adhesive Squares
Black Card Stock
White Card Stock
Red Card Stock
Gray and White polka dot paper
Paper trimer with scoring blade
We R Memory Keepers Evolution Advance Die Cutting/Embossing Machine

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!