Shabby Card with "Scarlet" digitals...

Here is a little shabby chic card I created with Marion Smith's new printable digitals called "Scarlet"!!

The other day I decided to play along with a card sketch...

I love all the soft colors and tones of this printable digial!

It's so fun to sew on your card fronts with using your sewing machine, adding stucco/gesso texture with a mask stencil...

cutting on the Cricut to get the different shapes to highlight

the Die~Namites Die "bamboo sticks"!!

Add a little pink flower with leaves (white washing)

Cutting little butterflies images out of the Scarlet printable digital!!

Great way to create embellishments!

close up of the card...

don't forget to add liquid pearls and spray little bit of glimmer on your card...

thanks for stopping by,

Peggy Lee

http://pegbaker.blogspot.com

Marion Smith Designs

http://www.marionsmithdesigns.com/scarlet-12x12-8x8-or-6x6-printable-papers-and-embellishments-please-sign-into-an-account-before-purchase.html

Supplies:

Marion Smith Designs: Scarlet Digitals

Die~Namites Dies: Bamboo Sticks

Prima: Cabaletta Summer 2 Pink Flower

Leaves and Demask mask

Ranger: Liquid Pearls-Bisque, Perfect Pearls Mists-Blue Patina

CTMH: Cricut Art Philosophy and Artiste Cartridges

Gesso/Stucco

Digital Printing 101 - Lesson 2

Last week I gave you a glimpse into printing your digi files.  If you missed the post - make sure you go back and read up before we move to this week's lesson. 

Did you know that you could type on your digital files in Acrobat?

Most of the printables that I download come in the Acrobat format. While you can add text with other graphics programs, I wanted to show you how to do this technique inside Adobe Acrobat.

This card is a great example of a hybrid project. The papers used to create the card are from Marion Smith's Mad Tea Party Collection.  She gave the prototype papers at CHA. Check with your local retailers for availability - the collection is shipping in September.

The journal card that has the card sentiment on it, is from Marion's digital collection Scarlet.  The downloads are distributed in Acrobat.  I used the Papyrus font to add the sentiment in Acrobat - then I printed it to add to my card. 

Here is how it is done....

Here is a quick video showing you how to use Adobe Acrobat Reader & Adobe Acrobat Pro to type out your journaling on your  digital files.  

You may need to adjust your computer's volume the software captures my voice "soft".

 

NOTE:   Some conditions set by the author of the document could  prevent you from being able to do this in Reader since Reader was created  for "viewing purposes".

Download the Adobe Reader for free here!


Thank for stopping in today,

Tonya A. Gibbs
http://www.psychomomscrapbooks.blogspot.com

 

A Little Shabby.....

I was playing with some textures and color with mists...so I decided to create a couple of shipping tags with Marion Smith's new "Scarlet" printable digitals that you can purchase at www.marionsmithdesigns.com.

Using a stucco/gesso mixture and a mask created texture on the paper cover tags. Then spraying different mist here and there to add color/tones to the tags...and splats of glimmer mist!!!

On this blue-ish tone tag, I made a sikly handmade flower with pearls, tucked in some colored Petaloo (color me crazy) flowers cut in half. Took a tag embellishment cut from "Scarlet" embellishment digital sheet, cut the tag in half and tucked behind the silky flower. Punched out a butterfly also out of the "Scarlet" digital page...Also added texture and painted the chipboard cherry blossom piece. Last bit of touches was adding vintage seqins and pearl stickpin... 

 

This tag with demask stucco/gesso texture background with pinks/brown tones of color...so shabby chic!

Distressed a paper doily, with fuzzy cutting out rose, butterfly, and lady digital embellishments from the "Scarlet" digital collection. Of course this little tag needed some vintage frames and pink flowers with lace and seam binding....

Here are some pics of the steps for creating the backgrounds...

Digital papers covering the tags

and

Adding texture with stucco/gesso with Prima Masks....

Adding color with different mists...

don't forget the splatters!!!!

and the pink tag...

Hope enjoyed this little blog post sharing creating some gift tags...with textures and mist...

Thanks for stopping by,

Peggy Lee

http://pegbaker.blogspot.com

http://www.marionsmithdesigns.com/scarlet-12x12-8x8-or-6x6-printable-papers-and-embellishments-please-sign-into-an-account-before-purchase.html

Supplies:

Marion Smith Designs-Scarlet digitals

Shipping Tags

Stucco/Gesso

Tattered Angels: Graphite, English Ivy, Tutti Fruitti glimmer mist

Ranger: Perfect Pearls Mists-Blue Patina

Brushed Cordurory re-inker mixture spray

Stickles: Icicle

Hero Arts: pearls/gems

The Dusty Attic: cherry blossom chipboard pieces

Melissa Frances: vintage frames

Martha Stewart: butterfly punch

Prima: Mask-crackle and demask

Petaloo: Pink Flora Doodles, Color Me Crazy flowers

Doily, seam binding, pearls and vintage sequins...

Digital Printing 101

Hi everyone,  I wanted to start a series of blog posts that go into some details about digital projects.   Like it or not we are in a digital world. Between aps on our phones, electronic readers, and computer groups - it is totally unavoidable.  I don't think digital is going to replace paper completely in the next few years. However, by offering some tutorials and answering frequently asked questions, hopefully I can eliminate some of the anxiety associated with this evolution.  I know digital isn't for everyone - I get that - but hopefully you will keep an open mind and let me help you get your feet wet!

I'm often asked these two questions the most, so this seems like a great place to start!

"How do you print your digital files?" 
This really depends on what my final project is, below I have broken this question out into two answers. Let me exit geek talk for a minute and give you a few definitions. These are words I will reference often -

Digital - meaning the entire project was created in a graphics program and printed finished.
Hybrid -   meaning printing out the digital elements that are then mixed with traditional supplies.  

Printing Digital Layouts: Digital layouts are those that are created from start to finish in your graphics editor software, like the layout below. I typically create these in a 240 dpi - 300dpi (resolution) to the largest dimensions that I plan to print. Example if my target is 8x10  then when I start my Photoshop document I begin with an 8x10 at 300 resolution.  The layout below was created 12x12 so when printed on 8x10 photo paper it will have a output of 8x8. Once printed, they can be placed in a traditional album. Another option is to upload the spreads to a service like Shutterfly.com and print them into photobooks. Photobooks make AWESOME Christmas gifts! (I will share a video on my youtube in a few days of a couple of photobooks that I've done in the past).

Here is an example of a digital layout that I created of my daughter Brittany Gibbs. I used the Scarlet collection from MarionSmithDesigns.com.  When I have 20 of these made up - off to Shutterfly they go for binding!

To create this paper I used the Scarlet collection by MarionSmithDesigns.com and Photoshop CS6.

 

 

Printing for Hybrid:  Printing for hybrid layouts I usually do on my home printer. I currently have 2 printers  HP4500 deskjet, and a HP Laserjet CP1525. Neither printers are very fancy. Sometimes I like the look of the Inkjet and sometimes I want the perminent printing of a laserjet just depends on the project. Another option - I know that many prefer to take their digital files to an office copy center and print them there.  This is an excellent alternative since they usually have the latest and greatest equipment and the resolution is better than anything you have at home.  The biggest expense obviously is the ink for home printing. 

Here is a short video explaining the "printing" process.  

Since Hybrid is  "printed" here is a sample of a hybrid project that I recently shared in a previous post.

 

"What type of Paper do you use to print your digital files?"

This is always a fun question - because it really depends on your final project. If you are printing this out on your home system, then explore with papers & stocks that you have around the house. I would say that 90% of mine are printed on Georgia Pacific 110lb cardstock.  If I'm making mini albums I print on all types of things like Grunge Paper, Canvas, cardstock, and fabric. You may want to print interior pages on 65lb cardstock to cut down on the bulk.  It really doesn't matter, just make sure that your printer is capable of handling the material.  Here are some suggested Materials for inkjet printers (but please check with your manufactor for settings and limitations): 

• 110lb Cardstock - this is a super thick stock that is great for layouts, ephemera and minibooks.
• Canvas Paper  - this will give you an interesting texture that looks like a painting.
• Transparencies -  LOVE this idea for filler for my mini books
• Standard copy paper - (if you are making mini books, planners, you may want this lighter paper for signatures.
• Fabric like Muslin
• Ribbon (oh this is really fun!)

I guess one of the reasons I really like the digital papers for hybrid projects is that it isn't my only copy of the pattern if I mess it up - I just print it again. Another is  I love the flexibility to transfer my patterns to different mediums by simply printing.

Hopefully you have learned some things today, and I've answered some of your questions.   Next week we will go a little deeper into the benefits of digital work, and how you can slowly introduce some of the elements into your workflow. 

Thanks for stopping in,

Tonya Gibbs
http://www.psychomomscrapbooks.blogspot.com

Nail Art Plaque - CHA Project

 

Hi everyone, I'm really excited today to share with you a project that I created for the Canvas Corp, Marion Smith, 7Gypsies and Tattered Angels booth at the Summer Create -n- Connect 2013 Show (also known as summer CHA). 

 

 

I wanted to create a vibrant mixed media piece with the luscious Tattered Angel's Blue Green mediums but wanted it to be a bit unusual. I was inspired by some string art projects that I found on Pinterest.   Since I live in Florida I decided to theme my project around the beach.

I pulled out all of my Tattered Angels sprays in blues, turquoise, and mint greens.   (colors used are  listed under the photo)

Glimmer Mists: True Turquoise (not pictured),  Lake Shore, Caribbean Blue, Bubbles, Mantis,  Maya Blue, Chalkboard Glimmer Mist:  Sandy Beach, Mantis,  Plain Jane: Sky, and Glimmer Glam: Palm Leaf

 

 

I started by painting my unfinished wooden plaque with white full bodied gesso.  Once it was dry, I began building layers of the Tattered Angels Glimmer, Plain Jane and Chalkboard sprays all over the surface. I started with the blues and added small amounts of the greens to give the colors of the Florida coast line.  I then mixed in some of the Palm Leaf Glam and hit is with my heat gun causing the glaze to crackle and provide texture.  This texture gives the illusion of looking through the water to ground below. I love how all the glimmer swirled to give the piece movement and depth.  I made sure this surface was very  dry before starting the next step.  

 

I made a paste of clear Elmer's Glue & Sea Shells - I spread this paste across the plaque diagonally.  I encouraged the dripping along the sides of the plaque for interest.  The Glue is so thick that it took a long time to be completely dry.  I let it sit for at least 24 hours.    

 

I combined modeling paste and full bodied gesso into a paste and spackled some irregular lines  to give the illusion of waves crashing the shore.  I also spread a little of this into the shells to give the look of sea mist. 

 

Once EVERYTHING was completely dry I sprayed the entire plaque with a clear Acrylic Spray paint to seal the Glimmer mists.  I didn't want them to get wet and run.

 

For the star,  I started with a silhouette starfish image that I found on the Internet.   I printed it the size of my plaque. I went out to the garage and found used rusty nails (they need the flat head on top to make sure the twine doesn't slip). The nails were about 2 inches long. I nailed around the perimeter of the star pattern, and removed the pattern from the plaque before wrapping my twine. The Canvas Corp twine was the perfect "rustic" style to give my start fish life.

 

This was a super simple project that resulted in a cute home decor item.  I think I might hang this  in my guest bathroom.  

 

Thanks for stopping in today,

 

Tonya Gibbs

http://www.psychomomscrapbooks.blogspot.com

 

 

 

 

CHA Projects | Summer 2013

I had a blast creating these projects for Canvas Corp, Tattered Angels, and 7 Gypsies. I must admit that I forgot to take pictures of two additional projects before I sent them out. Oops. My excitement got the best of me.




       
For this layout I used the 7 Gypsies (Insert Name Here) for the background. I used a (insert foundation name here). I attempted to do a woodgrain texture but I totally screwed that up decided to do a parkay floor texture. It turned out great. Loved the depth of color.


 


I wanted the papers I used to reflect the colors of my wedding so I decided to use a couple of the Canvas Corp canvas printed papers in black/cream. The black/cream chevron is printed canvas and the text paper is mulberry paper (i think). They were both gorgeous and so easy to adhere using the Canvas Corp mixed media adhesive. I absolutely love that stuff.

For my next project I used a few pictures from my city's big 4th of July celebration. They matched perfectly with the colors of the patterned papers in the Canvas Corp collection. I threw in the anchor paper to reflect Houston's booming businesses.





I also did a bit of stamping around the edge of the background paper with a stamp from CTMH. I also made some frames from leftover canvas I used to make a banner earlier. (I forgot to take pics of the banner). A bit of cord, hand cut canvas pennants, and some strategic paper placement completes this layout.





I had so much fun making these projects and am looking forward to displaying them when they make it back from the show.

Thanks for stopping by.

Always, Angela
www.alwaysangella.com

Tattered Dress Form Canvas Art

I have been adding texture to this canvas piece for awhile now...every time I used some stucco and gesso with stencil mask I would use up the extra onto this canvas.

I created the dress form for another project that I haven't finished so the inspiration for the background colors came from the dress form.

Dress form I white washed with gesso, grunge it up with Distress Ink Brushed Corduroy with water.

Then started dripping Tattered Angels glimmer mist down the sides of the dress form

and letting it run down and around the body.

Stamped the dress form with a few 7gpysies stamps with archival black ink.

 You can just keep adding layers of mist, ink!!

Oh don't forget to do glimmer splats...

I learned this techqinue from Marion Smith a few years back on grunging a dress form.

I knew I wanted to create some paper cone wing shape wreath..

Cut up an olde scrabble game pages into 2x2 squares

and began to roll into a cone shape, glued down

and tucked behind the dress form.

White washed the cones with a few little sprays of glimmer mist to match the background

and more splats!!

Oh adding a chain with dangles with a Petaloo Color Me Flower..

with glimmer mist and stamping

creates adorable touch.

close up of the stamping

Oh I love how the stamping shows up on the Petaloo flower!!!

Finial touch was adding a Art-i-Cake headpin to the top of

dress form...

Love the texture of the canvas background! I encourage you to grab some Tattered Angels Glimmer mist, paints and start playing....you never know where the art piece will lead you.

Thanks for stopping by today,

Peggy Lee

http://pegbaker.blogspot.com

Supplies:

Tattered Angels: Simply Sheer-Baby Blue

Glimmer Mist-Aquamarine, Graphite, Tattered Leather, Raven and Slate

7gypsies: stamps

Petaloo: Color Me flowers

Canvas Corp: Mixed Media Glue

Prima: Mask-crackle and demask

Tim Holtz-wing/heart die

Ranger: Distress Ink-Brushed Corduroy, Archival ink black

Embossing Folder

Scrabble book pages

Stucco/Gesso

Art-i-Cake: Head Pin

Paper Mache' Dress Form

Chain, gems, buttons, jewelry bits.