Friday 1 April 2016

Magazine Makes #1

Hello fellow craft addicts. How has your week been? I bought a piano!!! Can't wait for it to be delivered and have a good ole play. I'm incredibly rusty, but it's all about getting back into it.

I'd better explain the title, hadn't I? You all know that I subscribe to Simply Cards and Papercraft, and occassionally get another magazine here and there as gifts from my lovely husband. I read them, enjoy them, I get all inspired, do a bit of stamping, and then I tend to put them away, so this 'series' that I've called 'Magazine Makes' is my way of reminding myself of the great gifts we get each month and of the great techniques that they showcase too.

First up is this card using the dragonfly stamp from issue 134 of Simply Cards and Papercraft along with a digital stamp which I bought from MHK Designs. I've been reading all about manipulating digital stamps in issue 146 of Simply Cards and Papercraft - and this one came with free Clearly Besotted Digi stamps too!!


I started out by randomly stamping the dragonfly onto some Neenah cardstock using Memento Tuxedo Black and adding some additional detail to them using my Copic Multiliner 0.3. I then coloured them in with very light Copic markers.



I then got to work on my digital sentiment. I loved this as soon as I saw it on Mynn's Etsy shop. I love Anne of Green Gables and watched the mini series every time it was on in the early 90's. It just seemed such a lovely sentiment to have with the dragonflies.



Armed with Jo Kill's instructions I loaded the image into my free software. I used GIMP like Jo does as that seemed easiest. I got to a certain point then I really struggled to change the colours, so I did a bit of internet searching and came up with a useful tutorial which helped me work out which menu I needed and which bits I had to select. I changed the colour of the words 'fresh' and 'mistakes' and the size of the sentiment and then printed it out on Neenah card stock. It took me several attempts and I tried with ordinary paper first before I was happy with it. 


I then layered the sentiment onto vellum (I know it's a bit squint which annoys me no end!!!) and then onto some of my teal Lawn Fawn card. I attached the dragonfly panel to an A2 card made from the same LF card and then the sentiment on top. I then decided it needed some Wink of Stella and Glossy accents on different parts of the dragonflies.

Below is a list of what I used to make this card and where I purchased them. Please note I DO NOT USE affiliate links :)


 
I'm definitely going to try again with digital stamps. My next plan is to work out how to add sentiments onto digital images - that confused me a bit as for some reason I couldn't move it into place. More learning, it's all good!!

Thank you so much for reading, and I wish you all a fabulous weekend.

13 comments:

Aileen said...

Beautiful card, love how you have coloured the dragonfly. And great job with the digital sentiment. The card looks brilliant. Was looking at instagram and signed up and have the app but no idea how to use it so I look a bit then wander away.
After a week at mum and dads good to be home and reading blogs. Xx

Unknown said...

Fabulous card! And the effort that was put into it was simply impressive! Frankly speaking digital stamps intimidate me a little, I always end up using them as they are - no rescaling and repositioning, let alone editing! Hats off to you! Congratulations on the new piano too!

Lisa T said...

Really pretty card, love the teal colour palette and the overall design. Impressed also with you trying the digi stamp manipulation, I think this would test my technological capability no end! I love the look of the two enlarged teal words - and it's a great sentiment for the card. Gorgeous!

Leigh Penner said...

Oh, this is so pretty, Ruth! I love it!

My Card Attic: Hazel said...

Beautiful Ruth! Yes, digi stamps are very versatile! I used to design digital downloads for a number of online websites (a couple of them still have and sell them) and I have an Etsy shop for digital background papers too. I still use digital stamps & papers in my card making too . . . I love my hybrids! TFS I'm still waiting for the Simply Cards & Papercraft release with the Altenew floral stamps to come out online (I don't get out and about much, so I usually buy them online, is it issue #149 it is in?) Have a lovely day my friend! Hazel xx
My Card Attic

Cara said...

Fabulous card, love how you've decorated the dragonflies. Sounds like you're doing well with the digital crafting, cropping a photo is the extent of my graphics programme knowledge! Cara x

Unknown said...

I'm loving the card you've made. I've actually made a few cards with that dragonfly stamp, but you've inspired me to bring it out again. I must also have a go at manipulating digital sentiments and images, I've had a little play in the past, but not done anything recently. Looking forward to more of your magazine makes. Have a great weekend. Karen x

Darnell said...

You really have a talent for designing pp, Ruth! This card is sensational!! Enjoy your day! Hugs, Darnell

Cornelia (fun stamping) said...

How pretty - your dragon flies looks so delicate - wonderful coloring!

Vicki Dutcher said...

Good for you understanding digis! I so struggle, I just don't use them! :) Your card is fun!

maria f. said...

Wow, you're brave going digital ;) I love the stamped and doodled and oh-so-lightly colored dragonflies on this card!

Pop's Cards said...

Hi sweetie I love this, the colours are so nice too, hugs Pops x x x

Rita W said...

What a fab idea! I quit buying magazines because I never seemed to use them. I like this idea so much. I love that dragonfly stamp. One of my mom friends who lost her little boy always associates dragonflies with him visiting, so I keep an eye out for those stamps. That quote is one I should probably tattoo on my forehead!

Off to check out the Etsy shop you linked... Enabler!

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