June projects for A Creative Need ...

This is my first project ... my Butterflies and Blooms Card.  

I used Microsoft Word 2010, my document started with landscape mode and thin margins.

I used Flourish 1 Hearts from A Creative Need's Etsy shop for this project.  First, I placed all four flourishes on the page. (The flourishes download in a set of four - one for each corner.) One flourish at a time, I used Picture Tools - Format - Color - Set Transparent Color to click on a white section of the flourish picture.

To create a butterfly, I placed the four flourishes close to each other.  Then I moved the pieces around to resemble a butterfly.  Please refer to the picture shown below for the placement of flourishes.

Next, I selected all four pieces and Grouped them.  Then I changed the size of the butterfly.  I copied the butterfly two more times and made them different sizes.

Next, I inserted the Small Blossom Cluster freebie from the A Creative Need Blog onto the page.  I positioned the butterflies near the cluster.

I created an empty text box with no fill and a medium gray line.  In my example above, I've used red for the line so it can be seen easier.  The text box was 3 3/8" wide and 5 1/8" tall.  I clicked on Send Backward to be able to have the text box behind the blossoms and butterflies.

On this same page, I created another text box and added a sentiment to add to the card.  I printed this out on Neenah Classic Crest card stock.

I cut out the sentiment and then used a Memento Tuxedo Black Marker to edge the rectangle.

I cut out the main image for the front of the card by using the text box line as a guide.   I cut away part of the card stock in the lower right corner.  The parts cut out are shown on the card by the pinkish-orange paper.  I used chalk to color around the butterflies and to color the blossoms. I didn't like the way the chalk looked on the blossoms.  So I printed one more page.  This time, I fussy cut the flowers, stems and leaves, leaving them in one piece  like the original image.  I used Copic markers to color the flowers (Y04, Y11, and Y15).  The leaves and branches were colored with Copics (G00, G21, G43, and YG03).

I glued the inked flowers on top of the flowers and stems on the main image.

I used Sakura Glaze pens on the butterflies.  And finally, I put a little Lime Stickles in the centers of the flowers.  The decorative paper is simply taped to the back of the piece with the images after the Stickles and Glaze pens have dried.

I used a 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" piece of light yellow card stock for the card base.  I placed a small piece of decorative paper that coordinated with the color of the leaves behind the sentiment.  This was then attached to the top left corner area of the card.

As usual, I started this project with something in mind, didn't like it, and changed it.  I seem to do that on some of my projects.  However, I enjoy finding ways to "get around" having to start completely over.  How do you cope with your project "detours"?



For my next project, I made a page that could be used in a scrapbook, or in a frame.

I inserted two of each corner of the Decorative Flourish 2 on the page.  Again, I used Microsoft Word 2010, my document started with landscape mode and thin margins. I did not change the size of the flourishes.  I printed the page on decorative paper.

I fussy cut the flourishes from the paper.  I chose a 12" x 12" medium yellow color piece of card stock from my stash.  I used a We R Memory Keepers Lucky 8 Punch to  punch the inner design on the page.

I assembled my cut-out flourishes on the page to resemble a wreath.  After I liked the placement, I used a little glue to stick them down.  Then, I added some flowers from my stash.  Yes, I do have a stash of a bunch of different things! You just never know when you might need something ... am I right?

Then I added a favorite phrase for the center.  I could have added a picture here, or added a picture and a sentiment.  Make it how you want it.  Here is a close-up photo of the bottom right corner of the page.

I think I will put this one in a frame.  Every time I see this phrase, it makes me stop and think ...

Until next time, I am ever searching for inspiration.

Lisa

I've made two new projects for the month of May.

Hello everyone!  I've made two new projects for you because I've been chosen as a design team member for A Creative Need.  Thanks Deena!

My first card features the Retro Phone.  

For this card, I used Microsoft Word 2010 to create the background paper for my card and to print the Retro Phone for the main card image.

               

I chose .50” margins all around my page.  Then, I inserted the Retro Phone image onto the Word page.  I clicked on the image to select it. Then, I clicked on the Remove Background tool under the Picture Tools menu.  I manipulated the image to take out the white background from around the image.   I changed the size to 1.0” tall. I copied and pasted the image randomly on the page.  I also rotated the images randomly.

 I colored the Retro Phone images with Copic Markers.  (FB2, FBG2, FRV1, FV2, FY1, and FYG2)  I used a silver gel pen on the middle of the dial and the metal stop.  I cut a 3.50 x 4.75” piece from the background paper.  I attached this on top of the card base (5.50 x 8.50” bright orange metallic card stock, folded in half with fold on the side.)

 On the second page of the document, I pasted a copy of the Retro Phone image from the first page.  I enlarged it to 4.0” wide.

I printed the first page of the document out on some presentation paper I had in my paper stash.  I wanted something a little more substantial than regular text weight paper for this background paper. 

I printed the second page of the document on bright green metallic
card stock.  I cut out the image of the RetroPhone.  I added this to the front of the card with double-sided foam adhesive.

Use your choice of sentiment to add to the inside of the card.

I hope you enjoy this card it will inspire you to make cards like this of your own.

My second project features the Hiking Man.

A sweet, dear friend of mine was on a special trip to Asia a few years ago.  She went hiking up a mountain.  And how different … they have steps instead of dirt paths!  I love this picture and thought it went very well with the Hiking Man digital image for May.

I used Microsoft Word 2010 to create the image for my card.  

First, I imported the photo from my friend.  

(Original Photo)

I changed the size to 5.00" vertically.  I allowed the horizontal to adjust automatically to 3.75”.  I then chose Artistic Effect under the Picture Tools menu. I chose the “paint brush” effect for this photo.

I inserted the Hiking Man image onto the Word page.  I clicked on the image to select it.  Then, I clicked on the Remove Background tool under the Picture Tools menu. I manipulated the image to take out the white background from around the image.  

Next, I changed the height of the Hiking Man to 4.00”.  I then scooted the Hiking Man toward the left side of the picture.  I used the crop tool to take out the left part of the digital image even with the photo.

After I’d done that, I noticed that the Hiking Man’s
 feet seemed to fit the steps in the photo.  So I amended the digital image again, this time to leave out the ground he was standing on.

I was so happy to see that I was right … his feet 
did just fit those steps.  I was in luck!

I printed the image out on Neenah Classic Crest card stock.  I colored the Hiking man with Copic Markers.  (E21 and E51 for skin; E87 and W3 for shorts; E87 for hat; B45, B97 and W3 for shirt; E23 and E25 for shoes; G99 and E23 for the backpack.)  I layered the image on top of a 5.25" x 4.00” piece of blue card stock.  I attached this to the top of the card base (5.50" x 8.50” pumpkin orange card stock, folded in half with fold on the left side.)

I hope my card and technique of using a photo you have, and converting it in Word, will inspire you to make cards like this of your own.

I invite you to try digital images.  They're fun!  Check out the monthly challenge at A Creative Need. Check out their blog when you get a chance.

Until next time, I am ever searching for inspiration.

Lisa

Time sure does fly ...

don't you think?  I did not realize that it been so long since I'd posted to the blog.  Geez.  Now I feel lazy.  But not TOO lazy!!

Among other things, I've been participating in a ATC swap this year.  I've had fun trying to come up with a card for each month's theme.  The theme for January was "Bucket List".  February's theme was "Fabric".  For March ... "Maps"; and for April "Embossed April Showers".

Here are my ATCs:

So, what do you think?  Is there one you like best?  I cannot choose.  I like them all.  Next month's theme is "If a cat could _________, it would look like ___________."  Now that one is definitely going to take some planning.  

Until next time, I am ever searching for inspiration.

Lisa

A birthday card for a very special person ...

Sorry I had to take the picture on such a dark background, but that's just the way it worked out.  Needless to say, the birthday girl absolutely loved this card.  I knew I had to make it unique - anyone celebrating a 75th birthday deserves it, don't you think?

Until next time, I am ever searching for inspiration.

Lisa

Check out this give-a-way ...

There is a fun page on Facebook ... My Card Party ... with Alice Elizabeth Gower.  Cute cards for sure.

She's posted a contest on the page to win her Valentine.

"Win my Valentine!
Visit Buttons Galore, leave a comment and Pin the card.
http://buttonsgaloreandmore.net/making-a-valentine-that-hides-a-sweet-surprise/"

Here are the pictures of the Valentine

Cute, huh?  I think so.

Good luck to the winner!

Until next time, I am ever searching for inspiration.

Lisa