Friday, September 05, 2008

Hot off the cutter...

You asked for it!  And now you get a sneak peek of of the files that I finished this week .

Inspired by a billboard as I was driving down the highway I loved the look of the football player breaking through the board.  I decided to give it a try myself. 

CS00295

After making this guy and test cutting with tweaks I began to play, which I have to say is the funniest part of what I do. 

 

The images in the store packaging was made by cutting out white paper and inking with a blue and brown ink.  The picture to the right is from laying the die-cut on a white piece of paper. While I was inking I was also masking.   I just love these two techniques!

CS00319    CS00320

 

The next two images where created from the first white die-cut.  Once cut, I placed it on a royal blue background.  Then I masked it on another blue card stock.   The results are striking!   It's amazing how colors, ink and the use of two different techniques you can get such a range in looks. 

I hope you will try these two techniques more often on your pages.  It doubles the use of your purchase which is a good thing.  Use the mask to create background papers by using a lighter pressure as you ink.

This file was totally inspired by the project I am working on.  Which is a gift I am making for my foster parents anniversary.   They took three trips with Wandering Wheels, one along Lake Erie, another Lake Heron and the last trip from Cocoa Beach to the Key

CS00294West.  Along the way they took hundreds of pictures.  Mom purchased three large frames to hang on her wall.  When she asked if I could help I offered to do it as a gift for their anniversary. 

So far I've created the bike and want to cut it to use as a stamp for the background.  I cropped all the pictures from one trip and have an idea of how I will lay them out.  This weekend I'm on a search for some paper to fill the frame.  I think I will have to go to a specialty art shop for that!  I'm hoping to get you some pictures soon so you can follow along.

Have a great weekend!

HaPpY ScRaPpInG!

Carrie

Six techniques to try...

 

                CS00091

 

Next time you use a die-cut why don't you try something new?  Sometimes just playing around you can get different results.  

I have taken one element from my Apple Picking file. The tree, to give you six different techniques with six different looks and uses.

 

IMG_1147         IMG_1148  

Heat embossing                 Inking the edges

IMG_1149             IMG_1152

Add a word                          Sand with sandpaper

IMG_1151     IMG_1154

Patten paper                      Masking           

Each method took only  a few minutes to create.  I even had a little helper, Julie.  As she watched me cut out the trees she asked is there anything I can do?  Why "YES, you can ink a tree for me."  Before I knew it she had the pattern paper tree done.  "What next mommy?"  Quickly I pulled out some chipboard letters and told her that I needed them inked in fall colors.  Julie continued helping me until clean up time.  But that's ok we still spent some quality time together catching up on our day.

SO YOU WANT A CHALLENGE?

Three die-cuts from the Apple Picking file; the tree, apples and basket will be left for you to download in my yahoo group. 

All you have to do is create something with them. You don't have to use all three, you can use just one or all, it's up to you.    Create a card, home decor or use them on a layout to share with us.

You could also share a new technique.

Either way use the file> share your creation and you can receive the Apple Picking file for doing so.

Just upload your unique creation to the Gallery and send me a link through my email.  Everyone who shares gets the file. 

HaPpY ScRaPpInG!

Carrie

Tuesday, September 02, 2008

Thank you!

First of all I must thank EvErYoNe who took advantage of my sales over the holiday weekend!
It looks like I did very well with the 50 % off sales. Which always encourages me to continue designing files for you!

I hope all of you had a safe and enjoyable three day weekend! It is always sad to say good bye summer! Our weekend was mostly spent at home. I was still recovering from the summer cold I caught a week or so ago. It was a bit frustrating since we had talked about spending the last weekend at the lake or swimming before the pools close. But to get ready for a weekend like that was just to much!

We did get out on Sunday to a going away party for our second cousin, she leaves this Wednesday for a year of college in Jerusalem!!! Scott and I recently watched a program all about Jerusalem on PBS it is so beautiful there! So needless to say we were very excited to see her a few days before she leaves for such a wondrous adventure! I told her to take lots of pictures so we can make her an album! I would love to see where King David lived and the birth place of Christ and the place where Moses parted the Red Sea, wouldn't you just love to go? How blessed she is to have this opportunity!

I also want to thank all of you who took the time to fill out my survey! The information that I received will help me tremendously to focus my attention on what you want! You have given me direction by providing enough suggestions, ideas and encouragement to help me make the best of my post on my blog and in my Yahoo group.

When the first few survey's came in I became motivated to clean up my scrap room!!! So I can get creative with some layouts and ideas on what you can do with my files. I ended up spending hours looking through old photos from the last twenty five years. It was fun and I was inspired with an idea to show you some photos from my "Blast from the Past". I think it will be fun!

One set of photos I found from my twenties when my sister-in-law called me. She was invited to be on the Phil Donhue show and asked me to come. We left the following evening, flew into New York and came home seventy-two hours later. I just love the fact that we did something so crazy! Watch for the photos soon, I need to scan them and get them prepared for the blog.
Another set of photos I thought were pretty exciting was when my sister called to tell me that her son was to carry the Olympic torch, I grabbed my camera and took some great pictures. This was like twelve to sixteen years ago, I'll have to pay attention to the year as it is filed but he's a grown man now!

Well that's just a few of the things that I will be improving on as you will soon see! If you have any more comments or ideas feel free to contact me! I'm not sure if you are interested in digi-scrapping that wasn't on the survey but I have been reading up on it so if you want information on it as I learn I can pass that along too! AND one more thing...I'll be going through and learning more about photoshop if you are interested let me know so I can give you some tips.

I did say one more thing didn't I? Well I almost forgot to show you my newest creation.

It is not in the store yet but many of you have asked to see a preview.

I created this file for one of my cutters who does such a fantastic job! She told me last week that she was going to VEGAS. I then mentioned that I should get her some files that she can use and she suggested the Welcome to Las Vegas Nevada sign. I surprised her the file a day before she left and when she returned she cut it to look like this. I just love it when she cuts my files!



Have a wonderful evening!

Carrie