then check out the video tutorial I've posted over here. Enjoy.
Showing posts with label tutorial. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tutorial. Show all posts
Friday, August 26, 2011
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Photoshop Tutorial
For my layout in this week's challenge, I scrapped a photo of me and Gus.
Problem is, in the original photo I had a piece of hair sticking out that drove me nuts. See?
So I took the photo into Photoshop Elements and within 5 minutes was able to get rid of the stray hair. Here's how:
1) Open photo.
2) Select the 'clone stamp' tool in the toolbar.
3. Choose an area of the photo that you want to 'clone' to cover up the item. In other words, for this picture, I wanted to clone the background. (If this makes no sense, hopefully these next few pictures will explain it.) Do this by putting your cursor over the area you want to clone and holding down ALT. Your circle should turn into a 'target' (basically a circle with a plus sign in it). Click once.
4) You'll notice that the area you want to clone is parallel to your targeted area - see how the plus sign is directly over the empty circle? When you choose an area to clone, keep this in mind. You'll want to choose an area that's relatively unobstructed. For example, if I was to drag my cursor down, you'll notice my cloned area move down as well. If I was to move my cursor too far down, it will start cloning my hair instead of the green wall behind me:
5. Now that you've selected your clone area, brush away to your heart's content by dragging your selected cursor over the item you want to cover up. I find it easier to zoom in on the area while doing this. If your circle is too big/not big enough, you can change the size at the top.
6) Voila! Annoying item gone.
It takes some trial and error the first few times, but it's easy to get the hang of! Let me know if you have any questions by leaving a comment or sending me a PM.
Problem is, in the original photo I had a piece of hair sticking out that drove me nuts. See?
So I took the photo into Photoshop Elements and within 5 minutes was able to get rid of the stray hair. Here's how:
1) Open photo.
2) Select the 'clone stamp' tool in the toolbar.
3. Choose an area of the photo that you want to 'clone' to cover up the item. In other words, for this picture, I wanted to clone the background. (If this makes no sense, hopefully these next few pictures will explain it.) Do this by putting your cursor over the area you want to clone and holding down ALT. Your circle should turn into a 'target' (basically a circle with a plus sign in it). Click once.
4) You'll notice that the area you want to clone is parallel to your targeted area - see how the plus sign is directly over the empty circle? When you choose an area to clone, keep this in mind. You'll want to choose an area that's relatively unobstructed. For example, if I was to drag my cursor down, you'll notice my cloned area move down as well. If I was to move my cursor too far down, it will start cloning my hair instead of the green wall behind me:
5. Now that you've selected your clone area, brush away to your heart's content by dragging your selected cursor over the item you want to cover up. I find it easier to zoom in on the area while doing this. If your circle is too big/not big enough, you can change the size at the top.
6) Voila! Annoying item gone.
It takes some trial and error the first few times, but it's easy to get the hang of! Let me know if you have any questions by leaving a comment or sending me a PM.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
An inking tutorial
Hey there, Leigh here, with a little tutorial on using ink to change the colour of patterned paper.
A few weeks ago, I was working on my Paris Album, for which I used primarily MME Lost & Found patterned paper and kraft cardstock. I was trying to incorporate some scraps for my journaling, so I cut a tag out with my Cuttlebug (using my Tim Holtz Styled Labels die) from a piece of Pink Paislee patterned paper. I printed my journaling onto the tag and added a stamped image.
However, when I added it to my layout, I thought that the journaling tag was a litte too "white" and didn't seem to go well with the other papers.
So, I took my Ranger craft sheet, my Ranger blending tool and my Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Vintage Photo.
I placed the tag on my craft sheet and inked up the blending tool. Then, using a circular motion (& starting on the craft sheet and moving towards the tag), I blended the ink onto the tag, working my way all around it.
I also thought the tag looked a little plain on its own, so I decided to add some stamped swirls behind it. I masked off the patterned paper that was on the layout using a post it note and stamped my image a couple of times. (You'll noticed I flubbed a little-- a common occurence when I stamp!-- but I was covering that part with the tag, so I decided not to worry about it.)
Then I removed the post-it note and added the tag.
And here's the completed layout:
Thanks for looking!
A few weeks ago, I was working on my Paris Album, for which I used primarily MME Lost & Found patterned paper and kraft cardstock. I was trying to incorporate some scraps for my journaling, so I cut a tag out with my Cuttlebug (using my Tim Holtz Styled Labels die) from a piece of Pink Paislee patterned paper. I printed my journaling onto the tag and added a stamped image.
However, when I added it to my layout, I thought that the journaling tag was a litte too "white" and didn't seem to go well with the other papers.
So, I took my Ranger craft sheet, my Ranger blending tool and my Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Vintage Photo.
I placed the tag on my craft sheet and inked up the blending tool. Then, using a circular motion (& starting on the craft sheet and moving towards the tag), I blended the ink onto the tag, working my way all around it.
I also thought the tag looked a little plain on its own, so I decided to add some stamped swirls behind it. I masked off the patterned paper that was on the layout using a post it note and stamped my image a couple of times. (You'll noticed I flubbed a little-- a common occurence when I stamp!-- but I was covering that part with the tag, so I decided not to worry about it.)
Then I removed the post-it note and added the tag.
And here's the completed layout:
Thanks for looking!
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
a quick project.
interrupting this week's christmas card series to show you a project i completed a few months ago. after seeing it on numerous blogs i decided to give it a try.
i followed this tutorial, with the exception that i used actual cork board instead of batting. i had an old corkboard kicking around that i had brought with me from my childhood bedroom when we first got married. i have no idea to this day why i kept the thing for so long, but it worked perfectly for this project. i cut the cork to fit the inner hoop snugly and didn't bother using anything to hold it in place. i also didn't glue the fabric to the cork, i just used a staple gun. i chose to do it this way just in case i wanted to swap out the fabric sometime down the road - i was scared if it was glued on, it wouldn't come off as easily.
to hang the boards, i bought sawtooth picture hangers and nailed them to the back of the hoops. the fabric i purchased online very cheaply from this etsy seller. i think if i was to do it again i might use heavier weight fabric, like upholstery fabric, only because what i used seemed too thin.
this was a fairly inexpensive home decor project that didn't take that long to make and works great at displaying layouts! have you made these? how did it turn out for you?
i followed this tutorial, with the exception that i used actual cork board instead of batting. i had an old corkboard kicking around that i had brought with me from my childhood bedroom when we first got married. i have no idea to this day why i kept the thing for so long, but it worked perfectly for this project. i cut the cork to fit the inner hoop snugly and didn't bother using anything to hold it in place. i also didn't glue the fabric to the cork, i just used a staple gun. i chose to do it this way just in case i wanted to swap out the fabric sometime down the road - i was scared if it was glued on, it wouldn't come off as easily.to hang the boards, i bought sawtooth picture hangers and nailed them to the back of the hoops. the fabric i purchased online very cheaply from this etsy seller. i think if i was to do it again i might use heavier weight fabric, like upholstery fabric, only because what i used seemed too thin.
this was a fairly inexpensive home decor project that didn't take that long to make and works great at displaying layouts! have you made these? how did it turn out for you?
Friday, November 12, 2010
Fall Sketch #8
For today's sketch, I chose Sketch #125 at Creative Scrappers:
And here's the layout I made with it, using the November kit:
I did a mirror image of the sketch and added a third circle at the bottom. I like the number three.
I also did some misting and I wanted to share with you how I did the title for this layout.
First of all, I chose some larger letter stickers from my stash. I was able to mix two different colours of thickers to get the right letters I needed.
Then I misted over the title on my background patterned paper.
I carefully removed the thickers (some of the patterned paper background tore a little, but I chose not to be bothered by it. ;) )
And then I added the Basic Grey chipboard letters over top.
I was really pleased with how well this worked for my title ("Kiss me! Kiss me!")
Thanks for looking!
(And don't forget, if you create a layout using one of the sketches, post it in the MSS gallery and link it to this thread in the forum for a chance to win a prize!)
And here's the layout I made with it, using the November kit:
I did a mirror image of the sketch and added a third circle at the bottom. I like the number three.
I also did some misting and I wanted to share with you how I did the title for this layout.
First of all, I chose some larger letter stickers from my stash. I was able to mix two different colours of thickers to get the right letters I needed.
Then I misted over the title on my background patterned paper.
I carefully removed the thickers (some of the patterned paper background tore a little, but I chose not to be bothered by it. ;) )
And then I added the Basic Grey chipboard letters over top.
I was really pleased with how well this worked for my title ("Kiss me! Kiss me!")
Thanks for looking!
(And don't forget, if you create a layout using one of the sketches, post it in the MSS gallery and link it to this thread in the forum for a chance to win a prize!)
Friday, May 21, 2010
Tissue paper flower tutorial
I recently bought a new pair of Merrell sandals and like the tissue paper that it came with so much that I decided to use it for a scrappy project.
Here's what I did:
Cut a rectangle of the tissue paper (mine was approximately 8" by 5").
Fold it into a square (mine was six layers).
Cut out a circle (I tried punching out a circle with my punch, but it didn't even want to punch out one circle, so I used my scissors.)
Crumple them up a bit and layer them together.
Add a flower and a brad (I used Dear Lizzy product.)
Attach it to my layout.
And here's the completed layout.
Supplies used: Bazzill cardstock, AC Dear Lizzy pp, fabric paper, brads, embellishments, flowers & thickers, Pink Paislee letter stickers and a Little Yellow Bicycle journaling card, all from the Shoppe.
Thanks for looking!
Here's what I did:
Cut a rectangle of the tissue paper (mine was approximately 8" by 5").
Fold it into a square (mine was six layers).
Cut out a circle (I tried punching out a circle with my punch, but it didn't even want to punch out one circle, so I used my scissors.)
Crumple them up a bit and layer them together.
Add a flower and a brad (I used Dear Lizzy product.)
Attach it to my layout.
And here's the completed layout.
Supplies used: Bazzill cardstock, AC Dear Lizzy pp, fabric paper, brads, embellishments, flowers & thickers, Pink Paislee letter stickers and a Little Yellow Bicycle journaling card, all from the Shoppe.
Thanks for looking!
Friday, April 9, 2010
labeling maya mists
a little quickie tutorial. labeling maya mist bottles.
i store my maya mist in a small potting container. this, though, obscures the label on the side telling me what color it is.
to solve that problem i picked up some little white circle stickers from the local dollar store (i needed them for labeling garage sale stuff anyway). the circles are 3/4" and the perfect size for on top of the maya mist caps.
so, here's what i did.
first i put a sheet of label stickers in my typewriter and typed the name of the color on the sticker.
then i cut them up and bring them to my spray station and sprayed each sticker the appropriate color. note: my spray station is actually the garbage! i spray over the garbage with the lid propped up behind the sticker to catch any overspray. i'm sure you'll understand why i didn't want to take a picture of that! ;)
then i put the stickers on the tops of the lids... and voila.
simple. done. and dare i say... fun? yah. i'm a little weird like that!
i store my maya mist in a small potting container. this, though, obscures the label on the side telling me what color it is.
to solve that problem i picked up some little white circle stickers from the local dollar store (i needed them for labeling garage sale stuff anyway). the circles are 3/4" and the perfect size for on top of the maya mist caps.
so, here's what i did.
first i put a sheet of label stickers in my typewriter and typed the name of the color on the sticker.
then i cut them up and bring them to my spray station and sprayed each sticker the appropriate color. note: my spray station is actually the garbage! i spray over the garbage with the lid propped up behind the sticker to catch any overspray. i'm sure you'll understand why i didn't want to take a picture of that! ;)
then i put the stickers on the tops of the lids... and voila.
simple. done. and dare i say... fun? yah. i'm a little weird like that!
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Titles
Like you, I have tons of alphas. When I first started scrapping I was practically addicted to them. I needed to have every single package of Thickers in as many colours as I could get them in.
Nowadays, I find that I don't use my alphas as much. Most of the time I find them too 'structured' for the layout. So today I'm going to show you how to make a hand-cut title. I usually use this technique when I'm looking for a bit more flow or to soften up a layout. There are other ways to do this, but this is what I find the easiest and what works for me.
Step 1: Write your title in cursive in pencil.
Step 2: Outline your title. This is where you determine how thick or thin you want your title to be.
Step 3: Cut your title. Don't worry about it being perfect! I think half the fun of hand-cut titles are that they're supposed to look hand cut.
Step 4: Once I finish cutting it out, I usually erase all my pencil marks. I then go back and make new marks for letters that usually have an empty space - e, o, l, p, etc. These marks show where I'm going to cut next.
Step 5: Using fingertip scissors or a craft knife, cut on your pencil marks. Feel free to go back and adjust once you see the finished product. And you're done! Easy!
Here are some examples of my layouts with hand-cut titles:
This last title was cut from Hambly Rub-Ons, making it super tricky. I ended up adhering it to plain white paper so I could use pop-dots underneath to make it stand out.
Nowadays, I find that I don't use my alphas as much. Most of the time I find them too 'structured' for the layout. So today I'm going to show you how to make a hand-cut title. I usually use this technique when I'm looking for a bit more flow or to soften up a layout. There are other ways to do this, but this is what I find the easiest and what works for me.
Step 1: Write your title in cursive in pencil.
Step 2: Outline your title. This is where you determine how thick or thin you want your title to be.
Step 3: Cut your title. Don't worry about it being perfect! I think half the fun of hand-cut titles are that they're supposed to look hand cut.
Step 4: Once I finish cutting it out, I usually erase all my pencil marks. I then go back and make new marks for letters that usually have an empty space - e, o, l, p, etc. These marks show where I'm going to cut next.
Step 5: Using fingertip scissors or a craft knife, cut on your pencil marks. Feel free to go back and adjust once you see the finished product. And you're done! Easy!
Here are some examples of my layouts with hand-cut titles:
This last title was cut from Hambly Rub-Ons, making it super tricky. I ended up adhering it to plain white paper so I could use pop-dots underneath to make it stand out.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Don't underestimate simple
I too saw Elizabeth's valentines display on the weekend and loved it. How I'd love to find a spot in my home and decorate. Especially those glittery XO's! Yum.
But realistically the hours in my day are full full full. With work. With kids. With work... oh yah... I said that already!! ;)
So in my 2 minutes of free time I whipped up this.
Super simple.
Fold a sheet of 5.5"x8.5" cardstock in half.
Cut out a red heart.
Adhere.
Sew (optional).
Seriously simple. But oh so classic and cute!
I also made a couple of these into little booklets (they'll be up on the site shortly).
Friday, November 27, 2009
Advent Calendars
I missed my Wednesday post, so I'm popping in now with some Advent Calendars I've come across lately.
I've seen these Advent Calendar Cookie Trays before, but just thought I'd share this one from Making Memories with you all.
I've seen these Advent Calendar Cookie Trays before, but just thought I'd share this one from Making Memories with you all.
I can totally see my kids looking forward to every new "ornament"!
You can find the instructions here.
I saw this door hanger one from Heidi Swapp. (Well, this one's not counting down to Christmas, but it'd super cute if it did!)
Course this one (converted to a holiday theme) that Flo shared is still my favorite!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
December Art Journal and a giveaway
It took me part of an evening, but my December Art Journal is put together and ready to go.
I'll be sharing my art journal/mini book here as well as guiding you through a few tutorials. Hold on... it'll be a long post.
If you don't have any of these supplies, feel free to substitute with anything in your stash! Make it yours!
Note: When I'm assembling my book I make sure that I put envelopes or folders or anything that can hold a lot of stuff in places where I'll need it. For example, I make sure that I have an envelope for the 16th (my son's birthday) where I'll potentially have more things that I'll want to include. I also make sure I have a folder or large paper on the 25th and other days where I'll have gatherings.
I move my papers around a lot and put my numbers on at the very end. You could also keep your numbers off and just add them on the day... giving you even more time to move your pages around before commiting!
So, here's what I did to create the foundation pages for my book.
Supplies:
- December Art Journal kit
- cardstock
- sewing machine
- embroidery thread and needle
- circle hole punch
- scallop border punches
- star punch
- page protector
- zig zag scissors
- wax paper
*Don't throw our your packaging... we'll be using that too.
Cover and back.
How will you be recording the holidays? Are you making a December journal?
I'll draw a RAK from the comment section on this post at the beginning of next week.
I'll be sharing my art journal/mini book here as well as guiding you through a few tutorials. Hold on... it'll be a long post.
If you don't have any of these supplies, feel free to substitute with anything in your stash! Make it yours!
Note: When I'm assembling my book I make sure that I put envelopes or folders or anything that can hold a lot of stuff in places where I'll need it. For example, I make sure that I have an envelope for the 16th (my son's birthday) where I'll potentially have more things that I'll want to include. I also make sure I have a folder or large paper on the 25th and other days where I'll have gatherings.
I move my papers around a lot and put my numbers on at the very end. You could also keep your numbers off and just add them on the day... giving you even more time to move your pages around before commiting!
So, here's what I did to create the foundation pages for my book.
Supplies:
- December Art Journal kit
- cardstock
- sewing machine
- embroidery thread and needle
- circle hole punch
- scallop border punches
- star punch
- page protector
- zig zag scissors
- wax paper
*Don't throw our your packaging... we'll be using that too.
Cover and back.
Take your 5x7 chipboard piece and punch two holes in it for your binder rings. Use this as a template for the other holes you will punch as you construct this book. Using the back cover as a template punch the holes in your bingo card for your cover. Trim a piece of ribbon and sew down the side.
Pocket page for extra supplies (I had supplies from the kit that I'll only use as I fill up my pages and wanted to store them together).
Take extra cardstock and trim it to 5x7. Using a scallop punch (or freehand it with scissors) punch one 5" end. Take a coordinating piece and trim it to 4.5x5". Punch a half circle on one of the 4.5" sides. Sew onto the larger cardstock as shown. Store extra stickers, die-cuts, etc.
Page 1.
(note: for most of the pages that made use of the 6x6" patterned paper sheets in the kit I trimmed them down to 5" wide). Trim your music note paper down to 5x6".
Page 2.
Take a piece of copy paper. Fold it in half. Draw a bracket shape like this { on the paper. Cut it out and unfold. Use extra cardstock from your stash. Place your newly cut bracket shape on your cardstock. Trace and cut out.
Page 3.
Take an extra page protector. Trim to 5x7" and sew down the side, creating a small page protector. Trim a 1" piece off one of your 6x6" patterned papers and place in the side of the page protector. Sew an additional line down the other side of the patterned paper, essentually making a tall and skinny pocket for it. For now I just slide my "3" into the page protector.
Page 4.
Another piece of patterned paper trimmed to 5x6". Staple a small piece of ribbon to the top.
Page 5.
Trimmed your vintage book page to 5x7".
Page 6.
Trim the glitter dot patterned paper to 5x6". Use a scallop punch down the side.
When I use my scallop punch I punch first and THEN trim my paper down to size (5"). Doing it the other way around will result in a page that's slightly less than your desired size.
Page 7.
The misted paper.
Page 8.
Take two pieces of cardstock from your stash. One measuring 5x6", the other measuring 4x5" (with a scalloped edge). Sew a pocket like you did earlier.
Page 9.
Take a sheet of white cardstock from your kit. Take the 1" piece of music note paper that your trimmed off earlier and adhere it to the side. Take a piece of ribbon and stitch it on the seam.
Page 10.
Ledger patterned paper with a small ribbon stitched to the top side.
Page 11.
Staple the chipboard star to the edge of the 4x6" transparency.
Page 12.
Stitch another piece of ribbon to the side of the kraft cardstock.
Page 13.
Grid paper.
Page 14.
Use your scallop punch on the side of a piece of patterned paper. Thread yarn through the holes in the punched edge.
Page 15.
Hand cut a scallop down the side of a sheet of the white cardstock. Take embroidery thread and stitch random lines going down.
Page 16.
Adhere your artisan die-cut to the envelope so that it's partly covered by the flap when closed.
Page 17.
Tag
Page 18.
Using a zig zag scissor trim the side of a 5x7" piece of cardstock. Punch or hand-cut three stars out of cardstock. Sew down the side.
Page 19.
Take your large chipboard frame from the kit. Take your plastic packaging from the frame and cut it down the side. Stick your chipboard frame to the plastic. Trim around to create a "window page". Adhere your number directly to the plastic.
You may have noticed that I leave the back side of all my pages. It does not bother me to have them blank and unfinished. I figure that I can always cover them with photos... or just leave them. If you're concerned about having things look unfinished you can back them with additional paper or embellishments.
Page 20.
Scallop the edge of the large dot patterned paper.
Page 21.
Create your own glassine envelope with wax paper. Take a piece of wax paper and trim it to about 11.5x5" (you can do this right in your paper trimmer). Fold it so that you have an envelope that's 51/4" tall. Sew the edges. Fold over your flap and angle the corners with a scissor. For now I just threw an extra punched star in it.
Page 22.
Loose leaf page.
Page 23.
Red envelope
Page 24.
Trim one of your white cardstock pages with a scallop punch. Stitch a random line down the side.
Page 25.
File folder page.
Page 26.
Take a 1x6" piece of patterned paper and adhere to the side of a piece of white cardstock (5x6"). Stitch a piece of ribbon down the seam.
Page 27.
Snowflake transparency page (trimmed to 5x6")
Page 28.
Take your fabric and trim to 6x5". Stitch to an extra piece of cardstock (for strength) and zig zag the edge.
Page 29.
Take the grid chipboard back from your frame packaging. Trim to 5x7". Machine stitch onto cardstock (to hide the barcode, etc. on the back).
Page 30.
Using your zig zag scissors trim the edge of the candy cane striped patterned paper.
Page 31.
Hand-cut a scallop on the top of the circle dot patterned paper.
Gather up all your pages and add your binder rings.
Voila. Your foundation pages are done!
I'm determined to get my printer going and update daily progress on my blog in December but we'll see. If not, then I plan to print out any pictures I want to use on a weekly basis. I'm not at ALL set on taking a picture a day. Some pages may just be words or ephemera.
So.
Now... the giveaway.
How will you be recording the holidays? Are you making a December journal?
I'll draw a RAK from the comment section on this post at the beginning of next week.
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