Inkyheart

Digi Paper - Coordination with Copic Color Palette

Here is an example of using my Digital 334 Copic Color Palette to coordinate one's card with Copic's color palette.  Print the card front on your favorite cardstock, stamp your image, and color with your Copic Markers!

This card front is coordinated with R83 / R85 and R89, which I could now use as my primary simple blending group for any image I choose to stamp:

 

Of course, your monitor may see things differently than mine does - but the printer knows the truth.  LOL!

It's great to have the creative freedom to choose from whatever Copic markers you have to create your image - you WILL have the coordinating paper you need no matter what.

And remember, if you aren't handy with digital schtuff...  You can simply print out an 8 1/2 x 11 cardstock with 3-4 large color blocks on it to cut out with your punches, Nestabilities, etc.  This is simply an example.

The 'Add to Cart' button is now working on the left-hand sidebar if you would like to purchase the US $2.95 Digi Copic 334 Color Palette for your personal use.

Get Digi-nated with the Copic 334-Color Palette!

Would you like to be able to make your digital paper coordinate with the coloring you do with your Copic Markers?

Would you like to make your font for card sentiments or art journaling coordinate with your Copic Marker coloring as well?

Wouldn't it be great to take B02...

 

and make your digital background papers coordinate?  Even down to the finest details, like the lines on this ledger paper?

Then print it out, stamp, color and embellish with your Copic Markers and know that it looks great?

Do you own Photoshop Elements or Photoshop Creative Suite?

Your solution is here!

For US $2.95 you can click on the button below to purchase this item.

Indicate the e-mail address (if different than your Paypal id) and once paid, via Paypal, the files will be sent to your e-mail address*!  It's that simple!  You do not even need to have a Paypal account.  Paypal will automatically send an e-mail to my address at inkyheart@earthlink.net to notify me of your payment.

*allow up to 24 business hours for delivery.

I have carefully input the 334 colors that are currently the entire Copic palette into a digital image file using the manufacturer's specified color coding for the most accurate results.  This includes the newly released 12 colors that are shipping in just a couple of weeks.  P.S. - store owners, if you haven't placed your order for the newest colors in Sketch Markers yet -- now would be the time!

How Does It Work?

In Photohop Elements: Use your eyedropper tool to select a color from my 334 color palette file and then double click on the color selector tool to reveal the manufacturer's settings for RGB, HSB and Hex code.  Or have the file visible to use the eyedropper on the Enhance Color / Replace Color dialog box.

 

In Photoshop CS: Use your eyedropper tool to select a color from my 334 color palette file and then double click on the color selector tool to reveal the manufacturer's settings for RGB, HSB, Lab, CMYK and Hex code.

 

Use either tool to retrieve this data and then input it into the color selector dialog in Microsoft Word to get a coordinating font color using RGB.

 

Show Me More!

I will be putting together more YouTube Videos featuring use of the Copic Digital Swatches - so subscribe to my channel on YouTube, inkyheart-SLM.  It's free - and you will see even more things you can do to take your finished projects to new levels of digi-nation!

The Fine Print

This is my personal project and is not an endorsed product of Copic Marker / Imagination International.  It's just something that I've put together and am offering to those who like to do a little digital dabbling whether it be in Photoshop or Microsoft Word. 

Your purchase is for individual use only.  Do not distribute files electronically by any means.  Use common sense and give credit where credit is due.  Thank you for your cooperation.

NOTE: Digital sample sources: Ledger 'mattie' by Corina Neilson.  Overlay by IOD for Prima Hybrid.

Acrylic Hybrid Pages - a preview...

Here's something new for you!  In December, I was working like the mad scientist in the craft lab and experimented and came up with a way to PRINT directly onto acrylic XL shapes from Clearscraps using my inkjet printer.  I displayed the results for the first time at the CHA trade show in Anaheim.

Everything but the pictures themselves is printed directly onto the surface, including the journaling.  I can print the pictures too - but I like the contrast of the paper backing for those elements. 

This page utilizes the 'Let Me Count The Ways' digital kit from Club Scrap Digital.

PREP. PRINT. PROTECT.

I'll be posting more about this process, along with several pages and even a mini-album using the new Clearscraps' Clear n' Chip line too during the next week.

Let no surface remain uninked.

:) SL

Club Scrap Digital Artist Team

I am a member of the New Club Scrap Digital Artist Team!

Last month, I was intrigued by a quote on the Club Scrap website.  It said that the current digital club was ending in October of 2008.  So I called to find out more - and heard that they were coming out with something truly amazing for the NEW Club Scrap Digital.  A month went by and then I got an e-mail announcing it, I ran straight to the website to check it out!

The digital program at Club Scrap® has recently undergone some exceptional new changes, with their goal being to become the unique offering in the digital world that they've become in the paper world — a monthly kit membership club offering what no other company does.

Their extraordinary designs and exquisite paper textures translate perfectly into the digital world, making them the only company whose digital products are over 90% true to the paper products it produces. This makes their products a complete hybrid combination and offers incredible textures and designs to the digital world. 

Their traditional paper products are scanned, photographed, color and tone corrected and expertly extracted at an extremely high resolution to make them the highest quality digital products you can find on the market.

There is a sample kit that is FREE for download here.  These are some pages that I made using the sample kit.

 

How Can You Join?

Each monthly theme is produced in three separate clubs, released on three different days of the month (the 1st, 15th, and 20th). Along with these membership kits, smaller matching collections are released for individual purchase. An all-encompassing membership option that includes all of the month's digital items is also available for those who must have everything!  To learn more, go to their website: www.clubscrap.com.

I've got to get right to play now - as we've already gotten our first assignment.  So keep watch because this Club has gone Digital in a delightful way!

Clearly Christmas

Card making has always been one of my passions.  Using clear elements makes them that much more special.  And they are really easy to incorporate!  Designing cards with clear element is all about conceal and reveal.  For example, I designed these two hybrid cards to be used for giving a gift card.

   

So here comes trouble.  But this is a good trouble to have.  You see there is just enough area on the card front that is OPAQUE (covered with paper) that you cannot see the contents inside.  So in this case a gift card can be attached to the inside of the cover with clear photo corners.

And the inside sentiment of the card is revealed upon opening to read:

 

And remember that your holiday message can be written within that 'hidden' space as well, but don't forget the BACK of the card if you want to write a longer holiday note too.

  

Doesn't the mall seem like another planet altogether at this time of year?  Trying to find the right gift is enough to send you into orbit!  The sentiment on the outside reads:

"DOES CHRISTMAS SHOPPING BRING OUT THE GRINCH IN YOU?"

And on the inside, a gift card for a bit of pampering at the day spa should do the trick.

I love to exchange photographs with relatives and friends during the holidays.  It is amazing how much the children change each year!  So a fun way to frame those photos is with a Build A Book serving a dual purpose as a greeting card and a frame.

 

Inside:

 

Well, I'm happy to say that I've started on the card projects for this year.  Make sure and check out the Prima Endorsed Instructor blog.  These ideas and more are there to inspire your holiday card making this year as well as item #s used and (oh yeah!) a prize drawing!

Happy Birthday To Me...!

Truly Frightening Trick

Yes, this was Halloween night at the MacDonald household.  And then at midnight, it happens -- I age.  aaaaaaaaaaaah!

That is Saturday of course, but growing up and even now that is how I refer to November 1st = My Birthday.

The Treats

The kids greeted me that morning with some Halloween candy-inspired architecture.  Who knows how they come up with this stuff!  LOL.

 

Mother Nature was in agreement that it was going to be one fine day, and rewarded us with glorious Fall weather.  No jackets required.  Perfect for Brianna's last soccer game of the season, and Neil took this great picture of the 'twinkies'.  That man is getting goooooood with the camera.

 

Sunday = Brianna's Birthday.  So it was a whole weekend of celebrating!  If you don't want to hear a lot of happy ranting... go surf elsewhere.  If you want to share in the birthday happiness, read on!

The Loot

I caved and got Brianna an American Girl Doll (Felicity).  The campaigning for an American Girl doll has been intense!  But I will admit, I was pretty happy when Brianna spent her birthday money from her grandparents at Borders, buying Felicity books.  If it encourages reading and imaginative play - it's good.  So Brianna had a very happy birthday weekend.

And I have to give a lot of credit to hubby on making this one a dream come true for me personally.  And also for being very good at keeping me from buying something on my own.  Check it out...

I've been on the fence about getting a bit of technology.  A Wacom tablet.  And there was a used one available for sale locally, a 6" x11" I think - but it wasn't really what I wanted.  And hubby knew that.  So he started throwing down 'road blocks'.  'Oh, we need to wait until xyz...before you can buy that' -- you know the drill.  It was getting very frustrating until he presented me with...

A 12" x 12" Wacom Tablet!

What a wonderful brat!  This is not the exact model that he got me.  He got one on eBay.  Love it!

And as if that isn't enough, guess what I spent that evening doing?  Why building this, of course!

The Original Scrapbox Minibox!

And I actually put it together.  Woo Hoo!!!  You can click on the picture above to see a video of how it works.  Simply amazing!

As my husband can attest, I was even looking at fixtures at a local shop that is going out of business for a possible solution to my current scrapbook storage dilemna.  But the fact is that I need a scrapbook storage solution, not a display solution.  Slatwall fixtures have nothing to do with storage.  And what I had considered buying from the shop would have ousted the air hockey table from the room.  Not acceptable.  We play TOGETHER in that room.

And so now I have it... the ultimate scrapbook storage solution called The MiniBox made by The Original Scrapbox, and it comes in vanilla, and black, bead board or raised panel. Isn’t it beautiful?  You can watch a video on The Original Scrapbox website to see how it works.

It is counter height.  It is compact and orderly.  I looks downright neat when closed or open because of the matching containers.  This.is.it.

It is functional.  It comes with all of the containers, of varying sizes.  Some of the pieces are meant to be portable, with velcro attachments to the door panels.  I can see through the container fronts to see what is inside.  There is even a label holder on each, for that lovely feeling of putting everything in its place.  They've designed this thing to take advantage of every nook and cranny.  They understand craft supplies.  So important details like paper trays that can accomodate 12x12 paper with the cut off / barcode strips is taken into account.  Vertical and horizontal storage solutions are provided.  Portability and ease of use are all part of the design.  And yes, it is even on wheels.

So be looking for an upcoming post where I give a tour of my reorganized space.  I'm thinking I'll need a good week to get things in order.  This is one present that will keep on giving.

So now we are two birthdays down for November, and two more to go.  Time to check on the arrangements for the twins' birthdays in two weeks.

So now you'll understand that I might be a bit AWOL this month.  But all for very good reason.  I've set a date to scrap at my local scrapbook shop, Express Yourself on December 6th for their 10am - 10pm crop.  Until then, organization and celebration will be the mantra in the MacDonald household.

Thanks for celebrating with me. :)

LAYOUT: Separate Lives *HYBRID*

Separate Lives Scrapbook Layout

Although most of my layouts are filled with smiling faces and joyful times, the story isn’t always a happy one.   But these stories are just as meaningful in our lives.   This is a rather somber layout of my sister during a hard time in her life.  If I could spray Glimmer Mist on her world during this hard time - I would have!  But for now, I wanted to lift the muted colors and the mood on this layout.

Click on image(s) for detail:

Separate Lives Page 1 of 2

Separate Lives page 2 of 2

Separate Lives - People and Petals

Separate Lives - Screen and Butterfly Detail

Seperate Lives - Brayering the 'leftovers'

Separate Lives - Ribbon Transformed

Separate Lives Scrapbook Layout

The first side of the layout tells the beginning of the story.  The journaling reads:

I knew something was up.  You didn’t share the turmoil that was going on in your life, your marriage — not until months later.  But it was evident that you had a lot to think about during your brief visit with us at the beach.  Change was coming.  How would it turn out?  I can see all that in your face now.  I just didn’t know it then.  I wish I could have eased your burdens.  But you needed to handle this by yourself.  I hope a few days at the beach helped in some small way.

Separate Lives - People and Petals

Starting with white and frosted plain elements, I used the Glimmer Mist in Sugar Cookie and Creme de Rouge to dip the rose petals.  I also placed the feminine shape onto a craft sheet covered with the leftover spray to get some uneven coating onto the shape.

Separate Lives - Ribbon Transformed

This plain white leaf ribbon from May Arts is no longer plain!  I placed it on the craft sheet and sprayed it liberally with Creme de Rouge Glimmer Mist.  I also painted the leaf veins with Sugar Cookie.  Plain white it may have started, but Glimmer Mist gave it a beautiful finish!

The second page of the layout represents hope for the future.  I used a LOT of Glimmer Mist and the Glimmer Screens as well as an Embossed Butterfly-shaped Glimmer Chip.

Separate Lives - Screen and Butterfly Detail

The Glimmer Screen was placed over the printed swirl and sprayed with Silver Glimmer Mist.  The Butterfly-shaped Embossed Glimmer Chip was sprayed and sponged with Pink Bubblegum and Silver Glimmer Mist.

And to finish off the layout, let’s step back first page for a moment to this detail:

Seperate Lives - Brayering the

After using the Glimmer Screen on page 2, I flipped it over and ’stamped’ the leftover color onto the page using a rubber brayer to press the stencil onto the paper.  You can also see the contrasting color that I painted over the printed swirl shape with a waterbrush dipped into Sugar Cookie Glimmer Mist.

Products used in this layout:

• Glimmer Mist in Silver, Creme de Rouge, Pink Bubblegum and Sugar Cookie
• Glimmer Screens, Fanciful Stencil Collection
• Glimmer Chips, Embossed Butterfly Shape
• Digital Scrapbook Elements from RFH Meredith Fenwick YOUTH collection from Prima Marketing
• Petit Duo Chipboard Alphabet from Prima Marketing
• Frosted Shapes from Maya Road
• Ribbon from May Arts
• Felt rick rack ribbon from Creative Imaginations

Monday Muse: Jessica Sprague

Seriously, this lady is doing it all - and doing it well.  I have heard so much about her teaching style.  I have to give it up for somebody that universally gets the grade for making digi accessible.  So if you haven't taken that leap yet - I would advise you that this is the place to start:

http://www.jessicasprague.com/

Go for a self-paced class.  What have you got to lose?

I derive constant inspiration from her blog as well.  She has Photoshop Friday tips now and then -- and they usually blow my mind (and are free!).

She is also just about as 'real' as you get.  When you read her blog - you can feel the struggle for work+life balance.  I am also a mother of 'short people' (that's what I call my kidoodles) I feel like I 'get' her on a personal level too.  Perhaps that is what makes it so easy to learn from her?  She puts her all into everything that she does.  She is a huge inspiration in so many ways.

I am teaching a digi/hybrid on Wednesday right before she comes to the store for a lecture style workshop.  We kept the class size small - it is going to be a great experience for them.

...and that makes me happy.  So that' the Monday Muse.

Let's see... otherwise I have got to get my creative space in working order.  Does your space get out of control?  Boy, mine does.  It is too hard to work in there when it is ‘hobo style’!

October through January is my ‘travel teaching hiatus’; and the boxes upon boxes of classes need to be broken back down, inventoried and merged into the regular supplies where necessary.  I don’t like the current state of my space.    Even though I’m on hiatus, this is when the design team commitments start.  I need to get things together so I can do my best work.

So I'm getting off this computer - and diving headfirst into the week.  I'm typing it here to make myself accountable.  Pictures of the craft space will be forthcoming.  I'm giving myself until 10/20 to get it done, completely.

Post some pictures of your space for inspiration, will you?  Comments are open.  I'll be online when I need inspiration.  LOL.  Share!

More layouts from Scotland: Edinburgh

I'm continuing to work on the digital scrapbook for my in-laws and Neil.  Here is a bit of Edinburgh to share.  These layouts are from the Edinburgh, Scotland's 'Royal Mile'.  First, Edinburgh Castle:

And the latter part of the day was spent at Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence of the British monarchy when visiting Scotland.

And this layout shows the area where the hotel was located, in the Grassmarket area of Old Town in Edinburgh.

I'm continuing to work with the Everyday Whites, Awakening and Illusive Biggie collections from Corina Nielsen (www.funkyplaygrounddesigns.com).  I've added some brushes from Glitz Design's CD as well.

The pictures really say it all!  I've been making panoramics wherever possible.  I've also started adding sort of 'travelogue' facts to the pages.

I will print all of these on plain paper in black and white for Neil to take on his business trip, so he can make notes on the important personal details.

Scotland Scrapbook: my digi/hybrid project

Beware - the geek has landed.  Ok, yes, Neil is back from Barcelona, and now Houston - but I don't mean that geek.  I mean me.  The kitchen island is covered with laptops, monitor, wireless devices, mass storage devices, tablet, etc.  It hardly LOOKS like a kitchen.  I'm beginning to realize that I truly need a countertop in my workspace.  This is ridiculous, but necessary.

I have embarked on my first completely digi/hybrid scrapbooking project.  I've done pages before - but this is an entire scrapbook, encompassing a 2006 trip that my husband and in-laws took to Scotland and London.  I have a couple of weeks to get it done, and frankly, when it came down to details, I decided to go all high-tech on this one.  Several reasons:

• easier to make duplicate pages.  One for us, one for them.
• can burn the entire scrapbook onto DVDs for his family to view and/or print
• I didn't go on this trip - so this is 'scrapping for hire' with a very meticulous client.  'Could you angle that?', 'Can you zoom in more on that?' will be pervasive and this way we won't come to blows.  After all, Neil just got home at 1:00 AM and started 'editing' my work.  LOL!  I need a margarita!

So here is the first Scotland layout, featuring Urquhart Castle:

I used the following digital products, all available at www.funkyplaygrounddesigns.com:

• Illusive Biggie Kit by Corina Nielsen
• Awakening Biggie Kit by Corina Nielsen
• Everyday Whites papers by Corina Nielsen
• Curled Border Action / Templates by Traci Murphy and Marci Reckinger

Note: the journaling is totally fake, until Neil decides what he wants to put there.  It's 1AM and he just got home, so I'll give him a break.

Photo Editing

I have to share this because in geek Photoshop CS3 editing terms this is cool (yes, I still spell it that way).

Before: In-Laws at back of Buckingham Palace.  At least I think it is them - they are standing in the shadows and the building is in the sunlight.  Argh!  NOTE: I did not take these pictures!

During:  Went into Bridge and edited the JPEG photo using 'Camera Raw'.  This allows you access to all the things your camera works with when capturing the shot.  Yes, you can change them after the fact, to an extent!  So I changed the white balance, exposure and shadows/highlights enough so that we can see the in-laws, but have 'blown out' most of the Palace in the process.

After: Open up the image in CS3.  Set your foreground color to Black.

Right click on the thumbnail of your photo in the layers palette and change the background to a Layer.

Create a new adjustment layer.  Choose Gradient.  Choose the one that is color to transparent.  Reverse it so that the dark is coming from the top portion of the picture.

Now single click on the gradient and drag the white control from the right to the left.  In this case I dragged it over (up) about halfway.

This gives more depth to the top of the picture so it isn't quite so blown out, and we can still see the in-laws.

Pretty slick!  I know it is late, late, late so I haven't added screen shots, etc. which is a geek-sin when it comes to describing these things adequately.  I will add them. Promise!