Inspire Me, OWH

Hi, Everyone!

It's Sunday!  I love Sketch Challenges sponsored by Operation Write Home.  OWH does an an amazing job with providing fun, simple sketch challenges.  Today I am featuring my entries using scraps from Heartfelt Creations and Graphic 45.

Have a creative week, and I'll see you back here Tuesday.

Sending Hugs

Flower stamp sets are a papercrafter's staple...they certainly aren't going away anytime soon!  Flower stamps are definitely one of the greatest tools you can have.  I love my old standbys...Heartfelt Creations...and I use them over and over (definitely worth the money outlay).  I am especially thrilled with the way Heartfelt Creations keep coming up with new more creative sets.  Here are a couple cards using one of my faves - Daisy Patch.  I believe the sentiment is from One Happy Little Crafter.

Get Ready to Spread Some Sunshine!

Brighten up any Yooper's face with these one-of-a-kind U.P. cards!  These are popular at Fort Wilkins State Park gift shop.  Summer is here - which means sunshine and showers for da Yoopers!

Black Bear Collection

Today's post features 15 Black Bear cards - just in time for the tourists in Copper Harbor, Michigan, who visit the dump the watch the black bears feed.

Christmas Wishes

Here are adorable Christmas cards to make using Sparkle Tree, Gingerbread Boy, and Gingerbread Girl - all from 2 Cute Ink.

Reindeer Inspiration

Red, green, and white are all the colors that make up this beautiful Christmas card, using 2 Cute Ink's Reindeer Lights.

Christmas Inspiration

Hi, Everyone! Hoping your weekend went well, and that this week will be even better!

Have been working on Christmas cards.  Today's highlights rub-ons from The Robin's Nest.

Operation Write Home Blog Hop - Fundraiser

Hi, Everyone! 

Today is another fun-filled day with Operation Write Home's Sketch Blog Hop - Fundraising for Our Heroes.  Operation Write home is bringing you another sketch with lots of beautiful interpretations - all simply stunning.  Make sure you visit their blog to view all the creativity, and - if you can - donate for the fundraiser.  Here is my contribution.

I'll see you back here Tuesday.

My New Christmas Cards

Morning, All!

I’ve been making Christmas cards for a while now.  I love these two cards because of the vintage Christmas postcard images from Tsunami Rose Designs.  Some die-cut snowflakes - super simple!  :D

Quick & Easy Christmas Card

I LOVE Christmas - so I decided to share yet another Christmas card.  I hope you enjoy it!  

Vintage Postcards

Start cards for Christmas with this pretty vintage postcard from Tsunami Rose Designs.

Create For Less - Scrapbook Layout Finalist

I didn't get around to creating a new project for today....learned yesterday that my wedding wall hanging is a finalist in a scrapbook layout contest sponsored by Create for Less. So my evening was spent counting my votes! LOL! As of this posting, I am in first place! So in honor of Create For Less recognizing my work, I am simply reposting my most favorite project to date. Step-by-step instructions for this project are posted here.

While I am currently in first place, I would love for you to help me stay there! Please visit this link - and simply LIKE the photo. Thanks!

Sherlock Mouse - with Gradient Coloring

Last month, I shared a tutorial on how to use Adobe Photoshop Elements (or Gimp) to color a digital image.  

Today's goal is to color a digital image with some basic blending.  For this tutorial, I am using 2 Cute Ink's Sherlock Mouse.  Here is a pic of the first card - with steps following (as well as another card made with the same image).

• Open your digital file.  Crop the image if necessary.



Use Paint Bucket Tool to pain his coat, hat, and pipe.

• I used basic coloring techniques to color Sherlock's coat, hat, and pipe.  Select your colors and use the Paint Bucket Tool to paint these items as desired.

• The next thing I wanted to do was to color Sherlock - with a bit of blending on his ears and face.  Select the two colors you want to use (I selected a light grey for the foreground color and a dark grey for the background color.)

• Next, you must select the area you want to color.  On the left tool bar, select the Magic Wand Tool. (The icon looks like a magic wand.)  Click anywhere inside the mouse's right ear - you will see the section outlined with a somewhat blinking dotted line.

• Chose the Gradient Tool on the left toolbar.  Place the crossbar anywhere inside the blinking outline and drag to the other side of the ear.  You should see the ear fill with a gradient color of the foreground and background.  The ear should turn to shades of grey.

• Practice this type of blending - trying different directions.  Practice dragging the color outside the ear.  Remember, you can undo any change you make by immediately pressing Ctrl-Z.

• Once happy with the right ear, move to the left ear.  You will see the left ear is actually divided by a line of smoke in the image.  Therefore, when you use the Magic Wand Tool, you need to select BOTH sections of ear before coloring.  To do this, select one section - hold the Shift key down - select the second section.  Then use the gradient tool to color the left ear as you did with the right ear.

• Repeat the process for Sherlock's face.                

• Change your foreground and background colors for the inside of Sherlock's ears - repeat the process.

•  When satisfied, be sure to click SAVE AS . . . to save the image as a JPEG file with a NEW NAME.  This way your original image from 2 Cute Ink stays pure and usable over and over again.

Here is another card I made using the same Sherlock Mouse image.  The inside sentiment for both cards is "You're the best!"

I do want to note that blending truly should be done all in the same "direction" to indicate the source of light.  I, however, get bored easily - so enjoy going in a variety of directions on my images - not really concerned if it's not "right."  :D 

Specific questions about using 2 Cute Ink digital images with Photoshop?  Feel free to ask those on my blog.