Archive for Photo Tutorial
Easter Basket Tutorial
Posted by: | CommentsAfter receiving many requests for the instructions to make the Easter Baskets I posted last week, I decided to give you a photo step-by-step tutorial so you can make one (or 50) for yourself!
SCALLOP ENVELOPE EASTER BASKET
To make a basket, you will need:
- Big Shot and Scallop Envelope die – 2 die cut from desired cardstock
- same cardstock color cut to 1 5/8″ x 7 5/8″ (I used So Saffron)
- designer series paper cut to 1 1/2″ x 11″ ( I used Tea Party dsp)
- embellishments and Sticky Strip adhesive
STEP 1.
Fold all tabs on envelopes – don’t fold on scallop flap fold.
Score the So Saffron cardstock strip at 2 1/4″ and 5 1/2″.
STEP 2.
Adhere bottom tab of one envelope to the middle portion of So Saffron strip.
STEP 3.
Repeat with second envelope.
STEP 4.
Turn the basket over and apply Sticky Strip along the score lines of all 4 side tabs. Remove red backing from adhesive, one at a time and secure to So Saffron strip creating a box.
STEP 5.
Wrap and adhere the dsp strip around box starting at the front. When you are finished, you will not see a dsp seem as the front flap and embellishments will hide it.
Bring front flap down and secure with Sticky Strip.
STEP 6.
Using the large oval punch (small oval would work also), punch handle from remaining scallop flap. Embellish your basket as desired.
I would love to see your basket creations!!
TTFN!
Natasha
Stair-Step Cards Tutorial is Ready!
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The projects I created for my Stair-Step Class have been quite popular and I have had many requests for the tutorial. I have created a PDF file of the projects with step by step instructions and photos as well as cutting and scoring dimensions. The price for this tutorial is $3.99 CAD and payment can be made through Paypal by clicking on the “Add to Cart” button under the “Tutorials for Sale” section of this website. I hope you enjoy!
TTFN!
Natasha
Watercoloring Tools
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I have quite a few new customers who are naturally not sure which products to buy for coloring in some of Stampin’ Up!’s line art images. I was going to incorporate some watercoloring tools into the stamp club projects for February to demonstrate their many uses…but it just didn’t work out for this month. So instead of waiting yet another month, I decided to demonstrate some of these products here. Now, I’m going to share with you one of my deep secrets…
ready?????
I’m not great at watercoloring and I don’t demo it often because of that fact. In fact, it’s not my favorite thing to do. Whew! I don’t know if I feel better now that you know or worse…
Regardless of this fact, I’m going to show you a set of 5 cards that I made, all using a different coloring technique and the cast of products used. Here we go…
No matter which method you choose, you are going to want to stamp your image with Stazon ink or Basic Brown ink! These inks are waterproof and will not bleed when colored on. This is most important! For these cards I used Basic Brown.
Method #1: The first image uses my favorite products for coloring in images: ink pads and AquaPainters
I find with this method, I achieve the best blended look and it’s fast. I start with the lightest color (in this case I used Pretty in Pink) and load the AquaPainter with ink from the inkpad lid. Now with light colors I like to add a drop of reinker to the lid for better color:
You then paint over the entire area of your image and allow to dry. Choose a darker color to load up your AquaPainter with for shading (in this case Real Red) and only paint over a portion of the image and again allow to dry. You could do a darker color still for more dimension but I usually stop while I’m ahead at this point.
Add accent colors where necessary, allow to dry and you’re done!
Method #2 – Another favorite way of adding color to images is using our Wonder Color Crayons with an AquaPainter. The reason I like the crayons is because they are fast, reliable and they come in Stampin’ Up!s 48 standard colors. Basically, you can’t screw up with these wonder babies!
After stamping your image and allowing to dry a bit, color in a bit of the area to be covered with scribbles of crayon. Brush the clean AquaPainter across your image, and the crayon will blend as you go. Allow to dry and color in a small portion of your image again with a darker color. I didn’t do that here – don’t ask me why…
Method #3 – my third favorite method is coloring in images with chalk which is our Stampin’ Pastels. They also come in our 48 colors and I will use this when I’m not looking for any shadowing and the image is relatively small. You wouldn’t want to color in a whole whale with chalk pastels!
Stampin’ Pastels come with tiny applicators that are great for getting into small areas like this cup handle. And the great thing is, if you do happen to color outside the lines, they also come with a white eraser that removes the unwanted color amazingly! Fool proof!
Method #4 – another method I will use sometimes involves the Wonder Color Crayons again with blender pens. I only use these products together when the image is tiny and I want to use several colors.
The mug image used here is larger than what I usually use blender pens with, but I wanted to stay consistent so you could see all the finer details between methods. Again I added color with the lightest crayon and blended through the entire image with my blender pen. Add a darker color crayon where you want shadows and blend with blender pen again.
Method #5 – this method I very rarely use. Only when my images are again small and my Stampin’ Pastels happen to be sitting on my work table, will I use this method. But I’m here to give you options!!
Touch your blender pen tip into a corner of desired color pastel. Roll tip around a couple of times and then apply to your image as if using a marker.
There are a few more tools for coloring in images like markers and watercolor pencils, and experimentation is key. Everyone seems to have a favorite method that they are comfortable with so get out your tools and get coloring!
TTFN!
Natasha
Christmas Game Box Tutorial
Posted by: | CommentsI finally have a new photo tutorial for you! After seeing a similar activity here on Splitcoaststampers, I created a box for a Christmas word game that can be played as your friends and family gather around your home this season. The game is called “Tangled Yuletide Strains” and I thank my daughter for the title. To play the game, you have to guess the title of a Christmas carol by reading from a game card with a wordy description on it. Several of my friends (I have been hiding it from my family until I bring out the Christmas decorations) have looked over the game cards and shared a few laughs so I hope you like it too!!
Here we go!!!
STEP 1
Start with two pieces of cardstock both cut to 8 1/2″ x 9″. Score 1 1/2″ on both 9″ sides; turn 90 degrees and score at 3″ on one shorter side only. On both pieces, cut in on score lines up to intersecting lines on both sides as shown.
STEP 2
Stamp both pieces and fold on score lines; cut off 1 set of side bottom panels as shown.
STEP 3
Adhere the 3″ flaps together – this creates the base of your box.
STEP 4
Cut two pieces of cardstock to 3″ x 6″ – these will be the interior side panels. Adhere each one to the inside of the existing bottom flaps. If you adhere these panels to the insides (as opposed to the outsides) of the flaps, you will end up with a box with no seams showing!!
Next, bring one side panel up and adhere each side flap to it. Repeat on other side.
To cover up the side seams, I used some 1/4″ grograin ribbon adhered with Sticky Strip. Your box should look like this now - and see – no seams, in or out!!
STEP 5
Now we will create the inside dividers of the box. I wanted three seperate compartments – one for game cards, one for answer sheets and one to hold pencils or pens.
Cut a white cardstock piece to 4 1/2″ x 11″. Score at 1 1/2″, 5 1/2″ and 9 1/2″.
Cut another white piece to 3″ x 11″. Score at 1″, 5 1/2″ and 10″.
Fold on score lines as shown in photo. I assembled the dividers before I put them in the box because I wanted them to be “connected”. So I accomplished this with my very favorite adhesive – the Tombow Multi Purpose Adhesive. I drew a thin bead of adhesive along one edge of one divider and attached it to the intersecting divider. It just gives a cleaner look I think! Now set this piece into your box. You can use adhesive or not to secure in the box – up to you!!
STEP 6
Make your box lid. You need a coordinating piece of cardstock cut to 6 1/8″ x 8 5/8″. Score at 1 1/2″ on all four sides. Cut on 4 score lines up to intersecting lines. I also like to cut off corners of the flaps for a cleaner look. Fold and secure all four box corners.
STEP 7
Cut 2 pieces of white cardstock to 2″ x 11″. Adhere them together and punch a scallop edge along one long side. Cut this piece to approximately 18 1/2″ long and adhere it to the inside of the lid.
Cut 2 pieces of a coordinating color to 1/2″ x 11″. Adhere them together and attach to the outside of the lid. I attached mine farely close to the bottom edges to give the corners a bit more support.
STEP 8
Decorate your box lid as desired. Using an old fashioned eyelet setter (you know, the one stuffed in the back of your craft drawer you haven’t used in 3 years???) punch 2 holes in the lid top approximately 1 1/2″ from each side. Thread a 5″ piece of ribbon through holes and secure ribbon ends by taping them to the lid or by tieing a knot in each ribbon end. I’ve done it both ways and I don’t have a preference.
I finished off my lid by adding silver cord around the lid and tieing a bow in front. The cord is elastic making this ”bow tieing” business so easy!!
STEP 9
Finish off your box by decorating as desired. I created a title in my MS Word program, matted it and popped up a couple of die cut snowflakes. (Did you notice I changed the box and lid colors on you just now???)
STEP 10
Create your game cards and answer sheets. I made up this pdf file for you. Click on the link, print the document onto cardstock, cut out cards and stamp if desired. Place in box with some pencils or pens and your done!
I hope you enjoy this tutorial and if you make a box for yourself – I would love to see it!!!! Pretty please???
Supplies Used:
Stamps – Serene Snowflakes
Paper and Ink – Bordering Blue, Night of Navy, Whisper White
Accessories – Scallop edge punch, silver elastic cord, Navy 1/4″ grograin and white satin ribbons, eyelet setter, Big Shot and snowflake dies, clear crystal brad, dimensionals
TTFN!
Natasha
