Hi everyone, it was so much fun hanging out with you this beautiful Saturday. It was nice to chat with a few of my international friends for a little while. Thank you so much for everyone who came out to watch the show live.
Today, I decided to create a layout using some of the techniques I taught in the Ustream earlier this month. I'll link up that post below for you to reference. I was totally inspired to do today's project based on this "On Trends" paper collection by My Mind's Eye
While my flowers are not exactly like the ones in the paper collection, I think they compliment it well. I used the papers to back my photos and offer the title to my layout.
I used the Prima - Scenic Route Watercolor Pencils to create my background.
and the IndigoBlu Flitter Box Kit to create the Foiling.
Here is the video recording if you missed the class.
To finish off the layout and offer some dimension, I added a floral spray of beautiful Prima flowers. After the class I decided to fill in with some doodles and add a few more flowers.
Oh my goodness we had a blast last night. We played around with some super simple watercolor and doodling techniques, and made these beautiful cards.
We discussed super simple methods for creating roses, rosebuds, and daisies. Then we combined these into a floral swag. Everyone was simply amazed at how easy it was to create these designs.
My best advice is don't over think it, and practice practice practice!
Also Note: The products listed here, are products that I love and use often. I have not been compensated by these companies to promote these items.
I have linked to Amazon, but I got mine from Michael's.
PEN SUGGESTIONS:
Of course there are lots of pens on the market that are amazing, and perfect. I am only going to talk about the ones that demoed last night. I have the Microns and love them as well, so if you have them, use them! Also remember that everyone writes different, and their hands are shaped differently. Left handed vs. Right handed makes a big difference too. I am suggesting what works for me, but you need to experiment to find your perfect pen!
I'm linking to Amazon for these, but I got this one at Office Depot
OMG - I LOVE THESE! I used these after I turned the recording off. I wrote the Thank You then Water colored the blue in the background (see pic above). They are water proof and smear proof almost the second you write. I would set them with a heat gun just to make sure the fibers of the papers are dry before applying water.
I'm linking to Amazon for these, but I got this one at JoAnns
This one is one of my favorite outline pens. It writes the best over the water colors. The line is kind of thick, but for this technique I'm good with it. It has a great flow, and I found that I wanted to write with it when I tried it out. This pen is truly the inspiration for tonight's show. When I busted it out of the package, I couldn't stop scribbling with it. I found that it is water proof, but only after I set it with the heat tool. It takes a bit to dry before it is smear proof.
I'm linking to Amazon for these, but I got this one at Office Depot
Sorry Sharpie - but I wasn't a fan. It is water proof, and maybe if I were drawing before applying watercolor it would work better. But I found it wanted to skip a lot on top of the watercolor. To be fair though - I was rushing the process and maybe the surface of my paper appeared dry but really wasn't. I'll test this theory out on some doodles that were made in advance before I pass judgement. I did use this pen for the first 30 mins or so in the show, so you can see for yourself.
CARDSTOCK:
In addition to these supplies, I also used 110lb Standard Cardstock. I would avoid watercolor paper if you plan to doodle. The texture in the paper may cause issues with sketches. The GP brand paper at Wal-Mart is PERFECT!
We also discussed using a template to practice your hand lettering techniques.
HAND LETTERING TIP:
I recommend opening your word processor (Word) and type the word you would like to appear on your card, then write the several times down the page, in the font you would like to duplicate. I chose a soft grey color for the font color. Place as many of these on the page as will fit. Do different sizes if you wish. Then print them out. This will be your practice sheet. Trace over the letter shapes until you develop a muscle memory and the lettering techniques become second nature.
I have created a sample using the word Happy Birthday. In this example I have used several different fonts for you to practice your handwriting skills.
Here are a sample with multiple font styles
click on the image to open, then print.
Here is a sample with one font style. click on the image to open, then print.
Just print these out and write them, until your brain can tell your hand how to do it! Practice Practice Practice is the best advice I have. Try making your own for sentiments you use a lot.
Here is the recording if you missed the show live:
Here are a few other cards that I created when prepping for the show:
Thanks again for coming to the show live last night, and hanging out for the post - show! I had a great time with our "Creative Play Time" and I hope you guys did too! Best of all I got to meet a few new friends.
If you try these out, please please please share them with me! I would love to see what you create. Tag me on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, and don't forget to #FollowingTonyaGibbs
The Spring Doily is so delicate and creates the perfect background for my floral spray. I used standard weight copy paper to cut the doily so that it would remain soft and light weight.
Before die-cutting my Winter Bouquet flowers, I Pre-Gessoed the cardstock. Then used my Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft pens to color them. I love how they look variegated in yellow, orange and pink. To smooth the colors together, I spritz them and the focal point flower with the Heidi Swapp Color Shine in Gold Lume! (YES, I'm still on a midas kick).
I cut the branches off the Leafy Branch and adhered them around a glue dot in multiple layers to create the flower in the focal point of my card. To finish off all of my flower centers I added a Webster's Pages Sparkler.
I love how my focal flower mimics the same shape as the sunflowers in the Winter Bouquet Die.
I can't wait to see what you create with this sketch challenge and dare.
Today I want to feature a layout that I created using the May Artsy Addicts Kit. The kit included: My Mind's Eye - Find Your Wings and Fly designed by Rhonna Farrer. The kits are a monthly subscription for around $40. For more information about the kits and subscribe please visit: http://www.marionsmithdesigns.com/kit-club.html
Last weekend we attended a birthday party for my Niece Emily who turned one (A layout of Miss Emily is forthcoming - I had to find some supplies first!) Of course Aunt Tonya took hundreds of photos. Among some of my favs were these of my Husband, Kenny, being silly with Averie and Addie. I swear all I hear is "Tickle me Uncle Kenny" when they are around. I wasn't surprised to walk into the living room and see him being attacked by two giggling girls. They were all so happy I needed the layout to have a fun happy theme, so I chose bright bold colors, but toned them down with a muted blue background.
**GASP** Is that Glitter I see on the page? Yes, Yes it is. Those of you who have followed me for a while know that I HATE GLITTER WITH A PASSION. However, my goal for this layout was to try some different things.
I wanted to use a glittered title (it was after all a celebration) and silver/gold glittered titles are trendy now.
Use bold colors (again, I tend to migrate to vintage muted colors)
Keep it flat - I wanted to try my hand at clusters of flat embellishments - (NO FLOWERS allowed!).
NO sprays/mixed media techniques. (this was really hard for me).
Use multiple photos (I normally only use one)
I know what your thinking - what alien has taken over her brain? Sometimes trying things outside your comfort zone will help stimulate your creativity. I must say as simple as this layout looks IT TOOK ME ALL DAY to complete.
I am pleased with the result. I think the colors give a "circus" type feel to the layout and who isn't happy at the circus? I used lots of cuts from my Silhouette Cameo as accents on the right. I love that pictures really pop off the page against the bright yellow background. What are your thoughts?
I encourage you to try something different - whether it is a style or a product that you don't normal use. You may stimulate the creative juices and find a "new" you! Not that I'm going to totally embrace glitter with every project, but hey, I found a way to keep it from shedding so you may see it more often.
I hope you can join me and Flamingo Scraps on Monday, May 6 at 8:30 EST for a live Ustream class. The class is free to join, but if you want to create the project with me, a kit is available for sale at Flamingoscraps.com.
I love seeing things you create using my tutorials or project shares. Please use the following handles/tags in social media to insure that I get to see your creations:
