Thursday, January 21, 2010

Mo Valentine's Hop



What's shakin'?

Mo's digital pencil Valentine's treat bag mel stampz

Welcome to Mo's Dream Team Valentine's Blog Hop!
The talented Kerttu is hosting this month & we're making treat bags
(Well, mine is a box turned bag with the addition of a basket-y handle.) ;o)

The star of the show, of course, is this new delightful sweetie
rendered by the ever marvellous Mo!

Mo's digital pencil Valentine's treat bag mel stampz - CLOSE

Cupid in Love! (Doesn't he look smitten?
Can you hear him sigh with amour?) ;o)



1... Mo's Digital Pencil Dream Team blog hop
2...how to make this Cupid in Love treat bag
3...links to template & digital paper freebies

-1-





Hopping order:

If you're not already on the hop,
please start with: Kerttu who's hosting it! :o)

-Cheryl
-Rach
-Mina
-Mel (you are here)
-Jak has an amazing project for you next
Shell
-Lori
-Suzanne

-2-





Step 1)
Clear heat emboss Mo's Digital Pencil Cupid in Love image from an ink jet printer. The digital embossing is made possible by cardstock that I coated lightly with Golden Matte Medium & embossing done with clear embossing powder on wet ink jet printer ink-standard setting.

Notes about this digi embossing method (in case you've never heard me ramble on about it before) ;o)...Matte medium alters the surface & changes the feel of Copic colouring, (like colouring on metallic paper; the ink floats & can be moved around and blended together. It can have a resist effect which may be a fun new technique in itself for random texture effects, but that resist quality can make your image mottled if the application of matte medium is not fairly even...

BUT I love that:

  • You get the embossed look with a digital image (yet with such fine beautiful lines)
  • You get a cool erase-ability that the matte medium gives.
  • There are never any smears on the image (assuming you get the embossing powder on while the ink is still wet. The best way to ensure ink wet enough to emboss is to use a standard setting, print one image at a time on a half sheet of cardstock--a width of 8.5 inches & about 5.5 high goes through the printer faster.)


Step 2) Emboss just the hearts on patterned paper (also using matte medium)


Considerations with Copics on Matte Medium
(and with Printing on it too)

Copics: This digitally-embossed image is coloured with Copic Markers. Please note: " I'm not "technically" sure of the effect of Matte medium on Copics, but I am a sucker for the blend-ability (and floating quality that Matte Medium gives).

I fall back on the fact that the tips are replaceable if the need ever arises. Mine are A-okay so far (and I do this often) but I thought you should be aware of the possibility of clogged Copic nibs.

Printers: Likewise, please realize that the digital embossing on Matte Medium is just something I made up and hence I'm not sure about what effect it might have on your particular brand of printer. I know that Golden makes "Digital Grounds" that go on liquid as well, so perhaps it's okay?

I've been doing this for years & just clean the heads occasionally on my $50.00 Canon MP250-- ink jet printer--it's still printing wonderfully. If you are worried about your expensive printer, but want to try out heat embossed digital images, perhaps you could get an affordable (cheap) ink jet printer for the purpose.

All that said, I wouldn't give up digital heat embossing for all the riches in the world. It prevents smudging and adds such rich depth & fine detail to the line of images.



Step 3) Cut both the patterned heart & the Cupid image out, bending the wings for dimension.



Step 4) Colour the image. Please note-Matte medium will affect the way Copics perform on papers. If you want consistent colour, be sure to coat evenly. They sit on the surface of the medium so you have some erase-ability.

I coloured the little blue-green bit at the bottom of the Cupid to match the paper pieced heart. You could cut it from your paper instead, but I found a mix of Copic markers & Prismacolour pencils made a nice colour match.



Step 5) Add some Glitzy Glitter (glass pieces, SO cool!) to the wings. I glued it on with Diamond Glaze (crystal lacquer)



Step 6) Glue patterned heart to the image & pierce around the outside edge



Step 7) Stitch gold seed beads around the edge of the heart (I think I'm hooked on that, hey?) ;o)



Step 8) Print & cut a second heart (through the magic of digital images this one is printed larger--at 110%--to create a second ruffle underneath the image.



Step 9) Glue the image onto the under ruffle



Step 10) Pierce holes & stitch silver thread for the bow string



Step 11) Adhere Cupid to a mat (This is a beloved scrap of GMC Paris Nights & black cardstock.) It's stitched with blue-green seed beads & the outer edge is coloured with a Copic marker for a faux mat (BG-72 Ice Ocean.) I adore the way Copics shimmer on the GMC.



Step 12) Build the box. This is my mini long note box template with vintage ledger freebie on it (printed on Strathmore 100lb Bristol Vellum)



Step 13) Adhere a strip for the Cosmo Cricket Everafter Kit to more black cardstock.



Step 14) Place the strip under the box (centered) & score to fit around the box.



Step 15) Adhere the strip to the box.



Step 16) Wrap with a piece of ribbon & tie a bow & adhere it.



Step 17) Adhere the image to the front of the box...



Step 18) Add a handle & a little bag of treats.

...et voilĂ ...

(click me if you'd like to see me bigger) ;O)

-3-


-Jak has an amazing project for you next
(You're in for a treat and then some!)

E.T.A: The PDF of this tutorial is here
(with photos, I'm still trying to figure out how to
edit photos out in the PDF writer I have.)

Thank you SO much for hopping by!



You can see all the newest art from Mo here on...


&

There's a great challenge every Thursday on...


(Those ladies are such a talented team!)


And if you haven't joined the Mo's Digital Pencil groups
(on PCP or SNR) then what are ya waitin' for? heehee.
LOTs of inspiration there!




51 comments:

  1. Mel this angle is sweet!!!! I love him!!! :)You always have oginal ideas :)

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  2. Mel, I have been following your for years and I think this is one of my favs ever! BTW, I ordered the Strathmore as requested!! Will be in this weekend!!

    Patricia
    the PaperTemptress

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  3. OHHHH MY GOODNESS Mel, this is such a STUNNING Treat bag/box. All the detail, and your awesome tutorial to do it ourselves too. I love it all!
    Hugs
    Lynda

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  4. BEAUTIFUL! your coloring makes that ruffle pop right off my MONITOR! ;)

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  5. This is adorable Mel..You put so much work into each creation..Your tutorials are always inspiring..I love the layered heart..Great job.

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  6. gorgeous project, and thank you for the freebies :)!

    Inky Hugs,
    Catherine
    www.mystampinggrounds.blogspot.com

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  7. Fantastic tutorial and how sweet is cupid?? Thanks for the tut!

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  8. :O HOLY CRAP! you NEVER cease to amaze me! :D LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!!

    {hugs}

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  9. That is just so cute. I love it and you gave grate follow along directions.

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  10. This is super cute! Thanks for the instructions, too!
    Blessings!
    ~H

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  11. Mel, great job on your project. I love the step by step instructions. TFS.

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  12. Sooooooo cute, Mel! Love the colors and the glass wings are too cool :)

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  13. I love this project! You are so creative! The double ruffle is a wonderful touch! Thank you for sharing the fantastic tutorial!

    Wishing you a good day today!

    Barbara Diane

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  14. Loving the paper piecing on the heart, and get you with the glitze (glass glitter)

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  15. You are just so creative and talented girlfriend! Keep up the good work, but also take time for YOU!

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  16. i came by and now i am back on the hop. amazing work. love your art work. over the top. and that ledger paper is great for everything.

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  17. Mel, this is sensational!! Thank you for sharing the details of your project. Great tutorial! I love everything about the gift bag!

    Barb

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  18. WOW!!! How cute! Thanks for the tutorial also. I am just getting into digi's -- kinda different. Wonderful creation!!
    Blessings
    Mary Lou

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  19. Superb as always. I have long been a fan of yours. Thanks for all the inspiration
    Love sarah XXX

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  20. Hi Mel
    Wow this fabulous,
    Hugs Dianne xx

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  21. MEL MEL... MEL..... I dont know what to say... everytime i come and look what you have created.. my jaw just falls on the ground.. hehehe i just am your biggest fan.. :)) really!! LOVE IT..

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  22. just brillient thanks for sharing.

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  23. wow Mel I always love coming onto your blog your tutorials are fabulous...what a great idea to usetwo layers of frill for the cherub...love it
    Mina xxx

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  24. Stunning as usual. Love the instructions. Thanks
    Marion

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  25. That is a great treat bag. I love all the detail. The beads are awesome. Don't know if I would want to part with it!

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  26. WOW WOW WOW thanks for the tutorial!

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  27. just beautiful and thanks for the great tutorial.

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  28. What a great box...
    And thank you for sharing the templates...

    *Hugs* C.

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  29. WOW! The details are simply fantastic! Thanks so much for sharing!

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  30. Love the box!! Such a cute idea!!!

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  31. Oh My Gosh, you constantly amaze me. You make the most beautiful creations and this is no exception. Great as always.

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  32. Mel, your porject is genius! What a great tutorial and pictures! Thanks for the freebie templates!
    I jsut love how you paper pieced the heart and made the double ruffle!

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  33. wow what a gorgeously dainty treat ! and thanks for the fab tuts !
    maddyx

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  34. This is amazing...you do such a beautiful job...thanks so much for sharing....AWESOME.....

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  35. Another wonderful project from marvellous Mel!!!!! You are so talented, Jo x

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  36. wow very beautiful love it hugs christa

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  37. Simply gorgeous..Thanks for all the details..
    Hugs, Linda

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  38. Mel, I think this is my favorite of all the projects yet. I just love it.

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  39. Oh, my gosh, this is amazing. I love how you enlarged the image to make the second layer of lacy trim. Simply adorable! Great tutorial too.

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  40. This is definitely amazing! The idea is so original! This is perfect this Valentines.

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  41. Wow your such a great teacher. I'm a visual person so this is great!

    Thanks,
    Angie

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  42. Mel this is out of this world. The tutorial is wonderful and that little cupid is so adorable. Your colouring is amazing. I can believe how much you did with this card. It really is a work of art. Thanks sweetie for sharing.

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  43. Mel just love all the inspiration and tut and tamplates you do/give thx, sorry but haven't left comment on all the posts, been here abt 3 hrs now lol
    hugs
    Ildiko

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♥ Thank You so much sharing your thoughts. It means the world! ♥ Mel