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:

MarkerGeek said...

Fabulous as always Mel!

LORi said...

Super fab Mel!!!!

hugs - LORi

Barbara said...

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

the PaperTemptress said...

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

Lynda Nielsen said...

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

Cat said...

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

Dawn B. said...

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

maiahs_momma said...

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

Inky Hugs,
Catherine
www.mystampinggrounds.blogspot.com

This N That said...

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

Yesterday's Tomorrow said...

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

{hugs}

Colleen said...

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

Helen said...

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

Rhonda Miller said...

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

Dawn said...

adorable...ADORABLE!!

Barb said...

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

Renkata said...

Very chic !!!
Love it.

Whimcees said...

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

Jak Heath said...

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

Kim Etherington said...

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

mekei said...

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.

Barbara said...

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

Barb

Mary Lou said...

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

craftymum said...

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

CRAZYCRAFTSHED said...

Hi Mel
Wow this fabulous,
Hugs Dianne xx

Lauretta See said...

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..

Aunty Sue said...

just brillient thanks for sharing.

Mina said...

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

Marion said...

Stunning as usual. Love the instructions. Thanks
Marion

Bon Bob’s Delights said...

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!

Unknown said...

Just fabulous!

debb said...

WOW WOW WOW thanks for the tutorial!

vicmbee said...

just beautiful and thanks for the great tutorial.

Consueel said...

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

*Hugs* C.

Mryia said...

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

Carlie M. said...

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

Melissa S. said...

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

Cheryl said...

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!

Jody said...

Wow! very beautiful idea

maddy hill said...

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

Anonymous said...

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

WencheP said...

Great tutorial. Fabulous.

michele hileman said...

amazing. I really like your work

Dotty Jo said...

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

Christa said...

wow very beautiful love it hugs christa

LINDA said...

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

Connie F. said...

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

shulsart said...

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.

baby crib said...

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

Bubbles said...

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

Thanks,
Angie

CanadianScraps43 said...

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.

Unknown said...

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