Balzer Designs

Hybrid Tutorial: Creating a Patchwork Embellishment (or twelve)

Here's a fun Photoshop Tutorial to take you into the weekend.  I originally wrote it for the Scrapbook Dimensions blog, where it appeared earlier this week.

I'm a big fan of creating my own embellishments.  But sometimes I'm short on time and just want something that looks handmade.  That's why I love this technique.  I am going to show you how to create a digital template that you can use over and over and over again!

1. Open a new 12x12 file (File>New) in Photoshop.

2. Choose the "Rectangle Tool."

3. Use the "Rectangle Tool" to draw rectangles of various sizes.  You will want to change the colors (to various shades of gray) simply so that you can see all the layers.  Keep going until the entire page is filled.

4. You now need to change all those vector shapes to regular shapes.  From the Layers menu, choose Rasterize>All Layers.

5. Save your new layered template!  It's important to do it now so that you don't mess it up with the next few steps. You just did all of that work and want to have it around for a long time! 

6. Drag patterned paper into your template.  Place it just over the layer you want to cover in patterned paper. Here is a screenshot of the Layers Palette:

6.  Choose "Create Clipping Mask" from the "Layer" menu.

This will make it so that the paper "sticks" to only the one shape it's over, like so:

7. If you like it, merge those two layers together (Layer>MergeDown) to make it permanent.

8. Continuing adding patterned paper until you're satisfied with the area you've filled.

You can see here that I've only covered one part of the template.  I'm doing a small embellishment, so there's no reason to cover the entire thing.

9. Flatten the entire template (Layer>Flatten Image) so that you can cut out the embellishment shape you want. 

10. Use any method you want to cut out whatever shape you'd like.  I chose a leaf from Photoshop's existing menu of shapes.

11. Print your new patchwork embellishment out and use it on your layout!

Here's my layout using several of the patchwork leaves:



I hope you enjoyed this tutorial!

Challenge Me!

I love challenges.  Whenever I'm feeling a little mojo-less, I turn to a challenge.  Particularly because I don't scrap chronologically and I'm pretty much "caught up," sometimes I need a spark to get me going!

Currently, I'm participating in "The Sketchbook Olympics" at The Sketch Book.  I saw the challenge listed on the Pub Calls blog and I decided to sign up.  The first challenge was as follows:

So, the first sport we are tackling is Cycling. We thought we would go easy on you for the first week  

Here are the rules:

Create a layout (8x8 or bigger) using a circular/wheel theme.

You must include:
1. Circles as embellishments on your page
2. Circle / dot patterned paper

That's it! Not too hard for the first one right??

I used the Parfums d'ete' collection from Sultane for the challenge.

Here is a close up of the layered circles, which are super cool in real life:

I'm also participating in "Collage Play by CrowAbout."   Each week the group leader, Nancy, posts a collection of collage elements.  We need to incorporate them in some way into an art journal page.  Here is my page for the week:

 

Most of the people playing along with the challenge are collage artists, not scrapbookers.  So, my stuff is a little more literal than theirs.  I'm hoping to get further and further away from the literal as I go on with the challenge, but I've never been much of an abstract thinker.  It's hard for me.  I like text and story way too much!

Here are some other challenges that I like:

• Scrap Mojo: Leaning towards the artsy fartsy, these girls have a funny, hip vibe.  Their challenges usually involve a bunch of moving parts (so to speak) and they often feature some very hip guest hosts.
  
• How Much Is Too Much: Started by a bunch of ladies who felt that they had an abundance of scrapbook supplies (don't we all?), this challenge features prompts asking you to use up a lot of stuff on your pages!
• Method Playground: This one was started by a bunch of HOF runner-ups.  Each week they feature a technique and challenge you to use it.
• Mixed Media Monday: There's a theme every Monday.  Participants create pages, quilts, objects, paintings - lots of different mixed media eye candy - based on the theme.  This week is Recycle/Repurpose.
• One Little Word: Every other Wednesday, the crazy talented design team challenges you to use a certain word as a jumping off point for a layout.  On the in-between weeks, they offer up a technique tutorial.
• Scrapping the Music: The very international design team at this site chooses a song every week and ask you to put the lyrics on your page.  I have found that even when the music isn't my style, the lyrics often get me moving.
• Pencil Lines: Celebrity hosts, lots of different styles, each week there's a brand new sketch to inspire you.  They're up to sketch #99 this week!
• The Art is Found: Artsy fartsy and verging on something that isn't quite scrapbooking (collage, maybe?), this is a relatively new challenge blog (started in March).  It's all about making art based on the little things around you.  Art is everywhere.
• The Creative Type: Brand new challenge site (they're still on challenge #1) focused on typography.
• The Story Matters: As you might guess from the name, the focus here is on telling your story.  This site is a new discovery for me.  I haven't participated yet, but I hope to very soon!
• The Digi Dares: Another new site for me.  I found it by following a link on someone else's blog.  I'll bet you can guess from the name - it's all challenges focusing on digi artists.  But, they're not necessarily digi-specific.  The current challenge is to use the word "create" on a page.
• The original: The Effer Dares: I may be wrong, but I believe that the effer girls were the first ones to create a scrapbooking challenge blog.  Always good inspiration, but between you and me, I find their website hard to navigate.  It gets all jumbled for me.  But, it's worth hunting around and playing along!

Thanks for stopping by!

Monday's News

Happy Monday to You!

1. WINNER!!!

Congratulations to Joan Fowler!

Oh please, you have to pick me. I just love the whole bubble wrap thing. I NEEEEED it. Creating this stamp strikes me as a very inspired idea. You rock!

Posted by: Joan Fowler | August 21, 2008 at 09:50 AM

Joan, you have won a set of the stamps I designed for Scrapbook Takeout for August.  E-mail me your mailing address and I'll pop them in the mail to you!

2.  I'm going to be taking over the "Templates x3" article in Scrapbook Dimensions Magazine.  It's a column about how to use a single digital template in three different ways when you're hybrid scrapbooking.  I will also focus on using a standard 8.5x11" printer while scrapping 12x12" pages.  For the upcoming issue, I'm working with a fabulous template from Lauren Reid at Little Dreamer Designs (which is one of my favorite digi sites)!

3. In a bit of sad news, I've decided to leave My Creative Classroom.  They're doing great things and have big plans for the future.  I wish all the ladies there the best of luck!

4. As I've mentioned before, I've become type obsessed.  Well, there's a new and super cool looking challenge site called, "The Creative Type."  And from the looks of the design team, it's going to be *amazing* and very inspiring.

5. I have a new blog discovery: Something Sublime.  This woman makes jewelry and it is fabulous!  Her style is so my style.

6. I can hardly believe that I've posted eight days in a row!  Something must be wrong with me!  Or, I'm just letting all my work pile up and blogging instead...

Thanks for stopping by!

Day Seven of Sultane Week!

As promised, since Monday, I have featured  a project using Sultane every single day on this blog.  It's day seven and the official end of the unofficial Sultane week.  Today I'm sharing three layouts that were published in Histoires de Pages in February.

 

 

I hope you've enjoyed Sultane week as much as I have.  The Sultane papers are double-sided, thick, excellent quality papers.  And here's the best news: Portrait Bug is going to be the only place in U.S. that you can buy them!!!  The online store should be up this week...so let the shopping begin! 

In other Portrait Bug news: On Thursday, I went to the New York International Gift Fair.  Holy inspiration, Batman!  It was so cool!  We went looking for unique products to sell at the store.  And we found some *great* stuff!  I'm super excited for the boxes to start arriving!  At one of the children's clothing booths, I was struck by an adorable necklace featuring crocheted flowers.  Then, it suddenly occurred to me that Maya Road makes little crocheted flowers as page embellishments, and that I happened to have a package of them sitting on my desk at home!  Well, I ran home and an hour later, I had this beautiful necklace:

I stitched the flowers to a rubber tube (one of my favorite necklace supports) using embroidery floss.  So easy and so chic!

Thanks for stopping by!

Inspiration at MOMA

I live about three blocks away from the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA). And yet, I rarely go.  The $20 price tag keeps me away.  Sometimes you just want to go to a museum for an hour, but for $20, I feel like I need to make it a marathon.  Silly, I know.  The good news is that every Friday night, you can go to the museum for free from 4-8pm.  And so this week, we did!

The main reason we went was to see the Kirchner exhibit.  He was a German Expressionist painter and I really love his work.   I wasn't allowed to take any photos in the exhibit, but from MOMA's website, here's one of the paintings we saw:

I love the sense of energy and movement in his painting.  The jagged edges and active line make me very happy!  After happily wandering through the Kirchner exhibit, we moved on to Wunderkammer: A Century of Curiosities.  One thing hanging in that exhibit, was a work entitled "Scrapbook." 

I also really enjoyed this gem covered in doodling (sorry for the lousy photo, but I was shooting through glass on my camera phone and it was dark-ish):

We wandered through a fantastic exhibit on modern design and I took lots of fun photos there...



And now I am going to say something blasphemous.  I have never really liked Salvador Dali's work.   I can appreciate it, but I don't love it.   But, MOMA is currently hosting an exhibit called Dali: Painting and Film, so I felt like I should check it out.

Everything made sense to me when I watched the Disney and Hitchcock movies that he made.  For the first time, I saw his fluid creativity and the surrealistic nature of his work felt natural rather than forced or artificial.  His Disney film is called "Destino."  It looks like somebody (illegally) filmed it at the exhibit, because you can find it here on YouTube.  It's only about 5 minutes long and so beautiful (though I will say it loses a little something in the jumpy camera work on YouTube - in and out of focus, etc.)!  Spellbound is the Hitchcock movie and stars Gregory Peck.  They had one of the drops that Dali painted for the movie and I just loved it!  So theatrical.  It immediately got me thinking about stage sets.

Overall, a very inspiring visit to the museum.  And a reminder to myself that I need to walk the three blocks much more often!

And now, here is today's project using Sultane's beautiful papers:



I used the Art Nouveau collection again.  So great for paint!

Don't forget that it's not too late to win some of the stamps I designed for Scrapbook Takeout by leaving a comment on this post.  Thanks for stopping by!

Glimmer Mist Q&A

First up, some good news!  About three hours ago I had a layout picked up by Simple Scrapbooks for their January/February issue.  Yay!  And I got a copy of the October Memory Makers Magazine and you can see my first published digital layout on page 51!  Now, on to the rest...

This is an article I wrote for Craft Critique.  It appeared on that blog last week.

Q: What is Glimmer Mist?

A: Glimmer Mist is a glittery dye from Tattered Angels. It comes packaged in a spray bottle with a sticker showing the color of the contents.

Q: Why the sticker?

A: Glimmer Mist is basically dye with metallic pigment powders mixed in with it. You need to shake the bottle to get the powder to mix with the dye because it’s heavier and sinks to the bottom when left alone.  The color you see in the bottle is not accurate, check the sticker to see the true color of the Glimmer Mist.

Q: What does it look like?

A: With over sixty different colors to choose from, it’s hard to make a blanket statement. Generally speaking they’re very transparent, though I have found that the darker blues and browns tend to be a bit more opaque. Some of the lighter colors are almost completely transparent, adding just a bit of a sheen to your work.

Check out this layout:


I wanted the background paper to capture the feeling of New York. So I used a combination of water, walnut ink, Glimmer Mist, ink and crumpling to get that grungy but shiny and definitely aged feeling.

Q: Cool! So, what does it stick to besides paper?

A: Wood, metal, plastic, glass, photos, fabric, paint…almost everything I’ve tried it on! Here’s a canvas I made using Glimmer Mist:


Q: So I can use it on anything?

A: Well, yeah. But here’s the thing: It’s not waterproof. So, even after it has dried, if you spray it with water, it will start running again. So, if you’re using it for an altered piece or something that is going to be in any kind of weather or humidity, you need to seal it with something.

Q: Is it hard to use?

A: If you can use hairspray, you can use Glimmer Mist! It’s in a little pump spray bottle and you just push the button down and move across your project. Couldn’t be easier!

Q: Speaking of hairspray, I’ve heard that you can make your own using hairspray and pigment powders….

A: Yep, I’ve heard that too. But, with over 60 colors to choose from and such a reasonable price ($6.95 for 2oz), why bother?! Plus, I don’t love the idea of hairspray all over my stuff… And it's acid free, so if that is a concern for you, Glimmer Mist has you covered.

Q: 2 oz. doesn’t sound like a lot…

A: Trust me, I use my Glimmer Mists all the time and I still haven’t run out of a single color!

Q: Wow! That’s great! Is there anything else I need to know before I go out and buy a bunch of Glimmer Mist?

A: Nope! Just grab a bottle or two and start experimenting!

Among the comments I received over at Craft Critique, were the following concerns:

Michelle Adams said...

I heard good things about Glimmer Mist so I bought a couple of colors. Maybe I am doing something wrong, but it always comes out really blotchy for me. I never use mine. ;0(

Shelby said...

I've done the hairspray with the whatchamacallit before and it works beautifully... until the nozzle clogs. Sometimes you can unclog it, sometimes you can't. I'm wondering if the glimmer mist ever clogs up the nozzle like this?

Mari said...

While I dig the layout, I'm a little disappointed to see another Glimmer Mist plug. I actually own a bunch of GM (and other similar products) and find that GM is the one I reach for least often. I don't think you've addressed any of the negative aspects like inconsistent color, splotchy application, and clogged nozzles. And they're the most expensive of the bunch. Like I said, I own other brands that are much more user friendly - and less expensive!

Sorry, but I just don't see the critique part of this entry....

jules p said...

I have to agree...I don't see the critique of this product.

And the layout...well, the wording was not necessary. Along with that, it took away from your entire page and the product you were trying to tell us about. :(

Response From Me...

Personally, I haven't had a problem with the Glimmer Mist nozzles clogging or inconsistent color in the five months I've been using them.  As for splotchy application, that's absolutely true, but I always thought it was a feature of the product, not a downside.  I like the spattered look and it fits my style of scrapbooking.  That said, the farther away from your project you spray, the more fine the mist.  I haven't tried any of the similar products, so I don't have anything to compare to the Glimmer Mists.  But, I do use them a lot.  I feel that I should also mention that we are not usually provided with product to review at Craft Critique.  We have to use stuff we own and like.  Glimmer Mist didn't sponsor my Q&A, so it's really not a "plug."  Let me know if you have any other questions or concerns!

And now for something Sultane!  I used the Art Nouveau collection, which is all black and white papers...

 

 

I think it would have been better with black and white photos, but c'est la vie!

Thanks for stopping by!

Who Wants To Win Some Stamps?

It may be a bit self-serving, but I'm totally in love with these stamps I designed for Scrapbook Takeout!  They're unmounted, red rubber stamps.  I used a pair of Kai Scissors to cut them apart (as close to the design as possible).  Some people mount the stamps on cling foam, but you can also place a mouse pad underneath your paper instead.  Basically, the rubber needs a cushion.  Both methods work.

I'm giving away a full set of these stamps to one lucky commenter.  So, let's check them out...

I call this my bubble wrap corner.  I scanned an actual print I made with bubble wrap and then digitally manipulated it in order to create this one.

These are my doodle circles.  I hand drew each of them.  You can use them to create backgrounds, make buttons, and they're great for creating frames and borders.

And here is the circle border.  A very cool stamp.  It's just under five inches long and overlaps beautifully - an easy way to make frames and borders!  I'm going to try using it to create an entire background!

If you'd like to win all of these stamps, just leave a comment letting me know which is your favorite of the stamps.  I will choose a random winner on Sunday, August 24 at 11:59pm.  So, leave a comment before then!

And finally, here is today's Sultane project.  This one was inspired by Zentangles.  It's a type of dense doodling that I've been doing for years, but it appears to have a name now!   Most importantly, this layout features my new red hair (which is quickly fading to orange)!

 

Thanks for stopping by!

Tim Holtz Sent Me An E-mail...

I've been accepted to Ranger U!  Here's the deal:

We will be hosting a full 3-day program that has so much to offer - Tim Holtz, Ranger Senior Designer and Education Director will be teaching Ink, Paints and Embossing and Suze Weinberg, licensed designer of the Melt Art® line will show how to use UTEE™ and the Melting Pot™ for your papercrafting and jewelry-making customers. Talented mixed-media collage artist Claudine Hellmuth will provide creative insight and instruction with paints, Beeswax, and fine art mediums.

The previous Ranger U program was separated into three distinct certification courses. The updated format will incorporate education of the most important aspects of Ranger’s essential product lines and will still include hands-on education of product knowledge, advanced techniques and answers to frequently asked questions from the top designers and educators in the field at Ranger’s home base in Tinton Falls, NJ. We will show you how to demonstrate, teach and sell Ranger products. You will become a “Recognized Ranger Educator” and be able to promote this achievement in a number of ways. Attendees will receive a complete curriculum filled with reference material, techniques and class instructions, a teacher’s kit of product and more! We will be opening the two sessions to 25 students per session, allowing for one-on-one assistance and attention. Make new friends, network and have fun creating at Ranger.

Yay!  I have wanted to take a class from Tim Holtz for a very long time.   His stuff is so fun and inky (and full of techniques - my favorite!)  You know that I'm obsessed with my Melting Pot, so getting to take classes with Suze Weinberg, who designed it, is going to be fantastic!  And Claudine Hellmuth is another lady who I think is so cool!  Love her work with beeswax, but I haven't been adventurous enough to try it.  She has a new line of tinted gesso out with Ranger and I'm curious to see how they differ from my beloved Golden brand gesso...

Okay, enough gushing.

For today's Sultane project-of-the-day, I thought I'd share something that uses the Ranger melting pot!  Appropriate, no?

Using the fabulous double-sided papers from the Art Quarelle collection...

and the Ranger Melting Pot, I made this ring and these earrings...

People seem to think they're stone until they touch them.  Then they think they're plastic.  You should see the shock when I tell them that they're paper!  I love wearing them!

And finally, a sale...

Spend 40 Earn 10
Earn Gift Certificates just for shopping!   

With all the new goodies arriving daily, it couldn't be a more fun time to stop by for a little retail therapy! But to add earning gift certificates while you shop...This is just pure BLISS!
 
Just spend $40 and you'll receive a $10 gift certificate towards your next purchase! Even better... you'll earn $10 gift certificates for EACH and EVERY $40 amount you spend now through Saturday! 
 
To start shopping, go to www.justletmescrapbook.com.

Thanks for stopping by!

Oh, sad...

You know, I'm fairly used to being rejected.  My chosen career (theatre) and my chosen hobby (crafting) are both full of rejection.  It's just part of the biz and normally I just let it roll off my back.  But, I have to admit to being very, very sad about a rejection I received yesterday.  I made this quilt:

(here's a close up detail...)

for The Journal Quilt Project, which was juried this year.  I really love the quilt, so I'm feeling sad about being rejected.  Ah, well.  The good news is that it means I can post it here on my blog!  So, that's at least something!  And I'm happy to have it hanging around the house, so there's another good thing!

Sigh.

In brighter, happier news, here is today's Sultane layout!

This one uses both the Art Quarelle collection (the blue paper) and the Nos Unis Luxe (red/orange vellum) collection.

Manic Monday!

So much to share today!

1. Sakura of America and Scrapbook Memories

I'm extremely pleased to share that Sakura of America has hired me to host seven segments on the Scrapbook Memories TV show, which airs on PBS!  The segments will each focus on a different aspect of doodling.  I'm a huge fan of Sakura projects and I love doodling, so it's a perfect match!  Special thanks to Maelynn Cheung, author of Doodling for Papercrafters for providing the connection!  Check out the big box of supplies that Sakura sent me:

Lots of fun!

2. Get Digi With It

This is kind of a fun discovery.  I'm on the design team for the digital designer, Amanda Dykan and she recently closed her old site and moved to Get Digi With It.  Well, I was cruising the site today and discovered that you can get digital versions of products by major manufacturers like My Mind's Eye, Glitz, and Cosmo Cricket.  How cool is that?!

3. Portrait Bug

We had our August meeting for Portrait Bug (the scrapbooking store opening in Manhattan) on Saturday.  It started at 1:30pm and I left around 11pm!  It was a marathon!  We chatted about the store (construction is going well), classes (wait until you hear about all the cool things we have planned), and products (Kim and Meredith handed them out and we got to see what the store will be carrying)!  We met at Kim's Dad's apartment, which has 360º views of New York City.  I took some photos out on the terrace...

You know, I didn't realize it until I posted it, but that could be a layout if it had a bit of journaling....  In any case, the store is expected to open September 15 and I'm really looking forward to it!

4. "7 Days • 7 Principles" Online Class

My class, "7 Days • 7 Principles" starts today!  If you'd like to learn more about design, this is definitely the class for you!  It's not too late to sign up.  Here's the official description:

Join me August 18-24 as I take you through the seven principles of design (contrast, emphasis, balance, unity, pattern, movement, and rhythm) as they apply to scrapbooking. These seven principles are the things you should consider when creating a layout to ensure a great result! 

The seven principles of design are often confused with the seven elements of design (color, value, texture, shape, form, space, and line). The two are definitely linked, but the elements are more concerned with the artist's hand, whereas the principles are about the design itself. If you're interested in exploring the elements of design as well, I'll be offering a week long class in September.

Each of the seven days, we will explore a new principle and I will offer you tips on how to incorporate it into your scrapbooking.  You will be able to leave your questions and comments in the classroom and get feedback on your own work!

If you'd like to register, you can do so here.  It's only $15!!   You can't even buy a book on design for that price!

5. Fabric RAK!

I got a lovely surprise on Thursday!  I won a RAK (Random Act of Kindness) of hand printed fabric from the Quilting Arts blog.  They announced the winners on Monday, but I guess one of the winners didn't send in his/her address, so they pulled one more name and it was me!  How cool!  I can't wait for the fabric to arrive!  It's absolutely *gorgeous*!!!  You can see lots of pictures here.

6. Today's Sultane Layout

Each day this week I'll be featuring a project using Sultane's fantastic paper!  Here's today's beauty...

This layout uses Sultane's "Art Quarelle" collection:

It's such an amazingly glorious collection!  I love that the papers are double-sided.

That's it for now!  See you tomorrow!