As you well know, I’ve been really crazy about photography lately. I’ve gone so far as to learn how to edit photos in Photoshop. Its actually not as hard as I thought it would be. So I thought that since I’ve been learning the Photoshop ropes, it would be simple to design my very own holiday card.
Nope, I was wrong. The design process was not very hard. I found some digital scrapbook paper, picked out a font, drew out a design and put it all together. Easy. The bad part came when it was time to print. If your a graphic designer or photographer, you know what I’m talking about. WHY WON’T THE PRINTER PRINT THE SAME COLORS THAT ARE ON MY MONITOR? Why? Somebody please tell me. Pretty please.
After doing some research, changing settings a million times, printing more than 20 tests, banging my head on my desk, freaking out, yelling at the printer, recalibrating my new monitor, and basically going insane, I finally got what I wanted…a mere FIVE hours later. (That’s five hours spent on the printing issues alone!)
Here it is.
The inside:
…and the back.
I found the little deer in a dingbat font collection. Isn’t he the cutest ever? I put that little heart on him. Really, it was the moment I was most impressed with myself all week. I even made a custom shape. You want it?
Here ya go. Just click on the deer or the link to download.
deer-heart-ashleysbusy
UPDATE: After being asked where the digiscrapbook paper came from, I searched my files and realized that the paper wasn’t labeled. I then scoured the web trying to find it again. Finally, I found it. Only it wasn’t scrapbook paper, it’s a fabric swatch. Ha. Here’s the link: Panda Print Lemon.
Can you guess what’s in this little package?
I love wrapping things up. It makes the little gift, or purchase in this case, so much more special.
Blue paper.
My favorite yellow polka dot paper wrapped around.
Fall apple ribbon. (Target dollar bin!) I’m in love.
Are you ready for the answer?
Here it is:
It’s a University of Florida pendant. You know. The Gators. Like, national champions and stuff. My alma matter. Well, you knew that, of course. This little pendant will be going to Jacksonville, Florida, where my sister will wear it on her prettty little neck to the Florida/Georgia game (which the Gators will win, duh). She likes to match her outfits to whatever event she’s going to.
I made myself one too! I hand-carved those little suckers (the gators, not the “F”).
Hey, guess what? I can make you a pendant too! Just go to my etsy, Sweet Averie, and message me. I can carve you any little critter, thingy, or whatchamacallit onto your very own pendant. :)
While I was messing around with clay, I made a few other little goodies for my shop, Sweet Averie:
Last but not least:
Yep. I totally pulled out my copy of Interview with the Vampire.
Because I like to jump from one project to the next (sometimes before completing the first one, ie. embroidery). Ok, Ashley, stop. Embroidery. Like that’s a project? Not an embroidered cat in a hoop, or a pillowcase, or a napkin. No, my project was “Embroidery.” Which basically means, learn all there is to learn about embroidery and then embroider something. I guess I did sew an applique onto a pillow. Well folks, it’s fine. I can move on to a new project.
Clay Project
You got it. Learn all there is to learn about polymer clay and then make something. I’m pretty sure I’ve got tons left to learn, but in the meantime, here are some clay pendants that I made.
(For sale in my Etsy, Sweet Averie.)
(Also for sale in my Etsy, Sweet Averie)
These next pendants were either special orders or gifts for friends and family. If you’d like for me to make you a pendant, I will! It’s just $12 + shipping. Just visit my Etsy and convo me. :)
Look who came for a chat while I was outside taking the pendant photos.
Next time I’ll try to move in and get a closer shot of my little hummer friend.
This weekend Dameian and I are heading to the NC mountains for my darling cousin Stephanie’s wedding. Dameian is thrilled, of course. He totally hearts weddings. I, on the other hand, have been planning for months. Is it ok to wear a “lbd” to an evening wedding? I hope so, because that’s what I’m wearing.
Sure, my cousin is registered at Macy’s. But I couldn’t resist making their gift.
Oooohhh, don’t they look scrumptious? That’s vintage lace trim around the gift. Plus, a graceful fabric flower attached with a heart brad. The “Love” tags can be found at PaperCrave. Just print on card stock and cut.
I made the envelope for the card out of my favorite wrapping paper. It’s yellow with tiny polka dots. I love it and will be so sad when the roll is gone. Found it on clearance at Target a while back. The blue scalloped label can be found at Tart Workshop.
Wondering what’s inside of these packages?
A name plaque. Smith, that is.
I stained a piece of wood then used transfer paper to write “SMITH.” Painted the name, added a border, and attached a saw tooth hanger to the back. The font is ArtStamp and I love it. I want to use it on everything.
The other gift is a custom order from my sister. She was my first Etsy shop, Sweet Averie, custom order. Isn’t she sweet?
Stephanie is going for an Earthy Mod look in her new house. I hope she likes these gifts.
Now, my favorite part. The card. I used this beautiful image of a girl and boy in a tree. The little girl has red hair, and so does my pretty cousin! I couldn’t resist. Do click on the image. It’s huge and gorgeous.
To download this image, “Belle and Boo” by Mandy Sutcliff, please go to Feed Your Soul: The Free Art Project. This peice is from March 2009. There are tons of really beautiful, and free, images for your enjoyment.
I’ll be back next week with wedding photos, I hope.
Here’s a quick and easy way to reuse an old jar.
Yes, I have a gazillion empty glass jars in my pantry. I’m basically like the “Cat Lady” of glass jars. I keep taking them in. Dameian finally put his foot down and said, “Enough already!” So now I’m trying to find other uses for them. Meet my new pen holder. Ain’t she cute.
All I did was take off the label of the formerly known as Tostitos Salsa jar, measure around, cut scrapbook paper to size, glued on. Simple!
There’s another photo of the jar in my last post about my new burlap-covered corkboard.
Notice anything new? After sticking with my previous blog design for a few months, I decided it was time for a change. I messed around in Photoshop, asked Dameian a million questions about Photoshop, and then had him do all the actual programming to make my dream a reality. It wasn’t actually that intense (the whole dream and all), but I did have a vision and D is very resourceful. Whatcha think?
Oh yeah, and by the way…
I’m opening up my very own Etsy shop!
I’m making the finishing touches on a few items, then I’ll have a photoshoot (in which I will be model, art director, photographer, and editor), then it will be time for the GRAND OPENING! Hooray! I will keep ya’ll posted with all of the details and a nice little GIVEAWAY I will be having to celebrate.
DIY Day at A Soft Place to Land
Hooked on Houses
