A Must-Have Set of Digi Frame Overlays/Art

   Check out this great new set of digi frames I just released at my shop at mygrafico.com! Use these greyscale frames by themselves or pair with patterned or colored papers to create lots of cool vintage looking frames. Add effects to create an embossed or engraved look of this beautiful hand-drawn flourish frame. A super tool if you are a scrapbooker, artist or photographer. The files are 8" x 10" with an approx. 4 x 6" window opening. They come with transparent windows and backgrounds so these are easy to place right over your photo. You can shrink the art to under 7" create your own brush file to color as you please and use at smaller sizes. All four files for just $3.50! Follow this link to purchase now at my digi shop! I will be creating a tutorial soon to show you how easy it is to add colors, patterned papers and your art or photos to these. So check back soon!

Days 68 - 76 A Week & A Day of Creative Inspiration

So what did days 68 - 76 hold in challenges? It resulted in 3 new digi design collections, a bunny sketch for a set in progress, photo printouts and the start of a scrapbook layout along with  a surf themed birthday card and birthday cake decoration. As you can tell it has been busy times in the Wenger household. Kylie and James celebrated dating 6 mos. right after Valentines Day, and it was his birthday March 11th, so I got busy working on some projects...a layout marking their 6 mos. anniversary and a surfboard to add to the cake she made him. I also accomplished finishing 3 new sets for my shop at mygrafico.com along with some set samples for my Gettin’ Grungey set. Kick back and enjoy the inspiration!

Day 68 - Color Pizazz Layerz collection

Day 69 - Melon Pow Layerz collection

Day 70 - Bunny Hug Sketch

© 2011 Cheri Wenger

Day 71 - Surf Bliss Birthday Card and a Cardboard Surboard to decorate the cake.

James is a surfer so that became the theme for Kai's birthday cake for him and the card I made him.

Day 72- preliminary 6 mos. anniversary layout and sizing of sepia tone photos

I just adore the Restoration collection from Crate Paper and decided to use the 

remaining papers from this kit to create a 6 mos. anniversary layout for Kylie 

and James. I used sepia tone prints from my Epson Picture mate in wallet, half size 

and mini prints to use on the layout which I will assemble on another day.

Here is a designer tip that is invaluable for scrapbooking: When you are playing with placement of elements or want to remember positioning when needing to remove them for gluing, simply take a digiral photo of the layout or close ups of areas of the layout. Then you have a visual reference of where you need to place the item you removed to add adhesive. This also works for experimenting with placement of elements. You can always refer back to the photo if unhappy with the new position.

Day 73 - Gettin’ Grungey Collection

I love this new set of digi brushes. Great for titles on page layouts, photos as well as 

for adding borders and texture to projects. It is a wonderful set for photographers to have, too.

Day 74 - Gettin’ Grungey Photo Card Samples

These sample ideas can be used as mini 5 x 7 scrapbook pages for a mini album or used as a photo card, announcement or turned into an invitation. I love the possibilities of these mini layouts! How ’bout you?

Day 75  - Another Grungey Sample

Day 76 - A Touch of Sunshine Card

This was a card sent as a sympathy card to the daughter of a family member who passed away.

Connie was my brother-in-law’s sister and one of the strongest, most courageous and nicest ladies I know. She lost her battle to canner and leaves behind two children in their 20s and a 1 yr. old grandson.

This card reminded me of her sunny disposition despite whatever life threw her way.

May today, you live your life cre-8-tively!

Project 365/Days 52-55 Sketching, Scrapbooking & Designing

Living Life Creatively makes for a nice variety in my life...one day, I may be sketching, the next scrapbooking and the next, designing. Life is full of variety and so is this post. I am trying to play catch up on showing you my daily challenges.

Day 52/Fluffy Bunny Sketches

Hey, you wanna help me decide on which of these bunnies to turn into my next digi stamp?

I have an idea in mind as to which one works best, but wanna hear your opinion!!!

Day 53/ Love These Girls Layout

When it comes to friends, both of our daughters have lucked out in finding the very best.

Kylie's group of friends requested a photo shoot at the beach in January. I have lots of great pictures to scrap. In this layout I used the svg files to cut out the flouishes from my new Swirly QZ’s digital set and add them to this layout. Just one other way to bring digital into your scrapbooking/crafting! For instructions and a supply list go to the Glue Arts blog at this link to the post.

Here is what the Swirly QZ's set looks like...

Day 54/ Peek-A-Boo Bug Digi Stamp

You may remember a while back that I gave you a sneak peek at part of this stamp when it was back in the sketching phase. Now the digi stamp is up for sale in my shop at www.mygrafico.com.

It includes 5 bonus verses to use to create light-hearted greeting cards. And it is only $2!!!!

Day 55 - Peek-A-Boo Bug Card Sample

Just wanted to give you a digital card example to show how you can color in this

stamp on your computer and pair it with one of my Framing Shapz 1 designs to create a faux layered card. I added a digital bow, one of the verses and have a cheery get-well card.

http://www.mygrafico.com/digi-tools-brushes-styles-/framing-shapz-1/prod_2884.html

Project 365 Challenge: Day 1/A Scrapbook Layout

So day one didn't go exactly how I was thinking. The day sort of slipped away when I slid into my studio after watching a movie with Dan and Ashley. I threw caution to the wind, starting cutting up some leftover papers into 1 inch squares and grabbed a mini pack of tag papers I picked up in the dollar bin at Joann's and started roughing out a scrapbook layout. I flipped through some prints to match up photos to my papers and surprised myself by successfully completing my first project in under 2 hours. I really didn't keep track of time so it may have been closer to an hour and 15! I will tell you what, there is great freedom in taking a carefree, trial and error attitude. I placed the papers in a pattern, then decided I wanted to do a scribble design near the bottom which was a total FAILURE, but I was able to cover it with a photo. So, I encourage trying things and taking risks in the new year cause most of the time there is a creative fix if it doesn't turn out like you were thinking.

Here are some photos of the layout with close up images of the title and embellishments.

I also completed my day 2 project, a card made with some of the leftover squares from the layout. That is another suggestion I have for making the 365 day challenge a little easier...use leftovers from previous days' projects or if you are short on time, just create a small element that can be used on a bigger project later.

After flipping through an old scrapbook with a friend the other day, I realized how way behind I am on my scrapbooking and I will say that day 1 made me very happy giving me a big sense of accomplishment towards one day being all caught up on my scrapbook layouts. LOL, like that day will ever happen. I have creativity dyslexia so I doubt I will ever be truly caught up.

How to Create a Ribbon Loopy Bow with Extreme Adhesive Squares

This Sugar & Spice layout was created in hotel room with limited supplies and tools using scissors, paper trimmer, Bo Bunny Olivia Collection cardstock & embellishments and Glue Arts ribbon adhesive, extreme mini adhesive squares along with Glue Glider™ Pro and high tac adhesive.  This layout can be used as a sketch for creating simple layouts at crops or when you have limited supplies and tools at your disposal. The journaling area can be replaced with a title or a name.

Learn how to make a ribbon loopy bow following the photo tutorial below...

Unroll the liner of extreme mini adhesive squares and position end of ribbon on 

top of square. Press lightly with finger to transfer adhesive to back side 

of ribbon, then remove from liner.

Make loop by matching two end of ribbon and sealing together with the mini 

extreme adhesive square attached in step 1.

Place ribbon loop back onto Glue Arts' extreme mini adhesive squares 

liner to add another square of adhesive to ribbon

Make another ribbon loop and place one on top of the other, attaching 

with the adhesive square applied in the previous step.

Create a total of 8 ribbon loops, stacking and angling each symmetrically, 

and using glue Arts' extreme mini adhesive squares to layer.

Create a total of 8 ribbon loops, stacking and angling each symmetrically, 

and using glue Arts' extreme mini adhesive squares to layer.

Side view of finished loopy ribbon bow with embellishments layered on top. 

This bow was used as an accent on a scrapbook layout using double dot 

ribbon plus stickers & cardstock from the Olivia collection from Bo Bunny 

along with Glue Arts’ extreme mini adhesive squares, the Glue 

Glider™ Pro and high tac adhesive.

An alternate view of the loopy bow. This shows layering with embellishments, 

however, you can layer silk or paper die cut flowers or shorter ribbon 

strips on top to customize your own loopy ribbon bow simply by 

using your imagination and Glue Arts adhesives.

Total Fluidity

Recently I put fear aside, grabbed my trusty drawing pens and without any plans or pencil lines, I just started drawing stylized drawings and let the lines flow where they wanted to. I was pretty happy with the results, sort of a stylized tattoo feel to them. Next, I scanned them into my computer, live traced and did some clean up on them. Here are the finished results; two new sets for mygrafico, one a b&w brush set and the other a multi color version. They are both part of my Fluidity Line. See what you think! Click on the graphic to view in my shop.

Here are some examples created using the Fludity Brushes in Photoshop. It is fun to use color, texture or even patterned papers with these brushes! You can also add shadows, embossing and other cool effects. You can create your own page elements, layouts, background papers and more.

8 x 8 Digital Paper

Blog icon design image (can be reduced as an avatar)

create your own art for home decor, cardmaking or scrapbooking...

Colorize elements and use on layouts or use as decorative overlays ghosted onto photos.

These hopefully give you some ideas of what can be done with digital design sets. Can't wait to see what you can create with my sets! Be sure to post in the mygrafico ning community gallery or on my group page.

Next, I will be doing something with the sea shells I did in a totally different sketchy style! You will have to check back to see what I do with those!

The LOVE Bug!!!

Well if you live in Florida, you have experienced a snowfall of lovebugs swarming everywhere. It felt like a lovebug snowfall on Monday. On Tuesday, they covered our dining room window and lined the doorway. I have never experienced anything quite like this in the six years we have been here. I guess it is just nature and spring time! Funny that my latest digital product is called the
Love is Plentiful Collection. I promise you it was named way before the love bugs arrived, but I am finding it quite ironic! LOL. Full of vibrantly colored graphics and patterned papers in some of my favorite summer colors, this collection will brighten up any card, layout or project you have in mind. Here is a peek at it...

It features 22 items: twelve 12 x 12 papers, 2 borders and 8 graphics for $7.95!

You can purchase it exclusively at Mygrafico.

I would love to feature projects you create with this collection on my blog and

will post items here and in my Mygrafico gallery once I create them.

Hope Love is Plentiful for you today and always!

A FREEBIE in honor of all Moms

I created this digi stamp as a thank you to all the mom's out there for all the little things you do for your families that often goes unnoticed. This is a great little verse to add to a card for any mom, aunt, grandmom! Perfect for Mother’s Day, Birthday or simply to say thanks for being there. You can edit the art in Illustrator to use the border by itself, delete text, add your own, color the background with pastels or markers. Great for scrapbook page layouts, too! I included some ideas in the set preview. To download this, go to this Freebie link on MyGrafico.com.

This is a peek at the preview...

So you may be wondering, how do I use a digi stamp? It is simple. You can place the file into a word processing program, scale and print out. If you own a photo editing or graphics editing program such as Photoshop, Illustrator, Paint Shop Pro, Corel Draw, etc., you can colorize, edit, then print or use digitally on projects.

I will be taking photos of Mother's Day cards using this stamp today. Hope to post them by tomorrow to help inspire you with your cardmaking.

Preview of New Sets

Here is a quick peek at 3 of my new digital design products available for purchase at MyGraficO. The Elegant Frames has been a popular set for cardmaking, scrapbooking and for custom stationery. You can pair with the Elegant Verses sets to add text or create your own.

These are also great for elegant scrapbook page layouts! I also have a color version.

Another new design that has been well received is my Birthday Pals set with it’s whimsical characters. It comes with b&w art that you can color or edit on computer as well as the 12 bonus colorized designs you see featured. I have some great phrases that go along with these!

I know most of us are just about shaking off the cold winter weather, but Easter is right around the corner. Just think of the fun ways you could incorporate these Spring Chicks designs into your Easter creations! This set has pre-colorized designs that are ready to print and use, or you can use them in a photo editing program, such as Photoshop, to incorporate into digital or hybrid scrapbook pages. As I catch up on some sleep from my designing frenzy, I will be sure to post some examples here for inspiration!

Be sure to check the site and my blog for samples made with all my new releases, and I would love to see your creations in the gallery! Not sure how to use digital designs in your creations? Keep checking back to my blog for tips and examples of how you can, digitally, live life creatively!