May 24, 2007

Colored images.....



I'm glad you all have been enjoying my tips on mass producing cards. Today's tips are for stocking up on colored images. Lots of us LOVE to color images but lots of us don't because it takes up too much time. If you break the process into several steps, it will be much easier.

Here's what I do: Stamp images in black onto scrap pieces of cardstock. For these samples, I used Bella images. Next I cut a full sheet of patterned paper into 4" x 4" pieces. You can get 9 pieces out of one sheet of 12" x 12" cardstock. I then match up a piece of the patterned paper with each image. This will dictate the colors I will use when coloring the images, and in turn takes the guess work out of matching up my colored images to patterned paper later on. I pack up these images and whatever coloring medium I want to use in a little tote. I take this tote with me when I sub, or to soccer practice, dental appointments, etc and just color them when I have time.

Then when the mood strikes, I take out these colored images and create cards. There's not a lot of thinking involved because the images are colored, the patterned paper is already picked out. I created these three *think thin* cards in about 15 minutes. I just pulled out some matching ribbon, brads and solid cardstock and I was good to go. I even had time to add some other embellishments like piercing, the prima flower and glitter to the bathing suit.

Tip of the day: Don't you hate it when you make smudges on your nice colored image or color outside the lines? Don't throw it away! Get out your white gel pen...I like SU!'s......and simply color over the smudge. I have saved many a card by doing this. Or you could always cover a smudge up with an embellishment like the Prima flower I used on these cards. And another favorite cover up of mine is to use the air art tool and marker. Simple spritz on color over the smudges. Presto!

32 comments:

Coach Prentice said...

WHAT????? Use the white signo pen to cover smudges??? Why have you kept this a secret for so long??? That is the best tip I have ever heard. Michelle...you ROCK on a whole new level!

Bethany Paull said...

LOVE the orange and blue cosmo chick! You must go through A LOT of cards, mass producing everything. Even making them one at a time, I have a massive stash in reserve.

Rose Ann said...

Love your Bellas!! Awesome tips as well!! Thank you!

Anonymous said...

Thank you SO much for continuing to share your valuable techniques with us! I'm so inspired that I'm putting it into action. LOL! :D It's one thing to know about a technique or process, but so much better to see it in color!

Melissa said...

Hahaha! Think thin is fantastic!!

Pegg S said...

I'm loving your tips the past few days!! Very helpful!! I just used your white gel pen trick the other day! Great minds ... ;)

Marilyn said...

What types or kinds of coloring products do you use on your cards? I'm just getting into card making and would love to know what kinds of stamp ink or other products you use.

Alhambra Club said...

Thanks for sharing your tips, keep them coming, they re great.

Dottie K. said...

Ooohhh! Wish I kenw about the signo pen sooner, but now that your secret is out I'm sure you have helped many of us save some of our favorite images. TFS I learn so much from your blog and tips. Love the idea of stamping your image and matching paper then working on when you can. I'm going to do this!! Thank You!!!! Love the Bellas! Looking forward to what's next.....

Chantelle said...

I am so loving all your wonderful idea's on mass production. So very helpful. I've just got my Bella stamps from the US so I like how you have explained a great way to colour in by matching some patterned paper to it first. Thanks for sharing - your blog is my absolute favourite. Regards from across the seas.

Alli Miles said...

Great Bella cards. I too use the smudge gel pen trick!!! I had WAY TOO MANY cards that would have gone into the garbage otherwise...
You continue to inspire Mish! Thank you so much.
Alli

Valerie said...

LOVIN' all your tips, Mish! And totally diggin that paper!

Anonymous said...

Awesome tips, Michelle! This is the best yet. You inspired me to clean up my card file and I now have an "active" basket on top of my desk for cards to send during the month, cards for my next card club swap, DSS, and works in progress. Tomorrow I plan to work on making my own patterned paper, and I already have my bellas stamped and ready to color. I feel so organized, thanks to you! Keep those tips coming!

Sharon Harnist said...

OMG -- I do that, too, Michelle -- don't look too closely or you'll see quite a bit of white gel pen on my images, LOL! Great idea to match up your images and paper, THEN color!

Anonymous said...

Love your tips and tricks. I do some of them, but I will take the cyber~hand slappin' with the fun that it was intended and promise to TRY and start cleaning up my area. Love your blog!

Beth said...

Mish - Why do you think I go through SO many SU white gel pens - ME SLOPPY!

Love these ideas!

Mimi Hornberger said...

These are fabulous! I love the patterned paper! TFS! And, by the way, I love your haircut. It looks great on you. I have, just recently, gone with a similar style and love it!

Anonymous said...

You ROCK, ROCK, ROCK!!! I love these bellas - especially that blue "outline" around the beach babes -- how did you do that???
Loving the tips - your blog is quickly becoming my FAVE!
{{{hugs}}}
kerry

Jen said...

Thank for sharing such wonderful tips with everyone. I do have a question for you, all of your Bella's look amazing and I'm wondering what coloring tech. you used? The are magnificent!

Tami McBeain said...

Another fantastic tip! I always look forward to your new posts. Love your cards!

Sherrie said...

Love your little sentiment! Great little tip for the smudges!

Bellawhoop said...

I've been a lurker on your website since I discovered it a few days ago. I find all of your tips quite handy and look forward to seeing your new stuff. Thanks for all of your helpful advice. :)

Ila said...

Wow! These are really great tips. I discarded an image I colored today because of a smudge. Love all the tips on mass producing as well. Thanks for sharing!!

Denise said...

great idea! I took some images to the doctor's yesterday and colored away while I was waiting!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the wonderful tips and tricks you use for your beautiful art! I absolutely LOVE checking out your blog. Wish I had as much talent as you have in your pinky finger! Crystal N.

Michele Kovack said...

MASS Produce? I'm lucky if I make one card....LOL! Your creations afe awesome!!!

Anonymous said...

WOW! Mish....your blog is always inspiring! We DO need those hints and reminders that keep stamping fun! Thanks for the tips on mass producing.....I love it! Keep em' coming because I know we always look forward to your good stuff!!

Anonymous said...

Just found your blog...WOW! Awesome tips!! I will be spending lots 'o time here! :)

By the way, where did you get the "think think" stamp?? Very cute saying! :)

Anonymous said...

dang it all...

I meant "think thin"! I'm the one that needs to "think think"!! LOL

Anonymous said...

So many great tips from you!! I so love your blog. THe only thing id..I have no bellas. I am beginning to think I am the only one so I better find out where to get them! LOL

Anonymous said...

Mish -
Thanks so much for all these great tips on mass producing! They are all awesome...just like you! I would also like to know wht you use to color your images and is that a yellow ATG gun I see in the second photo on the right? Please keep sharing...if you have adhesive tips, that would be great also!

Debbi T said...

My best idea for mass producing was a "wake me up in the night" thought - it's to get YOU to make them all for me! ;)

Mishy, you know I love your work! And you! You *so* rock!!

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