Next came the background patterned paper. Recollection Papers at Michaels provided a set of fall hued backgrounds of the same pattern, helping me create a cohesive look throughout when combined with the fonts. At this stage I started becoming overwhelmed with managing the elements. Then, inspiration hit!
I had used Microsoft's 'Publisher' for other kinds of projects, and I think it is the most intuitive and easily used of all their programs. It handles pictures, cropping, resizing, and text beautifully. Your layout can be tweaked until it is just perfect, and nothing has been 'glue-committed'. (You can even select your layered art and save it as a flat picture to use elsewhere.) This method has liberated the way I think about composing my collages.Once I had the banner fixed, I copied all the separate images needed, on to new pages in the same document. Just these pages were then printed, cut out, and assembled on 4.5"X 6.5" DCWV black chipboard. Buttons, glitter, ultra thick clear embossing powder on the letters, and scrapbook embellishments, finished the look. The panels are held together with two short lengths of ribbon hot glued at the top and bottom on the backs to act as hinges.
This new way of working has absolutely liberated me from my novice hangups. It has proved to be so much fun, that I am now working on an entire Halloween alphabet collage, and a Christmas banner much like this one. If you have any questions concerning about how to use this method, I would be happy to answer your questions.Thank you so much for taking the time to look at this. I would love for you to leave a comment, especially so I will know if this is something that interests you too, and something I should share in the future.
Happy Halloween, or at least the thought of cooler weather!
Hi Marcie, It's so nice to meet you! Your Halloween banner is just stunning. It truly looks like something you'd see in a high end gift shop. I could NEVER make something like this. You put it all together just perfectly!...I would have emailed you this next part. I want to tell you that the comment you left me was one of the nicest I've ever received. Just when I was starting to think that maybe I should end my blogging days, you came around and said the sweetest things. I don't have the gift of "blogging gab" at all, and honestly find it quite hard to write about anything, that's why there are usually such gaps between my posts, so thank you so much for all of your very kind words. xo ... I understand what you're going through with your older relatives. It's so hard to watch the ones we love grow older, frail and sometimes very sick, and it takes all we have to stay strong and care for them. I hope you continue to find the strength, but also to find some time for yourself too. We all need that little escape when times are tough. A little bit of time of think of something else and take a break...Just know that you made my day today and I was so touched by what you wrote, especially in midst of all you're going through. Thank you. :) xo Paulette
ReplyDeleteOHH this is so cute! I see you love to create for the holidays just like m e!
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