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Sunday, March 15, 2015

Power Poppy Instant Gardener - March Release

Hello, sweet friends, and welcome to the Power Poppy Instant Garden Digital Release for March, the monthly digital stamp collection from Power Poppy by Marcella Hawley. You can buy, download, print, and color the digi images - in an instant - today!

I am delighted to share this month's digital release and will simply share Marcella's wonderful inspiration notes...it says it all far more beautifully than I could.

This image features awakening daffodils and twirling foliage in a tangle of periwinkle (Vinca minor), with a roly poly snail. A "just because" sentiment (with a transparent background) shares the daffodils' twirling sensibility!

You all may know from past blog posts and chit-chat that I am a big admirer of daffodils. I have planted many varieties in my garden through the years, and some of them are nice enough to return each spring (when I haven't let other plants overtake their space...). Meanwhile, my mom, Susan, is a true daffodil devotee. She is a member of the American Daffodil Society and has planted gajillioins of varieties all over the yard from bulbs she has tracked down with "daffodialaholic" desire from her various sources. Each spring, she calls me to come over and "cut a ton and make big bouquets!" and I always oblige (who wouldn't?). They come in many shades of yellow, cream, and white with the most delicious colors for the "cup" - apricot, pink, salmon (of course, yellow, white, green). The differences are subtle but really quite dreamy to play with.

Look at these delightful daffodils, periwinkle, and wonderful little snail - the new digital stamp release called Dancing with Daffodils.

Power Poppy, Instant Garden Digital Stamp Release, Dancing with Daffodils, March 2015

Having a love of daffodils, I decided to break out and start manipulating this digital image to show how versatile it is with just the daffodils...what can I say...I love technology. So you might say that I went out to Marcella's "garden" and gathered a bouquet of daffodils! I used GIMP (the free photo-editing software), but you can also use Photoshop. Both Julie Koerber and Allison Cope have shared great tutorials to take out the mystery of working with digitals...using Photoshop, Word, and GIMP. Be sure to visit these wonderful tutorials, and don't be shy about asking questions:


When I saw these daffodils, I thought of how "friendly" they are...growing together and seeing new friends added each year as new bulbs are planted. So I decided to digitally "mask" the daffodils and put three together (more about that below). After adding the perfect sentiment from Camellias, I colored my daffodils with a darker "cup" and added some blue highlights to match my card stock. Who doesn't love blue with yellow? Then I used the main die from A2 Filagree Delights to cut out my focal image, fussy cutting around the oval, and colored the edge with Copic marker B41. Since I wanted to pop the decorative die over the blue card stock, I used two die cuts from the main Filagree Delights die and glued them together to give them some body and adhered to my blue card stock, used Perfect Layers for an even mat, and adhered it all to my card base. And once again, this is a mailable card - yay!

Power Poppy, Instant Gardeners, Dancing with Daffodils, Camellias, Digital Image, CherylQuilts, Designed by Cheryl Scrivens

So how did I make my "masked" Power Poppy bouquet? I opened my Dancing with Daffodils image with GIMP, immediately renamed the temporary file "Daffodil Bouquet Layer 01," flipped it horizontally for a mirror image, erased all but the masked piece I wanted (two daffodils), removed the background, cropped it, and saved it as a .png file. (Make sure you do not overwrite your purchased and copy-protected digital image.) Next I reopened the original Dancing with Daffodils image, renamed my temporary image "Daffodil Bouquet Layer 02," erased all but the left daffodil, removed the background, cropped it, and saved it as a .png file. These temporary mask files help us achieve what we do when using Eclipse masking paper to make masks for our physical stamps...one is the "digital" foreground image, and the other is the "digital" background image. [Note: This copyrighted image is designed by Marcella Hawley, and these temporary files are protected by the same copyright. So keep them in your personal library, and do not share them.] 

I could have used GIMP to "group" my bouquet of daffodils, but I like doing it in Word and think it is easier for beginning digital stampers. In Word, I dragged in each of the two "bouquet" pieces, resized them (be sure to hold down the Control key so you don't distort the image), and arranged them. I "sent back" the left daffodil and made it a little larger. Now I have two "masked" images from Dancing with Daffodils in Word to make my bouquet. I selected my digital sentiment and added it the same way. Once I had the sizes and shapes arranged the way I wanted, I grouped them (hold down the Control key and select each piece, then right click and select "group"). Now I can copy and paste this "group" to print out four on a page (having done all the creative work, I love to make more than one card). 

So now it's time to visit the rest of the amazing Instant Gardeners and to visit Power Poppy's website to get this new digital release - today (no shipping required)!

Thanks so much for "stopping by" and sharing a comment, thought or question, and I hope you have a wonderful week! And warm hugs to all...spring is coming!

Blessings,

Stamps:  Dancing with DaffodilsCamellias (Power Poppy) 
Paper: Solar White (Neenah), White (PTI), Bashful Blue (SU)
Tools/Accessories: Copic markers, A2 Filigree Delights dies (Spellbinders), Glue n' Seal adhesive, 3M dimensional tape
Techniques: Digital Manipulation using GIMP and Microsoft Word
Card Size:  A-2
Copics Used:  Y02, Y11, Y21, Y23, Y28, YR12, YR20, YR21, YR30, E81, E84, G40, G43, G82, YG11, YG17, YG45, B0000, B41

32 comments:

Lisa Lara said...

Wow, Cheryl, your card is magical. Genius with your digital masking. So beautiful.

Barbara said...

Wow, I am so impressed and you are techie! I love this flower and this card and all of the other examples have encouraged me to try digi's again. Thanks

Pauline said...

Cheryl, I love the way you have created your image. Beautiful card, love your design layout. The spellbinder die really adds elegance to this - great choice.
Fabulous colouring as well!

Benzi said...

Oh my goodness, Cheryl, you are the technology queen. I have Gimp but haven't used it in this way.
Your card is so striking. I do love daffodils and mine have finally bloomed, though I don't have many. I want to go cut them off for a bouquet. I love your die, too...sooooo gorgeous.
This just couldn't be more beautiful. Have a wonderful Sunday.

Vicki Burdick said...

Totally stunning!! So love those daffodils!!!

Angelica Schmidt said...

Wow ! Your card is so gorgeous Cheryl! Amazing coloring and I love that die you used! Wish I could figure out all this technology no such luck! Have a Blessed day! Hugs

Grace said...

Ooooh Cheryl your card is, as always, just stunning!!! I love that it's mailable yet so elegant in design! Your techie skills are amazing and while I understand working in layers, I'm not sure how to remove the bg yet. Still trying to figure that out! LOL! LOVE how you arranged your daffies and your coloring is just beautiful!!! Thanks for the detailed instructions on how you did this in GIMP! You inspire me all the time!!!
hugs,
Grace

CherylQuilts said...

Oh, Grace, I know you can do it! See Julie's tutorial using Photoshop. She tells you how to remove the background. In GIMP, click on Layer, Transparency, Add Alpha Channel, and then in your Toolbox, click on the Fuzzy Select Tool. Then click on the background in your image and do Command-X (for your Mac) or cut in Windows. Use it for all the areas in the background between leaves. HTH!

CherylQuilts said...

Hope you will give it a try, Brenda. Both Julie's and Ally's tutorials are excellent!

CherylQuilts said...

I am so glad, Barb, and I look forward to seeing something soon!

Becky said...

wow Cheryl, this card is stunning! Love the dies and love the daffodils. All that work with the digi sounds so complicated, even tho you gave great instructions. I do not work with digi's, the ink from the printer smudges something awful, no matter what I do.

Stacy Morgan said...

Look at you my little digi talented friend... This is fabulous and what a great idea! I love the frame you used for these Daffodils, fantastic coloring as well. Cheryl you are the queen of CAS... love it!

Grace said...

Oh thanks Cheryl! I will print off for a later time to play with it. You are my techie hero!!! Hugs!

Karen W said...

Beautiful card and amazing work with the computer.

Late Blooming said...

Oh my goodness....I am sure my pc won't do all of that. It is lovely and I thank you for sharing.

Sharman said...

Awesome job. Love it...

Chris Olsen, Glowbug said...

Gorgeous Cheryl!! I just love daffodils and I so can't wait to see them in real life...a true sign of spring!! Your manipulation of the image and coloring is incredible. You are so talented!! Your design is so beautiful with the die cut frame and your colors!! The blue really softens your card!! A nice combination of the bright flowers and soft blue and white background!! Stunning as always my friend!!

hugs,
Chris

Susie Williams said...

Wow sis, this is jaw dropping gorgeous. You and PowerPoppy were made for each other!

Leslie Miller said...

This is just amazing, Cheryl! Not only is your coloring gorgeous and life like, you have made yourself a whole new digi with your techno-twist! Honestly, I never tried any of this fancy stuff with my digis until I read the tutorials on Power Poppy, but it's fantastically easy and so much fun! Love that your card with it's beautiful filigree background is an easy mailer, too. You are so inspiring!

Stephanie said...

Oh Cheryl, Daffodils are my favorite Spring flower and you have created a beautiful card that captures the essence of Spring :)

Have a blessed day, sweet friend. Much love!

Robin Clendenning said...

Cheryl, your coloring is so beautiful!!! Wonderful, gorgeous card my sweet friend!! I LOVE those daffodils, I think I need to go over the Power Poppy right now!

Broni said...

Girl, you are amazing! I love how you remastered this beauty into your own bouquet. I have so much more to learn about using digis!! And your coloring is perfection....so much depth to your single layer!! A masterpiece, for sure!

Debbie Olson said...

Cheryl, this is just fabulous! I love how you repeated the daffodil even--great idea, and beautifully carried out!

Cathymac said...

Absolutely stunning, my friend! The coloring on your daffodils is gorgeous, Cheryl! Love your use of dies on this beautiful design. Your technical skills are amazing! Since the weather here is turning cold again, I can't wait for the arrival of Spring and the beautiful daffodils! Hugs!

Cookie said...

First of all...You made my day by stopping by my blog and leaving such kind words! And may I say you are gorgeous yourself! Thank you so much...It meant so much....And I LOVE your beautiful creations as well and I wish I could color as wonderfully as you! Hugs....Cookie :D

Heather T said...

This is very beautiful, Cheryl. I love daffodils they are such a cheerful flower. Yours are superbly coloured, arranged and framed. Thank you for the kind words you have left me at Splitcoast; you are such an encourager, I appreciate you taking the time to visit and comment.

Vicki Burdick said...

Cheryl I just had to come back a look at your fabulous card again! Your coloring is spectacular on those daffodils, mine are blooming right now and yours look every bit as good as the real thing!! I need to get this digi stamp!

Unknown said...

I just love seeing your work Cheryl!!! You never dissapoint and these daffodils are lovely!!! I wish I could work right along with you as you color!

Dawn B. said...

Well how clever are you. I love daffodils. I bet your garden of these delectable flowers is just as beautiful as your card. Thanks for all the info you provided to accomplish this. I have a hard time thinking outside the box. Great job Cheryl.

Susan (rainy) said...

What a gorgeous card and wonderful use of the image!! Beautiful coloring, too!

Kathy Jones said...

How clever to mask and reverse the image to create extra bits!! Beautifully coloured and framed and it's great that it is mailable too!! Perfectly happy and Springy!!

Tracy said...

Wow! It's amazing how much work you put into just getting the image that you wanted much less the fabulous design you came up with. The filigree background dresses those blooms up so prettily. My mom likes them too. I gave her some a few years back that are white with the peach cup. They're gorgeous. She has some in a vase right now. These florals are so perfect for your crafting style. :-)