Color Over Black

I'm not a big fan of this card, but I do love the contrast. I wanted to make many things at one, that's why it's not so good :(

1. Chevron
2. Native American
3. Neon

Choose one and it might look good. Just like my next card that looks sooooo much better. What do you think?

One Layer Card

I wanted to make a card in less than 10 min. This is what it came out. Stamping in the center with lots of white space makes the stamps pops out. The bright colors helps too :p

Using Scraps #2

There's something about using scraps. I can't toss anything away, I feel that I would regret it if I do, so I keep them. I have lots of scrap, but my new philosophy is to work with the scraps I left behind as soon as possible. 

I made this cards the same day and turn out great. I also used the other half of the background cardstock for this mini cards. They are very self-explanatory. Just cut in half the circles and lay them out differently on each card. What have you done with your scraps recently?

Pattern Paper Collage

Pattern paper... it's a love - hate relationship. Love the colors, the patterns but hate I don't know how to mix and match, don't know what to do with it. I spent almost two hours making this card. I know, a lot of time, but I challenge myself to use five pattern papers, two circle dies and no stamp (only sentiment). That was hard! But I love it, it turned out great and so bright. Here's the how to:

TIPS:
- When using pattern paper try to use a single paper pad. Mix and match will be a breeze.
- Keep it simple. When colors and shapes takes over, single color paper or cardstock brings everything together.
- Save the scraps for another card, you won't have to think about mix and match.
- Break the pattern (circle pattern on the background) with another shape or changing the direction (like the banner, that is rectangular and diagonal) This way the element will stand out.

New Things to Come!

Hi everyone! I'm making a super quick post today. I'm working hard on some graphic design projects and one of them is this blog and it's future webpage :) This blog will remain and you can find it here, or thru my webpage (soon to be) as a link. Such big changes in a few days, hope time stretches out.

For today's card I used this stamp set from Maya Road with umbrellas and a cute bird. I used the umbrellas as flowers, the water drop as the disk flower or center of the flower and finally the cane as flower stem. 

TIP: turn your stamps upside down to see another shape that you can use besides the obvious one!

As a graphic designer I work from home for many clients through email or skype and one feature I want to talk to you about is time.  Many graphic designer charge by the hour, and they might take a week or two for a specific project. Since I started working back in 2002 I was in a hurry every day! It was an in-house graphic design department, where EVERYTHING was done in hours or days tops. Thanks to this training for almost 5 years I develop this ability to create the final product or at least a version of it while I'm talking to the client. I grasp very easily what the client wants and make something I know they will love and works best in less time.

I usually work with a client at a time, sometimes I got crazy and work with 3 but I always deliver and keep up to whatever the client needs. That's why I decided to open this Graphic Design Express to the world through my (again, soon to be) website. I'll have a portfolio, some tutorials and my personal info for quote. Most of the time the price is set and I will include it on the website along with some terms to make this freelancing smooth as possible.

Some of the work you can expect from me is corporate identity, POP, any paper publicity and some web banners and minimum web design. Depending on how this website turns out I will be offering some web design for blogs or self-maintained webpages.

I'm also working on a digital design for cardmakers and scrapbookers. I will let you know when it's on my shop. Hope you share your projects here.

Using Scraps

Late post tonight. Today my hubby was home all day :)

So as promised, here's what I did with the remenants of this card. So remember to save those scraps specially those bigger than 2 cm. Sooo tell me what have you done with your scraps! see you on monday!

 

Etsy Shop

I've been working on photos for my etsy shop. At a very slow pace I've been adding items that you might want to check out here. I'm doing it as fast as I can but this weather isn't helping to take photos with natural sunlight :(

I do custom orders. You can see below the latest order. If it's made with felt, yarn, paper or fabric I can probably make it. Notice I don't mention clay, I don't feel that confident yet :p
See you in the shop!

Lovely Postcard

Love is in the air. With my hubby everything is great. Next weekend is our monthly anniversary :) So I made this postcard for him. Pattern Play uses lots of beautiful patterns and I wondered if I could make my own. Guess what, I can and so do you.  I'll be sharing some techniques I use for make my own pattern paper. Let's begin.

This first one is super simple, all you need is paper, stamps and embossing powder. I made this one with clear embossing powder, but I'm thinking metallic embossing powder or even clear embossing powder over colored paper to create an incredible tone on tone paper, super "in" right now. 

How to left the perfect space for the word Love in color? You can stamp this first (that would be the easiest way) or calculate placing the stamp over the card and stamp it next to it and go from there up, down, and side by side... I finished it with baker's twine. So, how I did? Think I'm getting better :p Share yours on the comments.

Stamps & Pattern Paper

Happy birthday to you! Look at the colors. I used two patterned papers from the same pad. This tip was gave on Pattern Play class and is sooooo obvious and we probably never do it. Well, I think it's kinda busy with all the yarn, stamps and washi tape, but I'll get better.

One of the tips on Pattern Play was use patterns in different sizes so it blends together and use one bold or busy pattern with another one more simple or "blah" (Amber's Words) I failed here: I used two bold patterns, and using the stripes in different directions wasn't the best idea :(

Here's the how to

 

I'll keep you posted on how to use pattern papers as I learn myself. But practice will make me better, I'm sure of it. For now, are you willing to give me some advice? Comment below! And thanks for laughing with me and not of me :p

Braided Charms Bracelet

Braided Charm Bracelet - Click to see larger image.

This time I wanted to make some jewelry. It's very easy and you can use as many color combinations you like. I made mine with 3 bright colors (you know I love bright colors) and golden charms. Here's the step by step. I have a facebook page now (again) so make sure to check it out for some last minute tips on other topics as makeup or food ;)

If you want to know how I make the second braid look at the video at the end of the post :)

1. Cut your string desired length and attach clamp. 2. Braid. 3. Attach charms between strings. 4. Add lobster clasp and charm (I love using jingles) And done!

TIP: if you want your charm to have movement use 2 jump rings, one for the charm itself, other to join the first jump ring to the string.

TIP: if you place the jump ring around the braids instead of into the braids all your charms will move to the bottom when using it.

Combining bead colors with strings will make the bracelet look more stylish and sophisticated. When in doubt place both gold and silver charm and jump rings into your bracelet to see which one looks best.