Friday, February 28, 2014

Free Printable Blank Art Calendar, Giveaway, Great Sample Ideas and Take it Easy Set Dilemma

Hi Everyone,  I'm writing from Mexico as we were asked last minute to join friends in San Jose Del Cabo at a cool house they rented.   Airfare was so low we couldn't resist as the house worked out to less than $85 a night for our share and  we are saving $$ by cooking here.  Plus - look at the snow we left!  We went to Cabo yesterday and spent $12.00 each to go in a glass bottom boat to lover's Beach. I had no idea it was so pretty.


I cleaned out the Art Calendar I had posted in January and have a blank one now that you can use for any month and just write in the days. Just click it left click  till big as possible and right click to save to a picture file.   You could also color 1 page or 4 seasonal pages and just replace the month and cut the flourishes so a monthly card can tuck in the center.  I've included some pretty samples below by our talented Design Team ladies.  I'm giving away a $25.00 Gift Certificate for feedback on Take it Easy Digital Set (see below). 

Here's the sample calendar by DT Member Darlene Pavlek and the colors seem to suit a summer or fall month.

Here's the calendar page by DT Member Elizabeth Lincoln and look how she did the 2 tone green.



Lastly, here is the calendar tutorial by DT Member Michele Kovack which is done in pretty Spring colors.

Here's a great shabby spring card by DT Leader Kathy Clement using an image from our Seasonal Booklet with paper from the Earthy Floral Printable Papers
  with Uttee (her fave) and pretty ribbons.



Look at this adorable card by DT Member Vicki Chrisman using an image from our Farm Fresh Scraps

DT Member Elizabeth Lincoln has created a bunch of beautiful cards including this beauty using papers and designs from CD 3 Creating With Vintage Typography.


Here's another pretty card by Elizabeth and she pasted in a bird with papers from CD 2, Creating With Vintage Illustrations


DT Member Sheila Rumney has great Tutorial showing how to use the Burn Tool to age papers with Photoshop Elements.  Sheila used papers from our Sew Decortive CD.




This is the Take it Easy Set we sold out of.  I've always wanted to add a lamp and bird cage and didn't have room on this small set - but there are no rules with digital so check out the new ADDITIONAL DESIGNS BELOW - BUT i NEED FEEDBACK

 Diane (my ad lady) changed some of these images over to PNG files and she left a couple with white in the center, please tell me if you like this idea better or not? The lamp and the table are white instead of transparent, so you can still print them off on any color paper but you wouldn't be able to layer them digitally over color or pattern papers. Which do you like better??  Do you think all digital stamps should be transparent PNG files?

When I get it sorted out and added to the store in the next day or so it will be priced like a small set for the first 2 weeks at $3.50. 


Here are some samples that were made with the original Clear Set before the extra designs were added.  Michele Kovack just finished creating the first cute blue chair card.

I will do a post on San Jose del Cabo after our trip is over and include links to our favorites like this house we are staying in.  This is part of a mural painted on the patio wall where I've been working. 




 Our Easter Banner and Easter Cut-out Kids will be added next, they are just undergoing some changes.

Leave a comment on the Take it Easy Stamp Set or on anything you've liked to be entered in our $25.00 Giveaway. Winner announced this Monday at our March Linky Party.  Come join the fun!

Have a great weekend!


Sandy Redburn
Crafty Secrets

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26 comments:

Unknown said...

Being new to digital art, I prefer clear stamps. Less steps to work through. I love these beautiful creative cards. Thank you for the inspiration Ladies.

Unknown said...

I like the extras you have added. I like to be able to layer my digi stamps when using them. I can see using these stamps not only for cards but for doll houses.

lupe martinez said...

hi, i have never tried digital images but would sure like to try.

Marcie Rhys said...

First of all, thank you for that stunning calendar image. It is divine no matter how you offer it to us, but this version is loaded with potential as the finished examples show.

I have used only Paint.net and GIMP software for my graphical work, and so far, have not run across images which can not be saved as another file extension (format). I'm not a sophisticated user of these soft wares, but this seems pretty basic for anyone doing graphical work, and they should be able to execute. It is also pretty easy to do a spot fill in these programs, although that would be a problem on the table's support, since the image has an open area on the sides.

It seems that if they were all pngs, the images would be the most usable, due to predictability. As I say, I'm not skilled at this and I know Adobe is too complicated for me, but this is the way I would come at it.

Thanks for asking for our input, and for a chance to win some of your marvelous designs. Your stamps were some of the earliest I owned, and I just love your vintage images.

Rene said...

I have this stamp set but LOVE the additions you've included in the digital version. I like PNG files best, so I can add them to anything without worry of the background or edges.

Cynthia said...

Beautiful DT inspiration, ladies! I have the "Take it Easy" clear set and love your digital additions of the lamp and birdcage.

Have a great trip, Sandy! Your photo of the blue water is beautiful.

McStamper said...

Your digital designs are beautiful. I am still trying to learn. Thanks for a chance to win some of your great designs.

Unknown said...

Just love the comfy chair!

Unknown said...

Just love the comfy chair!

KT Fit Kitty said...

I love the new Take it Easy set - especially the little kitty! This is definitely going on my wish list! In answer to your request for feedback, I prefer PNG files to be transparent. I hope you are enjoying your trip - looks like a lot of fun!

okanagan_spirit said...

I love the extras added to the set, but I would prefer png as I can layer them more like using stamps.

Pambi7 said...

I love this digi set. The addition of the bird in her cage is beautiful. Thank you for the giveaway.

Birgit said...

Well, first I'll start by saying that I'm a little green with envy at your vacation spot right now as it's only supposed to get to 2 degrees tonight! Oh, that water in the picture looks so clear and blue.
As for the calendar image, it's awesome!! Thanks so much for making it blank. That makes it so much more versatile.
Since I'm not very skilled at digital art and its uses, I'm sure that whatever you choose will be applicable and much appreciated by all your customers.
Thanks for the opportunity to win too! Enjoy the rest of your vacation!!!

Kim B said...

Love all your designs, thank you for the freebie. I like PNG. It looks like you are having a wonderful time and a nice break from the snow. Hugs, Kim

Personally Created (Michele) said...

I like png files with clear centers. I have opened white images in photoshop and used the magic lasso to delete the white so I could layer or print them over something else. If you guys did it, you'd just be saving me the work. Heehee! Thanks for all the wonderful inspiration!

Deb said...

Thanks for the blank calendar, it's lovely! As for the PNG files, I guess it would depend upon what I was using it for; if I planned to colour it white would be fine but if I wanted to overlay it on some vintage papers I'd want it transparent so sorry, I'm no help at all! Maybe include both versions if possible? I'd love to be entered into your giveaway, thanks for the opportunity and have fun in the sun!

LaurelH79 said...

That Chair Looks So Very Comfy. Makes You Want To Curl Up In It In FroNT Of A Roaring Fire.
I Would Love To Be Entered In A Chance To Win Your Giveaway. thanks

Gail said...

Thank you for the blank calendar - your set is lovely - I like the old fashion lamp with the old fashion chair and that cute birdcage - thanks for an opportunity to win a prize - have a lovely time on your vacation as well - looks like fun! Gail

Sue C said...

The blank calendar is lovely, and the cards are gorgeous!! Thank you!

Sue C

Sue C said...

The blank calendar is lovely, and the cards are gorgeous!! Thank you!

Sue C

It'sMe said...

The calendar is lovely.
PNG transparent please.
Digi Stamp I love it just going to buy now, My Brother-In law dog sits at home and putting the dog on the chair would make a good card for him. ♥

The Paper Toile said...

I prefer transparent. Great calendar samples!

cjgusloff57 said...

I guess I would go with the Png file. I am not skilled at this by any means, so may be way off the track. I do like your products and hope to use more of them in the future. Thanks for the chance to win.

cjgusloff57 said...

I guess I would go with the Png file. I am not skilled at this by any means, so may be way off the track. I do like your products and hope to use more of them in the future. Thanks for the chance to win.

Disco Queen said...

I'm glad you're having a fab time in Mexico. Thank you for asking for our input. I love the lamp & birdcage. They are perfect additions to the set. I prefer PNG files for hybrid crafting. I love to print stamped images out in different colors, not just black, & find I have difficulties where the outline blends into the white background. Thanks for the chance to win. Theresa x

Cammie said...

Sandy, thanks for the beautiful calendar page, and ladies, thanks for the wonderful inspiration. I do prefer digital stamps that are PNG