Archive for October, 2008:
Encore for Mailable Cards
I had to do it. I had to create another mailable card after yesterday’s comments. I thought for sure viewers would be upset with such a simple card. I’m thrilled that you understand what a mailable card is all about. Ethel mentioned that she doesn’t mind paying the extra postage but will rethink her Christmas cards this year as she has to make 100. You go girlfriend! You actually have me thinking about creating mailable cards for Christmas. I make no promises, but I just might do it.
Besides no embellies, did you notice anything odd about my card? You don’t?! Well, I’ll give you a hint. It’s in the colour–I actually used purple. In all my years of creating cards, I have NEVER used purple before. Talk about timing. I see in the clothing isles that purple is the “in” colour this year, so I just ordered two packages of SU’s purple–Orchid Opulence and Lovely Liliac. I’m so unfamiliar with these names that I had to pull out the packages to write this post because I couldn’t memorize the names.
As I am writing this, I’m excited that I’m on my way to beer and wings this evening–my watercolour class was cancelled for this evening. I hate to miss out on beer and wings and the fellowship of all my friends. Besides, Donnie was away on business last night and I’m dying to sit and talk with him. I’m so in love with this man!
I do thank you for stopping by. It makes my day to read all my comments. I think it makes my mom’s day too–LOL.
Stamp:Â Cynthia Elmore; Ink; Adirondak’s Wild Plum; Paper:Â Lovely Liliac, Purely Promegranet; Dimensional Pearls (in the corners) Butterscotch; White Sukura Souflee pen; Cuttlebug background.
Subscribe to the comments for this postLook–a flat mailable card
Creating a flat mailable card is difficult for me to do. This was a happy accident.
Hope you have a terrific day!
Stamp: Cynthia Elmore; DP paper: daisyd; Cardstock:Â Bravo Burgundy, Really Rust
Paper Really Is The Key To a Good Photo
I appreciate the feedback on my reviews. Please note that yesterday’s review on photocopiers, and today’s review on photo paper, comes from my photography night school notes. I am not endorsing any products.
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Would you like to know how your photos stack up against the best? Would you like to know what is behind good quality photos? Would you like to know how to make your photo last 50 to 100 years? Then read on.
How Can I Test My Paper?
This is going to sound really crazy. Go grab a photo in your stash, and lay it in a bowl of water, covering the paper in its entirity. Let the photo soak for 24 hours. After that time, pull out your photo and look for any running ink. If the ink runs, then you need to reassess the paper and ink you are using. If there is no running ink, you are good to go–but you can make it even better. How? By using Chrome or Ultra Chrome paper.
There are lots of photo papers to choose from. Can you break it down for me?
Sure. Nowadays you can purchase photo paper from Walmart, Staples, and even the dollar store. The important thing to look for is what “type” of paper it is.  Here is a sample list of what product is out there:
- Ilford
- Kodak
- HP
- Epson
- Canon
- Staples
- Fuji
- Lumijet
- Ilofojet
I’m a Scrapbooker and want my photos to last over 50 years. What should I use?
Simply put, use Chrome or Ultra Chrome paper. Your local camera store can order it in. The average cost is about $90 for 100-8 1/2 x 11 sheets, but Sam’s Club often carries it at a cost of $25. Shop around.
I want to have long-lasting photos that will last my life-time. What should I use?
Your top choice is Kodak Premium Photo Plus.  It runs about $17-$20 for 100-8 1/2 x 11 sheets. This, and the papers mentioned in this section, lasts about 20-25 years. After that, colours begin to fade. Other top contenders include Epson Premium Glossy or Premium Luster and costs $100/box. Canon’s Premium paper is also good ($20/50 sheets). Then there is Fuji Premium at a cost of $17/25 sheets. There are lots of other papers, but these are the ones I am focusing on today.
Why do I have preserved photos from my great-great-great grandparents?
There can be many reasons, but the top reason is that the photos were printed on Ilford paper. The company toots that their paper lasts for 100 years, but we see they last even longer. Another reason why the photos are still around is the fact that the ink is black and white. Not the black that is mixed with other colours to create black, like in today’s printers, but true “black” and true “white.”
Do I have to use the same brand of paper and printer?
No.
Glossy or Matt?
Glossy for colourful pictures such as flowers and butterflies. The gloss makes colours pop. Matt for family portraits.
Summary
There are many things to think about when printing photos at home, paper being one of them. Many companies toot that their photo paper will last over 50 and over 100 years.  Do what is best for you.
Thoughts? Comments? Let me hear your view.
Choosing A Printer and Ink
This evening I learned a lot about printers and printer paper in my photography class. I am taught by Holly of Photos by Design, here in Sarnia. Holly is a professional photographer (and is the official photographer for Sarnia’s Hiawatha race track) and was the first pro photographer, in Canada, to purchase a digital camera. Guess what her 3 megapixel camera cost her? Would you believe it was $9,000? Holly didn’t flinch. She knew digital would take off, even though all the others were laughing at her. They told her she was wasting her money, and insisted digital would not catch on. Imagine their surprise as she printed off the winning horses (at the racetrack) the very night of the race. Needless to say, Holly caused quite a stir and many more professional photographers ran to buy their own digital cameras. The findings that I will share with you have been well researched by Holly. She used all the name-brand printers and reported the following.
What determines the quality of a printed photo?
- Type of computer program (Mac prints 25% clearer, followed by Windows 98. Vista printed the poorest quality)
- Type of ink (ink jet is better than laser)
- Brand of printer
- Brand of paper
How does the quality of printing at home compare to printing at Walmart?
Printing at home outnumbers printing at Walmart, providing you use Chrome, or Ultra Chrome, ink. We will discuss paper tomorrow.
Tell me more about ink types
My titles and columns will not allign. The first column is the type of ink. The second column represents the number of years a photo will last without fading. The third column represents where the ink is used.
- Water-based                      1 to 3 years          Used with water-based printers
- Dye                                    20 years               Used with home printer
- Dye Sublimation                20 years               Walmart, photo kiosks
- Photographic                     20 years               Professional photography shops
- Chrome                              20-50 years         Home and professional store (by request)
- Ultra Chrome                     50-100 years       Home and professional store (by request)
Want to find out how your photos are doing? Put a photo into a dish of water for 24 hours. Your ink should not run at all. If it does, then you need to consider making a change.
What printers do you recommend for long-lasting and high quality photos?
Epson 800 ($399) and Epson 1900 ($549) Chrome Ink
Canon 9000 ($449) Dye Ink
Dell:Â All are waterbased
Lexmark:Â All are waterbased
HP:Â Nothing comparable with the Epson
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Happy Halloween (and Thanksgiving to the Canadians)
Now, didn’t I plan this out poorly. Here it is Thanksgiving Day, in Canada,
and I don’t have a Thanksgiving Day card to post.
Instead, I have a card with an image I recently received in a Halloween image swap.
Leaves are punched using my new Martha Stewart punch,
and the sentiment came in my goodie bag from my Secret Sister.
Have a great day. Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Halloween
This is one of the Halloween “colourable” images that I received in a swap I joined.
Isn’t he adorable?
My girlfriend, Jennifer, made an awesome card with this same image.
Tutorial Tuesday – Votive Candle Holder
I have been asked, in the past, to create a tutorial using household items, so here it is. This week’s tutorial will describe how to create a decorative candle, or flower, votive holder using Peel-Off’s and permanent markers. Although I used the “Peel-Off’s” brand, you may substitute.
Supplies:Â Peel-Off’s permanet Markers and Stickers; Dollar-store candle votive holder.
Place stickers onto candle votive holder in a decorative fashion.
With a permanent marker, colour in open areas and in the holes of the stickers.
Your holder can be used for a candle or for flowers.
Close-up view of finished candle votive holder.
Watch for new tutorials each Tuesday.
How You Can Create a Show-Stopping Card
Did you know that there is a “rule” to consider when making a card? We spend so much time concentrating on our image, matching designer paper, and embellishments, that sometimes we neglect to consider one of the most important features of putting our cards together. The “rule” that I am talking about is the rule of thirds. This rule is one I learned in highschool art class, and one I forgot about until I attended my photography class last week. I was surprised to hear that we need to use the rule of thirds when taking photos, and thought that it was time to revisit this rule and share it with you.
While placing an image right in the middle of your card can work, it isn’t always the best spot to place the image. Let’s look at what we can do to create better placement.
As you can see in the photo, the surface has been sectioned into three areas, both horizontally and vertically. The most interesting areas are the areas where the lines intersect, and have been highlighted in red. Our eyes go immediately to these areas naturally, and is where the most important elements of the card should go. Have you noticed how many card designers place sentiments along one of the horizontal lines?
Sometimes it isn’t practical to put elements at the interesting lines. In this case, placement should be evenly distributed among the sections, or a little extra in the top third, or bottom third. Sketching out your design first will help you decide how to balance the elements out in a pleasing manner.
The next time you put your card together, remember the rule of thirds and see how interesting your card becomes.
More Articles About the Rule of Thirds
Learning Composition:Â The Rule of Thirds
The Rule of Thirds for the Scrapbooker
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Winner of the Odd Bird Planet World Card Making Day Challenge
There were wonderful creations made for this past weekend’s Odd Bird Planet Challenges. Thank you to all who participated with my challenge. Tiffany will win a pre-selected stamp and will have her name entered into the big hat for the grand prize. I put everyone’s name into a hat and drew out……..
There is Still Time to Play
World Card Making Day is extended into today.
Create a card, or project, using my technique, or get involved with the OBP team challenges.
It’s not too late to have your name placed in the hat for prizes.
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