S2G How To Page!

GEORGIA goes GHOULY!!!

2010-09-26T13:24:00.000-07:00

Another FA-BOO-LOUS Tutorial...by GEORGIA!
PEZ COFFIN!

One of my favorite places to go for inspiration is the candy aisle at Walgreens. On one visit, I found this cute little Dracula Pez Dispenser. First thing that came to my head was that he needed a coffin. When I got home, I designed a coffin just for him. Being happy with the finished product, I decided to create a tutorial and the link to my templates. If you pass this tutorial on...please link it to my blog. Thanks!

http://georgiamacdonald.blogspot.com/

Step #1

Materials:

2 sheets of black cardstock

Pez Holder

white ink

image

(I used one from a set by Shirley's 2 Girls...you get these 4 images for just $3.00!

Don't forget digi images can be sized to suit your needs.)

adhesive

ribbon

scoring tool

sponge or dauber

Coffin Templates

Step #2

Print coffin templates on the black cardstock.

When you go to the template link, you'll want to select print. Don't use a shortcut print key. It should open as a PDF file. Make sure that the scaling option is on NONE. If you don't, the little Pez dispenser won't fit.

Cut out.

Score the dotted lines.

Cut on the solid dark black lines.

Step #3

Use the white ink and daub around the edges.

Add adhesive to the triangle pieces.

Assemble

Create your embellishments

Step #4

Add embellishments.

CAT GETS "BOSSIE"!

2010-09-23T20:00:00.000-07:00

Digital Embossing? Now You Can with S2G!

Ever see a cute digi stamp and say, "Oh if only I could emboss it,"? Having embossing withdrawal now that you switched to digi stamps? Well, help is here, because today I am going to show you how to emboss digital stamps! You will need:

One piece of copy paper folded in half, Wet Looks Embossing Markers, clear embossing powder, a heat gun, and a digital stamp. I chose S2G's #606-SHEEP.

Place the digi on top of the folded copy paper.

Trace over small sections of the digital image with a Wet Looks Embossing pen.

Pour some clear embossing powder into the lid of the container.

Sprinkle embossing powder over the part of the image that was just traced.

Gently tap the edge of the card, allowing the excess powder to fall on the copy paper.

Continue tracing small areas, applying embossing powder, and shaking off the excess until the card is embossed in the desired amount.

This is what the image looked like when it was covered in embossing powder. The line that the pencil is touching was not embossed.

When all desired areas have been covered in embossing powder, hold the paper so that the excess powder collects in the center on the fold.

Having folded the paper at the beginning of the process makes it so easy to pour the excess embossing powder back into the container when finished.

Now for the actual embossing. Hold the heat gun approximately six inches from the image, and using a circular motion, heat the image until it has a glossy finish. The part of the image that looks powdery has not yet been heated.

Here is a close up of the embossed image after it has been heated.

If you want to add more, it's not too late! I colored in the wool around the sheep's head, added more embossing powder, and heated it.

After embossing, I colored some areas with Copic Markers, and filled in the rest with "Fluff" mixed with glitter. Next time you want to emboss, try this technique! You'll be glad you did!

2010-09-07T14:20:00.000-07:00

Tutorial on downloading, printing,

resizing your digital images!

After you've made your payment, you will automatically be directed to a page where you can download your digital stamp immediately. If you experience a problem... email us, & we will mail them directly to you. In this case... the digital stamp is delivered as an attachment to the email.

Downloading & Saving Digital Images

1. When payment is received you are directed to the download page
2. Click on the download and a File Download box will open
3. Click the Save button
4. A 'Save As' box will open
5 . Click on Desktop icon (to the left of your screen)
6. Click on Create New Folder (small icon on the top) give file name: ie: S2G Files
7. Now click on the file you just created. (S2G Files)
8 . Click Save and your digi is now on your computer.
9. Click this box closed.
If the file you have downloaded is a ZIP file. (a compressed file)
Follow this procedure.Using Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows 7, you can just double click on the downloaded ZIP file. When the folder opens, click on "Extract all files". This will place a new folder containing the digital stamps in the same location as the ZIP file was. The files have now been extracted (or separated) from the ZIP file & are ready for use.

***Please note that there are time limits

that affect how long the download link will be available to you. Our digital stamps show the expiration date and there are 3 downloads. Again, if something doesn't work, email us & we will take care of it.

Archiving Digital Stamps

A good habit to get into is to save all of your stamps into an archive (permanent place, ie:S2G file) as soon as you download them and only ever work on copies of files from this archive. You should also look at using a method of backing up newly downloaded stamps immediately, perhaps onto a CD, or USB pen drive. This means that your original files will always be protected and can be used and reused over and over again, and your digital stamps will never be at risk from loss should you experience a problem with your computer.

Printing Digitals

There are several programs that will let you open
& print digital stamps. You just have to figure out
what program you have on your computer.

We recommend using Microsoft Word.
(To check if you have Microsoft Word.)
1. Click - Start (bottom left)
2. Click - All Programs
3. Click - Microsoft Office folder

4. Click on MicroSoft Word and the program will open

If you don't have MicroSoft Word, then maybe you have Microsoft Works. Using MicroSoft Word and MicroSsoft Works are very similar.

Open & Print digi file using MicroSoft Word

1. Open MS Word and you will have a blank document.

2. Click - INSERT

Click - PICTURE

Click - FROM FILE - INSERT PICTURE box will open

3. Click the DESKTOP icon (to the left)

4. Double-click the S2G FILE or name you gave digi file you created.

5. Your image list will show up, double-click the digi you want to print.

6. Now digi image is in the document.

7. Load CARDSTOCK in your printer

8. Click PRINT and Voila. . .you have your image.

(We use a 60#, 100 brightness, paper from International Paper called Hammermill Color Copy Cover. It's reasonably priced and works great. Whisper White is NOT recommended, because the coating will cause the ink to smear.)

RESIZE an image using MicroSoft Word

1. Right click on image, then click & drag to the size you want.

2. Make sure you drag from the corners or you will distort the image!

Download & Print using...PAINT (standard with Windows)

1. Click - Start

Click - All Programs

Click - Accessories

Click - Paint

2. Click on - FILE and then OPEN

3. Click on DESKTOP (on left of screen)

then double-click on folder you created (S2G Digis)

4. Click on the digi stamp you want to print, then click open.

5. Your image will open.
6. Click - FILE, then PRINT

To PRINT at the top left of the paper (to save paper)

1. Click on the FILE menu & then PAGE SETUP.

2. Un-check Horizontal & Vertical boxes under CENTERING

3. Close the Page Setup box

4. Click - FILE Click- PRINT & you have your image.

Coloring Digital Stamped Images

1. When digital stamps have been printed from a computer they can be colored

in the same way as traditional stamped images.

2. One limitation is that the images will be printed using normal printer ink

& not a specialist rubber stamping ink.

3. There may be issues with the ink running if a wet coloring method is used.

4. It is possible to heat set printer ink using a heat tool to reduce the

likelihood of this happening. Pens, pencils & paints are all suitable for using

with printed digital stamps.

Special Effects

Because digital stamps are printed from a printer & not stamped with inks,
special effects that are made using these inks are difficult to achieve.

Techniques such as heat embossing or other techniques that require materials
to be applied to the ink are difficult to achieve. This does not mean that they are impossible, however, as the outline of an image can be traced using an embossing
ink pen & the image finished as normal. The key to the successful heat embossing
of digital stamp images is speed. Therefore get everything ready before starting
to print, even get the lid off the embossing powder jar! Heat embossing digital images helps to give a hand stamped look to the finished item. As the image is printed & not physically stamped, the embossing powders need to be added when the printer ink
is still wet. As printer ink dries almost instantly on porous paper, heat embossing
only works on non-porous paper such as glossy printer paper. vellum or other shiny surfaces.
Quickie Tips for Embossing Digital Stamps

* Use glossy or non porous paper

* Act fast!

* Be prepared to experiment (printers, inks & even the

climate can effect the time it takes ink to dry)

* Make sure that the ink is as wet as possible

* Stand by the printer & pour the embossing powder

on as the paper comes out of the printer.

GEORGIA GOES WILD!

2010-09-04T22:04:00.000-07:00

Halloween Treat Box Tutorial

by Georgia

I created this tutorial on how to make a treat holder. I used a Halloween theme with a

Shirley's 2 Girls Digi as a tag. They are fun and easy to make!

Halloween Treat Holder

Step 1: Materials
    1- 7 ½ in x 7 ½ in cardstock or heavy DP
    4- 2 ¼ in x 2 ¼ in DP
    18 inches of ribbon
    Stamp of choice (I used an S2G image) for tag
    Materials to make tag
    Eyelets optional
Step 2: Score lines on 7 ½ in x 7 ½ in cardstock or heavy DP at 2 ½ in and 5 in. Rotate 90 degrees. Repeat. Crease all of the scored lines.

Step 3: Crease corner pieces on the diagonal

Step 4: Cut 4- 2 ¼ in x 2 ¼ in on the diagonal to make triangles

Step 5: Adhere triangles to outside of the box.

Step 6: Hole punch corners (adding eyelets is optional)

Step 6: Thread Ribbon
Step 7: Create and add tag
Step 8: Fill with goodies

GEORGIA GETS AN A+!

2010-08-28T10:08:00.000-07:00

Easy Peasy Box Tutorial by Georgia!

This tutorial will show the basics of making a simple box bottom. From there, the sky’s the limit! For example, you can make a lid for the top just by cutting a square 1/16 of an inch larger than the first one. You can also adjust the length, width, and height of your box. You have complete control!

This tutorial makes a 3 x 3 x3 box (inches)

Materials

9 x 9 square DP cardstock

1- 1/2inch x 14 inches coordinated strip for the top border. Mount this on a 7/8 x 14 1/2 inch strip

Handle- 1/2 inch x 9 inches

Mount handle with a contrasting piece of card stock

2 brads

digi stamps for embellishments

I used the adorable S2G digi stamps for this project

double sided tape (scor pal tape)

scissors

hole punch

scor pal

bone folder

Step 1: Score at 3 and 6 inches

Rotate paper 90 degrees and repeat

(You now have a tic tac toe board)

crease scored lines with bone folder

Step 2: At each corner square, draw a line on the diagonal.

Note the cutting lines marked on the top right square

Step 3: Cut along the above mentioned lines in each corner piece.

Step 4: Add tape. Notice you are actually adding the tape to the outside of each corner triangle.

Step 5: Peel away tape (one triangle at a time ) and adhere to inside of the box. Almost finished!

Step 6: Add border and handle

Embellish!

Another box using the same base. Made a second box 1/16 inch larger for lid .I used nesties to cut shapes for base and lid. Sandwiched the ribbon between lid and nestie shape.

CAT'S LIGHTING THINGS UP!

2010-08-25T23:38:00.000-07:00

Tutorial "How to Place a S2G Digi on a Candle"

Ever see a cute digi image and think, "If I could only put it on a candle, it would make the perfect gift!" Well, I'm going to show you how!

You will need: 1 piece of regular copy paper, tissue paper, waxed paper, scissors, a glue tape runner, a white candle, a heat gun, and a S2G image that you have colored.

GENTLY roll dabs of glue dots around the two sides and the bottom of the copy paper. You do not have to place any glue dots at the top. Cut a piece of tissue paper that is slightly smaller than the copy paper and carefully place on top of the copy paper. Keep the tissue as wrinkle free as possible and smooth it on to the paper. The glue will hold the tissue paper in place so you can print on it without it getting stuck inside of your printer.

Scan your colored image and save it to a program. Choose a size for your image that will fit on the candle. I chose a wallet size and "shrink to fit" feature for the sunflower.

Place your paper in the printer, tissue side up. Be sure that the bottom of the paper that was glued, feeds through first. Then print.

After your image has printed, cut it out leaving a small border around the image. Cut through both layers. You do not need to remove the tissue from the copy paper before cutting.

Now you can remove the tissue from the copy paper. Remove it slowly, as some of the ink may have soaked through, and you don't want it to tear. You can see that some of the ink soaked through on mine.

Place the tissue image on your candle. Press it on gently and it should stay.

Cut a strip of wax paper that is a little taller than your image, and long enough to wrap around the candle. In the above picture, I am holding both ends of the wax paper, and the candle is in the middle.

Now for the fun part! Using a circular motion, blow hot air from the heat gun over the wax paper and the image. I started on the right side, If you look closely you will see that the upper right hand side facing you, is darker than the rest of the image. That is because the wax from the wax paper has melted on to the tissue paper, and the image is now adhered to the candle. Continue using a circular motion until the entire image is "melted" into the candle. The tissue paper just seems to disappear!

Remove the wax paper and you have a lovely candle! You can "dress it up" a little if you wish, by adding a few Stickles.

Next time you need a WOW inexpensive gift, try making a digi candle. The person who receives it will be amazed at your creativity! Stop by the S2G Shop to find the sunflower digi and many more! The BOGO Clear Stamp Sale is in progress now! You don't want to miss it!

TUTORIAL on Pointillism...by CAT!

2010-08-09T10:52:00.001-07:00

This is a plate that I decorated using a digi image from S2G. I'm going to show you how I did it!

You will need: a clear glass plate, a smaller plate, plain white copy paper, tape, rubbing alcohol, paper towels, Vitrea 160 Frosted (transparent) glass paint markers by Pebeo, and a black Sharpie (not pictured). The markers are available at Michael's.

Wash and dry the plate. Clean it again with rubbing alcohol and a paper towel. Place it on a cutting mat and mark the center of the plate using the black Sharpie pen.

Next, choose a simple image that does not have too many fine details or lines that are too close together. Print the image on plain copy paper in a size appropriate for your plate. This one is "Pansy", and it is available in the S2G Shop.

Place the plate, upside down over the digital image. I actually taped the plate to the paper to keep the image from moving. Once the plate is centered over the image, dip the end of a paper towel in alcohol, and remove the dot used to mark the center of the plate.

I chose Mint Green, Gitone Blue, and Citron lemon markers for this project. Using the digital lines as a guide, make dots along the outline of the image. All painting is done on the back side of the plate.

On the center of the flower, I traced over the lines. Drawing dots looked too cluttered there. If you make a mistake all you have to do is dip the end of a paper towel in rubbing alcohol, and you can "erase" your mistake.

Now for the border! I placed a smaller plate on a piece of copy paper, and taped it down. Then I removed the glass plate from the digi paper, placed it (upside down) on top of the smaller plate, and taped it to the paper.

Use the smaller plate as a guide to make clusters of decorative dots around the edge of the plate.

*****

Allow the plate to dry for 24 hours. Set the plate on a cookie sheet (painted side up) and place in a cold oven. Preheat to 170 degrees, and then bake for 35 minutes. Allow the oven to cool for at least an hour after baking before opening the door. I cracked the oven open a few inches and allowed the plate an additional 20 minutes to cool before removing it.

You now have a beautiful hand decorated plate that is dishwasher safe!

Add a matching card, and you have the perfect gift: handmade and from the heart!

TUTORIAL...Seed Packets

2010-04-22T09:29:00.000-07:00

TUTORIAL by GINA LINDSAY
Happy Sunday afternoon! I have had a lot of fun making these little seed packets, and have decided that they are going to be in some Easter baskets this year. After I posted the last one that I did, I got several emails and comments asking for the template or directions. It wasn't made from a template, I just measured my seed packets and then came up with my own template. I have put together something of a photo tutorial. My first attempt so please be kind!

Here is the photo of all the supplies I used: my image, Copic markers, scissors, DP, card stock, adhesive and Scor Pal. You will also need a corner rounder which I forgot to add here.
The first thing you will need is your main piece of card stock which should measure 9 1/2" x 4". With the long side against the top of the Scor-Pal, score at 4" and then again at 4 1/4 ".
Flip it the other way and score all the way down the long edge on both sides at 1/4 ".
Fold in, along the score lines you have just made. and then fold where you made the first score lines. You will then take your scissors and snip the corners that are formed when you close the box. Add adhesive to your outer seam, tuck in the little tabs and close your box, pressing to make sure the sides are closed.
Your box should now look like this.
See the top part that is above the box area? You will take your scissors and cut along the score line so that you don't have the fold up part. You will also use the corner rounder on the top corners.
At this point, you should have a box that looks like this.
All that is left to do is decorate the front of your box. I used the Shirley's 2 Girls image Good Garden and then colored it with Copic markers. The DP is from the Basic Grey Origins line and my card stock is some kraft paper from my stash. I am so loving that Origins paper right now! With the measurements that I used, you can add 3 or 4 packs of seeds per packet. If you used bulkier seeds, like sunflowers or something like that you would probably want to only do 2 packs. I am thinking about making some of these and then adding a couple of gardening tools and then packaging them in a flower pot as a "Welcome Spring" gift.
I hope you have found this helpful! If I confused you or if you have any questions, just let me know!

2010-04-14T18:12:00.000-07:00

TutoTrial: Digital Image on a Plate

TUTORIAL BY CAT DARLING!!!

This is a plate that I decorated for S2G's April in Paris Blog Hop. I had so many comments on this plate! Today I'm going to show you how to make your very own.

Here's what you'll need: a clear glass plate, rubbing alcohol, clear nail polish, paper towels, a craft stick, pencil, plain white copy paper, a nickel, markers (I used Copics and Bic.), Vitrea Frosted markers ( I used Orange and Mint.), and one package Grafix Rub-Onz Paper.

Wash the glass plate with soap and water. Rinse and dry. Wipe the plate with rubbing alcohol and a paper towel. Dry and set aside. Cut a section of white copy paper and trace around a nickel. Draw a line through the center of the circle.

Place a dot to the left of the circle to use as a guide for placement of the scallops. Turn the plate face down. Position the circle near the edge of the plate and trace that portion of the plate's rim.

Now you have a paper guide that you can move around the plate and be able to make all of the scallops the same size at an equal distance apart. As you paint around the plate, and see that you are near the end, you can adjust the distance closer or farther apart. If you make a mistake, the paint can be removed with rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover.

After your scallops are complete, go back and draw a small dot at each end.

Now draw a dot in the center of each scallop and in between each one. Allow to dry for 24 hours. Place the plate on a cookie sheet and place in a cold oven. Preheat to 170 degrees, and then bake for 35 minutes. Allow the oven to cool for at least an hour after baking before opening the door. I cracked the oven open a few inches and allowed the plate an additional 20 minutes to cool before removing it.

When completely cool, wipe the bottom center of the plate with a paper towel slightly moistened with alcohol. Set aside.

Choose your digital image and drop into a Word Program. I used S2G's "Tres Francais". Use the ruler guide at the top to choose an approximate size that will fit on your plate. Place it in the corner of the screen to conserve paper when printing.

Print the image out on copy paper and measure it against the plate. Adjust the size if needed. When the digital image is the correct size, you are ready to print it on the Grafix paper. The package contains two types of paper: Transfer Film- one side matte or frosted, one side shiny, and Adhesive Film- one side glossy and one side white liner.

Print your image on the Transfer Film; matte side. Now you are ready to color your image. Color small sections with the Copic blender and while still wet apply color on top. Don't press too hard or go over the image too many times, or your paper will tear.
How do I know that? LOL

Cut a piece of the Grafix Adhesive Film that is slightly smaller than the Transfer Film that your image was printed on.

Slowly peel the Adhesive Film away from the white liner. Discard liner.

Carefully place film, sticky side down, on top of the image. Holding the film in one hand, I start at the bottom and carefully smooth the film, working my way to the top.

Rub the craft stick in a circular motion over the digital image, forcing out any air bubbles, and ensuring that the film sticks well to the image.

Turn the craft stick on its side, and press firmly sliding to the outer edges. Work from the center outwards, and you should be able to remove any remaining air bubbles.

Cut the digital image out leaving a very small border around the outer edges.

When cut out, turn the craft stick on its side again, and carefully rub over the image again.

Turn the plate face down, and position the images where they look best.

Remove the clear film from the images. Discard film.

Carefully place images on back side of plate, sticky side down. The white backing is still attached. Rub again in a circular motion securing the image to the plate. As you rub, the white backing will begin to loosen.

When decal is firmly attached, the white backing will seperate and can then be discarded. Do not rush this process. If it won't lift off easily, it needs more rubbing.

One last chance, if the digi needs touching up, now is the time!

Give the digi two coats of clear nail polish. Try not to paint too far out side the edges of the image.

Now you have a gorgeous plate that you made yourself! When it's finished, don't look for flaws. Chances are no one will notice any unless you point them out.

Besides, it's handmade. That's part of its beauty