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Community > Articles & Projects > Thena's Article
Thena's Article
Thena Smith
Thena Smith

AND THEN I SAID…

"Do you scrapbook or do crafts?" she asked.
"Yes," I said.
"Where are all of your supplies?"
I lifted up my laptop and then I said "Right here!"

How many of you have had this conversation with friends or new acquaintances? Isn't it so cool that we can carry around this little box with "our online friends" and all of our supplies and projects! Back in the day of computers so large, they filled entire rooms, I never dreamed of such a thing! One of my first jobs at the University of Missouri Library was to try to read double punch cards from folks with overdue books. I had to line up a card with the numbers on it to a card full of holes and try to match it to actual student id numbers.

Each month it is my task and desire to show you how to use the abundance of wonderful art that pcCrafter brings us and to show you how easy it is to do creative things with your computer and simple, easy to use software programs. I use Digital Image Pro in these articles because it is so user friendly and so affordable. It also will accept a variety of wonderful free plug-ins out there. You don’t have to be an artist to do some fun and original designs for your pages.

I also enjoy using Adobe Elements and Adobe CS3. From time to time, I may include something created in one of these programs, but I will tell you if I am not using DIP Suite 2006.

Moving right along... let’s jump into our digital program and create some fall artwork using simple shapes in DIP!
Project 1: Create a Simple Pumpkin
  1. Draw a circle and use the add lines to add some lines.
  2. Use the draw a shape tool to add a stem.
  3. Use fill with color, gradient to add color to stem and to add to the pumpkin.
  4. Use the dodge and burn tool to add depth to the drawing.
  5. Lock together so your parts stay as one drawing.
    6. *Save as a png (working file so you can go back and work on it, as you get more confident.)
Project 1
Project 2: Create a Scarecrow
  1. Use shapes to create outline of scarecrow.
  2. Use "insert" and "draw Shape" to create clothes then fill with custom (blue) gradient.
  3. Use effects for patterns and cloth like look for clothes.
  4. Add shapes for features in face and a rough shape for tie or shirt ruffle effect.
    5. *Add straight shape as support pole.
Project 2
Project 3: Create a Blackbird
  1. Add shapes as in figure 1.
  2. Connect shapes together and flatten as in figure 2.
  3. Add color and use add effects to make a difference in texture for wing and tail as in figure 3.
  4. Use freehand tool to cut away smooth end of tail.
  5. For figure 4, use oblong shape for feet and then use distort.
Project 3

Project 3a:
  1. Add to scarecrow to complete the picture.
Project 3a
Project 4: Invitation to Thanksgiving Dinner
  1. Create new 8 page at 300 dpi and add image from Debbie Mumm's Happy Turkey Day.
  2. Leave flat as a flyer or create as half fold card.
Project 4
Project 5: A Silly Sign Just for Fun
  1. Create new page at 300 dpi any size you desire. For a half fold card use 8.5 x 11 and arrange images according to your card program instructions.
  2. Add images from Debbie Mumm's Happy Turkey Day.
  3. Add text.
  4. Add shadows.
Project 5
Project 6: Introducing Miss Salt Water Taffy
  1. Create a new page in DIP at 300 DPI.
  2. Add background from Debbie Mumm's Happy Turkey Day
  3. Add leaves, copy and paste around page.
  4. Add text and shadows.
Project 6
I'm a bit distracted as I write this from my Southern California address. The worst fires in probably one hundred years or more are raging throughout this area. Our dear friend and Hug Sister, Gamma2five, is waiting to hear if her area should evacuate or if by some miracle their home will be safe. It reinforces in me the knowledge that life is fragile and should be handled with prayer. I pray that by the time you read this, this too will have passed and people will be getting their lives back to "normal".

Your assignment today and I hope you accept it:

  1. Show those you love how special they are to you.
  2. Take time to make wonderful memories.
  3. Pray for those in peril in war areas and here at home.
  4. Meet me back here next month.

With lots of hugs,
Thena
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