Tuesday 8 June 2010

Class of 2010

The local children have just returned to school for their last few weeks before the summer break and my own, rather grown up, daughter is also coming to the end of her first year at university.  The time has flown by!  These past few weeks she has been in teaching practice and has had her first taste of being in charge of the classroom.  Despite the odd 'experience', she's as determined as ever to teach and I get the feeling she will be rather good at it (biased, me? Never!).

So lots of children will be getting ready to say goodbye to school soon and there will no doubt be the usual run of cards and presents.  There will also be 'the class photograph' to look forward to (I've so many of these tucked away) and this is what my card today is all about.

Mo's Digital Challenge this week is to merge two (or more) of Mo's images. I only recently learned to merge images but I have to say it's been one of the best things I've learned in a long time.  So I was really pleased to read this week's challenge and, without further ado, please meet 'The Class of 2010':

Images: Mo's Digital Pencil, 'Harvard', 'Smith' and 'Trinity'

Papers: Scenic Route (stripes); 'photo frame' printed on PC

I've missed off poor old 'Oxford' (only because I don't have him yet), and I don't know of any classroom in the land that only has three pupils!  But, hey, we don't worry about that, right? Artistic licence and all that!

I use the free programme 'Paint.net' for my image manipulation - I have 'Corel' but I'm scared of it!  Paint.net does everything very simply and has much of the functionality of the more expensive software, and certainly sufficient features to satisfy my needs.  I know that there are also quite a few other free programmes around that will do much the same - GIMP is one, I think.  Anyway, I'm happy that I don't have to get to grips with my Corel for now, at least. 

I chose to make Harvard a little taller than the girls because boys are often taller than girls of their own age.  And I wanted them to be kind of jostling for position a bit - see how Harvard's arm is in front of Trinity but her bag is on his feet!  And Smith just wants to make sure that everyone can see the book she is holding in her right hand. I really enjoyed messing about with these three.

Coloured with my Copics, shaded with my Prismas (as usual), I then framed the three with a mock-up of the cardboard school photo frame that we usually get.  I debated as to whether to make this simply a school photo but I wanted to introduce the stripes to pull all the colours together.  The whole thing is then backed on navy blue card.

And before you ask, the pattern on Smith's dress is achieved by using my Copic blender pen to 'remove' some of the colour - spots on top, checks on the bottom.  Cool effect and so easy to achieve. 

Right, off to link up and then tea time - I'm ravenous. 

Happy crafting.
Photobucketxx

13 comments:

  1. AWESOME! you have done a great job of this Peri, any advice on mergeing images would be greatly appreciated. FABULOUS!
    smiles
    Paola

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  2. Such a great card Peri!!! I love your coloring and image choices....I want your card!!! haha...glad to play along with you this week on Mo's!

    Cheers!
    Kristyn
    www.goodgravycrafts.com

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  3. Hi Peri, this is an amazing card. I just love what you've done with Mo's images. These 3 are such a cute nerdy trio aren't they? LOVE (3x) it! hugs Sharon

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  4. Hi Peri

    this is great
    your coloring is amazing
    I love it

    greetings karin

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  5. Peri...cute image...awesome coloring! Perfect layout for this card too! ;D Diana Q

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  6. Peri, I love it!!! This is such a 'clever' card, go to the top of the class lol!! Must have a look at the paint.net program.
    hugs
    Sharon x

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  7. Peri, This is wonderful! You've done a great job merging these three sweeties, and your coloring is beautifully done. Thanks for taking part in Mo's Challenge this week.

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  8. Peri, I always get excited to see your creations and this is absolutely gorgeous. Love you coloring and the depth of the colors.

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  9. Peri, this is amazing. Your coloring is just fabulous. You have made these little sweeties just come alive. Thanks for joining in on the challenge at Mo's Digital Challenge blog.

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  10. This is AWESOME!!! Girl you rock!!, I love merging Mo's images :-)..
    Thanks for joining us this week Peri, your blog is amazing!!.
    Hugs
    Sheila xx

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  11. Peri, forget my earlier message I managed to work it out with the help of another tutorial and a bit of lateral thinking...... brilliant blog by the way and your colouring is to die for.

    Lin

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  12. What a sweet combo Peri.. This would be such a great card for the first day of school..Love this.

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  13. Ahhhh, can you hear me screaming over here! These kids are stunning!! I love the bright colors you've picked...AMAZING!

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