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Thursday 2 February 2012

Having a Dabble with a Gypsy Chick

Just a little over a week ago, I came home to find an exciting brown package had arrived for me, all the way from America. I knew it was coming and also who it was from and the contents within. Inside my head I could hear the joyous, child like excitement, telling me to rip it open. But I paused, took a breath and a couple of minutes to grab a photo of it first. Then I carefully slipped a craft knife through the clear tape and gently removed the wrapping.




Inside, this wonderful book/DVD combo awaited me.




It's a new publication (Amazon link here) from my wonderful & talented friend, Jodie Lee Patterson aka The Gypsy Chick.

Inside are 135 pattern designs and 40 textures with which to blend with them. And I have to say, I've had great fun tinkering around and creating my own papers. I have sat engrossed at my computer, into the night, photoshopping my heart out, until my eyes have grown too heavy and my brain has finally had enough and demanded sleep.

So here's a batch of three paper designs I started out with. I went with a grey palette plus a touch of blue.



And then, after I had ensured a photo was snapped, I began to convert them into a shabby vintage card.




Before gathering together the scraps that were left over and turning them into a tag.




And there you have it. My first dabble with Jodie Lee's printable papers. Such an easy way to produce instant designs in the style and colouring of my choosing. I always love it when a design idea I hold in my head is close to the resulting project I finally see in front of me.

And if you like Jodie's vintage style, check out her blog and you'll see that she has just released two new design collections with Prima. Such a perfect collaboration. I cannot wait for them to hit our UK shops.

Right, that's all for now. After taking more time out to craft than I really ought, I'd better slip back onto the computer and do something which more closely resembles work lol.

Have a wonderful, creative day peeps. Pxx

15 comments:

JoZart Designs said...

The excitement shines through your post and the result is just fantastic! You have developed such a strong individual style and it really does amaze me how you go from good to better, better to betterer and excellent to excellenter!!!!
Love Jo x

Michele said...

Wow - these are really stunning, Paul! I love the papers you have created - off to investigate the link now :)
x

Scrappi Sandi said...

How fabulous to be able to create unique PP's, knowing that no-one else will have exactly the same in their projacts!! I'm loving the card & tag & I agree with Jo...excellenter work indeed! :)

- Jodie Lee - said...

They look really fantastic Paul! I'm tickled pink you enjoyed using the papers! I will blog about it very soon :)

TonyR said...

lovin all your pieces paul ... such creativity - beautiful colours and designs! tony.

Jeanne J. said...

I love your "telling" of the package - I could actually feel the excitement and suspense of it's arrival! You are really a writer Paul - you know that don't you??? Your tags keep getting better and better (is that even possible? I thought they were perfect a long time ago!!!) What a beautiful friend - to know what would make you feel this way!

Dotpat said...

Paul I absolutly love what you make, I need some lessons

Cath Wilson said...

Gorgeous colours and beautiful designs, Paul. Lovely to hear you so childlike in your excitement - just like my youngest (who's 35 this year and still gets excited about silly things) and I love him for it - love you for it, too. Please don't ever lose it x

Linda Coughlin, the funkie junkie said...

Your card and tag are totally sensational! Love the soft, dreamy color palette and awesome work with the digital altering. Thanks for sharing this very interesting resource - I love altering vintage images digitally and will be checking out this book/CD!

Anne Jagger said...

Love those papers and love your card. Gorgeous! X

alexa said...

I am sure you will have lots of fun with this - though how you didn't manage to NOT rip off the paper is a mystery to me! Beautifully soft and delicate creations ...

Margaret Ann Moffat said...

fabulous now I need photo shop lol

Neet said...

Those are beautiful. A newish colour for you? You know Paul, there is no stopping you and I told Shari to check out your new style and gabbed on about you for a while. I think she gathered I love you.
You just go from strength to strength and I so love this new you.
Hugs & Smiles, Neet xx

Kasey ~ in Oz said...

Hi Paul,

I've presented you with an award on my blog.

http://kaseyscraftcorner.blogspot.com.au/

Love your work.

Cheers,
Kasey ~ in Oz

Andrea Ewen said...

Ah, both beautiful in lovely shades of blue! The feather on the card is so eye catching and such a delightful accent! The butterfly framed window and mix of flowers is really a masterful touch...everything just comes together perfectly! And to take the scraps and whip up a darling tag? Sheer talent. Remarkable!