I am not what one would call super adventurous. I find a way of doing things that I like and I tend to stick with it. Eons ago I learned to stamp using wood mounted stamps. For AGES, I would only buy wood mounted. The thought of unmounted stamps through me for a loop. Then one day I gave them a try and LOVED them - now all I buy is unmounted stamps. Because of the way I am, I've been hesitant to try digital stamps. I'm not the world's most computer savvy person so I've been holding off. Last week I decided to give it a whirl and picked up the adorable graduation Ian from The Greeting Farm. Buying was a breeze and I even was able to find him again on my computer (don't laugh - I regularly lose things on my computer - I know they are there somewhere but I'm just not sure exactly where!). I printed him off and gave it whirl.
I decided to start with a larger image of Ian so I copy and pasted four of him onto one 8.5 x 11 sheet of cardstock. I used Papertrey Ink white cardstock because I knew I wanted to use alcohol markers and that's the cardstock I always use for that coloring medium. I printed the images off using my hp Laserjet 4200. I didn't consciously leave them sit but they did end up sitting for a couple of days before I gave them a try (I did no other form of heat setting - I believe laser printers use heat during the printing process).
Ian was cut to the size I wanted him to be and colored with a combo of copic and prismacolor markers. His hair is colored with prismacolor pencil and blended with baby oil.
Copic Markers: E00, B21
Prismacolor Markers: black, cold stone
Prismacolor Pencil: burnt sienna
The sentiment is from Verve Visual and stamped with palette noir ink.
So what do you think of my Ian? I have to say that, while I love the act of stamping and can't see me giving up the physical stamps (case in point, the Papertrey release is just a couple of days away and I'm super excited about that fact) I REALLY had fun with the digital stamp. The stamp was cheaper, there was no shipping, I got it immediately and while I haven't played around with the resizing option, that is an option I do want to try. I think I'm on going to be adding digi stamping to my world of crafting!
Cute! Cute! Cute! I love your image sets for Ian and Anya!!! Fantastic job on this card too.
Posted by: Dell Richards | May 14, 2009 at 01:08 PM
I am sticking with my real stamps.
Posted by: Michelle Walpole | May 13, 2009 at 09:40 PM
Hi Laura, This was really great information. I have not used digi images either. I like the old fashion way also. But I am thinking about trying it. I love these stamps from Greeting farms and think it would be a great way to try them. Thanks for the encouragement.
Posted by: kat9 | May 13, 2009 at 08:46 AM
Oh isn't he cute - and great boy colors too. Welcome to the digital age - never saw it coming!
Posted by: Michelle in Boise | May 13, 2009 at 01:03 AM
Hi Laura! I am back and trying to catch up on my google reader. :)
I am glad to see the digi image did not smear with the copics! I might have to give them a try!
My fav card from all your posts while I was away is the Verve Mother's Day card! LOVE it! I really need to spend some money there, I can tell!
Posted by: Siobhan | May 12, 2009 at 10:37 PM
No, I haven't...yet! me and my printer do not have a good relationship. lolz. But your card is adorable! I'm tempted as I love TGF images!
Posted by: yuki | May 12, 2009 at 05:10 PM
so so cute, you reminded me I need to get the Anya one for my daughters graduation next month.
Posted by: Martha | May 12, 2009 at 12:29 PM
Super cute card!!
Posted by: Tenia Nelson | May 12, 2009 at 12:05 AM
Oh Wow! this is just adorable, love the image and your coloring is great!
Posted by: Cathleen | May 12, 2009 at 12:01 AM
He looks great! I'm very interested in digistamping/scrapbooking but like you, I'm afraid to start the next addiction!
Posted by: Kay | May 11, 2009 at 09:35 PM
Okay, I'm with you. I haven't had the nerve to try those digital stamps. I went to look at them and they gave me so many choices of what kind of a download I wanted, I gave up. I'm sure I would have bought the wrong one for my computer and printer. They are really cute and do have advantages though. Maybe I will give it a try. Thanks for inspiring me.
Posted by: Barbarar20 | May 11, 2009 at 09:28 PM
This turned out just fabulous! He is such a cute little image, and your coloring is great. I think a lot of us are creatures of habit and just do what we've always done. But it's great to at least try something else every once in a while! {hint: go to Michelle's Digiment blog to download a cute digital sentiment to use}
Posted by: Rebecca | May 11, 2009 at 08:55 PM