First real matboard project

[pigtailpat]

Hi everyone -

I am posting my first real matboard project. The text was done in inkscape using the hershey text extension. ALOT of editing time was spent cleaning up the text to make it smooth. Dawn could probably do it in a few minutes, I go much slower.

For some reason (probably user error on my part) the cut and the text box were not more centered - in test penning it did come out more centered. In addition, I was running so much testing with the pen color I wanted to use - that when I was ready for the real thing - MY PEN RAN OUT!!! Yikes. After all that work! So I had to change pens midstream (I used the cougar's test pen - wrong color and all), and hence, there is a closeness between the mat cut out and the pen that wasn't there in test. Oh well. But since my stock on the matboard is really slim, I can't waste, so my MIL is getting what I made out with.

So learn from my lesson - if you're doing very extensive testing, don't do it with the real color you want!! )))::

I tried to make the letters as uniform as I could eyeballing it. It is by far not perfect. But, I feel if I spend eons of time getting it perfect, I will never get it done, and the project won't get to my MIL, who is 87. So, I felt an imperfect result, in this instance, was warranted.

This is what I mean by personalizing matboard projects. It is almost impossible to find mat board in the stores with a side cut. Additionally, I shot the image wrong as I almost cut off an arm (getting my kids to pose for me - you'd think I was asking them to do something hard). A standard mat from the store will cut off the arm. I was able to leave it at full size (the full 5 width), and chop a little from the top and bottom so as to anchor the photo that way.

When I can afford the pen tools, I want to do more of this kind of stuff........

Pat

first-matboard-project.jpg

[Angel135612]

That turned out great Pat... I'm sure your MIL will love it!!!

[Thyme]

It looks great Pat!

[PennyDuncan]

OH Pat...that is so awesome ma'am!!!! I love it!!

[Suzan]

What is the Hersey Text Extension?

[pigtailpat]

Suzan - ready about it here: http://www.evilmadscientist.com/article.php/hershey

Mine was done with the alternate script extension.....

[Suzan]

Thats a great job Pat. Very handsome young men I might add. I did read that link. What is the alternate script extension? I know I will stopp asking questions. And can this get put on Ink .47

[Gigi]

Pat --

That is just fabulous.... what a beautiful gift that will be cherished forever.

[pigtailpat]

Thanks guys - as I get more experienced, I will lick the precision placement (especially when cougar studio comes out).

Suzan - yes I'm using .47 and the extension works fine. You will see a dropdown and you can use different fonts, I chose the alternate script one. After installing the extension, you don't type words in the blank page, instead manuever to "render" and you will see the hershey text option (after you install it), highlight hershey text and then you get a pop up and there is where you enter the text and you will also see on that sub-menu a drop down and you can select various different fonts. Rendering to hershey text does need clean up for the smoothness you saw in my text. It doesn't just come out like that. Single line print text (ie not-script) is alot easier, but my stubbon heart wanted script for this project. The lettering could have been done in 5 sec. with stymie hairline - but I wanted script.

Pat

[Suzan]

Wow that is a lot to absorb. Oh I know why not enough caffeine. Never enough caffeine. Well You did a great job and I think it is awesome you tackled the harder font.

[kathybessey]

That is fabulous Pat!!! What an awesome project and the mat board is simply amazing!

[Retta]

Wow - that is great!!! i'm so proud of you!

[Elizabeth]

What a fabulous gift for your Mom, Pat! It turned out wonderfully, after all your hard work. Great looking family you have there, and I love the Proverb you chose.

[LisaH]

fabulous Pat!