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Saturday, November 03, 2007

Mission Accomplished!

~~~This was my solution for Caterwauling. Since the format was square(and I didn't want a little square image in the middle of a white rectangle) I used an image that I'd framed online. I cropped it to fit the notecard. It looks a little lopsided here but it's really not. ~~~
Yes...mission accomplished. At least for now. The mission? To create simple notecards from my Catitude series. My Kodak Easyshare printing program experienced a glitch so I was forced to abandon it as an option. *cuss* I spent the entire past week researching other editing programs, trying free downloads and even giving Microsoft Publisher a test drive. Yup, Microsoft actually offers test drives for several of their editing programs. A test drive means you don't have to download a darn thing. I'm not entirely sure how it works but it gives the user a chance to see the program and sample the capabilites/features it offers.

Using a thirty day free trial of Photoshop Elements I managed to print out fifteen cards...five cards each using three of my Catitude cats...Gingerbruiser, Caterwauling and Undercover Kitty. For some reason Nosey Rosie defied printing. Even with a lot of fiddling with lighting, sharpness and color correction what was on my screen would not translate to the printed card. I haven't given up, though. I just need a break. *sigh*

After trying the programs I'll most likely go with Publisher. It's more straight forward and easier for me to understand. The cost is roughly the same as Elements.

I ordered the card bags from Clearbags. Since I planned to sell the cards singly with an envelope I chose bag size #B45. This size will hold one notecard and one 4 3/8" X 5 3/4" invitation envelope.


As luck would have it when I delivered my notecards to the gallery I ran into another artist who also runs a printing service nearby called Northbound Publications & Graphics. They do giclees, rack cards, etc. She gave me her business card and we spent some time going over prices and just chatting. I've been considering switching to giclees rather than having my prints made at Office Max so I felt this was one of those happy coincidences that life sometimes throws our way.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

well well well... look where your trip to town has taken you. Can't wait to order my set of cat prints.
Like the blog header too. You are rockin and rollin lately.

Billie Crain said...

hey Robin! how was S.F.? glad you like the cards(card?).:) i only posted the one. i just printed out the artwork on the others. no borders, etc. i thought as long as i have Elements right now i'd make myself a header. i must have tried 6-7 before i settled on the one you see.

baileydesigns said...

Hey Billie! We meet up at the Artists Market. I'm the girl with the print shop. Anywho, just wanted to say hey and see how things were going!
Rachel Krino

Billie Crain said...

Hi Rachel! good to see you.:D i've still got your business card and i'll be coming to visit you in Spring. things are going well right now. i'm just working on starting a few new paintings and trying to keep warm.