Well, if you've been hanging around here long enough, you know how much I love The CoffeeShop blog. Rita has crafted TONS of actions for Photoshop Elements and for Photoshop and they are all free! She has also been a wealth of knowledge, especially when it came time for me to play around with my blog template. She has recently opened up shop with her sister to market her custom blog designs and a watermarking action. Go and check it out!
Friday, December 11, 2009
Friday, December 4, 2009
DST Featured Scrapper
Back in October, I had the honour and privilege of being a Featured Scrapper at digishoptalk.com. The latest edition of the DST Insider just came out today and you may see a familiar face in there, too... Go download it - it's free (but you do need to register a free account).
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Self Hosted Blogging
Lately I've been teaching myself more about websites and hosting, etc. While I wouldn't self host a blog (at least not now), this series of videos at Become A Blogger have been really helpful in teaching me the basics. Very interesting stuff (if you're a tech-geek like me)! Check it out, watch some videos and maybe learn a new thing or two.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Stealing Your Photographer's Images
A great article on The Do's and Don'ts of Stealing Images from Your Photographer.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Scalloped Borders
Jennifer asked a great question in the comments yesterday:
How on earth do you get that "doily" look on some of your papers? The rounded edges with the tiny holes? You use this type of paper in your "our room" layout (directly beside the maroon paper) - but without the tiny holes. Is it a simple cut-out or do you have to edge the paper yourself somehow?
Just for reference, this is the layout Jenn was referring to - you can see the acrylic scalloped border on the right hand side:
As always, there are a couple different ways you can do this. In the above layout, I used the scalloped border that was already in the template I used by Chrissy W:
I "clipped" the brown paper to the scalloped border, and then simply put the acrylic scalloped border from It's Clear to Me over top of it to give it some more dimension. If you are unsure on how to use a clipping mask, here are two great tutorials by Nicole Seitler of Sugarplum Paperie: Make Your Own Clipping Mask & Using a Clipping Mask. Important: if you are using Photoshop 7 (not to be confused with Photoshop Elements 7), you only need to press CRTL+G to create your clipping mask.
And then there is this layout, which uses a scalloped border with holes in it, more of the "doily" effect Jenn was asking about:
I used this kit for my page. See the short little turquoise border piece? I simply duplicated it many times over and put them beside each other to make my border.
This tutorial by Misty Cato shows you how to create your own scalloped border clipping mask using brushes, as does this one by Di Hickman. Then to take this one step further, use a small, round, hard-edge brush with your eraser tool to "punch out" the little holes on each scallop.
Hope this helps!
How on earth do you get that "doily" look on some of your papers? The rounded edges with the tiny holes? You use this type of paper in your "our room" layout (directly beside the maroon paper) - but without the tiny holes. Is it a simple cut-out or do you have to edge the paper yourself somehow?
Just for reference, this is the layout Jenn was referring to - you can see the acrylic scalloped border on the right hand side:
As always, there are a couple different ways you can do this. In the above layout, I used the scalloped border that was already in the template I used by Chrissy W:
I "clipped" the brown paper to the scalloped border, and then simply put the acrylic scalloped border from It's Clear to Me over top of it to give it some more dimension. If you are unsure on how to use a clipping mask, here are two great tutorials by Nicole Seitler of Sugarplum Paperie: Make Your Own Clipping Mask & Using a Clipping Mask. Important: if you are using Photoshop 7 (not to be confused with Photoshop Elements 7), you only need to press CRTL+G to create your clipping mask.
And then there is this layout, which uses a scalloped border with holes in it, more of the "doily" effect Jenn was asking about:
I used this kit for my page. See the short little turquoise border piece? I simply duplicated it many times over and put them beside each other to make my border.
This tutorial by Misty Cato shows you how to create your own scalloped border clipping mask using brushes, as does this one by Di Hickman. Then to take this one step further, use a small, round, hard-edge brush with your eraser tool to "punch out" the little holes on each scallop.
Hope this helps!
Monday, November 16, 2009
EXCITING!!!!
Chrissy has a new freebie out today - and she made it from one of my layouts!
She turned this:
Into this:
So go and download it, scrap with it and show me what you made! :) And don't forget to enter the challenge in the Elemental Scraps forums if you are into that sort of thing.
She turned this:
Into this:
So go and download it, scrap with it and show me what you made! :) And don't forget to enter the challenge in the Elemental Scraps forums if you are into that sort of thing.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
*sigh*
This is soooooo far out of my league, but wouldn't it be so fun to go on something like this someday?
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Happy DSD!
It's Digital Scrapbooking Day today in digiland. EVERYONE is having a sale and giving away freebies in honour of this event. There are also tons of contests going on - it's crazy out there!
Where do you start?
Well, of COURSE you need to go shopping at the stores I design for;) Here are the sales they have to offer today:
Chrissy W has a tiered sale going on at her shop. If you spend $5, you get 30% off, $10 = 40% off, $15 = 50% off.
Nicole of Sugarplum Paperie is have a 35% off sale on everything is both of her shoppes: Sugarplum Paperie & The DigiChick. Nicole will also be offering some freebies on her blog later in connection with her 2nd anniversary with the store so check back!
Gina of Weeds & Wildflowers Design is having a storewide sale ranging from 20%-75%. Plus, if you spend $20 or more, you get and extra $5 off your purchase using the code DSD5OFF
If you're looking for more great sales, you need to check out this thread at DigiShopTalk.com and as for contests and giveaways, try these threads here. Enjoy and have fun!!!
Where do you start?
Well, of COURSE you need to go shopping at the stores I design for;) Here are the sales they have to offer today:
Chrissy W has a tiered sale going on at her shop. If you spend $5, you get 30% off, $10 = 40% off, $15 = 50% off.
Nicole of Sugarplum Paperie is have a 35% off sale on everything is both of her shoppes: Sugarplum Paperie & The DigiChick. Nicole will also be offering some freebies on her blog later in connection with her 2nd anniversary with the store so check back!
Gina of Weeds & Wildflowers Design is having a storewide sale ranging from 20%-75%. Plus, if you spend $20 or more, you get and extra $5 off your purchase using the code DSD5OFF
If you're looking for more great sales, you need to check out this thread at DigiShopTalk.com and as for contests and giveaways, try these threads here. Enjoy and have fun!!!
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Blogger Tutorials
You may have noticed that I finally figured out how to display my images larger on the screen. I used to tutorials from the Coffeeshop to accomplish this:
Making Your Blog Wider
Fooling Blogger and Loading Large Images
Someday soon, I'm going to go through the rest of them. Thanks once again, Rita!
Making Your Blog Wider
Fooling Blogger and Loading Large Images
Someday soon, I'm going to go through the rest of them. Thanks once again, Rita!
Weeds & Wildflowers Design
I'm very excited to announce that I've joined another digital scrapbook creative team! I'm now adding Gina Marie Huff of Weeds & Wildflowers to my list of CT "bosses." I've been a fan of Gina's designs pretty much since I got into digiscrapping, and now I get to play with her designs on an "on call" basis. Basically, if I can create her requirements for a kit, I can download, create and keep the kit. If I don't have time to scrap in the time frame she outlines, I can just pass until the next kit comes out. This laid back approach left me feeling comfortable with adding this to my plate (another full time CT position just wouldn't be possible in order to do justice to Nicole and Chrissy's designs). I'm quite thrilled!
Gina has a new collection out this weekend called "My Best Friend."
And here are two LOs I made with them:
Gina has a new collection out this weekend called "My Best Friend."
And here are two LOs I made with them:
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Sugarplum Paperie Sales
Nicole Seitler of Sugarplum Paperie is also having some great sales this week!
These three gorgeous kits are all 20% off for Oct. 29-30 (Thursday and Friday) - images are linked. This is her latest release... and it is SO beautiful, don't you think? I loooooove the paper with the hydrangeas on it, and the doodly word arts are right up my alley. In Nicole's words: It's a little bit Summer, a little bit Fall. And I hope it will bring a little sunshine your way! There are 8 lovely plain and patterned papers and 25 unique elements included in this kit.
This is a collaboration kit with Joyce Paul, a designer that Nicole loves. This kit is also very beautiful - their styles compliment each other perfectly.
And this kit is also a collaboration with Fruit Loop Sally (Sandra Edwards). This one is full of fun doodles and rich, vibrant colours!
These three gorgeous kits are all 20% off for Oct. 29-30 (Thursday and Friday) - images are linked. This is her latest release... and it is SO beautiful, don't you think? I loooooove the paper with the hydrangeas on it, and the doodly word arts are right up my alley. In Nicole's words: It's a little bit Summer, a little bit Fall. And I hope it will bring a little sunshine your way! There are 8 lovely plain and patterned papers and 25 unique elements included in this kit.
This is a collaboration kit with Joyce Paul, a designer that Nicole loves. This kit is also very beautiful - their styles compliment each other perfectly.
And this kit is also a collaboration with Fruit Loop Sally (Sandra Edwards). This one is full of fun doodles and rich, vibrant colours!
Monday, October 26, 2009
Chrissy W & $1 Days!
Chrissy W at Elemental Scraps has some huge sales going on today!
Here are three template sets (among other things) you can pick up for only $1 each in the Dollar Deals section, with a sample layout from me from one of the templates in each pack (all images are linked).
Here are three template sets (among other things) you can pick up for only $1 each in the Dollar Deals section, with a sample layout from me from one of the templates in each pack (all images are linked).
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Lightroom 3!
Adobe has announced the beta version of Lightroom 3! What is Lightroom? In the words of Wikipedia, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom is a photography software program developed by Adobe Systems for Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows, designed to assist professional photographers in managing thousands of digital images and doing post production work. It is not a file browser like Adobe Bridge, but rather an image management application database which helps in viewing, editing, and managing digital photos (including those on backup DVDs).
I don't have Lightroom, but it is definitely a program I'm interested in. I was going to download the 30 day trial of Lightroom 2, but now I'm really glad I didn't! This beta version of Lightroom 3 doesn't expire until April 30, 2010! All they ask is for your feedback. Get it HERE. And here is an interesting article by Scott Kelby (THE Adobe go-to guy) regarding his top 10 favourite features of this new version.
I don't have Lightroom, but it is definitely a program I'm interested in. I was going to download the 30 day trial of Lightroom 2, but now I'm really glad I didn't! This beta version of Lightroom 3 doesn't expire until April 30, 2010! All they ask is for your feedback. Get it HERE. And here is an interesting article by Scott Kelby (THE Adobe go-to guy) regarding his top 10 favourite features of this new version.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Free Photo Editing Software!
Lately, I've been hearing a lot about Picnik. It is free, easy photo editing software. As a Photoshop user, I don't have a need to try it for myself, but if you are wanting to jazz up your photos and don't have the budget or interest in learning Adobe Photoshop or Elements, you should give this a try.
Here are two great articles that explain the basics:
Insanely Easy Photo Editing with Picnik by The Simple Scrapper
Going on a Picnik by The Daily Digi
(Incidentally, these are both blog you should subscribe to if you're interested in digital scrapbooking on any level).
And this really piqued my interest: you can add digital frames to your photos before sending them off to print. I may just have to try this sometime!
Here are two great articles that explain the basics:
Insanely Easy Photo Editing with Picnik by The Simple Scrapper
Going on a Picnik by The Daily Digi
(Incidentally, these are both blog you should subscribe to if you're interested in digital scrapbooking on any level).
And this really piqued my interest: you can add digital frames to your photos before sending them off to print. I may just have to try this sometime!
Friday, October 16, 2009
Saving Photos for Web
I recently had another great question from Jody:
"How do you manage to have your blog photos so clear? I'm assuming that during compression I'm losing my detail. Do you recommend a method (step by step!)? What do you do?"
This is an issue that I've learned about over the past year, and to be honest, there are many different ways to prepare your photos for the web. The key is to always sharpen your photos in order to get the compressed files to appear more clear. Also changing the colour profile to sRGB can help the photo colours stay bright when uploaded to the web.
Back when I had Photoshop Elements, I always used this method as posted by Jessica Sprague on her blog (this is suitable for photos and for layouts).
Now that I use CS4, I recorded an action for myself specifically to run on photos for the web. Once you start using an indepth program like CS4, you also have to teach yourself a little about colour management. This can be a confusing topic, but all you need to know for posting to the web is that your photo should be in the sRBG colour space.
If I've already confused you, take a moment to read these two excellent articles posted by Jodi Friedman of MCP Actions:
Soft Proofing
The Secret to Matching Color
If you would like to learn more about recording actions in photoshop, here is a great article from Epic Edits.
As for me, here is a breakdown of all the steps I recorded in my action.
Go to Image>Image Size
- Set the resolution to 72 pixels per inch (28.346 per cm)
- Check the "scale styles" box
- Check the "constrain proportions" box
- Resample Image should be checked and set to Bicubic
- Click OK
Go to Edit>Convert to Profile
- Under "destination space" choose sRGB
- Engine should be set to Adobe
- Intent to Relative Colorimetric
- Check "use black point compensation"
- Check "use dither"
- Click OK
Hit Ctrl-A (Cmd-A on a Mac) to select the photo
Go to Edit>Transform>Scale
- In the toolbar up top, set the Width and Height to 80%
- Hit Enter/Return to confirm transform
Go to Image>Crop (black edges should be cropped off now)
Go to Filter>Sharpen>Unsharp Mask
- Amount is set to 65%
- Radius to 1.0 pixels
- Threshold to 4 levels
- Click OK
Hit Ctrl-D (Cmd-D) to deselect the photo
Go to File>Save As
- Format is set to .JPEG
- Decide where to save it
- Set Quality to 4
Close photo after save is complete
Hope that helps a little!
Tamsen had a great question: "I have been doing everything you've described here, except in the "convert to" part, I had perceptual chosen instead of relative colorimetric...any idea what changes this would make?"
This delves more into colour management than simply saving for the web, but I'll try to answer as best as I know how!
Relative Colorimetric is the best choice as it will preserve most of the original colours in the image. Perceptual should only be used if there are important colours in shadow areas that need to be preserved (this is more for magazine print/ CMYK stuff). So you should definitely switch to Relative Colorimetric. I would highly recommend converting an image to sRGB using both RC and P, and then use the Soft Proofing method in the link above to really see the difference.
Hope that helps... a little:)
"How do you manage to have your blog photos so clear? I'm assuming that during compression I'm losing my detail. Do you recommend a method (step by step!)? What do you do?"
This is an issue that I've learned about over the past year, and to be honest, there are many different ways to prepare your photos for the web. The key is to always sharpen your photos in order to get the compressed files to appear more clear. Also changing the colour profile to sRGB can help the photo colours stay bright when uploaded to the web.
Back when I had Photoshop Elements, I always used this method as posted by Jessica Sprague on her blog (this is suitable for photos and for layouts).
Now that I use CS4, I recorded an action for myself specifically to run on photos for the web. Once you start using an indepth program like CS4, you also have to teach yourself a little about colour management. This can be a confusing topic, but all you need to know for posting to the web is that your photo should be in the sRBG colour space.
If I've already confused you, take a moment to read these two excellent articles posted by Jodi Friedman of MCP Actions:
Soft Proofing
The Secret to Matching Color
If you would like to learn more about recording actions in photoshop, here is a great article from Epic Edits.
As for me, here is a breakdown of all the steps I recorded in my action.
Go to Image>Image Size
- Set the resolution to 72 pixels per inch (28.346 per cm)
- Check the "scale styles" box
- Check the "constrain proportions" box
- Resample Image should be checked and set to Bicubic
- Click OK
Go to Edit>Convert to Profile
- Under "destination space" choose sRGB
- Engine should be set to Adobe
- Intent to Relative Colorimetric
- Check "use black point compensation"
- Check "use dither"
- Click OK
Hit Ctrl-A (Cmd-A on a Mac) to select the photo
Go to Edit>Transform>Scale
- In the toolbar up top, set the Width and Height to 80%
- Hit Enter/Return to confirm transform
Go to Image>Crop (black edges should be cropped off now)
Go to Filter>Sharpen>Unsharp Mask
- Amount is set to 65%
- Radius to 1.0 pixels
- Threshold to 4 levels
- Click OK
Hit Ctrl-D (Cmd-D) to deselect the photo
Go to File>Save As
- Format is set to .JPEG
- Decide where to save it
- Set Quality to 4
Close photo after save is complete
Hope that helps a little!
Tamsen had a great question: "I have been doing everything you've described here, except in the "convert to" part, I had perceptual chosen instead of relative colorimetric...any idea what changes this would make?"
This delves more into colour management than simply saving for the web, but I'll try to answer as best as I know how!
Relative Colorimetric is the best choice as it will preserve most of the original colours in the image. Perceptual should only be used if there are important colours in shadow areas that need to be preserved (this is more for magazine print/ CMYK stuff). So you should definitely switch to Relative Colorimetric. I would highly recommend converting an image to sRGB using both RC and P, and then use the Soft Proofing method in the link above to really see the difference.
Hope that helps... a little:)
The Savvy Photographer
There is a great new blog on the block - The Savvy Photographer. They have great giveaways, amazing inspiration and lots of great ideas. Go and check it out, and add it to your Google Reader!:)
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Taking Care of Business (again)
Just posting this regarding posts about the designers I create layouts for:
This policy is valid from 15 October 2009
This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. This blog does not accept any form of cash advertising, sponsorship, or paid topic insertions. However, we will and do accept and keep free products, services, travel, event tickets, and other forms of compensation from companies and organizations.
This blog abides by word of mouth marketing standards. We believe in honesty of relationship, opinion and identity. The compensation received may influence the advertising content, topics or posts made in this blog. That content, advertising space or post will be clearly identified as paid or sponsored content.
The owner(s) of this blog is compensated (by way of free products) to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though the owner(s) of this blog receives compensation for our posts or advertisements, we always give our honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the bloggers' own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question.
This blog does not contain any content which might present a conflict of interest.
To get your own policy, go to http://www.disclosurepolicy.org
This policy is valid from 15 October 2009
This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. This blog does not accept any form of cash advertising, sponsorship, or paid topic insertions. However, we will and do accept and keep free products, services, travel, event tickets, and other forms of compensation from companies and organizations.
This blog abides by word of mouth marketing standards. We believe in honesty of relationship, opinion and identity. The compensation received may influence the advertising content, topics or posts made in this blog. That content, advertising space or post will be clearly identified as paid or sponsored content.
The owner(s) of this blog is compensated (by way of free products) to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though the owner(s) of this blog receives compensation for our posts or advertisements, we always give our honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the bloggers' own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question.
This blog does not contain any content which might present a conflict of interest.
To get your own policy, go to http://www.disclosurepolicy.org
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
A set of 4 templates inspired by YOUR layouts?
If you're a digiscrapper, here is a FABULOUS offer from Chrissy W (one of the girls I create for):
Hey there!
So I had an idea - and this is how it will work...
How would you like a set of 4 templates (made by me) that are inspired by and based on YOUR layouts!??
All you need to do is reply in this thread saying yes! On Saturday I'll pick 1 scrapper - and make a set of templates based on their layouts!
Here's what's in it for YOU if your layouts are the ones picked:
* a $50 gift certificate to my store at Elemental Scraps (you can find my templates HERE) in return for being able to put the set in my store
* 5 coupons for a free set of the templates that were inspired by YOUR layouts (so that you can give the set to some of your scrappy friends)
* credit, of course, to you on the preview and in the store description for your inspiration!
* bragging rights that your layouts were picked to be made into templates!
So - who's interested??
Hey there!
So I had an idea - and this is how it will work...
How would you like a set of 4 templates (made by me) that are inspired by and based on YOUR layouts!??
All you need to do is reply in this thread saying yes! On Saturday I'll pick 1 scrapper - and make a set of templates based on their layouts!
Here's what's in it for YOU if your layouts are the ones picked:
* a $50 gift certificate to my store at Elemental Scraps (you can find my templates HERE) in return for being able to put the set in my store
* 5 coupons for a free set of the templates that were inspired by YOUR layouts (so that you can give the set to some of your scrappy friends)
* credit, of course, to you on the preview and in the store description for your inspiration!
* bragging rights that your layouts were picked to be made into templates!
So - who's interested??
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Why I Love Photoshop
Well, it's no secret that I love to take photos. But the truth is, Photoshop plays a large role in the "finished product." I personally think it is as important to hone good editing skills as it is to learn to get better images straight out of camera. They help define your style as a photographer!
This point was once again driven home while editing this image tonight:
It is a very cute photo (yes, I'm biased), but it lacks luster, brightness and a bit of warmth.
A bit of editing (say 10 minutes or so - I'm fussy), and this is what you get:
This fits into the "style" I'm trying to carve out for myself. This photo is SO much cuter to me now:)
This point was once again driven home while editing this image tonight:
It is a very cute photo (yes, I'm biased), but it lacks luster, brightness and a bit of warmth.
A bit of editing (say 10 minutes or so - I'm fussy), and this is what you get:
This fits into the "style" I'm trying to carve out for myself. This photo is SO much cuter to me now:)
How to Remove Braces in CS4
I needed to teach myself how to do this and realized there are a ton of tutorials out there on the subject of removing braces in Photoshop. As with most things, there are many different methods to do one task! This is definitely the best one I came across, by tutvid.com
Also, for those of you with an older version of Photoshop (and therefore lacking the patch tool), I also found this method to be very interesting, as well as this one.
Also, for those of you with an older version of Photoshop (and therefore lacking the patch tool), I also found this method to be very interesting, as well as this one.
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