photoshop Archives - Page 6 of 6 - Keeping With The Times

I’m a self-confessed digi scrapping addict . . .

March 29, 2012 by Barb 8 Comments

At Digital Scrapper, our kit this month is by Anna Aspnes. She’s a mega talent in the digi scrapping world. Anna makes ‘making art’ attainable for the masses.

Yesterday I was busy sewing some curtains but right in the middle of it all, I noticed the squirrels running around outside and chattering up a storm. My mind went to a photo I took last fall and almost like a zombie I walked to the computer and started creating . . . this is what I ended up with.

I am a self-confessed digi scrapper addict. I’ve been doing it for four years and the impulse is not waning . . . in fact it’s becoming stronger. I scour the galleries for inspiration and let me tell you there are some people out there that are absolutely brilliant.

One-of-Nature's-Masterpieces

When I started my blog I made the decision to not make it about scrapbooking. I don’t regret my decision since variety is the spice of life, right? And my blog forces me to concentrate on other aspects of my life.

I’ve been contemplating starting another blog just for scrapbooking, just to share my ‘stuff’, things I’ve learned, and to connect with other addicts. Oh, where oh where does it end? But I can’t get it out of my mind and if there is one thing I’ve learned in life, it is to listen to that voice in your head – you just never know where it will lead you!

Right now, I know it led me away from finishing up my curtains . . .

Oh! Christmas tree!

December 8, 2011 by Barb 44 Comments

Well, I finally have the tree decorated and *whew* we’ve never had such a tall tree in all our 37 years of marriage! I had to use a step ladder to get to the top and I may or may not have stood on the TV cabinet to reach the star . . . hmmm, after I put the star up I could see that it was being dwarfed – so what to do? I went out into the yard and snipped off a few birch branches to create a little burst at the top and add some weight. I really kind of like it.

Thrifty Christmas Decorations
I’m loooving my tree this year! To start with we haven’t had a real tree for quite a while and I completely changed all the ornaments. Don’t be shocked – I know ornaments are extremely expensive which is why I made my own garland.

Thrifty Christmas Decorations

Then the other day I was rummaging around in my crafty stuff trying to think what else I could use when I came across a stack of light cardboard that I had saved (being the hoarder that I am) and thought, I am going run down to my scrapbooking store and see what die-cuts they have. This lovely snowflake was sitting there calling to me and I spent the better half of the morning churning out about a hundred of them. Cost? $0.00 – I have a membership at the store and use of the die cut machine is free for members. Oh man, I couldn’t have been happier.

Thrifty Christmas Decorations

The rest of the ornaments – the birds, the felt skates, felt reindeer, and felt mittens I had bought at Superstore at the beginning of the season. Take my word for it, they were very affordable.

Tree4-copy

Thrifty Christmas Decorations

And last but not least I have my Paper Ball Ornaments made from Christmas cards past. Go here for the tutorial on how to make them.

Thrifty Christmas Decorations

Birch branches…

Tree6-copy

My birch branch burst… try saying that three times over! Thrifty Christmas Decorations

I am officially exhausted. I’m on my own tonight so I may just pour myself a bowl of Nuts and Bolts and sit back and admire my creation. And since I worked so hard I may just have Baked Caramel Popcorn for dessert.

Happy Decorating Everyone!

Table decor

December 2, 2011 by Barb 37 Comments

I took an afternoon and set up my table the way I want it for Christmas Day ‘a practice run’ so to speak. I now have everything tucked away and organized so that on the Big Day I will be able to pull it all out and set it up without even having to think (much). I know I’m going to have a lot of other things needing my attention and this will be a huge help. So, here it is . . .

My Christmas theme this year is a little bit country, a little bit woodland, and a little bit elegant. We are hosting Christmas at the lake and I want to set a nice table. It started with a new set of dishes. Pure white Denby aptly named ‘White’. I purchased this set in October at Home Sense for less than a third of it’s original price. I didn’t know exactly why I was buying them but I simply could not walk away. When is a white set of dishes not perfect? I used my red cotton tablecloth (kind of wrinkly and rustic) with matching serviettes. I used thick twine to wrap the napkins and added a little painted pine cone. I had painted them many, many years ago to string along our banister – am I ever glad I saved them! It was also serendipitous that I found candles that look like pine cones (Home Sense). I used a roll of green burlap and I love the rustic beauty it adds when used instead of placemats. I cleaned and rubbed the water glasses and silverware until they were sparkling. I was pretty happy with my creation when I suddenly decided I should have a bit of fresh greenery on the table. What to do? I’m half an hour from town and it’s freezing and snowing outside. Hmmmm, I went and got my garden shears, took a walk around the yard and snipped a few branches from our fir trees. I said thank you to my trees and told them they had just contributed the final perfect touch for our upcoming Christmas celebrations. I’m so looking forward to Christmas with my family.

Favourite things – a scrapbook challenge

October 17, 2011 by Barb 19 Comments

I participated in a scrapbook challenge to create a page of your top ten favourite things. I kinda broke the rules and listed some things more than once but oh well, I figured what’s there to lose . . . am I trying to win something or trying to express myself? Well, I went with the latter.

The photo was taken by me – for another challenge to create a self-portrait.

All digital elements by Amanda Taylor
Font: DJB Gimme Space by Darcy Baldwin

I’m joining in with the fun at the Creative Exchange over at Lisa Gordon Photography

The colours of Thanksgiving

October 5, 2011 by Barb 45 Comments

I was looking at all the fall decor out in bloggyland and I kept seeing front doors painted with a dark paint. Now I know this trend is nothing new but I suddenly decided I must try it! I’m quite brave reckless when it comes to decorating so I very quickly went to town and picked up the paint and a foam roller. We’d had warm summery weather all September so I was certain it would stay nice until I got my door finished . . . wrong. Monday morning a fog rolled in, temperatures plummeted and a slight drizzle of rain proceeded to fall. Well, I thought – if I’m going to do this I have to do it now or our weather may even get worse. The door is under an overhang – what could go wrong?

. . . is this kale just not the most gorgeous shade of green? and oh, so autumn (y)!

Well, I started to roll the paint on and to make a long story short – what a mess! This foam roller was not cooperating – it seemed to slip and slide all over and the paint was going on all streaky – it looked terrible. So I got out a brush (don’t use a brush) and started to paint with it and I could see streaks and splotches and areas that had too much paint and areas that had too little. OMG – what am I going to do? I decided I was going to have to let this first coat dry and then see what I could do about it – but not before I actually rubbed some paint off with a rag – can you believe that? The next morning I rushed back into town and went to a specialty paint store for advice. Apparently the paint I was using was OK but some people (me) can’t use foam rollers and he proceeded to give me a tiny plush roller. Thank goodness – it worked. After a couple of restless nights spent worrying that my door was going to be a mess all winter, I managed to get another coat on and have proclaimed that “I can live with that!” Whew. If warmer weather returns I will give it another coat, but for now – it’s good enough. After I added some plants and twigs and pumpkins and wreaths I felt a whole lot better. My door is dressed and ready for Thanksgiving (in Canada, it’s this week-end).

. . . you see? it looks OK!

. . . yes!! . . .

. . . my dusty miller is still thriving . . .

. . . how can you go wrong with cute pumpkins and mums . . .

. . . a sparkly ribbon on a bright wreath . . .

. . . what?

I forgot to mention that during all this a squirrel decided it was going to take some of the cardboard I had used to protect the deck and make a bed in the woodpile.