living, learning, and keeping with the times
Hi all! Just popping in today to let you know about my newest tutorial “Gingham Style” available at Digital Scrapper (and it’s on sale too!)
Not only is this is an easy and fun technique where you’ll learn a bit about creating patterns and how to use them, you’ll also find some great Photoshop tips that may come in handy in any project you have in mind.
PS: this is not a sponsored post!
I’d already had so much fun with this photo of my three pears but when I ran it through Waterlogue I knew I had to create a layout around it. So when I saw the Notepaper Video Tutorial by Susie Roberts I just knew what I had to do!
Love that quote…
Have a wonderful Thursday!
Elements from Art Play Palette by Anna Aspnes
A Little Bit of Whimsy by Barb Brookbank
Here’s an amazing offer that you really should check out. Every month Digital Scrapper releases 4 training videos, a kit, quick pages, and layered templates. It’s all part of a “Premier” package for the low cost of $8.99/month.
But here’s the deal! There’s a promotion going on right now where you can get the goodies for the whole month of April for FREE!! This has never happened before, and most likely will not happen again.
I can personally attest to the fact that if you are interested in learning how to use Photoshop or Photoshop Elements, this is THE place. I am a scrapper, but I’ve learned 95% of what I know about Photoshop at this site and have applied that knowledge to my photography, editing, and design skills.
I can also tell you that Linda Sattgast and her family are the most down-to-earth, friendly, and honest bunch you are ever going to run across! I feel like they are friends…
So I truly encourage you to take a look at this incredible offer. What can you lose? Check it out here Premier Free Trial.
Make sure to read the entire offer – from beginning to end (fine print!)
And, no… I did not get paid to write this!
Happy Thursday!!
This is a scene I saw many times during this (almost past) winter. Every time I walked by I took about 10 photos because it was truly magical.
I can’t remember everything I did to edit the photo, but the main app I used was Waterlogue. And then because I’m a scrapper I had to create a layout with it using some great new products from designer Susie Roberts. I really love the white cardstock, it’s great for blending and creating artsy images.
So now that I have hundreds of winter photos, I’m so done with it. However, we still have a foot of snow in our yard and more is on the way … oh winter, please let go …
Cardstock – Blank Canvas by Susie Roberts
Alpha – Rubber Stamp by Susie Roberts
So I don’t know if it’s any secret, but my secret is that I am a scrapper … I tend to steer away from talking about it on my blog, and I wonder why? It’s such a huge part of my life.
I scrap every day. I work for Digital Scrapper. I write tutorials for Digital Scrapper. I’m on the CT at Digital Scrapper, and I’m a past CT member of several other scrapbooking sites. I even contribute to the blog at Digital Scrapper.
So anyway, now that I have that out of the way …
I just thought I’d share my latest creation. This is an iPhone photo-inspired layout. I loved the colours, the sequence, and of course the subjects! The grandkids played together outside almost all day, every day over the Christmas holidays, coming in to throw their soaking wet snowsuits in the dryer and then heading straight outside again.
Sweet memories saved.
I’ve taken thousands of photos in the past few years and (up until now) how many have I printed? Virtually zero. Some are on my blog, some are on Instagram, some are on scrapbook pages, and the rest are residing on my hard drive, most likely never to be seen by anyone but me.
I don’t take as many family photos as I used to.. I’m happy to let their parents take them, and then share with me.
And then along came my iPhone, and Instagram. I know, I’ve talked about this before, but there’s something about the filtered, over-processed, funky quality to them that I totally love. There is no pressure to get the best shot ever, it’s simply fun and what I’ve ended up with is photographic journal of my creative life. My hope is that when I’m gone, my grandchildren, or great-grandchildren will look at them and say “grandma was kinda cool, creating all this art, wasn’t she?”
So that’s what spurred me to have these printed. I loved the idea of the Polaroid format offered by Persnickety Prints (this is not a sponsored post, just my experience). Well, but wouldn’t I LOVE to do a sponsored post for them? Dream on…
Anyway, I ordered the Persnickety Prints Polaroid (3×3 Print on 3×4) Soft Texture Art at $0.40/ea.
I could not be more tickled!! The quality is outstanding with great colour, texture, and size. The ordering and delivery process was fast and easy. I simply went to Persnickety Prints and clicked on the “Printing With Instagram” tab at the top, and followed the directions. I used the “Instaport” option, which I thought was fantastic because it basically backed up my feed to my computer – bonus!
So, I’ll stop gushing now :) I just wanted to share… I have my little tiny works of art displayed on my desk and I’m doing the happy dance this morning.
I hope you are too!
I’m offering a free template to use with your autumn photos! Please enjoy … for personal use only!
It’s a *fully layered psd template, compatible with Photoshop Elements, and Photoshop.
As October draws to a close, most of my autumn photo opportunities are over. Our “show” starts early, and ends early.
This year I was particularly inspired because our weather was warm, dry, and calm, which resulted in some spectacular colours. I also had a my new D7100 to play with, and oh, does it ever do bokeh well! I’m excited for (then next season) and another chance to rock the bokeh!
I made up a template to showcase some of my favourite shots, and you can get it here for free!
It’s a *fully layered psd template, compatible with Photoshop Elements, and Photoshop.
bb_9 photo template
*For personal use only
Happy Halloween!!
Yesterday it snowed. Lots. It was actually a mini-blizzard.
As I sat at the computer trying to work, my mind kept wandering. Something was calling to me… something bright, warm, and filled with flowers.
I knew what I had to do. I had to finish up a draft of my next tutorial and send it off to be approved. Then I would have to wait, wouldn’t I? The person who approves it is halfway across the world in Australia and was probably still asleep. This would give me a few hours where I could do whatever I wanted… so off I went…
ah, yes… welcome, indeed
I spent about an hour walking up and down the aisles, dreaming and scheming. When I looked around at other people, they all had a hint of a smile on their face. The saleswoman was wearing a tank top! Oh, now doesn’t she have the best job in the world!? And the smell… the smell of soil after a rain… gah, it gave me shivers…
It’s too early to buy anything for the garden, but I could indulge in one little pot of sweet smelling pansies. It’s now sitting on a rough little wooden bench in my kitchen where the sun pours in all afternoon.
After I left the greenhouse, I headed to my favourite junque shop and stocked up on… (oops, that’s for another post).
I’m joining in on the fun at Texture Tuesday with Kim Klassen. Today we were to use any of Kim’s textures and add some wise words. Well, I’m not so wise, but I loved the quote.
Credits:
Kim Klassen: Textures kk_3003_2, kk_3003_1
Anna Aspnes: background paper, masks, brushwork, envelope, loop-da-loops
Beads: Amanda Taylor
Vintage Typewriter
Just playing around in Photoshop and revealing a bit of my inner digital scrapper persona…
This is my latest Digi Scrap Tutorial for Digital Scrapper.
Layer Mask Reveal! 03.19.2013
Stitches: All Stitched Up by Susie Roberts
Flower: Jubilee by One Little Bird
Beads: All About Me by Amanda Taylor
Paint stroke: Vicki Stegall
Background paper: Anna Aspnes
Font: Vintage Typewriter
I used the technique from the tutorial to create the winter scene as an overlay. The brush was #45 Watercolor Textured Surface. I duplicated the overlay and set the top layer on Color Burn.
Thanks for looking!
A couple of days ago I mentioned to Jen White at Digital Scrapper that I loved the flower image that was on the Digital Scrapper Blog promoting classes.
I told her I really, really, really wanted a button for our Creative Team and that I wanted it with that pretty image. That’s when Jen sent me the image and the names of the fonts she used and told me to get creating one! So create one I did! and it says it all – I’m proud to be creating for Digital Scrapper.
And, hurray! today it has been approved by Linda Sattgast!
Isn’t it pretty? I’m bustin’ out all over :)
It’s exciting times for me at Digital Scrapper – but more on that later . . .
My new Digi Scrap Tutorial was published with the Digital Scrapper Newsletter that went out this morning. Learn how to create a digital stencil using the Custom Shape Tool, a simple selection technique, and the Brush Tool. Use it on a layout and adjust the opacity to your liking.
It is only available to non-members of Digital Scrapper for about a week or so.
If you sign up for a FREE ‘Plus Membership‘ you will have access to all the tutorials plus a LOT more. Take a look – you’ll be glad you did!
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.
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 . . .
My recap of April. All papers and elements from ‘Cherish this Moment’ by Digital Scrapper Designs.