A little something I created today...

So I've been slowly learning how to do digital kits for a few months now. Sometimes it's so easy and other times I struggle trying to get just the right look or trying to figure out the steps for an embellishment and find my darn brushes don't work in my CS3! I go back and revisit my notes and old digital magazines...I study others' designs and re-read my CS3 books but things don't always fall into place. I can't believe how long it can take me to absorb things sometimes.

Anyway, since Christmas is so close and many of you are starting to think about Christmas cards, I decided to try my hand at a card design. This is actually all of my own creating...I did the red and green papers myself (cool, huh??). The gold frame and swirlies are brushes with gold metallic styles applied to them.

To use this, you'll need to have a photo handy, crop it and then use a clipping mask for it to fit perfectly into the gold frame. Don't know how to use a clipping mask...piece of cake! I have instructions below.

I have a link to download the .PSD file (photoshop) - just click
HERE
I did test this in Elements 8.0 and of course, CS3. More than likely it works in other photoshop programs, but I can't promise.

Now if you are unsure of how to create a clipping mask, here is what I do. The photo will be in the grayed out area once you have done this.

First, open the photo you want to use (if you need to do a landscape, you can easily use your move tool and turn this gold frame around to fit your needs). Once you have the photo open and cropped to your liking, do the following:

1. Move the photo over onto your card layout using the drag/drop. Place your photo layer just above the layer marked Clipping Mask Layer (you'll see the gray icon on the layers palette).

2. When you have your photo layer over the Clipping Mask layer, hover the cursor in the middle of the two layers and hold down your ALT key. You'll see two intersecting circles with an arrow, holding down your ALT key, click now. You should see a little bent arrow by your photo and the photo should fit perfectly within your gold frame.

Here is my take on it:

Now, go have fun and be sure to show me what you have done!!

Have a very Happy Thanksgiving!!!

{Friday Photo Bliss}

In my determination to keep this blog up to date, I'm getting back to posting the {Friday Photo Bliss} photos again. These were inspired by Rita at CoffeeShop, who got her inspiration from SouleMama.

This week was American Education Week and I visited my daughter's class. As always I had my camera attached to me...never leave home without it! I saw my friend visiting her son and couldn't resist snapping this photo. This is the sweetest little face ever! I just think she is beyond adorable. Sleeping children just beg to be photographed...so innocent, so angelic. Enjoy!!!

PS - I used CoffeeShop Faded Daydreams action along with Pioneer Woman's Quick Edge Burn action on this photo.

So, you wanna know what I've been up to??

I think life has finally settled down a bit and I'm focusing on my fun stuff! Yay for me! I've been spending my evenings on a soccer field or volleyball court, my Saturdays running between schools for soccer or volleyball games...it's been completely chaotic. But, now, it's over and I am spending time at home, not in my car. I love that my kids are involved in activities and aren't couch potatoes, but I also love when it all comes to an end and I can really appreciate the relaxation that we sometimes take for granted - you know, the I'm bored thing...

So, I have kept up with some of my photography and photoshopping. I took photos for the girls' teams and created different pieces. I discovered how much I love the photographer's templates! Using clipping masks and some photos, I can put together templates in a jiffy. I found these templates on Rita's site - CoffeeTeaPhotography - she's awesome! Most of these templates are completely customizable.

Here are the most recent collages that I have done. I gave them to Kasey's volleyball coaches and Mikaela's soccer coach, framed. Nice little gifts that mean a lot to them. By the way, these are 4 different collages I did - 3 are 12x12 in size, the other is 8x10.

I've gotten so many compliments on these, I'm thinking I should go into business creating these for people. I can't decide...so help me...let me know what you think!! These don't have to be just for sports, they could be photos of anything. They could be any size or shape...endless possibilities!

On another note, I'm going to be teaching Using Photoshop 101 and Using Photoshop 102 again at My Creative Classroom. If you still haven't checked out the offerings, you need to go over and check it out! There are so many creative ladies that are instructors at MCC and they have so much to offer...Altered Items, Scrapbooking, Stamping, Cricut Specific classes, the list is endless. You can follow the link here or over in the sidebar. Sign up for the newsletter - it's free - that will keep you up to date on everything thats happening in the classroom!

I'm also planning a re-vamp on this blog...been planning it for a while, but haven't actually completed the process. I have so many ideas, it's hard to keep them all in one cohesive plan. I'm sure some of you know how that is!!