Blending Papers

Another photoshop class project: blending papers.  It was a bit tricky.  I definitely need to put some time into  practicing this one!  I can "blend" okay, but I was trying to make the papers look worn and that takes skill.
Used SNP: Bohemian Rhapsody; template: By Christin

Photoshop Techniques aligning/distributing

Learned how to use align and distribute to straighten up elements and alphas...pretty self-explanatory, but at least the tutorials always give lots of hints and tips.  I ended up removing my title so I could put a background text layer for a challenge instead.
I used the Happy Place Pack from Fly Pixel Studios again.  The alpha I used was from SNP's Heidi Ho.

more Photoshop

This week we learned to do overlays and feathering (to blend the edge of the photo into the paper it's overlaid on.)  I love it!  I've been wondering how they did that...  I still have issues with clustering...never can find the right elements to combine.  I think that's because I'm trying to stay within one kit when I'd really like my files sorted by type and color: staple copper, staple silver, staple back copper, etc.  Oh well, I guess I'd better learn to be a designer and change the digiscrap world--maybe next week.

I used Scraps 'n' Pieces Thankful Hearts and Bohemian Rhapsody blogtrains.

beginning photoshop, continued

Here are the rest of my projects for the Beginning Photoshop class--I should've posted them before the next class, but oh well...

This lesson taught us how to use Quick Pages.  We wanted to take some pictures of my kids with my grandpa, since who knows when we'll ever see him again, but Simon was way more interested in Grandpa's stuff! (used Happy Place QP from Fly Pixel Studios)

This lesson was about "strokes," which are colored outlines you can use on (I guess) just about anything.  If you stroke an element with white, it'll come out looking like a sticker.  We also learned how to "clip" a background paper to the text  and had to practice changing the color of a picture to sepia or black & white.  (used Oogy Boogy Pack from Just So Scrappy)

I know I look awful in these pictures, but Nate is so funny with his puppy dog eyes and his mouth getting wider and closer to the straw, that I just had to scrap 'em!

Photoshop Techniques

I've moved on to the next class and am loving the new skills I'm learning to use in Photoshop.  Maybe someday I can actually get all those photos into scrapbooks this way.  I'd love to try my own designs, too, once I get more comfortable with stuff (and a computer that doesn't hang up!)  Here's what I've been learning in the techniques class so far:  this week was "threading" (a fancy way of combining separate images into looking like real 3D compositions, instead of printed on top of each other)

On this one I threaded the ribbon through the frame, and tangled the cord around my title letters.  (used kits from Scraps 'n' Pieces: Heidi Ho and Thankful Hearts blogtrain; Keystone Scraps: Key to Happiness)

For this one I used the Keystone Scraps: Key to Happiness and SNP: Bohemian Rhapsody.  I threaded the leaf, ribbon, tag, and twine onto the clothespin (it already had the petals), and the ring onto the key.  I layered three pieces to make the flower, too.

The photo is of a cross in South Dakota that a man made of old tools and metal parts all welded together.  It is huge and really cool close up!

Here's the first week's lesson on using templates.  (used template from By Christin for the February Template Challenge at SNP, Queenwild Scraps: It's My Party, and Amy Dane Designs: I Am a Survivor)

Beginning Photoshop class

I've been learning a lot, but I don't know how well I'm remembering it all...but  I was able to complete my week 4 project, resize, save, post and link it to the gallery without checking my notes.  Now, let's see if I can somehow get the pages on here, too.  Since my computer died, I'll have to completely re-do the first two projects if this doesn't work.

week 4 project:  vacation 10/2011
I used Antique Treasures and Industrious from Laitha's design

week 3 project: Nate's fuzz

I used Autumn Colors from Scrappamondo by Monica

week 2 project: Wall Drug 80 foot Dinosaur

I used Dino-mite by After 5 Designs

This was our first official class project (week one was on introduction to tools and organization)--this one didn't get text or titles, but I think I did get shadows on it

First page in Photoshop

I'm taking a class: Beginning Photoshop and here's my first project (ever) in the program.  I used paper and elements from SNP Romantic Valentine mini, beads from Scraps by Mara (Dec. 2011 blog train Traditions--took out the blue ones), font is Liorah BT in darker red.


The picture was taken in October at the Kadoka Nursing home.  She could hardly bring herself to smile and said she was just "tired."  I suppose this could possibly be our last photo of her.