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"Little Buckaroo" by Janine Buckles
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Directions for one technique I did on this layout:
I love using ScrapSimple Paper Templates to add extra depth and interest to my backgrounds. In this layout I placed a paper with heart-shape cut outs, from ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Reverse Applique, on top of my background paper. The larger hearts on the bottom and the little heart on the top corner were cut off by the denim strip that my image is on, so I used my Marquee Tool to cut the paper into two pieces and move them. To do this I first selected my paper layer by clicking on its thumbnail image in the Layers Palette. Then I selected the Rectangular Marquee Tool and, on my workspace, drew a rectangle around the small heart. Next I clicked Ctrl+T (Image> Transform> Free Transform) and used the arrows on my keyboard to move the selected section of paper into place and clicked Enter. I repeated the process with the larger hearts and then scrolled through the Blending Modes, at the top of my Layers Palette, until I found one that worked with my paper, "Linear Light" in this case. Finally I applied a shadow from ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Basic Shadows 6501 to the ScrapSimple paper.
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Appliqued Flowers, ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Reverse Applique, Dynamic Brush Set: Paper Piercing 8201, Dynamic Brush Set: Stitching 6401, Brush Set: Stamped Dates, ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: In Stitches Biggie, ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Worn Overlays, ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Sew Torn Up, ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Edge It PSE 5001, ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Shadow Layer 6501 PSE, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Basic Shadows 6501, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Curled Edges Shadows 3201, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Sew Doodly Biggie 3201 and ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Stitching 6401 Mini are also available. |
Software used: Adobe Photoshop Elements 5.0
Name of challenge: Use at least two Dynamic Brushes.
"Transformers" by Armi Custodio
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Directions for one technique I did on this layout:
For my directional arrows, I used Dynamic Brush Set: Dashed 8201. To make a perfect straight line, I simply hold down the Shift key while sweeping the brush across the page. I then applied ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Foiled 6401 to the layer for a metallic look.
Software used: Adobe Photoshop CS3
Name of challenge: Use at least two Dynamic Brushes.
Other Ingredients:
Journaling: Poor Ali, those robots are sure hard to "transform" into vehicles and vice-versa. You often have to call on me to help you. But alas, I am transformer-challenged and I'm not about to read that complicated instructions manual. That's what Dads are for! So if Dad's not around, I'm sorry but you are on your own kid!
"Cheesy" by Kara Swanson
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Directions for one technique I did on this layout:
One technique I like to use is to matte my background paper. I like how this provides some extra dimension and realism to my layout. It also makes it easy to use papers that are super fun but too busy to use as the primary background, by putting them behind a less-busy paper.
Software used: Adobe Photoshop Elements 6.0, Adobe Lightroom 1.1
Name of challenge: Use at least two Dynamic Brushes.
"Sing" by Amy Flanagan
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Directions for one technique I did on this layout:
For this layout I really liked the watercolor paper from Amanda's Gleeful Collection Biggie. I thought it went really well with the sandy background to my photo. So first, I clipped the selected paper to the ScrapSimple Tools - Shapes: Brackets 6301. Then I placed my photo on top of that, and clipped that to the shape to finesse the left and lower edges of the photo. Then, using a soft round brush and a layer mask, I blended the top and right edges of my photo into the background. I used several sized brushes at several opacities to blend the edges seamlessly. The advantage of using a layer mask over an eraser brush is that with a layer mask it is not a permanent change. I can change later what is showing or not showing on my photo depending on how my layout changes or evolves.
Software used: Adobe Photoshop CS4
Name of challenge: Use at least two Dynamic Brushes.
"Loved" by Gisele Queiroz
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Directions for one technique I did on this layout:
I always try to use styles in a different way. In this layout I used the ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Windows and Doors 6301 on a paper. I applied it to the paper that is behind the brown paper. At first it was only an experiment, because I did not know what would be the effect on paper. I loved the effect of the frame that it created! Our Scrap Girls boutique is filled with beautiful styles and they are just waiting that you play with them. Try to do something beyond what you always do!
Software used: Adobe Photoshop CS4
Name of challenge: Use at least two Dynamic Brushes.
Other Ingredients:
"So Sad" by Jennifer Wight
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Directions for one technique I did on this layout:
Brushes are so fun and diverse! On this layout, I used the fish brush from Thao Cosgrove's Dynamic Brush Set: Lullaby 5701 to create a unique background as well as some embellishment charms. Dynamic brushes are fun and easy to use because they rotate their shape automatically when you "brush" them onto your layer. When working with the background I randomly stamped the fish brush onto a new layer above my square background paper and the dynamic brush did the rest, twisting and turning the fish stamp in various directions. To finish off my work I chose a Blend Mode from the Layers Palette. I next used the same brush to create a charm. To do this I stamped a fish onto its own layer and then added a metal style to it using Melissa Renfro's ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Metals 5001. I then resized and repositioned the fish charm to my liking.
Software used: Adobe Photoshop Elements 5.0
Name of challenge: Use at least two Dynamic Brushes.
"1st Day of School" by Jo Corne
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Directions for one technique I did on this layout:
Using Amanda McGee's Dynamic Brush Set: Sprinkles, I chose which brush I wanted and then set a new layer between my two background papers. I played with the size of the brush until I was completely happy and then 'brushed' where I wanted the 'sprinkles' to sit. To enlarge or diminish the size of your brush, no matter which brush you use, can easily be done by hitting the [ or ] keys on your keyboard. You must have your Brush Tool selected but not have brushed onto your page yet. To get a bigger brush size, click on the ] key and to get a smaller brush size, the [ key. I find this a very useful shortcut as I then do not have to open the Brush Palette and fiddle around with numbers to make my brush bigger or smaller.
Software used: Adobe Photoshop CS4
Name of challenge: Use at least two Dynamic Brushes.
Other Ingredients:
Journaling: On February 1st, 2010 we started High School and Grade Three with much excitement, enthusiasm and anticipation. The kids were up and dressed and raring to go. School lunches were made, bags were packed and books labeled. The first thing Jess said to me when she came out of school that first day was... "Mum, I was born for high school!" Aaron has settled beautifully and is enjoying the challenges set in front of him. May this year be the start of wonderful times of learning ahead.
"So Fresh" by Elisha Barnett
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Directions for one technique I did on this layout:
To color the inside areas of the flowers in the Dynamic Brush Set: Doodlelicious 6101, I chose a brush and brushed it on a new layer in white. When I was satisfied with the placement, I selected the Magic Wand tool. With "Contiguous" checked and the brush layer selected in the Layers Palette, I clicked an area on my layout anywhere outside the brush. Then I right-clicked and chose "Select Inverse" from the drop down menu. Now that the marching ants are around the brush layer with the inside selected, I created a new layer below the brush layer. Then with the new layer selected, I filled in with my selected color using the Paint Bucket tool. When I was satisfied, I merged the two layers together. I repeated this process two more times with different brushes and different colors. To add dimension, I added a small drop shadow to each layer.
Software used: Adobe Photoshop Elements 6.0
Name of challenge: Use at least two Dynamic Brushes.
"Family Outing" by Charlene Crowder
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Directions for one technique I did on this layout:
To make frames for the three smaller pictures, I used ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Edge It PSE 5001 along with Dynamic Brush Set: Fancy Edges and Frames. I used a different color for each one. Then I applied ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Packaging 9901 to the frame layers to give them some texture.
Software used: Adobe Photoshop Elements 7.0
Name of challenge: Use at least two Dynamic Brushes.
Journaling: Breakfast... for dinner?! Yep! We wanted to take the boys somewhere that they would enjoy. They loved watching the food being prepared.
"Ready for the World" by Julie Moberly
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Directions for one technique I did on this layout:
I wanted to create a neatly stitched border around the layout. First, I drew a rounded square with my shape tool. Next, I loaded Shalae Tippetts' Dynamic Brush Set: Embroidered Stitches 4901. I set the brush size to 50 pixels, then selected the "exact" option of Melissa Renfro's ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Edge It PSE 5001. I held the Command key (Control key for PC) while using my mouse to click on the shape layer in the Layers Palette. Marching ants appeared around the rounded square. Then I clicked "Apply" to the action. Since the action automatically placed the stitching on its own layer, I just made the shape layer invisible by clicking on the eye in the Layers Palette. To finish, I applied Shalae's ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Fibers 4901 to the stitching layer.
Software used: Adobe Photoshop Elements 8.0
Name of challenge: Use at least two Dynamic Brushes.
Journaling: Marissa, This is you on your first day of Kindergarten. Your hair was in a long, pretty braid. You chose a light pink shirt and plaid skorts to wear. We packed a cheese sandwich, drink pouch, and banana for lunch in your Disney Princess lunch tote. Your Hello Kitty backpack was empty, but you didn't care! Wearing it made you feel like an official Kindergartner! I thought maybe you'd want me to drive you to school, but no way! It was the bus or bust! I love that these photos show the sparkle of excitement in your eyes, happiness on your face, and confidence in your pose. You're not just ready for Kindergarten, you're ready for the WORLD! August 2008
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