A Blog Train, A Daily Download, A New Forum and a Bunch of Freebies

As much as I would love to write and write about all things that are yummy to the senses, I must apply my abbreviator and try to keep this short.  HA!  The ol' back pain demons are rearing their ugly, uh, arses.  LOL  There is a hurricane somewhere south of here.  Every time there is one, the barometric pressure fluctuations cause those folks with pain to have it really bad!  It sucks!  It doesn't help, either, that there is some stress at home.  Getting things on an even keel with my daughter and her two children being here is slow.
 

Things are starting to fall into place, though.  We have my grandson in school.  He spent the summer home with me, rather than at day care, for the first time.  He's my buddy!  I sure love that little guy.  His sister is another story.  LOL  She's a peach, but, oh, so, mischievous!  And, fast.  She will be quiet, you'll run to see what she is up to and you'll find she had eaten all of the margarine off the dish.  While wiping up the spillage, you turn just in time to see her unrolling the bathroom tissue all over the room.  She is a handful!  LOL  She actually got suspended for one day from day care!  I'm not kidding!  She was 'spitting'!  Doing raspberries, she says.  Either way, nobody wants spit on them!  Her mommy had to take the day off to stay home with her.  That doesn't fall under my job description.  LOL

So, I have been telling you about the Maigickal Scraps move.  We are officially opening the new forum on the first, Wednesday.  Each of the ladies has made a really fun contribution to the "Grand Opening".  Each lady will post hers on her own blog and we will all post the links for each other.  I think there are 5 total.  I've seen the things they've made and all I can say is, at least, come take a look.

For a look at what is coming,

FONT:  "Gothique"  http://www.kingthingsfonts.co.uk/index.htm

Click on the banner to go to the new forum.  That is where the Daily Downloads will be starting on September 1, 2010.  The new slideshow, "September Song," will be up, then, too, at the top of this page for your previewing.

And, on the same day, gosh, that's tomorrow, come back here for my part of the goodie for celebrating the big move!

I have been uber-busy this past week finishing up some projects I was working on.  One, the Gothic Inspirations Blog Train for September, "Gothic Journey" is going to be fun.  

Click on the logo to go to the GI Blog Train Blog.

Jessica already has the previews up and mine is there, right along-side some of the uber-talented folks whose designs I have admired for so long.  I actually saw people I had no idea were involved, like SharonB.  OMG!  Her website, Scrappy Chic Boutique, is awesome!   She is an artist, through and through.  What struck me about her works is the elegance.  Her things are 'elegant', lady-like, yet, you get a sense that she has struggled to find a niche for women and did so with fervor.  I have the utmost respect for Sharon.  I have to mention her dolls, too.  They look like her.  You've got to see her dolls.  She does them with fancy backgrounds and, well, have a look-see:

Isn't she pretty?  Sharon does custom work, too, if you want to have one tailor-made to fit your needs.   Click on the doll image to go to Sharon's website and see what I'm talking about.  Catering to the professional photography field with her layouts and templates, if you will, for awesome finished photographs, I think she must have found digi-scrapping natural for her.  It shows in all of her work.

There's more!  I want to tell you about another site I found.  Photo Rack is a stock photo site.  Now, before you click and run, LOL,  let me tell you about this place.  The selection of photos is very nice!  It's easy to navigate.  And, they have a bunch of textures, which I know you will love and be able to use.  These are exceptional textures!  I don't know who took the photos, but, they are all very good resolution and size.  Their 'water-color' textures are something to see.  With a blending mode, or two, these will make your own art look like it is done in water-colors.

I know as well as each of you that there are thousands of so-called 'free-photo' websites out there.  The rates are so totally out of my budget, though.  Still, you pay for quality.  There are some exceptions where one can get by with the free downloads that many sites offer.  Many are quite good.  PhotoRack is one of those.  Ever on the search for an easy-to-use source, with high-resolute and large images, I feel PhotoRack filled the bill.  Go have a look.  It is so easy to get around, you should be downloading soon!  LOL  

Alrighty, then.  I have so much coming out tomorrow, I must confess I don't have anything ready for today to download.  I do have a couple of 'backgrounds' I have done.  They are a slight hint as to what I've been up to.  There is an 'outdoor' page and an 'indoor' page, if you will.  I hope someone can use them.  One reason for making these, as they are quite the popular style, is that I don't have to worry about credit or linking to an artist.  I'm it.  LOL  These are so free to use.  You can do what you wish with them.

Click on the image to go to Box to download:

So, I'll see you tomorrow!  I must go make my last preparations for the big day.  That's a blogtrain, a new forum goodie, the new daily download and more merriment!  So,

SMILE!

(Unless you can give me one good reason not to!  LOL)

Hugs,

Su

Freebie, Blog Train & Magickal Scraps News

My little grandson, who will be 8 on Saturday, has an attitude - a lot!  He thinks he's grown like his cousin, in between still sucking his thumb when he's tired.  I can change it, usually, though, with a little bit of laughter and smiles.  What they say about smiles being infectious is true!  He can have a pout going on, with his bottom lip protruding out so far he could trip over it.  He'll be whiny or grumpy, too.  I can just look at him with a smile and, before he can resist, he is all smiles.  I always tell him, "this will pass, it always does."  And, it does.  Believe it, or not, after years in psychotherapy, I came to the conclusion that most every situation will pass.  I can get in a major funk, as that is my on-going problem, and, eventually, it passes.   Having learned this, I can get through things better than before, as it feels like there is hope.  Experience has taught me, if I don't like the mood I'm in, hold on a little while - it will pass/change.  It is my small comfort, but, one that keeps me sane.  Really!  Besides, my grandson has the prettiest smile.  It makes it all worth while.

One of the things that helps, too, is little prompts, like cards or pictures with little feel-good sayings.  These were a godsend when I was going through some of my darkest days.  Well, I have just the place to go to get my 'daily dose' of feel good!  No, not the dude in the back alley!  Jeez!  LOL  My friend, Nana, NanaBananaScraps, is an artist and a creator of some of the cutest little pixels on the net!  "Just4Today" is a series Nana does, of little cards with her special words that delight or make one feel good or make ya slap your thigh with laughter.  She has a Facebook page where you can see the cards each day.  What better way to get your daily inspiration? 

 In my own news, I decided to join in with the other designers at Gothic Inspirations, for their infamous monthly Blog Trains.  My friend, Miss Edna, from Miss Edna's Place blog, has been involved in it for a while and told me about it.  I thought I would try.  So, starting in September, I will be a part of this monthly treat.  We'll see.  I hope I can live up to the wonderful standard the designer have set for this event.  It will be an huge learning experience for me.  That will be fun!  I've placed one of Jessica's banners at the top of my page.  Have a look-see at all of the GI blogs, including one by her own designers.  Jessica is an amazing designer.  So are the others who have participated in these blog trains, bringing the fame and notoriety the name has so well deserved.

Next, I've mentioned the Magickal Scraps store and how it was hacked and closed a few months back.  It didn't affect the forums, but, Snowy, the owner/designer, has decided to let that site go.  She is going through a marvelous time in her life, of late, and has some new and other interests and obligations.  Though she is growing in so many fantastic ways, her time for designing is at a minimum, for her.  She's already shown the world, and herself, that she is a top-notch designer.  It was Snowy and her designs that drew me to her site in the first place.  I love the Gothic look and the 'nature-based' spirituality of certain beliefs, which she has brought to her designs.  She gave me my first gig as a designer, letting me join in on a few events with my own contributions.  She, and the others at that place, have been wonderful!  They've been so supportive.  More than that, though, they've been friends.

So, with the future of that site nearing the end of the year's contract, we all put our heads together and came up with the decision to start a new place, a website of our own, so to speak.  Snowy will still be a part of the team, but, she needs some personal time.  She's crossing the 'big pond' to come to America to visit her beau.  On her blog, Snowraven's Cave, she writes about her special romance with her soulmate, Erik.  Though they met online, he is known to one of the other ladies.  They have kept a relationship going for over a year, either online or by phone.  Soon, she'll be coming over to meet for the first time in person.!  So exciting!  She'll be an occasional contributor still.  The rest of the team, and I, have started with a new forum, which is still in the organization stage.  Much of the same content will be switched over from the old site to the new.  The "Daily Downloads" that we do each month will be switched over on September 1, 2010.  We're getting the word out, now.

As a special event, a 'grand opening', if you will, the ladies are planning a treat for everyone!  Still in the planning stages, as well, we are going to offer a very nice surprise to all of our followers and, hopefully, some new members.  You are more than welcome to pay the site a visit, now, if you like.  For the time being, we're still using the Magickal Scraps name.  Later, if we so desire, we can make any changes.  Names, places and all are not what is important.  What is is the people, the designs and the challenges and all the loverly things that make a community.  Our little community has remained strong as ever throughout all of the store-hacking and such.  We're still creating away!  And, from the looks of the things the ladies have been creating, we're in for a good time!

The new Magickal Scraps forum is HERE!

Check it out, if you like.  We are still setting things up and, Maitri, one of our designers and a terrific one, at that, is working on it.  Her little one has been sick, bless his heart.  It is so sad when a little one is so sick!  But, she has still managed to work her magick on the new forum!  If you pay her blog a little visit, she has a new kit that she made for scrapping photos from her son's visit to the hospital, called, "Get Well Soon."  It is so adorable!  I don't think she'll mind if I sneak a little preview in here:

  Click on any of the highlighted links in the above paragraph to go there. 

And, make plans for our surprise on September 1, and the Grand Opening.  I'll post reminders, for sure.  LOL

You know I can't post without leaving you with a little sump'n.  I've been interested in 'collage sheets', lately.  They are such a great concept!  I've got so many images stored on my hard drive that are copyright-free.  I just haven't known what to do with them.  Ta-da!  Enter the collage sheet.  LOL  I really don't know a lot about the specs on a sheet.  Someone suggested they be A4 sized, or the size of a piece of notebook paper.  I don't know.  I see all different sizes, shapes and set-ups.  I made mine on the scrapbook-sized page, 3600x3600px(12inx12in) at 300dpi.  I can get lots of stuff on it.  LOL  I even tinkered around with the layout design and a logo!  Feedback would be cool, if you don't mind.

I'm trying Box.net for this download.  Click on the image and trot on over for the download.

I labeled each of the little images because it as hard to tell what they were and what letters some of them represented.  And, please note, the 'J' and the 'X' were not in the book.

Until next time, take care!

And, Smile!

Hugs,

Su

,

Freebie, PS Pattern Work, Art, '2 for 1' Tutorial & a Link

While going through yet more of my files, I came across a layout I made, but, I don't remember what I made it for.  It seems it may have been a Quote Challenge piece.  If it is, though, I don't recall which one or where it was for.  LOL  I do know it was around Valentine's Day, because of the concept I chose and the verse I wrote.  I've not had very good luck with exes.  Maybe, I should say that my exes haven't had very good luck.  Both of my husbands and too many boyfriends to innumerate, have passed away - after we broke up.  Two, died tragically just days before a date with me.  Isn't that an awful thing to know!  One was in a car wreck, a week before; the other was shot while working at a mini-mart.  The latter happened the day before we were to go out.  Needless to say, it kind of makes me hesitant to know anyone better.  Anyway, that explains the layout:

You might have to click on it to see it in larger size.  I do know that this piece was good practice for working on shadows.  LOL  No disrespect intended to any of the deceased.  I find it kind of strange, that's all.

I have another link for ya!  This one is for a free Photoshop 'style' each and every day.  Who couldn't handle that?  LOL  The name of the website is, are you ready, "PS STYLE A DAY".  You can enter your e-mail, if you so desire, and they will be sent to your inbox daily.  As I said, they are free, but, for personal use only.  For commercial use, the styles I looked at were only $2.00 each.  Can't beat that.  It started up almost a month ago, so, their archives aren't that many.  The examples in each post are applied to text, so, I'm assuming they are mainly meant for that.  But, I asked about designing styles.  Who knows?  Maybe there will be some.  There were a couple of styles that I really liked and could use.  One is a 'western-looking wood' style.  I'll have to follow them to see what else they offer.  These can be used to enhance smaller elements of scrapbooking stuff.  Often, the style appears too much like a repeated pattern when you try to use one that was meant for text in too large an area.

Next, I found a quick tutorial that turns any photo into a line drawing.  No plug-ins or actions necessary.  It's quick and the results are cool!

• Open your photo in Photoshop.
• 'Duplicate' it twice.
• 'Desaturate' both copies.
• 'Turn off color(bottom-original) layer. 
• 'Invert' the top copy.  
• Add a blending mode - 'Color Dodge'.
• Your image will disappear almost completely.
• Not to worry.
• Go to 'Filter'>'Other'>'Minimum' (Still on top copy).
• Tweek the 'Radius' to get the image the way you like it.
• You can leave like that.
• Or, you can 'Merge' the two desaturated layers, turn the color layer back on and add 'Blending Mode - Luminosity'.

You'll have a softly colored sketch when you're done!

Here are my before and after images.  I didn't actually use a photo.  I used a vector flower design.  You can see how it took the vector and turned it into what looks like a soft watercolor or pastel painting.

Let me tell you.  What I did was to open a "New Action" from the actions palette after I opened my image.  It gives you the okay to start recording, which is what an action is, really.  I went through the above steps, then, after merging the layers, I stopped the recording.  The only part of it that is adjustable is the 'Minimum' feature.  I have mine set at "1" in the action.  That's fairly general, but, I could change it if need be, by going back in 'History'.  I now have an action that does all the steps - automatically.  As soon as I figure out how to save the silly thing, I'll put it on here for anyone who might want it.  LOL  It is so easy to do this.  There is a lot more to making actions, like adding messages, or prompts, and, of course, saving them.  I've only just dabbled, so far.  I have made a couple of actions for myself to do some of the more menial, but necessary, tasks.  Image resizing for previews is one.

So, there you have it.  A '2 for 1' tutorial.  How to turn a photo(image) into a sketch/line drawing and recording it as an action.  LOL  Bargain!

It just wouldn't be the same without a goodie to give away to you.  So, again, from my file reorganization/weed-out, I bring you a set of 'experimental' papers.  Over at Patternhead, they offer some really nice repeating pattern 'templates' in vector.  Once you create the pattern from it, then, blend it with a color layer and, maybe a texture, or two, you can get some really neat papers/textures.  Here are three that I downloaded from there, then, worked with:

Download Sources @ Patternhead:

 "Twisted Floral Pattern"

"Grungy FleurdeLis Pattern"

"Intricate Lace Pattern"

Can you handle one more quick tut?  To make a pattern out of the above type of vectors:

• Open pattern template in Photoshop.
• Go to 'Select'>'Select All'.
• Go to 'Edit'>'Define Pattern'.
• Save it when the box pops up.
• Close template.
• Open image to add pattern to, such as a paper.
• Or, fill a new, blank document with any color.
• Add the pattern to it and adjust to your liking.
• Save as .jpg or .png.
• Re-open, or 'Flatten Image' to use for adjustments and blending.

(A newly styled layer is impenetrable.  LOL  It must be saved or flattened before you can do anything to it.)

Have fun.  I did.  Here is what I made.  Click on the image to go to MediaFire for download : 

I left these kind of 'exaggerated' in color and pattern/texture for blending purposes.   I just hated to toss them out.

Take care!  And,

WTF!!??!!  LOLOLOL

Hugs,

Su

                                                                                        

Freebie, Links, & Artwork

What's this!?  Another post?  Within the same month as the last?  LOL  I have a lot to tell, what can I say?  Muwahahaha!

So, let me tell you what Blogger is doing now.  In the past, if you wanted to change your background image on your Blogger blog, you went to one of the beautiful, blog design sites, (see my resource list), and found the image you wanted.  They have some awesome packages with a styled background and matching header.  And, they are so artistic and adaptable.  Once you found the image, you copied a code.  Back at your blog, you would go to the 'Edit Layout' page, click on 'Add a Gadget', select 'HTML/Java Script' feature, paste the code and, wallah, instant background of your liking.  Simple and so convenient.  Right?

 

Well, Blogger is getting in on the designing aspect of their blogs, much more than just a series of templates.  Now, they have the new "Design" feature.  In addition to having new templates at your fingertips, this allows you to change the fonts, their sizes and colors, and a few other aspects of page design, too.  Now, Blogger in Draft,  has added a feature to add your own background image or photo, with a click.  You can change it daily, if you like.

To get Blogger in Draft, click on the link.  On that page, go to the right-hand column, very top.  In the little block of text, under "About This Blog",  are the words, "Blogger in Draft" that are highlighted.  Just click there.  It will open up your dashboard in BID.  Go to the design feature and click on the 'Background" feature.  This is what you will see:

By Wongoo Lee, Software Engineer for BID

At the top of the list is "Upload Image".  You know the rest.  You can adjust the background with another feature, save and you are set.  Do remember that, to get to the BID dashboard and features, you have to go in with the 'Blogger in Draft" link.  At least, that is what it looks like to me.  It's worth it to be able to use this function.  As far as the blog design sites, their beautiful designs won't fade away with the advent of this new feature.  Rather, I would think, it would give their sites a boost.  Now, you can copy only the image link and add it in to the design.  I thought it was a lot of red tape, what with having to go with BID.  But, it was fun trying.  The article on background images at BID is more informative, if you want to give it a read.

I have updated my DeviantArt account, adding the pieces that I have been doing for Digital Whisper's challenges.  In addition to the weekly challenges, Kimmie has started a special challenge, Dark Whisper, for those who want to join.  The artwork that comes out of the folks in that group is awesome!  She is teaching us Color Theory, too, which is something I needed brushing up on.  My last class in it was in college, um, a few years back.  LOL  And, aside from all that, the DW Blog also has weekly challenges.  There is always an image that inspires me from these and I have stayed busy!  You'll see if you click on the DA link and go have a look.  Check out the DW Blog.  See if you are interested.  The group is invite only, but, if you e-mail me, I will get one to you.  I don't know what all you can see of the site without being a member, but, the artwork is posted on the main page.

The next thing I have for you is a kit that I made a few months ago.  It was made for the Daily Download at Magickal Scraps.  It was to be a part of the kit we made as a freebie in the store.  Well, the store was hacked and it never made it in.  So, I offer it to you now.  I hope you like.  It's very colorful!  LOL  Click on the images to go to 4Shared to download.

But, never fear!  You can't keep a good design team down.  Magickal Scraps is moving!  Since the store was hacked, the group has still carried on.  I've joined them on the Daily Downloads and every month we bring you some of the most awesome designs out there.  No, I'm not biased, or anything.  LOL  Details are still being worked out, so, I'll have to let you know more later.  You can still get the Daily Downloads from the same place as always, until further notice.  Right now, we are giving away "Beyond Dreams."  It is featured in the slide show at the top of the page.

So, until next time....

 

SMILE!

In case you can't muster one up, here ya go!  Smile on a Stick!

click on image to visit spoonsisters.com

Pick one!

Hugs,

Su

Freebie, Smithsonian Commons and Magickal Scraps News

Greetings!  I hope everyone is well and in good spirits.  I have been creating more.  The vintage lark I've been on has presented itself in the form of more goodies!  Actually, the vintage theme was the topic of the July's Color Challenge at Magickal Scraps.  Um, yeah, last month.  LOL  I'm always a day late and a dollar short.  Anyway, I spent a lot of time making stuff with the various vintage elements that are out there on the web, already.  It was fun!  I found a lot of sites that offer vintage freebies, as posted in my last post.  It was both educational and rewarding.  The downloads are at the bottom.

I want to tell you about another site, "Smithsonian Commons".  I am registered at the Smith's website, so, I was the lucky recipient of a survey they wanted done.  LOL  Whee!  It was a chance to view 4 different videos, each one about some aspect of the new 'Commons'.  The videos informed how to use the new features to their fullest.  It showed a teacher's view, a researcher's, a history buff's and the applications on cell phones.  It's amazing what you can do to search the Smith, view exhibits and plan trips, lessons, etc.  With the cell phone app, you can walk around the complex and it can tell you where you are in relation to a certain exhibit.  It's cool!  The website is still under construction, but, you can see the article with a link to the survey, in case you are interested.

Flick'r Commons, a group of images devoted to the hidden treasures in the world's public photography archives, was done in cooperation with the Smithsonian.  It's part of their overall scheme to bring the Smith's Commons to fruition, a step-by-step plan.  It really sounds like it is going to be an adventure.  There are also supposed to be interactive exhibits online, as well as all the amazing images they have.  Bookmark the site and be sure to visit it when they open.

 

There are changes in the air at Magickal Scraps.  The ladies are moving!  Since the site was hacked and the store lost, things have had to change.  The new forum is going to feature some of the same challenges and the daily downloads, of course.  In addition, though, there will be new challenges, new features and some great designs and freebies.  But, you will have to wait and see.  I'll keep you posted.

That's gonna do it for this post.  There is always more, but, it can wait for another day.  Have a great Tuesday night!  Don't forget the downloads.  Click on the images to go to 4Shared for downloads.

ENJOY!

 

'Til next time!

Smile!

Hugs,

Su