Freebie Labels & Links

Happy HUMP Day, you all!  I love my new computer!  It's so fast!  I still want  a new keyboard, but, hey!  I am not complaining.  I spent some time working on Photoshop and it takes no time now!  I can get so much more done!  Big HUGS to my PC Guy!  (notice it's capitalized - LOL)

I have a few things for you.  I have been getting up and about a lot more.  It is a far cry better than laying around!  Sheesh!  In my catching up, I ran across a couple things to tell you.  Shall we get started?

Whilst searching for stock for a project at DW, I found a link to a website that has the most awesome 'fantasy' stuffs!  Bella Donna Designs is an awesome site!  To start, she, Diana Hlive, is an artist and an author.  There is her shop, with her art, of course, but, also, you can purchase lots of goodies decorated with her art.  Okay?  Then, she has her Books.  Her latest, "The Secret of the Fairies", is a guide, a must have, for all the fairy lovers.  There is information and things you can do and make to facilitate the wee ones. But, that is not all.  She makes 'Artist Supplies' that are FREE.  All she asks in return is a mention.  She makes gorgeous textures and posers and stamps.  You really must see what she has there!  The things are so colorful and pretty!  Be sure, too, to check out her video page in "About Me".  Nice!

I have been adding to my "Resources" page.  The link is at the top of the page beneath the header.  When I get more links in there, I will post an article about it.  Right now, I am in the process and there are only a few new ones.  If you've never gone there, give it a try.  I have it sorted into categories so you can find what you like.

 

I have another link for you.  I may have written on this site before, but, I'm not sure.  "World Label" has some really great labels you can download for free.  They are real in to 'vintage', so, look for all the sweet old tags and labels.  There is an article on old-fashioned flour labels.  At the bottom of the posts are links to download the .PDFs of the labels, in color, some in multiple color choices.  Check out these labels:

If you click on the image, you will be taken to a little project using these vintage labels.  At the bottom of the article is the download.  There are labels you can color or add your own words to, also.  Like these 'Apothecary' labels.:

(click on preview to go to article to download)

You could use these for journal blocks or tags.  And, lest we forget, a .PDF can be opened in Photoshop.  They are both Adobe.

That's a gonna do it for tonight.  I am off to go play with some photo-manipulations.  LOL  I love working with stock images, tweeking them this way and that, extracting the best parts and, then, putting them together in a new fantasy image.  I'll have to post some more of my works.

  But, before I go, I do have something for you.  I had found these labels on one of the vector sites.  They had 'example text' in all the blank areas where one would place their words.  So, I cleaned them up and put them in .PNG format so I could share them with you.  The colors actually match the last collaboration Miss Edna and I did for April.  Click on the preview to download.

But, that is not all!  I also made these!  Each 'edge' or 'border' is separate.  Mix and match them.  Change the colors if you like.  They look cool on a page's side, with elements coming out from behind them.  Click on preview to download.

Now, I'm done!  I must go lay down!  LOL  Do remember to

Hugs,

Su

Final Parts of Collab Freebie

Good Monday to you all!  I trust your weekend was good.  Mine has been an adventure in electronics!  LOL  Friday evening I decided my pc needed to be dusted.  I went to town on it.  I opened up the side of my tower and, with a soft paint brush, I gently tapped around in there, brushing away dust.  There was this green plastic door-looking thing with one of the fans behind it.  I had seen it opened once before, so, I tried to open it.  Bad idea!  It opens, but, I didn't realize it had a latching mechanism and I pulled a little too hard and it broke off.  It's purpose it to hold in the 'cooler' component for the CPU on my pc.  So, with that, I was out of a computer.  Wah!  

After frantically phoning my computer guy, I found that I have to have a new tower part - the guts - ching ching.  Without going into all the finagling and dealing, I have a new one on its way.  He ordered me a new unit with all the latest storage and function, something about an i3 processor, or something.  Anyway, it will be at his house tomorrow and he will put it together for me and get it all up and running.  I should have it Wednesday.  Whew!  He was my lifesaver!  I had to find the funds for it and, with what I could borrow and scrounge up, I couldn't replace the terminal and keyboard and stuff, but, those parts on my old one are still 'okay'.  As far as replacing the programs on my old pc, my friend has most of them on disc, so, he'll put them back on for me.  I put all of my 'documents and files' on my EHD, anyway, so, I didn't lose any of that, but, sheesh!  There were three years of 'goodies' on it that I had found and accustomed myself to using.  It will take a little time.  But, at least I will be able to continue on with my things I do.  My friend is letting me borrow his laptop until mine is ready.  That was nice of him.  So, I haven't really had to go too long without.

I am trying getting back into the routines from when I was so down in my back.  I am still in a lot of pain, but, I am dealing with it.  I can stay up for almost two hours without having to 'rest' it.  I am just not one to not do anything!  I laid in my bed and thought of all the stuff I needed, and wanted, to do.  Now, I can hold my breath and sit 'just so' and I can actually deal with it for a short time.  LOL  

Today is the final installment of May's collaboration with Miss Edna's Place.  We have two parts each for you of our kit, "In the Merry Month of May".  The first parts, 2 QP's(Pts. 1 and 2) and 2 parts(Pts. 3 and 4) of the kit, were given away over the last two weeks.  Those links are still up if you missed them.  Just scroll back to the previous posts.  For today's parts, below are the previews.  Click on each one for the last two(2) parts.  Though they are shown as 'elements' and 'papers', one is for Pt. 5, the other for Pt. 6.  Then, click on Miss Edna's preview to be taken to her blog for her parts.

Part 5

 

Part 6

Miss Edna's Preview:

That's a gonna do it for today.  I sure hope you enjoy this kit.  When I get all 'computerized' again, I'll come back and show off, I mean, let you know.  LOL  Until then...

Blessings and Hugs, Ya'll

Su

Freebie Collaboration, "In the Merry Month of May"

Another beautiful weekend has drawn to a close.  It rained cats and dogs on Saturday.  It was great!  It was thundering and lightening and the grandchildren would come running every time there was a loud crash.  I got to scoop them up, well, throw my arms around them, at least!  LOL  Free cuddles!  We do this thing where, when in Granny's arms, all is safe and secure.  They are always welcome to get in my arms and they take advantage of it.  That's okay, though.  That's the whole point.  We made a blanket fort on my bed and they played for hours in there.

I don't believe that my back is going to let up.  This has been going on for a month and no relief has come.  I've tried everything I know of.  Presently, I can get in an hour, maybe two, and I have to stop and go lay down.  Talk about feeling old!  LOL  But, life goes on.  If nothing else, pretending the pain doesn't exist and going through the motions of living life is a distraction, if only momentary. 

I sat up for a while yesterday and got my parts to this month's collaboration with Miss Edna ready for posting.  While creating "In the Merry Month of May", I got carried away on May's specialty, flowers.  We give moms flowers on Mothers Day.  The Kentucky Derby, known as 'the Run for the Roses', takes place.  May Day celebrations were traditional festivities, adorned with flowers, along with ribbons, winding around a May Pole.  Everything is about Spring and rebirth and new life, both flora and fauna.

Below are my previews.  Click on each image to go to MediaFire to download Parts Three(3) and Four(4).  Though the previews are sorted by papers and elements, our Parts are a combination of both.  So, the 'elements' preview will link you to Part 3 and the 'papers' preview will take you to Part 4.  They're labeled accordingly.  After downloading my Parts, there is a preview of Miss Edna's Parts.  Click on it to go to Miss Edna's Place to collect her two Parts.  Last week, we gave away two QP's, Parts 1 and 2.  Then, next week, we'll give you Parts 5 and 6.  This week's and next week's parts are for scrapping your own layouts.  If you missed last week's, or if you are interested in past collaborations and freebies, all of my links are still up on mine.  I'm pretty sure Miss Edna's links are still good, too. 

Part 3:

Part 4:

And, now, click on Miss Edna's Preview to go to her blog for her parts:

Look at all the PRETTIES!!

That's a'gonna do it for this week!  I sure appreciate your visit.  Enjoy the goodies!  And, don't forget...

SMILE!

Hugs,

Su

New Freebie Collab - "In the Merry Month of May"

Good Monday!  Is everybody all Hallmarked-out?  LOL  I sure hope everyone had a great Mothers Day/weekend. Mine was nice!  I heard from all three of my babies!  It was so laid back and relaxing.  I couldn't help but to reflect on my own mother.  I miss ya, momma!  (Sniff-sniff!)  My gracious!  How I do wish I had had more good years with her, but, alas, I am grateful for what I had.  I have such a new-found respect for that lady.  Being a mom is hard and if you have an illness or some other debilitating affliction, being a mom is a challenge.  And, I know it sounds cliche', but, children don't come with an owner's manual.  Yet, nothing else really matters if our children grow up happy and healthy.  I understand this now.  I didn't for years and I was constantly seeking something else.  The day that it finally hit me - my mom was just a woman, like me - it was such an eye-opener.  I don't know what I expected, maybe a Hallmark relationship, I don't know.  She had so many downfalls.  But, she loved us and did her very best to take good care of us.  Just like I am doing.  Wow!  I love you, mom!  I understand!  I actually did get to tell her this, a couple of years before she passed.  Those two words changed everything!  I believe Mom had fretted over her 'shortcomings' most of her life.  Then, to have me come to her, late in her life, and tell her it was "okay", she was so relieved.  From that day, forward, every time I saw or spoke to my mother, she hugged me, gave me a kiss and told me she loved me!  It was what I had waited a lifetime to hear/see.  That only lasted a few short years before she left us, but, I had those years with her!  For that, I am grateful!

Alrighty, then!  This weekend was iNSD, International/National Scrapbooking Day, I think is what it stands for.  All I know is there were sales up the wazoo all over the scrappin' community!  I found a couple of good deals, but, have to mind my purse strings this month, so, I didn't get much.  I got more freebies that I bought.  Some of the sites had fun events going on, chats, scavenger hunts, etc.  From what I saw, this is the last big sale event at many of the sites until the fall.  That doesn't matter, eh?  I'm still amazed at the size of this community!  I found a scrapbooking site last week that was having a blog train.  I recognized one stop/site.  There was a entire list of scrappers who had joined on and I had never heard of any of them.  I thought I had about covered all of them!  LOL  Finding them opens up a whole new avenue of exploration!  So many to visit!  So little time!  LOL  It's nice, too!  I look at these websites and feel so good knowing others, like me, through the miracle of internet, have been able to realize a dream of having a little "shop", where we can go visit with friends and enjoy the comradery that comes with it.  For some, scrappin' is a way of life, an income that is relied upon.  For others, like me, it is something to be involved in, a purpose.  Whatever the reason, this community has a life of it's own.  I am so glad I am a part of it.  I'm happy to know the people - like you all!

 

Okay, I've pondered and reflected long enough.  It's time, once again, for the new monthly collaboration with Miss Edna's Place.  Today, we give you the first parts of "In the Merry Month of May".  May is one heck of a month!  There are all kinds of events to celebrate, Mothers Day, Memorial Day, the Kentucky Derby, Indy.  In considering this, I realized there is one thing that all of these events share.  They all celebrate in roses!  The Kentucky Derby is known as "the run for the roses".  Roses have always been a mom's favorite.  Racers who win are seen celebrating with an arm full of roses or a rose-toting damsel.  Roses are a staple for May.  So, when I approached this month's design, I steered towards the rose.  I couldn't help it!  To me, there is nothing more grand than a large, half-open, velvet-y, peach-colored rose.  In addition to roses, May is just known for it's abundance in growth and the renewal of life.  New growth on plants and new babies abound.  It is 'propagation' at it's finest!  LOL  From man's earliest times on earth, spring has brought forth many beliefs, more than any other time of year.  What better way to celebrate than flowers!

 

So, this week, we are giving you the first two(2) parts.  We each have a couple of QP's for you.  After collecting my parts, visit Miss Edna's Place to collect what she has for you, if you haven't already been there.  Then, for the next two Mondays, we will give you two(2) parts each per week.  You'll wind up with a total of six(6) parts from each of us for a total of twelve(12) parts in all!  Here is the preview for my QP's.  Click on it to go to MediaFire for downloading.  Then, you will see Miss Edna's preview.  Click on it to go to her blog for her parts.

My Preview:

 

I didn't exactly follow the color palette for them - I got carried away!  LOL

Miss Edna's Preview:

Aren't they neat?!  Now, go get you some!  LOL

Until we meet again...

Hugs,

Su

Links, Stuff & 3 Freebies!

Since I have been down with this most recent 'back-attack', I have tried to start a post several times.  Needless to say, they sit in draft form in my Blogger file.  I hate to lose what I so tediously wrote, so, I am going to take parts of each writing and interject them in here.  I hope it makes sense to everyone.  I was medicated.  That's the reason I wouldn't hit the 'publish' button when I wrote those posts.  I didn't know if what I wrote was acceptable or not.  Isn't that awful?  I learned, though, some time ago, don't write anything that others can see while under the influence of any kind of mind-altering substance.  Pain meds fall into that category, as well as alcohol, I'm sure.  I don't drink, but, can only imagine.   I've read through them and they appear harmless.  LOL

I have been working on a new header for a little while, now.  In between everything else, I got it to where I am happy with it.  I placed it earlier.  It is my collage of things about me or the things I love.  I put in vintage, like in the flowers, cherubs and fae.  I put in some whimsy, in Cinderella's Carriage, the mermaid and the March Hare button from Studio Tangee.  I put a reference to my art with the artist's palette and with the Photoshop icon and feather.  Finally, I made reference to myself with a globe, for my love of learning, and the perfume, 'cause I am a lady!  LOL  The frames serve no purpose other than to give a base, a framework, for the junk up there.  And, I love vintage frames.

There's one more item up there and it's kind of a fun, 'secret' thing.  The keyhole has little tiny faeries through it if you can get in close enough to see.  LOL  It's just for fun!  When I was a little girl. I had a dress with a clover leaf pattern.  The label said that there was one(1) 4-leaf clover, somewhere on the dress.  Of course, I found it right away - almost.  I thought that was the coolest thing EVER!  If there is one thing that I have when doing all this, it is FUN!  I love creating and putting it all down so I can enjoy it.  I'm not a big FaceBook person, but, since so many folks I know, including my family, are on it frequently, I decided to post my artwork up there in a gallery.  When I have completed adding it all up to date, I'll post about it.  In case anyone is interested.  LOL

This past month, over at Digital Whispers, we had a couple of really neat learning experiences, as usual.  But, one stood out among the rest.  I think I mentioned it before, but, we did a "Zetti" Round Robin.  We each took turns adding our own 'part(s)' to one image.  The end result was so fun!

LOL  That's what "Zetti" is.  I read one definition, that it is a hodge-podge of body parts.  That one seems to be the best since body parts are a given in Zetti.  In my research on this art style, I came across some interesting things.  I have been promising some links for you for a while, now, so, here we go!

Starting off the list is "The Sum of All Crafts".   This chick dabbles in a little bit of everything craft-wise.  Valerie has an awesome blog.  When you first see it, especially if you are a digital artist/designer, you think you've stumbled upon a hybrid crafts site.  Along the top menu bar are topics such as "Swirly Flowers" and "Punch-Art Samples".  These are the cutest ornaments and flowers for embellishing anything you make.  But, that is not it!  Well, it is that, but, it has much, much more!  She has, literally, hundreds of downloadable vintage images for use in crafting and art.  Check out the side bar "Labels".  She has quite a bit there, all categorized for you!  Near the bottom, under Zetti/Steampunk, I think, she has some great 'parts'.  Beginning January 23, 2011, Valerie released a set of images to use in making Zetti and/or Steampunk art, or any kind of art for that matter.  There are arms and heads and some neat mechanical parts.  LOL  You got to check it out.  The give away of the Zetti/Steampunk stuff runs for thirteen(13) days, so, make some time and enjoy all this chick has to offer.  I bet there is something there you will like!

This next link comes with a tip for convenience.  I found it as an answer to a dilemma.  When we did our 'Round Robin' at DW, each person would add their part, then, save the .jpg and post it on the forum for the next person.  We each added our part with our program of choice, Photoshop, PSP, Paint, etc.  But, to post it, it could only be in .png or .jpg format.  Our forum will host a .psd file, but, only up to about 8 mbs.  Anything over that and it would not post.  So, you can imagine the difficulties in trying to add your part to an 'established' image.  The first parts end up being almost completely covered up by subsequent artists' additions. 

As it so happened, all of us were using Photoshop, so, we were all working in layers.  I recalled a website I have used a time or two, Min.us.  My Yahoo mail attachments don't show .png files, for some reason, so, I had been using Min.us to post logos and previews of the monthly freebie kit for Miss Edna.  By sending her the link in an e-mail, she could easily access the images and download them, too.  Easy-peasy!  I suggested we try this for our Round Robin and it worked great!  After each person added what they wanted, they uploaded the piece to Min.us and posted the link in the forum.  The very act of uploading generates a link. One doesn't have to register to use this site; some folks don't like registering all over the place.   We still had to post a .jpg on the forum pages to share each addition of our parts, but, it made working on the piece so much easier.  Min.us is a great way to share a working document, even a .psd!

Min.us Screenshot

 I just want to add:  I know that you don't really want to mess with what another person has added, but, sometimes, just moving an element over a tiny bit to make room for your parts, or, maybe, slipping your addition in behind other parts, is necessary.  In a way, this defeats the premise behind a Round Robin - you work with what you get.  But, we were in an educational state for this challenge, learning about Zetti as we went.  I think it will be alright for this.  LOL  Everyone seemed happy with the final piece.  The whole point is to be able to share the files within our group and Min.us was fab for that!

Okay!  Next!  Have you ever taken a snapshot, or seen one, that would look awesome as a piece of art hanging on your wall?  Some are 'ready to hang', whereas, with some, if they just had that 'artistic rendering', they would certainly be masterpieces.  Now, you can do this to a photo and the results are phenomenal!  Check out Vangobot's "Pop Art Machine".   If you prefer the 'Masters', this may not be it, but, well, try it out on one of your photo images and see what comes out of it.  I am not even going to try to explain how this works, but, two artists created this 'robot' to turn simple images into gorgeous pieces of art.  Their site has some videos that show all about it.  Then, there is the 'machine'.  LOL  It's under "Interactive" at Vangobot's.  You can upload an image, like that wonderful photo, and apply any one of several dozen 'styles' to it.  You have to try it out!  It is amazing!

I took this image from my hard drive and applied all of the styles, on by one, before deciding on the one I chose.  Here's the before image:

This is after, with the 'Hull Curves' style implemented:

I opted for a subtle change, but, well, check it out.  Here are a few more style examples:

Isn't that cool?  I had to take a screenshot and then crop it to have a copy of my own, but, I think it is awesome!  Imagine the possibilities!  I played around with my image:

I'm sure there are other uses.  It depends on the image you upload.  Maybe you'll come up with a few of your own.  I just thought this was neat!

You know I always have something for you.  These are some "Mommy-type" goodies that I created.  First, I have an ornamental frame strip:

Click on the preview to go download from Box.net.

Then, there are some pretty 'parfum' bottles on a collage sheet.  I tried to give these a painted look.  They're kind of messy, but, I put some work into them and I'm not going to trash them.  LOL  Here ya go!

Click on the preview to go download from Box.net.

Last, but, not least, is a little kit I put together of pretties for you all since this weekend is Mothers Day.  There are some flowers, naturally.  I made the pattern for the 'Damask' papers myself.  I'll tell ya about that another time.  There is also perfume, or 'parfum'.  LOL  I like that spelling.  The thing with this kit is that I either made it or it was copyright free.  That means I can give it to you for 'Commercial Use'.  Which means, you, too, can give away stuff you make with parts from this kit.  LOL  I love all this 'double talk'!  It's necessary, though.  Whenever I use stuff that belongs to another, I can give it away for 'Personal Use' only.  I cannot 'pass along' any rights.  If I make it or there is no copyright on it, I can give it to you and you can use it to make something.  (I don't want to ever see anything I make go for profit!  It's just my experiments, but, I feel strongly about this.)

Also, just a note, this is not the monthly collaboration that I do with Miss Edna.  We will bring you that starting next week, Monday, May 9th.  This is Miss Edna's week to be a part of the Gothic Inspirations blog train.  It always runs on the first of each month. so, that week is our off week for the collab.  Starting next Monday, we'll bring you two(2) parts a week, each, for three Mondays(weeks).

Click on each preview to go to MediaFire to download:

 

Elements:

Papers:

There!  I finally got all that posted!  LOL  I make such a grand production out of every blog post that it takes me forever to post.  Then, my posts are so full of content, it takes a day to read!  Oh, well!  Consider it a visit from me.  LOL  At least, I don't post every day!

So, that is it for this post!  You all have a really nice Mothers Day, if you is a mommy.  If not, have a great weekend, anyway!  Until next time...

Smile!

Hugs,

Su