{Weekend Texture} And a Little of This & That

mouse over to see the before

Hello friends,

How are you? Happy Sunday. I hope you had a good weekend. Anything exciting going on in your world? Do tell... I love hearing what's new with all of you!

Today, I have a little start to finish video for my uptop photo to share.. along with a Lightroom overview video. 

My tulip photo was layered with 3 different textures from the Cloth & Paper Collection. In the video below I will walk you through the photoshop edit.

In other news.... my Round Trip class begins this Tuesday. This may be the last session before fall. Spring is quite busy, so I'm not sure if I will run another session til August/September. Anyhow, I've had many people curious about the program. Today's Lightroom video gives you a basic overview of the workflow from camera to lightroom to photoshop, along with a quick tour of the Lightroom interface.

textured with awashed from the Cloth & Paper Collection

Oh and how 'bout a texture to try? Check out 0303.

Texture Lovin' Listers the download link is on its way.

Before I sign off, today's the last day to get in on the freebie Baker's Dozen collection at the Test Kitchen. Members, be sure to grab it before the day ends.

I think that covers it. 

Oh, YES, big gratitude to all of you that order the new Cloth & Paper collection. I hope you are enjoying it. I'm really so happy with it.... lots of love went into the making....

Here's to a fabulously inspired week ahead.

xo,

Lightroom Tour

Start to Finish Tulip Edit

The Cloth & Paper Collection

Hello friends,

Happy March. How are you? And where the heck did February go? 'sigh'.....

I'm super excited, The Cloth & Paper Texture Collection is finally ready.... a few days later than I planned... but none the less...it is READY.

I think the thing I'm most excited about is the new overlay brushes..... They are pretty darn magical... so many possiblities.....  I believe this set will help you create amazing art-full images. 

If you purchase the collection, be sure to share your creations on my facebook page or in my flickr group.... I'd love to hear which texture(s) you used as well.

For all the Cloth & Paper texture details click HERE. To see a gallery of images textured with the new collection click HERE.

New to textures and photoshop/elements, check out my video tutorials HERE.

iPhone/iPad Tip

iPhone/iPad photographers are you using my textures on your device ? I just started using them recently. My sweet friend Wendy Woodby gave me the BEST TIP.... she stores her textures in the Adobe Revel cloud....Did you know it's a free service now? And for the first month you can upload as much as you like to the cloud? Seriously... it's amazing. I'm slowly adding all my textures to the cloud. As I need a texture I add it to my camera roll, then use it in Blender or PS TOUCH. When I'm done, I just delete it from my camera roll. (thanks Wendy for the tip on that as well) Oh and by the way PS TOUCH was just realeased for the iPhone. It's pretty darn fab... I think!!

Okay friends, it's time to announce the WINNER of a spot in my Round Trip class or Picture Pro-cess. The lucky winner is....Kristeen.

Kristeen wrote:

Congrats Kristeen, it's your pick....a spot in The Lightroom Round Trip class or the Photoshop/Elements Picture Pro-cess 8 week access class .

Send me a note with your pick.... so I can get you hooked up.

All images processed in Lightroom, then textured and touched in Photoshop.

Just a reminder Round Trip begins next Tuesday. There's still time to sign up. Click HERE for the details.

I have so many things flying through my head right now... Things I want to share...tips, tricks... recipes..... I will be back. I spent most of the week finalizing the Cloth and Paper collection.... But now that's it FREE, I can work on some new tips & tutorials.

Until next time.... xo,

Texture Tuesday - Dream-Like eDition

 

textured with myrtle from the soon-to-released cloth and paper collection. 

Hello friends,

Welcome to TT.... the Dream-Like eDition

This week's TT challenge details are...

Show us your dream-like photos, soft, gentle, whispery...
Your image must also contain at least one layer of any of my textures.

To share, simply add your link below using the inlinkz gadget down at the bottom of today's post.   

Before we start linking up, let's talk next weeks TT Theme.

Tuesday, March 5th's theme is Free & Easy.

What does this mean? 

Share a recent favourite textured photo. Easy Peasy.....

Your image must contain at least one layer of any of my textures. That's it...that's all

 Just a little tidbit on my uptop photo.

I almost gasped when I saw the afternoon light filtering through the new curtains in our white room.... Sometimes the light is just so 'right'.... I snapped a few quick clicks....before heading out the door.

Later, back at my desk...a little Lightroom tweaking..... then into photoshop. I applied one layer of Myrtle (from the soon to be released Cloth and Paper collection) at soft light.... Oh my.... just what it needed.... barely there... yet still there... Ya know?

As I type this... I'm thinking....... there's always a story behind our photos...even the ones we 'make'. I love that...about all this....

Happy, contented sigh......

There's still time to enter for a spot in my Round Trip or Picture Process class (winner's pick). I will announce the winner on Wednesday. Check out all the great Lightroom and Photoshop tips while you are there.... So good!

For new eCourse details click HERE.

::

Okie doke, let's get this week's TT started.

New to Texture Tuesday? 

To share your photo in the link up you must first post the image on your blog, flickr or a photo sharing site. Once you upload your image you can then add the direct url of the photo to the link up below.

To access the direct url, click on the photo in your flickr stream or the title of your blog post that you uploaded your photo to, then copy the url from the top of your browser address bar by highlighting it, then using the keyboard shortcut command c (mac) control c (pc). Pop back to the link up and click on the blue inlinkz icon at the bottom of the posting. Place your cursor in the image address box and add the copied url using the keyboard shortcut command v (mac) or control v (pc). Complete the rest of the form, then hit next step. Next choose the thumbnail photo you wish to appear in the link up, hit select. You will then have the option to tweet or facebook your link up. Feel free to skip this step if you like. And that's it. Scroll to the link up and your link should be there in just a few moments.

Please note, the link up will remain open until Saturday, March 2nd...  plenty of time to link up.

Love & gratitude.....

xo,

 

p.s. Oh my gosh, I posted last night on my facebook page....asking for new book suggestions.... so many ideas coming in. Thank you all.... If you are looking for a new read, come check it out.... 

::

Lightroom Tips, New Textures & a Give Away

Benny got his haircut.... a little shorter than usual... I think he looks more puppy-ish.... 

Hello friends, 

How are you? It's almost Monday here... not quite.... How was your weekend?

I just could not let the weekend pass without a new post. I spent most of the weekend finalizing a new texture set... The Cloth & Paper Collection...I'm wondering if I should call it the Soft & Subtle collection. Oh my, I'm pretty close to bursting about this new collection. I hope to release it Wednesday. 

In other news, my new class, Picture Process is open for registration.  CS6 users, click HERE for all the details. Elements Users click HERE. Can not wait to dive in!

Okay  I know I say this … a lot… but I gotta say it again… I love lightroom….I often wonder… what on earth I ever did pre-lightroom. I'm so excited about my photos and editing…. It's good stuff. As much as I love Lightroom... I will always love photoshop. I honestly NEED them both.  

I know there are many lightroom and photoshop lovers out there….. which means there are many fabulous tips & tricks we could share with one another. 

I thought I would start with a few of mine and invite you all to join in. 

Need a little incentive to share….. How 'bout a give away?

Today I'm giving away a spot in my upcoming Lightroom class, Round Trip to one lucky commenter or a spot in Picture Process (8 weeks access) (winner picks...)

Round Trip begins on March 5th. Click HERE for class details....go quick...there's still time to save on registration.

To enter the give away, simply share a favourite Lightroom or Photoshop tip, trick or shortcut.

Before I dive into a few of my favourite Lighroom tips & tricks…. I do have a little texture-love to share….. 

Click HERE to download the 1402 set. 

New to the black speckled textures (I call them magic textures)? Simply add the texture to your photo and change the blend mode to screen. It can be a subtle effect…. almost like drybrushing… Give it a go.

Textured with 1402 at Soft Light.

Okie doke…. here's few of my favourite LR TIPS.

• In any of the Lightroom modules hit the keyboard shortcut command / or control / to see a list of shortcuts for that module. To close the shortcut list click inside the page.
• Hit the tab key to toggle the side panels on and off and shift tab to toggle the side and top and bottom panels on and off.
• In the develop module hit the \ key to see a before and after of your photo.
• In the library module hit \ key will show/hide the top filter bar. and the T key will show hide the bottom tool bar.
• Hit J to turn clipping warning on and off.
• There are 6 different crop overlays in Lightroom. To access the different overlays hit the R key to activate the crop tool then hit the O key to toggle through the 6 overlays. To rotate your crop, hit the X key.

Okay, must sign off..... 

Just a reminder this week's Texture Tuesday theme is Dream-Like.

Until next time.... big love & so much gratitude....

xo,

 

p.s. wanna see more of Ben? I added a pet section to my portfolio....which should be called a Ben section. 'smile'. Click HERE to check it out.

Update on March 1 by Kim Klassen

The Give Away is now closed. Congrats Kristeen. 

But please feel free to continue sharing your LR & PS tips in the comments if you like. While you are here have a little read... there's some great tips posted.

Texture Tuesday - The Downton eDition

applied the dreamy effect then textured with sybil. love this book. mug from anthropologie.

Hello friends,

Welcome to TT.... the Downton eDition

This week's TT challenge details are...
Your image must contain at least one layer of any of the Downton I Collection Textures. 

(if you created any photos with the Downton II collection feel free to link them up here.)

To share, simply add your link below using the inlinkz gadget down at the bottom of today's post.   

Before we start linking up, let's talk next weeks TT Theme.

Tuesday, February 26th's theme is Like a Dream.

Show us your dream-like photos.....soft, gentle whispery photos.

Your image must contain at least one of my textures. Check out the blanket of light tutorial HERE if you want to add a little extra dreaminess to your photo.

That's it. That's all.

::

Okie doke, let's get this week's TT started.

New to Texture Tuesday? 

To share your photo in the link up you must first post the image on your blog, flickr or a photo sharing site. Once you upload your image you can then add the direct url of the photo to the link up below.

To access the direct url, click on the photo in your flickr stream or the title of your blog post that you uploaded your photo to, then copy the url from the top of your browser address bar by highlighting it, then using the keyboard shortcut command c (mac) control c (pc). Pop back to the link up and click on the blue inlinkz icon at the bottom of the posting. Place your cursor in the image address box and add the copied url using the keyboard shortcut command v (mac) or control v (pc). Complete the rest of the form, then hit next step. Next choose the thumbnail photo you wish to appear in the link up, hit select. You will then have the option to tweet or facebook your link up. Feel free to skip this step if you like. And that's it. Scroll to the link up and your link should be there in just a few moments.

Please note, the link up will remain open until Saturday, February 23rd... so there's plenty of time to link up.

Love & gratitude.....

xo,

 

A New Week & a New Photoshop Tutorial

a dreamy blanket of light tutorial.
 

Hello Sunshine. How are you? 

Today I have a quick little 'blanket of dreamy light' photoshop/elements tutorial for you. Check out the before and after effect above and the screencast lesson down below.

There's nothing more lovely than a dreamy blanket of soft light..... Is there? :)

Before we dive in... thank you for ALL the kindness you so generously sprinkled in the comments and via email after Friday's post. I am so very grateful.

Mood Update

My weekend was really nice. John took me out for dinner and a movie on Friday. We went to my favourite place, Lady of the Lake... it's has the loveliest Café connected to the shop. Then we saw the move Silver Linings Playbook. Bradley Cooper was fantastic. I love that this film is shedding some much needed ight on mental illness..... It had a perfect mix of happy and sad...with many pieces I could relate to. Saturday, we went out for breakfast. Then John spent the rest of the day setting up my new space. Oh my gosh, more on that soon. Burst. Sunday John was away on calls most of the day....so I had lots of time to just be and do whatever. I took the day off from work and watched several episodes of Parenthood. I'm watching it from the beginning on Netflix. I seriously love that show.

Anyhow, here I am....feeling much better about life.... Hmm, it's amazing how things can shift. I think the act of putting it out there was a good thing. Thank you all.. always.

Before we dive into the tutorial... just a few quick things.

One. This week's Texture Tuesday theme is the Downton Collection... come link up your Downton I collection photos..... loving all the Downton II images in the extra link up from last week! Keep 'em coming. I'm thinking I might do a Downton feature post and share some of the images that you all have created with the collection. :)

Two. If you missed the Downton textures, check your email. I sent them out to the list last week.... If you are new to my site, be sure to join the Texture List and begin receiving freebies, including the Downton set, right away.

Three. Test Kitchen members be sure to pop in and grab the Baker's Dozen collection. It's only available for the month of February.

Okie doke... please take a moment to check out today's easy-peasy dreamy light tutorial below. (if you are reading this by email you will have to pop into the site to view the video)

See you tomorrow for Texture Tuesday....

Later this week I will be back with the Picture Process eCourse details.

as always... so much gratitude,

xo, 

p.s. Coming soon....I will shed a little light on photoshop cs6. I get many emails asking if it's worth the upgrade.... I can't say one way or the other, but I'm happy to share some of the features I adore most about it. 

 

New Classes & new Texture Tutorials

today....a little Ben love...just cause..... 'smile'

Hello friends,

You know that saying.... a day late and a dollar short.... today I'm thinking... instead... a week late and so many days short. Hmmm, where does the time go?

I know I'm not alone....'sigh'..... 

Enough of that...

I'm excited to announce 2 new classes today... and a few eCourse ideas that are spinning around in my head today.

First the new class is.....

Picture Process - actually it's 2 separate classes.... One for Elements 11 users and another for Photoshop CS6 users. I will announce all the details early next week....Here's a basic overview of the class.

This class will fill your creative brain with all kinds of ideas for making your photos unique and oh-so-you. We will start at the beginning, no experience necessary. Once we have the basics covered we will move into the more advanced and interesting possibilities of Photoshop/Elements. By the end of class you will be rocking photoshop.....  Layers, masking, creative touches, text, textures, skin retouching, photo layouts, banners, buttons....and more.

I'm just finalizing the dates and details. Registration will open next week...Class will begin mid-March. 

I also have a few brand new class ideas in my head...

Picture Process - Lightroom 4 Creative Edits
The title says it all, I think..... 

Ready, Set ..... SLOW - a 3 month slow-paced Lighroom class.
Details are still brewing..... this would be a slow & steady approach to learning Lightroom.

Ready, Set .... GO - Mini Workshops - a variety of short, instant access classes on Lightroom, Photoshop & maybe photography....spin, spin... goes my head.

The Art of Texture - an all new texture class - from applying, to creating your own textures both painted and digitally.... completely new lessons.... 

So that's what's inside my head.....  waiting to come to life..... Class-wise....

Lately

On a more personal note... a few weeks ago a guest popped by..... uninvited.....and she still here. Perhaps you've met? I call her... the blues... the blahs.... the ughs..... 

'sigh'..... 

It might be a winter thing.... gosh it goes on far too long....  But I find it's pulling me down... Not so much in my work... but definitely in my personal day to day life. It feels like an extra weight...hanging off of me. I'm quite sick of it. I'm irritable, overly sensitive, short-tempered...... I grumble about the cold & the ice, all the extra clothes I have to layer on.... I'm dragging myself out the door for my walks.... Oh my... listen to me. It sounds quite pathetic.....

I know this too shall pass....  I must sound really ungrateful. I know it's best to focus on all the good in my life... I'm trying...and truly there is so much to be thankful for... But for some reason... I just can't see to shake these blahs.....

I restarted my morning pages today...and this got me to thinking..... maybe I should share this my lovely readers. I like to be honest and real with you. I thought perhaps someone out there... might be feeling this way too...It always helps to know we are not alone.

In fact, just writing this  .... feels good. I'm hoping the next time I pop in, I will be free of 'her'.... and back to my old self....

I thought I'd ask you all.... what do you do...when the blues hit? Share in the comments if you like. I'd love to hear from you.

one more week til Benny gets his haircut.... phew.. it's like his head is shrinking as his fur keeps growing in all kinds of unruly ways..... :)

As promised I put together a few new Texture Tutorials... for cs6 and Elements 11. Please take a peek if you have a moment.

If you are new to textures, be sure to sign up for my texture list HERE, and start receiving lots of lovely freebies right away.

I must sign off... until next time... much love...and the biggest gratitude.

xo,

Texturize CS6 - Part 1

Texturize CS6 - Part 2

Texturize Elements