Day 1 of the 12 Days of Textures

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Welcome to Day 1 of the '12 days of Textures'. I'm super excited about this!! 

I have more than textures to share with you over the next few weeks.

I will be posting part 2 of 'my story'.... I have some new offerings to tell you about....and I thought I'd share a little Christmas tour of our home.... I'm almost done decorating.....  woo hoo!

Let's ease into it all..... and start simply with our Day 1 texture ~ Lilly.....

I used 'lilly' on my image above.... Here's the easy-peasy recipe. Lilly did all the work on this one. 

• Layer 1 - Image (white balance and exposure edited in lightroom)
• Layer 2 - Lilly at soft light 100%
• Layer 3 - Blank layer at soft light blend mode. Painted black using a soft round brush at 80% opacity to faux burn the left side of the image. 
• Layer 4 - Black and white adjustment layer at soft light 45% opacity.
• Layer 5 - Final curves adjustment to darken the inside of the image.
• Layer 6 - Added the quote.

Okay I'm going to leave you here....

Feel free to use the 'inlinkz gadget below' to share your '12 days of textured photos' only throughout this series, . Please link back to the series. The gadget will remain open until December 25th.

You are welcome to right click and copy the 12 day banner above if you wish or grab the button code at the bottom of this post.

Basic texture party rules apply....  :) Your image must contain one of the textures from the 12 day's series.

Click HERE to download 'Lilly'.

I will be back again tomorrow with your Day 2 texture and some holiday decorating photos.

xo,

New to the Café and Textures? Wanna build your texture stash, check out the 2011 Texture Collection.

Get the saving's details HERE.

Share a 12 day button on your site if you like. 

<a href="http://www.kimklassencafe.com/storage/12daysoftexturebutton.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="kimklassencafe" src="http://www.kimklassencafe.com/storage/12DAYSBANNERpost.jpg" /></a>

{Texture Tuesday} The Red eDition

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We're back with another Texture Tuesday!

This week we are celebrating RED!

Here are this week's TT challenge details.

• You image must contain red.
• Your image must be processed with at least one layer of any of my textures.

I love old red barns.... So here you have my Red submission.

I processed this image with RadLab. I then added one layer of the latest freebie, 'and then some'.... I have to say....I'm loving this texture. I set the blend mode to multiply and lowered the opacity to about 78%.

Before we get to linking up.... let's talk the next TT theme.

Please note: I will be away next Tuesday at Camp Shutter Sisters. So our next TT will be on Tuesday, October 25th.  

Tuesday, October 25th's TT Challenge Details:

Let's keep it simple.... How 'bout a 'Free & Easy x's 2' eDition?

Simply share your latest image, processed with any 2 of my textures.

New to Texture Tuesdays? Here's the short and sweet TT rules.

• please link directly to your post, not just to your blog or flickr stream.
• please link back to the Café. You can grab the TT button HERE, if you wish.
• please visit the other TT participants and leave them some comment love. Remember it's a party.... and what's a linky party without lots of comment love? Right! 

Want more details? Click HERE for the full scoop!

Let's get this party started!!

Shall we? 

xxo,

p.s.

Registration for the Art of Texture - Secrets Revealed class is open. Click HERE to get the details.

Registration for the next round of The Essentials is also open. Get the details HERE.

{Weekend Texture} a Fab Freebie & a Few Updates

Happiest Saturday,

How was your week? I can't believe I didn't get back here until today.

It's been so crazy around here..... The countdown to Camp Shutter Sisters has begun! Next weekend I will be in California! I seriously can't believe it! I'm beyond excited.

I will not be here next weekend with your freebie texture.... But I will make up for it, when I get home. :) I promise.

In the meantime, I'm mad over today's little number! It's HOT off the press, or should I say paint board.

I'm thinking endless possiblities..... and I can not wait to see what you all do with it. Seriously, wait til you see this in full size....  
'sigh'...... 

Texture Lovin' Listers, the download link will be zapped out in just a few. If you are not on the list, click HERE to sign up, and start receiving freebies RIGHT AWAY.

Before I sign off, just a few tidbits on the latest happenings.

eCourse Updates

Art of Texture - The Secrets Revealed begins on October 26th. I'm so excited about it! I have lots of new content ready to share.... and I really believe it will set your creativity on fire. Click HERE to get the details.

The Essentials - Registration is open. You can get all the details HERE. Don't miss out on the early bird registration savings.

Texture Tuesday 

We are celebrating all things Red this upcoming Tuesday. Please feel free to join us. Get all the details HERE.

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That's it for me. I must say goodbye.

But before I go... Happiest Thanksgiving to all of my fellow Canadian friends. I hope your weekend is full of lots of love...and endless gratitude..... 

xxo,

p.s. if you happen to try today's freebie, 'and then some'.... please share a link in the comments section so I can check it out!! 

Why Not Wednesday - A Fab New Freebie Texture to Try

 

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Hello my friends,

'Why not Wednesday?'
I recently read this on facebook. I'm so outta the loop. I had never heard it before. 'smile'....
Anyhow, let's just say, their idea of 'Why not Wednesday?' was much different than mine. 

I could not wait to share my latest texture with you all! This one is HOT off the press. I just finished it up before dinner. Anyhow, I thought...what the heck....'Why not Wednesday?'

So with that said...allow me to introduce 'The Ladder'. 

You would not believe the layers of paint, paper, ink, mediums, stamps, tape..... that went into making this little number.

happy 'sigh'....

I listened to Andrew Belle as I was working away, building layers... Andrew's album is called 'The Ladder'.... So that's how the name came about. 

I textured the pretty cows above with it.  

But I think this would be fab on a still-life. I can't wait to grab a little more time to really put it to the test!

I used 2 layers of 'the ladder'. One at soft light 100%. I then added another layer and pulled the edges out. I changed the blend mode to multiply and masked off the texture, leaving it only on the sky....for a painterly effect.

Before I sign off....

• Time is running out to save on The Art of Texture - Secrets Revealed eCourse. Click HERE to get the scoop!
• Registration for the FREE Skinny-Mini eCourse is still open. It will close on Friday morning. So if you are interested, be sure to pop over and check it out. 

Texture Lovin' listers, your download link will go out shortly.

Not on the list? Click HERE to sign up.

Texture listers:

Please be sure to check your junk/spam folder for my emails. If you do not receive the link, it's certainly not intentional. It's a completely automated system.

Here's what I suggest. First, check your junk/spam folder for the email. If it's not there, try to register again. If you are already registered, and did not receive the message, it's more than likely that your isp is blocking the list mail. If that's the case, you may want to consider registering a different email address.  

Okey doke... Happy 'Why Not Wednesday'....

xxo, 

p.s. I'm linking up to the i-Studio. Jamie is hosting a linky party, where you share your art, inspired by a song. :) Come on over and check it out....and have a listen to the latest 'soundtrack'.  

Speaking of Get out of your Own Way - Just Start

Happiest Friday....How are you?

Are you ready for the weekend? 

Popping into share a fab freebie texture with you... 

Also wanted to remind you of this recent post....and share a little further inspiration!

Julia Cameron's January 7th devotional from the Artist Way Everyday.

"I learned to get out of the way and let that creative force work through me.  I learned to just show up at the page and write down what I heard.  I didn't have to be in the mood. I didn't have to take my emotional temperature. I simply wrote."

Good stuff, right? And it totally ties in with our recent discussions....

Tell me, how are you doing, so far... Have you had a chance to dive in.. and get started?

I'd love to hear!

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Okie doke... Here's today's freebie texture... I used it on the image above.... as well on Mr. Ben below.... and speaking of Ben... Oh my goodness... he's doing so well!  Thank you for all the lovin!!  He's soaking it up, BIG TIME! 'sigh'

Photoshop Tip: Sometimes a texture can simply be used to warm up an image!  Add the texture, add a soft light blend mode.... apply a gaussian blur filter to the texture layer...  and poof...  warm and lovely! Give it a try with today's texture...and let me know how it goes.

 'PaperGrunge' Texture

Texture Lovin' Listers.... the download link for today's 'PaperGrunge' texture is coming your way.

Not on my list? Start receiving Freebies...TODAY. 

Click HERE to sign up!

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And just a few tidbits before I sign off....

My free, Photoshop Skinny-Mini eCourse starts again this Monday... 

Wanna learn photoshop - start making prettier pics?  Check it out HERE.

My newest Full Photoshop eCourse - The Essentials starts January 17th.  It's going to be awesome... seriously! Click HERE for all the details....

Like today's texture? Please share it with your friends... by tweeting, facebooking, or emailing today's post using the share buttons below.

Have a most fabulous weekend!

Love & gratitude.... xxo, kim

I am an Artist - The Journey

Hello Lovely Inspired One....

How are you?  

I wanted to share this article with you all.  I recently posted it the iStudio...and the response was amazing....

I originally shared it at Simply Hue.

I'd like to do a series on the subject of claiming our 'artist'....

your comments will be a huge asset to the subject...

I'd love to hear your thoughts...

xxo, Kim

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I am an Artist - The Ups & Downs of it All

About 13 years ago, I decided to call myself an ARTIST.

And I took great offence when people asked me if I still did crafts. It really bugged me. :)

Slowly people caught on. And when they would ask me what I did, I would say matter of factly,“I am an artist”. At first it felt kind of weird, but now it feels just right. 

If we create, and we all should, I think we truly need to claim it, no matter what our art may be!! Perhaps it’s cooking or baking, writing, sewing, or photography. If it’s your passion, it is ART. 

Art is pure and wonderful and full of light and darkness and depth. 

Since i claimed the title of ARTIST, there have been ups, downs, and plenty of in betweens. 

But one thing i know for sure... when i claimed it, life took on a whole new meaning.


It allowed me to declare: 

I would get my art published in magazines

I would have a licensing rep and print publisher

I would develop a line of primitive art

I would have my work on giftware and in people’s homes

it allowed my dreams to come true, over and over

And it lead me to this moment, sharing this with you.


Claiming the title of Artist.... was the best gift i could have given myself. It opened up a rather small world into something big and amazing. It allowed me to be more than just a mother and wife. It gave me an identity of my own.

Your dreams do not have to be my dreams. Perhaps your dream would be to paint a mural, take a class, buy a camera, learn to stitch or sew, start writing, or create a blog.

Claiming my artist has lead me on an amazing journey. Has it been perfect? Heck no! That’s where the ups and the downs come in. 

We have been way up there, not a care in the world, and we have been way down low. We were sailing along, thinking we had made it...no looking back. All our struggles were over (at least financially). But it kinda all crashed. I’m grateful for the crash. It may be the best thing that has ever happened to me. It lead me to this moment, sharing with you. It lead me to my camera and photography...to this very blog.... It lead me to put my faith back in God....To trust and believe that with Him all things would be okay.

You see, if things kept going so perfectly i would not be here. I would still be in my ‘perfect world’. I probably would not have fallen in love with my camera. I would not have started my blog, the 2bbb blog, the iStudio blog... and I definitely would not have been here, connecting with all of you.

 
As an artist, I have to create. It’s not an option. So between balancing the artist in me, with the reality of life... it can be a challenge. 

Oh, the reality of it all. Teenage sons, dirty dishes, laundry, messy house, bills to pay, interruption upon interruption, meals to make, books to keep, stacks of paper, knocks on the door, phone calls, family needs... i could go on. ‘sigh’

There are no dreamy actions that you can order that will turn your life right side up. There are no magic photoshop tools to fix it all. Hey, perhaps that is why i am madly in love with photoshop? Hmmmm... It’s a little like magic. It reminds me of the old sitcom "Bewitched". Gosh I loved when Sam would just wiggle her nose and everything would be just right. ‘sigh’

But if life were that easy, would I be so reflective? If things had continued so smoothly would i be so grateful? No, I don’t think so. But as I move forward and upward, I vow to stay on the ground, if that makes sense. To be smart in the things I must be smart about. To dream the things i must dream about.

Being an artist has taught me to believe...with every morsel of myself... that anything is POSSIBLE. Anything. 

And to believe that there is an artist in all of us.

Have you found your artist? Have you claimed the role? Are you scared to claim it? What steps have you taken to claim the title? How has it changed you? What is the hardest part about it, what is the best part about it? I’d love to hear.

an inspired life manifesto ~ from me to you

hey there inspired peeps

a little love to share...

a

MANIFESTO

man·i·fes·to: written statement declaring publicly the intentions, motives, or views of its issuer

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i created this manifesto for the stay-cation group.

you can read a little more about that HERE.

feel free to print this for yourself or for friends.

share the link, post it on your blog,

frame it, tape it to your wall, collage with it.

anything that inspires you.

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mass production/commerical use prohibited

please do not claim it as your own.

copyright kim klassen 2010 ~ all rights reserved.

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click HERE to download it.

enjoy....xxo, kim