Learning new stuff!

Learning things in Photoshop is fun. It's been quite a week! I learned to run actions after Debbie Hodge challenged me to make a badge with the Sugar Hill Mommyish action you can find here http://www.sugarhillco.com/shop/Patched-Up-Toolkit/. I recommend that newbies, like me, watch the tutorial through a couple of times and watch the second tutorial, too; or, you'll wonder if you missed a step because there is another item there, for an extra optional process, that can be confusing. Be sure to review the PDF document, too. That said, I did it right, at the get go; so, it's not too hard. Some things are rushed through in the You-tube video tutorial for those of us who have never really used "text on a path" or actions. Just re-watch and remember, for things like this, "google is your friend" if you get really confused.Here is the badge I made.

The text is too near the center image. I'd say, "not bad for the first time", though.
I experimented with template making, too. You'll hear more about that in a future post.
While I have said that being on the creative team at Get It Scrapped http://debbiehodge.com/admin/blog/ is really not much more than I have done in the past, it may turn out to be. I was already learning about digital scrapbooking; so, I don't suppose that learning more Photoshop CreativeCloud and Adobe Illustrator is really extra. Scrapbooking is something I love; so, even if I do more, it's not a bad thing.
I have a few things related to my health and my home to take care of so I have postponed a planned trip to see my Mom until next month. I think a few days away from the heat in July is probably another reason I have for making my trip a few weeks later than originally planned. The thing is that I'm considering following that with a trip to the CHA event in Atlanta. Still, a few days of hot and muggy will make me happy to return to the "just hot" of our valley.
Hope you are enjoying the start of the summer weather, and all the good fruits and veggies, and are finding fun in learning new things and creating.

Creative Team at GIS

It's official. I'm part of the new Creative Team at Get It Scrapped. http://debbiehodge.com/2014/05/meet-2014-2015-get-scrapped-creative-team/
Scrapbooking is a hobby that I love and is one that I am still able to do. It isn't very physically demanding and doesn't require a lot of time at once (you'll note how I said "at once" because we all know I can take hours on a page. I just do it over time).
Since GIS is one of my favorite hangouts, I've found that being part of the team does not require more of my time or effort. My hobby is just a bit more directed.
It is also a great learning opportunity. Yes! There is a theme in my life. Learning things! I do pay more attention to design. Not that my pages are so much better (and definitely I have much to still learn) as a result, though I'd like to think they are better than they have been. I like to talk design and GIS is a great place to do that.
If you make scrapbook pages and love to learn like I do, I hope you'll join us at Get It Scrapped/Masterful Scrapbook Design http://debbiehodge.com.
It's not so much about being perfect at the craft but learning to tell ones stories more effectively, to help one enjoy the process, and to help us to welcome others into our world by engaging them with our pages.
The women on the team have amazing talent and such sweet and delightful personalities. I'm loving being part of that family.

Hope to see you there.

Learning Digi Scrapbooking

Learning digi scrapbooking, I have decided, is an important goal for me. I have purchased a minimum of a dozen classes in the past to try to do that. I did make some attempts at pages as I started to learn the Photoshop interface. At first, I tried Photoshop Elements. Quickly, I discovered that interface to be clunky and awkward for me. Though, it seemed easy enough when I took one or two introductory classes and the interface had a pleasant non intimidating appearance. However, there was always an instruction in those first few classes I took where I was told this step was not possible in the program, with PSE a work around was needed. Now, I understand that PSE has greatly improved and I did try PSE10 when it first came out. About that time, I realized I needed to know a lot more about art and design more than I needed a new tool and began classes in art fundamentals. Then I went on to learn a bit about color theory, photography, and design.
This year, though, I committed to learn the Photoshop program and am happy to report that I had that "Aha!" moment where it all jelled for me.
All those classes I signed up for that have been sitting on my computer just waiting for me are now being opened. I no longer turn them off in frustration after getting lost on the computer. I'm working with Photoshop Creative Cloud, and still have much to learn; but, it is now a tool I am comfortable using. It's not that difficult once one learns the basics of the application.
Will I give up paper? I'm tempted because of all the space it would save. Still, I'm a tactile girl and love playing with paper and punches, ribbons and glue, pain, etc. So, probably I will not.
I never was much one for sketches in paper scrapping but I love, love, love templates in Digi scrapping. It's so fun to play with digi products both to make the template me and to see how much like paper I can make the pages. I really like how easy it is to create and modify product in digi vs paper scrapbooking. Not that I'm so great at making stuff; but, it sure is fun!
I've posted my latest layouts in a few spots hoping for constructive feedback. I've gotten some positive feedback, which is good. I like clustering and layering as much in digi as in paper, I think. It's so nice how one can have just the right "punch" or "rubber stamp" in digi because of brushes.
Charr Crail has been a real inspiration for me and has made me love brushes. I am not sure how well I can hone my photography skills, I doubt I have the talent she does in that area; but, I think I can make the most of the photos I do have and I think I can do a lot with brushes. I'm also exploring not just brushes but blending and shadowing, too.
Some of you are rolling your eyes as I go on and on, but I think you know that when I get passionate about learning something, well, I get passionate!
Here are a few of the layouts I've made recently. Donna Jannuzzi's Stretch Your Sketch class at Big Picture Classes has been very motivating.

I have been doing a number of paper and other digital pages; but, those are for something special. You can look for them here later this year.

Meantime, I hope you are all enjoying your families and finding time to be creative, too.

May means Spring is settled in

 Spring in California usually hints at its arrival in February. April and May see Spring in its glory. Cal's garden is getting underway and I think we'll get the young son, Joe, to plant one, too. With soaker hoses, even a drought should not be too adverse to growing our own fruits and veggies. Mulch is another word to which we have made a commitment. Not that I do much, but admire and make suggestions. I think the front yard looks pretty sad and may investigate some xeriscaping options since now is not a great time to put in a new lawn!
School is out. I have no idea, except for my intense curiosity, why I try to take classes. I'm glad they are over, though I really enjoyed them this time. Sometimes, by the end of the course, it just feels like the teacher, the class and the subject are done. Nice teachers, learned a lot. Art history was particularly interesting. So many contemporary artists that I need to learn about!
The warm weather is helping my joints and I'm learning to adjust to my new limitations. It's a balance between the desire to move and the realities of the consequences of moving too much. My body is far from spring though I think the mind is there.
Speaking of age, I've got to visit my elderly Mom. Always difficult to find the right time to travel. She's been feeling poorly and fell and broke some ribs just this past week. I hope she doesn't get pneumonia as I'm sure the injury impacts her breathing. I just adjusted my posture thinking about her and her health. If I'm still here in 20+ years I hope I'm in better shape than she is. Her health is of the reasons I'm working on my diet and exercise.

Spring means Mother's Day and I've had a lovely one that turned into more of a week than a day. I spent the actual day with my son and stepson Joe at Joe B's house. It was the grandson's birthday also so we had our party on!

Joe and Cathy gave me some lovely flowers and a journal.

I got to visit with my older son Chris and his family and Joe h again. Grandma Karen enjoyed that little grandson a lot.

I also got a darling Timmy bracelet with a Tardis and camera charm. So cute! I think I want that computer charm and am anxious to see what new charms they develop. http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/f24c/


This past weekend Miss Madison and her Mom, Angie, had birthdays and we took the train to visit. The Capitol Corridor train is usually clean and efficient and quite relaxing. Always love the coast, too. So, a mini vacation and more wonderful Grandma time.

I hate teasers; yet, I'm going to leave you with one. I've been having some fun and should be able to let you know what's up in a few days. I don't feel too bad about the teaser since I should be able to announce the news soon.
Enjoy your spring.

What's going on with me, right now

I'm listening to CreativeLive about blogging because, quite frankly, it fell to the bottom of my priority list. Still a priority; (obviously, or I wouldn't be listening to the seminar, LOL!), though lower on my list than a few other things. My health is a challenge, though it's day-by-day. The warm weather helps the arthritis quite a bit, making pain less of a factor to deal with now that we are well into spring. Too bad winter was not very wet.
Yes, here we are well into a Sacramento spring with a hint that pool weather is on its way. I think moving in a warm pool is a good idea for exercise. In a related topic - I'm maintaining my weight loss. Still want to lose another 20 pounds. Not sure how well I'll do at managing that goal. Still,  I'm happy maintaining the current weight loss.
So, what are some current interests?
Anthropology. Yes, anthropology! I love how it brings together my interests in art and science. Genetics, fossils, artifacts all intrigue me though the idea of digging in the dirt does not. So glad others like to do that!
I'm feeling good about my basic photoshop skills. I've a long way to go to really be able to create the scrapbook pages and layout designs I aspire to make. Yet, I have a very comfortable feeling about doing things in the program and plan to look at some classes to see how others put together scrapbook pages and do some class practice. I think that getting in there and trying things will really help me with my own page design.
I'm still a big fan of Coursera.org and I do like CreativeLive, though it is hard to match my schedule and their programming. I'm so glad these are available at the best cost - meaning free, of course. It's such a thrill for me to learn new facts or even better to get a new perspective on information.
Feeling good about getting back to blogging. It's a lot more fun than writing papers for classes. Learning the info is good; actual term papers, a little less so.
Here's a recent scrapbook page I've worked on as I try to master my Photoshop skills.

Template from Get It Scrapped, template archives for members http://masterfulscrapbookdesign.com, made by Anna Aspnes and products from Dream Kit at Pixels and Co http://pixelsandcompany.com/blog/.

Welcome Counterfeit Kit Challenge Blog Hop

 Hi, folks. Welcome to my blog.
The challenges I chose for this month were the angled background challenge and the under 10 minute challenge.
The kit on which I based my "All My Love" kit was Choice#2. Lots of fun to create the kit and the projects.
For the angled background page titled "Picture What's Ahead", I started with a few squares of the patterned paper I had in my kit. When I started to arrange them across the page I thought of a mix of frames and squares and set about creating those. I inked the edges with the "Pumice Stone Distress Ink" and decided the blue-green solid paper was the right background choice. I then picked my cluster elements and my photo frame, aiming for visual triangles and color balance on the page and trying to avoid blocked white space, except where it was part of the design (proving once again that rules are meant to be broken).
Now, I know that my method of using product and design to start my page and then deciding what story and photos belong on the page is radically different from most scrappers.It works for me, though. I believe that finding your page inspiration can come from many sources - photos, stories, quotes, product or design. Sometimes a well taught class or someone else's layout could inspire you. It's all good!
When you first begin to make pages I think trying to copy a layout almost exactly is a good way to learn. I don't know about you but I always make mistakes. The advantage of that is that even when copying you won't end up with exactly the same layout (and unless you have the exact same photos it never would be anyways). I personally believe adding your own twist is always enjoyable.

So, how did I end up with the choices of photo and story you see on my page. Well, it just so happened that my dear daughter-in-law posted some photos on her Facebook page the other evening and this particular photo made my heart melt. I began to think about the empty frames in my layout design and inspiration came to me. My grandson's future is unknown but we know he's going to pave his own way and fill in those frames with pictures of his own unique life. So the title is "Picture What's Ahead" and the quote from John F Kennedy "Children are the world's most valuable resource and its best hope for the future" summed it all up. I then recorded the date, downloaded the picture from Facebook, a little Photoshop work on the photo and finally attached it. I had my page. Now, would I do anything differently? Well, maybe vellum behind the word "Picture" or perhaps a different font. It is more striking and easier to read in real life than it is here onmy blog as the font is a very shiny deep gold glitter I was really trying to limit myself to my kit to make this project and it seemed the best choice of my options. Perhaps using the same font in a black glitter might be more effective?

The card was just fun. I had made more layouts which I'll feature on my blog in a few days. (OK, I HOPE to post them. I try to keep my promises but on this blog my follow through is rather tenuous.)
A layout, for me, means I will have scraps and bits of the entire kit out in front of me. I decided to create a card base from some white cardstock, then I attached some trimmed scraps, word art and an enamel dot. The papers were edged with "Spun Sugar Distress Ink" before attaching them. I think the gradual increase in the value (value is the lightness or darkness of a hue, and hue is the name of the color) of each red item in the card layers works well in the design.
I hope you have enjoyed my challenge efforts. Thanks for checking in.
You should have arrived at my blog from http://chidkids26.blogspot.co.uk and you should proceed next to http://snapsandsnippets.blogspot.com
Please visit the Counterfeit Kit Challenge at http://www.counterfeitkitchallenge.blogspot.com for a list of all the blog hop links.

Sunday Reflections

 

This weekend has been fabulous! Spent Friday evening and all of Saturday with a wonderful group of crafty women. Sherry Richter organized a crop at a somewhat local scrapbook store, "It's All About The Scrapbook". Dixon is two counties away but only about 25 miles/minutes. Still, most of us spent the night Friday. That was good for several reasons - one was no late night drive and thus we could stay late on Friday night, no chance of getting caught up in events at home (like I was much of Friday), able to drink wine with dinner, and a chance to breakfast with friends, strategize and share the excitement of the day ahead.
I had fun preparing for the Counterfeit Kit Challenge with the kit I created. You'll notice from the photos I put together a kit based on Fancy Pants Design's "Beloved" line that was used in the second kit club selection made at CKC. I used doilies and a stamp with little circles and a sentiment stamp like the suggested kit. I went to the Fancy Pant's site http://www.fancypantsdesigns.com/products/beloved to get a better look at the elements of the line and created my kit with that inspiration. Since I was using stash you'll notice that my colors are slightly different, in particular,you'll note the blue green, which is much more green in my version. Still, I tried to capture the general feel of what the amazing designers at Fancy Pants Designs came up with my kit
"All My Love"

I messed up my photo download and thus the bad photos in the prior post and the missing picture of the stamps and stencil I chose. I'll try to make sure I have everything up (done above, though could not get all in collage but those photos are in yesterday's post) before the challenge gets posted.
Now, folks, mix a crop and a newly created kit and you'll know that a lot of projects flowed. I will be posting many of those and a few more from today. On challenge post day you'll see I did both the angled background and the under 10 minute challenges with my kit.
The heart background paper and tag were fun to make. I used a stamp I made by tearing apart a Dawn Dish Wand refill and cutting the sponge part into a large and a small heart then stamped using a variety of acrylic paints.Pretty resourceful, I think. After all, my goal was not to purchase anything new for the challenge.
My CFC layout and card are purely original creations. I just started cutting and arranging. However, several of the other layouts were inspired by classes from Debbie Hodge at Get It Scrapped. http://debbiehodge.com/admin/blog/ I recommend that site; los of good free information and an enormous amount of content for a very small membership price. No, I do not have an affiliate fee arrangement with Debbie for referrals (though I should probably set one up).
So, still need to get that car unpacked and get some creating done.
Also, today is the last day of the Ray Eames show at the California Museum and I've not been yet. You know I plan to get there and see that exhibit. She was an amazing Sacramento creative talent.

The LO I did after my museum visit today. Sorry about the quality. May retake it tomorrow.