the mom song
where have I been?
laundry
supervising school projects
making cookies
changing diapers
enjoying a few migrains...not...
helping the kids find Christmas joy :)
Monday, December 08, 2008
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
sandbox time
I came outside to get some fresh air for all of us.... hoping naptime would go a little smoother!!
I also brought my camera (go figure) to practice using "fill flash"
I hope to get an external flash to use in low lit indoor sessions in the future... so I can learn to bounce the light when I can't use manual settings without so much noise.
Mr. T had a great time throwing sand without anyone telling him to stop.
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Christmas Specials
I am such a sucker for Christmas specials on tv with my kids. I seem to be taken back to my own childhood, waiting for anticipation of holidays, family, presents... love that!
So even though Polar Express was not one I watched as a child it is one I have found to love now... sharing with my kids... watching their eyes dart around the screen, listening to the words of believe, spirit, magic, Christmas...
love that.
Monday, December 01, 2008
so Mom calls me...
hurry! get the kids outside
look up!!
this is the only time for the next 50something years for this to happen!!
Mercury and Venus this close to the Moon!!
I *had* to get a shot of this momentous occasion. It was freezing outside- brrr!
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Friday, November 28, 2008
Give Thanks
We have a lot to be Thankful for...
for family
for friends
for a safe birth
for husband's job
for healthy children
for clothes on our backs
for food in the cupboard
for a roof over our heads
for unconditional love from God
Thursday, November 27, 2008
thankful morning
this what I saw this morning peeking through my blinds!
such gorgeous colors glowing on the front of our home!!
I love the rays bursting through the clouds- just delicious!!
Thursday, November 20, 2008
growing so big
I can't believe how much she has grown in such a short period of time!
Soon she will be able to sit up in this basket!! she is so pleased with herself, isn't she??
The blanket in this pic was made by Joey's grandma, I think.... it was a gift when Lady G was a baby... love it!
Friday, November 14, 2008
Tips For An Exceptional, Superb & Powerful Life
My day started at 3:30am changing a diaper
4:00am Mr. T comes ripping into our room crying telling me "Ta roar in my dream" (it's a recurring nightmare of Queen V chasing him and roaring at him like she is a dinosaur or lion... I have threatened to wake her in the middle of the night to snuggle his fears... she really does chase him around the house roaring.,.. ugh!)
5:30 shhhhhhhhhh, Mr. T.. go to sleep!!
5:50am alarm'/radio goes off to wake me.. ha! that is ironic! I listen to a few favorite tunes- Journey being one of them :)
6:00 talk to dh about new job opportunities.... he is changing... and looking forward to playing trains with Mr. T and building stuff with the girls.. fun stuff
6:30 get girls up.. they slept in...
6:45 make lunches/ breakfast
7:00 do French braids in girls hair so they look loved :) and not an unmade bed
7:30 chase Mr. T down to get sneakers on him
7:35 change another diaper.. I am sure there was another one in there somewhere...
7:40 take girls to school and listen as Lady G sings a song I learned at Camp Merry Acres./.. I didn't teach her this one.. a girl friend did on the playground. I sang with her.. wouldn't you? A childhood song that made you smile when you used to sing it??
7:55 find friend in school parking lot and ask about our daily walk.. yep, we are on! super!!!
8:10 nurse, change another diaper, find blanket, get Mr. T to go potty
8:30 walk with friends on a glorious day!!! lovely way to get the day going!
10:00 sister comes by with fresh salsa- yummy!
10:30 over to another friend's house for a play date where we discuss cooking as a group and sharing the meals... I have always wanted to do this... one friend suggests to do it while we have a few bottles of wine.. a super idea!!!!
1 pm drive around till Mr. T crashes
1:30 get home and snuggle sleeping babies....
does this look like a great day?? I tell ya, this was a FABULOUS DAY!
while blog hopping for ideas on OAMC (once a month cooking)or Freezer Cooking I found this...
Tips for an Exceptional, Superb & Powerful Life!
1.) Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate antidepressant.
2.) Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.Buy a lock if you have to.
3.) Buy a Tivo (DVR), tape your late night shows and get more sleep.
4.) When you wake up in the morning ask yourself, "What do I really, really, really want today?"
5.) Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
6.) Watch more movies, play more games and read more books than you did last year.
7.) Always pray and make time to exercise.
8.) Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of Six.
9.) Dream more while you are awake.
10.) Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less foods that are manufactured in plants.
11.) Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.
12.) Try to make at least three people smile each day.
13.) Clear your clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and flowing energy into your life.
14.) Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead, invest your
energy in the positive present moment.
15.) Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class .......but the
lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
16.) Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out chargecard.
17.) Smile and laugh more. It will keep the energy vampires away.
18.) Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
19.) Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
20.) Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
21.) You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
22.) Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
23.) Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
24.) Ladies - Go on and burn those 'special' scented candles, use the 600 thread count sheets, the good china and wear our fancy lingerie now. Stop waiting for a special occasion. Everyday is special.
25.) No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
26.) Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'
27.) Forgive everyone for everything.
28.) What other people think of you is none of your business.
29.) Time heals almost everything. Give time, time!
30.) However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
31.) Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch with them.
32.) Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
33.) Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need. God provides remember?!
34.) The best is yet to come.
35.) No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
36.) Do the right thing!
37.) Call your friends/family often.
38.) Each night before you go to bed complete the following statement: 'I am thankful for __________.'
39.) Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
40.) Enjoy the ride. Remember that this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it
and enjoy the ride.
LIVE, LOVE, LAUGH. LIFE'S A GIFT ... UNWRAP IT! Have a Blessed day. Please share with friends!
(Received list in an email from a friend-source unknow.)
4:00am Mr. T comes ripping into our room crying telling me "Ta roar in my dream" (it's a recurring nightmare of Queen V chasing him and roaring at him like she is a dinosaur or lion... I have threatened to wake her in the middle of the night to snuggle his fears... she really does chase him around the house roaring.,.. ugh!)
5:30 shhhhhhhhhh, Mr. T.. go to sleep!!
5:50am alarm'/radio goes off to wake me.. ha! that is ironic! I listen to a few favorite tunes- Journey being one of them :)
6:00 talk to dh about new job opportunities.... he is changing... and looking forward to playing trains with Mr. T and building stuff with the girls.. fun stuff
6:30 get girls up.. they slept in...
6:45 make lunches/ breakfast
7:00 do French braids in girls hair so they look loved :) and not an unmade bed
7:30 chase Mr. T down to get sneakers on him
7:35 change another diaper.. I am sure there was another one in there somewhere...
7:40 take girls to school and listen as Lady G sings a song I learned at Camp Merry Acres./.. I didn't teach her this one.. a girl friend did on the playground. I sang with her.. wouldn't you? A childhood song that made you smile when you used to sing it??
7:55 find friend in school parking lot and ask about our daily walk.. yep, we are on! super!!!
8:10 nurse, change another diaper, find blanket, get Mr. T to go potty
8:30 walk with friends on a glorious day!!! lovely way to get the day going!
10:00 sister comes by with fresh salsa- yummy!
10:30 over to another friend's house for a play date where we discuss cooking as a group and sharing the meals... I have always wanted to do this... one friend suggests to do it while we have a few bottles of wine.. a super idea!!!!
1 pm drive around till Mr. T crashes
1:30 get home and snuggle sleeping babies....
does this look like a great day?? I tell ya, this was a FABULOUS DAY!
while blog hopping for ideas on OAMC (once a month cooking)or Freezer Cooking I found this...
Tips for an Exceptional, Superb & Powerful Life!
1.) Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate antidepressant.
2.) Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.Buy a lock if you have to.
3.) Buy a Tivo (DVR), tape your late night shows and get more sleep.
4.) When you wake up in the morning ask yourself, "What do I really, really, really want today?"
5.) Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
6.) Watch more movies, play more games and read more books than you did last year.
7.) Always pray and make time to exercise.
8.) Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of Six.
9.) Dream more while you are awake.
10.) Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less foods that are manufactured in plants.
11.) Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.
12.) Try to make at least three people smile each day.
13.) Clear your clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and flowing energy into your life.
14.) Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead, invest your
energy in the positive present moment.
15.) Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class .......but the
lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
16.) Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out chargecard.
17.) Smile and laugh more. It will keep the energy vampires away.
18.) Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
19.) Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
20.) Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
21.) You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
22.) Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
23.) Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
24.) Ladies - Go on and burn those 'special' scented candles, use the 600 thread count sheets, the good china and wear our fancy lingerie now. Stop waiting for a special occasion. Everyday is special.
25.) No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
26.) Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'
27.) Forgive everyone for everything.
28.) What other people think of you is none of your business.
29.) Time heals almost everything. Give time, time!
30.) However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
31.) Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch with them.
32.) Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
33.) Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need. God provides remember?!
34.) The best is yet to come.
35.) No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
36.) Do the right thing!
37.) Call your friends/family often.
38.) Each night before you go to bed complete the following statement: 'I am thankful for __________.'
39.) Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
40.) Enjoy the ride. Remember that this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it
and enjoy the ride.
LIVE, LOVE, LAUGH. LIFE'S A GIFT ... UNWRAP IT! Have a Blessed day. Please share with friends!
(Received list in an email from a friend-source unknow.)
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Who really won last night...
I walked into my dd's room this morning and woke her up gently...
"do you want to know who is going to be our next President of the United States?"
"yes" rubbing sleep from the corner of her eyes...
"Barak Obama"
"wow"
yea, wow...
this has so much significance for our nation.
I look at this from so many directions... as a mother, as a former teacher- a social studies and ESL teacher at that.... but mostly as an American. Where will this take us as a nation?
One can listen to all the hype from both political parties... like I used to tell my students, "there is your side, my side and the truth." The truth will not be known or understood until history is made..
Will we as a nation understand the ramifications of electing Mr. Obama in this year?
I mean truly understand?
Will we see what decisions made at particular times in his presidential carreer will affect our children and other future generations?
I for one, am in awe of anyone wanting to take on such an awesome and powerful position... look back in history at any one of the presidents- compare picture of them at the time of innaguration and then of them as they leave the Oval Office. The graying of hair, the added wrinkles on the face... is the step as lively?? The weight of the world is upon this man.... did you see how many nations watched our nation last night??
I was amazed at how jubilant other nations were at us electing Mr. Obama... why are they? What do they have to gain? And do THEY see how gracious John McCain was to concede?? no skirmish broke out... no bullying... it was a peaceful acknowledgement of how the power in our country will shift. I hope it remains this way... this is what is so great about our nation... we will come together... it is what America... Americans are best at.
We might not like what one of us is doing but when push comes to shove we have each other's back!!
ok.. enough of the soap box... let's talk about who really won... it wasn't red or blue states...
it wasn't one race or another...
it was Sasha and Malia!!]
they won something really important in a kid's life!!
yep, they get a puppy!!!
The White House will have a puppy...
I just ask one favor... don't let the pup teeth on anything of historical significance,girls...
remember to take the pup out to do his business...
feed and water him...
brush him
teach him commands so he listens to you
and pick a cute name!
Congrats, Obama Girls, on your new puppy!!
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Monday, November 03, 2008
Go Get Your VOTE on!
I did it
yep
I did
baby strapped to my hip with my ever popular sling
Mr. T teasing the pollsters.. is that what they are called?
I got my vote on... did you??
with 2 little kids in tow there are not enough Goldfish to keep one content... you know?? a little bribery with library books and a movie borrowed from the library... Buzz Lightyear, I think it was... and I GOT MY VOTE ON!!
As a former social studies and history teacher I am telling you to get out and VOTE!!
You can't "gritch" if you don't vote!!!
Yep, I don't want to hear it..
I know my limitations.
I know what policies are important in my book!
I know what is important this time...
DO YOU??
OH....and one more thing... say a prayer- now, I don't care how you vote or voted- but say a prayer for Mr. Obama and his family. His grandma died on Sunday... 2 days shy of getting to see what happened in her grandson's election. I was told by my mom that she did vote absentee... but Obama and his family are grieving right now. Can you imagine the added pressure... say prayers for him, his wife and children.... they need it..
and while you are there... say a prayer for no fraud in the election... on EITHER SIDE! Man, I can't stand liars or cheaters... it's an Aggie thing...
Gig 'em and GET YOUR VOTE ON!
Sunday, November 02, 2008
boo to you!
cast of characters:
Princess A: Larry the Cucumber
Mr. T: Farmer Boy... because "trick or treating is no fair!"
Queen V: dalmation puppy
Lady G: rocker chick
setting:
backyard prior to Grandpa hauling us around on a trailor full of hay
Theme:
my favorite things of Halloween 2008
Princess A: is all full of smiles... just like Larry the Cucumber in this pic...
Mr T: bought one Buzz Lightyear costume but when it had to slip over his head it was history so I brought out super chicken and that was good for a giggle but not to put on.. then I placed cowboy horse in front of him and that got on but then off... go figure.. I turned Mr. T over to Daddy and this is what they came up with. Trick or treating was still "no fair" BUT clothes were now on my boy...
Queen V: dalmations are the favorite puppy with chihuahuas running a close second for my girl... like the face paiting?? I did it myself, thank you very much.. ha! I had a pic of Lady G with the same face painted by a professional and I tried to mimic it. I think I did pretty well... The costume was a white sweatshirt and white leggings with black iron on patches I cut up to make the spots- perfect! Thanks to my sister for giving me that direction!!!!
Lady G... recognize the costume.. it's what she gathered for her school play.. she liked it so much it went back on for Halloween! hooray!
I am kind of glad it is behind us... nursing a baby on a hay trailor in front of inlaws is a trick for sure.. whew! but we all made it... and then went to roast s'mores at friends... a tradition from my childhood. I hope to post about it tomorrow...
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
it's the great pumpkin!!
The school carnival was last week and I was asked to help volunteer...
with a new baby... that was going to be a bit difficult..
but
I can bake in between nursing, diapering and overseeing homework...
This was one of the 2 cakes I sent in for each Queen V and Lady G's classes.
They were both pumpkin cakes... it's what Lady G asked for
so on I went to figure out how to create such a cake...
white cake mix 50 cents
frosting $1.50/ can
gel for coloring $5
pumpkin cake for school carnival and envy from other mommies...
PRICELESS!
mwahahahahaha (evil mommy laugh)
so I don't have the huge wallet that some mamas seem to have around here but I have creativity, kids that think I can do all with frosting.... wonder if I can create the medallion to go above my chandelier in my dining room with it... hahahahahaha and time.. who needs sleep when your oldest tells you to splurge on good coffee beans and yummy fru-fru cream??
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
little this once
so little
just this once....
how precious
how loving...
how accepting...
her love is never ending and I find myself at more peace with this one
she makes me take a step back and remember to just breathe
to enjoy
to take the moment in and savor it
I also find myself questioning my behavior with my others...
do they get enough love?
do they get enough understanding?
do they get enough attention that is positive...
do they feel loved... know they are loved... for everything they do.....
what a great gift I have been given in this little one...
who will be little just this once...
Ellie Lash QP
WA by Elegant WA
Monday, October 20, 2008
photoshop and digital insights
So I have listed some resources that I use from time to time to help me out. I hope this helps some of you out!!
hybrid tshirts
http://littledreamerdesigns.typepad.com/little_dreamer_designs/2008/06/june-hybrid-cha.html
love this idea! I have seen it in magazines before but wanted to share here too
this is what the kids will get for my dds' birthday parties
layers and histograms
http://www.sketchpad.net/photoshp.htm
I found some really great tutorials here dealing with levels and histograms to show what part of your photos is under or overexposed- makes processing your photos so much easier
http://www.planetphotoshop.com/tutorials_effects.html
http://www.vtc.com/products/photoshopelem.htm
http://tutorialoutpost.com/tutorials/photoshop/photo-editing
http://myjanee.home.insightbb.com/tutorials.htm
http://www.myjanee.com/cgi-bin/ib3/ikonboard.cgi?s=bc30b17a4c0f7d9ad3ef40252b3b80f5
http://www.adobe.com/education/digkids/training/pse_videos.html
http://photoshopwire.tripod.com/tutorial/photoshop_elements.htm
http://www.photoshop911.com/tricks/text_to_watermark.html
http://www.graphic-design.com/Photoshop/
http://www.graphic-design.com/Photoshop/color_cast/index.html
http://www.photoshopelementsuser.com/tutorials/index.php
http://www.webworksite.com/photoshop_elements_tutorials.shtml
http://www.earthboundlight.com/phototip-archives.html
http://psp8.homestead.com/BetterBW1.html
http://psp8.homestead.com/
http://psp8.homestead.com/Shadows_Details.html
http://www.sketchpad.net/photoshp.htm
http://www.planetphotoshop.com/category/effects/?id=tutorials_effects
http://www.softwaretrainingtutorials.com/photoshop-elements.php
http://www.easyelements.com/free-photoshop-brushes.html
http://www.easyelements.com/making-photoshop-brushes.html
crop using the rule of thirds
http://tutorialoutpost.com/count/3867
glow:
http://tutorialoutpost.com/count/2837
dreamy
http://tutorialoutpost.com/count/3953
soft focus
http://tutorialoutpost.com/count/3953
http://www.morguefile.com/archive/classroom.php?lesson=5
STEP by STEP how to make and out of bounds photo
http://smilesnapper.blogspot.com/2007/04/out-of-bounds.html
this link will give you (if you have Photoshop Elements) a boost in creating those stunning black and white photos from a color one! http://www.optikvervelabs.com/default.asp
for CS2: http://www.photoshopsupport.com/tutorials/cs2-photoshop-9.html
http://mistycatodesigns.blogspot.com/2007/05/index-of-tutorials.html
actions
http://bellasactions.blogspot.com/
digital scrapping
http://www.digiscrappingtutorials.com/
http://photoshop911.typepad.com/help/2004/01/building_templa.html
for learning how to add depth to your letters:
http://www.thegoldenmean.com/technique/depthmask.html
why reinvent the wheel??
these are some simple lessons...
http://www.photoshopsupport.com/tutorials.html
how to stitch
http://www.myjanee.com/tuts/brush7/stitch/stitch.htm
index of sorts: http://www.23outlet.com/
fiber filter tutorial
http://www.hummiesworld.com/tutfiberfilter.html
how to make your own digital swirls
http://lizness.typepad.com/a_little_life/quickrefs/1004QR-ALittleLife.html
http://danidraws.com/2007/04/20/not-your-typical-round-brush/
creating grass: http://www.peachpit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=30882&rl=1
more control lessons here
http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=80893
click on the presets of the brush itself..
I kept opening presets and expecting them there
I clicked on the "dynamics" not checking the box and it came up!!
did you know there was a hidden world under all those words in the preset box?? click on them and find out!!!
to make your subject pop while blurring the environment around it
http://tutorialoutpost.com/count/5719
again with the blur
http://tutorialoutpost.com/count/4142
creating your own brushes
have made my own signature brush that I place on my photos and on my sketches (look in my gallery)
I used a few dingbats and a font I like, a few layers, defined the brush and it is mine!!!
if you want a link to some photos of how to make your own in your own photoshop here you go:
http://www.brushes.obsidiandawn.com/tutorials/creating/index.htm
http://www.myjanee.com/tuts/brush/cbrush7.htm
this one is so up Twistedsoda's alley!
http://www.art-e-zine.co.uk/stampps.html
this one is a video that requires flash
http://layersmagazine.com/make-your-own-custom-brush-2.html
one more that uses your photos to find a pattern you like
http://inobscuro.com/tutorials/read/17/
Cinda gave me this tip: You can use your magic background eraser to get rid of the white. If you save as a jpg you'll get the white, but psd or png should maintain the transparency.
and from Rikki: Create the image you want to use as your brush. Everything that is white in the image is transparent in your future brush. Max. siez is 2500 x 2500 px.
Select the area with the marquee tool or another slection tool
Go to Edite -> define brush preset
Don't forget to save the brush in an existing or a new preset. Otherwise if you replace the existing preset, it will be gone.
That's it.
Now you can use your brush to stamp anywhere.
how to make a photo a circle (by Rikki)
FRAME VERSUS A MASK (by Cinda)
and from Rikki
GOLD TEXT
http://www.mccannas.com/pshop2/tip19.htm
LAYERS
http://www.mccannas.com/pshop/pshop5.htm
grograin ribbon
I saw on the blog that Michele is a contirbuting editor for how to make a striped ribbon but I want a different texture.. is that all there is to it? making a different texture??
http://everydaydigitalscrapbooking.blogspot.com/search/label/Ideas%20for%20Ribbon
there's a good grosgrain tut at SBB:
http://www.scrapbook-bytes.com/a-tuts/publish/article_226.shtml (thanks ChrisGr)
make your own flourishes
http://www.bittbox.com/illustrator/28-free-illustrator-brushes-for-making-swooshes-and-swirls/
http://www.bittbox.com/illustrator/illustrator-how-to-make-custom-swooshes-swirls-and-curls/
some more tips for brushes
http://www.arraich.com/ps6_tips_7aausebrush1.htm
special digi thanks goes to Michele, Cinda, Rikki, and Chris for helping me learn so much while we all played at The Shaker Box the last 5 years.
I don't think I would have learnes and researched so much without you guys helping me out and cheering me on!
hybrid tshirts
http://littledreamerdesigns.typepad.com/little_dreamer_designs/2008/06/june-hybrid-cha.html
love this idea! I have seen it in magazines before but wanted to share here too
this is what the kids will get for my dds' birthday parties
layers and histograms
http://www.sketchpad.net/photoshp.htm
I found some really great tutorials here dealing with levels and histograms to show what part of your photos is under or overexposed- makes processing your photos so much easier
http://www.planetphotoshop.com/tutorials_effects.html
http://www.vtc.com/products/photoshopelem.htm
http://tutorialoutpost.com/tutorials/photoshop/photo-editing
http://myjanee.home.insightbb.com/tutorials.htm
http://www.myjanee.com/cgi-bin/ib3/ikonboard.cgi?s=bc30b17a4c0f7d9ad3ef40252b3b80f5
http://www.adobe.com/education/digkids/training/pse_videos.html
http://photoshopwire.tripod.com/tutorial/photoshop_elements.htm
http://www.photoshop911.com/tricks/text_to_watermark.html
http://www.graphic-design.com/Photoshop/
http://www.graphic-design.com/Photoshop/color_cast/index.html
http://www.photoshopelementsuser.com/tutorials/index.php
http://www.webworksite.com/photoshop_elements_tutorials.shtml
http://www.earthboundlight.com/phototip-archives.html
http://psp8.homestead.com/BetterBW1.html
http://psp8.homestead.com/
http://psp8.homestead.com/Shadows_Details.html
http://www.sketchpad.net/photoshp.htm
http://www.planetphotoshop.com/category/effects/?id=tutorials_effects
http://www.softwaretrainingtutorials.com/photoshop-elements.php
http://www.easyelements.com/free-photoshop-brushes.html
http://www.easyelements.com/making-photoshop-brushes.html
crop using the rule of thirds
http://tutorialoutpost.com/count/3867
glow:
http://tutorialoutpost.com/count/2837
dreamy
http://tutorialoutpost.com/count/3953
soft focus
http://tutorialoutpost.com/count/3953
http://www.morguefile.com/archive/classroom.php?lesson=5
STEP by STEP how to make and out of bounds photo
http://smilesnapper.blogspot.com/2007/04/out-of-bounds.html
this link will give you (if you have Photoshop Elements) a boost in creating those stunning black and white photos from a color one! http://www.optikvervelabs.com/default.asp
for CS2: http://www.photoshopsupport.com/tutorials/cs2-photoshop-9.html
http://mistycatodesigns.blogspot.com/2007/05/index-of-tutorials.html
actions
http://bellasactions.blogspot.com/
digital scrapping
http://www.digiscrappingtutorials.com/
http://photoshop911.typepad.com/help/2004/01/building_templa.html
for learning how to add depth to your letters:
http://www.thegoldenmean.com/technique/depthmask.html
why reinvent the wheel??
these are some simple lessons...
http://www.photoshopsupport.com/tutorials.html
how to stitch
http://www.myjanee.com/tuts/brush7/stitch/stitch.htm
index of sorts: http://www.23outlet.com/
fiber filter tutorial
http://www.hummiesworld.com/tutfiberfilter.html
how to make your own digital swirls
http://lizness.typepad.com/a_little_life/quickrefs/1004QR-ALittleLife.html
http://danidraws.com/2007/04/20/not-your-typical-round-brush/
creating grass: http://www.peachpit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=30882&rl=1
more control lessons here
http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=80893
click on the presets of the brush itself..
I kept opening presets and expecting them there
I clicked on the "dynamics" not checking the box and it came up!!
did you know there was a hidden world under all those words in the preset box?? click on them and find out!!!
to make your subject pop while blurring the environment around it
http://tutorialoutpost.com/count/5719
again with the blur
http://tutorialoutpost.com/count/4142
creating your own brushes
have made my own signature brush that I place on my photos and on my sketches (look in my gallery)
I used a few dingbats and a font I like, a few layers, defined the brush and it is mine!!!
if you want a link to some photos of how to make your own in your own photoshop here you go:
http://www.brushes.obsidiandawn.com/tutorials/creating/index.htm
http://www.myjanee.com/tuts/brush/cbrush7.htm
this one is so up Twistedsoda's alley!
http://www.art-e-zine.co.uk/stampps.html
this one is a video that requires flash
http://layersmagazine.com/make-your-own-custom-brush-2.html
one more that uses your photos to find a pattern you like
http://inobscuro.com/tutorials/read/17/
Cinda gave me this tip: You can use your magic background eraser to get rid of the white. If you save as a jpg you'll get the white, but psd or png should maintain the transparency.
and from Rikki: Create the image you want to use as your brush. Everything that is white in the image is transparent in your future brush. Max. siez is 2500 x 2500 px.
Select the area with the marquee tool or another slection tool
Go to Edite -> define brush preset
Don't forget to save the brush in an existing or a new preset. Otherwise if you replace the existing preset, it will be gone.
That's it.
Now you can use your brush to stamp anywhere.
how to make a photo a circle (by Rikki)
Just use the marquee tool, draw out a circle, place it over the part of the photo you want to keep, inverse the selection (in PS Ctrl+Shift+I) and hit delete.
FRAME VERSUS A MASK (by Cinda)
A frame is made to lay over your photo while a mask you line it up with your paper and/or photo and (if using PSE) click ctrl-g to group them together - then your paper is in the shape of those pretty swirls You could actually do the same thing on the frames, but only the frame would fill and your photo underneath would still show through.
You can do the same thing with text and "cut" your text out of any paper or photo.
One of the many things I love about Photoshop!
and from Rikki
A frame is an embellishment that you actually use as is on your page. You put it there, and maybe re-colorize it, and that's it.
A mask like Shandy's you use to change the look of something else. You can use it for example as a clipping mask to clip papers or photos to the shape of the mask.
You can use anything you want as a clipping mask. One example:
You could take the shape of a star and use it as a clipping mask to clip a square piece of paper into the shape of that very star.
GOLD TEXT
http://www.mccannas.com/pshop2/tip19.htm
LAYERS
http://www.mccannas.com/pshop/pshop5.htm
grograin ribbon
I saw on the blog that Michele is a contirbuting editor for how to make a striped ribbon but I want a different texture.. is that all there is to it? making a different texture??
http://everydaydigitalscrapbooking.blogspot.com/search/label/Ideas%20for%20Ribbon
there's a good grosgrain tut at SBB:
http://www.scrapbook-bytes.com/a-tuts/publish/article_226.shtml (thanks ChrisGr)
make your own flourishes
http://www.bittbox.com/illustrator/28-free-illustrator-brushes-for-making-swooshes-and-swirls/
http://www.bittbox.com/illustrator/illustrator-how-to-make-custom-swooshes-swirls-and-curls/
some more tips for brushes
http://www.arraich.com/ps6_tips_7aausebrush1.htm
special digi thanks goes to Michele, Cinda, Rikki, and Chris for helping me learn so much while we all played at The Shaker Box the last 5 years.
I don't think I would have learnes and researched so much without you guys helping me out and cheering me on!
photography insights
I need a place to put all of the ideas and links I have gathered to share in scrapping, photography and stamping...
it's a long list and will be added to throughout the next few days..
window light: http://super.nova.org/DPR/Window/
sharpening a photo:
there are many ways to do this..
I know Jane does a defog using her USM
I use USM at different scale
but now I found this tutorial.. had to share!
http://www.bythom.com/sharpening.htm
I am just getting the hang of this... my focus fell slightly on some recent photos and I wanted to get them back- the capture was so cute.. but how to make it look right??
well, use your USM in your photoshop. It's called UNSHARP MASK but it does seem to sharpen.. It has to do with how it was done in a real darkroom versus how we do it in a computer digitally. "It gets it's name because it unsharpens (de-focuses) the image and uses the difference with the original image ..." (this quote from Focus Magic)
Anyway..
there are 3 things to understand.
The first being amount which is measured by percentage.
The second being radius which is measured by pixels.
The third being threshold which is measured by levels.
I have some links to some sites and I would really like to get a discussion going on this great filter!!! What do you say?? are you ready to clear up some of your photos that are soft on focus??
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/understanding-series/understanding-usm.shtml
this one is studied by a lot of people. He is right on in his explaining- some times a little technical but you might be into that!
http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/unsharp-mask.htm
maybe you want a quick once over??
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unsharp_masking
photos and diagrams here:
http://www.scantips.com/simple6.html
this guy is really clear and explains it very well!! I love this site!
http://www.earthboundlight.com/phototips/unsharp-mask.html
clear and concise with photos to go with the information! He shows you with the filter pulled down
http://www.naturescapes.net/122004/tg1204.htm
explains different ways of how to use USM (from global to detailed to parts of a photo)
http://www.creativepro.com/story/feature/11242.html
another explanation with great photos for visual learners (tips inside this one!!)
http://docs.gimp.org/en/plug-in-unsharp-mask.html
about dot com always has tons of references!
http://graphicssoft.about.com/od/photoshoptutorialssharpen/Photoshop_Unsharp_Mask_and_Other_Sharpening_Methods_and_Tools.htm
another quick description:
http://www.steeldolphin-forums.com/htmltuts/unsharp.html
in podcast form:
http://kabili.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=155509
another great tutorial:
http://www.photocritic.org/articles/usm.php
for those of you using PaintShop Pro
http://www.scenic-route.com/tutorial/psp/tutor/unsharp/Unsharp.htm
tutorial with comments from others so you can learn from their mistakes:
http://www.cameronmoll.com/archives/000169.html
to show you that you can go TOO FAR with this
http://www.digicamhelp.com/processing-photos/advanced-editing/unsharp-mask.php
and the last tutorial/article came from the great Lone Star State!!
http://www.lonestardigital.com/usm_fade.htm
curves tutorial:
so you want more from your photographs, more umph, more contrast??
if you have gotten the hang of levels then try curves.
Matt Greer has a great tutorial on his blog
http://mgreerphoto.blogspot.com/2006/12/photoshop-adjustment-layer-curves.html
Depth of Field (DOF)
do you know how to get a background blurry??
do you know how to get good bokeh?
do you know how to get the background in focus but the foreground out of focus (OOF)???
well, here, check out this DOF calculator and play away!! it will tell you how to get the look you want, good exposure and where to place your subject from your camera.. amazing
http://dofmaster.com/dofjs.html
fine tuning your photos:
http://www.prodigitalimage.com/tips.html
taking your own school photo:
it is possible for you to try and do this yourself!!!
place your child at a 45* angle from the light
have your child sit up straight and lean over their belt buckle
have them slightly twist towards you
move eyes directly at the camera for eye contact
tilt a girl's head but never a boys!!! (makes them look efeminite)
background:
have them sit on a stool with a pleasant background.. try your clean garage wall or even outside- do this when the sun is not directly overhead or you will wind up with shadows that are too harsh
the school playground before dusk...
need a reflector? get a piece of foam core board (HObby Lobby sells it for about $5) and place close to your subject.. move it so it catches the light and reflects this on your subjects shadow...
ok.. seriously.. try this.. do you photograph a face 2 dimensionally or 3??
http://groups.msn.com/Asktheoleproaboutphotography/theroleoflightinginphotography.msnw
smooth skin:
http://www.lunacore.com/photoshop/tutorials/tut020.htm
I thought this tutorial was really cool
dig how NOT to use the gaussian blur.. I did this forever.. glad to see another technique
don't forget to erase back the eyes
creaeting sepia:
http://www.lunareclipse.net/funwithsepia.htm
great with fall photos...
great bloggers:
love her style!!!
http://www.amycoffeyphotography.com/blog/blog.html
http://www.jennywaring.typepad.com/
http://artbynaomistudiotreats.blogspot.com/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/maiasuvi/
http://www.bludomain.com/blog.cfm
http://www.karlgrobl.com/index.htm
http://www.kenrockwell.com/index.htm teaches
http://willows95988.typepad.com/tongue_cheek/
yep, a class online
you have to check out- it will give you so much info in what will help you become a better photographer
http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/
http://www.photographyboard.net/
printing
http://bighugelabs.com/flickr/motivator.php
FIREWORKS
over the water fireworks:
http://www.calphoto.com/firework.htm
super help tips:
http://malektips.com/digital_fireworks_photography_help_and_tips.html
tips from the Smithsonian:
http://photos.si.edu/firew/firew.html
digital photography school
http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/how-to-photograph-fireworks/
Bob Atkin's description
http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/tutorials/fireworks.html
Better Photo dot com
http://www.betterphoto.com/exploring/fireworks.asp
Gary Black Photog.,
http://www.garryblack.com/fireworks.htm
about.com
http://cameras.about.com/od/cameratips/a/fireworks.htm
The Imaging Resource
http://cameras.about.com/od/cameratips/a/fireworks.htm
great shots (photos)
http://photographyreview.webphotoschool.com/Get_Great_Shots_at_Fireworks_Shows/index.html
Dobson Central
http://www.dobsoncentral.com/articles/fireworks.htm
to add wings to your photo
sites I have visited while on this adventure:
http://www.autofx.com/ (you have to pay for the brushes but how cool are they!)
http://www.photoshopsupport.com/tools/plugins/photo-frames-borders-edges.html
www.escrappers.com (this is the site I was looking for first!)
http://escrappers.com/fairytales.html
http://www.photoshopsupport.com/tools/brushes.html#Painted_Passion_orghttp://www.brushes.obsidiandawn.com/sets/wings.htm
http://www.loreleiweb.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4553
balancing shaddows
http://psp8.homestead.com/Shadows_Details.html
Oronton Technique
it takes a photo and puts a fairytale like quality to it- facinating!
http://www.naturephotographers.net/articles0106/dw0106-1.html
it's a long list and will be added to throughout the next few days..
window light: http://super.nova.org/DPR/Window/
sharpening a photo:
there are many ways to do this..
I know Jane does a defog using her USM
I use USM at different scale
but now I found this tutorial.. had to share!
http://www.bythom.com/sharpening.htm
I am just getting the hang of this... my focus fell slightly on some recent photos and I wanted to get them back- the capture was so cute.. but how to make it look right??
well, use your USM in your photoshop. It's called UNSHARP MASK but it does seem to sharpen.. It has to do with how it was done in a real darkroom versus how we do it in a computer digitally. "It gets it's name because it unsharpens (de-focuses) the image and uses the difference with the original image ..." (this quote from Focus Magic)
Anyway..
there are 3 things to understand.
The first being amount which is measured by percentage.
The second being radius which is measured by pixels.
The third being threshold which is measured by levels.
I have some links to some sites and I would really like to get a discussion going on this great filter!!! What do you say?? are you ready to clear up some of your photos that are soft on focus??
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/understanding-series/understanding-usm.shtml
this one is studied by a lot of people. He is right on in his explaining- some times a little technical but you might be into that!
http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/unsharp-mask.htm
maybe you want a quick once over??
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unsharp_masking
photos and diagrams here:
http://www.scantips.com/simple6.html
this guy is really clear and explains it very well!! I love this site!
http://www.earthboundlight.com/phototips/unsharp-mask.html
clear and concise with photos to go with the information! He shows you with the filter pulled down
http://www.naturescapes.net/122004/tg1204.htm
explains different ways of how to use USM (from global to detailed to parts of a photo)
http://www.creativepro.com/story/feature/11242.html
another explanation with great photos for visual learners (tips inside this one!!)
http://docs.gimp.org/en/plug-in-unsharp-mask.html
about dot com always has tons of references!
http://graphicssoft.about.com/od/photoshoptutorialssharpen/Photoshop_Unsharp_Mask_and_Other_Sharpening_Methods_and_Tools.htm
another quick description:
http://www.steeldolphin-forums.com/htmltuts/unsharp.html
in podcast form:
http://kabili.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=155509
another great tutorial:
http://www.photocritic.org/articles/usm.php
for those of you using PaintShop Pro
http://www.scenic-route.com/tutorial/psp/tutor/unsharp/Unsharp.htm
tutorial with comments from others so you can learn from their mistakes:
http://www.cameronmoll.com/archives/000169.html
to show you that you can go TOO FAR with this
http://www.digicamhelp.com/processing-photos/advanced-editing/unsharp-mask.php
and the last tutorial/article came from the great Lone Star State!!
http://www.lonestardigital.com/usm_fade.htm
curves tutorial:
so you want more from your photographs, more umph, more contrast??
if you have gotten the hang of levels then try curves.
Matt Greer has a great tutorial on his blog
http://mgreerphoto.blogspot.com/2006/12/photoshop-adjustment-layer-curves.html
Depth of Field (DOF)
do you know how to get a background blurry??
do you know how to get good bokeh?
do you know how to get the background in focus but the foreground out of focus (OOF)???
well, here, check out this DOF calculator and play away!! it will tell you how to get the look you want, good exposure and where to place your subject from your camera.. amazing
http://dofmaster.com/dofjs.html
fine tuning your photos:
http://www.prodigitalimage.com/tips.html
taking your own school photo:
it is possible for you to try and do this yourself!!!
place your child at a 45* angle from the light
have your child sit up straight and lean over their belt buckle
have them slightly twist towards you
move eyes directly at the camera for eye contact
tilt a girl's head but never a boys!!! (makes them look efeminite)
background:
have them sit on a stool with a pleasant background.. try your clean garage wall or even outside- do this when the sun is not directly overhead or you will wind up with shadows that are too harsh
the school playground before dusk...
need a reflector? get a piece of foam core board (HObby Lobby sells it for about $5) and place close to your subject.. move it so it catches the light and reflects this on your subjects shadow...
ok.. seriously.. try this.. do you photograph a face 2 dimensionally or 3??
http://groups.msn.com/Asktheoleproaboutphotography/theroleoflightinginphotography.msnw
smooth skin:
http://www.lunacore.com/photoshop/tutorials/tut020.htm
I thought this tutorial was really cool
dig how NOT to use the gaussian blur.. I did this forever.. glad to see another technique
don't forget to erase back the eyes
creaeting sepia:
http://www.lunareclipse.net/funwithsepia.htm
great with fall photos...
great bloggers:
love her style!!!
http://www.amycoffeyphotography.com/blog/blog.html
http://www.jennywaring.typepad.com/
http://artbynaomistudiotreats.blogspot.com/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/maiasuvi/
http://www.bludomain.com/blog.cfm
http://www.karlgrobl.com/index.htm
http://www.kenrockwell.com/index.htm teaches
http://willows95988.typepad.com/tongue_cheek/
yep, a class online
you have to check out- it will give you so much info in what will help you become a better photographer
http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/
http://www.photographyboard.net/
printing
http://bighugelabs.com/flickr/motivator.php
FIREWORKS
over the water fireworks:
http://www.calphoto.com/firework.htm
super help tips:
http://malektips.com/digital_fireworks_photography_help_and_tips.html
tips from the Smithsonian:
http://photos.si.edu/firew/firew.html
digital photography school
http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/how-to-photograph-fireworks/
Bob Atkin's description
http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/tutorials/fireworks.html
Better Photo dot com
http://www.betterphoto.com/exploring/fireworks.asp
Gary Black Photog.,
http://www.garryblack.com/fireworks.htm
about.com
http://cameras.about.com/od/cameratips/a/fireworks.htm
The Imaging Resource
http://cameras.about.com/od/cameratips/a/fireworks.htm
great shots (photos)
http://photographyreview.webphotoschool.com/Get_Great_Shots_at_Fireworks_Shows/index.html
Dobson Central
http://www.dobsoncentral.com/articles/fireworks.htm
to add wings to your photo
sites I have visited while on this adventure:
http://www.autofx.com/ (you have to pay for the brushes but how cool are they!)
http://www.photoshopsupport.com/tools/plugins/photo-frames-borders-edges.html
www.escrappers.com (this is the site I was looking for first!)
http://escrappers.com/fairytales.html
http://www.photoshopsupport.com/tools/brushes.html#Painted_Passion_orghttp://www.brushes.obsidiandawn.com/sets/wings.htm
http://www.loreleiweb.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4553
balancing shaddows
http://psp8.homestead.com/Shadows_Details.html
Oronton Technique
it takes a photo and puts a fairytale like quality to it- facinating!
http://www.naturephotographers.net/articles0106/dw0106-1.html
Saturday, October 18, 2008
bugs and boys
bugs
boys
dead bugs
pockets of overalls
dryers
getting a picture here??
yea, so my dryer eats socks and deposits dead bugs on the rim to scare the bajeebers out of me when I open the door...
I knew Mr. T liked bugs but did not know that he was sticking bugs in his pockets of his overalls...
and when I go to wash and then dry the bugs can no longer handle a spin cycle or the heat of the dryer...
ewwww
so what is a mama to do???
take a pic of a daddy long legs for her boy... one that is alive but NOT crawling or spinning or being dryed to death!
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Happy Birthday, Dude!!
Here's to one cool dude... uh, dad.. lol!
Happy birthday to the coolest brother in law a girl could ask for!
I am so greatful you are a part of our crazy family and that we get to be friends for a long time now!!
I just wish we got to party together more often than a few times a year!!!
I hope all your birthday wishes come true and that you have many more!!!
A special happy birthday also to your darling daughter and my lovely niece!!! I can't wait to see her walk!!!
Lots of love,
your favorite American sister in law ;)
Thursday, October 09, 2008
last day being 40
alarm/radio sings me awake
nurse baby
check on Queen V to see if she made it into clothes yet
close Mr. T's door so he continues to sleep
breakfast for kids (all different cereals)
make lunches
draw on napkins and write notes to each girlie girl
set bags by garage door
take pic of Lady G in her rocker chick costume
load kids in van and drive to school
come home and take a look at pics I took
organize photos and surf photogs for inspiration
get things ready for Princess A's Thusday photoshoot
storytime
meet Mom and Queen V at library
lunch
photos of baby
back to school for testing of Queen V... she needs a little help in rhyming...
pick up Lady G
discuss scool
snuggle sleeping baby
find orange hair spray paint for Lady G pretending to be rocker chick
dinner
get ready for play
back to school for evening performance
rock out!!!
showers for kids
rock baby to sleep
log
now time to dream
good night
textures: Joy St. Clair
WA: Elegant Word Art by Bethany
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