Remember, the download is kept up for 5 days, and then it is taken down. If you miss pieces, the kit will be available for purchase on the first day of the following month.
Post expires at 10:00am on Monday March 25th, 2019
DD: MAR 18
Mar
17
2019
Remember, the download is kept up for 5 days, and then it is taken down. If you miss pieces, the kit will be available for purchase on the first day of the following month.
Post expires at 10:00am on Sunday March 24th, 2019
DD: MAR 17
Mar
16
2019
Remember, the download is kept up for 5 days, and then it is taken down. If you miss pieces, the kit will be available for purchase on the first day of the following month.
Post expires at 10:00am on Saturday March 23rd, 2019
What are Blend Modes?
Mar
16
2019
Many of you have expressed the desire to learn more about Blend Modes, so today let’s take a look at this powerful Photoshop tool.
Blend Modes are available both in Photoshop and Photoshop Elements to assist you with your creativity. But what are they and why should you care?
Blend Modes change the way that layers interact with each other, allowing you to create a variety of looks with the same supplies, depending upon the Blend Mode you choose.
Screenshots in this tutorial are from Photoshop CC2019; however, you will find that Blend Modes work exactly the same in Photoshop Elements.
You will find the Blend Mode option at the top of your Layers Panel. The default is set to “Normal.” Click on the down-pointing arrow to the right and a drop-down menu will open with all of the options you see in the image below.
Because the result of a Blend mode will depend upon the colors you are working with, there is not one formula that is perfect for every situation. However, if you have a general understanding of how Blend Modes work, you will be able to have a good idea which Blend Mode to start with when experimenting, depending upon what result you want to achieve.
There are 5 main Categories, each their own use and options. First listed is Normal. “Normal” is an unaffected image, and “Dissolve” can give your image a “frayed” look. I don’t know if I’ve ever used that category myself.
What I consider the “real” first Category is the are the options which will darken your images. Within that category, your options are: Darken, Multiple, Color Burn, Linear Burn, and Darker Color.
Moving onto Category #2, which lightens images, you also have 5 options, as shown in the image below. Categories 3, 4, and 5 also have their own options.
The best way to see how Blend modes work is to fill a layer with color, place an overlay on a layer above it, and just experiment. Try each Blend Mode to see what it does and how it affects your image. This will give you a good feel for the results of each option and you will be on your way to understanding what you can expect with each option.
Here is an example using a pink colored cardstock, with a grayscale Vintage Book Texture. Overlay and Soft Light are my favorites here, and those are always good options to start with when you are using a grayscale texture.
Time Saving Tip:
Did you know that you can cycle through Blending Modes without using your mouse? Here’s how:
- Select the layer that you want to blend. In this example, I want to Vintage Book Overlay with a piece of colored Cardstock.
- Click on the down-pointing arrow in the Blend Mode box to make it active.
- Click on any Blend Mode to make it active.
- Use the Up and Down or Right and Left arrows on your keyboard to cycle through the different Blend Modes
I hope you have found this helpful! If you would like to download a PDF of this tutorial, you may do so here.
DD: MAR 16
Mar
15
2019
Remember, the download is kept up for 5 days, and then it is taken down. If you miss pieces, the kit will be available for purchase on the first day of the following month.
Post expires at 10:00am on Friday March 22nd, 2019
Go On, Get Lucky!
Mar
15
2019
From Pie Day to St. Patrick’s Day to the first day of Spring. March is full of different themes to take pictures and capture memories? How will you scrap them this week?
Do you feel lucky? Do you? If so, make sure you try your hand at Lady Luck and see if you can win your whole wish list!
https://forums.gingerscraps.net/showthread.php?46264-Are-You-Feeling-Lucky-WIN-YOUR-WISH-LIST-(2019)
Remember when you spend $10 in the store, you get a great new collab! Birthdays in March are so much more special!
https://store.gingerscraps.net/GingerBread-Ladies-Collab-Lets-Celebrate.html
Bundle: https://store.gingerscraps.net/-Phone-omenal-Collection.html
Kit: https://store.gingerscraps.net/-Phone-omenal.html
Bundle: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Sprinkles-On-Top-Collection.html
Kit: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Sprinkles-On-Top.html
https://store.gingerscraps.net/Happy-Go-Lucky-Bundled-Collection-by-JB-Studio.html
https://store.gingerscraps.net/Good-Luck-Bundled-Collection-by-JB-Studio-and-Paty-Greif.html
https://store.gingerscraps.net/Spring-In-Bloom-Kit.html
https://store.gingerscraps.net/Layered-Page-Templates-March.html
https://store.gingerscraps.net/Signing-Is-Fun-GrabBag.html
[kit] https://store.gingerscraps.net/Over-The-Rainbow-by-LDragDesigns.html
[alphas] https://store.gingerscraps.net/Over-The-Rainbow-Alphas-by-LDragDesigns.html
[ombre papers] https://store.gingerscraps.net/Over-The-Rainbow-Ombre-Papers-by-LDragDesigns.html
[glitter] https://store.gingerscraps.net/Over-The-Rainbow-Glitterstyles-by-LDragDesigns.html
[Collection] https://store.gingerscraps.net/Over-The-Rainbow-The-Collection-by-LDragDesigns.html
[graffiti] https://store.gingerscraps.net/Over-The-Rainbow-Graffiti-by-LDragDesigns.html
[embossed papers] https://store.gingerscraps.net/Over-The-Rainbow-Embossed-Papers-by-LDragDesigns.html
[cards] https://store.gingerscraps.net/Over-The-Rainbow-Journal-Cards-by-LDragDesigns.html
https://store.gingerscraps.net/Templates-Many-Photos-1-by-Lindsay-Jane.html
https://store.gingerscraps.net/Templates-White-Space-1-by-Lindsay-Jane.html
https://store.gingerscraps.net/Spring-Time-Memories-Templates-by-Miss-Fish.html
https://store.gingerscraps.net/Simple-Photobook-templates-Set10.html
Bundle – https://store.gingerscraps.net/When-Spring-returns-Bundle.html
Kit – https://store.gingerscraps.net/When-Spring-returns-Kit.html
Painted papers – https://store.gingerscraps.net/When-Spring-returns-Painted-papers.html
Masks – https://store.gingerscraps.net/When-Spring-returns-Masks.html
Masks&Frames – https://store.gingerscraps.net/When-Spring-returns-Masks-And-Frames.html
QPs Set – https://store.gingerscraps.net/When-Spring-returns-QPs-Set.html
Stamps – https://store.gingerscraps.net/When-Spring-returns-Stamps.html
Wordart – https://store.gingerscraps.net/When-Spring-returns-Wordart.html
https://store.gingerscraps.net/I-Want-candy-kit-by-Scraps-N-Pieces.html
https://store.gingerscraps.net/Everyday-memories-3.-Lucky-charm.html
https://store.gingerscraps.net/Omega-Bundle-by-ADB-Designs.html
Funeral Program Templates: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Heritage-Resources-Funeral-Program-Templates-by-ADB-Designs.html
Gates & Fencing: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Heritage-Resources-Gates-and-Fencing-by-ADB-Designs.html
Grave Marker Templates Set 1: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Heritage-Resources-Grave-Markers-Set-01-by-ADB-Designs.html
Grave Marker Templates Set 2: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Heritage-Resources-Grave-Markers-Set-02-by-ADB-Designs.html
Texture and Engrave Style Pack: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Heritage-Resources-Texture-and-Engrave-Style-Pack-by-ADB-Designs.html
Collection: https://store.gingerscraps.net/True-North-Collection-by-Aimee-Harrison.html
Kit: https://store.gingerscraps.net/True-North-Page-Kit-by-Aimee-Harrison.html
Alphas: https://store.gingerscraps.net/True-North-Alpha-Sets-by-Aimee-Harrison.html
Titles: https://store.gingerscraps.net/True-North-Titles-by-Aimee-Harrison.html
Borders: https://store.gingerscraps.net/True-North-Borders-by-Aimee-Harrison.html
Extra Papers: https://store.gingerscraps.net/True-North-Extra-Papers-by-Aimee-Harrison.html
Edges: https://store.gingerscraps.net/True-North-Messy-Edges-by-Aimee-Harrison.html
Glitters: https://store.gingerscraps.net/True-North-Glitters-by-Aimee-Harrison.html
https://store.gingerscraps.net/Cool-Chicks-Collab-6-Grab-Bag.html
https://store.gingerscraps.net/Jungle-Love-BGD.html
https://store.gingerscraps.net/Chasing-Dreams-Digital-Scrapbook-Kit-by-Dandelion-Dust-Designs.html
Remember, if you complete 10 challenges, just ten, you get a free kit as well!!
They say it’s nearly spring! Maybe this kit will inspire Mother Nature to agree!
DD: MAR 15
Mar
14
2019
Remember, the download is kept up for 5 days, and then it is taken down. If you miss pieces, the kit will be available for purchase on the first day of the following month.
Post expires at 10:00am on Thursday March 21st, 2019
DD: MAR 14
Mar
13
2019
Remember, the download is kept up for 5 days, and then it is taken down. If you miss pieces, the kit will be available for purchase on the first day of the following month.
Post expires at 10:00am on Wednesday March 20th, 2019
Tutorial Tuesday (Fonts)
Mar
12
2019
Fontastic Spring!
Once again I’m apologizing for not having a great tutorial prepared for you. I’ve been caught up in family obligations the last several days and haven’t had time for much else. I didn’t even get my family bible layout done. But I’ve noticed that almost all the comments on last week’s post mentioned the fonts I showed you. And I also noticed that I haven’t done a post about spring-y fonts. So there we’re going!
As I’ve mentioned before, I love dafont.com as a great source of free fonts; their selection is outstanding! I made a quick cruise through there and have found you a baker’s dozen of fonts (and a dingbat set) that would make great titles or subtitles for spring layouts. See if you agree. Each font is hyperlinked to the site; just click on the font name in the description.
Alpha Shapes Raindrops might be what you’re looking for when you scrap rainy-day layouts. If you simplify each letter on its own layer, you can use the Smudge tool to animate your drops.
Floralies is similar to Blomster, but a little “lighter”.
Florality isn’t technically a font, but the viny, leafy look of it is so pretty!
I’m thinking there are so many ways to make Alpha Flowers just POP off the page.
Flower Explosion is a little lighter too, but still really pretty.
Think how beautiful CF Flowers of Destiny would look with a Blend Mode like Multiply! Ooh, and a gradient… smashing!
Nebulo is really gorgeous, just be aware that it’s a mishmash of capital and lowercase letters.
I just love this one! Kingthings Willow has two choices for even more freedom and control.
Black Flowers Blossom is just pretty.
Vanessa is another really pretty font; imagine it clipped to a paper, maybe with a little border around it.
CF Springtime has a nice bit of heft to it, and those sprigs are a cute touch.
This whimsical little beauty would be an amazing addition of layouts with Day Dreams ‘n Designs‘ Daily Download kit Bee Mine. I think we also need to heed the message… Save the Honeybee.
This one doesn’t say spring so much as the name of it does. I like it though. Butterfly
That leaves only the dingbat set. KR Spring Me has LOTS of spring-y images and so many possibilities.
Do you have any favourite fonts that make you think of spring? It looks like spring might actually be on its way to my corner of the world. Our temperature finally got above freezing on Sunday for the first time since January 31. That’s a long time to be cold!
How to use Distressed Patterns and a Freebie
Mar
9
2019
Hey everyone! Today I’m here to talk about patterns. Subtle or bold, distressed or not, patterns add so much to a digital scrapbook page.
With the use of Blend Modes and Opacity Levels you can convert a plain paper to a pretty paper. Here’s how:
- In Photoshop CC or Photoshop Elements, open a background paper.
- Place a Pattern on the layer above the background paper.
- Experiment with Blend Modes and Opacity Levels of the Pattern.
Yes. It’s really that simple. Sure there are other things you can do to add even more interest, but basically, that’s it.
Here is a simple cardstock paper with a Distressed Pattern in Normal mode on the layer above the cardstock.
In the image below I’ve changed the Blend Mode of the pattern to Multiply and lowered the opacity to 26%. The result is a soft and pretty look.
By changing the Blend Mode to Screen, and increasing the opacity (to 73% in this case), we can get a totally different look:
Here’s another example. I changed the blend mode of the pattern to Hard Mix and lowered its opacity to 47%. I added a Color Balance adjustment layer to it, tweaking some of the colors. Now we have a totally different paper from the one above.
Don’t restrict yourself to plain cardstock though. Here is a paper from my This is Me April kit.
It’s a pretty paper by itself, but if you wanted to add even more interest, here’s something you might try:
- Add a pattern on a layer above a paper
- Experiment with Blend Modes and Opacity Levels. In this case, I used Color Burn and lowered the Opacity to 84%
- I added a Mask to the Pattern, and brushed away a majority of the pattern, just leaving it near the top of the paper to add more interest.
There are just so many ways to play with patterns!
These patterns are provided in PNG format, which gives you the ultimate flexibility!
Distressed Patterns 01 & 02
Available at here in my Commercial Use Store
Take advantage of the 40% sale on these products, valid through March 14th.
And here is a freebie for you to experiment with. Just click on the image below to download!
Experiment and have fun!!
