My Funia

Mask from another photo. Both photos were shot the same day. Personalize it if you can. Background photos are another way to personalize your work.

Lucky

Been seeing silhouettes on the web lately. Thought I'd try it. Turn your favorite photo subject solid black and trim out the background. Curly twine element comes with a mini kit. Get it here. Credits: background- Michelle Coleman, curly element-Ms. Robin, swirl frame-

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A friend scanned some papers for me. Couldn't decide; so I changed the layer's opacity in Photoshop and saved them as .png files. Then stacked them in Publisher; or if you prefer, do all your layering in Photoshop. Try this technique with photos or your own handwriting. Credits: Edited grid overlay-N33.

Same Element Different Story

Layering fill and lines this time. Credits: Background & and original element -Michelle Coleman, Font-Sf Twelve Again.

Altered Elements

Keep in mind that elements like this one by Michelle Coleman can be altered and layered onto photos. Once you have it the way you like, save as a .png file You can re-size or recolor it. Get element here, in the Celebrate the Season kit.

Dateline

Seen elements like this one? Great for journaling or marking an event. Type out 31 numbers and start layering. With the right photo, layer it right over the top. Think about something like this as a vertical element as well. Credits: Scallop Edge-Storeide Gunhild, Fonts-Love letter, Home, & Futura.

Freebies Revised

Raspberry Road has some nice cluster frames. I have mentioned this site before. See more here. I like to see what other designers are creating. Just a little tweeking, copying, or erasing and you have element with your own twist. Give it a try.

Background Fonts

This original was a black & white photo. It was an accident to sandwich the font layer between the sky and photo. I would try that again.

A Little Something

Teacher gifts made easy. Paper, punch, and ribbon. If the gifts are too fussy my 'delivery service' breaks down and intended gifts get shared at the lunch table. Keeping it simple.

Have a Picnik

Try this FREE site out! EZ way to edit photos, save and post anywhere. With this program you don't need to download anything. You can get started when you enter the site, just locate a photo on your computer, make your edits, add text, effects, shadows, seasonal fun clipart, and save a copy to your computer. QUICK & FUN. (Thx Christie.)

Screen Font

Adjust opacity of your white or colored fonts, and add a little shadow. These photos were stitched when the photo was taken. Thanks Carl.

Font Mask

Try grouping photos or background papers behind a bold sans serif font for a new readable element. Recolor if you want. This technique I will use again. Fun and bold. (Thanks for the inspiration Spraground.) Credits: Grid and edge overlay- House of 3, Font-Kunstler & LL Rubber Grotesque.

Special Effects

Give any photo interest. Photoshop elements has many options to go from flat to textured in a few easy steps. Go here for textured backgrounds. **Garland class available just give a holler. Credits: Frame-Katie Pertiet, Brick Texture-MorgueFile.

Says Who?

Love these simple doodle elements.  Recolor them to match your scheme.  Create a mask in Photoshop with a background and save as a .png. Get doodles here. Credits: Background to notebook element-Collab Girls Creations, Bubbles-Jen Yurko, Font-Pea Laura & Love Letter.

Ctrl +

Those older than me said the day would come. At first, it was poorly lit menus. I realized on a recent trip to DC with all its museum placards, I need optical assistance. This stinks. I usually have my '100 zooms' sittin' by the computer. Today I realized that by holding the control key and + or - I can adjust my view while on the web. Much better. Why didn't someone tell me this sooner? Enjoy your supersized reading.

Add Ins

First step, scan old photo. In Photoshop, make a brush after deleting some white spaces. Save that file to a .png. Add layers of papers, frames, scribbles, and text. This layout created in Publisher. Credits: Background element, torn strip, and frame: Katie Pertiet. Flower, and orange paper: Krista. Grid background: Andrea Victoria. Brown background: Melany Violette.

Write on

Try journaling over a photo with a font or by hand.

Peace, Love & Free Font

Here's a link to Ali Edwards handwriting font. Get it here. Have questions on downloading and installing fonts? Give a holler. Credits: Buttons - Danielle Young, Font - CK Ali's Hand.

Give it up for the teachers

It is always hard to decide what kind of gifts to give teachers. They do so much more than we can ever express with a gift. I like to give creative, inexpensive gifts during teacher appreciation week, then close out the week with a gift card and note for something they can pick for themselves. Here's an idea. Simple. Add a gift tag or personalize it with a monogram. Use any kind of pencil or supplies. I picked up these gray striped pencils at the craft store in the dollar section. Small white flower pot from Ikea.

Before and After

Making it pop.
In the 'after' photo I color burned the background using a gradient mask, and highlighted her eyes and teeth. Once you have a few tricks under your belt, you can save as .jpg file and use in any desktop publishing program. I'll show you how.