::ANNA::

The Holiday Album | Pages 8 and 9

Digital Supplies: ArtPlay Palette Sophistica, Happiness WordTransers No. 1, MagicFlares No. 1,

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New to the Holiday Album Project?  Please see previous posts here.

Pages 8 and 9 of The Holiday Album are entitled Festivities, and I'm pressing on with the album in the order it was designed.  In this post I want to revisit some of the techniques for selecting the right photos for the masks available in any given template and talk about the different ways you can use transfers in your pages.

1. The masks.  The square masks in the first page of this spread are easy to work with.  Most photos can easily accomodate the square shape format.  Note how I have created a checkerboard effect with the black/white and color photos.

The masks on the second page, however, are long and thin and can be more challenging to work with if you have a lot of photos.  

• Clip digital papers to them to provide maximum focus to the small square photo.
• Adjust the masks as I have done.  The options for making changes to the masks in templates are outlined in this post.
• Select photos that will best accomodate these long thin masks.  Look for images in which the important details are located in a narrow vertical line, such as landscapes, tall and thin objects or subject such as a tree or a standing person.  I also like to use portraits.  The long thin masks obscure some of the features providing focus to others.  Work with what you have.

2.  The transfers.  I have more photos than I need for this album necessitating the use of all my masks for photos so I have had to get a little more inventive to include some artsy components on each of the pages. Transfers are a quick and easy way to jazz up any layout.  I like to think of them as multi-color rub-ons with blended edges that have multiple purposes.

• Place them behind your photos to create a custom arsty background.  Notice how the placement of the transfers on my page draws the eye from the bottom left corner diagonally to the top righthand corner.
• Mix artsy transfers and/or wordtransfers with other elements such as brushes or more dimensional embellishements.
• Clip transfers to papers already clipped to a mask.
• Clip a transfer to a photo clipped to a mask.  This can be particularly functional if your photo does not completely cover the mask as might be the case with some of the masks in the second page of the template.
• Replace a mask with a transfer and use as an embellishment, a journaling block, are you could get really artsy and blend an image onto the transfer.

Would love to hear how you're getting along with your pages/labums?  What aspects of this album are you struggling with?  What are you enjoying most about this process?

The Weekend

It pretty much revolved around this little guy bar a few basketball/soccer games for Luke.

Last week was rough but we're making progress.  Eric's working on the training and it's already showing.

Austin is trying to dominate Luke.  As a result Luke is a little afraid and doesn't get too close. He'll be going to training with Eric on Wednesday.

Ella is the least interested in Austin.  She wants a Yorkie.  She's the first to defend him though and will quite happily watch while multi-tasking with the iTouch.  I find it interesting how different Austin acts towards Ella compared to Luke.

The reason I finally gave in.

A photo of me and a new hair cut looking a little tired but feeling great since cutting all grains out of my diet. Loving the variety of vegetables we're now trying and not missing the desire for sugar.

Good weekend.  Hoping for a great week.

NewART, Special Offer + Store Information

NewART.  8 New AnnaProducts are now availble in the store with one $1.00 AnnaSelect item and the option to purchase the entire AnnaRelease at 36% discount for a limited time.  

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New Template Class.  My friend Pattie Knox is kicking off the New Year with a brand new class beginning next week at Creative Passions.  She will teach how to use and modify templates to create designer-inspired layouts through a series of written and video lessons.  The class is designed for beginner to intermediate level digital scrapbookers using Photoshop or Photoshop Elements.  

Pattie is a teacher by profession and so much fun to be around that I guarantee a lot laughs as you scrap and learn.  In Pattie's own words:

"I'm looking forward to making new friends and showing you how to combine your photos with my templates. Whether you're a seasoned digi veteran looking for new ways to play with templates or a traditional scrapper who’d like to try out digital painlessly"

Cass begins Monday January 30th, 2012.  Use coupon AE3350D1 to get an additional 10% off this already great value class.   The coupon is valid through Sunday January 29th, 2012 when registration ends. Find out more about Learn Digital Scrapbooking with Templates and register here.

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Customer Service.  Please feel free to contact me anytime at anna(underscore)aspnes(at)yahoo(dot)com regarding any order or product issues.  I am always happy to help resolve a problem. 

MidWeek Release, ArtSale + Store Updates

MidWeek Release. I have 5 NewART products coming to the store today.  

The feedback on how to incorporate the new ArtsyKardz line was split, so I plan to release the Kardz separately on a Wednesday, along with the weekly FotoInspired Layouts and any reworked AnnaProducts. Thank you to those that took the time to respond to my request. 

2 New ArtsyKardz in the themes of Winter and learning:

Love how AnnaTeamer, Phylis (whatnext), has used the ArtsyKardz in this layout:

This week's FotoInspired Layout No. 3.  You can learn more about the FotoInspired series here.

I'm also releasng a paper pack to coordinate with the popular ArtPlay Palette Why Not?  Check out all the inspiration using this new Palette in the AnnaGallery.

We're also getting in the mood for Valentine's Day with the release of a new 5 X 7 KardPrintz Digital greeting card.  Included one layered .psd card template.  Simply clip your photo to the heart mask and pint.

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ArtSale.  There are 15 hand-selected digital products on sale at a 30% discount until approx. 9am on Friday January 27, 2012 EST.

The Holiday Album | Pages 6 and 7

Digital Supplies:  ArtPlay Palette Santa's Elf, MagicFlares No. 1, DifferentStrokes No. 8

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New to the Holiday Album Project?  Please see previous posts here.

Pages 6 and 7 of The Holiday Album are entitled Magic.  I decided to adopt the *Magic* title of this double page spread and made just a few slight adjustments to the second pages as explained previously in this series.  I always think of *magic* as being synonymous with flares and sparkles and so it's a great opportunity to explain 5 techniques that can be used using any of the MagicSparkles products. 

I have used the MagicFlares No. 1 in my layout but the following techniques can be used interchangeably with the other MagicSparkle products in the series. These include, but are not limited to, Sparkles, FotoGlows and Flares.  

1.  Mask. Use the MagicSparkle to hide an area of a photo you would like to make less visible.  In this case, I took the photo with a wide aperture.  The result is that Santa is in focus but Ella and Luke are not. I have subtly masked their silhouettes with a flare, choosing a fiery red to complement the presence of that color on the opposing page.  

It's always a good idea to create a new layer for each brush stroke to ensure maximum flexibility for future edits to your pages.  It's also rewarding to make a point of experimenting with blending modes.  The more you use them the more familiar you will become with how they perform. In this layout, the Hard Light blending mode was applied to the MagicFlare layer by making the appropriate selection from the drop-down menu in the Layers palette.

Note:  You can improve the effect of any blending mode by adjusting the sliders under the Levels controls in Photoshop or Elements.  This will alter the brightness, contrast, hue and saturation of the element on the layer to yield more pleasing results.

2.  Fill.  Position a MagicSparkle to fill a void in an image and create interest. This photo exhibits a large area of carpet.  In placing the MagicFlare over this area of the image I'm able redirect the eye to the subject matter of the image.  

I stamped the MagicFlare on a new layer in a complementary bright yellow and set the blending mode of the layer to again set the blending mode to Hard Light to increase he intensity.  Notice that I have placed the brightest part of the flair over one of my subject's arm.  This lends the impression that the light is being reflected resulting in a magical glow.

3.  Multiply.  Use one or more MagicFlares with differing colors and blending modes to achieve multiple effects.  The white and yellow MagicFlares were each stamped on separate layers.  The Screen blending mode was applied to the yellow layer to create a softer and more subtle light source. This layer was then duplicated which enhances the *glow* effect.   The blending mode of the white MagicFlares remains unchanged at the default Normal blending mode.

4.  Unify.  Use one or more MagicSparkles to unify two opposing pages The white and yellow MagicFlares create the perfect bridge, leading the eye from the black and white photo on the first side of the spread to the color image on the next page.

5.  Edit.  Use brushes to customize and erase areas of the MagicFlares.  This is best achieved with a large soft round brush or a gradient mask. The MagicFlares were added in the same colors and with the same blending modes as described in technique 3.   I applied a layer mask to the MagicFlare layer and used a gradient mask to partially erase the layer.  You could also use the AnnaBlendz Basics No. 1.

Have fun with these MagicSparkle Techniques and post your pages here.

Meet Austin

Digital Supplies. ArtPlay Palette Why Not?, ScissoredHearts No. 1, PaintedFrames No. 1, PaintedHearts No. 1, WoodShop Alpha anas NumberSet No. 1

The latest addition to our family.

He wasn’t planned.  We had been looking at dogs with perhaps the intention of getting one Summer 2013. A BIG maybe.  I’ve never had a dog.  I don’t even know if I even like them, but I live with a man who has been wanting one for  more than 15 years.  He fell in love with this not-so-little full breed Australian Shepherd who immediately responded to the name Austin.  The name stuck and so did he.  We went to the mall to pick up my fixed MacBook and came home with a new member of the family.  Perhaps one of the most daring moves I’ve made in a while, I’m not a dog person at all but I’m pretty taken with this smart and obedient little guy, and I figured why not?  22 Jan 2012

NewART + Question

8 NewART products are now availble in the store with one $1.00 AnnaSelect item and the option to purchase the entire AnnaRelease at 36% discount for a limited time.  

All NewReleases are 20% off for one week only.

In the mood for love.... Why not?

And the coodinating 3 X 4 ArtsyKardz:

I have included these in this week's AnnaRelease but would love your feedback:

Would you like to have the ArtsyKardz included in the AnnaRelease in the future?

A brief *yes* or *no* would be perfect.  I thank you in advance for your input.

Tutorial | Using Transfers as Masks

This tutorial by AnnaTeamer, Fiona Kinnear a.k.a Applechick, deconstructs one of her layouts and shows you how to use a transfer as a mask for use with the clipping mask function in Photoshop and Elements.

Think of transfers as mulit-color masks that can be re-purposed fo use as clipping masks.  ArtPlay Palettes are very versatile.  Not only can you mix and match seamlessly between palettes but the included are often also interchangeable.  

The possibilities are endless.

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1. Select the transfer.  Open the transfer of your choice into your software program.  I selected a transfer from ArtPlay Palette Sophistica, The soft faded edges of this particular transfer in ArtPlay Palette Sophistica are ideal for blending. Drag the transfer onto the background paper of your choice using the Move tool from the Tools palette.  The background paper shown is from ArtPlay Palette Friends.

Note. Don’t worry if the transfer isn’t exactly the shape or size you are looking for.  You can make adjustments to customize the mask, for example duplicate, rotate and resize the transfer layer. I duplicated the transfer, moved it to create a bigger shape and merged the 2 layers to create one transfer.

2.  Place the photo.   Drag your chosen photo onto your layout and place over the transfer.  Clip the photo to the transfer as you would a mask using the clipping mask function in Photoshop and Elements. Instructions for using the clipping mask function can be found in the free Instuctions for Use eBooklet available as a free download from the store. 

At this point both the mask and/or the photograph can be moved or resized as desired.

3.  Merge the layers.  Merge the photo and transfer layers before using the Eraser tool from the Tools Palette to fine-tune the transfer mask.  Select a soft round brush set to the airbrush mode to erase around the edge of the mask removing all  faint evidence of polka dots.  

Note. There are no hard and fast rules to this process.  It's a matter of experimentation and personal preference in what looks good to you.

4.  Repetition.  Add some color to the page by clipping a colored paper to a duplicate copy of the same transfer. 

5. Create a mood. Brushes, transfers and overlays can all help create a specific mood in a layout.  I wanted to create a festive appearance of snow and accentuate the white iphone that my daughter was using to take a photograph of her grandmother. This look was attained through the addition of white paint splatters from MultiMedia Snowmen No.1, to which I clipped a white paper to remove the black strokes and create texture.

6.  Add text.  The ScriptTease BrushSets are a great way to add meaning to your pages.  I used ScriptTease Friends No. 1, enlarging one of the included brush images to emphasize the ‘touches your heart’ words. 

7.  Add Embellishments. Add a small selection of embellishments to your layout.  I added a frame, the leaves, a flower and brad from ArtPlay Palette Friends; a candy cane from ArtPlay Palette Santa’s Elf;  more paint splatters from MultiMedia Elves No. 1 and beads from Magic Sprinklez No 2. WordART is from Ali Edwards.

8.  Page feels unfinished?  Try a different background.   I selected a darker colored paper which provided greater contrats and better highlighted the paint splatters. I also created a curved border which complements the curve on the edge of the frame.  The stitching provides the impression of festive paper party streamers and completes the layout.

MidWeek Release and ArtSale

I'm releasing 4 NewART products today based on both my decision to share my Project 366/365+1 with you and some requests from you.  I am always open to requests and suggestions. 

FotoInspired Layouts.  If you're not doing some sort of every daily documentation then you might want to give it go.  It's taken me a few years to find a process that works for me, and while it's early days... I think I've finally found the one.  

In previous years I found the project either too intense and/or I simply got bored with it. This year I'm selecting 1 to 7 photos each week and creating a brief week-in-review using the FotoInspired series.  There is no guilt of you miss a photo and this flexible approach allows you to focus on what you do have without fretting about the photos you haven't taken.  

Be inspired to create pages with the photos you love. 

I'm making it easier than ever to attain Project 365 success by releasing my complete pages in a new series of layered templates files, which include both the template and all the trimmings.  All you have to do is add your own photos and words.  The new templates can be found here.

ArtsyKardz. I have also had numerous requests for 3 X 4 journaling cards in my artsy style and so I'm introducing a new test pack of a new series called ArtsyKardz.  The cards are designed for both digital and hybrid scrapbookers.  Use them for journaling, clip a photo to them and apply a blending mode to the photo layer, frame them, create a collage with them, add layer styles, print and cut them out for use in hybrid scrapbooking projects or other paper crafts.  They could also be the foundation for a trading or business card, a greeting card or gift tag.  I'm sure I am just scratching the surface with these.

Big Wide World BrushSet.  Another request prompted me to revisit, modify and update the original brushset as a better reflection of my designs.

ArtSale.  There are 12 hand-selected and seasonally appropriate AnnaProducts on sale at 30% off until Friday January 20, 2012 at approx 9.00am EST.  Love is definitely in the air.

Layouts by AnnaTeamers using this week's sale selections.

Always | By Ezster Baranyi (bezteri)

Perio [Passion] | By Phylis Dillon (whatnext)

Smooch | By Vicki Walters (oldvwblues)

I hope you are having a great week.

The Holiday Album | Pages 4 and 5

Digital Supplies:  Holiday Album No. 1, ArtPlay Palette Sweet Christmas, Celebrate WordTransfers No. 1 (share), Descriptives WordTransfers No. 1 (perfect), MagicFlares No. 1, DifferentStrokes No. 8

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New to the Holiday Album?  Please see the previous posts to this series here.

I'm continuing to progress through the album in order and this week I tackled pages 4 and 5 of the The Holiday Album entitled *Deliciousness*.

I took on the most obvious meaning of this title but feel free to get creative, think laterally or change the editable title text as you see fit.  Note that you are also not bound by the font, size or color of text in each template and can make adjustments as desired.  I recommend you pick a font, size and color for your titles and stick with it throughout the album in order to establish a sense of continuity.

The techniques.  The following techniques are employed in addition to the repetition of the suggestions provided in The Holiday Album | Page 1 and 2.

Photo placement.  How do you decide which photo should be clipped to which mask?  There is no right or wrong answer ans is largely dependent on your preference, as well as much trial and error.  I like a mix of black and white photos, as explained in last weeks post, but heere are a few more techniques to try:

1. Attention to color. Consider the complexity of colors in each photo as you place your photos.  Does your photo have a few colors or many competing colors?  Use this information to place your photos. Ideally you want to mix the color-complex photos, with black and white, or images with fewer colors.  This prevents visually overstimulating the eye.

My first attempt at the second page of this layout had 2 very *busy* photos together which visually does not work.  The large size of each photo, the competing bright colors and the sheer amount of visual information in each image creates an obvious design conflict.

I switched the cookie photo above with an image sporting fewer colors which, with the support of the black and image, returns to the focus to the complexities of the gingerbread house.

2.  Resize your photos.   Try varying the size or scale of your images so you have masks that sport macro-style shots as well as those images that tell a much bigger story.  Creating a mix between close-ups which focus on a small part of an image, as well as a complete photo, creates visual interest and works in your favor to build a more complete story.  

Macro-images also make a great substitute for digital patterned paper.  Notice that I have used all my masks in these templates for photos only.

I moved the cookie image to the first page of the spread where it still proves to conflict with the neighboring photos.  This is in part due to the colors being completely different from those in the other photos but it is also placed right next to another complex photo in terms of color and pictoral information.

I could have moved the photos around but chose instead to change the scale of the photo.

One if the advantages of using clipping masks is that you can move your image around after it has been clipped to the mask to find your best fit.  I finally settled on the area of the image that shows just one cookie in the photo.  This minimizes the color misfit while still allowing me to include the photo.  I also know I have more photos of these cookie in a different setting with a differing story intended to appear on other pages in this album. The beauty of pre-planning! 

3.  Adjust the template.  Sometimes your photos will not fit the template and you will need to make adjustments to meet your photo requirements.  I make adjustments when I'm not willing to compromise in terms of the color, size or orientation of a specific photo.  For example, clip a portrait photo to a square mask and you are going to lose information.

This problem can be fixed by adding or substracting masks from a template.  In this case I replaced 2 square masks and created one portrait style mask to better accommodate the image.

Use the Rounded Rectangle tool located in the Tools Palette in Photoshop and Elements to create a portrait style mask with a radius of 150 pixels.  I recommend you use your rulers and/or guides to ensure maximum accuracy.  You can also use a mask of the same size from one of the other Holiday Album templates and rotate accordingly to position as needed.  Make sure the drop shadow on the new mask is the same as the others to provide continuity.

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Digital supplies.  The colors in my photos and the number of photos I want to use in a page determine the selection of digital supplies.

1. Color Selection.  Choose supplies that support the colors in your images and use these colors to create balance or guide the eye from one area of the layout to another.

Two examples:

• Notice how the yellow spraypaint on the edge of the first page and the button on the second page coordinate and support the color of the roast potatoes and the candy on the gingerbread house allowing the eye to be guided from one page to the next.
• The red stripes and button work in a similar fashion to create continuity between the red candy on the gingerbread house and further incorporates the *problem* cookie photo.

Photo-Supply Ratio.  Generally the more photos you have, the fewer supplies you need.  If you find you have no remaining masks after adding your images, consider adding transfers, masks and/or overlays behind or on top of your images to add a little arsty flair.

Memory keeping is a matter of working with what you have and preserving it in a way that is functional and pleasing to you.  I often think of photos as puzzle pieces. You would never dream of altering the pieces to make them fit the puzzle. There is always a way to put them together.  You just have to use a little trial and error combined with a few tricks to figure out how.

Please post your pages in the AnnaGallery.

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Next Tuesday: The Magic (Pages 6 and 7)