::ANNA::

NewART Sneak Peek

Coming to the store tomorrow around 2pm EST with discounted AnnaRelease and $1.00 AnnaSelect item.

MidWeek Release, ArtSale + Store Updates

MidWeek Release. I have 2 NewART products coming to the store today.  

More 3 X 4 ArtsyKardz perfect for both digital and hybrid scrapbookers.  Use them for journaling, matting, blending or for Project Life to name just of the intended uses. This particular set co-ordinates with ArtPlay Palette Love=Life.

Project 365+1/366 layout week 6.  I switched out the background paper to better accommodate my photos.

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ArtSale.  There are 15 hand-selected digital products on sale at a 30% discount until approx. 9am on Friday February 17, 2012 EST.

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AnnaMakeover.  Get from this:

To this:

Get all the details here.

The Holiday Album | Pages 12 and 13

Digital Supplies: ArtPlay Palette Santa's Elf, PaintedHearts No. 2, LoopDaLoop Arrows No. 2, MagicFlares No. 1, DifferentStrokes No. 8

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

Pages 12 and 13 of The Holiday Album document the joy during Christmas 2011.  I could have selected photos from multiple events as I have done n previous pages but I elected instead to focus on the details of one event.  In this post I want to expand on some of the previous techniques in this series, share a merged mask technique, element placement and matting papers.

1.  Merged Masks.  In pages 4 and 5 I explained my technique for adding/subtracting masks from a template.  This allows you modify your templates to better accommodate your preferences as well as the number and orientation of your photos.  I replaced 2 square masks with one large landscape-orientated mask in 3 places in my layout to better accommodate my photos.

You can also merge 2 or more masks to create a single mask.  When a photo is clipped to this merged mask the photo will be clipped to both the masks.  I performed this technique with 2 masks but you can merge as many mask as you like.  For example, merge all the masks on page 12 to create an interesting mask suitable for one large photo.

2.  Element Placement.  Place a your element in a visual triangle. I also like to place a duo or trio of similar elements,such as brads or buttons, in a horizontal or vertical line.

3.  Matting Papers.  Frame papers and create visual separation from a similar colored-background by placing transfers behind papers clipped to masks.  Bold-colored transfers were placed behind the clipped paper pieces to create visual interest and provide contrast.

How are your pages coming along?

Family Update

Another week zooms by.... Even more so since our latest addition to the family.

Meet Rocky!  Our new little Shichon.  We picked him up last Tuesday and I would have introduced him earlier but not only have I literally had my hands full, it's taken several days to agree on a name.  It's actually quite fitting for him.  Austin is intent on herding him and he doesn't do himself any favors by bounding around in front of him in all his cuteness.

I had to get this little ball of fur groomed. We're still knee deep in snow and apart from him getting wet/dirty everytime we go outside, I'm sure he couldn't see where he was going, and more importantly I can see when he's peeing!  Also less fur for Austin to grab onto.

Austin is reluctantly getting used to the idea.  He wants to play but he's learning that carrying him around the yard by his tail is not OK.  He's always looking for his next opportunity though.

Luke and Ella are loving the new puppies and participating enthusiastically in the training and care taking, at least for the time being.

I'm getting used to the freezing cold jaunts in the yard, in pitch black with flash light in hand wearing Eric's boots.  Those who have ever had a puppy will know all about this.

Quiet moments are rare at the moment with a little time to drink a cup of tea and catch up on email.

Valentine's preparations are well underway.

Life is full right now so please bare with me as we get through this current adventure.

Layout Deconstructed | Photo Processing with your iPhone or iPad

This tutorial by AnnaTeamer, Chris Asbury a.k.a. casbury, deconstructs a layout using a photo processed on her iPad.

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The photo on this page was taken with my iPhone and edited on my iPad while traveling using one of my favorite photo apps, Filterstorm.   You can learn more about this app through this Youtube Filterstorm tutorial.

Use the app to process the photo and optionally export the edited image to your photo library or email to make it it availble for access via Photoshop or Elements. 

Filterstorm includes a useful set of tools including curves, color correction, vignettes, black/white conversion, masking to edit and improve your photo captures.  If you don’t have an iPhone/iPad you can achieve similar effects with the color enhancing tools in Photoshop or Elements.

5 Steps for Editing Photos with FilterStorm

Note that the brightness, curves and color were adjusted multiple time in this layout, but in this tutorial I will demonstrate each technique only once.   Repeat each of these techniques to attain the desired results.   Each photo you work with will require different corrections.

Step 1 | Filterstorm tabs run down the left side of the screen. Select the Canvas tab, load photo and crop to desired size.

Step 2 | Select the Filters tab and adjust the brightness and contrast of the image. The end goal is to make the road appear as if it is blending into the sky. 

Step 3 | Under the Filters tab, select the Curves option to further lighten and soften the image color. Experiment with increasing the number of points to the curve and adjusting as needed.

Step 4 | Manipulate the color with the Hue/Saturation option in the Filters tab. I was looking for an overall pinky-orange look so increased and decreased hues as necessary and increased saturation. I also repeated some of the steps above until I achieved the look I wanted. Since each photo will be different, these steps are just a guideline.

Step 5 | When you’re happy with the results send your finished photo to desired location such as your photo library or export via email using the export tab in Filterstorm.  Open Photoshop or Elements.

Step 6 | Use a transfer from ArtPlay Palette Everyday for the photo mask. The horizontal line in the transfer blended perfectly with the horizon in the photo which you’ll see more clearly when I clip the photo to the transfer/mask in Step 7.

Step 7 | Clip the photo to the transfer and set the photo to linear burn mode to allow detail from the transfer to show through. Select a paper from from PotPourri Paperie No.4 to accentuate the tones in your image.

Step 8 | Frame the image with transfers and elements from ArtPlay Palette Find My Way No.2, ArtPlay Palette Everyday, Kreased Transfers No.1, Different Strokes No.8, Edge Transfers No.1 to add dimension, shadowing and interest to the photo.

Step 9 | Use Anna's FotoGlows to draw your eye into the photo and emphasize the long lonely stretch of road. I recommend FotoGlows No.2 and FotoGlows No.5. Set the FotoGlows over the photo to Overlay mode.

Step 10 | Increase the saturation by duplicating the photo layer.  Through experimentation I discovered that I liked the second layer better not clipped to the mask allowing the photo edges to extend beyond the edges of the transfer.  This techniques anchors the photo to the page. Set the duplicate layer to linear burn blending mode at 55% opacity and carefully erased areas of the layer are too dark in appearance.

Step 11 | Adding overlays from Find My Way Overlays No.1 and 12x12 Artist Edges No.1 and a few loops (LoopDaLoop Artstrokes No.5, LoopDaLoop Arrows No.1) to complete the page.

Step 12 | Finally the journaling and a few other embellishments to complete the page…I added a label from Labeled No.1, a transfer from Travel WordTransfers No.1, brads from Find My Way Brad Pack No.1, staples from ArtPlay Palette Find My Way No.2, and some paint from SprayPaint No.2.

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If you have any further questions about IPad photo processing or the construction of this page please feel free to send me a PM or email me directly at casbury1@gmail.com.  

NewART Sneak Peek

A collaborative ArtPlay Palette with the talented Vinnie Pearce, coming to the store tomorrow, with the usual AnnaRelease.

Please note that due to changes in my Dad's schedule, NewART will release a little later into the store at approximately 2pm EST for the next 2 months.  

MidWeek Release, ArtSale + Store Updates

MidWeek Release. I have 2 NewART products coming to the store today.  

More 3 X 4 ArtsyKardz perfect for both digital and hybrid scrapbookers.  Use them for journaling, matting, blending or for Project Life to name just of the intended uses. 

Project 365+1/366 layout week 4.

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ArtSale.  There are 15 hand-selected digital products on sale at a 30% discount until approx. 9am on Friday February 3, 2012 EST.

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Store Updates.  

1.  AnnaStyle Drop Shadows

The metadata file has now been added to the AnnaStyle Drop Shadows No. 1 to allow Elements to install the styles into the Layers panel within their own category.  Step-by-Step instructions for installation and use are included.

2.  LayoutMakeover. Details coming soon.

The Holiday Album | Pages 10 and 11

Digital Supplies: ArtPlay Palette Santa Nicholas Add-On No. 1, MagicFlares No. 1, LoopDaLoop ArtStrokes No. 1, DifferentStrokes No. 8

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

Pages 10 and 11 of The Holiday Album showcase my favorite Holiday decor photos for Christmas 2011.  In this post I want to expand on some of the previous techniques in this series and talk about the use of brushes in this layout.

1. Adjust the template.  Subtract and replace masks in the template to meet the needs of your photos as explained this post.  I deleted the first mask on the first pages of the template, and shifted the one beneath it downwards so that I  could create a larger mask.  I used the Rounded Rectangle tool from the Tools palette to create a new mask with a corner radius of 150 pixels.

2. Attention to color.  Create a visual triangle or similar pleasing arrangement of colors as you would dimensional embellishments as outlined in ArtsyTraditional | Adding Dimensional Embellishments. Arrangements that oppose the linear nature of a scrapbook page and draw the eye diagonally across the page work really well.

Yellow.

Green.

Red.

Note.  My selection of artsy papers coordinate with the colors in my images and help tie the different pieces of the layout together. Notice how they diagonally lead the eye across the page.  This is one of the first pages in a few weeks where I have had masks available after clipping my photos.

3.  Brushwork.  The papers clipped to the mask negate the need to add multicolor transfers behind my photos.  Remember, the aim of embellishing layouts with papers and elements is to support and showcase the photos without overwhelming them.  Papers + Transfers = Overkill.

In place of transfers, I have used simple black brushwork.  The black paint gives a clean layout an artsy look and feel.  The LoopDaLoop ArtStrokes are a great way to create visual motion and either lead the eye to specific area on a layout or emphasize an area on a page by encompassing it.  I often use LoopDaLoops to frame or *point to* a favorite photo, or visually connect 2 adjoining pages.

Note.  Again the diagonal brush placement juxtaposed against the linear arrangement of the photos and papers.

It's a matter of connecting invisible dots.  What shapes are you creating on your layouts?

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We're officially half way through our album.

NewFotos + Layout for a Cause

The Weekend.  Big snow in Denver last week.

So it was a snow day of Friday.

Potty training Austin.  I think we're finally making progrss as he now heads to the door.

He likes the snow.

And his spot on the kitchen floor.

Sport was cancelled this weekend so the boys watched it instead.

Ella helping me by making her own lunch.

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NewLayout. I purchsed a digital scrapbooking kit this weekend.  I haven't purchased any digital supplies for a long time but I couldn't pass up on this Love and Grace collaboration at The Lilypad which is dedicated to a little girl who lost her life in Decemeber to seizure inducing brain tumor conditioncalled Hypothalamic Hamartoma.  Grace was Luke's age and daughter to one of the community members at The Lilypad.  All proceeds from the sale of this kit will go to HH research. 

Here's my layout.

Supplies:  All Love and Grace Collection, with the addition of one of my FotoBlendz clipping masks

NewART + Winner

NewART.  I apologize for the delay.  I'm flying solo with the product releases today as my Dad is up to something way more more fun.  Add in the biggest February SnowStorm ever for Denver, a major computer crash first thing this morning, and there's always the new puppy keeping me on my toes... Needless to say it's been an interesting day so far, and it's not over yet...

Thank you for your patience.

8 New AnnaProducts are now available in the store at 20% discount, with one $1.00 AnnaSelect item and the option to purchase the entire AnnaRelease at 35% discount for a limited time.  

The MidWeek Release is also on sale until Wednesday February 8, 2012.

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Winner.  Thanks for all the input on the current ArtPlay Palette format.  From your responses I think the ratio of elements to transfers/brushes/overlays accomodates everyone.  Moving forward I will scale back a little on the brad/button elements, just a little though as they are the elements I use the most, and add a bit more WordART as requested.  I appreciate your time in helping me improve on my products.

The winner of ArtPlay Palette Snow Fun:

Congrats!  Please email me at anna(underscore)aspnes(at)yahoo.com.

Have a great weekend!