Posts Tagged ‘photoshop’

feedback friday

Friday, June 8th, 2012

{ your questions . my feedback }

Are those Sanuk flip flops true to size? I want to order a pair. I take a size 8.5 usually. Would you order an 8 or 9? Thanks!

I’m not connected with Sanuk in any way, so I’m answering this purely from my own experience. I wear a size 8 shoe, ordered size 8, and they are perfect for me. However, David received his and they ran small so he has to exchange for the next size up. So I would say err on the safe side and round up in size.

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Becky, how did you get the text on your Instagram pictures?

This isn’t what you want to hear, but I do it in Photoshop. If anyone has app suggestions, please share.

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What program do you use to watermark your photos with your website? 

Photoshop. I simply open up the image into Photoshop, select the text tool to add text, move it around or change the tilting however I want it, and bring my opacity to 50% for the watermark effect.

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Can you direct me to an easy tutorial on how to print an iPhone screenshot? I have been capturing weather screen shots but can’t figure out how to print them.

I’m sure there are several ways, but for me – I just get my screen shots from my iPhone to my computer (I love Photo Stream because any pictures I take on my iPhone magically and instantly appear in iPhoto on my main computer), and then I open the image in Photoshop and save it as a .jpg there. Be sure your image is on a standard size canvas for printing (ex – 4×6).

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We are moving to a very remote location with my husband’s job. I can only take one shipping container load of belongings and currently my scrapbooking alone would fill that. So, I am trying to cut it to one box. What would you make sure was in that box???

You’re asking the right girl. This is easy. Let’s say you plan to do an album while you’re away. You would need the following. And that is all. Hopefully you already have a Core Kit since we’re currently sold out … or hopefully they’re back in stock before you move.  : )


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Did Shutterfly change it yet, so we could do a book with 111 pages?

Absolutely.

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Will there be some more detailed information regarding the baby kit? If so, when? I would like to document my daughter’s first year. I have read that there will be writing prompts. Will it be possible to complete these writing exercises if you only have your memory but no written documentation of that time?

I am dying to share more about the baby kit with you guys. I really am. But experience has taught me that in this business of making products – things come up, changes happen, and curve balls are thrown when we least expect them. So that’s why I’m so quiet about product details until we’re closer. That said … everything is still looking good for the baby kit. ESTIMATED time that we might see these kits: September this year.

Yes, it is loaded with prompt cards so you don’t have to think much about what to write and what to document about your baby’s first year. Yes, we will have a boy edition. And a girl edition. And a gorgeous neutral edition that will work for either. Yes, it will be all the cards you would need to complete a full album. And yes, I will totally give you more specific information about the product as we get closer. In the meantime, just know that I’ve done nearly nothing for our 3.5 year old’s scrapbooks and I am 100% stoked about getting this kit in my hands so I can go back and document like crazy. This kit is going to make it insanely easy. And yes, you and I can certainly rely on our memory to fill out the cards. That’s where the prompts are so helpful, but of course jotting down any + all notes NOW is always a good idea. Write stuff down while memories are fresh.

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Which core kit do you think works best with black and white pictures?

Personal choice. I think any of our editions will look splendid with black + white photos.

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I was wondering what markers work best for writing on the Scrapbook Divider label stickers (the blank ones)? I have tried a few different pens and had trouble with the ink not holding.

I’m a fan of the Slick Writers from American Crafts.

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Will you be adding the Cherry Edition designs to your digital elements on Jessica Sprague?

It’s already there, but it’s labeled as the Original Edition for now because we only barely announced the new “Cherry Edition” name for this otherwise un-named edition. We’ll get that updated in the coming month.

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Can I use your Scrapbook Dividers in a post bound album?

I don’t have post-bound albums, so I can’t say for sure … but our Scrapbook Dividers are designed to work in any 12×12 3-ring album. I doubt they’ll work with strap-hinge or post-bound albums. PS – In case you missed my blog post with inspiring ways to use the Scrapbook Dividers (they’re one of our top sellers for good reason) … check it out.

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Are We R Memory Keepers still involved in Project Life?

They produce our Project Life binders, yes.

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Will the kits that are coming soon, be for 2012? Or 2013?

The Project Life Core Kits that we expect to have available again the end of this month (or possibly early July) are RE-PRINTS of already-introduced editions. The new, never-before-seen designs for 2013 will be released around October this year. But I want to clarify that all editions are good for any time! They are not specific for a certain time period. There was only 1 card in 1 edition (Cobalt) that had a fun “twenty12″ design element, but we actually changed that to something more generic for the re-printing. I know lots of people are using the Project Life editions for all sorts of scrapbooking, including going back and doing past years.

We will announce our new designers and share sneak peaks of the new designs way closer to that time. Probably around August?

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Where is your favorite place to shop for scrapbook stuff besides what you have to offer?

I promise I’m not making this up, but I truly only use Project Life products. I don’t shop around for other stuff. This is from the homepage of my website:

Several years ago I had a hard time keeping up with

the memory-keeping that I wanted to do. I solved my own problem,

developed a system that works,

and now Project Life is available all over the world.

I share this with you because I really do relate to so many people who feel overwhelmed with so many options, so many choices, so many products out there. I am in a phase of life where I love to SIMPLIFY this hobby for myself as much as I can. I love memory-keeping. But I don’t love making it complicated for myself.

However, I will add this: I love this industry. I want scrapbooking to soar. I want scrapbooking companies to thrive. I love seeing so many of our customers use other products that go so well with Project Life. That’s awesome. I just choose to stay simple so I stay sane. So I don’t shop around.

All that said – if I were do walk into a physical store to buy something, I’d hit Michael’s. They’re local to me.  : )

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{ a few of my recent favorite bits of your feedback }

Amber said: I have been doing your personal yearbooks for my two children and all their classmates this past school year, and I am so happy how they turned out! The kids LOVED them today when the teacher passed them out. Thanks so much for the incredible FREE DOWNLOAD!!!!! There are now 80 more kids interested in cultivating a good life!

Mary said: I just want to tell you how much you’ve completely changed my approach to this hobby and revolutionized the way I scrapbook. It has allowed me to be so much more creative with my journaling, which I sometimes forget is just as important as the pictures. I used to get carried away spending time on embellishments, and patterned papers and techniques, and now I feel like Project Life has allowed me to focus my creativity on my writing. THANK YOU for that!

Becky said: And…….reason 5,242 that I adore Project Life. I was in tears as I got ready to throw away my toddler’s favorite footie pajamas {they are worn to threads}. Then I thought….why not cut out his favorite dinosaur on the pj’s….stick it in a photo pocket page and journal about them! Hurray. Becky you saved me from a mini emotional meltdown this morning.  : )  Now I will keep a little piece of them preserved!!!!

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Posted in Q&A | 22 Comments »

10 Q&A for today

Monday, August 16th, 2010

I’m answering more of your questions today. Random topics.

Q: Please tell me where you got that wallpaper in your kitchen!

A: The company is Seabrook. The name of the book/collection is Shadowplay. I did a google search and found this page of information. But it was my interior designer friend Joan who found the wallpaper back when we did this, so she ordered it. As soon as we saw this print, she and I both knew this was the one for our kitchen.

By the way, Joan was very instrumental in the recent changes we’ve made to our home the past year or so. She’s the one who twisted my arm to go with grey walls and I’m SO glad. This is another topic for another day, but should you happen to need some interior decorating help and you’re in Arizona, feel free to contact Joan for a consultation.

Joan Hintz (623) 826-8500 | joan_hintz@yahoo.com

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Q: Where do you get the small square canvases for your kids’ handprints? (Shown in this post.)

A: I’ve been getting them at Michael’s and I always use a 40% off coupon because they’re not cheap. I prefer the 8″ x 8″ size. And I recommend using the same size from the time you start, for those of you who might be just starting this now. Back when our oldest was a baby, I went with a small canvas because I didn’t have the full vision at that point and, well … his hand was small. The vision, by the way, is a complete set/grid of all these same-sized canvases with progressive handprints.

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Q: Do you have any photos in boxes or are all your photos in albums?

A: No boxes. All of our most recent photos (from the past 15 years) are either in albums or on our computer and of course backed up. Most of our childhood photos are safely stored and organized in hanging-file-type bins, waiting very patiently for me to tackle that project. And I will tackle it. I am planning to do it digitally so as to make copies of our childhood books for our kids.

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Q: If I were to go through your purse, what would I find?

A: Nosey, nosey. Okay, so here are 5 things you can count on finding: 1) diapers & wipes 2) Ice Cubes gum 3) a pen 4) WetSlicks lip gloss and 5) my point & shoot camera.

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Q: I love the apothecary furniture in your office. Where did you get it?

A: Thanks! Picked it up at World Market. But that was about 4 years ago and it’s not likely they still have it, sorry.

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Q: When you add text to your photos, can you still print that at Costco or do you have to print it on your home printer?

A: You can print any JPG anywhere. When you add text in Photoshop or with any software, you just need to be sure your final copy is a JPG. That’s what you’ll upload & print.

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Q: Are you happy with your Nikon? Are you using the kit lens? Why did you choose it over Canon?

A: We always used Canon. Then 2 years ago, the Nikon D90 came out right before our 3rd child was born, so we jumped on it because it was the first dSLR to have video capability built into the camera. We wanted that excellent SLR quality for our video, not just our still shots. That’s the reason we got a Nikon. Now the video in dSLRs is more common. Honestly, I don’t feel all that biased about Canon vs. Nikon. I’m no pro behind the camera. I just like taking pictures. A good resource for digital camera reviews is at dpreview.com. Oh and yes, I’m just using the kit lens right now.
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Q: How do you find the time to do everything? I’m a working mom and feel like I never have enough time. I bet you don’t watch TV, huh? Is that the answer?

A: You’re a smart woman and exactly right. I hardly watch TV. I wouldn’t say I never watch it. It’s just incredibly limited. I absolutely rely on my toddler’s naps and my kids’ bedtime. I recharge with regular date nights with the hubby. I try to cut out anything in my life that doesn’t fit into one of these categories: essential, enriching, serving. Being overcommitted isn’t all that fun. But being busy and serving and doing … that’s all good. I try not to multi-task if I can help it. I struggle with that, but I’m working on it. I also use iCal to keep all of my commitments organized.
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Q: I’ve noticed that you have a lot of enlarged family photos on your walls. What do you do with the older ones when you replace them with newer ones?

A: I used to hang on to the old prints. But I was never using them again. Enlargements are really cheap at Costco, so as weird as it feels … but in the name of de-cluttering … I throw away the old prints. Besides, I don’t change out the really big prints very often.
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Q: Please tell us about the new school kit. When is it coming?

A: Yes, we are developing a kick-bootie school kit. A lot of thought is going into the organization and system and design and everything. It’s going to be very fool-proof, user-friendly, perfect for the non-scrapbooker, and will cover all school years, from preschool through high school, in one kit. Plus, it’ll be versatile enough for homeschool use and even students outside the U.S.
The next round of Project Life kits (yes, that’s plural) should be available in time for the holidays this year. Since that has been a priority, the school kit will be come out after Project Life. The plan is early 2011. You know this is the place to come for all the latest scoop.

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Posted in Q&A | 32 Comments »

dinosaur art

Saturday, June 12th, 2010

Things are always changing in our home. I probably rearrange something, switch a picture out of a frame, move an accent from here to there, paint something … every week. Sometimes daily. It’s my little creative outlet I guess.

This is the latest change to our play room. Found this awesome clock at WalMart, of all places. Already had everything else – the frames and stands, the painted wooden animals (from World Market) and bookcase (from Razmataz). And I left Porter’s handwritten alphabet in the smaller frame from when he was almost 5 years old.

The dinosaur art is new. Porter loves to draw. It’s never the same thing. It’s whatever he sees or feels like that day. Recently it was dinosaurs. One dinosaur per sheet of paper.

I love putting the kids’ art in frames or hanging it on the walls or using it as our desktop wallpaper. Not only because I’m their mother and therefore a total sucker for everything they write and draw … but displaying their art nurtures their creativity and boosts their ego. If you missed my post about Nurturing Creativity in Our Children, you can find that here.

So back to the dinosaur art. This is what I did:

1. I scanned each page (at least 300 dpi).

2. I opened up each file in Photoshop and cropped each piece of art so that each dinosaur (with a little space around it) was 4″ x 3″. I knew the size of my frame and just figured it out so I would have 9 sections for the 9 dinosaurs.

3. In Photoshop, I created a canvas size (fit for my frame) and one by one, I dropped each 4″ x 3″ image onto the canvas.

4. I added a bit of text at the bottom. (Mom taught me to sign and date everything.)

5. I saved the document as a .psd (so all the layers are still there and in case I ever want to make changes) and as a .jpg. The jpg file is what compresses all of the layers and you can upload that to be printed.

Oh, the possibilities! Perhaps this is something you could put to good use with your favorite art that came home from school this year? Maybe you have been hanging on to the art from your own school years. Wouldn’t that be cool to create a grid of your own masterpieces?

Now that the file is created – this collection of dinosaurs – it’s super easy to print 4×6 copies of this and send postcards to friends and cousins. That’s next on the list of summer activities.

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Posted in DIY, family & children, home, style & design | 19 Comments »

baby announcement; more Q&A

Tuesday, November 10th, 2009

Hi there.

We’ve been burning lots of midnight oil getting ready for this week’s launch of PROJECT LIFE. In the meantime, a quick bit of reading material for your day. First, a simple baby announcement idea and then a little more Q&A.

This is sweet Cameron.


I love the non-traditional shot of Cameron in my friend Kari’s arms. This emulates how loved this sweet babe is. Adding text in Photoshop took me all of about 5 minutes or so and the baby announcement was ready to print.

Added note: The 2 fonts (and likely the 2 most commonly used fonts on my computer) are Rockwell (“cameron thayne”) and Gill Sans Light (everything else).

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For those just joining the party, I invite my blog readers to ask questions from time to time … and I answer a handful at a time. Here is the next batch.

Q: Everyone wants to know about the necklaces for their daughters…I want one for me. :)

A: They’re the cutest, huh? And it can be such a fun addiction to sit and bead and bead and bead. So relaxing. Anyway, I believe my friends got a lot of beads at usbeadery.com and craft stores (Michael’s, JoAnn) and who knows what other random places. There really are a ton of online resources for all kinds of beads.

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Q: I was just wondering if you could PLEASE re post the meal planner PDF?

A: You bet. Here is the Word doc (in case you want to edit for yourself) and the PDF.

ShoppingList.doc

ShoppingList.pdf

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Q: What’s your favorite adhesive?

A: For all-purpose paper-based stuff (like scrapbooking, card-making, etc.), I like the Duck brand Permanent Easy-Stick adgesive rollers.

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Q: Did you take a photography class to learn to take such great photos?

A: Yep, a couple years in Photography in High School. And I got a D one semester. True story. The only D I ever got in school.

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Q: Cookies are always on my mind…do you have an all time favorite recipe?

A: So hard to choose THE favorite, but I’m going to have to say Andes Mint cookies. I posted that recipe here.

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Q: Do you let the kids watch DVD’s in the car?

A: Only if the drive is “longer”. Not around the neighborhood or running quick errands. I like talking to my kids. I also appreciate “quiet time” to think or make a phone call. So yes, the DVD player totally comes in handy for entertainment. Let’s be real.

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Q: What is the first scrapbook project you would recommend for someone who has never scrapped before?

A: I seriously love that someone has asked this question because I seriously feel so strongly that PROJECT LIFE is the perfect first-attempt-at-scrapbooking type of project. You don’t have to “scrapbook” (cutting & pasting & figuring out what goes where). You don’t have to spend time choosing papers and embellishments. And yet you get the most awesome end result. And album with a far more complete & interesting look at your life than what most of us get with the traditional layouts we’ve been doing.

I’m a believer.

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Posted in Q&A | No Comments »