JEANINE'S BITS AND PIECES

Freebie, Tips & Tutorials

Hi and Happy Friday!

I am really excited to share my new grab bag available exclusively at ScrapMatters this week! This one was by request. One of my fabulous CT members (Betty) had asked me to create some "solid-ish" black and white papers for her stash after being inspired by Gennifer's gallery here. Basically, we all need some go-to essentials in our digi arsenal right? Especially for those layouts that we want to keep on the simple side so the photo and/or journaling demand our full attention...

After Betty gave me the inspiration, I designed 8 new CU/PU "papers" (part of my new Essentials line) and 8  CU/PU edges (to continue with my Grunge It - Edges series) and came up with a grab bag at 70% off regular price! I know you are going to use these papers and edges over and over so this price is really amazing!!! But you really HAVE to hurry because I am only going to keep it at 70% off for this week. Then the grab bag will be gone and the pieces will be available separately at full price.

Wanna see what is included? Keep scrolling!

To get you started with my new essentials line, I did up a freebie for you (yay)!

But first, a tip!

To get more bang for your buck, you can easily change the black papers in my grab bag to white and the white to black by simply inversing the colors (ctrl+i in photoshop for windows). I talk about that technique a lot because I use it all the time, especially when I am using textures. Try it with the freebie below - open up the white paper and click ctrl+i. Cool huh?

Here is a tutorial for you to get even more value!

***Follow along by downloading the freebie here*** (preview below)

You can use these black and white papers as textures also. The simplest way to do that is open up a 12x12 document and fill it with color (freebie file "step1").

 
Now place one of the black or white papers onto the document as another layer. In my example, I am using the white paper (freebie file "white").

NOTE: As you know, in photoshop there are a variety of ways to get to the same end result. I am just going to share what I feel is the easiest way to do this. :-)

Now we experiment. I'll start with the blending modes, and my first choice is usually "soft light". So select the layer with the white paper and change the blending mode from "normal" to "soft light".

Now your document simply looks lighter and very little texture shows through (freebie file "step2"). Boring!

So let's jazz it up. Keeping your white paper layer selected (still on "soft light"), go to Image->Adjustments->Levels, or ctrl+l. A funky box pops up with a lopsided mountain right? Now again, I am not going to get all technical. I am all for keeping things simple!!!

My rule of thumb when playing with textures is I want balance. Right now we have too much "white". I start by sliding the left slider to the right - nearly to the end. I slide the right slider a bit to the left. 

I now have this (freebie file "step3"):

Now we are talking! There might be too much texture now, so I am going to lower the opacity of that white paper layer a bit.

And here is my finished paper (freebie file "step4")!

And there you have it! A quick and easy way to use my black and white papers to create all different colored / textured designs!

The freebie file includes the sample files above and one white and one black "paper". If you liked this tutorial and freebie, please check out my grab bag! Thank you! :-)

Here is the freebie link again in case you missed it above - DOWNLOAD HERE.

Make sure to also see my tutorial on using edges here  - you will be designing your own papers in no time!

Whew! That is all for now. Have a happy weekend and have fun!

 

WAIT! I almost forgot! Go sign up for the ScrapMatters monthly newsletter for a very special "sunny" treat coming soon!

Commercial Use Free Texture and Grungy Border/Edge

Hiya! I am so thrilled with the feedback on my tutorial and the grab bag that created a freebie for you to play with, test it out, and then (hopefully - LOL) go snag some of my "Grunge It" products!

DOWNLOAD HERE

And as a double treat, Happy Scrap Girl has a commercial use freebie up today too!

DOWNLOAD HSG'S FREEBIE HERE

Also, DON'T FORGET! My LoveBirds collection is on sale for the month of February... 

I had so much fun with the spring colors, the sweet birds and the cute wordart in this one! Hope you like it too! Papers and elements are also available separately...

That is it for now! Have a happy Friday!

 

Tomorrow is the Last Day!

Wow! I am so happy to hear how you all have been using the grab bag (thanks for the messages!)! Sounds like another one might be a good idea...

For those of you who want in on the fun, just a quick reminder that tomorrow is the last day for the super grab bag savings of 70% ($14.96 regular price down to $4.49!). All the pieces will be available individually after that for their full price so snag it now!

Switching gears...

I have been playing with some photoshop actions (ANYTHING to make designing easier!) and I bought one the other day that I love... it is Action:Cover It by Studio Wendy. You have to adjust the settings to your liking which she mentions, but boy is it a total time saver! I totally recommend it!

The other action I have been using a lot is Happy Scrap Girl's PNG Layer Saver Action. If you do templates especially you will use this action constantly! The best part is it removes your shadows. Sometimes I do a layout and make elements along the way, and then I use this action to save all the parts. Great stuff!

I really don't like buying CU products unless it has gotten reviewed by someone I "know", so I thought I would post if I use any tools that I like. Maybe it will make parting with that paypal money a bit easier!!! LOL!!

Okay, that is all for now! Don't forget the grab bag and if you haven't read the tutorial I posted, you might pick up a tip or two!

Have a good day!

Designing with Textures Tips and a Freebie!

Friday is finally here, and that means new releases at ScrapMatters! 

As I hinted yesterday, I have for sale my first ever commercial use grab bag, complete with tips and suggestions on how to use textures and edges (and scroll down for more)! It is marked down 70% (only $4.49, a $14.96 value) only until February 17. After that the items will be sold separately at their regular price.

The grab bag includes 2 Edge 4-Packs (8 total) and 2 Texture 4-Packs (8 total) and 2 suggestion/tip sheets. Great for designers and fun for personal use / scrapbook projects too! I love adding edges to my layouts for a finished look.

 

Do your designs need some extra pizazz? Do you feel your designs look "flat" and need some depth? Do you like the grungy / worn look but just can't get it to look right? Or are you like me and just love playing with different textures on your designs? Then the included textures are perfect for you!  

• 
• 

Do your papers and layouts need that finishing touch? Do you feel like there is something missing to add some realism? Or are you like me and love the look of different inked and grungy edges? Then the included edges are exactly what you are looking for!

• 
• 

Want an example on how these can work to change the look of your papers and projects? Click on the thumbnails below. 

• 
• 
• 

In the teal example above, I started with a new 12x12 document and filled it with a color (you can use a paper instead if you would like). I selected one of the textures in my grab bag and layered it on top of the color/paper. Then the fun happens! I played with the blending modes until I picked one I liked (in this case I used "overlay"). That is it! Easy peasy!

But I wanted to go a step further - I like adding edges/borders. I feel like it makes my pages look "finished". So I chose one of the edges included in the grab bag and changed the blending mode to "soft light". Done!

In the purple example, I used the same texture but inversed the colors (ctrl+i in photoshop) to give it a different look, and used "soft light". I also used the same edge also but added a glitter style to it. Same texture, same edge, but totally different look! 

You can download the full resolution papers and the above example here if you would like!

**DOWNLOAD**

As mentioned above, additional tips and suggestions are included in the grab bag!

How do you like to use your textures, overlays and edges? Comment below! :-)

Have a great weekend!

Love, Design Star and a Tease!

Hiya!

I got a little behind emailing all of you who left comments on my last freebie, so I am sorry if i didn't get to you! 

First off, my LoveBirds Collection is on sale this month at ScrapMatters to celebrate Valentine's Day! Grab it for 25% off and be sure to use the coupon that was in my blog train freebie .zip file to get it even cheaper!

Have you signed up for Design Star at ScrapMatters yet? Entries must be in by Monday so hurry!

Get the details here.

And the tease?

Well, speaking of designing, I have a special edition grab bag coming tomorrow to ScrapMatters and it is commercial use okay - at a huge 70% off!! Make sure you grab it before it is gone... I think PU scrappers will love it too!

That is all for now! Have a good one! :-)

SALE - Happy New Year (early!)

I am really excited to show you my new release today! And BONUS! It is on sale for 20% off (but hurry because the sale ends today!)

I did the fun "Happy New Year" collection for you to scrap all of your festivities, your 2011 resolutions, etc. This is a totally different style from my usual and I had such a blast with it - I hope you like it!
 


Details:

Plus don't forget my other seasonal products available only at ScrapMatters...

 The Peace on Earth Collection ~ The Kit (see thumbnails for details)

• 
• 
• 
• 

This is a layout I did with it for the Roadmap to Scrap Challenge at ScrapMatters...

 

 The Peace on Earth Collection ~ The Words (great for cards too!)

 

Vintage Christmas Cards (CU OK)

Three Different Sets (see thumbnails)! By them together and SAVE! 

• 
• 
• 

What I LOVE about these cards is they are perfect for crafting - you can glitter them and add a ribbon for an ornament, decoupage with them, or use them as-is for an old-fashioned greeting!

The Twilight Snowfall Collection ~ The Value Bundle (also sold separately - perfect for all of your winter photos at a steal of a deal!)

That is it for now...Thanks for looking and happiest of holidays to you!

Big Opportunity - CT CALL!

I am so excited to be holding my BIG creative team call!

I know some of you have said you want to apply but feel you aren't "experienced enough" or "good enough" - nonsense! I would still love to see what you can do... I started this whole art licensing adventure when I applied to my first creative team in 2004 with only a couple months of my self-taught photoshop under my belt, and I know how it feels to apply. But, you will never know what you are capable of unless you try right?

Sooooooooooo...

If you have any questions/concerns let me know. Good luck everyone!

PS My new product sale ends tonight! Don't forget the coupon in the ScrapMatters newsletter too!

My Opening Day is Here...

Today is the day my store finally opens at ScrapMatters!!!! I am thrilled to be back in digital scrapbooking again - it has really gotten me motivated to create again which is exactly what I needed!

To celebrate, don't forget about my contest/drawing for cash and prizes! Just simply read this post and in a couple clicks you will be entered (and you can hopefully start replenishing that paypal account!).

And.......

Just in time for Digital Scrapbooking Day, I have some things to show you (all on sale exclusively at ScrapMatters of course):

*****

First off, I have a PU grab bag only for DSD! I have it set at almost 70% off, and it will only be available until November 10. Better hurry! Here is what it looks like (and I am including the previews of what is included below).

 

 

• 
• 
• 
• 

It has two full paper packs, an embellishment pack and some tea-stained overlays with a hand stamped alpha. After 11/10, the packs will all be sold separately at their regular price (for a total of $10.49)... BUT buy now and steal this bundle for $3.99! 

*****

Next is my favorite - the Be Aware collection. For every purchase of this kit, I will donate $1 of the proceeds to BreastCancer.org. This collection is very near and dear to me, and I would love to see how you use it. 

 

 

• 
• 

Be Aware is on sale for the DSD price of $4.99 (regularly $5.99). I can see making cards out of this, inspirational wall hangings, etc. I mocked up some journals with it and thought they turned out nicely... Anything that helps people battle this beast is a good thing! Grab the collection here!

 

Be Aware was also featured in Scrapblog's national campaign for Breast Cancer Awareness last month, and I was a featured designer. Check it out!

*****

Lastly I have a huge value bundle - The William Collection - of course on sale for DSD. You can also buy the pieces separately, but at the sale price it is only $.50 more for the bundle as compared to the kit! Huge savings!

I know personally I find it difficult to find designs suitable for men. I can find baby boys and little boys but nothing for older guys... that is where William comes in. I also think this would be nice for heritage photos, for Father's Day, etc. Maybe I should do up some Christmas gifts with this collection! Hmmmmm...

Check out the William Collection here.

*****

Lastly I want to show you this incredible collab kit by the ScrapMatters Design Team! "Many Thanks" is free with a $20 purchase only for DSD! It is stunning...

Which brings me to my last topic - The ScrapMatters DSD Blog Train! Stop by all the blogs listed to get some wonderful goodies made with the "Many Thanks" collection. There are cards, hybrid crafts, clusters, quickpages... almost 50 stops! The Blog Train starts tomorrow morning!

 

That is all for now (lots of rambling in this post!) - have a great DSD weekend!!!

 

 

Win $20 Cash and More!

EDITED TO ADD - for all the DSD happenings and blog train please scroll down!!! 

Hi all! Lots of good stuff to tell you!

I am sooooo excited to be coming back to the world of scrapbooking! Starting this Friday, November 5, (and just in time for Digital Scrapbook Day) my store at ScrapMatters will open and I am thrilled! Everyone has been amazing there, the talent is fabulous and the forums are great...

Coming back to my "roots" was my agent's idea (I started designing/selling digital scrapbook kits in 2004!), and I am so glad she suggested it. I forgot how much fun "free-form" designing can be instead of the craziness of always creating for clients! Not only am I happy to be designing again, but I've really missed the community aspect of it too. Plus I have hundreds of photos of my kids, holidays, vacations with Kevin, etc. on my hard drive that need to be scrapped!! Yikes!!

Which reminds me... I will be doing a Creative Team search and a Promo Team search soon. Just make sure you watch for the details (or just email [email protected] and I'll fill you in). :-)

*********************

Now for the fun stuff!

To celebrate my store opening at ScrapMatters, I am having a drawing/contest. One lucky winner will receive $20 cash via paypal, and two other winners will receive a coupon for one of my digital scrapbooking collections FREE (some of them are posted here with more to come)! This is the first of at least three drawings/contests that I will be having in the upcoming months...yay!

Sooooooo how do you enter? Easy!!! You will receive one entry for any of the items you complete below. Make sure you follow the steps closely! 

(1) Become a facebook fan. All facebook fans are automatically entered! Just click here and click the "like" button. You're in!

(2) Post about this contest on your blog and link to this post. Make sure you leave a separate comment ON THIS BLOG POST with a LINK TO YOUR BLOG ENTRY. 

(3) Follow me on twitter here. Make sure you leave a separate comment ON THIS BLOG POST with a LINK TO YOUR TWITTER ID.

(4) Give a shout out about this drawing/contest on facebook and/or twitter and link to this post. Make sure you leave a separate comment ON THIS POST with a LINK TO YOUR POST.

(5) Tell me what you will do with the $20 cash if you win by commenting ON THIS BLOG POST. Just in time for DSD...

So everyone actually has the chance to earn FIVE entries. I will do a random drawing from the comments on this blog post plus all of my facebook fans to come up with the winners.

The contest STARTS NOW and will end Sunday, November 7 at midnight EST. Winners will be notified and announced on Monday, November 8.

Good luck and have fun!

 

**ETA THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED - WATCH FOR MORE CONTESTS SOON!**

 

Fan Page, News to Come, and MORE

Just set up a new facebook fan page! Hooray! I am going to be having a contest-type-thing soon too related to an upcoming announcement, plus I will be in need of a new creative team and promotion team (does that give you a hint about my news???) VERY soon. Go "like" the page NOW to find out the details when they are announced... Exciting stuff happening!

BTW did you create your Scrapblog with the "Be Aware" page yet? Scrapblog is donating $1 to the SGK foundation for every purchase of this! Kudos to them! 

And, last but NOT least, congratulations to my agent Julie on the birth of her baby boy! The pics are adorable - can't wait to see more.

Have a great weekend and happy halloween!