I have a pair of those L.L. Bean Jeans lined in flannel plaid for winter…it never seems to get cold enough long enough, but I wear them anyway and happily sweat.  Its important just to be able to turn the cuff skyward and see the warm flannel plaid lining smiling up at me. I just hung them on the door of the closet yesterday to remind me of the promise of winter. “Someday a cool breeze will blow,” they whisper. 

I am going to get some plaid love out of my system…

 Madras Plaid Styles and JPGs

Easy Papers Madras Plaid Styles

• Open up a 12x12inch 300 ppi image. If you start with a Transparent image you will need to flood fill some kind of color in there. It won’t show, the Style will overwrite it.  If you want your quick even quicker. Start with a 12x12inch 300 ppi solid colored image and save yourself a step.
• Pick a Madras Style and apply it.
• Bang…Plaid Paper.

Some light texture has been added to each Madras Style.

Go with that or you can add one of your favorites over the top.

Second Chance Freebie

Grab this from my last post about Madras Plaid Styles and JPGs…

More Plaid Stuff

Dana Conditt has a Plaid Action at DigitalScrapDesigns   that she let me play with…it was super fun creating papers this way. Really Easy TOO! Using these photos…

…I made this paper freebie for y’all.

http://www.divshare.com/download/12381276-9a4

Playing with this Action I came up with a few good tips to pass along.

• For larger plaid sample less colors.
• If you have trouble getting your crop to fall on the colors you like. Pull a Guide to the spot you want. Then go to View>Snap To>Guides. Now when you use your crop tool it will stick like magic to your Guide for trouble free sampling.
• Finished papers often look even better if you hit them with a sharpen filter. Sometimes 2 or 3 times can really change the look.
• Not enough of the one color you were after? Change the plaid layer to Greyscale, Add a Layer, and overfill with the color you are after, and Change the layer property of your colored layer to “Overlay” and see what you get.  Play around with these Layer Properties and Opacity until you are happy.
•   Adding Textured Overlays and Brushes turns these basic plaids into fancy papers for your next kit or layout!

• When you find a plaid you especially like the style of, Greyscale it and save as is for use later as a super quick plaid making Overlay. Weee!

FYI, The basic plaid papers in freebie are not textured, waiting for you to add your favorites. WHOO HOO! Oh, the Sketchy Doodle Brushes on the fancy paper will be available next week…I want to make a few more.

Many Thanks to my friend Dana for letting me play with her Positively Plaid Action! Weeee!!

Happy Friday!

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16 Madras Plaids to take you through the rest of the summer and a few for your fall projects as well. Available in both .ABR and .JPG file formats. Now it doesn’t matter what program you design with, you’re covered! WhOo! HOO!

Those little itty bitty squares on the preview don’t show enough the pattern so I squeezed out another preview using the JPGs to give a better idea, still crowded up like a bus full at rush hour! LOL! But you get the idea! The actual JPGs are 4 x4 inchers 300ppi and tile beautifully to 12×12 and beyond.

I’ve got a little freebie for you, Personal Use please. The frame is by Cintia Designs. I just dressed it up in plaid.

http://www.divshare.com/download/12019380-11d

Happy Friday!

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I had a blast building these. I love glitters, but I wanted something more subtle. These Sugars fit the bill!

30% off till Friday June 25, come and get some!

Sugars at Kristine’s Place

Sugars at DigiScrap Warehouse

Sugars at DigitalScrapDesigns

16 Sugar Textured Styles in Bold Summer Colors.   Match my Bold Summer Chalkies too!

A little close-up…

Happy Friday, Summer Lovers!

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Top 20 Black Styles at Kristine’s Place

Top 20 Black Styles at Digiscrap Warehouse

Top 20 Black Styles at DigitalScrapDesigns

The Top 20 Black Styles counted down by yours truely! When my friend Kristine ( Yep! Owner of Kristine’s Place) said, " Hey how about making some black styles?"  She got me thinking. I looked through my style sets with new eyes. I had a few black styles I had made for myself but for the most part each time I wanted a tinted black solid color I had to digitally mix it up. If I was on the ball I save it as a swatch. Most often I didn’t save and I had to do it over and over. Not hard, but wouldn’t it be great to have a few to quickly click on right in my Styles Palette? So I made a dozen tinted black solid styles and used them for a few weeks to see how helpful they really were. Very! It was a snap to click a black style and get a tinted black fill, edge, line, whatever! Sure one can call up on Hex Black #000000 anytime that’s simple without a style, but clicking around in the color picker for a bit of red/black or purple black…well that’s just tedious and then one has to remember to save as a swatch. Something I often forget to do even after I have color picked my heart out and got the right color I get busy playing with it and forget to make a swatch.

So I found the ready made Tinted Black Solids a real timesaver.

Once I narrowed  the black solids down to the best ones Blackberry, Black Coffee, Blackboard, Black Smoke, BlackWalnut, Black Water, The ones I relied on again and again. I turned my attention some glossy styles and highlighted styles that look their best on black. I thought that would be pretty easy, but I found it to be quite a challenge since black can rob depth from a highlight or gloss. Re-working them again and again really paid off. I find myself using each of these quite a bit. BlackGloss, BlackMatte, BlackFlat, BlackIce.

With the Top 10 Solids all set, it was time to play with patterns. I used my thinker box to come up with some transparent patterns for everyday use. BlackLace, BlackStripes, BlackStripedFur, BlackStars, BlackChecks,  Each one is a happy surprise when used OVER a color layer. See demo. Really loved the versatility of these! Try the Black Lace over Red…VAVOOM!  Last in the show are the solid patterns. I focused on what entered my mind as black, Black Jeans, Fossils, Granite, Snake Skin, Tonal Black Checks, and Obsidian Stone. In the last week, alone, these solid patterns have been the basis of papers, a few frames and I printed out a photomat for a graduation certificate using the Granite Style. Piece of cake! So easy!!

To sum it up, Top 20 Black Styles are seamless, using large PNG images for high quality and low repeats. I just couldn’t narrow it down to 20 so there are 21 unique ones. 23 total. The 2 Stripe styles are counted as one, same with the Snake Skin style. Its just so much easier to use these with one horizontal and one vertical stripe. Saves a bunch of flipping. Who wants that when you Styling? HOOT!

Original Styles created by Jodiann Cates using Photoshop CS3. Using her own photos and Photoshop made PNGs as well as CU photos and PNGs of other artists, CU Custom Shapes of other artists.

PS7, PSCS, PSCS2, PSCS3, PSCS4 and PSE compatible.
Drop Shadow Free.
Quality Checked.
This purchase contains:
23 Top Quality Black Styles; Seamless and adjustable in .ASL format 300 ppi.

1 Text Document with Unpacking and Installing Instructions.
CU4CU  CU  PU  S4H  S4O Commercial License Included.
You may use these PS Styles to create your own products to sell. With the
exception of using them to build Styles Sets or Patterns Sets for resale

Top 20 Black Styles at Kristine’s Place

Top 20 Black Styles at Digiscrap Warehouse

Top 20 Black Styles at DigitalScrapDesigns

Check out this limited time freebie offer by Kristine of Kristine’s Place!

Freebie Alert!

Thanks ‘Stine!

Quick and Easy Floating Check Paper Tutorial with Top 20 Black Styles

This is so easy!

To Buy Styles…

Top 20 Black Styles at Kristine’s Place

Top 20 Black Styles at Digiscrap Warehouse

Top 20 Black Styles at DigitalScrapDesigns

1. Open a transparent image. I choose 300×300 image at 300ppi

2. Apply Style: Jodiann’sTop20BlackChecks17

3. Duplicate Layer. Apply Style: Jodiann’sTop20BlackChecks16

4. Add New Layer.  Keyboard Shortcuts: PC> Shift+Control+N  Mac> Shift+Command+N

5. Move Black Checks 16 Layer to Top.

6. Merge Down.

7.  Again. Apply Style: Jodiann’sTop20BlackChecks17.

No freaking out, it will look like nothing happened, roll with it, Sweetie!

8. Double Click Ctrl+Shift+N Layer. Apply DropShadow.

9. All Done! 

Here is a close up…

You can chose to recolor one or both of these layers.

10. Save as a  PSD layered image ( .PSD) for easy changes and recoloring.

11. Then Save as a JPG, reducing the Quality to 8 ( no less). Quality barely suffers, yet paper is now more compact for sharing. ( Thanks Kimmie!)

By playing with the opacity settings, adding an edge then blurring it for a softer look this is what I came up with.

Sinclair the un-affected cat gives us all much needed advice! WHOOT!

Happy Weekend Precious People!

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New in Stores and 30% off until Thursday, June 10th…

12 Bokeh Styles ( boke = blur in Japanese)  These simulate a blurred reflection when a camera looks into a light source. Use these Transparent Styles behind a photo mat, extracted photo, to fill in an element, to create papers, to make photo mats, as an overlay right on your photos. Duplicate the layer you wish to see then add this bokeh style, since it is built to replace whatever is on the layer its applied to.

All of these styles can easily be re-colored, but the light whites with grey or yellow tones have been made especially for re-coloring, one of each shape. Special Thanks to KOL for the inspiration!

Original Styles created by Jodiann Cates using Photoshop CS3.

PS7, PSCS, PSCS2, PSCS3, PSCS4 and PSE compatible.

Drop Shadow Free.

Quality Checked.

This purchase contains:

12 Bokeh Styles; Seamless and adjustable in .ASL format 300 ppi.

1 Text Document with Unpacking and Installing Instructions.

CU4CU CU PU S4H S4O Commercial License Included.

You may use these PS Styles to create your own products to sell. With the exception of using them to build Styles Sets or Patterns Sets for resale.

TUTORIAL

Let me show you hot to make a cool reflective paper in Photoshop with these Bokeh Styles. Its super quick and lots of fast fun!

1. Start with a 12 x 12 300 PPI Transparent Image.

2. In your Tool Palette load a semi-dark shade of your favorite color. Today mine is 466c8d

3. Now load a lighter shade of same color.  I pulled from a lighter but grey-er section of the same color window to get a0b2c1

                      Looks like this when loaded…

4. Choose your Gradient Tool

5. Click top center of your 12×12 image> drag down > release.  To get this below.

You can go corner to corner to add an angle but for now its a simple light to dark, top to bottom gradient paper.

6. Duplicate Layer.

7. Apply a Bokeh Style. I used Bokeh Point of Light Style 10. Setting the Pattern Scale to 184.

           To set pattern scale, double click words” Pattern Overlay” in your layers palette.

8. Add a New Blank Layer ( Shift + Control + N)

9. Drag Style Layer over Blank Layer.

10. Merge Down.

11. Apply Gaussian Blur by 25.0. Reduce Opacity to 42%.

12. Duplicate Layer 1 ( Gradient Layer) Drag to top of Layers Palette.

13. Apply Same Style again. Scale Style to 200.

Don’t be afraid to mess with the opacity of this top layer to soften the effect or even re-color it if you like.

14. Save at a PSD to preserve layers.

15. Then, save at a JPG to save your reflective paper as a flattened image for sharing or to work on later.

Happy Weekend!

Jodiann!

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As I hinted around about yesterday I got these Halftone Styles in the stores today.

I’ve been messing around with them and came up with this tutorial using the above Halftone Styles and and throwing in some of the semi-new Chalkies: Bold Summer Styles as a base and to recolor.  Its really easy to do and you will LOVE the quick creativity! Talk about kicking out an Element or Paper fast!!

Let’s get started.

1. Open a 5×5  transparent image 300 ppi.

2. Draw out a Custom Shape. Rasterize Layer.

3. Fill in with any Style you like. I used “New Leaves” of  Bold Summer Chalkies.

4. Duplicate the image.

5. Add a Halftone, pick a larger patterns for a larger WOW!

    I used Halftone Style 01.

6. Now,  I want to recolor just the dots. Normally just clicking any Style in the menu will change the color of the entire umbrella. I want just the dots. 

SO…

I will have to affix the style permanently to the layer. Keyboard Shortcut: Shift+Control+N ( Shift+Command+N for Mac) Creates a New Layer.

Click and Drag the Halftone Layer ABOVE the New Layer>Merge Down.

Dragging

Done Dragging

Merged Down

The Style is permanently affixed to the layer. Click any Style in your Style Palette Menu to change it from Black. I chose “Scallop” from Bold Summer Chalkies.

Pretty Great!  You could stop there, but maybe you want more color or more interest? Let’s keep going.

7. Duplicate Top Layer (Halftone 01)

8. Apply another Halftone Style, a smaller pattern this time for a punch of detail. I chose Halftone Style 07.

9. Affix the Style to the layer as above…

         A. Create New Layer.          Shift+Control+N ( Shift+Command+N for Mac)

         B. Click Drag New Layer Below Halftone Layer.

         C. Merge Down.

10. Click any Style to recolor. I chose “Tomato” from  Bold Summer Chalkies.

Mmmm! I likie! I will stop here. You can continue adding more detail using as many cycles of this affixing and re-coloring move that makes your heart happy!

11.  Save as a layered file ( .psd) *** Why? ***

THEN!

12. Save as a single image with transparency ( .png)

13. Quality Check the image for jaggies and you have made a quick element in less than 10 minutes.

Way FUN and this creation only took about 7 minutes! WHOO HOO!

*** Why? ***

Saving a layered file is helpful to fix mistakes, that’s smart, but mostly its just plain FUN! Months down the road you might want to know how you did this. The layered file remembers so you don’t have to. Short-term… Its great to play with!

Open up that layered file back up.

Duplicate it.

Now click on any layer and toggle through the other choices you could have made. See the possibilities? Try another layer, change the color, the style you used etc! WHOO HOO! Now you are playing. In the end, we digital scrap to feed our creativity and have fun!

Don’t forget to have a BIG helping of both! Weeeee! 

Huggins!

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Lookie what is in my stores for summer…Whoo HOO!

25 Chalkie Textured Styles in Bold Summer Colors.
Beach Ball Bold Colors! WHOO HOO!
These are fabulous for Digital Coloring= filling in doodles and shapes with color. If you are doing this the hard way, try these Bold Summer Chalkies and see if its not a one step solution to speed you on your way! This time around I have added a slight texture to the mix, it changes things ever so slightly. A little more of a hand colored feel to it. I didn’t coin the phrase "digital coloring" BTW. I heard it from my friend, Shannon at Desert Designs. She does this often in making her splendid cards and I am always amazed at her hybrid abilities! Other ideas: Make lightly textured solid papers, backfill behind a transparent layer, recolor an element to suit your needs.

Colors in this set:

Bikini Yellow
Yellow Sundress
Egg Yolk
Mandarin Orange
Papaya
Tomato
Ripe Tomato
Pink Azalea
All Berry
Summer Lovins
Toasted
Iced Coffee
Kahkees ( like Steve Irwin used to say it…something like "Car Keys" without the R.) Miss you Steve-O!
Crown Royale
Grape Punch
Clematis
Banana Leaf
New Leaves
Veritas Green
Cloudless Night
Beach Ball Blue
Montigo
SupaWhite
Ice Cube
Scallop

Photoshop users: will find the inner shadow is where this Style really
changes its look, try tinkering with the "Choke" (double click layer in
layers palette> inner shadow> choke) to expand or tighten the inner shadow
to really make the chalked edge work for your specific project.
PSE users will find the texture added will make manipulating these styles in
your layer palette a bit of a drag, but fear not those who have tested this
in PSE both came back with glowing reports about the usability of these
Bold Summer Styles as is. So you might not want to change a thing. If you
do, try my Chalkies: Vicki’s Beach Styles. No Texture There and more subtle
beachy color shades.

Original Styles created by Jodiann Cates using Photoshop CS3.

PS7, PSCS, PSCS2, PSCS3, PSCS4 and PSE compatible.
Drop Shadow Free.
Quality Checked.

This purchase contains:
25 Bold Summer Styles; Seamless and adjustable in .ASL format 300 ppi.
1 Text Document with Unpacking and Installing Instructions.
CU4CU CU PU S4H S4O Commercial License Included. You may use these PS Styles to create your own products to sell with the exception of using them to build Styles Sets or Patterns Sets for resale.

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   View Cart

Or Here

6 Seamless Realistic Sand Styles, extra large images, 300ppi,Drop Shadow Free.  Various sand colors. Rippled, Sand and Shells, Crab Rolls, Wet, Gentle Ripples, and Lumpy Sand.

This purchase contains:   
6 Sandy Beaches Sand Styles; Seamless in .ASL format  300 ppi.  
1 Text Document with Unpacking and Installing Instructions.

Original Styles created by Jodiann Cates. From Commercial Use, Royalty Free images.  Requested and Inspired by Sweet Sandy Pie!!

CU PU S4H S4O Okay  
PS7, PSCS, PSCS2, PSCS3, PSCS4 and PSE compatible

Commercial License Included.  You may use these PS Styles to create your own products to sell.

Quality Checked

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View Cart

Or Here

12 Seamless Large Dot Styles, in 6 reversible dusty pastel colors. Drop Shadow Free. Slight Texture added for true dusty, matte look. Colors: Hedgerow, British Blues, Goldie Lion, Dusty Rose, Misty Sea, English Lavender.

This purchase contains:  
12 Dot Cute Styles; Seamless in .ASL format  
1 Text Document with Unpacking and Installing Instructions.

Original Styles created by Jodiann Cates. Inspired by Paula W’s Summer Dress.  Thanks Sweetie Pie!!

CU PU S4H S4O Okay  
PS7, PSCS, PSCS2, PSCS3, PSCS4 and PSE compatible

Commercial License Included.  You may use these PS Styles to create your own products to sell.

Quality Checked

LOOK a freebie! WHOO HOO!

by Moe Joe  Get it at her blog, click the preview to go…

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  View Cart

Or Here

27 seamless Photoshop Styles with soft chalk-like edges in beachy colors. These styles are smooth, no texture. No Bevel has been added either, the look of a bevel is from the softly shaded edges.  A simple style with many uses. A basic to come back to for filling in Doodles, Elements, Making Backgrounds, Adding to fonts for a yummy puffed look. Add your own dropshadows, these are dropshadow free.  Edge shading is adjustable.

Colors:

Sand, Sandbar, Gold Reflection, Seaglass, WadePool, Flipflops, Beachgrass, MellowOut, Pure Sun, HotSand, Suntan, Starfish, Sunburn, Popcicle, Shell, Sails, Cloud, Stormfront, SlickRocks, Seamonster, Seaweed, Summer, Fishscale, Marlin, Anchor, Deepwater, Inkcloud.

This purchase contains:  
27 Chalkie Styles; Seamless in .ASL format  
1 Text Document with Unpacking and Installing Instructions.

Original Styles created by Jodiann Cates. Inspired by Vicki aka TxBubbles.  Thanks Sweetness!!

CU PU S4H S4O Okay  
PS7, PSCS, PSCS2, PSCS3, PSCS4 and PSE compatible

Commercial License Included.  You may use these PS Styles to create your own products to sell.

Quality Checked.

_____

Close-Ups

Freebies with Chalkies courtesy of My AMAZING CT girls!

Limited Time Availability

  By Vicki aka TXBubbles

By Hope aka MoeJoe

Hybrid How To:

Shannon’s, digitally colored using Chalkies: Vicki’s Beach

by Shannon, How to on her blog

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