how about a LR tutorial?

I really like this one and if you wanna play in Lightroom, have fun! Somehow, I didn't know this trick. As if I know so many...

Tuesday Tutorial (on Monday): Adding a Feedly Button to Your Blog

I had a hard time understanding and finding information on this so once I found the bits of information I needed, I decided to put it together and share it with you.

First of all you need your blog feed. I found the best information here. I used the RSS 2.0 Full Feed info for Blogger.  Since my blog name is 'cookingmylife', I just inserted that information into the url template they show- http://blogname.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss . I then had http://cookingmylife.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss as the feed info for MY blog.

Then I went to Feedly. Not the Feedly where YOU get YOUR feeds but rather the Feedly website. It's not too intuitive but when you get to this page,  the hyperlink tells you how to get to the  the Feedly Factory.   <----Just click there.

If you want to look at more information on this page, here is the link to it. Feedly Help.

Now you are ready to start creating your button.

Step 1 - Select your button of choice (i.e click on the one you want to use. Nothing will seem to happen but that's ok.)

Step 2 - Insert your feed URL  Remember what you created earlier? when you put your blog name into a file like this? http://blogname.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss  Now copy and paste your feed name into the empty space. Yes, you're almost done!

Step 3: Copy and embed the HTML code snippet   FIRST, you have to click on that little Feedly button and see if it takes you to YOUR Feedly feed. If it does, say Halleluiah!!! and continue on. If not, sad to say I can only suggest you stop have a drink - tea, coffee or something stronger if needed - and start from the beginning. But that shouldn't happen. Seriously.

When that button click does take you to the feed your followers will see, you will see the HTML code appear. Copy it.  Then you continue with the directions for your type of blog.

Depending on the button you chose, you should then see something like this on your blog. That is the largest button fyi. Feel free to click on it if this tutorial made you happy.

How I Learned to Scrub

Recently, I've heard more and more people say 'scrub' in PSE/CS tutorials when they were adjusting a function that had a number value. Font size, percentages, opacity etc. I knew they were doing something but I could never quite see or understand what it was. This tutorial from the Digital Scrapper blog explained it perfectly for me! Now I can scrub with the best of them! Just don't call me a scrubber!

click right here to see the tutorial

Thursday Tutorial: Recoloring Elements, Tiffany Tillman Style

Once you start using digital software and supplies for scrapbooking, you quickly learn that you never have to buy matchy matchy items again. Early on, you might buy things that go together but there will come a time when you have a favorite element but it's not the color you want.  Recoloring is the answer! While digi stores are open 24/7, sometimes you want to use what you have but just in another color.

There are lots of ways to do this - a standard computer truism is that there are always at least three ways to do the same thing. That was one of my earliest lessons when I got my first work PC in the 80s.  But recently I saw this video of Tiffany Tillman's and bless her heart she encourages the sharing of it.  Yes, seeing it made me realize I had probably read this long ago but didn't get it. For me, seeing is understanding. Hope you like it!

Lingering Winter Skies? Try this Tutorial

I have to admit, I haven't tried this one yet, but looking at Steph's instructions, I think I could do it. She is so right about those not quite sunny skies of Seattle. I love the city and think I could also live with the Pacific North West climate but you know, those skies don't look so good on the printed page.

So if you want to improve nature, try this little bit of help. Click the image to take you to Steph's tutorial on The Daily Digi.  I hope you enjoy this one!

or click here

Curve a Photo in PSE Tutorial

While this tutorial is done in a much earlier version of PSE - PSE7 - it's still applicable to the newer versions.

I have to say I never knew how to do this or ever saw anything like this. Hope you enjoy it too!

Tuesday Tutorial - PSE Key LInes, Encore une Fois

I have made these key lines a zillion times, and yet, half the time I go to make them, I forget the method. I don't know why some techniques in PSE stick in my head and others just drift off like smoke from a snuffed out candle. 

Today, I printed it out...once again. Today I'll share it with you and hope that it sticks in your brain a little better than it has in mine! Today this version of the method comes from Designer Digitals, a source of many, many tutorials to help you along the way. Today I'll also share with you, one of the little journaling cards I made for my Project Life. Hope you enjoy it!

Creating Keylines with Rounded Corners in Photoshop and PSE  

1. Begin by opening your project in Photoshop or Elements.

2. Get the Rounded Rectangle Tool and set your Foreground color to a color that contrasts with your open document. In the Options bar, choose a Radius. The larger the number, the more rounded your corner will be. Click/drag out a rectangle on your page.  Holding the Shift key as you click/drag will create a square instead of a rectangle.

3. Next, select the shape layer in the Layers Panel.  Ctrl click (Mac: Cmd click) the thumbnail of the shape to select it. Marching ants will surround your selection.

4.Tick the Layer Visibility icon which looks like an eyeball on the left side of the shape layer to hide your shape.

5. Make a new transparent layer by clicking the New Layer icon in the Layers Panel.

6. Target the new transparent layer and then choose Edit > Stroke to activate the Stroke dialog box.

Select a size and color. Set the Mode to Normal and Opacity to 100%. Uncheck the Preserve Transparency box. Click OK.

7.Press Ctrl D (Mac: Cmd D) to remove the selection from your keyline.

8. You can use the Move tool to reposition and resize your box, since the outline is on its own layer.

The hidden shape layer can be deleted by dragging it down into the trash bin once you’re satisfied with your keyline.

Click HERE for Card PSD

If you have any questions on the method, or use, just ask and I'll try to answer you if you have an email link. Otherwise, the answer will be here. 


click here for Journaling Card

AASPN TUT Using Gradient with Clipping Mask