My first altered art project:

Tried this out for the first time last night for ADSR. It's definitely FUN!

Tutorial- Blending an image into a background using ACDSee Photo Editor 2008 Beta

I just posted my very first tutorial at DigiScrapInfo! Here it is:

We're going to explore a few different ways to blend a picture into the background using ACDSee Photo Editor 2008. I was amazed to discover how easy it was when I learned how to do it. Ready?

1. Start with a solid background paper with some texture. I used the black solid from Tangie Baxter’s new “Timeless Masters” kit.

2. Drag and drop the image you want to use into your work area. We’re using a picture of my daughter from her dance recital.

3. I went ahead and reduced my opacity to 80% on the image, but this is optional.

4. Next to the opacity, click on the pull down menu next to Transfer. You will have the following options: Normal, Multiply, Screen, Overlay, Soft Light, Hard Light, Darken, Lighten, Difference, Burn, and Dodge. Play with each of these and select the option you like the best. For this example, I used soft light.

5. I did this first with the image uncropped to see what the effect would be. I will show you some other options as well.

6. I didn’t do this to this image, but you can also apply a vignette and manipulate that as well. Try playing with the vignette option by itself, as well as with the transfer option.

7. I didn’t end up liking the look of the uncropped image- the black didn’t blend in as well as I thought, so I decided to extract my daughter out of the background.

8. If you extracted your image, drag and drop the image onto your background.

9. We're going to apply a slight gaussian blur to soften the image a little. From the adjustments pull down menu to the right of your workspace, select gaussian blur.

10. Adjust the slider bar at the bottom until you’re happy with the result. Remember to go for a very slight blur- just to soften the edges.

11. Repeat Step 4 to blend the extraction using the transfer menu, and adjust the opacity to your liking.

12. That’s it! Here’s my finished layout:

I also ended up blending the ballet dancer jpeg into the black background as well.

13. Have fun with your blending! Remember that it’s a very broad field, and there are many different effects you can use to achieve the look you want. Play with it and experiment with different methods to find one that works best for you.

Exciting news

I have had a few people ask me about what they can do to get started with Digital Scrapbooking. Well, I have the perfect opportunity for those that are interested in giving it a go.

How would you like to be able to try something out for 3 months, without having to pay for any software or anything? ACDSee is releasing a Beta of their updated Photo Editor Program- ACDSee Photo Editor 2008. This program is very user friendly and very easy to work with and learn quickly. I switched to this after using Photoshop for a while and not really getting the hang of it. With this one, I found a BUNCH of free tutorials over at DigiScrapInfo and was making scrapbook pages within minutes of downloading.

Anyway, I get off tangent a lot. Basically, since they're coming out with this beta, it means that anyone and everyone can download it for 3 months for free. (It's a $50 program normally). It's the full version, so everyone who downloads it can play with it and learn on it, and give feedback back to the company. For those that have been digi-scrapping for a while, that's a great feature since there are a lot of specific things we want our programs to do. For those just starting out, this is a FABULOUS opportunity to do so.

Here's the info as to where you can download the program:

ACDSee Photo Editor 2008 Beta Release

If you're interested and want to experiment with it, or just see what it's all about, I will be more than happy to help you. I've been using this program for almost a year and completed over 400 pages last year, and have finished and printed 5 albums since making the transition from paper to digi. And I am part of DigiScrapInfo, which is a tremendous resource, as some of you may already know.

This is a FABULOUS opportunity to try out a program (hopefully get hooked ;) and give feedback to ACDSee. They are such a great company and listen to US and our needs, which is so nice. From what I understand, ACDSee is gearing this program more towards digi-scrappers. That is so cool to me to have a program that's designed with our needs in mind!

Please try it out, even if you're thrilled with the program you're using currently. It can't hurt- it's free for 3 months, and you can provide feedback back to the company. I already listed the feedback link, but here it is again:

ACDSee Photo Editor 2008 Beta Feedback

And don't forget, if you ever get stuck, check out DigiScrapInfo. We have forums, a blog, tutorials, and now that our team is larger, we have more resources to help YOU!

More, and new releases

I think I've finally settled into a routine where I can do both my schoolwork and my scrapbooking. Oddly enough, my housecleaning sometimes falls by the wayside. It's weird.


All my designers have kept me busy with new products coming out.
I scraplifted this one- kit is by Mel Herzog:
This is the February OScraps Collab- it has some fantastic elements! :)
My sister and her husband: I'm not thrilled with this one, and may go back and tweak it later. This is using Jill D-Zine's New "Whisper Soft:"
Here's a sneak peak at some of the items in Tangie Baxter's "Mystery Case #2." Seriously, there is some awesome stuff in there! :) This will also be in public galleries tomorrow with the release of the mystery case!
Another new release hitting shelves tomorrow from Sara Ellis and Amy Sumrall's new Playful Hearts:
Pixel Gypsy's Tattered Spring:
I love love this kit from Pixel Gypsy- it's called Love Bug.
This is probably one of my favorite layouts to date- I tried out a new photo colorizing technique that I haven't played with yet. I did it in ACDSee Photo Editor in all of about 10 minutes. This is using Tangie Baxter's new "Her Royal Court" kit.
Another layout using "Her Royal Court", done for the very first Tangie Baxter Loft challenge!
One more using Mel Herzog's Broom:
Hope you all have a good night!

Layouts for the week

Here's a few I've done this week. I've actually done 2 more, but I can't post them yet because I took the plunge and decided to send some off for publication! :) There's a very high chance they won't get published, but I'm at least making myself do it. We'll see if anything comes of it.


Using Tangie Baxter's stuff- Extra Extra Read All About It, and Takayama mini kit, and a bunch of others for the embellishments:
Used Mel Herzog's Guy Thing:
Sara Ellis' new mega collab with Rachel Donald- Party Pants
Sara Ellis, Jill D-Zines, and Pixel Gypsy Designs

I DID get my VioVio Book back - and I will post pics, just not now. I have to start getting ready for church, so check back in a few days.

In other news, I am participating in the Amazing Digiscrapping Race this season! My friend Kristi and I are racing together! :) She is also on the ACDSee team, so we'll be participating with that. This blog is our team blog, so our layouts will be posted here too. :)

Have a great Sunday!

Come to a party!!! DigScrapInfo is turning 1!

Come join us! We have tons of games, prizes, 8 different chats, and FUN FUN FUN! (image is linked)

January To Date

Thought I'd do as much as I can this month before I start school on Monday. Here's what I have so far, minus about 6 pages, that I just don't feel like resising right now for the web....
You know the drill, credits and journaling linked on the sidebar.


Dedication page for my 2006 family album, which, as of today at 2:30 pm, is OFFICALLY being manufactured from VioVio! I can't wait!
The next 2 go in my 2007 family album. I have a funny feeling that I have a LOT more pictures of the baby than I do the other 2...
This one used some stuff from Gina Arzaga:
CT layout for Merkeley Designs:
I just love this one. It uses Tangie Baxter's new Spring Forest Floor kit, which is breathtaking. I did it for last weeks Digi Dare, only to find that I uploaded just barely too late. :(
Christmas Day 2006- part of the 2006 album- 2 page layout:

Christmas Eve 2006- 2 page spread:

Last page in our 2006 album.
I can't wait to see my layouts in print! I have had a few books printed, and I just love them so much. This will be my first actual album, not mini album, or themed album. Hopefully it will get here FAST! I am very impatient when it comes to waiting. Can't do it!

Well, I'm off to bed as I have to work tomorrow and I told my husband I'd be in bed almost an hour ago. :(