Sue Thomas

Here is my Day 1, done in PSP. It is almost Autumn, and I have always sent ecards to friends and family as the seasons change, using my own photos. 5x7 inches is my preferred size for ecards.

Very nice, the 2 stars would be Venus and Jupiter. They are in conjunction with the crescent moon for several day. As you know Venus is the morning and evening star.

Here is my August DIY challenge. I can assure you that all the shapes are exactly the same size and proportion as in the template. Seing as the split photo technique in the lab sparked a conversation yesterday, I decided to create a layout using that technique, as demonstrated in the tutorial. The paper with Carole's edge punch, is the original size, I added the corner punch frame to the ouside of the original paper. I used one of the stars, to punch a hole in the tags. I did duplicate one of the small suqareish papers, adding it to the split photo. For the zig zag shape. I used Carole's repeat script. I think that covers about everything. The fly at the top is a fruit fly, the much smaller one is a common tiny fly. Macro photography.

It is a tutorial in the lab. Lab 10-8. In my initial post, where the conversation started and where I posted a page, using that technique, I stated where the split photo tutorial could be found. When I use a particular technique, I more often than not state where the technique tutorial can be found. It often prompts viewers either to try it, or reminds them, should they have forgotten it. The tutorials in the creative scrap and lab, aren't just tutorials, they are techniques and effects which, in my opinion makes a page unique. Allowing the creator to be more creative.

Wow! I didn't realize it did that when you put in a search for a tutorial. Actually, it is a great idea, it helps to inspire one, when learning a technique, on how it can be utitilized and incorporated into a page. Carole, certainly thinks of just about everything, when it comes to enhancing our creativity.

You are absolutely right, this hard working bee which was totally oblivious to you shooting it is a honey bee. Also the split frame technique used looks great using circles. Isn't it a great technique! It can be used and modified to create the layout you are looking for. The cut out text on a curve, continues the overall flow of the page. Rounded off by one of Carole's corner punches. Which I feel are never used often enough in layouts. A simple, yet elegant page. Beautifully executed. I can see you using the split frame technique more often in your pages.

Thank you. I wish I knew the answer to what we are doing to the planet.

Very nice layout. The main photo speaks volumes.

I have been working on this for several days, as I am even more greatly concerned, as to the impact us humans are having on this beautfiful blue planet. Insect and bird numbers have dropped dramatically over many years. I have been looking for countless different species of insects, and so far I haven't seen any of them this year. In particular the yellow banded bumble bee. Farmers here have resorted to using farmed leaf cutter bees to pollinate their crops, yet they still use pesicides and herbicides. I'm crossing my fingers that I'm only seeing what is reflected out in the trees, horses field and garden, and not the rest of Saskatchewan and the world. Anyway, this is what I came up with. By creating a vector template, it allows me to write on any curve whilst retaining sharp crisp rounded corners. The large circle is meant to represent the planet, with a tree photo filling it, which I took when I was home last year. Colours taken from the photos. I lifted the bottom right beetle photo image. The font, I kept very simple. Arial. I used a photo of some wood I took, for the frames. Textures for the background papers. For those that are interested the insects are: (male) Melissa Blue Butterfly, tri coloured bumbe bee, ornate checkered beetle, and my favourite wasp, the solitary, parasitic thread waisted wasp. (all are completely harmless)

Michele, you ask now what? What came to mind, was all the creative scrap tutorials, which came prior to the Lab. When I first joined the campus, I selected a few favourites of those, which I did first, then went back to the beginning, working my way through all of them.

We have the same species as you have in the UK.

That's alright, you have me to educate and when needed correct you. Lol xx

They are one of my favourite shore birds. They are elegant birds. The avocet sweep its bills from side to side, with its tip just below the water's surface. Their bills are purpose built. I watch them for hours on end. What you are seeing is the knee bent, and the ankle flexed, while the webbed foot hangs, and not spread out, as it would when standing on it.

Well I started out with one photo, then, I came up an idea, using 3 photos and the technique from the creative scrap split photo effect. Lab 10-8. I use this technique quite often when creating templates. This time I opted to use circles, instead of rectangles. I did deviate after a while. I used a cutout on the photos, as I wanted the photo apear below the top background paper. Selected the vector frames, from vector shape, selected, promoted from the layer, which was the background layer, as I wanted to keep the pattern as is. I then expanded, and did the same again. For the text I used the simple outlined text, which you can also find somewhere in the creative scrap. Haha, I didn't want to cut off the beak of the avocet, so i did another out of bounds, also added Carole's punches, and my own date stamp.

My dear Corrie. I can only imagine what you must be going through. Over the years I have had insignificant back issues, usually related to physical excersise, which includes many aspects of farming, sports and horse related. After one or two treatments from a chiropractor, I am back to normal. I dont want to make light of your problem, but when you say you have a trapped nerve, have you consulted with a chiro or osteopath. I'm sure you must have done. Anyway, a beautiful page, and layout to showcase those blooms. I sincerely hope that you won't have to go under the knife, but find an alternative to leviate your pain. We are here as a collective to give you all the moral support you may need. Take care, wishing you well. Oh yes, by the way, using your unique style keep those pages coming.

I am privileged only to see them passing through, as they travel further north to breed. Some years, I may get one or two, not any at all some years in the Spring. August, is when I can set my watch by them. 1-3rd is when they arrive, in abundance, staying until the last day in August.

What promted me to do the out of bounds on the bottom two images, was that when I looked at the bottom one, its background could be any background paper, once I out of bounded the wing, it really did appear to have just flown into the layout. It pays to spend time looking at the photos you have spent time taking, as for me it is those images that more often than not determine my layouts.

That would be my answer too. I'm certain we have had this discussion before, quite a while back. It came to mind when I was doing the out of bounds. I added a cast shadow.

This is a quick question to everyone. As I'm curious to know. I know what my answer is. Do you add a shadow to the out of bounds portion of a photo?

I appreciate those kind words. What I really appreciated even more , was that you noticed the out of bounds. I chose to mirror one of the images, to allow me to have tail feathers and wing feathers out of bound. As always, I firmly believe it's those tiny details that makes all the difference.

It is that time of year again, the drawing close of another season, when the Hummers arrive on or around the 2nd Aug, and stay until the end of the month. Making their long jounrney back south for the winter. Always a joy to see them. I know it's almost a week, but I have been intending to go over some of the techiniques demonstrated in last weeks masterclass.

I hear you! Here is a suggestion start with a sketch, either use the actual sketch as it is, or modify it to make it your own. We have the sketch challenge quite frequently in the campus, which is fun to do.

That is why, before making any suggestions I tell whoever they are they are the creator, and if they are happy , that is all that matters. I ask, may I make a suggestion, as we all have different styles. Design is hard. Like with photography, I pay attention to detail, which I think rubs off when it comes to showcase photos. Besides learning from each other the campus is a great place to be encouraged and inspired. We are a family that can accept compliments and constructive criticism.

If my memory serves me well, I gave a sort of tutorial on how to do the cut out. I always use vector shapes, then use from vector shape, and expand to remove from around the photos. That way the cut outs are sharp, no jagged edges. Quite simple really, yet gives the pages, as you say step them up a notch. I will post it on FB. I found a vector bee on CF. Did the plus and minus using the cutout tool, on separate layers, merged down, then used Carole's repeate script to save time, to create a row of them.

These Bumble Bees can be found from Alaska to California. Including here on the Saskatchewan prairies. The rather long word, means Beautiful. I created 2 rows of embosed bees, using the repeat script. Which doesn't show up very well, due to compression. The background paper is yet another photo of the frozen lake.