A little tutorial using:Grunge It Up V.1 Photo Clipping Masks

Hi all,

Today I wanted to show one of The Nifty Pixel products that can be used on a stand alone photo that can be printed and used on a traditional layout, Project Life or even in an art journal spread. If you are relatively new to Photoshop, this brief little tutorial is probably best suited to you. :)

So we are looking at these frames and overlays for photos:

[click on the image to be taken to the store]

and this photo:

As they come in a layered file, you will need Photoshop. I am using PSE12. 

Step 1: I have chosen to use version number 3. When you open it up, you will see it has 3 layers. I then add my photo to above the Photo Clipping layer, and adjust the size of the photo to suit. You can 'clip' the photo to the Clipping layer but in this instance, I didn't. Being the first layer I sometimes forget to do so.

Step 2: Because my photo is light, it loses its features, so I adjust the lighting. I add a new Levels layer, clip it to the photo, and adjust to my liking:

Step 3: I ended up adjusting the Photo Filter Overlay by changing the Opacity to 85%, which then meant I didn't need to adjust the Levels as much as I previously had, so I went back to the Levels layers to reduce what I had previously done:

Step 4: Once I'm happy with how it looks, I flatten the layers and make a new photo (File - New) to bring up a blank photo (either 4in x 6in or 10cm x15cm) for ease of printing.

Step 5: I then move my photo onto my blank photo, flatten, and save ready for taking to get printed.

There are other ways to save as a suitable size for printing, but this is my preferred method.

I also like to play with the Hue/Saturation of the Overlays like here:

and here:

Just have fun playing!

Now all I have to do with my photo is to make a layout!

Hope this helps somebody, or even inspires someone to give it a go. If you have any questions, please ask, and I'll do my best to answer.

These Photo Clipping Masks are 20% off all weekend. A perfect time to try something new!

Thank you.

Pinterest and Favicon buttons

Hello all,

I am so proud of myself. I have just added a customised Pinterest button to my blog. This means, when you hover your mouse over any images on my blog, you can add it to Pinterest. Yay!
To help me do this, I followed this tutorial:

http://www.bloggersentral.com/2012/11/pinterest-pin-it-button-on-image-hover.html

Once I had the button design I liked, I added the image to Photobucket, grabbed the Direct link and added it to the HTML.

This is my icon:

which I downloaded and adapted from:

http://www.amarieb.com/p/blog-page_6.html

The other thing I wanted to mention was the use of a Favicon. They are the little icons that appear next to your name on a tab, kind of like a brand, I guess.

This is mine:

They are super easy to do. I did mine in PSE however, you can do them in PIXLR which is a free photo-editing site. I made mine 72px x 72px which I believe is a fairly standard size to make them. To add it, go to your blog, choose Layout then on the top left you should see 'Favicon', click edit, and upload your icon. Voila! All done. You can make the icon any shape you like, but work within the square, and also remember that it is a very small area so nothing too intricate.

Anyway, just little touches you can add to your blog if you're feeling so inclined.

I am no expert, but if  you have any questions, please ask and I'll try to help.

Thank you.