Thursday, August 30, 2007
Word Art - Luke 9:25
Hello everyone! Just a quick freebie to check in with... wanted to let you know I AM still around, haven't forgotten you or anything like that! I just absolutely can't believe how CRAZY the end of August/beginning of September. And my kids aren't even school age yet! I looked at my September calendar and I literally have ONE free day in the entire month. There's just something wrong with that! Granted, many of the "events" involve my whole family, so I'm not completely going to go insane... but there's writing on every single day except one. The one empty day has a birthday party invitation attached to it, but I think I'm going to have to decline the invitation.... for my family's sanity!
Anyway... with thoughts of insane schedules in mind, I thought this Bible verse was especially appropriate. What am I spinning my wheels for, anyway? Keeping my priorities in check so I'm not "selling out" is important in times of chaos!
I hope you enjoy this word art. You can download it HERE. (link removed) (As information: the question mark and quotes are transparent.)
I know I've got a teaser out there for all of you. The first installation will it SOME TIME in September. Not much of a clue there...simply because I don't know the answer either! Thursday nights are more productive than others, as my husband plays softball, so I can "play" after the kids go to bed. He's also away one weekend this month, so I can again "play" while he's gone and the kids are napping. But other than that... family time gets priority! And no apologies will be offered for that! :)
Gotta go clean for more company this weekend..... I'll pop in when I can!
Friday, August 24, 2007
Layered Template #32 - Thanks, Heather!
Happy Friday! Boy, what a long week it has been. Next week already looks to be even crazier! End of the year stuff for work always equals stress -- never mind that "end of the year" starts in September! Oy!
Thanks again to Heather for sharing one of her paper LOs with me to convert to digital. As you can see, I took a few creative liberties and added a photo to make it a 3 photo LO. But draw inspiration from hers as well, to see how you can use it as a 2 photo LO (or even a 1 photo LO) equally as well. I also didn't add any elements to the layered template, because I always think that works better when you add them yourself. That, and I'm absolutely an element idiot, and they never look right where I put them! :)
THANK YOU, HEATHER, once again, for sharing the template idea.
Everyone, enjoy the weekend!
You can download this 8x8, 300dpi template right HERE.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Layered Template #31 - Thanks, Heather!
Thanks to HEATHER for sharing her "Snow Day" LO with me as inspiration for another layered template. Heather is a former paper scrapper, turn digi-addict (like how many of us!?). This was one of her favorite paper LOs that she hadn't been able to replicate yet in digital style.
Heather said that she created the "ribbons" herself by cutting the "V" edges in paper, rather than using actual ribbons. So that's what I did, too. You have lots and lots of layers of "ribbons" made out of paper that you can choose for yourself. You can have them be all the same, or you can have each of them be different. Currently each side is a different layer (so there are 26 layers of ribbon) so that you can get just the right drop shadow. In Heather's LO, she used a staple to hold them down. I didn't add that to the template, but I imagine you probably have several staples in multiple colors in your stash! Stitching would be really cute over it, too. I didn't "trim" the edges to make it a straight line, because I kind of like the "messy" look, and thought it would be easy enough for you to do that, if you so choose once you're done with the design.
So again, thank you to HEATHER for sharing today's inspiration piece. That's her LO you see above, too -- in all it's paper splendor!
All you paper scrappers -- go back and draw inspiration from your old masterpieces. Just because it's paper, doesn't mean we can't replicate it in digital!
You can download this template HERE.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Layered Template #30 - 6 Photo
For template #30, you can download it HERE.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Layered Template #29 - 4 Photo
Here's a unique twist on a color block layout. Use this one for any of your child's firsts: hair cut, tooth, steps, car, date. The options are as vast as your imagination. The font I used is called "Impact," which I believe is standard on most computers. You can tell this one is also part of our Michigan football party. I have to admit, I got a kick out of the responses to the last one! :)
*** Just a note: "1st" is on a separate layer from "hair cut" so you can very easily replace "hair cut" with your own firsts. ***
Anyway, this layout is again an 8x8 at 300dpi, created for you in layers in Photoshop CS2 (PSD file). Download this one HERE.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Layered Template #28 - 6 Photo
GO BLUE!!!
No boos and hisses from the peanut gallery. LOL! Especially if you're Ohio State fans. Get outta here! :)
I was trying to make a "Varsity" painted brush set to go with this one. I got the brushes made, but for the life of me, couldn't figure out how to export them (without exporting my ENTIRE brush gallery). If anyone can clue me in, I'll be happy to add the brush set!
Enjoy this template -- and if you choose to feature a rival team of the Beloved Blue, don't share it with me! :) This layout is to be used for GOOD... not EVIL! :) Kidding, kidding, kidding. (K, I hope you're laughing!)
Download this template HERE. (Don't worry, the template is in black and white; not blue and gold.)
The Coolest Thing...
Miss Vivi and the wonderful people of DigiScrap Mania, thank you SO MUCH for sharing with me your beautiful designs.
So the rest of you can enjoy as well...
You can see the LOs here: http://digiscrapmania.topic-ideas.com/Les-tournois-de-Naninette-et-Angels-c5/Les-epreuves-f33/1ere-Epreuve-f36/Tournoi-11-t1761.htm
And here :http://digiscrapmania.topic-ideas.com/Les-Challenges-des-Digiscrapeuses-c4/Initiees-f22/Challenges-f27/Challenge-11-Sketch-du-12-au-26-Aout-t1688.htm
Now off to find a translator....
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Layered Template #27 - 7 Photo
Sunday nights are always bitter sweet for me. I love my job, but I love my weekends more. And it's hard to go back to work every Monday morning. Oh well -- that's why you scrap, right? To preserve the wonderful weekend memories!
Today's template is another color blocking one, because, as I said, I'm a bit addicted to the clean lines of color blocking. This time I left journaling room around the edges. However, if you want to get rid of that, just delete those layers. Then select all the photo layers, hit CTRL+T, hold down CTRL+SHIFT while pulling on the edges, and you can expand from the center to fill the space with all photo.
Just a random side note -- isn't that the cutest little dress that Amara is wearing? My Mom made it for her. I love daisies -- they're some of my favorite flowers. Simple, beautiful, unassuming, unpretentious, casual. So Mom made her this dress, because they're my favorite. Unfortunately, that was last year, and it no longer fits. So it's in storage for her to share with her daughter(?) some day. Boy, that's a scary thought! LOL!
Also another side note -- I've got 2 busy weeks of visitors. A friend from our old church is flying in this coming weekend. Then the following weekend, we're having family in from out of state to help celebrate Amara's 3rd birthday. September looks to be crazy, too! Anyway, I'll easily be able to do a template a day until Template #30. But then it may be hit or miss for a while. Don't worry though -- I'm not going anywhere! :)
OK, enough side notes. Now on to what you really came here for! ;) HERE is where you can download this one.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Layered Template #26 - 7 Photos
Today's installment is going to be a little bit early. My company's summer picnic is this afternoon at an amusement park. Should be fun, especially considering the heat finally broke and it's a reasonable temp for outdoor activities with the little ones. It has just been so crazy hot lately that we just melt the second we go outside! Amara always says to me, "Mommy, I sweaty." And she is -- her hair is just plastered in cute little ringlets around her forehead and the beads of sweat cover her little nose. Adorable... but hot!
Anyway... this LO makes use of my a template that I created at the time. You can also download the one I included as a freebie several weeks ago, or use one of your own choosing from elsewhere.
The LO template itself can be downloaded right HERE.
Have an awesome weekend!
Friday, August 17, 2007
Layered Template #25 - 6 Photo
Anyway, a fun weekend working on my "teaser" project, since my husband is at Promise Keepers. So I'll "play" while the kiddos sleep. Regarding the teaser, some of you were close (as in horseshoes close), but not quite exactly right. If I were giving prizes, I'd have awarded a couple. But if I were giving money, I'd have made you try harder! :)
Alrighty then, HERE is the download for today's Funky Friday template. You could put 6 photos in there, or if you wanted to, you really could put 30 in there!!! Now let's see one of you do that and send me the LO!
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!
A Teaser...
Now for the teaser....
So, since I've only got 30 templates, I'm thinking about what to do next. This freebie stuff has been kind of a nice change of pace for when I don't feel like scrapping my own photos. Sometimes those silly LOs can take hours, whereas I can whip up a template in about 15 minutes. Or at least I can when I have a LO to convert. From scratch.... well, that takes hours! LOL!
Anyway... (boy am I getting sidetracked). I'll give you a couple hints of what's to come.
1) I'm going to try my hand at designing mini-kits.
2) You'll be able to use the final product for Christmas gifts if you so choose.
And that's the only clues you're going to get! :) But I'll be happy to entertain guesses!
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Layered Template #24 - 2 Photo
Here's another color blocking template. For some reason, I'm always drawn to these when I'm in a hurry or in a scrappers block. I always love how they turn out so clean, crisp, and classy.
Unfortunately, this LO has papers by so many different people that I don't know who to credit. I do know it's Atomic Cupcake's fabulous chipboard action. And I'll credit God with my beautiful family. :)
This LO can easily use anywhere between 2-6 photos, depending upon how you want to break it up. Or you can find cool papers to fill the spots. It can also be a white space LO or find some great background paper. Have fun with it! It's 300dpi at 8x8 (200dpi at 12x12), and in the Photoshop PSD file format.
Download the file HERE.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Layered Template #23 - 6 Photo
Here's another "scattered" template that can hold up to 6 photos. It also has a couple "torn" edges. Each "torn" paper is two layers. The bottom layer is where you put your paper. The top layer is the actual tear. Once you've placed your paper, you can merge the two layers together and add a drop shadow. Thanks to Atomic Cupcake for her Paper Tear action on this one!
You can download this template HERE.
PS: If you're wondering, I'm the one on the bottom left in the brown sweater holding my daughter. My hubby is the second one from the left in the larger photo.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Layered Template #22 - 7 Photo
Here's a fun little color-blocking template that makes good use of white space, holds a lot of photos, AND makes room for journaling. If I remember correctly, this was inspired by a People.com ad.
Per usual, it's an 8x8 template at 300dpi in a layered PSD file. Enjoy!
You can download this one HERE.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Layered Template #21 - 12 Photo
It's just another Manic Monday.... wish it were Sunday! Oy, what a day! :) Run, run, run, run, run! But now I'm home and getting a chance to just chill. Kids are in bed and sleeping. Hubby is icing his knees. And I'm enjoying the solace of my computer.
Today's LO features a kit by Royanna Fritschmann at Divine Digitals. The name is slipping my mind. Something about Garden. I'll think of it and edit when I do!
The layered template has the borders of each photo on a separate layer so you can remove them if you'd like. It's 8x8 at 300dpi, per usual, which you can resize to 12x12 -- just remember the total size should be 3600x3600 if you resize up.
I've had a lot of comments thanking me for providing multi-photo templates. I'm so happy to know that you are able to make good use of these! I hope you enjoy this one as well.
You can download this 12 photo template HERE.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Layered Template #20 - 4 Photo
I'm so glad this week (referring to the layout) is over! But I'm also glad I documented the "tough times" as well as the happy moments. For the layout, I used a kit from Divine Digitals called "Sisters of the Heart."
Just a teaser... I'm up to #28 in my templates. So you've got at least a week more to go before I run out of ideas or my own LOs to make templates out of. We'll see where I go from there. Stay tuned! :)
Sorry for the delay in posting this. During the time I was able to play on the computer last night, I was unable to get into 4shared. So I had to miss yesterday. Sorry! Now I'm in 4shared again, and you can download this template HERE.
It's been a while since I've given my disclaimer, so I should repeat myself. I design using Photoshop CS2. The files are PSD files, created at 300dpi in an 8x8 size.
Enjoy the template! Keep up the great memory documenting! :)
Friday, August 10, 2007
Layered Template #19 - 4 Photo
This is one of my favorite LOs -- cracks me up every time! Credits: Atomic Cupcake Chipboard Action, Kit by Ams Digiscraps
You can get the layered template for this one HERE.
Enjoy your weekend, and STAY COOL!!! It so crazy hot here, we spent the afternoon in the pool. Then got locked out of the house! Oops! But we're back now. Super-Momma overpowered the garage door. LOL! Now where should I hide that spare key? :)
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Layered Template #18 - 5 Photo
That pool in the picture makes me want to go jump in. So I think I will! :)
Credits:
Pink Paper: AngeDawn Designs "One" (The Digi Chick)
Blue Paper: Scrap Picnic "Summer Crazy"
Chipboard Action: Atomic Cupcake
You can download this one HERE.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Layered Template #17 - 8 Photo
Once again, I look at these LOs from just a year ago and can't believe how much has changed. OK, so it was March of last year, but still. I was 7 months pregnant, Amara was just starting to get hair. And we were playing hooky and going to the park. And now... Dominic is almost the age that Amara was in that picture. She's got beautiful long curly hair, and I'm thankfully NOT 7 months pregnant! :)
The kit for this LO is from Glenda Ketcham's "The Most Wonderful Place On Earth" collection, called "Honey Bear" -- you can get it at Digitals.
The kit is again 8x8 at 300dpi (2400x2400), and can be downloaded HERE in it's layered Photoshop file (.PSD).
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Oh What Fun...
Anyway, I just have to say it has been SO much fun... In the evenings, after I put the kids to bed, I google "Simply Sarah Template" to see what you all have come up with for these templates.
I'm AMAZED! There are so many wonderful interpretations of them, and I just love looking at them all.
I commented to a friend today that one of the templates was one that I had originally done and disliked. It was so far from my "normal" style and it just didn't feel comfortable or right to me. Yet that seems to be the most used template of all of them -- and every LO is just simply fabulous!
Keep up the great work! And keep documenting those important memories -- that's what it's truly all about! :)
Layered Template #16
Here's a fun little color block template for your enjoyment! :) This one is originally a scraplift of my friend, Kendra, who I believe drew her inspiration from a Grey's Anatomy ad from a magazine. YahooGroups failed me this time though, and I wasn't able to pull my original posting of this one to get the credits for the papers. I want to say it's something like "Carnival" or "Circus" but I am not sure of either the name or the designer.
You can download the template for it HERE.
Word Art - Mount Rushmore
Thank you for the quote ideas I got both through comments and through private email. There are a lot of great quotes out there! I finally decided to just go with my own words. I couldn't find a quote that tied together the historically "proven" great men with great men who are fathers with the eyes of a child. So I made up my own. I'm really pleased with how this one turned out.
Brushes for this LO are by Obsidian Dawn, who makes some fabulous free Photoshop brushes and textures.
Fonts used: Times New Roman, Century Gothic, Texas Hero.
I promised Word Art to some ladies who were helping me quote hunt. So here it is. I even changed it up so it would fit those precious photos of SONS and their fathers. I hope you enjoy it!
Download the Word Art HERE. (link removed)
Monday, August 6, 2007
Layered Template #15
Hold onto your hats, I'm going to compliment YahooGroups: I did a search in the archives of my group and found the credits for this one!!! WOW! I guess I should go back and see if the others have archives as well.
My original email states the following credits.
Blue Paper: Nantucket by Susan Bartolini
Yellow Paper: Shabby Princess Christmas Paper
Red Paper: Christmas Paper by Ali
Apparently I did the stitching, which shocked my socks off, because I *only* use Kathy Moore's stitching -- it's just so realistic down to every single thread. I guess I was trying to figure out how to do it, and decided it was just easier from there on out to use Kathy's -- because hers is better anyway! But there you have it... my stitching. I didn't include it on the template, because stupid me flattened the original. You wouldn't have wanted it anyway -- go use Kathy's! *grin*
So... any more quote ideas from yesterday's photo? Huh? Huh? :)
HERE is where you can download today's template.
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Quote Help
OK, I've got this awesome photo you see here. I'm planning to scrap it -- it's one that demands a single photo LO, because I can't bear to take away from it with other photos.
But I'm stuck on a quote.
I'm looking for a quote that essentially says that there are many great men in the world, but none so important as our fathers. I know I've seen/heard one somewhere, but it's not coming to me.
Word Art will be in the results of this one! I'll definitely share with you the word art I choose, but if there are other great quotes that hit my heartstrings right, I may just put them into word art as well.
Thanks for any help you can offer. Just leave the quotes in the comments, along with who said them! THANK YOU!
***Update*** Here are some ideas - none are quite right though....
- "There never was a truly great man that was not at the same time truly virtuous." Benjamin Franklin
- "The measure of a man is not of his worth, but what he means to those he loves." Leisha Farnsworth
- “True greatness is free, kind, familiar and popular; it lets itself be touched and handled, it loses nothing by being seen at close quarters; the better one knows it, the more one admires it.” Jean de la Bruyere
- "The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home." Confucious
- "A great leader chooses the path others will follow." Unknown
- Or I could just write my own: "Of all the heroes, the great and honorable men throughout history, none are more important to a little girl than her father." Does that sound dumb? LOL!
Layered Template #14
I have yet another confession -- no idea anymore who created this wonderful, bright, paisley paper. I know this was in my newbie download frenzy two years ago, and I simply have no clue who the designer is. So if you know, please tell me!
*** Update: The paisley paper is Mary Ann Wise at Two Peas. The kit is called Party Hat. Thanks to Victoria for the information! ***
*** Another Update: Victoria was absolutely correct -- good eye! I found my original credits. The green paper is by NRJ from "Lime Tea") ***
The template is my typical 8x8 at 300dpi. The three squares at the right I cut out of the background strip, but on the template, I just put 3 squares on a layer, so you can either cut them out, make them papers, make them elements, or even make them tiny photos! Lots of possibilities, but I wanted to let you know I didn't cut out the paper on the template, just in case that's not where your creativity takes you.
No word art on this one today, but I'll tease you with the knowledge that I'm working on more Word Art! :) I need to switch to something when I run out of templates! LOL!
Download this one HERE.
(Is it really Monday tomorrow?! *groan*)
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Layered Template #13
It has been fun going through my "old" layouts to see how much my daughter has changed. It's also interesting to see how my style has evolved as well. For instance, while I absolutely love the color of these papers, they totally don't match her outfit. I never used to match my photos to my papers! LOL! I just went with the papers I liked. Not that this one completely clashes or anything... just a little bit. I'll just try to convince you that I was matching the papers to the playground equipment and the grass behind my daughter!
Anyway...
For this template, I put a box where I journaled. In my LO, the background paper was too cool, so I cut out the box and filled it with vellum. You could either do that or add paper -- it's your call, but I wanted to point out an option. This is another layout that I no longer have the notes as to who needs crediting. It *might* be Katie Pertiet -- but that's only if memory serves correctly. Anyone, anyone? Beuhler? Beuhler? I digress...
*** Update: Yep, it's Katie Pertiet called "Happy Together" ***
This 8x8, 300dpi, layered PSD file can be downloaded HERE.
The word art I used can also be downloaded in PNG file HERE.
Friday, August 3, 2007
Tips & Tricks: Convert to 12x12
Just one note - these are in Photoshop CS2. I think it converts to PSE as well, but don't have the program on my computer to confirm that. So if anyone can either validate my claim or add any steps I've missed, I'd appreciate it.
1) Open Template
2) Under IMAGE in the menu bar, select IMAGE SIZE
3) In the Image Size box, change the width and height to 3600 pixels (it should say 2400 originally) -- this should be 12x12 at 300dpi
4) Add your photos
It's best to resize the template BEFORE you add all the photos. The squares of solid color convert easily without losing quality, while photos may not convert quite as nicely.
Hope this helps!
Layered Template #12
For a long time, this was one of my favorite LOs. I created it almost exactly a year ago for a contest at Divine Digital. I can't believe how much a little girl can change in a year -- from nearly two to nearly three.
At the time, the challenge required we use the quote you see there: "Life without risks is not worth living." - Charles Lindberg. I remember struggling with that, because I didn't have any "risky" pictures -- I hadn't seen my newborn or my nearly-two-year-old skateboarding, surfing, skiing, riding motorcycles, etc. So I had to be creative with my use of this quote. In the process, this word art came into being, and I'm including that for you today as well.
You can download the 8x8, 300dpi LO right HERE. It's a layered PSD file, per usual. The word art is a layer of its own within the file.
If you would like a PNG file of the word art, it's HERE. I have it in three varieties: white, black, and glass/transparent.
Happy Friday!
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Layered Template #11
Today's LO is rather simple, but I've always loved these straight forward, clean designs. Just a tip -- notice I shrunk the center square in my own example -- you may need to do that so that the photos don't get too covered up.
When I first created the LO, I was working in Photoshop 5.0, which didn't allow me to type on a path. To create this, I just typed a line of text and rotated it accordingly. Sometimes "text on path" breaks at weird places, so it may be easier for you to take this approach as well. As you see in the template, some of the words break at the corners, which reads very awkward. Doesn't much matter in the template, but may not be the desired effect for your LO.
Also included is the fun little word art for "Miss Independent" -- obviously you can retitle this when it doesn't even remotely fit your subject! But have fun playing with that title either on this LO or on another if you've got the appropriate "Miss Independent" to scrap.
That about covers it, I think. I'm still operating at 300dpi in 8x8 format.
Download this template HERE.
***An Edit***
Originally the word art wasn't its own file, but then I realized you can't all open PSD files. SO... the word art is also HERE in PNG file. It's in black, white, and black and grey for your altering purposes. It's also in layers in the PSD file, so if you can open PSD files, there's no need for the PNG file, unless you just want it! :)
Tips & Tricks: Justified Text
For those of you who like to have the nice, even, square journaling, I'm sure this has proven to be a major frustration. I know it was for me in Photoshop 5.0. It was SUCH a pain to type each line on its own layer or individually kern each line. There are always way around the problems, but sometimes they prove to be such a headache.
Anyway, Sarah told me that the force justification on the templates DOES come across in PSE. To quote my 2-year-old: "Hooray!"
So my tips:
1) If you want to use force-justified journaling on a layout which doesn't use the templates, SELECT THE JOURNALING LAYER from my template and DRAG IT INTO YOUR NEW LAYOUT. While I don't have PSE to test this on, it *should* work. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.
2) To change the size, shape of the force-justified journaling: PUT YOUR CURSOR IN THE TEXT and SLIDE THE ANCHOR POINTS. You can pull it up, down, diagonally -- just as you would in resizing an element.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Tutorial: How to Use Layered Templates
Hummie: http://www.hummiesworld.com/tutorials.html (Course 1, Lesson 6L) - She's in the process of converting all the tutorials to PDF files - I'll link directly to it once it's complete.
Misty Cato: http://mistycatodesigns.blogspot.com/2007/03/layered-template-tutorial.html
PaoJava: http://alexis3700.wordpress.com/2007/06/08/layered-template-tutorial-freebie/
If I find more, I'll post them. If anyone can recommend others, please post them in the comments.
Layered Template #10
Striped Paper by Helen O'Daniel ***