OBSERVATIONS: It's been a slow week here on the blog. Kids are on Spring Break. I'm trying to break in some new specs, and that means less time staring at the computer. It's good for me every once in awhile, right?
Last week's Project Life included many shots of Aidan's birthday party, a smaller scale event than in year's past, and exactly what my girl wanted to do. A dinner party and games for teens. Love that. I never did anything like that as a teen, come to think of it. I hope her parties, the ones she has planned and put on over the years, become warm and fuzzy memories for her.
I feel like I'm having trouble focusing on my shots for Project Life. Meaning, they aren't as in focus as I would like them to be. Or is that just this new prescription talking?
Here's the actual file of the clean table photo from above. I love finding ways to drop type onto a photo, and it works well with big, dark expanses like this. I also love when my scraproom/dining room table is clean. It rarely lasts. (And yes, that bit white splotch? Someone watered a plant there and forgot that the pot leaks.)
To watch a video on how to add text to photos, click here.
I'm loving—no pun intended—the Life Lists No. 02 cards—for use in my 3×4 pockets. As you know, I do a lot of adding text to my cards. To learn how I do it, watch this video.
Side note: Cole said he will never allow me to record him doing either his Creed or Eddie Vedder impression. Sigh. Those privacy-lovin' teens!
And that is all I wrote for Week Twelve.
SUPPLIES:
Clean & Simple: The Workshop starts one week from today! I'm nervous and excited to kick off a whole new type of workshop for me. This is the first class I've ever done that has been heavily video tutorial-based and I can't wait to start connecting with students and helping them learn to use Photoshop Elements to build beautiful, well designed, hybrid layouts. Registration closes on April 10. Remember, once you sign up for any Big Picture class, you have permanent access to the classroom and materials. So, if you're not sure you can keep up, honestly, you can work through the material at your own pace. Hope to see you there!
kelly sill says
I’m having the same problem! Not sure what is going on with my photos being a little fuzzy and out of focus! I don’t know if I’m in too much of a hurry to take the photo or what! Maybe I need to clean my lens!
Pedroza says
I am loving those life list cards to document my boys ages 2 and 8 and that table is where your “magic” is created. My kitchen table is where my boys spent a lot of time drawing, doing homework, reading and so many wonderful things. Love when a furniture piece can be used in many ways. 🙂
Amy says
Cathy, I love this orange/gray/blue color scheme. Please keep the cards coming in those colors!! Thanks
Debbie S. says
Love the party decor!
cyranoscrap says
Hmmm…the photos look in focus to me – although my eyes might be having issues… Comes with being 40-something, lol! Love the list cards – had no idea you came out with those!
dawn says
How fun this weeks pages are, love seeing Aidan bday in there. Glad she had a good time. LOVE that Cole, he is funny! My kids don’t like me sharing everything either. I hate being sick too, we all have a nagging cough. The weather was cold and it snowed then it melted and I hit the track 3x this week, HOORAY!! So good to be back outdoors, wish it warm up quicker though.
Thanks for sharing another fun week with us.
Have fun in your class, everyone will LOVE IT!!
Marilyn says
Cathy, I just signed up for your Clean & Simple class…so excited. Hybrid scrapbooking has intimated me for years, but with your help, I know I can learn and conquer. It’s a big financial commitment…I need to buy an inkjet printer and good paper trimmer. Hence my query. You mentioned a Fiskars? trimmer a while back, would you refresh my memory?
Marilyn says
P.S. Or should I buy a knife and ruler for cutting?
Erin says
Cathy, I am a little strapped for cash at the moment, so I don’t think I’ll be able to sign up for the Clean & Simple class. Will you be offering it again later?
cathy says
Not this year, Erin! : )
But possibly in 2014!
Megan Anderson says
You can try to win it, Erin! http://thenerdnest.com/2013/03/clean-and-simple-workshop-giveaway-from-cathy-zielske-and-big-picture-classes.html
Megan Anderson says
For some reason, I think that the “Teen Privacy Requested” blur is super funny. Not sure what it is (Perhaps just the phrasing? Or maybe just because I’m reading it in your voice?)
My dining room table is only clean when I’m expecting company too.
Kirsten says
The problem with serifs: your blog reader spends a few minutes trying to figure out what Cathy is doing with “porn arils”, what they might be, and hoping her husband isn’t also into them.
Or maybe I just need new glasses too 😛
Karen Breen-Bondie says
Refinish that table, Cathy! So worth it and not difficult at all. Then seal it with (at least) two coats of polyurethane. A treasure forever!
Amy says
Cathy, can you provide instructions on using the digital List cards? Somehow, I can’t get the color to be added to the inside of the letters. (They remain black, although I can change the color of the card outline in Photoshop.) I also can’t figure out how to change the color of the numbers and lines. Thanks!!
cathy says
Sure! This video will show you how to work with a PNG (basics):
To change any element, you click on its layer, then go to Edit Fill and choose a color. Hope this helps!