The magic of textures....

It's been a long time since I've posted anything new.  My business received a huge order, so we were working steady for over a month to make sure it was out by the deadline...whew!  It did get out and the customer was very pleased...yeah!

Due to my work load I was not able to participate in any of my challenges, but still would sneak off to see what was going on and everyone's amazing photography and editing work.

Anyway...here is a photo I took of this most beautiful tree that I'd pass everyday taking my son to school.  I finally remembered to bring my camera so I'd could stop and photograph it.  So glad I did because a few days later it was really windy here and all the leaves were blown off.

Roll mouse over to see original

I used Bonnie from Pixel Dust Photo Art's amazing "free" texture "Wicked" using blending mode Difference at 100%.  I just loved her examples of what this texture can do, that I couldn't wait to try it out.  The blues and purples it makes is beautiful.  If you haven't been to Bonnie's blogs be sure to check it out.  She has some truly amazing photography and textures available.

Here are a few more shots of the tree...

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope everyone is having a safe and wonderful holiday season!

Ciao!

Gratitude eDition - Texture Tuesday

Our challenge this week is "gratitude" and to use two of Kim Klassen's textures.  I'm grateful for so many things in my life, but one thing I've been needing is "solitude", a little alone time to center myself.  I think as mothers, wives, sisters and even friends, we lose ourselves (or I know I do).  I'm grateful for my alone time...my me time.  So this photo of a lone horse reminded me of "Solitude".

I used Kim's Portrait, blending mode Multiply 100% and Canvas Back blending mode Multiply 100%, erased some of the texture from the horse.  I really didn't have a clear idea or image in my head, but I like the way it came out.

To learn more about Texture Tuesdays click here.  Also check out the other fabulous photography while you're there.

Edit Me - Week 18

This is my first time to participate in this type of challenge.  I've seen them on blogs and looked at how everyone's interpretation and thought, "how fun and challenging that will be".  So I decided to join in on all the fun.

The original photo is by Kathryn at Our tiny BIG Life blog during a trip to Chicago.

The challenge is to take this cool pic and give it your own style. You can use any editing program you like. Crop, color, texture, quotes, effects, actions... anything you can come up with is fair game! And to share a little bit about your process, so everyone can learn from each other.

Here is my "edit me":

I actually used three different editing programs (mainly because I don't know all the ends and outs of just one). 

• I started off in GIMP: I cropped the photo and slightly adjusted the bright/contrast.  

• I opened up the curves and added a really cool "cross processing" effect...saved it.

• I opened the photo in Corel Paint Shop Pro and added Shadow House Creations texture "Painterly" using blending mode Hard Light at 83%.

• In PSP, I added the quote.

• Then last but not least, I opened the photo up in Picnik.com and added a vignette around the photo.

If you're interested in this weekly challenge, click on the button below to learn more about and to hook up.  Also while you're there check out the other fabulous editing techniques.

Creating in GIMP

Here is a piece I created using only Gimp brushes that I downloaded for free from deviantart.com

It's the little things....eDition Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesdays

So many different ideas had really gone through my head for this weeks challenge.  I had missed last weeks challenge for I was on vacation.  It was fabulous getting out of this heat in to much cooler weather.  Anyway, a lot of my picture taking ideas had to be put on the shelf because we had two craft shows to get ready for and I was a bit busy when I got back home.

So this is the photo I chose for this weeks challenge....

So my thinking for using this shot was...when taking photos of flowers, sometimes we forget to shoot the sweet little bulbs...before they bloom.

I used Kim Klassen's "Scripted Edges" on Screen mode 100% and added it again at 86%.

If your interested in Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday click on the box below...and be sure to check out all the other fabulous photos as well.

Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday - The Aurora eDition

Our challenge this week is to use Kim Klassen's Aurora texture that she so kindly gave us.

Roll mouse over to see original photo.

First I desaturated the image.

Added Aurora texture blending mode Overlay 100%

Duplicated used Aurora Burn 100%

Erasing texture off of just the horse.

Then I added Ruby Blossom's Faraway Land background

blending mode Multiply 100%

Erasing texture off of the horse.

For more information on Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday

just click on the box below.

Do you know what today is....

Texture Tuesdays over at Kim Klassen's blog, The Golden Edition...well it's not quite Tuesday for me, but I wanted to get a little head start.

Our challenge for this week is to use Kim Klassen's "Golden" texture that she so kindly gave to us for free...if you're interested in receiving FREE textures head over to her blog and sign up.  She makes some of the most amazing textures.  Anyway, here's my entry for this week.  I'll show the before and after pictures and at the end I'll give you the details of my editing.

 1. Duplicate original

2. Added "Golden" texture

3. Blending mode Overlay 100%

4. Merged down

5. Duplicated the image again

6. Added "Golden" texture a second time

7.  Adjusted the Bright/Contrast using the curves to darken it a bit

8. Used blending mode Overlay 100% again.

I hope you like it and please head over and check out the other entries at Kim's blog.

Happy Editing!

Coming Soon to Ametista.....

This piece is called "The Eye of Horus". I was inspired to handcraft this apothecary bottle for my love of Egyptian art and history.

Be sure to stop by and see our other apothecary bottles at Ametista.etsy.com.

Ciao!