Square Peg

Saw this, created that

2012-01-20T16:05:00.000-08:00

Saw this on the internet today

It's not available to ship to Canada so I created this.

I added some beiges to fit the color scheme of my house better. It's 18" x 18" and I want to include it as part of a photo wall.

What do you think? Any suggestions?

The end... and the beginning

2011-12-31T16:50:00.000-08:00

So here it is - Dec. 31st - the end of 2011. I'm not thinking about 2011, though, and all the things that happened (or didn't!) Instead, my mind is buzzing with all the things I'd like to do in 2012. The future. I'm having trouble prioritizing my goals. I think I'll just make a list. A list of some of the things I want to do and why I want to do them.

1. Take photos - learn new techniques. For the creative joy of it.
2. Make digital scrapbook pages. Also for the creative joy of it. And to show my family how much I love them.

3. Travel. Because the world is an amazing place. And it`s another opportunity for goals 1 and 2.
4. Focus on real food. Healthy food. Whole food. Cook it, eat it, photograph it.
5. Keep on walking. Because I want to stay healthy. And to enjoy my new-found love of audiobooks.
6. Read. In addition to the audiobooks. Fiction and non.
7. Take a philosophy course. Because I love to philosophize....
8. Pray. Learn to know God better.

Here's why I haven't been posting.....

2011-10-20T21:58:00.000-07:00

I've been busy working on pics from our trip to Italy. Here's one: Riomaggiore Sunset watercolor

Once I get through them, I'll be needing to create some templates - back then!

What I did....

2011-08-23T07:51:00.000-07:00

with the last masked template I posted.

Mask series - Template #4

2011-08-17T13:44:00.000-07:00

Wow, summer has been busy, even though I'm off work. I've had this one ready to go for weeks already.

You can download it HERE

Mask series - Template #3

2011-07-20T16:05:00.000-07:00

We had a great time scrapbooking at the cabin. We even managed to get a couple of hours in the sunshine on Friday and a beautiful sunset on Saturday. Can't wait to go again!

Here's what I did with the 1st template in this series:

And here is the next one:

You can download it HERE.

Thanks for your comments. It's fun to hear that you are enjoying this series and using it too!

Mask series - Template #2

2011-07-14T12:59:00.000-07:00

Well, I am off this afternoon for a scrapbooking weekend to our cabin. This has become an annual tradition (anything done more than twice counts as a tradition, right?!) I actually can't remember how many years we've been doing this. This year there will be four of us.

Unfortunately, the forecast doesn't look good, but then I guess we will get more scrapbooking done, and perhaps less whale-watching, seal pup observing, and oyster catcher photographing.....

Just another quick sample of what it looks like with photos inserted. The spatter can be filled with paper, or color, or whatever you like, and of course, you'll likely want a background other than white.

Here's the DOWNLOAD.

New template series - Masked

2011-07-06T16:50:00.000-07:00

Started a new series of templates. There are lots of fun things you can do with the large photo masks on each of these templates. Try the various blend modes to blend your photo in with the background. Cross process can be fun too. Use a textured paper as your background paper.

Here's just a quick look at the first one with photos added. Note: All I did was add photos, no background papers or proper journalling........

And the template itself:

I am planning to do more Storybook templates in the future, but this series will be just for Photoshop. I just got a trial version of CS5 and want to PLAY!! I just finished teaching a two-session class on photo-fixing, and both students had CS5. Must keep up!

You can download it HERE.

Tabbed Template #12 - last in the series

2011-06-18T15:33:00.000-07:00

It's been quite a week here in B.C. First of all, our beloved Canucks lost the Stanley Cup to the Boston Bruins in game 7. But far worse than that was the riot that happened. Just want you to know that 99.9% of Canadians are not like that. It was shocking and apalling and has really damaged our reputation, but I hope most people will see it for what it was - the criminal element taking advantage of a huge crowd. So sad!

We made it! This is the last in the Tabbed series of templates.
My brain is cooking up a new series which I'll hopefully get time to work on soon. Stay tuned!

PHOTOSHOP

STORYBOOK

Tabbed #11

2011-06-10T22:01:00.000-07:00

Here is Tabbed #11 - Opposite page would be Tabbed #5.

PHOTOSHOP

STORYBOOK

Thanks so much for all the comments - it's encouraging (and motivating!) to know that people do appreciate these templates.

Tabbed 10

2011-06-04T07:50:00.000-07:00

Thanks for all your comments. I really do appreciate them. It's just nice to know there are people out there who not only download the templates, but will take a moment to give me feedback.

And just a reminder that you can use the buttons below to post to your Facebook, etc. if you are a member of a scrapbooking group....
So here is the next template in the series - #10 - this is the left side of the two-page spread, template #4 would be the right side.

Here is the link for PHOTOSHOP

and here is the link for STORYBOOK

Tabbed #9

2011-05-29T14:50:00.000-07:00

Here is Tabbed #9 - the left side of the two-page spread (right side is Tabbed #3)

I'm not sure whether I will continue with Storybook templates after this series as there haven't been a lot of downloads. If you're a Storybook user, and have friends who use Storybook, be sure to steer them this way for the download. Don't share the files themselves - unless you come to the blog to download them yourself, it looks as though not very many people are finding them useful..... Just saying...

Photoshop version

Storybook version

Questions?? Comments??

Tabbed #8

2011-05-21T11:09:00.000-07:00

Here you go - this is Tabbed #8, which is the left side of a two page spread. The matching right side is Tabbed #2 - still available, as are all the other tabbed templates.

I would love to see what you're doing with these templates, if you'd care to share a link. You can email me HERE

Also, let me know what you would like to see in the way of templates or word art. I don't have time to make full kits right now, but templates and word art I can fit in.

STORYBOOK

PHOTOSHOP

FREE - Tabbed #7 - created to make a two-page spread

2011-05-13T20:43:00.000-07:00

This template is the left side of Template #1 (with the tab at the top) It's a completely new template though, not just a mirror image - made to use as a two-page spread.

Photoshop

Storybook Creator

Happy International Digital Scrapbooking Day! (that's a lot of letters!)

2011-05-07T11:18:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone, hope you are enjoying iDSD!

Here is template #6 of the Tabbed template series. This is the last of the right sde pages. As I mentioned before, I decided to make 2-page spreads, so the left side is coming up next.

This is the link to the STORYBOOK page.

And the Photoshop version is here.

Tabbed Notebook #5 (& updated)

2011-03-27T08:56:00.000-07:00

Here is the fifth in the series. I have decided to make a left side mirror image page of each template as well, so they can be used as a two-page spread. Coming up after #6 is published.

Here is Tabbed Notebook #5 for Photoshop.

and here it is for Storybook

Download for Photoshop

Download for Storybook Creator

The Tabbed 2 template for Storybook had a mistake in it. I have corrected it and the link should take you to the corrected version now. Sorry about that, and I do appreciate hearing from you if you discover an error in any of my stuff. I can't fix it if I don't know about it!

Thanks!
Irene

Tabbed Template #4 (for Storybook & Photoshop)

2011-03-21T10:59:00.000-07:00

Here's the 4th in a series.

for Photoshop

for Storybook

I'll try to get a couple more posted in the next few days :-)

Tabbed 3 - free template for Storybook Creator and Photoshop

2011-02-21T20:44:00.000-08:00

Tabbed 3 is finally ready.

Here it is for Storybook:

and the Photoshop version:

Tabbed Notebook template #2

2011-01-31T20:15:00.000-08:00

Had a good time this week showing people Storybook Creator. It's such fun to see people's eyes light up when they see what Storybook can do :-)

Here's number two of the Tabbed Notebook series.

Thanks for all the comments - appreciate them all! I added some buttons to my posts so that you can now share via Facebook, etc. See the bottom of the post. :-)

Link to STORYBOOK version. There are now 16 Storybook templates on my blog and many more Photoshop templates, along with a few other things.. check previous posts.

Here's the link for the PHOTOSHOP version.

New templates - Tabbed Notebook

2011-01-13T20:43:00.000-08:00

My "Tabbed Notebook" templates are ready for Photoshop and I'm working on the Storybook version. Here's the first one. There are some things that I'm struggling with creating in Storybook that are just second nature to me in Photoshop. But you get the benefit - a scrapbook page that will be ultra-quick to make! So enjoy.

Here's the STORYBOOK version.

And now for the PHOTOSHOP version.

Let me know how you like this new series. I'm toying with the idea of opening up a shop again. Would you be interested in purchasing templates like these?

Template 6 of "Tell the Story" series

2010-12-18T20:22:00.000-08:00

One week till Christmas! Hope you're all ready and relaxing and enjoying each day. I just got back from our annual gingerbread house building - this is about the 25th annual one!

Here's the 6th and final template in the "Tell the Story" series. I won't be making any more in this series, at least for now, but I have a new series that is almost complete and will be available soon. It's called "Tabbed Notebook".

Download STORYBOOK version.

And here is the PHOTOSHOP version.

Tell the Story 5

2010-11-09T20:12:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone!

Here is Tell the Story template #5. (one more to go in this series but see below).

Download STORYBOOK version

Download PHOTOSHOP version

Is anybody using these templates? I was thinking of possibly creating more so that they could be used to create a 20-page storybook (photobook). Interested? Let me know - leave me a comment - if enough people are interested, I'll keep on making them.

Did you have fun on Digital Scrapbooking Day? I didn't get any scrapbooking done but had fun surfing the web and seeing what was going on.

I did scrapbook the previous weekend, and got my Creative Memories calendar done. I just love the CM calendars, they have perforated pages so that at the end of the year you have 12 layouts that you can just slip into an album. And they are great quality! Did I say that I love 'em??

I also made a 5x7 album in a couple of hours - Storybook Creator really helps me to scrapbook FAST - as well as 15 pages of a 12x12 Storybook which I completed in one morning. Love how I can get so much done so much faster with Storybook.

Tell the Story 4 Template freebie and a bit on sharing.....

2010-10-25T17:24:00.000-07:00

Just completed converting Tell the Story 4 for Storybook. Included in the Storybook version are some elements (embellishments) created by me, just so you know they're legal for me to share!

Speaking of sharing, while my templates are free, please do not send them on to others. Instead, direct them here to my blog to get them. You may not re-distribute my creations, even though they are free. Also, if people come here to download them I can see how much interest there is, the more interest there is, the more sharing there will be!

Download STORYBOOK version.

Download PHOTOSHOP version

A bit about shadows. Try to make your shadows look realistic. I see a lot of shadows, especially amongst Storybook users, that are way too heavy and make the items look like they are floating above the page.

Think about whether or not the item casts a shadow, and how much of a shadow. Test it out in real life. For example, text on a page does not cast a shadow at all! Stickers would cast a light shadow, and chipboard a heavier one. Questions? Feel free to comment below.

Grandkids!

2010-10-19T13:24:00.000-07:00

Thanks for being patient with me... I'm going to get to the rest of those templates, I promise!

But right now, I have a "grandkids" word art for you. It measures about 6x6, and is great for putting behind a photo or two of your grandkids.

Storybook users - you can use this element too!

Here's the LINK to download.

Tell the Story template 3 - for Storybook and Photoshop

2010-09-23T18:43:00.000-07:00

Long time no see! But I'm back with the third template in the Tell the Story series.

Here's the STORYBOOK version:

and here it is for Photoshop.

Hope it was worth the wait!

2nd Tell the Story template - for Photoshop & Storybook Creator

2010-07-21T17:23:00.000-07:00

Summer, beautiful summer! I love it. I've been busy cooking and cleaning and picking berries, and going to movies, and walking, and all the things I like to do but don't have enough time for when I'm working. Do I really have to go back to work at the end of August?? AH........

Here's the 2nd Tell the Story template. Thanks for all the kind comments - I really appreciate it.

Here is the link for the photoshop version shown above:

DOWNLOAD

I wish there was a better rounded rectangle for storybook, this is the best I can do at the moment. If anyone has a rounded rectangle for photos, or knows how to make one (other than the tutorial on the CM site - that doesn't really do what I want it to), I would appreciate it!

You can DOWNLOAD for storybook here.

Remember when?

2010-07-16T09:58:00.000-07:00

I have some word art for you today. It's called "Remember When". Do you remember when I last posted to this blog - it's been over a month! Yikes! I was very busy at work the last few weeks and now I'm off for the summer, and trying to catch up on all the things that get dropped like housework, and trying new recipes, and shopping - I don't like shopping. Yesterday being a case in point - it took 3 hours to find a wastebasket and a towel rack, and I didn't get even get to the cork board or fly swatter...... ACK!!!

Anyway, I've done the word art in both a grungy and sentimental style. They are in png format, and can be used in both Storybook Creator and Photoshop/Photoshop Elements (and likely other programs as well...) Both styles are in the zip.

Here is the link to DOWNLOAD. Enjoy. Please leave comments. It's nice to feel appreciated....

2010-06-13T21:54:00.000-07:00

I've done several of these "Tell the Story" templates that focus on getting journalling on your pages. Here is the first one for both Photoshop and Storybook Creator 3.0.

for STORYBOOK

for PHOTOSHOP

Interested in the rest of the series? Leave me a comment! Pul-leaze?

"It's all in the attitude!"

2010-06-04T21:02:00.000-07:00

I was playing around creating some word art, so here are two versions of it for you. This can be used in both Photoshop and Storybook Creator. Enjoy!

You can download it HERE

Coming soon - more word art and the first of my "Tell the Story" templates......

Here it is - right side of 2pager for Storybook & Photoshop

2010-05-27T18:23:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the delay in getting this posted. Long weekend happened, life got busy.... Had a great time at the cabin with family though.

This is the right side of another two-page spread, featuring the heart shape (with a custom shadow for Photoshop), and text on a path.

for STORYBOOK

for PHOTOSHOP

I haven't done a layout with this one yet - if you do one and would be willing for me to share it here on my blog, that would be great!

Something different - vellum journal box

2010-05-18T18:39:00.000-07:00

Followed a little tutorial this afternoon and made this journal box. Thought I'd share it with you.

It's 4x6 in size and is cream in color, and semi-transparent. The preview above shows what it looks like on orange paper.

It's a png file and can be used in both Storybook Creator and Photoshop.

Download HERE

Must-read book and new template for Storybook & Photoshop

2010-05-14T20:01:00.000-07:00

Just finished reading "Son of Hamas - A Gripping Account of Terror, Betrayal, Political Intrigue, and Unthinkable Choices" and highly recommend it! A look at the Israeli / Palestinian conflict through the eyes of the son of one of the founders of Hamas. Stuff you never saw and will never see on TV - the insider's story.

Here's the left side of the latest 2-page set I've done.

For Storybook Creator, download HERE

For Photoshop, download HERE

Here's the layout I did with it - my sweet little grandson Liam.

And a deal for you - some 1/2 price items for Storybook Creator (until May 19)

Black Gallery 12x12 pre-designed pages. Find them HERE

and

"Rebel" digital kit HERE

Please note: these are for use with storybook Creator 3.0. If you're looking for software that will help you create pages quickly and easily, check out STORYBOOK CREATOR 3.0.

If you use my templates, I'd love it if you'd leave me a comment and/or send me a link.

Layouts and new template for Storybook Creator and Photoshop

2010-05-08T11:19:00.000-07:00

Here's a layout I did with a template I posted previously (and which is still available - check previous posts).

This one was done in Storybook - took about 10 minutes...

Here's the right side of the two page layout. I shared the left earlier this week and the left side is still avaialble it in the previous post. The one above is PHOTOSHOP and the link is HERE. (This right side layout was shared last summer but I'll post it again in case you didn't get it and so you can have the right side of the two-page layout as well).

Below is the preview for the Storybook Creator template, and the link is HERE.

Here is the layout I did with it.

Both templates are completely editable (add a photo, delete a photo, move a photo, etc.) and are 12x12.

If you're interested in checking out Storybook Creator (versatile software at a great price of $69.95 Cdn) check HERE

Bookmark my blog if you're interested in my templates. I don't seem to have the time to regularly post them on Facebook sites, etc. If you use Google reader, you'll be alerted whenever there's a new post.

Questions? Post comment below or in my C-Box on the right.

More on Memory Manager and another free template

2010-05-02T21:03:00.000-07:00

I had a question about the journalling feature in Memory Manager so I thought I'd include a screen shot so you can see how cool it is!

See all the info about the photo. Name of the photo, when it was taken. You can give 5 stars if it's one of your favorites, and you can "Tell the story". So great for jotting down those funny things that kids say, or the details of the photo, so that when you go to scrapbook it, it's all there for you.

Check out Memory Manager HERE, and watch the little video for more info. It's called Virtual Tour and you can find the link in the informational paragraph describing the product.

It's a great price - $44.95. Not only does it help you organize your photos, but there's a \n assistant which runs you through the steps of enhancing your photos so they look their best.

I have another 2-page spread for you. Today will be the left side, with the right side to come shortly.

PLEASE do not share my templates on another web page, or forward them on to your friends (it is illegal). Instead, give them the link to my blog and let them download for themselves. This also helps me to see how many people are interested in my templates, and encourages me to make more freebies for you to enjoy. Thanks so much.

This is the Storybook version and you can download it HERE.

The Photoshop version looks like this (custom shadow included) and you can download it HERE

I will include a layout with the next template so you can see what I did with it.......

As always, I appreciate your comments and look forward to reading them. You can use the C-box on the right, comment at the 4shared site, or add a comment below. Thanks so much!

Our computers are the new shoeboxes!

2010-04-27T18:57:00.000-07:00

I remember when I first started scrapbooking, the goal was to get the photos out of the shoeboxes and into the albums where they could be enjoyed, and the stories told.

Well, our computers are the new shoeboxes! We take the pictures, put them on our computers and too often, that's where they stay. And even worse than the "olden days" when they remained in the shoeboxes, now we run the risk of losing everything if our computers crash.

Need help getting those photos organized? Check out Memory Manager. There's a Virtual Tour at the bottom of the first paragraph.

This program is a great organizational for traditional paper scrappers, as well as for digital scrappers.

Features

• Organize your digital images from digital cameras, scanners or CDs
• Store digital images and journaling with the exclusive Memory VaultTM feature
• Organize and store your audio (.mp3, .wav, .wma) and video clips (.avi, .wmv, .mpg, .mp4, .mov)
• Image enhancement features such as color correction, red eye, cropping and much more
• Print your digital images online or at home with the click of a button
• Keep track of printed or non-printed photos

I really like the journalling feature. You can quickly jot down notes about the photo and keep it right there with the photo, ready to scrapbook when you are.

Available as a download or on CD

New templates for Storybook Creator as well as for Photoshop - another two-page spread. Hope you like them. I'd love it if you'd post a comment below.

STORYBOOK CREATOR LEFT SIDE

STORYBOOK CREATOR RIGHT SIDE

PHOTOSHOP LEFT SIDE

PHOTOSHOP RIGHT SIDE

Enjoy and I'd love to hear from you. Just a little encouragement motivates me to make more!

Last two free templates now available in Photoshop.....

2010-04-24T16:36:00.000-07:00

... as well as for Storybook Creator 3.0.
After I was finished making them, I noticed there are a couple of slight differences, but they're pretty close for both programs.

Here are the links for the templates in photoshop

PHOTOSHOP LEFT TEMPLATE

PHOTOSHOP RIGHT TEMPLATE

And I'll include them again for Storybook Creator as well:

STORYBOOK LEFT

STORYBOOK RIGHT

Thank you, Photoshop users for your comments. It's because of you that I re-created these templates for Photoshop. Keep on giving me feedback, please! Now I'd like to hear from Storybook users as well. Please leave me a comment on the templates below. Also, feel free to ask any questions you may have about Storybook Creator 3.0

Please send me a link if you use the templates - I'd love to see what you do with them.

And I'd love to know what types of templates you like - multiple photo, 2-page spread, large photo, small photo, etc.....

Have you seen the SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL content shown here on CD - it's also available as downloads if you prefer. Please note: You must have Storybook Creator to use this content.

Till next time!

Irene

Free Storybook Creator Template - right side of two page spread

2010-04-21T21:05:00.000-07:00

Here's the right hand of the two-page spread. This is a template for use in Storybook Creator.

If you would like me to post them for Photoshop, post a comment below. Also check other posts- there are lots of Photoshop templates posted on my blog.

Download STORYBOOK CREATOR LIVE TEMPLATE

You'll find information about Storybook Creator in previous posts. If you're looking for inexpensive software that will help you create pages, photobooks and more, check out Storybook Creator 3.0. Versatile software, suitable for use by beginners to experts.

Check out the video HERE and click on Virtual Tour on the right hand side.

Creative Memories Live Template freebie

2010-04-19T21:34:00.000-07:00

Here is my first live template share for Storybook Creator 3.0! I had great fun creating it and am stoked to have figured out how to share it. Hope you enjoy it. Please let me know!

You can download it HERE

This is the left side of a 2 page spread. I will post the right side soon. I have another 2-page spread to share soon.

Storybook Creator 3.0 is a great tool for digital scrapbooking. Check it out here

This is very robust software at a very reasonable price. Any questions? Just ask.

New template for you - 4 pics

2009-11-27T12:10:00.000-08:00

Here's the template I promised. Do you like these fun, slightly warped shapes? Let me know, so I'll know what kind of templates to make.

Download HERE

Between today and November 30, you can get over $100 worth of free with purchase stuff at my web site
http://www.mycmsite.com/sites/ireneo

Check out Storybook Creator 3.0 Plus - I love this software. It's so much fun to create pages and storybooks with it. AND my productivity is way up over using Photoshop. Don't get me wrong - I love Photoshop, but when I need to get stuff DONE, I love Storybook. And it's so easy to order, no more tedious re-sizing and uploading.

Someone wanted to know - can you use these templates in Storybook? Well, you can't in this psd format, but you could make pngs out of them and use them. But even easier would be to use them as a pattern.... Questions? see my Cbox to the right? Ask there, and I will answer to the best of my ability.

Have a great weekend and if you'd like to, check previous posts for more freebies!

Coming soon.. and a sale!

2009-11-23T21:54:00.000-08:00

I have a new template ready to upload. I'm also planning some Christmas goodies. Hope to get to it this weekend. In the meantime, here's a shopping opportunity for you.

http://www.mycmsite.com/sites/ireneo

Free Month by Month Overlays

2009-07-24T11:26:00.000-07:00

Thank you so much for the great response to my templates. I have another one almost ready - I have to make a couple of adjustments to it first and today is a busy day. So I thought I'd share these Month by Month Overlays that used to be in my store. (Oh, by the way, some of you have been looking for my store - I don't have one anymore! It was too much tedious work to keep up with the marketing end of things for me, so now I just make freebies :-)

These overlays are show at 100% opacity, but don't forget that you can lower the opacity for a more muted look.

The link is HERE

If you would like to give me some input, there's a Cbox on the right of my blog. Love to hear from you. Let me know how many pics you generally like to put in a layout (it's probably different for everyone - I know I rarely - like almost never! - do a one pic layout.

Have a great day!

Template - large photo plus strip of four

2009-07-20T16:54:00.000-07:00

I'm working on some more templates. Here's one for a large photo plus a strip of 4 smaller ones. 12x12 - 300 ppi, saved in both psd and tif formats. Shadows as always, are on separate layers, so you can use or not as you wish.

Have a look around my blog. There are several other templates still available, as well as some other stuff.....

Thanks so much for your comments and for the links to your layouts. I just love seeing what you do with the templates, it's very inspiring - gets me scrapbooking as well as making more templates for you! HERE is the link to the new template.

5-Pic Template for your scrappin' pleasure

2009-01-16T17:14:00.000-08:00

I created a template in an attempt to get my creative juices going again. I haven't scrapped a page in I don't know how long. Hope it helps inspire you too!

This one has room for 5 pics, and the shadows are on separate layers so you can use them or not, as you wish. (or adjust them).

Download HERE.

Some of you have been looking for my store - well, I don't have one any more. I am just enjoying posting the occasional freebie for you without any deadlines or commitments. If you want to be sure not to miss any, just subscribe to this blog (on the right) or add me to your reader.

Have you seen "Expelled" yet?

2009-01-04T18:19:00.000-08:00

Just popping in to recommend "Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed" - it is a must-see!

Here's a link to some trailers:
Expelled

From the web site:
EXPELLED: No Intelligence Allowed, is a feature film in which host Ben Stein (Ferris Bueller's Day Off) goes on a quest to expose the suppression by science's anti-theist elite, and unveil new scientific facts that may suggest evidence of intelligent design in the universe.