Photo Booth

J, R, and I all went to the grand opening of the commissary here at Fort Bliss. There was a free photo booth and of course we had to do it. These were the real deal when it comes to photo booth photos.

I really enjoy days like that. When we can just do whatever. R was super tired in the photos... can you tell?

One thing I noticed about photo booth layout, is they are almost always on 8.5x11. I think that's because they will get lost if the page was any larger.

I love the little camera from Amy Tan's new collection for silhouette.
I hid the journaling/story inside the little kraft envelope... on of my favorite parts to this layout.

I used Studio Calico's July kit, Mind the Gap. Also Elle's Studio tags. And American Crafts + Amy's camera for silhouette. If you notice I used the packaging from SC's fab rips.

Using Textures Tutorial

Good Monday morning. I have a tutorial I want to share with you today. I will show you how to use photo textures.
Textures can be used through Photoshop with any digital texture. Like a image file of wood grain. Just be clear that there are so many textures to choose from. I will be using Jodie Lee's

Shabby Photo Textures II and Shabby Photo Textures Set. 

Please keep in mind that there is more than one way to add textures to your photos.


First you need to find a photo you would like to add textures to. I like photos that are more solid or from away. Then drag your texture into your photo.

2. Then apply the texture to the photo as you want it to look. Then duplicate your photo layer.
       In the layers palette it needs to be in this order photo copy, texture, photo.

3. Select the texture in the layers palette. Then select your erase tool. Use the erase tool to erase the parts of the texture you wish to hide. I only used it to erase the texture that interferes with the face.



4. Now it's time to "play" with the texture. Use the opacity and fill to change how much you see of the copy photo and the texture photo. Adjust to your liking. You can also use the drop down menu. I like linear burn and luminosity. You can add more textures too or even frames. Don't forget to save!


BEFORE Original Photo


AFTER Textured Photo


Textures with the addition of Jodie Lee's Frames


Try adding textures to your photos.

Photo Paper: Red River Paper

I have been looking for some awesome paper for photographs and hybrid projects to print from my home printer. I just have a dell series 9 printer. Honestly I have no complaints about my printer. I know the paper is important for a good print.
I was given the sample pack from Red River Paper that has a sample of their papers. I really liked all the paper. I was fond of the Utra Pro Gloss for printing photos. I print photos for my traditional paper scissors layouts and this paper was perfect for printing my custom size photos. I like the photos were crisp and clear with the right amount of gloss. It does not get that annoying glare that gloss photos usually have. These photos are hard to tell what the paper looks like. You might see these photos on a page sometime soon.

I also used one of the matte papers to print photos, while they turned out good, I prefer gloss for photos. Though I really want to try an 8.5x11 hybrid page with some of the matte paper.
Check out their scrapbook section on their website. It has good information about printers, paper, and software.

Star Spangled + Saturday Morning

This is the first year our family has not spent the 4th of July in Georgia. Though things are almost the same minis family and a parade. We had a great weekend! This page is for the symphony and fireworks we enjoyed.

Star Spangled

Used Studio Calico's Ray Gun kit
& Elle's Studio USA Tag.
The flag is just clip art
Maya Road Pin Stars

This page is for the Saturday Mornings J and I spend together.

Saturday Morning

Used Studio Calico's Paper Moon Kit.

I am a...

Crate Paper Girl! I am so excited to be apart of such a awesomely fabulous team. Crate Paper makes some of the best scrapbook products out there. I can't wait to show you what I will be doing with CP's products. Very soon everyone will be seeing the new lines on the blog: crate.typepad.com.

Independence Day Weekend

I love Independence Day! It's one of my favorite holidays. I am so glad and blessed to be apart of such a great country. I am thankful for all our freedoms and those who have sacrificed so much for it.
Our weekend started with a Eli Young Band concert. It was so much fun. R really enjoyed it and was sooo silly! Had fun shopping. Oh and we celebrated Father's Day on Saturday since he was gone last month. Then we watched fireworks and ate pulled pork barbecue. And I made the best apple pie.