Pinterest Challenge #2 - Photoshop Actions

Time to report on my next Pinterest project completed!  (This really does feel good)!  Just to give you a little background...

 I have been using Photoshop for awhile now to design all of my stationery.  I have never taken a graphic design class in my life and taught myself everything i know through many painstaking hours of trial and error and online tutorials.  Editing photos, however, is not something I have really dabbled in... like at all.  I have always just relied on my camera and iPhoto for everything (plus a wish and a prayer).  Sometimes that has worked out for me, and well, sometimes it hasn't.  Photoshop is like a treasure box.  It has so many hidden gems, but I know I haven't even begun to scrape the surface to really see what it can do.

This brings me to today's challenge.  Last fall I pinned some free Photoshop Actions that Jenn from Dear Lillie blogged about.  Her post featured an absolutely GORGEOUS picture of her daughter and it was then that I vowed to learn how to do that myself...someday.  Well, that someday is now! 

This is the original photo I took of my little peanut, Morgan - with no editing at all:

The original Photoshop Action downloads that Jenn spoke about and used in her editing, came from another blog,  The Pioneer Woman (who you may know from The Food Network)!  Within the last month or so, I hopped on over there and downloaded them, but had still yet to try it.  In the image below, I ran the "Bring on the Eyes" action, and followed all of the tips and tutorials that Jenn gave to use it.  I also brightened up the image a bit and ran the "Lovely and Ethereal" action, but felt like Morgan ended up resembling a character from Twilight.  Those eyes are just too much, and his skin seemed to have that vampire glow.  I since went back and re-read Jenn's post and realized that I needed to reduce the opacity of the action in order to make his eyes look not so fake.  Come to think of it, I probably could have done that with the other one as well.  Hindsight, right?

Then, last week, I did a search on Pinterest looking for some more Photoshop goodies.  It was then that I found these Free Photoshop Actions via Jenn B.  The downloads are available at MCP Actions.
I downloaded each and every single one of what was free and got to work.  I decided to remove the previous "Lovely and Ethereal"  action and reduce the opacity on the "Bring on the Eyes".  Then I ran a new one from MCP Actions, "Pop and Sharpen".  This gave me just the pop that the photo needed, and I was able to slightly sharpen around his eyes and features.  It also offers a layer that really evens out the skin tone - which my little Edward, I mean Morgan, really needed.  In the end, I was really happy with the way this photo came out.  He still looks like my little man - just as cute as in person, and much better than the original photo suggested.

So there you have it.  Me just tipping the Photoshop iceberg.  I still have a ton to learn, but at least now I know how to use a little more than I did a week ago.  Let me know if you have any tips or suggestions, we can learn together!!

XOXO

Linking Up To:

Pinterest Challenge #1

Last week, Kate from Censational Girl posted about an upcoming Linky Party (which starts tomorrow) that she and a few other bloggers are hosting called The Pinterest Challenge - Summer Edition.  I was immediately inspired to get off my lazy butt and start tackling some projects from my Pinterest To-Do List.  I love this challenge because it applies to anything you may have pinned, from recipes you would like to try, to cleaning tips, crafts, home projects - you name it.  Even though the party is only going on this week, I think I may just have to continue the challenge on my own.  I got a head start this weekend and already knocked 4 things off my ever growing list!

The first project I tackled was one that I had been planning to do anyway.  At the beginning of the summer I went to a Tupperware Party (yes, they still sell the stuff)!  I purchased some of those popcicle holders - you know, the same ones they had when we were kids.  Since then, Addie and I have had some fun finding and trying a plethora of recipes.  Awhile back I pinned a recipe for Watermelon Yogurt Popcicles via Jamielyn {iheartnaptime.net}

The original recipe can be found at Family Fresh Cooking. 

Image via Family Fresh Cooking

I followed the directions, and they came out pretty good.  They are super refreshing.  I used honey as my sweetener though, and I probably either should have used splenda or added extra sweetener to the recipe.  They needed just a bit more and I wasn't sure how much honey I should use.  The mixture tasted good, but once I froze them the water of the popcicle kind of diluted it a bit I think.

In any case - I let Addie try them out the morning after we made them.  Yes, she is in her PJs in these pictures, LOL.  She couldn't wait to try them, although I made her eat breakfast first.  Even though I guess watermelon and yogurt wouldn't have been a bad breakfast at all!

It feels so good to be getting some of this stuff done.  Can't wait to share the rest of my projects with you!

XOXO

Linking Up To: 

Friday I'm In Love - Party Edition

Friday I'm In Love is back this week with some pretty amazing party themes and ideas.  I have had parties on the brain lately between the Lego party, some invitations I have been working on, and some new party printable designs for my shop.  I saw these gorgeous ideas and knew I had to do something festive this week. Here goes - let's get this party started!!

The first is a beautiful Summer Backyard Birthday Party by Ashley at Domestic Fashionista.  It's the perfect combination of simple and sweet down to every last detail.  I loved her tablescape and especially the strung lights.  Head over there to see it all!

What a unique take on a baby shower theme!  I ADORE this "Little Bug" Shower (that's VW, not creepy crawler) by Heather at Whipperberry.  From the color scheme, to the invites to the decor - every last drop of this party is so stinkin' cute.  Such a refreshing, new idea!

This Ice Cream Party that Jodi threw for her daughter looks like so much fun!  The colorful backdrop to the ice cream table, combined with the bunting and streamers were the perfect touch.  Head over to Meaningful Mama to check out all of the yummy treats she put together!

Maury (or Mars for short) from the blog Life on Mars posted a gorgeous bridal shower luncheon that her mom threw.  This is one shower I wish I could have atended - the food looked amazing and was literally making my stomach growl as I looked at the photos.  Not to mention the beautiful table settings and favors - I loved this!!

And finally - this Pink Lemonade Party from Ashley at Cherished Bliss is so adorable.  I may or may not be a little partial since my daughter is also named Addison (great minds think alike)!  No but seriously - she thought of everything.  How cute is that bunting?  You also have to check out the crown she made for Addison to wear - so pretty!!

So have I gotten you in the party mood yet?  I sure am!!

If you were featured, feel free to grab a button from my sidebar.  Have a great weekend everyone!!

XOXO

Lego Party - Part 2

So, a few months ago, my friend Elizabeth contacted me to see if I could design some invitations and favors for her son Anderson's 5th birthday.  She mentioned that he LOVED Legos, and we immediately decided on a Lego inspired party.  I was so excited, I got right to work on the invitations (which I shared yesterday).

After that, she hit Pinterest for some ideas on the decor, and I tried to stay off of it.  I had the invitation design down, but didn't want to be too influenced by all of the wonderful Lego-themed ideas out there.  Once everything was designed, I joined her in the fun and we found such cute ideas!!

Three nights last week, Elizabeth and I got in some serious crafting time to get ready for Saturday's party.  Hubby got stuck with Morgan during his "witching hours" and I got some much needed creative therapy.  Sounds like a great deal to me (hubby did not think so)!  I apologize for how many pictures are going to follow - I love all of the bright colors and couldn't help myself.

The party was held at the Lakeside Pavilion in our neighborhood.  I love this location because there is a Mantle!  LOL - I'm a sucker for mantles.  Elizabeth found the favor bag idea on Pinterest, made them all, AND had the brilliant plan to place them on top of the mantle for the display.  LOVE! This was also the perfect place to display the Happy Birthday Bunting.

I had a blast designing the custom favor toppers (4 different designs), welcome sign, bag toppers, and water bottle labels.  Elizabeth asked if I could also do a tented sign for a Lego guess game.  The kids loved this, and the winner got a prize!

Here's another look at the cupcake toppers and heck out that CAKE!!  No - I did not make that.  Our neighbor and friend Mai made this cake - isn't it incredible?

So amazing!!!

Elizabeth also found this idea on Pinterest.  She made little snack boxes out of mini cereal boxes - super cute!

 

I loved her idea for mason jars filled with legos, tied with balloons.  It was super windy that day, and those balloons gave us a run for our money. We placed butcher paper on all of the tables and some crayons made from a lego mold (also made by Elizabeth).  The kids loved coloring, and they took all of the legos out of the jars to play with them.

These plates and juice box wrappers were also things she found on, you guessed it - Pinterest.  They came out really cute.

One of the nights last week, we made these awesome paper plate polyhedrons.  These were so much fun to make and I am absolutely thrilled with the way they turned out.  I will definitely be making these again!

 

She got her money's worth out of the lego molds and also made these chocolates and lego shaped ice cubes!  Too cute!

Anderson enjoyed himself so much - he just loved all of the legos!  After all of that work, I decided to list these on Etsy as my first Printable PDF Party pack.  More to come!!!

XOXO

Linking Up To:

Lego Party - Part 1

I know it seems like I haven't been working on ANYTHING lately, but in fact - I have been slammed with stationery orders.  My girlfriend Elizabeth placed an order with me to design custom invitations and party decor for her son Anderson's 5th Birthday.  Well, I took this as an opportunity to get my first party printable design completed for my Etsy shop.

Not only did I design the invitations, but I also created custom signage, bunting, cupcake toppers, favors and helped her style the event.  The party was this past weekend, and I am finishing up editing all of the photos, but in the meantime wanted to share the invitations with you.

I designed address label wraps that matched the invites - I'm loving this Lego font!

The invites themselves were so much fun to design.  I love all of the bright, primary colors!  It was a pool party, so I added a little note at the bottom for the kiddos to bring their towels and sunblock.

She was thrilled with the way they came out, and she received lots of compliments!  I will share the rest of the fun festivities tomorrow!  To be continued...

XOXO