Everyday Storyteller 2 Launch Party Tonight (May 3rd 8:00 p.m. CDT)

Posted on May 3, 2013 by Patty
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Tonight is the night for the Everyday Storyteller #2 launch party!

The online party is tonight (Friday, May 3rd) at 8:00 p.m. CDT. Sign up before 7:30  p.m. CDT to receive an invitation. More than $1400 in prizes will be given away tonight. Included in the prizes are two $25 gift certificates from the Digital Scrapbook Teacher.

Need some scrapbooking motivation? Everyday Storyteller 2 is a brand new idea book offering more than 100 tips, tricks and techniques for scrapbooking. Go behind the scenes with 33 of your favorite memory keepers to see how they capture moments, tell stories and document their best memories. Sign up for the VIP list to be the first to know when the book is released and receive an exclusive discount (available for a limited time).

This would be a fabulous gift for Mothers Day!

New Classes

Also, my new classes are filling quickly, sign up soon! Here are the NEW classes:

  • Organizing Digital Scrapbooking Supplies with PSE 11
  • Organizing Digital Scrapbooking Supplies with PSE 7-10
  • Organizing Photos with PSE 11
  • Beginning Digital Scrapbooking with PSE 11
Posted in Class Information | Leave a comment

Everyday Storyteller 2 Blog Hop-Win It Before You Buy It!

Posted on April 30, 2013 by Patty
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Everyday Storyteller 2 is a brand new idea book offering more than 100 tips, tricks and techniques for scrapbooking. Go behind the scenes with 33 of your favorite memory keepers to see how they capture moments, tell stories and document their best memories. Sign up for the VIP list to be the first to know when the book is released and receive an exclusive discount.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each book contributor participating in the blog hop is giving away an eBook copy of Everyday Storyteller 2. Use this entry link  or click the graphic below to complete your entry form. You must enter by 11:59pm PDT on April 30, 2013 to be eligible. You may enter from each stop. Winners will be contacted directly as well as posted at everydaystoryteller.com on May 1, 2013.

enter blog hop

 

 

 

 

 

Thirty two other awesome ladies also contributed to this project. You can also enter from their blogs here :

Tangie Baxter
Kerri Bradford
Joscelyne Cutchens
Catherine Davis
Patty Debowski – you are here
Lisa Dickinson
Karla Dudley
Leah Farquharson
Karen Grunberg
Jenni Hufford
Donna Jannuzzi
Amanda Jones
Mandy Koeppen
Riikka Kovasin
Kami Leonard
Amy Mallory
Amy Martin
Ann-Marie Morris
Celine Navarro
Lynnette Penacho
Kelly Purkey
Krista Sahlin
Linda Sattgast
Cindy Schneider
Wendy Smedley
Elisha Snow
Amy Sorensen
Neisha Sykes
Jill Sprott
Laura Vegas
Allison Waken
Crystal Wilkerson
Jennifer Wilson

Congratulations to Betsy K who won on this blog!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted in Product Giveaway | Comments Off

New PSE Classes Give-A-Ways!

Posted on April 10, 2013 by Patty
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So…a few of you have been bugging me for new classes. I listen, I really do but sometimes it takes some time to get it all together.

….Drum Roll….Here are the NEW classes:

  • Organizing Digital Scrapbooking Supplies with PSE 11
  • Organizing Digital Scrapbooking Supplies with PSE 7-10
  • Organizing Photos with PSE 11
  • Beginning Digital Scrapbooking with PSE 11

Want to win one? Post a short comment why you want to win one of these classes.

Also, if you sign up for the class now there is a $5 early enrollment discount.

I will pick a winner Monday morning at 10:00 a.m. Pacific time, so be sure to leave a comment before that. If you sign up for the class and win you will be given a refund. I anticipate the Organizing classes to fill up quickly, so sign up right away.

Good Luck!

Congratulations to the winners! Don’t forget you can still receive the early enrollment special here.

#46-Patti

#12-Shirley

#38 Linda

#37 Shannon

Please sign up for a user name at My Creative Classroom and email it to me so that I can get you enrolled.

blog winners 04152013

Posted in Class Giveaway, Class Information, Product Giveaway | 66 Comments

Cut it Out with the Cookie Cutter Tool!

Posted on February 26, 2013 by Patty
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Cookie Cutter tool Photoshop Elements PSEThere are several ways to cut photos or digital papers into a shape, similar to using a punch on a traditional photo. This particular method (there are other methods) uses the Cookie Cutter tool (Q) which is a tool that is often times overlooked.

To use the Cookie Cutter tool:

  • Select the Cookie Cutter tool (Q) from the Toolbar.
  • From the Options bar, click on the Shape drop down list and choose a shape. From the Shape Options drop down list choose an option.
  • Open a photo or digital paper (File>Open). Make a copy of the image (File>Duplicate) so that you don’t save over your original image in error.
  • Click and drag the shape on your image.
  • Check the checkmark to confirm the crop.

After cutting the image into a shape use the Move tool (V) to drag it onto your project.

Note: You can also drag the paper/photo onto your project first and then crop it with the Cookie Cutter tool. When using this method be sure that the Crop option on the Option bar is unchecked or it will crop all of the layers.

This technique works the same for PSE11 and older versions.

 

To download this tip as a printable pdf:

Photoshop Elements 7-10 click here.

Photoshop Elements 11 click here.

 

Don’t forget our 30% off sale now through March 2nd at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time. Use Coupon Code: 30OFF

 

 

 

Posted in Photoshop Elements Tip, Photoshop/PSE Tips | 1 Comment

Create a Photo from a Video File in Photoshop Elements

Posted on December 5, 2012 by Patty
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You have probably never noticed that Photoshop Elements gives you the option to save a single frame from a video.

This can be an important tool if you have taken a video in error (I have done this numerous times) or if you just want to use a single frame from the video.

This is easy to do with Photoshop Elements, but depending on the size of videos your camera produces, the final image may be small.

Also, please note that this will work with only specific types of video files. You must use one of the following file types: AVI, WMV, ASF, MPG, MPEG, or M1V. If your camera produces a different type of video file, contact the camera manufacturer to see how you can convert your videos to the file types listed above.

Image from video 1From the Menu bar, choose File>Import>Frame from Video.

 

Click on the Browse button to locate the video file on your computer.

 

 

 

 

 

While you may use the arrow buttons below the video to advance the individual frames of the video, I find it easier to use the Right and Left Arrow keys on my keyboard to move the video one frame at a time.

You may also slide the small triangle on the bar below the preview to move through the frames. 

Once you have the frame you want, click on the Grab Frame bar and the frame will become the active image. If you want to, you may open several frames.

Click the Done button when you’re finished and you will notice all of the individual frames in your Photo/Project bin.

To save the individual images, from the Menu Bar, choose File>Save as and save the images as jpeg files.

This technique works the same for PSE11 and older versions.

Don’t forget our 50% off sale now through December 9th at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time. Use Coupon Code: Sandy

As an extra bonus, 10% of all net product sales using this coupon code, during this time period, will be donated for Hurricane Sandy relief efforts.

To download this tip as a printable pdf click here.

Leave a comment and get a chance to win a $20 gift certificate from The Digital Scrapbook Teacher. Winner will be chosen on December 10th.

 

 

 

 

 

Posted in Photoshop Elements Tip | 17 Comments

Hybridize It! Use Traditional Embellishments on a Digital Project

Posted on October 30, 2012 by Patty
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Let’s be honest here….some of us have a few traditional embellishments hanging around. Many of us have more than a few…maybe thousands…you know who you are! What I have seen (and experienced myself) is a certain amount of guilt about not using the supplies I have purchased. While digital scrapbooking and card making is faster and cleaner than the traditional version, we still want to use up the supplies we have for various reasons…guilt being one of them.

This technique allows you to have the best of both worlds (digital & traditional scrapbooking). All you need is:

  • Digital Project
  • Traditional Embellishment
  • Ruler
  • Photoshop Elements

Here’s how you do it:

  1. Create your project (scrapbook page, card, etc.).
  2. Open the traditional embellishment from the package and measure it with a ruler.
  3. From the Photoshop Elements Toolbar select the Custom Shape tool. This tool is nested with the Rectangle, Rounded Rectangle, Ellipse, Polygon, Line, Shape Selection, and Star (new in PSE 11) tools.
  4. Choose a color that does NOT look good with your project. The thinking here is that the shape you put on the project will be a placeholder only. I want it to bother you so that you remember to turn off the layer (hide) so that you don’t print the project with the shape on it.
  5. From the Shape drop down list choose a shape that is the most similar to the traditional embellishment you wish to use on the project.
  6. From the Option Bar or Tool Options (PSE 11) choose Fixed Size and enter the size of the traditional embellishment.
  7. Click on the page to place the shape. Evaluate whether it fits correctly. Use the Move tool to move or rotate the shape. Do not resize (transform) the shape because that will defeat the purpose of what we’re trying to do.

If the shape is not the right size, you now know that you will have to choose another embellishment (I’m sure you have more!) or make changes to your digital project.

If the shape is the right size, hide the layer and print the project. Let it dry for a couple of hours before adhering the traditional embellishment.

I used my Epson R2000 printer to print this card on cardstock from Red River Paper and it came out great!

What are you waiting for? No more excuses, use those traditional supplies up!

For PSE 7-10 Printable PDF Tip Click Here

For PSE 11 Printable PDF Tip Click Here

Leave a comment for a chance to win a $20 gift certificate.

Grandchildren word art is by Anna Aspnes and is also available in our #D Digital & Hybrid Cards Class Kit (available for PSE 7-10 & PSE 11). The card template is from our #B Card template set available on CD and as a download.

Congratulations Barb (comment #20) you have won the $20 gift certificate!

 

Posted in Photoshop Elements Tip, Photoshop/PSE Tips, Product Giveaway | 30 Comments

Announcing Photoshop Elements 11

Posted on September 26, 2012 by Patty
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Hello!

Have you seen Photoshop Elements 11 yet? Last Tuesday while I was finishing up my last scrapbook shows on the road it was released.

You can now download a free 30 day trial version of the program to try it out here.

Some of the changes you may like:

  • The screen is easier to see with larger icons and text.
  • The interface is lighter.
  • An action player has been added to make it easier to load and play actions. You can now also easily add styles.

Other things to conisder are that the user interface has changed dramatically. Changes have been made to the Toolbar, Photo bin, Options bar, Panel bin….pretty much everything.

The Organizer has also undergone major changes and focuses on facial recognition.

I’ve been working on this program for about seven months and wanted to give you a heads up on some of the changes in the Editor portion of the program with this video.

I have just added seven (7) new classes to the store that also include classes for PSE 11, so be sure to check them out here. Use coupon code: Oct_Classes to save 10% until October 8 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.

A few things to keep in mind-

  • As always, when working on a photo, work on a duplicate copy.
  • If you use the Organizer, make a backup copy of your current catalog(s) before converting to PSE 11. This is Very important!
  • You can install PSE 11 on top of your older version. You do not have to uninstall the older version. If you delete the older version after installing PSE 11 you may have trouble with PSE 11 (something I learned the hard way years ago).
  • I always recommend that you purchase your program on a disc instead of by download. I also encountered several students who purchased their program at a large electronics store and then had to download the serial number. This didn’t work well for them, so try to avoid that situation.

Leave a comment about what you like/dislike about PSE 11 and I will pick one winner on October 17 to win a $20 gift certificate from The Digital Scrapbook Teacher.

 

Congratulations to comment #24 Mar-Sue who won the $20 gift certificate!

Posted in Class Information, Photoshop Elements Tip, Photoshop/PSE Tips | 42 Comments

Hard Drive Crash, Stolen Computer, Lost Photos, Share Your Horror Story!

Posted on September 20, 2012 by Patty
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Hard drive crashI’ve heard every kind of horror story you can imagine about people losing their precious photos. Yes….we all know we should have some kind of backup plan in place, we just never get around to doing it.

I’m offering two seats in my Organizing Photos Class to help you get organized and back up your photos. All you need to do is leave a comment with a real life horror story or fear you may have about losing your photos.

I will choose two winners this coming Monday (9/24). If you have already enrolled in the class to get started right away, and you win, I will issue you a refund.

To get things started here’s my own horror story that happened just a few weeks ago….

My husband’s iPad was stolen out of my classroom at the St. Charles Scrapbook Expo. Yes, we did leave the backpack in the meeting room for a couple of hours (under a table and hidden) at the Pheasant Run Resort. We shouldn’t have done it, but we were in a hurry to leave and forgot it under a skirted table. After returning to the meeting room two hours later we found a clean meeting room along with a cleaned out backpack. Attemps to locate the iPad, while offering a reward have been useless.

My photos from our trip to Europe were on the iPad, no worries because they are also on my computer and backed up online. The problem for me (other than losing an expensive iPad and having to share my iPad with my husband) is that there were about ten photos my husband took of me while hiking on a really crazy trail. No one would believe that I would ever be that daring and now my proof has disappeared.

Leave me your story and hopefully you’ll save someone grief in the meantime.

Have a great weekend!

Patty

 

Congratulations to #26 Linda & #33 Lisa. Please register for a user account at wwwMyCreativeClassroom.com. Send me this information and I will get you enrolled right away! Thanks so much…all of these comments have scared me to death!

 

Posted in Class Giveaway, Class Information, Photoshop Elements Tip, Photoshop/PSE Tips | 62 Comments

Creating Two Page Digital Scrapbook Page Layouts

Posted on August 31, 2012 by Patty
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Want to scrap twice as fast? You have several options.

You can create a double wide page from scratch or from a 24 x 12 template. You can also drag two 12 x 12 templates on to a new 24 x 12 file.New File in PSE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If starting from scratch go to: File>New>Blank File.

Complete your page as you normally would.

To print the page as two 12 x 12 pages: Save (File>Save) the finished page first as a PSD file. Choose the Crop tool from the Toolbar. This is the one exception where you can use the Crop tool on a scrapbook page! 

On the Crop tool’s Options bar enter 12 inches in the Width and Height boxes. Enter 300 pixels/inch in the Resolution box.

Crop tool options

 

 

 

Starting from beyond the top left corner of the page, click, hold, and drag towards the bottom center off the page. Release the mouse and Check the green checkmark üto confirm the crop.

Crop Page in Half

 

The right side of the page will disappear once you commit the crop. Many of the layers in the Layers panel will now be blank. This is all OK!

If you are printing this page on your home printer you can print it now, you do not have to save it as a JPEG file.

Choose File>Save As from the Menu bar and save the page as a JPEG file (no layers) for printing purposes.  You may want to add the word “left” to the file name.

Undo by clicking on the Undo button or using the shortcut Ctrl>Z (Mac: Cmd>Z). Repeat the above steps for the other side.

Undo the crop and save the 24 x 12 inch file again as a PSD. If you would like the full page as a JPEG file choose File>Save As and save it again.

24 x 12 Templates are on SALE until 9/5/2012!

For a printable pdf for this tutorial click here.

Posted in Photoshop Elements Tip, Photoshop/PSE Tips, Products | 1 Comment

Create Your Own Embellishments by Scanning with Photoshop Elements

Posted on August 9, 2012 by Patty
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As a traditional scrapbooker I would become frustrated when I wanted to use my memorabilia on my pages because it wasn’t acid free and it was always the wrong size. As a digital scrapbooker I don’t face those same challenges.

With Photoshop Elements it’s easy because I can scan my memorabilia all at one shot and then divide it using the Divide Scan Photos command. If there’s any extra background left over behind items that are not rectangular use the Magic Eraser tool to clean them up.

Here are a few scanning tips:

  1. Place all of your memorabilia face down on the scanner bed. The items do not have to be straight but should not be touching.
  2. If the items have a white background you may want to try laying a black of cardstock on top of them so that the white scanner lid does not confuse Photoshop Elements. Note the Hairspray play program…Photoshop Elements thought that was multiple items until I used the black paper.
  3. If there are thick items cover the scanner with a black jacket or towel to keep light out.
  4. Scan at a high setting (at least 300 dpi). Scanning at a super high setting will not necessarily create a better scan.
  5. Scan all of the images together and save as a jpeg.
  6. Open the file in Photoshop Elements.
  7. From the Menu bar choose Image>Divide Scanned Photos and they will all be split apart like magic and will appear as separate images in the Project bin.

 Photoshop Elements Divide Scanned Photos

 Use the Move tool to drag the individual images onto your page. Resize/transform them as needed by dragging a corner.

 

 Photoshop Elements Magic Eraser

 

To quickly remove the background of an image, use the Magic Eraser tool.

To download a pdf of this tip click here.

Don’t forget….save $5 on a $10 purchase Use Coupon Code Canyon_Guy before 8/14/2012 Shop here.

Coupon does not apply to Online classes, classes, workshops, boot camps.

Posted in Photoshop Elements Tip, Photoshop/PSE Tips | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments