Crafty Memories By: Rachael

{Word Art & Layout}

2012-01-02T22:02:00.002-07:00

I have been spending some of my not so free, free time doing crafts here and there. Yesterday while my son and daughter were back in school (on a federal holiday) I got the chance to create something. I haven't been able to get much done with both kids home from school. So working on this was really fun and very therapeutic.

I found an image like this on Silhouette, but it was a square. I needed a printable. So I spent some time from scratch trying to re-created it, but so it would fit to an 8x10. I also love that I got to chose the fonts I wanted, and I added the line art.

It's also time for a layout. I have been playing around (mostly in my head) with the idea of doing a photo-strip. I really like the way the look, and I love playing with them.

I really hope you enjoy my template.

Which can be found and downloaded {here}.

Kids Shirts {attempt #1}

2011-12-21T20:54:00.000-07:00

I attempted to make the kids shirts today after school. The process seemed a lot easier than it turned out to be for us. I had recently purchased white flocked heat transfer vinyl and black glitter heat transfer vinyl. The glitter vinyl wanted to be difficult so both kids ended up with the white flocked vinyl on their shirts.

Here is how Kimmy's turned out!

I will have to try again when I can find the color shirts I am looking for, and I have more time to practice my heat transfer craft.

...And here is how Hayden's turned out.

Magnets, Ornaments and more Oh My!

2011-12-17T16:01:00.001-07:00

~~Many of these~~ All of these crafts were inspired by Pinterest in some form or another.

The idea for the ornaments started with this nativity.

For how to make this nativity ornament look {here}.

But blossomed into so much more.

Silhouette is doing 12 days of Chirstmas freebie shapes.
This "Joy" is one of my free shapes.

I've been dying to try some subway art but didn't have any frames and didn't want to spend a lot.
with a tip from a friend:
I found this at the dollar store.

When I found this nativity on pinterest I was ecstatic. I had just bought some magnet sheets for my silhouette and was hunting for things to do with them.

This Nativity can be found {here}.

While playing around with my 100 page packet of transparency paper I thought of how my mother in law loves having a family tree, with pictures of all of us. So I printed and cut out recent pictures of all of us on transparency paper and made my mother in law some ornaments. I really hope she loves how they turned out.

Template Tuesday

2011-12-05T19:58:00.001-07:00

On Sunday we put Gingerbread houses together as a family.

I used Christmas Whimsy for this layout.

Looking for a good DPD kit?

If you are look {Here}.

For todays template look {Here}.

Template Tuesday

2011-11-29T11:05:00.001-07:00

Yep it's Template Tuesday all over again.

I can't believe how fast the weeks go by.

Here's a look at my layouts using the two in one templates I have created just to share with you.

If you want your template go {here}.

Being Thankful {for my Silhouette}

2011-11-24T20:24:00.001-07:00

I know, I know it has been far too long since I have posted anything but digital layouts and templates. I am so sorry. My brain has not been in a "crafty mood" until very recently. With Thanksgiving and Christmas, there are just things that need to be done. Decorations that need to be created, and little tidbits here and there that need something extra.

My new friend Cameo has really helped me out with a few things so far. Can I just tell you "I am in love!!!" She, yes, she is a girl machine (Cause I have deemed her a girl). She has been so much fun to play with. This christmas banner design was one of my 99 cent purchases with my free $10 gift card I got for purchasing her.

I created these little buttons in Photoshop, imported then to Silhouette Studio, where I traced then with the trace tool, then used the Print and Cut feature. When I print them out the printer created little markings on each page.

I put my page on the sticky matt, load, then tell Cameo to detect the markings automatically, after she's done that I then tell her to cut.

I ended up with these cute little buttons...

To attach to all our Christmas cards.

The mail man is so... ganna love me!!! ;)

I have so many crafts I want to do with help from Cameo. I have tons of things I want to order, and tons of things I want to try. She's so much fun.

My son has come up to me and asked me everyday sense I got her "Mom are you going to use your Cameo today? Can I make something with it?"

Happy Thanksgiving Template

2011-11-22T08:15:00.001-07:00

Creating templates for fans is so much fun.

I only wish there was more time in the day to play with photoshop.

Here is the layout I created with todays template.

To get your copy of todays template go {here}.

Designing Christmas Cards

2011-11-15T07:00:00.000-07:00

This year I thought it would have a little fun and designed our family christmas cards myself. Well. I started with one and ended up with four, three that I liked best. The fourth one being my favorite. Here is how the the three top ones turned out.

My husband likes this one.

This is one of my fav's.

But this one is the winner!

I have a little surprise for you...

I have saved every one of these and made them into templates.

I hope you like them.

To get to my template link {Click here}.

Template Tuesday Halloween!!!

2011-10-25T07:00:00.000-06:00

Are you ready for your second Halloween inspired Template?

If so click {here}.

Spooky Tuesday!!!

2011-10-18T07:00:00.000-06:00

It's time for some fun templates.

...And who doesn't love seasonal templates???

Yes, that does mean more are on the way!!!

For todays template go here.

It's Template Tuesday Ladies!!!

2011-10-11T07:00:00.000-06:00

And with the help of a very good friend, I would like to share her layout with you.

Using "Some like It Hot"

If you would like my template and some inspiration head on over here.

Template Tuesday

2011-10-04T08:46:00.000-06:00

Another Ouch for my Hayden.

He has left me wondering "What's next?"

For todays template go here.

...And thanks for stopping by.

Template Tuesday

2011-09-27T07:00:00.000-06:00

Today is Template Tuesday over at Dancing Princess Designs.

Here is a sneak peak at the layout I created

using Dancing Princess Designs "IdylWild" with my template.

To get your template, and see more layouts click here.

Now We're Rockin'

2011-09-21T14:26:00.000-06:00

While doing to digital scrapbooking classes to further expand my knowledge.

For lesson #1 I created this layout.

Lesson #2

Lesson #3

Assignment #1

30 minute Challenge.

Lesson #4

These lessons have been awesome. I really like being pushed to learn new things. This last layout was really trying for me. I had probably hundred layers in my layers palette, and there was nothing I could do about it. I felt cluttered the entire time I was working on this layout.

But I couldn't be more happy with it though.

P.S. I love my 30 minute layout. I hadn't tried to create a 30 minute layout before now. I think this one has turned into one of my favorite layouts.

It's Tuesday!!!

2011-09-20T10:05:00.000-06:00

Are you ready for a template today.

If you are head on over here and snag it.

Template Tuesday!!!

2011-09-13T09:20:00.002-06:00

I've created another template for you.

Here is my layout using Dancing Princess Designs "Serenity Garden."

All Dancing Princess Designs products can be found here.

To find your template just head on over here.

Creating a Pinked Edge

2011-09-12T14:19:00.002-06:00

You need to create a pinked edge.

File

New

12x12

300 pixels

Transparent,

Make sure you have a triangle brush.

(If not you can make one from your shapes pallet, or download one from the internet.)

Chose your triangle brush

change the pixels to 100%

and the spacing to 100%.

With your brush start on the top left- one finger on the shift key the other on your mouse. click down and drag your mouse all the way to the right.

Create a new layer and try it again. Creating two pinked layers.

After you are done drag each layer over to your layout, and drop.

Using free transform to adjust your edges how you like them.

Ok ladies here's your challenge.
Use my template and create pinked edges to go on the top and bottom.

This is about how your template should look.

Note: You don't have to have a pinked edge (if you don't like this look). You can do these same steps with any shape, even circles to create a scalloped edge. But I would like to see what you come up with and at the same time teach you a new technique.

Let me know if you're having trouble, or have any questions.

Guess What I did?

2011-09-10T10:26:00.001-06:00

I just designed and created my own Watermark Brush!

I like to take my time doing things.

Some days I will work on something, save it, then hate it the next day.

I designed this watermark yesterday for a photo I will be posting next week.

I had to sit on it, and think- "Do I really like this watermark?"

Turns out I do like it, I love it!

Here's what I did.

To create my watermark- I googled

"Free Paisley Brushes"

Found these brushes.

Downloaded, then loaded them.

Designed how I wanted my watermark.

Saved the PSD file incase I want to change something later,

then also saved a PNG.

Opened up the PNG file.

With the paint bucked I filled in every letter and paisley with a light gray,

because the brushes can't read empty spacing in the letters and wont save it as a brush unless you do.

Then- Edit, Define Brush Preset, and save.

What's really cool is that your Watermark

(or any of your brushes really)

can be two different things.

A Brush...

And an Eraser.

Just Chose your "Eraser Tool"
Click on your Brush Drop down menu,
and chose your watermark.
To Erase-instead of creating a layer,
chose the layer you want to stamp the eraser on.
Stamp your eraser.
(Note: If you don't like it before you do anything else Control + Z or Edit, Undo.)

I am so excited that I finally got around to doing this, I don't even know why I took so long.
Thank you for stoping by, and don't forget to leave some love.

Toilet Paper

2011-09-06T15:32:00.000-06:00

I used:

Dancing Princess Designs "Sweet Sassy Friend" paper

Font: By Defont- Porcelain and VTPortableRemington

It's Tuesday!!!

2011-09-06T08:33:00.003-06:00

Guess what?

Today is my very first Template Tuesday on Dancing Princess Designs.

I'm really excited that I get to share one of my passions on the D.P.D. Blog.

To get to your freebie,

all you have to do is click on the layout.

Thank you for stopping by!

Creating a Brush

2011-09-02T08:00:00.000-06:00

Have you been working on a layout and wished you could add a little something extra to your layout, or wished you could take away a little something extra from your layout. Well here's how to create your own brush in photoshop.

This tutorial with work for PSE and CS3 +.

Create a new document.

3 inches x 3 inches

300 resolution

Background Transparent.

Go to your Rectangle Tool

In the left tool bar,

right click,

choose your

"Custom Shape Tool."

Go to the top of your screen,

click on the shape drop down menu.

Choose a shape.

I chose this funny looking heart.

(Double click on your shape)

Create a new Layer.

With one finger on the "Shift" button draw your shape.

Go to Edit,

Scroll down to

"Define Brush Presets."

Save your Brush.

Click on your Brush icon on the left hand side.

Go back up to the top,

click on the drop down menu for your brushes.

Scroll to the bottom and your brush should be there.

To make sure, and before you start jumping for joy,

stamp your shape on a new blank document.

Note: if your shape is too small to see

(it looks like a tiny dot)

tap the ] bracket key on your key board to enlarge it.

To make your brush smaller hit the [ bracket key.

They are the keys right above "Return/Enter"

Now you can start jumping for joy!

To make a brush using Text,

type your word,

make sure you have the font you want,

then save it again using
"Define Brush Preset."

I really hope this helped,

and thank you for stopping by.

Holy, Cool Beans Batman!!!

2011-08-31T08:00:00.000-06:00

Ok, so Batman really has nothing to do with this. But I'm so excited, I have to share this little "tidbit" with you, even though I don't usually use that word.

In my never ending quest to do fun things and create fun things in Photoshop, the other day I created a few clipping masks. Today while working on a slue of templates. Yes, the juices are flowing. I thought to myself wouldn't it be cool if I added text to one of my clipping masks.

So I tried it.

Here is how it turned out. I absolutely love it!!!

Can you see the text?

Now picture me jumping up and down with excitement!

I just wish the page curling technique would work this well.

I played with that this morning, and gave up after a while.

Hopefully some time soon I will have a layout with a curled edge in it.

Wish me luck!

I'm off to have a bit more fun.

Template Tuesday Sneak Peak {We're Moving}

2011-08-30T09:16:00.001-06:00

I know, I know it's Tuesday, and you many want your template!

Well I have some good news, and some bad news.

I'll give you the bad news first.

You wont be getting a template today.

I'm so sorry!

I spent a lot of time fine tuning some things and preparing for a big change.

That's right change!

My Template Tuesday will be moving.

With how much work is going into making these new

Template Tuesdays Awesome,

I will be trying to stick to one a week.

Here's a sneak peak of next weeks template.

Here's the good news.

You will get a template next tuesday.

If you want to be able to get my templates, from now on you will find them

here!!!

Make sure you save this link. Don't worry though if you forget,

I will be littering my blog with the right links left and right.

Thank you for being patient with me and these changes.

Much Thanks,

Rachael

My Desktop Background

2011-08-27T17:41:00.001-06:00

Lately I am all about seeing things, and wondering if I can incorporate my digital scrapbooking into that. Well, my desktop picture was split screen images of my kids from Easter.

It was time to change it.

Well... I figured it out.

...And here is my new desktop image.

I love it!

Now I am left wondering why I didn't think of this sooner.

Back To School

2011-08-26T10:58:00.002-06:00

Yesterday some very cute friends and I got together and spent some time digi scrapping and chatting before school got out. Here are the two layouts I got done yesterday.

Hayden's Back to School layouts.

I have seen these frames on layouts lately, and have really liked them.

I couldn't be more happy with these layouts.