If you've been part of the Photoshop world for more than a hot minute, then you know that long-time instructor Dave Cross is truly a class act. I cut my Photoshop teeth decades ago watching his videos—and these days, I'm honored to teach along side him and a flock of other amazing instructors at his popular Photoshop Virtual Summits.

Next week, you can watch a full week of inspiring Photoshop training FOR FREE at the Photoshop Virtual Summit 5 happening online Oct. 30–Nov. 3.

But is it REALLY free?!? Why, yes—it is! Anyone can sign up and watch the entire event for free. And if you like what you've learned and want to keep it to watch again later (and get all the course bonuses), then you can become a VIP. The choice is yours!

You get 5 full-days filled with 40 courses from 20 top instructors including Kristina Sherk, Nicole Young, Lisa Carney, Jesus Ramirez, Bert Monroy, Aaron Nace, Dave Cross, and more!

I'll be teaching Secret Lair: Hidden Features of Photoshop's Layers Panel and TextCraft: Photoshop Type Effects and Beyond. Among other things, we'll explore different ways to take advantage of Photoshop's Knockout feature for images as well as type.

Want to hear more about who's teaching what? Check out these behind-the-scenes chats to see what we’ve got planned!

Click below for more details and I hope you'll join us!

Don’t let the designation of “beginner” fool you—“beginner mind” is a way of approaching learning with a sense of adventure and openness.

In my hands-on lab session at this year’s AdobeMAX, I’m thrilled to share the step-by-step process of creating this fun and spooky animated gif using generative AI, adjustment layers, masking, and Photoshop’s Timeline panel.

Together, we’ll work through complex topics in an easily digestible way—creating Photoshop magic as surprising as it is delightful!

While some of us go to school for design, others of us find ourselves in a role with design responsibilities more unexpectedly. If you’re an accidental designer at a non-profit organization, check out my latest course with TechSoup for a primer on design fundamentals.

The finished appliqué banner measures 20" wide and 26" tall and with only three pieces, it's not fussy and works up fast.

Ok. Enough words. Let's get stitching!

Materials for Appliquéing the Women's Rights Banner

• canvas (or duck) fabric measuring at least 21 x 53 inches

• large scraps of cotton quilting fabric (or similar) in at least three colors/patterns

• fusible web (Pellon, Heat ‘n Bond, or equivalent)

• coördinating thread (I used Sulky 12 wt. thread so it would really show up.)

• removable pen or marker

• scissors

• pins

• sewing machine

• iron

• cutting mat

• wooden dowel: 1/2-inch wide and 22-inches long (a decently straight stick or branch also works—use what you’ve got!)

• ribbon, rope, string, etc. for hanging

Instructions for Appliquéing a Women's Rights Banner

You can choose to use a single color for the appliqué design, or three like I did in this example. Who says you can't have choices?

Step 1: Prep the Pattern

Download the pattern and print pages 5-8 at 100% scale. Tape the four pages together as shown, carefully lining up the guide marks, then cut out each of the three pieces:

• The left side of the cirlce

• The right side of the circle

• The hand with the + symbol

***Note: The “thumb” and “finger” outlines are top-stitched only. They are not individual pieces.

Step 2: Cut Out the Banner

Cut a piece of canvas measuring 21-inches x 53-inches. Iron carefully (I can never seem to get wrinkles out of my canvas, but I wish you the best with yours) and fold the banner in half with wrong sides facing (right sides out), positioning the fold along the top. Mark the center point to help you position the appliqué pieces coming up.

Step 3: Prep the Pattern Pieces

Iron the fusible web to the wrong side of each of the fabrics you plan to use for the appliqué, then use a removable marker/pen to trace each shape onto the right side of your chosen fabric, then cut out. (Here, for some inexplicable reason, I opted to reverse the pattern pieces and trace them onto the paper on the back side of the fabric. If you go this route, just don't forget to reverse the pattern pieces. Otherwise the whole thing will end up backwards. The bottom line is—you can choose whichever you prefer!)

Step 4: Appliqué!

Peel the paper backing off the fusible web and iron each of the pieces onto the folded banner, carefully positioning the design in the center of the bottom half of the banner. (Fold the banner to help visualize the center more easily.)

Next, use your removable marker/pen to draw or trace the lines of the thumb and fingers.

Now we're ready to stitch! I opted for black, 12 wt decorative thread from Sulky and chose stitch 17 on my bernette79—but hey! You do you! You have choices—exercise them while stitching around the outside of each of the three pieces, being sure to stitch through only one layer of the banner fabric. (You'll need to unfold the banner fabric while stitching, incase that wasn't obvious. I've been there, done that. 🤣)

To finish, continue stitching over the lines you drew for the thumb and fingers. Feel your inner strength grow with each stitch of this appliqué pattern!

Step 5: Finish the Banner and Share it with the World!

With the appliqué stitching finished, re-fold the banner with right sides facing this time (insides out) and switch your stitch selection back to the standard straight stitch (or not—again, it's your choice!).

Then, starting about 4-inches from the top (the fold), stitch down and around with a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Be sure to stop about 4-inches from the top on the other side.

Reach through one of the open ends to turn the banner right side out and press.

Stitch around again, this time leaving a 1-inch open at the top, and using 1/8-inch seam allowance.

Insert the dowel, tie a string or ribbon to the ends, and display with pride in a place of prominence.

Step 6: Vote!

Make sure you're registered to vote then make a plan, bring your friends, and make your voice heard. I hope this spirited appliqué pattern inspires all who see it to champion women's rights along side human rights in general.

This is such a great event! I’ve had the honor of being part of it since the beginning. It’s wild to think that it’s been two years since the first one— and this will be the FOURTH! 🤯

Featuring 40 classes from 20 of the world’s top Photoshop instructors, there’s something here for everyone. And each day when the classes go live, you can watch free for 48 hours. How’s that for an unbeatable price?

Mark your calendars for May 2–6 and get your FREE pass now.

Want even more? An optional Photoshop Virtual Summit VIP Pass is available for purchase that gives you lifetime access to the recordings of all classes, along with audio recordings, instructor-provided class notes and exclusive bonuses (including my texture pack and 50-piece collage kit along with an entire bonus class with Bert Monroy, essentially a book written by Lisa Carney, and a whole lot more).

I’ll be there too, with a Texture Tell All and a look at how to cook up a masterpiece in my Photoshop Kitchen. I sincerely hope you’ll join us!

This is the class for cross-stitch designers, pattern creators, and needle point enthusiasts who are looking to leverage Illustrator’s powerful but easy-to-use features for building cross-stitch charts for personal or professional use. Whether you’re an experienced Adobe user or you’re a total beginner, you’ll be surprised how easy it is to design a cross-stitch chart in Illustrator.

Not on Skillshare? Use this link for a free trial to enjoy this class and everything Skillshare has to offer.

In-Person Conferences, Here We Come! 🤞

CreativePro Week is one of my fave industry events not only because the speakers and agenda are the best of the best, but also because the community is so inviting—great for insightful conversations, skill building, and of course, new friends.

This year, I have the honor of presenting three sessions: beginner overviews for InDesign and Illustrator and fancy list-making in InDesign. (Ooh-la-la!)

If you use InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat, or PowerPoint, don't miss this amazing HOW-TO event featuring five jam-packed days! (Also streaming live online if you can't make it in person!) Save $100 with the code CPWJOINUS at creativeproweek.com.

I’ve been bitten by foundation paper piecing bug! With so many nibling birthdays coming up, I’ve been inspired to create all kinds of things, including this fun and cheerful birthday celebration block!

The pattern has a finished size of 8x8 and features:
- Reference diagram
- Ordered assembly instructions
- Labeled pattern sections
- BONUS: Individual pattern pieces with seam allowance for those who like to pre-cut everything

To all the paper piecing aficionados out there, happy piecing!

Spring is coming and in my family—that means a bunch of kiddo birthdays. So many niblings! In an effort to stay ahead of the game, I whipped up a beginner-friendly birthday party hat pattern using gorgeous fabric prints from Benartex’s Good Vibes and Black, White & Bright collections and published the final result on the WeAllSew blog, where you’ll find step-by-step instructions and the free downloadable PDF pattern.

What makes this birthday party hat pattern unique is that there are no raw edges or exposed paper (the inside is fully lined too!), which really levels up the finished product while still being quick and easy. (I made another one last night while my husband prepped dinner. They’re that fast.)

Card stock gives the hat its shape and the fabric gives it both style and a professional finish. I love that there’s no raw edges and that the whole hat can be made without glue! (Or with glue, if that’s your jam.) If you’ve never stitched through paper before, you’ll be amazed how nice and crisp it makes the finished product.

If you’re not familiar with CreativePro, it is hands down one of the best resources available for professional creatives. It’s the first place I go when I’m trying to figure something out (or trying to remember something I forgot 🤣) as their catalog of articles, resources, and trust-worthy information is as mind-blowingly deep as it is vast. They have answers and solutions for everything.

Over the years I’ve had the privilege and honor of contributing several pieces to their archives. Their latest publication includes an article I wrote on three different ways to work with mockups in Photoshop. In it, I walk readers through how to:

• create a mockup from scratch (yes, from absolutely nothing!)

• turn an ordinary JPG into a mockup that you can easily reuse

• work with professionally created mockup templates

Plus, I share an example of how I shot a simple image with my phone and turned it into a one-of-a-kind mockup. (Doesn’t get much easier than that!)

If you’re not already a member, it’s definitely something to consider investing in!

Who’s ready to party?!? The new My Modern Met Academy just launched and if you’ve been looking to learn how to crochet, this class is for you!

Designed specifically with beginners in mind, I’ll walk you step-by-step through the construction of this fun Fiesta Fringe Bag featuring a custom made strap, stylish hardware, and of course—fringe.

Along the way, you’ll learn how to:

• Read a yarn label

• Hold your yarn

• Read and follow a crochet pattern

• Work in rows

• Chain Stitch (Ch)

• Single Crochet (SC)

• Work in Back Loops Only (BLO)

• Add fringe

• Create and attach a strap

You can use fun and energetic colors, or go with neutrals for a boho look. Either way, this simple bag is a great way to start a new hobby and come away with something usable that you can keep for yourself or gift in style.

If you’re curious about compositing in Photoshop but feel like you have no idea where to start or how to begin—this FREE Adobe MAX workshop from yours truly will have you creating wondrous new compositions in no time. It’s available to watch on-demand (for free until the next Adobe MAX in the fall of 2022) which means you can get your learning on from home in your PJs, anytime!

This fun, beginner-friendly compositing course includes step-by-step introduction to Photoshop basics and beyond. You’ll learn by doing as you manipulate and combine multiple images in surprising ways, creating something entirely new. Along the way you’ll get tips for shooting your own source images as well as ideas on what to look for when exploring existing source collections like Adobe Stock.

You’ll learn how to:

• Make simple selections

• Work with layers, layer masks, blend modes, and Smart Objects

• Scale and transform objects

• Add special effects

• Manipulate color

All the images used in the tutorial are from Adobe’s free stock collection. You’ll find links to the exact files within the included step-by-step workbook. All you need to download them for free is an Adobe ID, so get ready to roll up your sleeves and follow along!

Here’s a look at some of the progress images from the step-by-step companion workbook.

I’ll walk you through the basics of layers, layer masks, free transform, selections, effects and more. One of my favorite moments is when we create the metallic pole for the carousel—entirely from scratch using a custom gradient! It’s such an elegantly simple solution that can be applied in countless ways.

When you’re finished, you’ll have some fun art that’s 100% worthy of a frame along with some mad new skills to take you wherever your creative heart goes.

Vintage collage in Photoshop is a whole genre unto itself. Taking old images (often from public domain) and giving them new and (often colorful) life is more fun than you might expect.

Join me on Friday, February 4th at 1pm CT for a livestream where I’ll show you how to get started. We’ll tackle things like where to find source material, commonly themes, and how to blend everything together color and tone-wise.

Here are a couple more examples I came up with:

I hope to see you at the livestream! Until then, I’ll be right here, making more of these because I can’t seem to stop… 🤣

Are you crochet curious? After a long day spent staring at my computer screen, one of my favorite ways to unwind is with a ball of yarn and a crochet hook. If you’d like to give it a try, I’ll show you the basics while we whip up these fun, versatile, and super quick crochet hearts that can be used for nearly anything. Make them into earrings, tie them onto a lollipop valentine, or make a few as a sweet surprise to leave in the pockets (or desk drawer) of your favorite special someone.

Great for beginners! Whether you're an experienced yarn enthusiast, or you've never touched a crochet hook in your life, in less than 30 minutes, this class will show you everything from how to hold your yarn and read a pattern, to completing your first crochet heart. Before you know it, you'll be cranking them out lightning fast!

You'll learn:

• what supplies you'll need

• how to hold your yarn

• how to make a slip knot

• how to chain (Ch)

• how to double-crochet (DC)

• how to triple-crochet (TR)

• how to slip stitch (Sl St)

• inspiring ways to make use of your beautiful hearts!

If you’re not already on Skillshare, you can get a free 1-month trial and enjoy not only all of my classes, but tons of other wonderful and inspiring ones too!

And if you get stuck or have questions, I’m active on the platform and am happy to help! 30 minutes from now you could have a new skill!

Naturally, there’s a version for my first Adobe love, Photoshop…

And a version for InDesign, which will always have a special place in my heart…

And yes, though not quite love at first sight, over the past many (many!) years, I’ve grown to love Illustrator just as much. This version is for Illustrator lovers and lovers of Illustrator.

All three Adobe cross-stitch Valentine patterns are available as instantly downloadable PDFs. They include:

• the respective printable cross-stitch Valentine pattern

• step-by-step instructions

• template for creating a DIY envelope and heart embellishments

• BONUS: SVG cut files for the hearts and envelope

If you’ve never stitched on paper before, it’s surprisingly simple and fun! With only a few supplies (mainly embroidery floss and a needle) you can create something special that will leave both you and your loved one—in stitches.

Whether you’re a photographer or your valentine is, these photography-themed printable valentine cards make it easy to express yourself in a way that really clicks. (See what I did there?)

The front of the first design touts the balance you and your valentine bring to each other’s lives, just as a camera’s aperture and shutter speed work together to balance exposure for a desired creative effect. “You’re the aperture to my shutter speed,” is a line that’s as metaphorical as it is endearing.

The finished, folded card measures 5x5-inches, with plenty of space inside for you to add a personal message.

The second design captures the love and inspiration that you, as a photographer, feel in your heart for your special someone!

Both versions are available as an instantly downloadable PDF that includes:

• the printable valentine design

• complete instructions

• template for matching envelope

After the holiday, the card can be popped into a frame and enjoyed for many years to come!

On my long list of to-dos (for quote some time) was to create a digital planner. Better late than never, right?

Subscribers can grab this 2022 Minimalist Digital Planner for FREE from my Creative Toolkit. To give digital planning a go, you’ll need:

• a tablet

• a stylus

• a note taking app (like GoodNotes or Notability)

• a PDF digital planner

This quick overview will help explain how digital planners work.