Climb On

Today I am offering up a little bit of inspiration which features the new Photoshop Friday template from JessicaSprague as well as my Fresh Floral Fun Collection.

Fresh Floral Fun - available at NDISB - Scrap TakeOut -  MyMemories

This layout is of my daughter as she experienced her first attempt at rock wall climbing.  She tried so hard and was not willing to give up.  Did she make it to the top - no.  But did she make it further than she would have - had she not tried at all?  Absolutely.  What warmed my heart the most was the sounds of her peers cheering her on.  What a great experience for all of the kids.

So, what will you do today?  What are you going to try that is new? And who will you cheer on?

If my daughter can give it a try - so can you...by the Shore!

Cherished Memories

This past week I was privileged to be able to chaperon my daughter's class at our school's traditional Sixth Grade Camp. The good times shared during these three days will be cherished for years to come.

We woke up both mornings and joined other 'early birds' at the lake.  We enjoyed the quiet of the morning, the mist on the water and the sunlight as it started rising above the tree line.  I especially enjoyed remembering my own childhood when I would fish with my Dad - truly happy memories.  Admittedly, I did not like baiting the hook or taking care of my "catch" - but I loved casting and reeling in - and mostly, I simply loved my time with Dad.

Here is the first of (likely) many layouts from her camp adventure.  

The template is from a Photoshop Friday 2012 class at jessicasprague.com.  The papers and elements are from my "Shades of Gray" collection available at My Memories and Scrap Takeout.

Cherishing memories....by the Shore.

What Inspires You?

Don't forget to pick up your freebie from the September Inspire Me Blog Train - here
(and my coordinating freebie on facebook) ~ These freebies will only be available till the end of September and then will be part of a larger kit in my stores.


My family inspires me.  My girls are priceless and I love creating layouts that share their activities, their passions and their love for each other.

Here are a few layouts I recently created from Jessica Sprague Photoshop Friday episodes.

This layout features a technique using paper as an overlay on a photo. Love the way this turned out -(and that this year my daughter is attending Concordia University as a freshman)

I don't often use paper as a background, but this picture of soccer balls was perfect. I need to take more random pictures like this.  The technique was organizing your layout in a grid.  A few tweaks to make it my own - and voila!  The star spray in the lower left corner is from my just released Football Fun Collection at My Memories. (coming soon to ScrapTakeOut)

The best memories of my girls are not the "staged" photos, but those where I capture them simply being together.  This Photoshop Friday uses an overlay and "cutout" to draw your eye to a focal point on your layout.

 Finally, this layout used digital "rub-ons" to create a title.  A fun technique.  Papers and Elements on this special page are from my Summer Happiness collection available at MyMemories, Natural Designs in Scrapbooking and ScrapTakeOut.

So, what inspires you?

I am heading out to make more memories....by the Shore

Photoshop Friday 8/24/12

We are home from taking our daughter to college and I am in catch up mode.   Let's start with Photoshop Friday from August 24,2012.

I really like the typography technique in this session of Photoshop Friday (available at jessicasprague.com).  In this session, we use a simple word or phrase multiple times and add a touch of color to one or two letters/words that tell the story.  And I love the template that came with it - I only needed to add my own background paper.  The way this came together created an awesome layout to remember a very special day - and I have another layout in my "to be printed" folder.

I am fine-tuning a few new digital kits. One of these kits features overlays as shown on the background paper above. Overlays are a great way to add life and texture to a solid color - and you can tweak it to make it yours.

I am also finalizing a mini-kit for a new blog train that begins on September 1st.  Mark your calendars - this Blog Train and all of the freebies are sure to "inspire" you!

Wishing you a great day...by the Shore.

PhotoShop Friday - A New Adventure!

We spend years preparing our kids to be independent young men and women - but who prepares us to let go.  My next few layouts will likely feature my daughter who is beginning her new adventure - college!

This Photoshop Friday (template and mini class from jessicasprague.com) offers a really fun technique using the gradient tool to help the larger picture gradually blend into a white background - perfect for journaling.

And speaking of new adventures, "by the Shore designs" is embarking on a new adventure as well.  Any guesses?  (Look for hints in my next few posts and the 'reveal' in just a few short weeks!)

Have a blessed day...by the Shore.

PhotoShop Friday

You know how much I love my "to be printed" folder - and I couldn't wait to add the following layout.

This template came from another great Photoshop Friday at jessicasprague.com.  I simply adore layouts of my girls spending time together.  These memories are priceless.

Loving my "to be printed" folder...by the Shore.

It's Friday!

And that means it's Photoshop Friday at jessicasprague.com

Here is my layout today - and it now sits all alone in my "to be printed" folder - which I emptied earlier this week to place an order with Persnickety Prints.  (But it won't be alone for long - I am working on a few additional layouts today)

I recolored the elements from this Photoshop Friday template and added papers and elements from my "A Rose is A Rose" collection available at NDISB and My Memories.

Natural Designs in Scrapbooking :  My Memories (papers) (elements)

Another warm day in Colorado - looking forward to a cool down this weekend.  Enjoy these Summer days with family and friends - Fall is just around the corner....by the Shore.

PhotoShop Friday ~ Live Life Out Loud!

Another Photoshop Friday and another layout in my 'to be printed' folder.  Life is Good!

The technique in this week's Photoshop Friday at jessicasprague.com was using a font to create an outline  and using that same font as a clipping mask.  (See the title: PAINT)

I used the template provided which was already 'rich' in elements from the talented designers at jessicasprague.com.  I added papers from my Fresh Floral Fun collection available in both of my stores.

Fresh Floral Fun Available:   NDISB collection and MyMemories Paper 1/ Paper 2 / Elements

Don't forget that all of my products at NDISB are available at 50% off using the coupon code 'SPOTLIGHT'.  At MyMemories, I have placed all of my product on sale at 50% as well.  Both of these sales are in celebration of my two year 'Digi-Versary' and are through July 31, 2012.

Have a blessed day...by the Shore.

Photo Shop Friday with Fresh! Floral Fun!

Photoshop Friday at jessicasprague.com- and I actually did it on Friday (go figure)

This class used an overlay to create 'paper'.  Can you see the luscious texture on the lighter pink paper in the background.  


On this Photoshop Friday, I used the template as a starting point but made several changes (picture quantity and sizes, new elements and I recolored items to go better with my choice of papers. One of the best things about using templates is that they are so flexible.  You can use them 'as is' - or tweak them to make them your own.  Either way, another layout in my "to be printed" folder.


 I used my Fresh! Floral Fun collection for this layout and am tickled with the way it turned out.  You can find this collection at Natural Designs in Scrapbooking and at My Memories (and if you are an Etsy shopper - it is there too)


Hope you have a great weekend planned - highly unusual but I have nothing on my schedule (except church) so we'll see what I can get into...by the Shore.

PhotoShop Fridays!

Have I mentioned that I love PhotoShop Fridays at jessicasprague.com.  Sure I know most of the techniques that are shared - but I don't always remember to use them, the templates are great and I am able to add another layout (or two) to my "to be printed" folder.

This first template/class was on creating your own photo strip (which I love to do on my layouts)  I used a map from google on the background and added a few papers from designers at jessicasprague.com

If you look at the top left corner of the layout, I added an extra photo strip with random images from our trip to Chicago.  If you look extra close, you might see that each image represents a letter of the alphabet, spelling out the word 'Chicago'. My daughter and I enjoyed this alphabet scavenger hunt through the city and are looking forward to trying it again.  A fun way to see things around you a bit differently.

This PhotoShop Friday was on adding a calendar to a layout.  I created a clipping mask for each date and it was super easy to add the pictures in as they were taken.  This would also be a great layout to use as a cover page for a vacation album, or as an advent countdown at Christmas time.

I am now caught up on all PhotoShop Fridays for the year (I bought the entire bundle at once, saving a bit of money) I wonder what this Friday will bring.....You can also go back and purchase individual editions at any time, in case you see a template that catches your eye!

Have a great day...by the Shore.

Photoshop Friday (7/6)

Thanks for stopping by the Shore.  This past week, Photoshop Friday at jessicasprague.com included a template and lesson that I really enjoyed.  While my own scrapbooking style tends to be clean and simple - the technique shared was to add a few background brushes as well as "paint" brush stokes to add a special touch.  A bit out of my comfort zone - though I have to admit I like the end result.  Need to add these techniques to my digi-arsenal of tricks.

                  

Hope you have a fabulous week...by the Shore.

Photoshop Friday and more...

I love Photoshop Friday jessicasprague.com.  Last December I purchased the entire year for 2012 and have not been disappointed - and the best part is I add another layout (or two) to my "to be printed" folder.  

This episode of Photoshop Friday featured a fun template and journaling in a column.  I love that each of these classes refreshes my memory on all of the awesome techniques available in photoshop. And if you are relatively new to photoshop - not to worry, the video lesson and corresponding PDF are easy to follow.

My 'Creativity' layout features paper and elements from my Beautiful Music Collection - available at both NDISB and MyMemories.  I can't tell you how I truly loved spending the day with my husband and girls - and in a paint studio was definitely a bonus!  So much fun getting my hands messy......

And....mark your calendars for July 6-8.  We have a fun blog hop next weekend - you won't want to miss the digi-goodness these designers have for you! Make sure you head back to my blog to check it out (and I'll be sure to let you know it arrives)

Have a great day....by the Shore.

Photoshop Friday x2 and more....

Two more layouts for my "to be printed" folder - both are from the Photoshop Friday series at jessicasprague.com

AND......next week at jessicasprague.com it is party time...who's going to join me!

Have a blessed weekend!  Till next time...by the Shore.

Photoshop Fridays

Playing catch-up on my Photoshop Fridays! This is one of the reasons I love classes at jessicasprague.com. They are available forever - so if life gets a bit hectic (which it does at times) I can work on my layouts and take those classes when I have the opportunity. No stress!
These PhotoShop Fridays are from May 18th and June 1st. (I am saving May 25th for another day)

(this one features my Playful Collection which will be available soon at MyMemories.com)

Hope you have had a blessed weekend...I know I have...by the Shore.

May 4th - Photoshop Friday

Another layout in my "to be printed" folder. Photoshop Friday at jessicasprague.com for May 4th featured this lovely template and the technique for creating a "dreamy photo".  Super cool.

And speaking of my "to be printed" folder,  Persnickety Prints is having their semi-annual sale through May 6th.  I am purchasing credits so that I am stocked up and ready to print my layouts throughout the year.  Head on over there now! (click on the image below or on the Persnickety Prints logo on the side bar)  Checkout with code: bigsale25



Hope you are enjoying this beautiful weekend...by the Shore.

Photoshop Friday x TWO

Two more layouts have been added to my "to be printed" folder.  Last week's Photoshop Friday featured a fun technique on typography - using three different fonts within your journaling to make your ideas pop!  Here's my little girl in her first soccer game.  She really rocked it!

Today's Photoshop Friday featured a technique of using a map as part of your layout.  This was from a few years ago when we went to DisneyWorld right before Christmas.  We told my youngest that we were visiting Gramma - which we did, but we had a surpise detour.  We thought it would be that magical moment you see on tv, where the kids are surprised and over-excited to be in the Magic Kingdom.  Um....NOT.  All she could say at the airport was..."Where's Gramma?"  She did get over the initial disappointment and had a fabulous time.  And yes, when our stay at DisneyWorld had reached it's end, we hopped on a train (another surprise) and headed to Gramma's house.

If you are looking for fun digital scrapbooking templates that you can use in Photoshop or Photoshop Elements, cool techniques and a quick way to add layouts to your own "to be printed" folder, then head on over to jessicasprague.com and check out PhotoShop Fridays.

It's Friday!  (I know this is a favorite day of the week for many of my friends)  Enjoy....by the Shore!

Photoshop Friday 4/13

Another Photoshop Friday - another layout in my "to be printed" folder ....

I love Photoshop Friday as I know that I will have at least one new layout for my albums. The templates are fun and so versatile. I get a refresher on a photoshop technique. And I complete a layout quickly! If you have not checked out the Photoshop Friday classes at jessicasprague.com, I encourage you to take a peek - you will be glad that you did.

I have been 'absent' from my blog this past week - busy working on the yearbook for my daughter's elementary school (a true labor of love) and busy taking lots of photographs. 2 weeks ago I began a great new class - "Oh Shoot", taught by Candice Stringham. I am determined to take my DSLR - a Canon T3i - off automatic and make the leap to manual. I am loving this class and am really learning the basics. Candice has a wonderful way of teaching photography - it is easy to understand and very comprehensive. I already have her next class on my radar - Portraiture!

I hope you have had a wonderful week and are looking forward to a great weekend.

Enjoy the blessings that surround you....by the Shore.

Photoshop Friday 4/6

The 4/6/12 Photoshop Friday class at jessicasprague.com was on selective recoloring. This is a technique that always looks wonderful - and yet I often forget that it is an option. This is why I love Photoshop Friday, it is a wonderful refresher for me - and for those that are new to digi, it is a great opportunity to learn new techniques.

These are papers I have had in my digi stash for quite some time - DHD Pink Lemonade by Carina and Jen. The template is provided as part of the Photoshop Friday class. This is an older picture (from 2005) and is one of my favorites of my daughter when she discovers that she LOVES playing at the beach and in the ocean.

And....you know the best part....I add another layout into my "to be printed" folder. And that makes me happy!

Have a blessed day...by the Shore.

Photoshop Friday 3/16/12

The March 2012 Blog Train can be found HERE

I enjoyed working with the template provided with jessicasprague.com's Photoshop Friday (3/16/12) It was a fun template and perfect for these pictures of my fun and playful girl.

The technique shared was to use a light type on a dark background. I like the way this appears on the layout. I used my Shades of Gray collection for this layout and have added another file to my "to be printed" folder (and you know that makes me happy.)

Hope you had a wonderful weekend - we enjoyed a taste of spring and even a touch of early summer. All we need now is green grass and colorful flowers. But...I know that in Colorado, we are likely to see more of that white "stuff".

Have a fabulous week...by the Shore.

A Speed Scrap & Photoshop Friday

The March 2012 Blog Train can be found HERE

I've been having fun over at jessicasprague.com ~ and adding more layouts to my "to be printed" folder.

On Thursday night, I participated in a Speed Scrap. Every 10 minutes, a new requirement for the layout was added. In an hour, I had a layout completed - start to finish. I used my just released "Shades of Gray" collection for this layout. (available and on sale at Natural Designs in Scrapbooking)


On Friday morning, a new Photoshop Friday 2012 class was waiting for me. This template was so much fun - and I could not wait to scrap my daughter's last day as a seventeen year old.(She was nice enough to pose for the obligatory picture)

Hope you are enjoying your weekend....by the Shore.