I was looking thru some photos that I had Photoshopped a few years ago when I was first learning about Digital Camera’s and Photoshop editing. At the time I was pretty happy with myself for the neat effects I was able to achieve. Looking at them now I have to admit is actually pretty embarrassing! Always a learning process.

Here is one I would like to share. This reminded me of how far we have come in the world of “Recording our Memories”. I did this in 2003. There are many other items I could add to the photo from just a few more short years.

Just a reflection on how fast times are changing!  

click on image to see larger

I just recieved a very interesting email from “Gary Fong” with a wonderful blog Essay on

“How to Recession Proof your Business”.  

I found it very informative with lots of ideas. He also has many great light reflective products for your onboard flash. I bought one a while ago and love it. Check out his site.

They have gone out of business and many people are left with confusion on how they will be able to get they’re hands on it again. Hopefully Corel will  add it as a plug-in to they’re program someday.

But in the meantime here are a few suggestions.

If you have PS you can immulate it by going into Filter, Noise, and using the Median at about 3-4 and then sharpened. I think it was suggested to make a sketch layer too and then you can add it using one of the blend modes or masking back in the median layer.

or…….

Jim Clatfelter has made this free action that simulates the Buzz Simplifier. It looks really good. Thank you Jim!    http://8bf.net/abuzz.zip

 Good Luck!

Carrie

I have stumbled across some new ideas on my latest Portraits which gives a more of an “Old Masters Feel”.

                       “click on thumbnail to see larger view”

Some of the ideas came from the site listed below with many new brushes and Textures they have. I really am having fun with the texture brushes especially the Crack brush.

What I do is take my Painted portrait into Photoshop and make a new layer and begin to paint some greens, blues, reds, here and there with any unusual type of a brush. There are some great ones in the “Special Effects” category of the brushes. I like to use #48. Then I will play with the different modes like multiply, screen, overlay, soft light, hard light, etc. until I like what I see. I usually turn the opacity down and make another layer and do the same thing. When I feel like I am finished I flatten the layers and add a texture or two.

Hope this gives you more ideas to add drama and lighting to your paintings!

Here is the site that has the “Texture Brushes”  with a “You Tube” video below where Justin Gerard shows how he uses his brushes in a very entertaining way.

More great brushes are here at “Departika” and some lessons on how to make your own Vector brushes in Photoshop.

Here are a few ideas to decorate your tree with origami.

This is how to make little Hawaiian shirts.

And these are Santa Clause

Some textures I have made for you to use on your Art! Click on thumbnail and right click to save on your Harddrive. You will need to open the files and save them as PSD. Hope you enjoy!

Video below to help you learn how to add the textures using Adobe Photoshop. You can do this with any photo editing program!

I used both textures on this painting.

click image to see larger view

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For those of you who have Adobe Photoshop and want to learn more and add some really amazing effects to your photos visit Mike Warren’s site. He also gives you a free download for a Christmas Frame.

Scroll down his page to see all the great Photoshop Actions he has available.

Visit here for more details……

Smiley Dog Open House, Dec. 8

He really has a great system. Will even deliver to your house!

This month is the time for Halloween happenings. I decided to share this photo and painting because it is one of my favorite memories. You have seen many sports paintings of my son, so here I am doing a change of pace with him. Here, he is six months old. I first had him on the counter and he started rolling around with those poor little hands and feet sticking out as I was getting my camera ready for the Photo Op. I still laugh when I think of this moment. Poor kid went thru alot of moments like this in the name of Photos!

 Now that he is older he has a voice and I am not allowed to get this stuff!!

I have made these for years and love them!

This first one is a recipe I got from a High End Restaurant I worked at many years ago. This is my son’s favorite salad dressing. It has a smoother and creamier texture than most.

Honey Mustard Dressing – yield: 3 cups

2 cups mayonaise, 1/3 cup each milk and honey, 1/4 cup Dijon-style prepared mustard, 1 Tbl each dry powdered mustard and lemon juice, 1/4 tsp each white pepper and worcestershire sauce

Combine all ingredients and blend until thoroughly mixed. cover and store in refrigerator to allow flavors to blend.

This dressing is is the best on a spinach salad!

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Tangy BBQ Sauce

1/2 cup catsup, 1/3 cup onion, 1/4 cup molasses, 2 tblsp water, 2 tblsp vinegar, 1 tsp worcestershire, 1 tsp prepared mustard, 1/2 tsp. chili powder

In small saucepan combine catsup, chopped onion, molasses, water, vinegar, worcestershire, prepared mustard and chili powder. Simmer uncovered about 15 minutes.

Oh, this is so good! I have tripled the recipe and canned it for future use!

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My husband’s favorite cake. He has me make it for him on all his birthday’s and Father’s Days. His mother made it for him when he was younger. It tastes alot like a homemade maple bar.

Caramel Cake

Bake a regular yellow cake mix, or make a homemade recipe one. The homemade recipe is a thicker, heavier cake.

Frosting:

1 stick butter, 1 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup milk, 3 cups powdered sugar.

Melt butter in a quart saucepan, stir in brown sugar stirring constantly. Remove from heat and add milk stirring vigorously. Put back on heat and bring to full boil. Set aside to cool, about 15 minutes, to lukewarm.

Stir in powdered sugar and beat until smooth and cool enough to spread. If frosting stiffens too quickly beat in a few drops of milk. Forst cake!

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Canned Pickles

8 cups white vinegar, 8 cups water, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup Kosher salt, 1 tsp ground tumeric, 1/2 cup pickling spices, 24 small dried chili peppers, 32 garlic cloves, 8 fresh dill heads

In non-aluminum pot add:

vinegar, water, sugar, salt, tumeric, and spices. (simmer)

In canning jars add:

2 dill heads, 8 cloves, 6 chilies (I actually had to make it 2-3 chilies because it was waayy too hot!), 1/4 tsp alum, and pickles. Add the pickling liquid and can as usual.

These pickles are my all time favorite. They have a really good flavor with a little kick.

Especially good in potato salad. It adds a very unique flavor to the salad and people just rave about it.

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Pickle Relish

4 cups finely chopped cucumbers, 1 cup finely chopped hot peppers, 2 cups finely chopped onions, 1 cup chopped green pepper, 1 cup chopped red pepper, 1/4 cup salt, 2 cups sugar, 1 1/2 cups cider vinegar, 1tbl celery seed, 1 tbl mustard seed, 1 tsp tumeric

Combine cucumbers, onions, and peppers in large bowl. sprinkle with salt and cover with cold water. Let stand 2 hours. Drain thoroughly: press out excess liquid. Combine sugar, vinegar, and spices in a large sauce pot. Bring to a boil. Add drained vegetables and simmer 10 minutes. Pack hot into jars leaving 1/4 inch head space. Process 10 minutes in boiling water bath.

This relish is so good I do not enjoy the store bought relish anymore.

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Remember those really good Orange Julius’s that were so tasty? This recipe tastes just like one~

Creamy Orange Drink

2 cups, orange juice, 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup milk, 1/2 tsp vanilla extract, 1 tbl instant vanilla pudding mix, 1 tbl whipped topping mix, 1 tbl powdered nondairy creamer, 6-8 ice cubes.

In a blender, combine all ingredients, cover and process until slushy!

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How about some Bailey’s Irish Cream??

Bailey’s Irish Cream

2 cups half and half, 1/8 tsp coconut extract, 3 eggs, 2 tbl hershey’s syrup, 1 can sweetened condensed milk, 1 1/2 cups whiskey (Irish if preffered),

Blend, refrigerate, shake. Keeps up to 3 weeks

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Hot Butter Rum Mix

1 lb real butter, 1 lb powdered sugar, 1 lb brown sugar, 2 tsp cinnamon, 2 tsp nutmeg, 1 qt vanilla ice cream.

Mix together with electric beater. Keep in Freezer!

 If you make any of these recipes leave a comment and let us know what you think!

Carrie