Creating in Photoshop

I'm playing in Adobe Photoshop. Anyone is free to download any of these rose images. I love playing in Photoshop. If I didn't require sleep, I think I could toy with filters all day long. I have version CS5. This particular rose isn't even real. I'm sorry to have to say that.

This is the original image, cropped, and "smaller", after I played with the "background" a bit. You can see that it isn't anything special. It is part of a floral arrangement on my antique china buffet. I worked on darkening the "non-flower" areas, then I started working on the flower.

The next image I saved looked like this: It still doesn't look like much, but once you get an image cleaned up, you can take it in a lot of different directions.

I save my images along the way because I may want to back-track and go down a new path at some point. Or, I might look at an image after 20 minutes of adjusting filters and scrap the whole thing. Saving my work has saved me a lot of time. I may only want to back up a few steps - or I may want to back up to the beginning - so if I have a number of variations saved along the way, I have a chance to save myself a lot of work.

This is what the image looks like after applying the filter "Glowing Edges"

Depending upon what you like, you can create some amazing images/designs. I have been working in Photoshop for many years, but I am self-taught, which means I have learned by trial and error. I have found that it is a wonderful, albeit sometimes frustrating, way to learn.

Growth often comes through challenges. So, I keep challenging myself with new Photoshop techniques.

The rose to the right has a lovely lighting effect to it.

Here are some other, smaller images I also created with this rose. One image - many possibilities.

Now, think of how you could use these images creatively. And, imagine what you could do with ordinary photographs that you take yourself?

How can you use them? Print them? Craft with them? Images can be put to use (work) in many ways. What hasn't been done yet? What do you wish you could do with an image?

What if I took the Glowing Edge rose image and made rough edge tile coasters with them? That would look neat. I'm sure they'd sell in a trendy shop downtown.

Maybe I print the ethereal rose image on textured greeting cards and give them as a gift to a teacher. Or, have it printed on canvas and hang it on your bathroom wall - or do it yourself if you know how. There are plenty of tutorials on line.

Images aren't just memories. They are ideas. They are emotions. They are inspirations.

Getting Started

How do you get started?

Almost anytime you start something new, you have a bit of trepidation. Will I be successful? Am I going to enjoy this? I have found that most of the time, the answers depend on how much you put into your new venture. It isn't a matter of whether the timing is perfect or if you are too busy. Success is a matter of taking one step after another. Passion helps. Knowledge helps. Determination and expectation are the keys, though.

I am embarking on something new. Recently, I purchased the Starter Kit from Stampin' Up! to become one of their esteemed demonstrators. I had a friend in Oklahoma City who was a demonstrator for Stampin' Up! years ago and I was always encouraged by her creativity and giving spirit. Now, it's my turn to share my love of stamping and my desire to create with others.

Much time has passed since I last looked at Stampin' Up! and their product line has grown considerably. In addition to rubber stamps, they also offer a significantly larger assortment of embellishments and tools. Moreover, they offer home decor items that will "WOW" any visitor in your home.

In the next few weeks and months, I will be posting ideas and templates for cards, scrapbook layouts and craft items that you can easily make yourself. I will provide a list of the Stampin' Up! products that I use for each project as well in case you want to create the same project yourself. I remember when I worked in a scrapbooking store a few years ago, many of our customers would bring a layout up to the counter and say, "I want everything it takes to make this page." I would like to offer a similar opportunity to all of my visitors here.

Another part of this blog will be devoted to tutorials. I hope to offer recorded examples of projects step-by-step so that they can be provided to others on their blogs and websites. This may take a few weeks to get set up, but I believe it will be very helpful to others.

Enjoy your visit and please return often. You never know what you'll find. God bless you.

CJ