June 08 Designer Challenge Featuring - Granny

[angelwithin]

This Months Challenge is being hosted by our very own Granny aka Ester Barry

take it away Granny :D

[Granny]

Oh my word!!!!!!! :eek:

Hehheeehe... What an honor! Well, ok, I am going to do this... I think... I know. It just that, Ahhhhhhhh, ahhhhhhhhh, ahhhhhhhhhhh....

Ok, look, give me a minute to look through this mess, and I will get the stuffo together. I promise this will be a good challange, and you will get a nice reward at the end of the days.. Ops, the month!!!!

:o

[EclecticDiva]

Okay Granny.. i'm ready for a good challenge. :-)

[juliehclark]

I'm hoping to jump in on this one!!!

[Granny]

Ok, my little chikadees!!!

My challenge sort of builds on Donna's and Fiona's challenges. It's all about working with seamless tiles to create seamless backgrounds, paper scraps, borders and shapes.

As you all know very well, one draw back of building many pages in a template is the humungus size of the file. Even with Max!'s wonderful compression, the final size of a project can be a nightmare. By using seamless tiles for backgrounds and paper scraps, you cut down on file size by hundreds of megabites. Not to mention that when you have a set of tiles that go together, you can have pages that blend with each other perfectly. Now, why I never manage to do that is a mystery even to me!!! :eek:

I have attached a pdf file with a simple tutorial on making backgrounds and borders with seamless tiles, and also attached a zip file with ten seamless tiles that coordinate with each other. You mission, should you choose to accept it, Jim, is to make a layout using these tiles for backgrounds, borders, lace, shapes, frames, etc. I'm sure Donna and Fiona won't mind if you use the shapes they supplied for the previous challenges. The tiles are well suited for a wedding theme, and let's face it, June is the wedding month. I will try to supply embies as you need them, and maybe you can share what you have too. It would be wonderful to have another mega kit at the end of the month, with a wedding theme.

Oh, oh, oh... I forgot to mention. There are millions of seamless tiles on the net, and you can create your own if you have an image editor.

Please, ask as many questions as you need, just don't ask who let me in this forum, please, the powers that be don't know I'm here. Let them continue in the darkness.

Read the tutorial first, then extract the tiles. If you need more tiles, (greedy muts), let me know. Please, let's try to keep it coordinated.

Thank you all for participating and have lot's of fun.

:p

[Granny]

Ops! One of the tiles on the previous zip is not working, so please, download this zip instead!

Sorry! Thank you for your patience!

:o

[autisticwonder]

GRANNY!!! LOVe this challenge immensely!! LOVE your tiles!! You were the SCRAPPER who introduced them to me long ago!! LOL..Been hooked ever since!!

I've got to go open my good box from you!! You are always welcome to use my shapes..and I know you know that!! LOL

HUGGIES!!
donna

[angelwithin]

i love this...i'm gonna go play in a sec and see what i can come up with ;)

and by all means use any shapes i've given people...there are loads in the embellishment section if you look - i may even go make some more in a bit just for this challenge

fiona xx

[Granny]

Thank you girls! You're both so generous. I hope every one else will be happy about this. It really makes such a difference when we use tiles. But, if it turns out to be a bummer, I can change on mid-flight and come up with something more popular, honest!!

:D

[sacannon]

This sounds like fun! Will work on it a little later!

[lily6570]

This is gonna be fun Granny..... I get to learn more new stuff!

[angelwithin]

is it just those seemless tiles we can use or can i make some extras and use them too?

obviously any i make i'll add here ...cos i'm feeling nice today lol

[Carena]

Hi Granny - great challenge. This will be lots of fun for everyone - including me. LOL.

Credits: Granny Tile from challenge - thank you
Razzle Dazzle and Bre-alla kit by Carena's Designs

Used SBM software - at 200 dpi and saved for web. Came out blurry - any ideas anyone on what I did wrong. LOL sorry I don't usually use SBM and not up with all the ins and outs. When I have a program that cost me many hundreds of dollars I tend to use that one. LOL It was lots of fun though and a pleasure with the ease of use. Maybe because I saved for web instead of a higher setting is my problem.
Again - cool challenge Granny - I'm sure it will be very popular with everyone. Excellent

http://www.scrapbookmax.com/gallery/data/500/My-Scrapbook-000-Page-138.jpg

[Granny]

Beautiful layout, Carena. Thank you for the encouraging words.

I think that stuff for the web is usually 96ppi. Very low resolution. It's great for websites, but not for layouts. But, then, I'm no expert. We'll see what the gurus say.

Fiona... Absolutely, you can use other tiles, I just would like to sort of keep it in the same spectrum, you know. But, please, by all means. I'm sure that whaever you come up with will be a winner!!

:D

[omajo]

Woow, beautiful tiles Granny, thanks !
I 'll like to make some wedding Lo, using yours.

[sacannon]

Here is my try at the June Challenge. I made some embies and shapes. One overlay and one circle edge shape. The shapes are the last two below the layouts. Save them to your shapes folder (c: Program files, SBM, Gallery, images,shapes)

I think the edge shape on the picture would be great for winter pictures.

This was a distance shot that I cropped and zoomed so it is a little blurry.

http://www.scrapbookmax.com/gallery/data/500/sac_Jun-08-Challenge-000-Page-1.jpg

[MommaBird]

Hi Granny - great challenge. This will be lots of fun for everyone - including me. LOL.

Credits: Granny Tile from challenge - thank you
Razzle Dazzle and Bre-alla kit by Carena's Designs

Used SBM software - at 200 dpi and saved for web. Came out blurry - any ideas anyone on what I did wrong. LOL sorry I don't usually use SBM and not up with all the ins and outs. When I have a program that cost me many hundreds of dollars I tend to use that one. LOL It was lots of fun though and a pleasure with the ease of use. Maybe because I saved for web instead of a higher setting is my problem.
Again - cool challenge Granny - I'm sure it will be very popular with everyone. Excellent





Usually if I save to send I choose the email option (for the overall size) but I choose highest for quality. That way, it suits posting size. If I am going to print I save it as best in both categories.

[MommaBird]

Thanks, Granny for a fun challenge. Couldn't decide what to do, but came up with this. Working with shapes and tiling was a great idea! Congratulations! By the way, I love your sense of humor in your postings! Are you a writer?

http://www.scrapbookmax.com/gallery/data/500/Wedding-000-Page-1.jpg

[twpclerk]

This is a picture of my older brother and sister.

I used Granny's tiles, Autisticwonder's Frilly Frame IV freebie and Pam LeFors' Tomorrow's Beauty Kit at http://pamleforsdesigns.com/
Thanks to all!


http://www.scrapbookmax.com/gallery/data/2247/twp_Granny-Challenge.jpg

[twpclerk]

Oops Granny, don't yell at me tooo loud, everybody will hear you!! I didn't do a wedding theme, even though the love is in there, I'll try to come up with a wedding picture to put in this page.<slinking off boo hooing>

[twpclerk]

Here is more of a wedding look!!

http://www.scrapbookmax.com/gallery/data/2247/twp_Granny-Challenge1.jpg

[scrappyaggie48]

Hello Granny

Was not sure about this one, I think this is what is needed, but anyway had fun, thanks for the challenge, there is always lots more to learn!!!!

The photo is my cousins' daughter on her wedding day in October last year.

Hope you like it!

http://www.scrapbookmax.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=24494

[Jenna's mommy]

All these layout so far are lovely, thank you Granny this sounds like fun so i will join in

[Oceania]

Love the creative creations that you all have done so far they all look **Amazing** I was a little stuck on this but ended up with this. Thanks for the fun challenge it put my mind to test mode lol

http://www.scrapbookmax.com/gallery/data/500/granny-challenge-000-Page-1.jpg

[MommaBird]

Wow! These pages are great! Just beautiful -- ALL!

[angelwithin]

I used a couple of my lace edge & mat shapes plus a few embies ...granny i love tiles they are so much fun to work with and they take up so little space :D

it took a few attempts to get the rose to match in but i think i did it in the end lol

http://www.scrapbookmax.com/gallery/data/1585/wedding-challenge-000-Page-1.jpg

[MommaBird]

I used a couple of my lace edge & mat shapes plus a few embies ...granny i love tiles they are so much fun to work with and they take up so little space :D

it took a few attempts to get the rose to match in but i think i did it in the end lol

http://www.scrapbookmax.com/gallery/data/1585/wedding-challenge-000-Page-1.jpg

All I can say is WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW!!!!!

[Granny]

Wow, ladies, what beautiful pages!!! I did not mean to make it hard for you guys. But you are definetely raising up to the challenge! If you need a particular embie to go with your page, ask me, I'll make it for you or find it! I appreciate you sharing with each other and giving credit too. You're a good bunch!!!

TWclerk, you did great, even with the first picture. They are all lovely.

Mommabird... Thank you for all your support and kind words. No, I'm not a writer. According to an old friend (wonder about that), I'm a flower child.... A blooming idiot! But then, she wan't far behing me!

Ok, ladies, keep them coming! Remember, ask and you will receive!!!

;)

[sacannon]

Hey Granny, when I try to drag and drop, the "drag and drop" assistant doesn't come up. Is there a setting for that to come up? Mine just drop on the page, then they are blurry when you spread them on the page. I drag and drop a lot, but I don't ever see that box come up.

[MommaBird]

Hey Granny, when I try to drag and drop, the "drag and drop" assistant doesn't come up. Is there a setting for that to come up? Mine just drop on the page, then they are blurry when you spread them on the page. I drag and drop a lot, but I don't ever see that box come up.

One of the settings on the drag and drop box is
Don't ask me this anymore which means
Don't show this dialog anymore, just automatically add the new image as a Photo object. If you check this box, you can enable it again in the Drag and Drop section of the preferences. You can find this setting by choosing Edit > Preferences from the program menu and selecting the Environment section.

Hope this helps!

[Granny]

Thanks for the help, Mommabird! Yeap, Sac, that is sactly what you must do!!!

;)

[sacannon]

Ok I give....I have been looking for it but can't find it. Where do I find the preferences for drag and drop to change the setting?

[slprunning]

I am new to this site. Thanks for the great challenge...I am going to try this!

[MommaBird]

Ok I give....I have been looking for it but can't find it. Where do I find the preferences for drag and drop to change the setting?

Up at the top where it has File Edit Align etc. , choose Edit and Preferences is at the bottom of the list. The box that pops up contains Environment and the Drag and Drop is the last thing on the right side (check box should be unchecked).

[sacannon]

ahhhh, thanks! I looked there, but I only looked on the left side and didn't see it. I need to get my glasses changed!!! (No joke, I have a new prescription, but it is good to have an excuse even if it is a bad one..LOL!)

[Oceania]

My second for this challenge :)

http://www.scrapbookmax.com/gallery/data/500/wedding-000-Page-11.jpg

[angelwithin]

wonderful pages everyone :D

i'll try and get another done when my graphics card is fixed *sobs* it decided to throw a wobbley (probabley complaining about being overworked lol) so i'm waiting for a repair until then it's surf and only make one item at a time with only one program open at a time - nightmare for a designer as we all work in several programs at once *sighs*

[sacannon]

Here is my second attempt.

The Frilly Heart shape is from Autistic Wonders Filly Frames 3 kit, the Flourish below the frames and the heartline is from her misc. shapes (at least I think the flourish was in one of those misc groups, I might be wrong on that one). The solid border is from a kit Donna gave us in one of the other challenges. The solid heart is from SBM shapes. The others I made.

http://www.scrapbookmax.com/gallery/data/500/sac_Jun08Challenge_2-000-Page-1.jpg

[Granny]

Wonderful girls!!!! I should have all of you as my creative team!!!!

Ok, one thought! When using the tiles as a background, make sure you import them through the page option and select the "Background (Tile)" option, or when using the drag and drop option, select the same option it in the Drag Assistance window. Other wise, the program will strech the tile to fit the entire background and you will have a blurry background. Unless, of course, that is the effect you want.

Did any of that make sense, cause it sounds weird to me! :confused:

:p

[Granny]

SLPrunning... Welcome to the forum and the challenge. Delighted to have you. Can't wait to see your layout!!!

;)

[wolvsie35]

Granny, wonderful challenge...and I know if I don't participate, you will ground me or something...lol...I am slowly getting back to everything, so I will definetly try this one out..Never done much with tiling...So this should be fun...

Everyone's pages are so good...Wowzers!!!! :D

[eye]

Gee these are all so lovely.I am just looking.Waiting for a simple challlenge to come along:D.

[O2BNGdHope]

Granny, I noticed that if I change the ppi from 200 to 300 or even to 100 the tiles change size. What range can we use realistically for these? I guess it would depend on if we were printing or just keeping on the computer for slide shows, etc? Is there a way to change the dpi for each item or just for the entire page?

[wolvsie35]

Hey Grams, I had no wedding photos to use, so I used my neighbors dog...lol...I had to babysit her last week...Are we suppose to put the smt files here so others can use these as well? Just wondering...Hope you like this...and..OH...I learned some new things from your tutorial, thanks bunches...((HUGS))
http://www.scrapbookmax.com/gallery/data/500/GrannyChallenge-000-Page-2.jpg
http://www.scrapbookmax.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=24603&cat=500&ppuser=5259

[Granny]

Melanie... I exported them at 200 ppi. That should be plenty for whatever size, but Fiona is the expert in that department. Ppi is different from dpi, but they both live in the wrong side of the tracks. It has to do with their uncle Harry getting too familiar with cousing Louis, whe needless to say, don't even have a printer. Now, ain't you glad I'm handling the challenge this week, since I know every thing?

Wolvsie, baby, so glad to have you around. No problem with the dog picture, she is adorable. Better looking than any bride I ever saw. I hate weddings, anyhow!!! :eek:

:p

[angelwithin]

but Fiona is the expert in that department. errrmmmm

Ppi is different from dpi, but they both live in the wrong side of the tracks. so true rofl It has to do with their uncle Harry getting too familiar with cousing Louis, omg i never knew it was uncle Harry :eek:

:p

DPI is probably the most familiar and most misused measure of resolution.
It is the measure of how many dots of ink or toner a printer can place within an inch (or cm).
Most printers print the same number of dots horizontally and vertically, though some may have differing numbers. Basically, 300 dpi printers print 300 tiny little dots across one inch and 300 dots vertically for one inch

The term dpi (dots per inch) is relevant only when printing.
In printing, dpi is the measure of printed image quality on the paper.
Pixel dimensions are relevant to all images displayed on a computer.
This is sometimes called ppi or pixels per inch. A high-resolution monitor setting will display more pixels per inch.

soooooo Basically the term DPI refers to the resolution of the printing device, where PPI refers to the resolution of the image itself

Even though "dots per inch" (DPI) and "pixels per inch" (PPI) are used interchangeably by many, they are not the same thing.

Pixels per inch (PPI) refer to the square pixels in a digital image, which are in contact with the adjacent pixels.
There is no space between the pixels. The PPI is the display resolution - not the image resolution.

A simple example:
If you have an image that consists of only 1 green pixel. That's it. The whole image is one pixel big - 1 PPI
Then you print it on a printer that doesn't have a green ink cartridge, but it has blue and yellow.
The printer will then print one blue dot, and one yellow dot in order to get a green dot. So, your file was 1 PPI, but the printer had to print 2 DPI to render it correctly.

now that your brain is screaming for mercy :D the reason why the ppi images change size when you change the dpi is.....cos they can...no thats not it *slaps self* lol ....it's because no many how big or small you make the dpi the image will automatically change to having it's original quota of ppi - clear as mud huh :rolleyes:

[Granny]

Ok, that does it... Any one else asks a profane... Ops, I mean, profound question in this here challenge, and you'll be banned for the rest of forever!!!!!!!!! You think I got brains or something?

Who's idea was it to put me in charge of this challenge anyhow? :rolleyes:

:p

ps: Thanks, Fiona... Now I'm really confused! Confounded!!

[O2BNGdHope]

<rotfl at Granny> I meant when I change the ppi under the page>settings>size. The......what am I trying to say......the number of tiles.......the REPEAT of the pattern.... changes with the ppi. So does it matter what ppi I set it for? If I want the tiles spread out more or repeating more often, can I change the ppi? And can it be done on each paper scrap differently or is it just the page size that's being affected?

Sorry Granny, I hope this question wasn't too profound. I'd really hate to be banned. :(

[fourfoxes]

O.K. Thanks for getting my imagination going again Granny! :) I enjoyed this one! I used your beautiful tiles to make the background and made some into shapes using some of Fiona's (a.k.a. angelwithin) assorted shapes. I also used some jewel embellishments from Bobby Bear and a tag of mine to complete the look.
http://www.scrapbookmax.com/gallery/data/2315/June-08-Designer_s-Challenge-000-June-08-Designer_s-Challenge.jpg

[Granny]

Melanie, sorry, I did not understand. RD has a mega render option where you can make the tiles larger, but they do loose sharpness. You have raised some very good questions here, but I'm sorry to say I don't know. I have never thought about it. Tiles will not always work good as a background or paper scrap. Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and have a huge file size by making a full page background. But if you look in my gallery or my store, you will notice that most of my work is done with seamless tiles.

Sorry, it's early in the morning and the gears are stuck in the frozen position. By the end of the day, they will have move about 1/8"! :eek:

Debby. Great job. I love the picture too! And the way you used the crystalls is awesome!

Also, I realize now that I did not give you the best choice of tiles to work with. I'm just trying to get you all to realize the potential behing using seamless tiles for your work. Specially when there is a lot of contrast between the tiles in a group.

I have attached another set of tiles that a close in colors to the first ones. Just to give you a little more range.

Enjoy!

;)

[sacannon]

Thanks Granny!

[fourfoxes]

OOooooooo Thanks Granny! :)

[twpclerk]

Thanks Granny, will have to give it another try!

[scrappyaggie48]

Hello Granny

Here is my second LO for the challenge, hope u like it!!!

http://www.scrapbookmax.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=24705

[omajo]

My first entree for this challenge.

http://www.scrapbookmax.com/gallery/data/500/June-2008-Challenge-004-Page-5.jpg

[omajo]

My second entree for this challenge.
I recolor the tiles to the favourite color of our DIL, The borders are Granny's with my 10 carat diamonds scattered,....heehe....( wish its true..!). The bow and pink rose are SBM's.

http://www.scrapbookmax.com/gallery/data/500/June-2008-Challenge-005-Page-6.jpg

[omajo]

Thanks Granny for the challenge and the freebies, also the new tiles!
The other layouts looked great, fantastic jobs !

[fourfoxes]

Thanks to Granny, Fiona and an embellishment booster pack of vintage buttons from SBM store this page takes on a nice vintage look. The roses are mine. :)

http://www.scrapbookmax.com/gallery/data/2315/Designer_s-Challenge-June-08-_2-000-Designer_s-Challenge-June-08-_2.jpg

[Granny]

Excellent you guys!!!! Great layouts! Love the way you use the tiles in so many different ways!

Omajo, that mirrowed image is awesome!! And coloring the tiles... Never thougt of doing that!

Every one is doing lovely work. Thank you so much for so many great samples!

:D

[fourfoxes]

O.K. I created my own tile for this one. I made it to look like ceramic tile. What do you think? :) I added some of Granny's tiles and more vintage buttons and shapes from SBM to complete the look. (I hope that it's all right that I made my own tile design, I know it's not part of the challenge!:rolleyes:)

http://www.scrapbookmax.com/gallery/data/2315/Designer_s_Challenge_June_08_3.jpg

[KPierce]

Here is mine. I used three of the provided tiles. Then I liked Eye's orange lattice so much I modified it slightly and created a tile <I asked Eye first. Thanks Eye.> and used it to create a beautiful frame. I thought the color fit the challenge and I love lattice look. It worked great. I could learn to like tiles very much.

The flower was from the Grove challenge hosted by Carena. The corner is from Trevor's treasure kit. The car is a freebie from a website listed in the "favorites sites for Scrapbook Max!-ers". I also have attached the lattice tile I made from Eye's work. The wordart is Elegant Wordart.

2256322564

[sacannon]

Wow, these are all so wonderful, Great Challenge Granny!

[nanwu]

I didn't put a wedding photo in my layout as I only have one from my wedding and I couldn't scan it, but what is more romantic than a beautiful sunset

[O2BNGdHope]

My sister-in-law, Jean. Thanks, Granny for the challenge.

http://www.scrapbookmax.com/gallery/data/500/SBM-designer-challenge-010-Jun-Designer-challenge.jpg

[Granny]

Great job, girls. I love these pages. You are all getting the sense of the challenge. Tiles can be used as backgrounds, borders, lace, frames, corners, paper scraps, etc.

Glad you're having fun!!

;)

[KPierce]

In the Gallery there is a section for Groove Newsletter contests. I was wondering why none of the monthly Groove challenge pages make it there any more? It would sure be easier to see all the work and pages. Curious minds...you know.

[O2BNGdHope]

Sorry, I'm just in the habit of sending them all to the member galleries. I forgot about the Groove challenge gallery.

[angelwithin]

these are all so gorgeous...well done everyone :D

[KPierce]

Sorry, I'm just in the habit of sending them all to the member galleries. I forgot about the Groove challenge gallery.

I don't think it is something we can do unless someone else sets up that area for "receiving" our pages so to speak. Not sure. Latest group I see in there is Feb. but prior to set it was not consistent either looks like <maybe>. Really not sure, just guessing and asking. :confused:

Now that I asked, I looked and I am pretty sure I had a page in the Feb challenge and I did not get / put my page in that group ...<sigh> so maybe that is why they don't create those special groups anymore. We didn't all use them.

[MommaBird]

Decided to do one more...

http://www.scrapbookmax.com/gallery/data/500/Wedding-001-Page-2.jpg

[Pink Lollipop]

These are all very beautiful LOs. Great jobs gals ! :)

[Vanessa]

I could not resist your challenge Estee, especially as I had just had my wedding negatives transferred to digital. Here is a little something I did using your tiles - recoloured the background tile to try to bring it to a close match for the gold in my bodice. If there are any bits and pieces that anyone would like from this, let me know and I will gladly put them up.

http://www.scrapbookmax.com/gallery/data/2269/June.jpg

[KPierce]

I would love the recolored tile. That color is gorgeous. I could never get that myself and why bother <LOL> you did it so good.

I would love the border around the frame if that can be shared.

Thanks. The LO is beautiful.

As an inexperienced tile user <but learning fast because I have learned to love them>, tiles at first seem kind of ....dare I say ugly <to me>. But then when you actually use them it is an ah-ha moment. Like WOW. Thanks Granny for the challenge.

[Vanessa]

I only recoloured one tile, but I did it two different shades.

If you can use a plugin programme called Cybia Colourworks with your programme, this is what I used to achieve the different colour effects.

[Vanessa]

The lace border I created from a small lace pattern from Gerlinda Creations that I got in a tutorial download. The original laces are free to share with credit being given. To create my border I used a plugin called Mura's copies to replicate the piece of lace and then used the Kaleidoscope settings in my PSP programme to reshape it into a square. Now I don't know if you can do this with the programme you are using, but I used the original square lace (weddinglace2) to frame my picture by creating a 120pixel selection around the picture and copying and pasting the lace into the selection. In case this is not possible for you I have supplied a rectangular version as well, and the original little piece of lace as it is very pretty just on it's own.

[sacannon]

That is stunning Vanessa. Love how you tilted the paper. Thanks for the freebies too.

[sacannon]

Melanie Love that trellis under the pic, nice accent! Nanwu, that is a gorgeous sunset!, Mommabird, I like the papers you used under your pics which are also wonderful. Great jobs everyone!

[O2BNGdHope]

I love your layout, Vanessa. And I want everything since you offered. :D LOL!

Can you explain plugins to me? I've seen this term elsewhere but not sure what they do. I know brushes and actions but plugins I don't understand.

[MommaBird]

Plugins are usually 3rd party add-in that can be accessed by many different programs. The "calling" program hands over the image to the "receiving" plugin, and it performs one or more functions, applies it to the image, and when closed, returns the image to the original program that initiated the plugin. Some plugins are free and some can get fairly expensive. You can google "Photoshop plugins" and see what comes up. Plugins were written in the early years to be compatible with Adobe Photoshop because it was the industry standard at that time. Now most graphic programs can utilize plugins. Hope this makes sense.

[MommaBird]

I could not resist your challenge Estee, especially as I had just had my wedding negatives transferred to digital. Here is a little something I did using your tiles - recoloured the background tile to try to bring it to a close match for the gold in my bodice. If there are any bits and pieces that anyone would like from this, let me know and I will gladly put them up.

http://www.scrapbookmax.com/gallery/data/2269/June.jpg

Beautiful layout for a beautiful couple! I always love your stuff -- you have such a creative eye!

[Vanessa]

With most Graphics Editing Programmes you have the ability to add what are known as filter plugins to the programme. They are basically additional bits of programming that enable you to use filter effects that are not normally available in your graphics programme. For example, most Graphics programmes will have the ability to perform a page curl. However the page curl I used in my picture came from a plugin called AV Bros Page Curl 2.0 (Unfortunately not a free plugin), but Mura's Copies is a free plugin filter and allows me to numerous things that I cannot do in PSP such as replicate exact copies at the exact same spacing across the page. Whereas I mentioned Kaleidoscope - this is also a filter effect, but an inbuilt one that can be used to create many different effects, but the one I use it for most often is turning lace sections into lace frames.

I hope this is not as clear a mud for you.

[Vanessa]

This is the frame that I made - you are more than welcome to use it. Because it has an inner gold pattern, you may need to layer it over your photo for it to work for you.

I have had to upload the envelope flap as a Gif, because the file size was massive, but it should work ok. Just layer the two pieces to get one envelope. I do my envelopes this way because I tend to put things inside them.

[Vanessa]

The rings, bow and the little gold puff I put on top of it.

I can't put the wine glasses up because I don't know which tut or site I downloaded them from and therefore cannot check whether I can share them or not. Sorry

[Granny]

Wow, ladies, your work blows me away! Just gorgeous stuff! KPierce, I'm so glad you're learning to love tiles. Specially since I have so many in my site now that you can use. RD can do the paste inside and can duplicate just about all the stuff you did Vanessa. It does not use external plugins, but there is usually a way to duplicate the effects. And of course, I use PSP and PSE also. The more programs, the better! LOL.

Melanie, once I get the site going soon again, please drop me a note mentioning some of these techniques that you would like to learn in RD.

Vanessa, lovely picture of your wedding. I love the dress. You look really lovely!

Again, ladies, you are all doing a wonderful job!!! I may have to pull out one of my own wedding pictures before this is over and make a layout!

;)

[O2BNGdHope]

Thanks, Vanessa for all the goodies. They're just beautiful!
Thanks, Granny. Can't wait to see the new site.
Thanks, ladies for the info on plugins.........but I still don't get it. A plugin is just a filter? I have Photoshop Elements 5. I guess I'll have to go get a freebie and try it out so I can understand what it does. Then I'll be back to ask questions again until Granny can get us all back up and running on RDP.

[Vanessa]

You're very welcome Mel. Plugins, yes they are just glorified filters. Mostly I use plugin filters when there is something I want to do that I cannot do easily in PSP. Sometimes you can have too many bits and bobs to think about when the KISS method still works best.

[MommaBird]

Thanks, Vanessa for all the goodies. They're just beautiful!
Thanks, Granny. Can't wait to see the new site.
Thanks, ladies for the info on plugins.........but I still don't get it. A plugin is just a filter? I have Photoshop Elements 5. I guess I'll have to go get a freebie and try it out so I can understand what it does. Then I'll be back to ask questions again until Granny can get us all back up and running on RDP.

There is a folder called Plug-Ins under the PSE directory. That is where you would put any free plugins you get. This just extends the filters or effects that are built into the program. Like Vanessa said, AV Page Curl is a purchased filter as is alien skin Eye Candy. But there are plenty of free plugin filters available. Be sure you take note of which version they are compatible with, as some earlier plugins can cause your system to hang up. I wouldn't be without my addins!

Like they say, try it, you'll like it!

[twpclerk]

Vanessa, your layout is beautiful and thank you for sharing all your wonderful pieces to it. You are one very talented lady!!

[Vanessa]

My envelope bottom has turned to a JPG - Don't know how.

I have tried several times and it keeps on converting my PNG to a JPG - I think it has something to do with it being just over the file upload size.

Anyway I have converted the envelope flap into a png too and both files are in the zipped file.

Thanks for the heads up Mommabird

[Vanessa]

Granny thank you for the lovely comments on my work and especially my dress. It was a labour of love, especially dying and sewing all the alencon lace motifs onto my bodice. I have never had a proper wedding dress and I was determined this was the last time I was doing this so it was going to be right.

In the Layout forum you made a comment about wishing you had half my talent. Well Granny don't sell yourself short. Anyone who can master 3 Graphics programmes (PSE, PSP and RD) and teach one of them has a very special talent indeed. Not to mention Web Design and graphics manipulation, your own MAX store, restructuring the garden, building a new kitchen - need I go on. You are also very creative granny, you just don't realise how much.

[MommaBird]

Granny thank you for the lovely comments on my work and especially my dress. It was a labour of love, especially dying and sewing all the alencon lace motifs onto my bodice. I have never had a proper wedding dress and I was determined this was the last time I was doing this so it was going to be right.

In the Layout forum you made a comment about wishing you had half my talent. Well Granny don't sell yourself short. Anyone who can master 3 Graphics programmes (PSE, PSP and RD) and teach one of them has a very special talent indeed. Not to mention Web Design and graphics manipulation, your own MAX store, restructuring the garden, building a new kitchen - need I go on. You are also very creative granny, you just don't realise how much.

Toke a vote -- All in Agreement -- You are both super talented, creative, and very special!

[Granny]

Well, thank you Vanessa, you're so kind. But as every one here knows, layouts are my weak link!!! I would gladly trade some of my talent for your layout talent!! And the wedding dress really is lovely. It shows all the time and care you put into it.

And Mommabird is absolutely right, "You are both super talented, creative, and very special!"

;)

[sacannon]

I agree with all of the above, and thanks for the goodies Vanessa!!

[Granny]

Listen, everyone, please...

Sorry I had deserted you, but I got a million things going on here. Almos done with the patio, and as soon as the temperature falls below 100, I will be trying to finish the kitchen and bathroom.

There is a week left to his month, let's get a few more layouts in, and I will have something for you all at the end, to thank you for your hard work.

:D

[Granny]

All right, it's the end of June (thanks goodness, one month closer to winter!!!!).

I would like to thank all for your participation, you made some beautiful layouts. I hope you feel more confortable now about using seamless tiles for your backgrounds and paper scraps. They don't always work for backgrounds, specially if you're using grunge, but they do come in handy.

I have attached copies of a couple of goodies for you. One file has 9 seamless tiles, very rich in gold and red colors. The other file is 10 borders that compliment the tiles. These borders can be put end to end to make them as long as you need them. I hope you like them and can use them. I sure would like to see them in one of your layouts.

Please send me a pm and I will give you a link to download them.

Thank you again.

ST

[Granny]

Ops, I ran out of time, sorry. I promise if you send me a pm, I will get the tiles to you tomorrow. The files size are really small, so if I don't have your e-mail address already, and you would be so kind to put it on the pm, I will send them right off!

Thank you for your patience. Senility is on overdrive today!!!

Love ya,

;)

[Granny]

I want to give a very special thanks to all of you that contributed embies for every one. You gave some beautiful things, and made the challenge all the more worthwhile.

;)

[sacannon]

Your welcome, I like to contribute if and when I can.