Simply Inspired Challenge #2

Update: I'm sorry for the confusion over the link. The link has been updated and is correct.

For this Simply Inspired challenge, take inspiration from Pattie Knox’s 101 article on digital brushes. We want to see layouts featuring brushes in new and creative ways! Use them as photo masks, create your own patterned paper, let them frame your journaling…the possibilities are endless. So get your creative thinking caps on and wow us with your unique ways to use brushes. One lucky winner will get their layout published on the website AND receive a $10 gift certificate from Designer Digitals!

Simply upload your layout on or before February 3rd to the Simply Inspired gallery at Designer Digitals or upload to the Digital Scrapbooking group gallery (and title the file “Simply Inspired”). Be sure to include your name, where you live and a complete materials list. We can’t wait to see your simply inspired layouts!

renee

Free Valentine's Day brushes!

Stephanie at Obsidian Dawn provides fantastic digital resources...all for free! All she asks is that you credit the source when you use them. The latest is a set of brushes ideal for Valentine's Day.

renee

Inner Pollack: Part 2

How to save your painting:

1. Whether you're using a Mac or PC, take a screenshot of your masterpiece. If you're using a PC, there's a print screen button which should place the image in your clipboard.

2. If you're on a Mac:
   Cmd-Shift-3 Take snapshot of the whole screen
   Cmd-Shift-4 Take snapshot of the selected area
   Cmd-Shift-4-Spacebar Take picture of a window

3. Open your image editing program, i.e., Photoshop or Photoshop Elements.

4. Open a new document window. It will automatically size itself based on the contents of your clipboard.

5. Select Edit > Paste to paste the artwork into the document. If you took a shot of the entire screen, just crop down to the actual artwork.
   

6. Save your document.

That should do it!

renee

Find your inner Pollock

Abstract artist Jackson Pollock was known for his drip painting technique.

You can create your own masterpiece online at www.jacksonpollock.org. When you arrive at the site, there's no introduction or instruction...just a blank canvas. (Seems appropriate.) Move your mouse around to begin painting. To change colors, click. When you're satisfied, drag your mouse away from the browser window and take a screenshot of your painting.

Use it as a background for a layout or do as I did and make it your blog's banner. Fun!



renee

ACDSee for Mac

That's right! The pro version of this popular photo management tool is being made available to Mac users. Go to the ACDSee site to learn more and signup for the beta program.

renee

Time's nifty 50!

Now here's a fun spot. Compare your "coolest" list to Time magazine's tech editors picks. (They call it their "50 nifty links." A lot of my faves are on the list.

And while you're there, you may as well check out Time's list of the best sites of 2008.

renee

Hmmm... Now I'm wondering why two lists. I guess coolest doesn't necessarily mean the best.