Around the Web with Deb

is proud to present…

Roben-Marie Smith

Paper Bag Studios

Tap on the window to read about her at the

Wall of Fame or Click Here

 

Do you Scrap For Hire?

Do you Scrap for Hire?  Lot’s of people do.  If you do, please send me your link and I will post it below.  Thanks!

Boo Land Designs

Innovative Fonts from Creation Cassel…

Are you looking for some innovative fonts for your next project? Here’s one…Creation Cassel released fonts that create machine stitching…that’s right, fonts. The Messy Stitches Font and the Messy Zig Zag fonts includes missed stitches, correct stitches, and loose ends.

Being fonts, they are not really software specific, you can customize the results by having a longer or shorter stitching, adding your own textures, choosing how good or bad your stitching is. If your software allows it, you can even stitch along a path!

You can take a look at them by clicking here.

Here is a preview of what you can expect:

Add-O-Matic…It takes the guess work out

Do you use Photoshop Elements 5, 6 or 7? If you do, you may have trouble loading actions, styles, custom shapes, brushes, gradients, patterns and/or color swatches. Add-O-Matic is an automatic installer. It will take the files you are attempting to load and place them where they need to be to operate correctly taking the guess work out. Once downloaded, all you have to do is drag and drop right into the screen, click the “Go” button, and Add-Add-O-Matic will do the rest. For the nominal fee of $10.99, it’s well worth it. I’ve been using it for quite a while and I love it! Here’s the link: Add-O-Matic.

virtualPhotographer – opticVerve Labs

Want to apply effects to your photos with the click of a button? opticVerve Labs has a plug-in for Photoshop, Photoshop Elements and Paint Shop Pro that instantly transforms your photo. Here are some examples of what effects can be achieved…..

Here is my original photo:

Here is the same photo with an effect called “Squint”:

Here is the same photo converted from the original with an effect called “B Movie”:

There are also several choices to convert to black and white from the original. Here are a few examples….

Here is an effect called “Century”:

This effect is called “Deep Copper”:

Here is a black and white effect called “Classic 3”:

Download virtualPhotographer today and have yourself some fun! It’s FREE. Just click here to download.

Windows Live Writer…have you tried it?

Today I am doing my post with Window Live Writer. Windows Live Writer interfaces with your blog and allows you create and publish your post without working within the blog itself. I have found it to be especially helpful since I manage and write on multiple blogs.

Here are several of the features I found useful:

• It can be shared on many blog services: Blogger, Typepad, Live Write and Wordpress are just a few
• Pictures can easily be resized on screen by drag and drop or by entering the number of pixels
• Pictures can also have a drop shadow inserted on the photo
• Pictures (this one is my fav), can also be watermarked and you can indicate where you would like the watermark to be and how large (See the example on the photo above)
• Hyperlinks can also be inserted to any text or picture
• Other great features include but are not limited to adding a photo albumin, inserting a table, creating a map, insertion of Technorati tags, and adding video. There are also several other plug-ins that can be inserted right into the post.
• As you create a post as I am doing now, I actually see the background of my blog even though I am using Live Writer…pretty cool…and the WSIWYG editor makes it very easy..when you are done, just hit publish

Here is what I found to be very slightly disappointing:

• I have over 300 fonts, however, if I use a font which is I have on my computer, you will see the font that has been designated on my blog as the default unless you have the exact same font I do that I have used in writing the entry
• I could not seem to be able to create a hyperlink for email, so after making several entries on another blog, I had to go into the blog itself and add the email hyperlinks through Blogger
• I did have a very small problem with one word. It appeared to be the correct size as I typed, but when it was published it changed to about three times the original size

Overall, I love it! The biggest benefit to me was the built in photo editing and watermark ability. Here’s another fabulous benefit…it’s free! Yep, totally F R E E.

Here’s the link to download: Windows Live Writer. If you do download, be sure to disable any firewall or antivirus if it does not download correctly the first time.

Scrap for Hire Links

Hi Everyone-

Just wanted to let you know Mr. Linky and I have not been getting along too well for the last few days as I believe he was keeping me from viewing my own blog. I apologize to anyone who may have been having the same problem using Internet Explorer.

I am still collecting names of both designers and scrappers who have Scrap for Hire services and will be posting a list in the next few days. If you fall into either category, please feel free to send me your link via email and I will be happy to add you to the list.

As always,

Wall of Hope

Hi Everyone-

Digi Scrap News is proud to present to you the Wall of Hope. The Wall of Hope is dedicated to ALL women in the fight against breast cancer.

Emily and Angela Powers of {we are} storytellers, have joined together along with several other fabulous designers to create the iHope Collaborative Kit. All the proceeds (less Pay Pal fees), will be given to the Susan G. Komen center. Emily and Angela will be participating in the 3-Day walk event.

Let’s all show our support as women for one another and help them realize their goal of $4600.00. Visit the Wall of Hope by clicking here.

Even if you are not a digiscrapper, you can still donate. Instructions for donations are posted at the wall. Thank you!

‘Scrapblog’… “Creates a world for your pictures…”

Have you seen Scrapblog? Scrapblog allows anyone to be able to create a personalized scrapbook even if you do not scrapbook digitally. How cool is that?! It’s very simple to use. Guided video tours get you going in nothing flat. Chose your photos or videos to upload, choose a background, add elements(“stickers”), frames, music etc. Some items require you purchase credits, but the credits are very reasonable. When you are done, you can share your Scrapblog with friends and family by the click of a button, or print them for a card, book or calendar.

Here’s what I liked about Scrapblog….

• Anyone can use it, even kids
• Ability to make shadows and reflections
• Thumbnails make it very easy to find what you are looking for
• Products being offered are from some of the most famous and talented digital artists in the world

Stop by Scrapblog today and see what fun you can create. Here is the link: Scrapblog

Looking for something new? Try Enchanted Studio Scraps

As Digiscrappers we are always looking for something new. Enchanted Studio Scraps is a cheerful site with an enchanting fairy theme. Who doesn't love the magic of a fairy!? Here are a few of the highlights from my visit there...

Charlie's Digiscraps offers a great extraction service for those who do not have the time or don't want to clean up strays. There are several wonderful "Fabulous $1 Fairy Finds" such as some great brushes that are S4H and CU friendly for those of you who Scrap For Hire. I couldn't pass up the "Dreaming of Paris" kit. "Earthy Crunchy" is a great collab charity kit to raise awareness and funds to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. A donation of $5.00 will get the kit, but $10.00 will not only get you the kit, it will also get you the coordinating Quick Album. Instructions on the site will tell you how to make the purchase. Twin Mom Scraps has lots to offer for commercial use. One category I appreciated was the "Scrap for Hire" section. It's loaded with goodies!

From funky to vintage, this site offers something for everyone. In case you are curious, no, I was not able to escape without making a purchase.

Fun Facts: USTREAM.tv - You're On

Have you heard of Ustream.tv? Ustream.tv allows anyone with a camera to broadcast to the world. They say, "All that's needed is a computer, internet connection, a microphone and a webcam or video camera". Ustream will automatically detect your camera type and you can start creating shows and broadcasting live. You can even create a chatroom, add graphics, stream your computer screen, and capture video from your TV. You can even show videos from You Tube! You can be up and running in about 15 minutes. So digscrappers, how about sharing some of your best techniques via Ustream.tv? If you do, let us know. To find out more about Ustream.tv, click here.

"Book of Me" at Do It Digi

Do It Digi is having a "Book of Me" layout challenge. Each week a journaling prompt will be posted. A completed layout earns 1 point towards the sites monthly Inspiration Kit. A completed layout using my products earns a bonus 2 points.

iHOPE by Two Sister Designs

{we are} storytellers has a WONDERFUL Collaborative Benefit Kit! Here's their story:

100% of the proceeds from this kit (minus paypal fees) will be donated to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund. We're so thankful to our friends for donating their time and creativity to this worthy cause. Thank you Emily, Gina, Rachel, Jacque, Amber and Liz! Deann, thank you so much for encouraging us in our efforts and insisting that {WST} host iHOPE.

This year, Angela and Emily Powers will be participating in the Breast Cancer 3-Day. They have agreed to raise at least $4,600 in donations. If they do not each raise $2300, they will not be allowed to participate. You can read their story here.

According to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, approximately 200,000 American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, and nearly 40,000 will die from the disease.

Please, we need to ALL show our support! I am sure we have all known someone who has been affected by this devastating disease. Click here to purchase the kit.

Designer and CT Call at Shabby Pickle

Shabby Pickle has an open casting call for Designer and Creative Team Members. This call will run from June 19th through midnight on June 24th. If you are interested, please contact Shabby Pickle.

Leave it to Maxine.....

40% off sale at Pixel Canvas

The Pixel Canvas is having a 40% off sale FRIDAY and SATURDAY...no, that's not a misprint, products really are 40% off! They are also hosting a Speed Scrap.

A Friendly Competition Between Designers....

We just received a report that the designers are having a little friendly competition over at Do It Digi......

Here's what they had to say....

This is a little friendly competition between designers at DID and YOU are the judges.

These monograms match our June Inspiration Kit.

Would you like to win this set of monograms? Easy.
Simply vote (send me your vote in a PM) for your favorite monogram and everyone who will have voted for the winning letter will get a coupon, and ONE of them will ALSO get the set for free.
You want to see each monogram closer?
They are all placed, individually, in the gallery here.

The voting will be open for one week.
After that week, the winning monogram will be announced, and the winning voters too.
After that, the whole set will be placed on sale for $1.50 in the store

You can leave comments in this thread,
and you are certainly encouraged to leave comments in the gallery too, but the voting has to be done in PM.

What are you waiting for?

(ONE vote per person only!)

I'm going to go cast my vote.....

Renee Pearson on Renee TV

The fantastic Renee Pearson is hosting a LIVE video and audio chat. How cool is that? Her upcoming digital class is "Just the Basics, Ma'am" and she will be answering questions about her upcoming class via Ustream. You can read all about her classes at "Renee Pearson" .
I, personally, LOVE her books: Renee Pearson: Digital Designs for Scrapbooking and Renee Pearson: Digital Designs for Scrapbooking 2: Making Your Own. I have found both to be invaluable since I have been doing digital scrapbooking. I still find myself referring to them even though I have been doing this a while.

Do you love Speed Scraps? Pixel Canvas has one scheduled for Saturday. Please refer to the calendar at the bottom of the page for more information.

Forester's Wish Charity Collab

Every now and then, a group of designers get together for a very worthy cause. Foresters's Wish Charity Collab is one of them. Forester had a malignant brain tumor that was removed. He is now undergoing both radiation and chemotherapy. Twenty wonderful designers have collaborated on 77 papers and 286 elements. The proceeds of the kit will go to the family to pay medical expenses. If you haven't read Forester"s story, you can read it here at the Bradburn's blog. Just take a look at this kit and head right to Shabby Pickle.