Monday, March 7, 2011

Sunshine 365 days a year.

Yep, thats what this little guy is!
This LO is for the current March Color Challenge over on the Crate Paper blog.
Im a huge Crate Paper fan and I adore this colour combo and challenge set by the very talented Lucy Edson.
OK sorry if your not into close ups but, this one has lots of little details so, I just thought Id share some.


I have made the kraft butterflies myself. I used some free children's colouring in pages which I found on the web. I down loaded the images and pasted them onto a word document so that I could re size them to the exact size I wanted and then I just printed them out onto kraft card stock.
I have also done the same with the round label which is a vintage image I found on The Graphics Fairy blog.
The largest pattern paper butterfly was made by printing out the colouring page image and then cutting around it to make a template. Trace onto some Crate Paper pp and there you have it.
OK, now just before I go I thought Id share a little secret.Lately Ive had a lot of lovely compliments about my photos. Thank you!
So, I thought it was time I revealed my secret. Im by no means the world greatest photographer however, I do have a good camera and I think that is half the battle especially when it comes to the kids.
They dont often stand still long enough to get the 'perfect shot'.
Above you can see my before and after photos.
See just a so-so photo to begin with and not perfectly focused.
Ive used PICNIK to edit this picture to make it really 'pop'. I do use the premium version which you do need to pay for but its very inexpensive and totally worth it.
Im a big fan of the 'touch up' feature and find that if you use the eye bright and then the mascara brush over the details on the face you can bring alot more definition back to the finer features and it make the photo look alot more 'in focus'.
It does take a little bit of practice but I think you will be happy and surprised with the results and its easy to use if your a bit Photo Shop phobic.
OK, I think thats it from me for now. Thanks for stopping by and thanks for all your lovin'. TFL.
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12 comments:

Leanne J said...

thank you so very much for sharing your secrets with the photos and the butterflies.you are way too generous...wowzers.. this layout is superb.and yep lots of details so thanks heaps for the closies... yay..and i forgot to post on your cards..and OMG how gorgeous are they.. awesomenation.... fantastic..woot woot.

Her Essential Hand said...

o I love your tips and the sharing, so very nice of you :))
I havent really ventured into Piknic.. bit scared lol
totally love that page :))x

Heather Jacob said...

thanks for the tip Shell ... your page is awesome ....full of love and passion... hugz x

Kim said...

this is just sensational Michelle, as alway syour photos are gorgeous, but your stunning details always makes your layouts rock!

Kim Strother said...

I love, love, love this page. I'm going to scrap lift it, well really as close I possible can copy it. I can't say enough
how much I love it!

Kim Strother said...

Oh...I realized I should say copy it for my personal use only of course! For my sons scrapbook! Hope that's okay?

Natalie Elphinstone said...

oh wow! Love this page. All the details are gorgeous, and thanks for walking us through your process. I always learn so much when people do that :-)

Blossom inch said...

beautiful layout Shell and I too love to use piknic.

Jules said...

wow... gorgeous page shell... i so love your layers and colours... and thanks for sharing some secrets.. x

Cathy said...

Gorgeous page Shell... love the colours and beautiful details and of course your stunning photos!! My daughter put me on to Picnik just a few months ago and I love it.. really amazing for tweaking photos!!

Nay and Gilly said...

Hi, love the LO! Gilly ox

Moonie said...

Oh Shell... this is so sweet. I did purchase Pikni online too.. but have not had the time to play with it much at all. Love what yo have done. Love editing photos too. Its just in our blood I think xx