Tootlebugz

First of all let me show you the new overlays I will be uploading to my stores tomorrow….  The cool thing with this set is not only the fact they are rather unique (And I found out the reason you don’t see crayon overlays more often… crayon  & scanner… not a good mix!  Crayon leaves all sorts of wonderful marks on the scanner glass.  Fun, fun to clean up as well!  LOL)  BUT, you will get the jpg AND the png file when buying this set! The png file will allow you to”see the background” behind the crayon.  Therefore, you are not “stuck” with using blend modes that keep the background looking “right” and can add a colored/textured paper behind the crayon layer.  Using blend modes and stacking png overlays produces some awesome effects.

And talking about stores… I have some exciting news.  I will be selling at 2 additional stores in the near future! More to come on that soon.  I also have a CT ready to go, if I could just find the time to finish the many kits I have stated!  I really need to introduce them.  The are awesome… and very patient!  So, more on that soon…

Does tonight’s overlay look familiar?  It’s the same overlay as 2 nights ago – I just made it transparent in the areas where the crayon isn’t.  I have been wanting to figure this out for a while and finally had not only the chance to play around some this  afternoon – but also the good fortune to have my idea on how to achieve it work!  It’s so nice when both things happen simultaneously!  (And unusual for me… rofl) I know many of you might not be able to do this (But, I am sure many of you are far more talented & familiar with PS than me!  Not sure PSE has a quick and easy way to accomplish it – I used PS) and png format opens up so many more options when using overlays. (The trick is getting the right areas transparent) So, I thought it would be nice to offer both formats. The only downside is the files are much larger. I want to go back and play with some of my worn overlays and use the same method!

So, tonight’s file is a 300dpi, 12×12 png. One the left you see what the png file looks like with a white background and a pink overlay blend mode.  The left shows 3 png layers colored and rotated with a pink backround.  The paper in the background shows the original jpeg file.  So, you can see the differences in the looks each gives.

—–Download Tbugz CU Crayon Overlay PNG file—–

Tags: CU, overlays

I have an overlay for you tonight.  It’s a 12×12 jpeg & 300dpi.

—–Download CU Crayon Overlay—–

Tags: CU, overlays

Today was another busy day – The kids had a “Decades Day.”  Mikah did her project on the 1980′s…  Those were my teenage/college years – the project sure brought back some fun memories – but there is nothing like hearing your daughter keep saying how she can’t believe there were no cell phones, internet, 24 hour Disney channel etc.!  I feel so old… LOL I have to agree with her, though – I do love my internet and cell phone!  We also went to see Monsters VS Aliens in 3D – it’s too cute!  Granted our entertaiment budget is now shot! It took almost $60 for tickets, small drinks and popcorn for the 3 of us! Ouch!! When did it get that expensive?  I guess I have not paid attention – granted we usually only see 1 or 2 movies at the theater each year.

Thanks for all the “get wells.”  I am happy to report my asthma is back under control (How I LOVE the rain.. LOL) and I even had a fair amount of energy today   Hopefully, once the rain stops and the pollen comes back out I will be able to keep it in control.  Getting sick always makes it really flair up… and did I mention I really don’t like spring?  LOL  I have an allergy to about anything that is green….

I played around in Photoshop some this afternoon.  I have 2 collabs to finish for April 1st.  I am really happy how they are coming along – so,make sure you check back!  Tonight I am sharing an overlay.

—–Tbugz CU Grungy Overlay—–

Tags: CU, overlays

Wow… it’s been a while.  Sorry about that – first I was sick with a virus, then there was the birthday party and then this week my asthma has made me feel so tired and icky most of the week – plus there was all the catching  up I had to do after being sick for a week!  Anyhow, hopefully I can stay more on top of things now

Tonight I have a distressed canvas overlay for you.  Hope you can use it! It’s 300dpi, jpeg.

—–Download Tbugz CU Distressed Canvas Overlay—–

Tags: CU, overlays

Last week I was honored to receive another blog award!  Cara, at Sweet Tomato Digital Design Cafe, was kind enough to award it to me.  Make sure you check out her blog.  She is talented and has some great freebies

The rules are that you have to link back to the person who nominated you & pass the award onto 7 other blogs that give you inspiration and link to them too.

Design by Lisa Minor

Flower Scraps

Creative Rhapsody

Shel Belle Scraps

Panda Bear Designs

Linda’s Dream Designs

Michelle’s Angels

For tonight’s freebie I have a second worn overlay.  Now that I have repeated the process (and written done how it was accomplished!) I will be getting a set together to sell.  I”ll be sure to let you know when it’s completed. This overlay is a 12×12, 300dpi, png file.

—–Download Tbugz CU Worn Overlay2—–

Tags: CU, overlays

Sorry I haven’t touched base in a few days.  This weekend was incredibly busy.  We enjoyed a southern snow day courtsy of Snow Mountain on Friday afternoon and the kids had a ball inter tubing down the man made slopes. Over the weekend we visited relatives and spent Saturday and Sunday visiting some historic sites.  So, I was busy and/or worn out most of the weekend!  Anyhow,  I took a few days off from designing and enjoyed my family

I have been working on several things and sat down tonight with some big ideas – but my creativity seems to have left the building!  Some days it’s just not there and that was the case today.  Maybe tomorrow will be better!  Therefore, tonight I have an overlay for you.  This is from a picture I took this weekend.  It’s a 12×12, 300dpi jpeg.  There have been some problems in the digi community this past week with viruses and some designers have traced it back to 4shared.  Because of this, I will be hosting my own downloads for a while until I come up with a better solution.

—–Download Tbugz CU Old Canvas Overlay—–

Tags: CU, overlays

Ok.. tonight was Survivor and I got sidetracked!  I am so addicted.  I am not a huge TV person – I usually watch movies while I design – and I prefer ones where I don’t have to pay close attention!  LOL  Anyway, I am so addicted to Survivor, The Amazing Race and Monk.  Thats the extent of my TV a week – 3 whole hours.  I get those phone surveys where they want to talk to me about my TV viewing habits and I always start the conversations with  -”I really don’t watch much TV” and after  about 5 mins. they usually agree.. LOL

I have been trying to figure out how to make the worn papers that you see everywhere right now.  Scrappin Cop had a great tut a few weeks ago – but I couldn’t ever make any of my attempts look the way I wanted – so, I spent some time today playing around.  I tried several differnt methods and even went outside to use the brick on the side of the house to sand my paper before I scanned… (Yes, the neighbors probably think I am insane… LOL  The folks where I get my allergy shots do because I was taking close up  pictures of the walls… and we won’t even talk about the looks I got at the mall taking pictures of the inside of a lamp…. hehe… ) Sad to say… for all that work I wasn’t pleased with my attempts yet again… So, I got out some of my scanned folded paper overlays and played with them and came up with tonights freebie. It was the best attempt after about 3 hours of playing.  I think it would look better with some grungy brush work – but, I am going to leave that part to you….

This is one overlay – it’s a 300dpi, png – so, i could preserve the transparent edges (Because of the tears and curved corners)

—–Tbugz CU Worn Overaly—–

Tags: CU, overlays

Hard to believe it’s already Wednesday!  Boy, this week is flying by….    Tonight I am sharing a CU Watercolor Overlay.  This was made from a photograph from my personal collection.  It doesn’t have any additional brushwork etc. Even the canvas texture is from the photo!  The freebie is the most “extreme” one of the 4.  The others have very subtle color changes.  If you like the freebie then make sure to subscribe to the weekly newsletter at Michelle’s Angels.  I am giving away the 3 overlay set as a newsletter subscribers freebie this week.

—–Download Tbugz CU Watercolor Freebie—–

SUBSCRIBE TO MICHELLE’S ANGELS WEEKLY TO GET THIS FREEBIE in this Friday’s edition!! (note: link is in right sidebar!)

Tags: CU, overlays

I am excited to tell you I am now selling at 2 stores!  Isn’t that awesome?!  I like freebies as much as the next person, but selling helps me pay for the cool things I need in order to make freebies – LOL  I’ll still be giving out freebies here… no worries

There still haven’t been many folks who left a comment on the Feb. 8th post – Remember, in order to win my newest kit, Candy Hearts, you must leave a comment on that post.  I will be using a random number generator to pick a winner on Feb. 14.  Make sure you enter to win. Don’t forget that tomorrow (Friday, Feb 13th) is the last day of the sale – 60% off at Michelle’s Angels.

Tonight, I completed a new set of grungy overlays – and I had 7 and decided to save the 7th one for ya’ll.  Hope you enjoy it.

——Download Tbugz CU Grungy Overlay Set 2 Freebie——

Here is a preview of the new Grungy Overlays Set 2.  They are on sale at Michelle’s Angels through tomorrow (Friday, Feb 13th) for 60%.  Click the preview to go directly to the store.

Tags: CU, overlays