Autumn Wishes~

Hope that you are all having a great Thanksgiving weekend and enjoying AUTUMN!!!  The weather has bounced between the high 30s and 60s in our area of Texas.  Yet, the sun comes out from behind the clouds occasionally to keep things just warm enough!

I love capturing sunbursts through trees!  In this photo of the tree with the lake in the background, the cyan blues & greens were amped up & curves were used to heighten the light tones to give this photo a dreamy effect. 
Here are a few photos from Thanksgiving evening which were antiqued for a warm, vintage glow.

We hosted Thanksgiving dinner Thursday evening with my sister's and brother's families and had an awesome time cooking and visiting.  Here's MORE PHOTOS of the weekend taken with my NEW Canon 60D!  Oh yes, big difference in quality from the Canon Rebel XTi!  Still need to take my photography classes I've signed up for which will help to get the most out of it.  Fortunately, editing in Photoshop Camera Raw and making some layer adjustments helps amplify the beauty.

Jessica & Jacq played cello & piano for us -- a tradition we have after dinner {and during to serenade us while we peel sweet potatoes!}

My bro & with my sister-in-law and niece! 

My nephew, who traveled in from college to spend a few days with us!  He is so handsome!

Jacq and I grabbed Georgie, soccer ball, camera & headed out to the lake.  We had some great mother / daughter quality time together kicking the soccer ball around.  Yeah Babyyy, I still got it -- until the ball bounced a bit too quickly into the water, floating away.

Where, it floated about carelessly for a 1/2 hour or so, while Jacq worked out & I took photos.

Then, Jacq waved down a boat to fetch it for us, since Georgie wouldn't.  He's not an advanced fetcher.

Here are photos of his 1st fetching class at the lake with Jacq & I....

You gotta luv Georgie!  He's just too stinkin' cute!!!

And Jacq after her circuit training work-out!  She still looks absolutely stunning!

 

New Products: SPORT Club Golf Album & Photography Tips

Papier Creatif Album*Works
SPORT Club Golf* ALBUM

Have I mentioned how much I LUV this album?  Here are a few of my favorite pages - naturally, that's my boy!  His dream is to become a Pro Tour Golfer and/or incorporate golf into his future career.

The purpose of developing SPORT Club Golf* Album was to create a photo-based, cohesive album that's fast & easy for scrapbookers to complete.


Why?  After finishing SPORT Club Golf* MEGA Scrapbook*Works Kit with separate papers (24) & embellishments (40+), I believed that I needed to take this kit a step further & expand the line.  I found out that LOTS of golf parents have LOTS of golf or sports photos still stuffed in the processor's envelopes, stacked in shoe boxes, housed on a digital camera cards or uploaded & stranded somewhere on the Good Ol' WWW! 


So, I did what needed to be done!  I developed a bold album that would make my son's or any golfer's photos stand out!  Blues & Greens are perfect for golfers - compatible with the outdoorsy colors of blue sky & grass green.  The color scheme of vivid cobalts & soft kelly is classic! As you can see from the layouts above, perfect backdrops for a natural setting.  Ahhhh ... nice.


The other comment was how often many sports shots wind up looking the same! OHhhh YES! I am ALL TOO FAMILIAR WITH THIS!  Yet, as you can tell from this series each scrapbook page is unique, as are the photos!  A bit of forethought helps.  


Here are a few of my *CREATIF TIPS ON SPORTS / GOLF PHOTOGRAPHY*


1)  Photograph Golf Course Landmarks:  Club House, Signage, Landscaping, Landscape Views, Wildlife, Skylines, and wow, Water is always beautiful! Also, amp up the colors with photo filters in edit mode and/or increase saturation.


2) I generally photograph the Marquis indicating the hole he's playing.  Very simple ... it's a great timeline tool! 


I am amazed at the level of detail players remember for EVERY HOLE!  As my son explains a particular Hole he's played, I can see him visually going through the shots, remembering the distances, fairways, bunkers & greens or which irons or wood he used AND where the grass, stones, rocks, trees were that he played around!


Here's the thing -- as we age, our memories of DETAILS fade!  Remember with an album. 


3)  Be ready! Position for the shot.  You'd be surprised at shots I've missed while waiting for him.  Make sure your camera is ON!  LOL!  Have you forgotten to do this before?  I do more than I'd like from turning the camera on & off to save the battery!  Oh yeah!  Have a back-up battery!  Most tourneys are once in a lifetime events!


4) Look for a Great Angle.  Zoom way in on the players face to capture the intensity of a drive.  Or put that camera in SPORTS MODE and take a series of the drive!  Also, if photographs are taken far away ALL THE TIME, photographs WILL look the same.  I highly recommend getting the best zoom lens possible for your camera & with an image stabilizer. 


The difference between amateur photographers & pro photographers is that pros use HUGE ZOOMS with ultra fast shutter speeds which can capture the details of facial expression, muscles, clothing, speed, movement, as well as fragments of dirt, sweat & tears flying off of athletes!

5)  Location of the shot.  Often times, in between players, I'm searching for a good spot.  Unless I'm worn out, then I admit, I'll take photos from the fun little golf cart!  If it's an important event, I am careful about when & where photos are taken.  When possible & depending on what my Creatif*Factor is for the day, I'll quickly test a few different angles of a play, zoom in or out to determine which view would make the best potential shot.  And ANGLE is key!  You DO NOT HAVE TO CENTER YOUR PLAYER!  Take a look at some of the photos in the SPORT ALBUM HERE.  The best photographs are many times off center.  And if you really want to spruce up your photography, there's always the RULE OF THIRDS.

6)  Highlight the beauty & unique characteristics of the golf course & location.  Take random photos of nature, course and players... Avante guard shots of players kicking back while they are backed up on a hole, or those ultra-intense discussions that go on between teammates! 

Phenomenal Panning Options with shots like WATER & SKY....  Low shots from near the ground ....  Shots of Players Up on a Hill ....  Shots of just the players head & club angling out from a bunker!  Sand Flying!

7) REVIEW your photos within a day or two of the tourney.  Many of the plays and shots will still be fresh on your mind.  And if you are a DIEHARD SCRAPBOOKER, jot down notes on your copy of the SCORECARD or a small notepad to remember the details.  Ask the player, BEST SHOT OF THE DAY!?  MOST CHALLENGING!?  FUNNIEST!?

8) Amp up the colors, use textures!


Try this album out ... it has 20 pages with an 18-Hole Motif.  You can either stay true to form & use the pages for each ACTUAL hole OR Mix It Up, whatever looks the BEST!  I promise you that this will become an heirloom for your child or golfer to remember for years to come. 


The album is also offered in SPORT Royal, without the marquis for other sports like tennis, rugby, soccer & MORE!

News & Events: Gone Scrapbooking Blinkie

GONE SCRAPBOOKING WEBSITE

This Blinkie ties in very nicely with her Website's motif by using slide-style images such as the filmstrip frame, distressed background & camera!  Then, the animation morphs into a darling scrapbook-style pic!  {We ALL luv that, don't we!?}



Visit Irene to see what this special woman is all about!  She writes the local & national scrapbooking columns at Examiner.com. She & her mother are co-founders of Scrapbooking Together, a charity organization in the San Francisco area that offers free scrapbook parties for the elderly at nursing home facilities.  And to top it off, are also involved in the awesome charity Operation Write Home by hosting card-making events through Scrapbooking Together!


She has published over 300 Examiner articles about scrapbooking & newsletters targeting *Scrapbook Layout Inspiration* from Scrapbookers everywhere accenting their creative spin on design!


Clearly, Irene & her mother are compassionate about the elderly AND supportive of our Nation's military, especially those deployed to protect our country & who sacrifice their lives for us! 

HATS OFF TO IRENE & HER MOM!  WAY TO GO, GIRLS!

If you feel the desire to be involved in this tremendous cause, please visit Operation Write Home!  Even if you can only commit to making just ONE (1) simple card over the busy holiday season, please DO! :)  Your efforts will light up the face of a special person who would enjoy a cheerful card of *Thanks & Gratitude*!  It's the least we can do!

Inspiration Everywhere~

Most of you know that I am ALL ABOUT INSPIRATION! *Dream Big & Seek Inspiration* -- My own personal motto! :) A great source for digital *Inspiration* is JESSICA SPRAGUE!

Photoshop
Illustrator
Photography
Photo Editing
Hybrid Projects
And More...

Jessica's classes are the go-to place for informative, clear and *AWESOME* classes that are video instructed. Simply fun and a great community of like-minded Creatifs, like us!

If you've been toying around with learning Photoshop, check out this class she has graciously offered as a *FREEBIE* --- INSPIRATION EVERYWHERE!

Keep Creating!

Juls~

Artsy Discoveries: Cool Blinkie

This Blinkie is *FAB*!!!  Wow!  I love everything about this artist's, *Princess Party's*, take on Blinkiedom!


Vibrant color, unique, personal, bold!  It just makes me happy looking at it.


So Clever {more my generation's catch phrase} ;) -- 


Hope you all enjoy, as much as I do!

Artsy Discoveries: Panache Typography Rulz

TypogrAphy!

Scrapbooking fanatics with a panache for Typography - Here You Go!


An edgy video that provides creative inspiration & a quick visual definition of the science behind typography!  Isn't it amazing how journaling & words add that special touch of detail & embellishment to layouts using cool fonts, words & Photoshop techniques?


Oh yeah ...Luvit!







*Panache* is a word of French origin that carries the connotation of a flamboyant manner and reckless courage.

The literal translation is a plume, such as is worn on a hat or a helmet, but the reference is to King Henry IV of France. Pleasure-loving and cynical, but a brave military leader and the best-loved of the kings of France, he was famed for wearing a striking white plume in his helmet and for his war cry: "Follow my white plume!" (Fr. "Ralliez-vous à mon panache blanc!")

Design: Need a Blinkie?

NEED A BLINKIE FOR U, YOUR BLOG OR BIZ?  Email me at juls@papiercreatif.net

$25 w/ LINK

This is so fun!  Very much like slideshow programming with an interesting twist!  Luv Making These!  Great way to promote your online business or make a fun personal statement!


The past few weeks have been spent planning & sourcing for the next Digi*Works Winter Kit.  It is gonna be really cute & maybe even some of my card-makin' buddies will enjoy some of the artwork {hint, hint...}!

The diet & walking regularly is going well.  I'm finally dropping weight!  A friend of mine actually noticed, so thankfully the 3-4 mile walks are kicking in.  I haven't been weighing in - just trying to cut back on portions & walking lots.  I'm not one to run in place on my eliptical for hours.  No Way!  But I'd chase a soccer ball around a field as long as possible, if it were humanly possible.

I've found a pack of racoons that are hand-fed & are *the cutest little things!*  I referred to one of the babies as *Rascal* and the lady who feeds them said, "That's a good name for him!"  They all have the last name "Butt" & first names like Big, Bigger, Wide and Wider ... HAHAHAHAHA!!  There must be 30 or more and they are adorable, & VERY SPOILED!!!  Fresh bread and dog biscuits every nite!

It was time to upgrade the ol' camera, *Welcome Canon 60D* w/ video feature!  Hopefully, I'll find some time to do a few photo shoots to see what I can come up with: kids, textures, landscapes.  Excited to see the quality difference and learn how to use the new lens!

SPEAKIN' OF SPOILED -- SPOIL YOURSELF WITH A NEW BLINKIE!!!  Let's make sumthin' cute for you!

{Hugs}

Juls~

Template - Yearbook Layout *Sittin Pretty*~

Papier Creatif Studio Scrapbook Works has a freshly designed Template called SITTIN' PRETTY & is majorly hip for sure!


Perfect for Yearbook Layout Ads, Slideshows and/or Scrapbooks! This is a great gift item for Graduates, Teenagers, Girls, Moms, Sisters or *WHO-EV* is especially special to you!


---ONLY $5.00 and Available Now!---

Total Time Saver & Really Cute

MY NEW ECOMMERCE STORE

Be Creatif!

Juls~

New Product: Grad Template "Sittin Pretty"

{Text and Photos for Illustration - sold plain}


Papier Creatif has a freshly designed Template called SITTIN' PRETTY & is majorly hip for sure!  FLOWER POWER!!   Great as a High School Yearbook Template, Slideshow and/or Scrapbook.


Total Time Saver & Really Cute!

• Template Saved in .psd, 300 dpi Format
• Customize Text
• Custom Colors Ok

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