The Creative Cloud - My Humble Opinion

Hello lovelies,

There's been tons of buzz about Adobe's latest announcement…. Have you heard?

In a nutshell….. If you want the latest version of Photoshop CS you will have to become a creative cloud subscriber.

So far this does not include Lightroom and Elements. They will be available as stand alone purchases. Note: Lightroom is included in the Creative Cloud bundle.

A lot of people are unhappy about this change…… my oh my....there's some strong opinions.

Personally I think getting really upset about the changes is a waste of valuable creative energy. Change happens…. 

I've had several emails asking me about the changes ……

So I thought I'd share my thoughts…..

Please note that there is tons of information out there… I am so far from an expert on this subject….. I can only tell you what I've read and what I've decided to do.

Here's how I understand it….. 

Adobe is switching gears…if you want the latest and greatest version of photoshop you will have to become a cloud subscriber……

At first glance it seems really expensive….. 

Let's take a deep breath and break it down.

1. You do not have to subscribe to the entire creative cloud offer. You can subscribe to the Photoshop CC option only. Good news, if you already own a legitimate copy of CS3 to CS6 you only have to pay $10/month for the first year. Woo hoo.

2. If you wish to subscribe to the entire creative cloud program, at first glance it is $50/month. But, if you own photoshop CS6 there is a special one year rate available for just $20/month. And if you own CS3-CS5 you can subscribe for $30/month. You can access the special offers here. The Creative Cloud gives you access to pretty much all the Adobe software, including the latest version of Lightroom. 

3. There is also a fab rate available for students/teachers. Adobe CC is $20/month. This offer expires June 25th.

4. If  you do not wish to subscribe to cloud in order to have access to the newer versions of photoshop.....consider switching to Elements and team it up with Lightroom….both of these programs are available as stand alone purchase software (so far). (clarification: At this time, you can purchase any of adobe's cs6 products, but the new versions will only be available to cloud subscribers.)

5. If you already own Photoshop CS6, Adobe will continue to add any fixes/updates as they are available. However, you will not have access to the updated features unless you become a cloud member.  

Okay friends… that's what I know.....

Here's what I decided to do.

I own CS6 and Lightroom 4…. 

I will always have the most up to date version …  first because it's part of my business, and second because i'm a tech lover…..

Anyhow, for me, the $20/month option is the best deal. This will keep me in with the latest and greatest version of Photoshop and LR. I will also have access to many other programs, including Premier Pro, which I'm excited to dive into...... 

So dear friends…. that's it in a nutshell…… 

Take a deep breath and choose what works for you…….. don't let it stress you….. life is short, and full of blessings…… 

Click HERE to check out the special creative cloud offers.

I did not write this post to stir up a debate.... if you wish to debate Adobe's decision there are plenty of threads out there, with tons of participants... This is simply my understanding of the options available.

much love…..and so much gratitude.

xo, 

Photoshop Texture Tutorial - An Autumn Celebration

Hello my friends,

Happiest Wednesday!

As promised I am back with a little selective texturing tutorial.

And while i am here... I wanted to share a few shots from my afternoon photo shoot in our white room.

a heavier textured effect

I brought these lovely fall branches home from the trail today...and just had to photograph them with my antique bleach bottles.

I then played around with different processing....

For all of today's images I used the textures, UggLove and Thursday! I think 'Thursday' is my current fav texture. :)

The main lesson I wanted to share in today's video tutorial is ... even the most intense textures can be soft and subtle.... and oh so right!

xxo, 

p.s. Registration for the Art of Texture Secrets eCourse is now open. Check out the September savings!

p.s.s. I'm in love with Yvonne's DIY at the i-Studio.... You gotta check it out!  

Enough said..... Enjoy!

View the video in Couch Mode HERE.

If you like this video, please pass it along to your friends..... You can use the share buttons below if you like!

{Tutorial} How to Make a Watermark ~ Photoshop Brush

and another 'dream' textured lake photo.

boat family - mouse over to see the before

Wanna make a quick and easy watermark stamp for your photos?

I put together an easy-peasy video..... walking you thru the steps in Photoshop Elements. (the same steps apply in Photoshop CS) 

I had an older video in the tutorial section, but I thought it was time for an update. 

I hope this will inspire you to make your very own watermark brush.

And, why stop there?  

You can use the same process to make an endless supply of photoshop brushes/stamps.  The skies the limit really. 

Can you imagine the possiblities?

dream brushes available in the Test Kitchen

If you have any questions, feel free to post below in the comments. I will be sure to post a reply. 

xxo,  

font used in video: Pea Noodle Girlfriends ~ merci.

disclaimer: my voice isn't quite so nasaly most days... haha. I had my mouth pressed right up to the mic to block out the sound of the A/C. :)  It was too hot to turn it off!  

p.s. 

Wanna learn so much more about photoshop and textures? Check out The Essentials eCourse details here.

Or

Pop over to The Photoshop Test Kitchen and start learning right away.

Oh So FAB Photoshop Texture Magic

Happiest Tuesdays, sweet friends!  How are you? 

I just had to process a few more images from my adventures on the weekend using today's textures. One more of the beautiful barn! Be still my heart!! And seriously the inside of this old barn is AMAZING. So many stories inside these old walls. And the amazing light pouring thru the open cracks in the building… Wow...truly beyond.....

Be sure to mouse over to see the before images.

Check out today’s 2 fors…  They are keepers for sure.  I unoriginally named them paperscript I and paperscript II.  I created these using a combination of antique paper, antique book pages, ink, old letters and stamps. They have a wonderful warmth that will definitely shine through in your IMAGE processing.

Several of the old barn images are featured in my upcoming cookbook. I’m seriously about ready to burst!

Here’s one more sweet pic for you.  This bike was leaning up against the back of the old barn.  Almost as if someone parked it, walked away and never looked back.

Can I just say… i HEART textures!  Seriously they are truly magical to me!

Is it always instant satisfaction…one click and I’m done?

NOPE. Some textures just don’t work with a particular image. So I try another one.  Sometimes it takes several layers of texture and other times, just one simple fabulous texture and I’m done.  It’s a process… it’s ART and it’s truly fantastic!

Thanks bunches for popping by.  You can order today’s 2 for’s for $3.00.  Click below to order them.

The price will increase tomorrow (Wednesday, Sept.15th) at 12pm.

xxo,

Shakespeare Inspired Textures to Love

Happiest Wednesday! How’s your week going? I hope this note finds you well. I’m finally here with Tuesday’s textures. Wooo hoo! I actually did a companion texture so it’s a 3 for again. Check them out.
If you look real close you can see Shakespeare's sonnets in the corners of the texture.  Scroll down to see it on the daisy image, as well.

                                   autumn                                                       shakespeare's sonnet

here's the companion that I used as a base with the autumn textured images.  it works like a charm.

I call it soft and sanded.

and here's a few more sample images ....  I used the sanded soft on mutliply and then added autumn at soft light 100% for this daisy image.

and here's the same daisies minus the desaturation using the shakespeare's sonnet texture.  I used one layer at multiply 75% and one layer at soft light 60%.

I hope you like today's 3 fors...  I can't wait to see what you do with them.

click below to order today's textures for $3.00.  (The price will increase tomorrow at 12pm central.)

have a most fabulous day!

xxo,

 

An Inspiring Shop Tour Revealed

Hey there, my friends.  How are you?

How was your weekend? 

Mine was okay.  But you know how it goes...some weekends are better than others. 

I'm not sure if it was the weather?  the overload of work?  or perhaps the sinus issue finding it's way back to me. 

Or maybe it was the fact that I dropped my blackberry and stepped on it while on the trail yesterday?  ugh.

I felt a slight sense of panic, thinking about being without it.  I know, that's completely ridiculous.  But, hey I'm just being honest... Anyhow, John is once again, my hero.  He fixed Brett's old Blackberry up using a part from my destroyed one, and I am up and running again. :)  'happy sigh'... 

Okay enough of that.  Let's talk 'shop'...  Shop as in the beautiful shop I visited a week ago.  It's called Lady of the Lake.  It 's full of amazing inspiration.  I wanted to share a few pics with you and then a couple of announcements. 

And by the way, I was a little nervous about asking them if I could take  pics of the shop.  But I did it, and they didn't even hesitate.  :)  They said, 'absolutely, anything you like...'  So i say, GO FOR IT..  if you wanna do the same at a shop you love.

The bicycle above is outside the shop....along with this old piano...  I'd love an old piano on my front porch... that'd be pretty cool, don't ya think?

Check out the title of the book in this pic.  How perfect!!

And these dishes seemed to be a one only set.  I'm not sure if they are a vintage collection?  I meant to ask.  But I think they are so very pretty!

And another shot of the precious dresses I shared during recipe week. 'sigh' Love these dresses.

  And I had to share this image with you.  Check out the framed print 'nothing is impossible with a willing heart'. It's my design.  It's really cool when you see your licensed art in a shop. You kind of want to tell people, 'hey that's my art'.... You know like a random shopper... haha... I didn't though.  But I had to tell you all. :)  I have the original hanging in our bedroom.  I love the quote. 

I think this chair is loveliness.  So inviting!

And I love this vintage typewriter... LOVE!!

And this little corner would fit in pretty darn perfect in our old country home.  Love the warm, autumn feeling.

thanks so much for allowing me to share a little tour of Lady of the Lake. 

.....

And I promised some good news.  I actually have a few exciting things to share.

I've been cooking up recipes.  Photoshop recipes that is.  I even used several on today's images.  And I'm creating an exciting Photoshop eCookbook.  I'm hoping to have it available very soon.  It's going to be in digital format with lots of extra goodies.  I guarantee it'll have your photoshop juices going all kinds of crazy!!  So stay tune... 

Oh I have a new site in the works as well.  It's going to be so much easier to get around, find stuff, access info.  And PRETTIER too.  I can't wait!!

And finally it's time to share the winners of the inspiration-Staycation eBook.  Thanks to all of you who commented and took part.  I so appreciate it!

The 3 winners are:

Deb (clicks of my shutter)

Privet & Holly

Joyelle Brandt.

Please send me an email so I can get your eBook delivered.

Congrats Ladies!

xxo,

break free and FLY texture for friday

happiest friday,

how are things? 

i hope you had a most fabulous week.

i'm popping into share today's freebie texture.

i think it's a GOOD one. :)

mouse over the above image to see it's effect.

okay so here's today's 'break free & fly' texture....

yep another one with words.  they seem to be a hit....

and i LOVE typography.

although this is a mix of my hand scratching and type.

and here's the scoop....

list members will be getting their link shortly....

and if you aren't on the 'texture lovin' list... sign up HERE.

and i will zap it to you. 

one more sample

so i think that covers it.

have a most fabulous weekend....

xxo, kim

p.s. back with some texture tutorial love.....
i did this for the stay-cation site, but i wanted to post it here as well.

cs Version

elements Version

kim klassen adding texture (staycation) elements version from Kim Klassen on Vimeo.