Moving Forward in 2013 on the Tutorial Blog:

[Traci Reed]

Hey Sweet Shoppers! I'm making plans for the 2013 tutorial blog and would LOVE it if you'd let me know what YOU would like to see tutorial-wise! :wub:

After all, we do these tutorials for you and want to make sure you're learning everything you want to be learning here at SSD!

Fire away!

[Traci Reed]

Awww no one loves me!

[origami]

Maybe we don't know what we don't know, LOL! :confused:

[jessica31876]

I would really love more tutorials for PSP specifically. I can usually figure out a way to do in PSP what PSE and Photoshop users write about but if someone was to some cool tutorials using PSP would be great.

[kelley]

I'll think about this Traci! I'm not sure what I want to learn - I will definitely think about it and add some suggestions!

[elseepe]

How about a tutorial for creating those fun little siggies with links. Or maybe that is covered somewhere but I didn't find info about adding in the links.

[krystalhartley]

How to be as awesome as that one chick Traci Reed.

[jessica31876]

It has...I think Lena did a tutorial on it. Ill check and see if I can find it.

How about a tutorial for creating those fun little siggies with links. Or maybe that is covered somewhere but I didn't find info about adding in the links.

Yep I was right it is right here:

http://lenagardner.blogspot.com/2012/01/creating-signature-clickable-to.html

[elseepe]

Perfect, thank you so much.

[MommaTrish]

How to be as awesome as that one chick Traci Reed.

Argh! I was just coming to say that!

[KateD]

It's tough to say what I'd like to learn. I usually don't know that I'd like to see something until someone writes a tutorial for it. Not helpful, I know.

[NatalieKW]

I would like to learn how to make text paths that aren't square or rectangle...so they can go around a cluster of elements. Like what Cindy does on her templates.

ETA: Like on this layout:
https://www.sweetshoppecommunity.com/gallery/data/500/2012_08_07-Shorts.jpg (https://www.sweetshoppecommunity.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=253274&title=wearing-short&cat=500)

See how the journaling goes around the circle. That's how it comes on the templates but when I make my own pages, I have to use enter a lot and hope I don't have to change anything later. KWIM?

[LJSDesigns]

Anything showing how to use the latest "trendy" items would be great. Heck, just having someone identify the latest trends would be great. I am so unhip. More shadow tuts would also be great, I still have a lot to learn there. I second the motion for more PSP tuts. Anything that would help improve my composition would be welcome. And of course photography ones are always welcome. Truthfully, any thing you all want to teach me, is welcome. :)

[kristijoy]

I would like to learn how to make text paths that aren't square or rectangle...so they can go around a cluster of elements. Like what Cindy does on her templates.

Me too! But in PSE11.

[anneofalamo]

I love love to learn! playing with photo crops, and using photo enhancements/actions to help my photos really pop off the page would be a fun one to me?

[MommaTrish]

I would like to learn how to make text paths that aren't square or rectangle...so they can go around a cluster of elements. Like what Cindy does on her templates.

ETA: Like on this layout:
https://www.sweetshoppecommunity.com/gallery/data/500/2012_08_07-Shorts.jpg (https://www.sweetshoppecommunity.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=253274&title=wearing-short&cat=500)

See how the journaling goes around the circle. That's how it comes on the templates but when I make my own pages, I have to use enter a lot and hope I don't have to change anything later. KWIM?

If you're using CS that is so easy. You just make your basic text shape, then go back (and in that case) switch to elliptical marquee and at the top click the subtraction box and hold shift and make a circle where the picture is.

[anneofalamo]

If you're using CS that is so easy. You just make your basic text shape, then go back (and in that case) switch to elliptical marquee and at the top click the subtraction box and hold shift and make a circle where the picture is.
bhahaha...easy peasy! sounds akin to brain surgery reading that! I think some of my brain oozed out of my head and onto the floor!

[nun69]

If you're using CS that is so easy. You just make your basic text shape, then go back (and in that case) switch to elliptical marquee and at the top click the subtraction box and hold shift and make a circle where the picture is.

thinks Trish should do a quick video tutorial on this....I am a seer!! I have to sees it to understand it LOL!

[heathergw]

HAHAHA!!! Another example of how Trish and I do things totally different... I just use the lasso tool or the magnetic lasso tool to make my text shape

[kelley]

I would also learn to make shaped text paths. I always end up just hitting enter a lot and using the space key a lot to get where I want to be.

Maybe one on adding lighting effects to the layout? I don't know how many people do this though.

[mrshobbes]

HAHAHA!!! Another example of how Trish and I do things totally different... I just use the lasso tool or the magnetic lasso tool to make my text shape

I totally do not understand what either of you are talking about :p

[MommaTrish]

HAHAHA!!! Another example of how Trish and I do things totally different... I just use the lasso tool or the magnetic lasso tool to make my text shape

I do that a lot too. :p

ACTUALLY... lol
The main thing I do for text is I create one GIANT shape that covers the whole area I want to put my text, then I take the polygonal lasso and cut around all of my elements, then use the magnetic wand, select what's left of the shape and then click create path.

[anneofalamo]

I guess I am not knowing what the tools are called..I usually make a new layer, then the pen tool to make the shape I want, and voila hit T for text inside that shape?

[jessica31876]

I just set my text to right or left justified sometimes center but not often then hit enter when I get to the end of a line and space at the beginning if the cluster is there. I know you can do text paths on PSP but I think the path only goes around stuff.


I would like to learn how to make text paths that aren't square or rectangle...so they can go around a cluster of elements. Like what Cindy does on her templates.

ETA: Like on this layout:
https://www.sweetshoppecommunity.com/gallery/data/500/2012_08_07-Shorts.jpg (https://www.sweetshoppecommunity.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=253274&title=wearing-short&cat=500)

See how the journaling goes around the circle. That's how it comes on the templates but when I make my own pages, I have to use enter a lot and hope I don't have to change anything later. KWIM?

[LeeAndra]

My fave tuts are the Scrap Like a Sugarbabe (or designer or regular scrapper) ones, Traci. I would love more of those.

[MommaTrish]

My fave tuts are the Scrap Like a Sugarbabe (or designer or regular scrapper) ones, Traci. I would love more of those.

me too

[Ronisdragon]

I'd love to learn how to edit my photos without having to pay lots of money to buy actions. I want to learn how to get effects like florabella actions and Instagram etc by doing it myself. I'd like to learn what the different filters in elements do and when to use them. I also would Ike to learn more about when to use the different things such as hard light, soft light, Gaussian blur etc. it would be great is you could explain how to do everything in your tutorials in elements. Thanks for asking what we'd like to see. I'm sure I'll think of more I'd like to learn later.

[origami]

I'd love to learn how to edit my photos without having to pay lots of money to buy actions. I want to learn how to get effects like florabella actions and Instagram etc by doing it myself. I'd like to learn what the different filters in elements do and when to use them. I also would Ike to learn more about when to use the different things such as hard light, soft light, Gaussian blur etc. it would be great is you could explain how to do everything in your tutorials in elements. Thanks for asking what we'd like to see. I'm sure I'll think of more I'd like to learn later.

:thumbup:

There are some very good, free actions available out there, but I definitely would love some tutorials that help us all get more out of the filters and editing tools in Photoshop and Photoshop Elements!

[jennv]

bhahaha...easy peasy! sounds akin to brain surgery reading that! I think some of my brain oozed out of my head and onto the floor!

amen to that.....

[Arual]

HAHAHA!!! Another example of how Trish and I do things totally different... I just use the lasso tool or the magnetic lasso tool to make my text shape

This is exactly how I do it as well, it's so easy and fast this way.

[MamaBee]

Any hybrid tuts ideas? :)

[kristijoy]

I would also learn to make shaped text paths. I always end up just hitting enter a lot and using the space key a lot to get where I want to be.

I do the same thing. I just got the new version of Elements,and I know it has some simply functionality of putting text in a shape, but not sure if you can do it in a custom shape...???

[Traci Reed]

Extracting From An Image (https://www.sweetshoppedesigns.com/tutorials/index.php/2011/12/extracting-from-an-image/)


Keep chatting girls, I'm making notes!

[thompsonc2007]

How about hybrid tool reviews? Or how you ladies use your favorite hybrid crafting gadgets? Kind of a peek into the Babes Hybrid Tool Kit. Also tips on coordinating alphas for title work. I am not so good at that but love the look!

[heathergw]

Maybe one on adding lighting effects to the layout? I don't know how many people do this though.

like this one?
Layout Background Lighting (https://www.sweetshoppedesigns.com/tutorials/index.php/2012/04/layout-background-lighting/)

[SeattleSheri]

Is there something I can add to the Text Path tutorial I put together that would be helpful? I included a few types of text paths. I don't use PSE, so I'm sorry I can't write a tutorial in that program.
https://www.sweetshoppedesigns.com/tutorials/index.php/2011/12/text-on-a-path/

[YepBrook]

My fave tuts are the Scrap Like a Sugarbabe (or designer or regular scrapper) ones, Traci. I would love more of those.

By this, do you mean having someone just scrap a page basically and talk their way through their process or method of making the page? So less of a specific skill, and more of an overall "how I made this page" sort of thing?

[elseepe]

I'm mainly just wondering if my siggy works before I go separating it and linking it

I love the idea of walking through the building of a layout, or maybe a "do-over" kind of layout.

[LeeAndra]

Yes, Brook. 'Zackly. I am so fascinated by seeing how other people make their pages. I always learn more from that than a straight-on tutorial.

[SeattleSheri]

Kind of like this? I linked some of the techniques I use to other tutorials throughout my Scrap Like a Sugarbabe tutorial.

https://www.sweetshoppedesigns.com/tutorials/index.php/2012/09/scrap-like-a-sugarbabe-seattlesheri/

[AmberK]

I want to learn how to make portions of elements look hidden behind other elements without having to use the eraser tool. Like a curly ribbon weaving in an out of an alpha or something like that. I know there has to be an easier way and there might be a tut out there already- if so, PLEASE point me in the direction!

[ripal]

Is there something I can add to the Text Path tutorial I put together that would be helpful? I included a few types of text paths. I don't use PSE, so I'm sorry I can't write a tutorial in that program.
https://www.sweetshoppedesigns.com/tutorials/index.php/2011/12/text-on-a-path/

Sheri, I think what they're asking about it is not text on path, but text in irregular box... as in create a text box with lasso tool. Not just the shapes that comes in PS. But the shapes that go around your elements.

[Traci Reed]

She does that with the pen tool at the end. If she were to draw a shape instead of a line, she could fill the shape with text.

[adrianka]

Sheri, I think what they're asking about it is not text on path, but text in irregular box... as in create a text box with lasso tool. Not just the shapes that comes in PS. But the shapes that go around your elements.

But this can be done with Paths, too. And it's also easier to do (and modify/customise) than with the lasso tool.

[heathergw]

are there any art journaling tutorials you'd like to see?

[KateD]

are there any art journaling tutorials you'd like to see?

I seem to be making more and more art-journally looking layouts and I'd like to see how to make a regular layout look art-journally. I'm not really into a strictly art-journal style that uses embellishments to tell the story, but I'm enjoying using lots of paint, stitching, and other mixed-media types of things on my regular layouts. Does that make sense?

[heathergw]

yup, I can do that :)

[KateD]

Thanks, Heather! :wub:

[LJSDesigns]

That sounds great to me too Heather. :)

[Nettio]

I want to learn how to make portions of elements look hidden behind other elements without having to use the eraser tool. Like a curly ribbon weaving in an out of an alpha or something like that. I know there has to be an easier way and there might be a tut out there already- if so, PLEASE point me in the direction!

I do this using layer masks, not sure if we have a tutorial on that though.

[Arual]

I want to learn how to make portions of elements look hidden behind other elements without having to use the eraser tool. Like a curly ribbon weaving in an out of an alpha or something like that. I know there has to be an easier way and there might be a tut out there already- if so, PLEASE point me in the direction!

I use layer mask to do this, but it's really erasing as well... but with the option of going back if need be.

[heathergw]

I also use layer masks... have you guys seen Lex's tutorial... it helps to make it clean and quicker doing it her way, since you don't have to worry about "erasing" too much or too little...

Playing with Strings, Ribbons & Paper Clips (https://www.sweetshoppedesigns.com/tutorials/index.php/2012/01/playing-with-stringsibbons-paper-clips/)

[SeattleSheri]

Sheri, I think what they're asking about it is not text on path, but text in irregular box... as in create a text box with lasso tool. Not just the shapes that comes in PS. But the shapes that go around your elements.
I can add that to the tutorial. You can use the pen tutorial for that, but sometime when you have a closed shape, it's easier to use the lasso tool. I have it in my Scrap Like a Sugarbabe feature, but I know people won't know to go there and it doesn't go into as much detail.

[Arual]

I just very recently started to 'thread' my buttons a new way and I love it... Its still using layer mask but you duplicate the string and place on top of your buttons.... and then do Option+click on ADD LAYER MASK
.. and then I use a soft brush about the size of the thread/string and just swipe over the area in the middle of the button to reveal just that part of the string...

I never knew about the option+click add layer mask until about two weeks ago... I fell in love with it!

[littlebitofe]

I would live to see a series of tutorials (if this hasn't been done) on determining your scrapping style. Maybe grab some of the sugar babes who have different styles to talk about their techniques individually or link to other tuts if they have already been done. Like simple, minimal, clusters, graphic, like-paper, etc.

[Arual]

I thought of something I'd like to learn more about.... dodge and burn! I'd like to know better how to use this tool and WHEN to use it. For example, Lorie's siggy - it appears that the letters in her name are lifted up a little (like little bumps) where the string goes under the letter, or the layer of ribbons is under the letter, etc... just like it would be slightly lifted in that area, in real life, if you were to lay a paper down and then run a string under it.... Ive done this before, but Im not good at it, and Im sure theres a better way of doing it than how I been doing it.

[adrianka]

I thought of something I'd like to learn more about.... dodge and burn! I'd like to know better how to use this tool and WHEN to use it. For example, Lorie's siggy - it appears that the letters in her name are lifted up a little (like little bumps) where the string goes under the letter, or the layer of ribbons is under the letter, etc... just like it would be slightly lifted in that area, in real life, if you were to lay a paper down and then run a string under it.... Ive done this before, but Im not good at it, and Im sure theres a better way of doing it than how I been doing it.

Oh, I second this!!!

[DogwoodMama]

Anything showing how to use the latest "trendy" items would be great. Heck, just having someone identify the latest trends would be great. I am so unhip. More shadow tuts would also be great, I still have a lot to learn there. I second the motion for more PSP tuts. Anything that would help improve my composition would be welcome. And of course photography ones are always welcome. Truthfully, any thing you all want to teach me, is welcome. :)

Yes, pretty much!

And I love process posts... like the approaches that different scrappers use. Even a highlight of a "week in scrapbooking"--- like how do people create so many beautiful pages in a short time? (Time crunched here, which is why I have not been scrapping as much as I used to... I have bits and pieces of time throughout the day, but I'm just continually interrupted, one reason I find templates so helpful b/c I can more easily jump back in to finishing a page than I could if I was not using a template.)

Definitely nodding along to other suggestions. And I really have appreciated the tutorials here- they have been a great refresher for me and have given me lots of inspiration & new ideas! I'm sure it is a lot of work behind the scenes, but keep them coming, they are great!

[sbpoet]

I'm new here, so have not yet explored tutorials that are already here.

I do digital art journaling, with PSE11, so pretty much anything on PSE is of interest to me. Even things I've already learned. ... and then forgotten.

[kelley]

Now I may have missed some of the blog tutes, so I might be repeating ideas that have already been done. But, what about a sketching tutorial, like turning your photo into a sketch? Or making your photo look painterly, which could be neat on art-journal layouts.

[sbpoet]

Now I may have missed some of the blog tutes, so I might be repeating ideas that have already been done. But, what about a sketching tutorial, like turning your photo into a sketch? Or making your photo look painterly, which could be neat on art-journal layouts.

I second this!

[origami]

Oh, I second this!!!

Third!!!