Photoshop Elements 6.0 Tip 2 – Making a Smile

The liquify tool….making a smile

Ok, so let me show you the photo first.  I didn’t retouch these at all except for the tool I’m showing you so know they could have been a little brighter and sharper but no time!!!!  So, onward…….

Here’s NO SMILE….

and here’s a SMILE……..

Pretty cool huh?

Ok, here’s the steps.
Open the Editing part of Elements 6.0
Choose Filter, then Distort, then Liquify
In the Tool Options on the right hand side of the page choose a brush size that is about the size of the person’s cheek.
Place the brush at the base of the cheek, click and hold your mouse down while you drag slightly up.
If necessary (which it wasn’t in this photo) do the other side. 
And as the wonderful book indicates be careful how far you tug or you’ll turn your cute little one into Joker from Batman Returns
Click OK to apply the change adn save as a copy!

Have fun!!!
(taken from The Photoshop Elements 6.0 Book which can be purchased here.)


Wordless Wednesday – Sandals and Sand


The neverending attempt at blogging….

This is my third attempt to post this particular post.

Maybe this one will stick.  I’m having trouble with Mozilla locking up so I’m trying this in the dreaded IE!  I much prefer Mozilla Firefox.

So, me and baby girl did the trampoline thing this weekend.  Here are a few pictures from  the weekend.  While you are blog perusing check out the trampoline pictures at Live and Learn.  Alyssa has some crazy pictures over there!!!

Ahhh….I love this expression of total childhood on her face.  All is right with the world when jumping on the trampoline

Today’s post at Shutter Sisters is about chopping off heads.  You’ve gotta see that one!  It’s great.  So here is my chopped off head.  Dad, this one’s just for you!!!


Not so Freaky Friday Fotos of our Field Trip

Yesterday we took a field trip to Paris Mountain State Park where we did a little hiking.  Here are a few pictures from the day:

The Gang:  My four plus friend Dakota

Son #3 plus Dakota (eating lunch on the trail)

I love this picture because Baby Girl has the funniest expressing on her face.  They are taking turn drinking water from the water fountain.

The ferns were sprouting their new growth and Baby Girl thought they were so cool, "like little babies, mama!".  She kept stopping to Ohh and Ahh over them and to pet them into existence!

Have a great Friday!!!


Photoshop Cool Stuff (Elements 6.0) Tip 1

I recently upgraded to Photoshop Elements 6.0 and have been waiting to order the book to go along with it.  I love others tutorials.  In it I found this cool trick. 

Photo ONE (posted just a day or so ago)

Photo TWO (with a little tweaking)

Can you spot the difference? 
There is this cool tool called Liquify……
Before I tell you what I did I’m going to show you how to use it.
From the editing section of Photoshop Elements 6.0:
1.  Click on the Filter menu
2.  Choose Liquify
3.  When that dialog box appears pick the 5th tool down from the top.  It’s on the left hand side of the screen.  It looks like a square with it’s sides pinched in a little.  Click on that little guy.
4.  It’s the Pucker Tool.  And it puckers anywhere you click it.  I made the circle that indicates the size of the tool I’m using a size that my nose fit inside perfectly.  Then I clicked.  After one click I centered the right side of my nose inside the circle and clicked.  Then the left side of my nose.  Click.
5.  And voila! … a smaller nose. 
Go back and look….yep, it’s tinier!
Cool huh?
Wonder what else I can shrink?  Maybe my muffin top (better know as a fat roll)
Have fun! 

note:  this info. was taken from the book mentioned above
The Photoshop Elements 6 book for digital photographers by Scott Kelby and Matt Kloskowski


Vacation Day 4 (evening)

Even though I’m home now I thought I would post a few picture that I took AT the beach.  I waited for a sunset Monday night until I realized there were too many clouds for a good sunset.  So here’s a few pictures from my walk on the beach….



I think I miss the beach!


Vacation Day #4

While visiting my friend Sandy I got a chance to take pictures of her new granddaughter Lorelei (pronounced Lora-lie).  Here’s one of the best shots…


Isn’t she sweet?
I also got a chance to TRY a self portrait.  Something, if done at home, would bring rounds of “What are you doing mom?”, “Can I do it too?”, “Can I hold your 3 million dollar (just kiddin’) camera?”, “I promise I won’t drop it?”
So here’s my self portrait…


I travel home tomorrow!
Julie


Vacation Day 3

This morning I decided to go for a walk after my leisurely cup of coffee and breakfast.  I just walked around Sandy’s neighborhood looking for things to take pictures of.  I don’t have alot of time to just stroll when I’m at home, always rushing from here to there.  So, here’s what I found this morning.

Dandelions…



Azaleas…


Hyacinth…

Reflections that our sluggish economy is still moving…

I’m guessing they don’t want you stepping in this puddle, huh??

And a reminder that getting out of debt is a good thing because one day I may be able to afford a home at the beach like this one…


Vacation Time

Yep, vacation time, just for me. 

My sweet (handsome, strong, sexy) husband gave me a weekend away for my birthday last month.  Since the kids have spring break next week he thought now would be a good time for me to get away.  So yesterday I drove from our hometown near Greenville SC through Columbia, SC, onto Florence SC and then through the eastern part of the state, across the border to Ocean Isle Beach NC where our good friend Sandy lives.  So for the next few days I’ll be sleeping, drinking coffee, watching movies, strolling the neighborhood, catching up on my bible study and missing my family. 

Yesterday as I drove east I watched the outside temperature rise from the 50s at home to 68 near Columbia to 78 in Florence.  There is something about driving out of the rain and into the sun as the temperature rises that does a body good!!

So this morning finds me still in my PJ’s typing from the bed and drinking in a cup of Sandy’s coffee sweetened with White Chocolate Mudslide creamer.  Here’s where I usually write to you….
There is NO noise in the house except for her cats finding a resting place for the day and her spastic dog who is outside.  (love ya bud!…that’s her dog)

Photos to come!
Have a great Saturday…
I love and miss you family!
Julie


My love and hate relationship with Photoshop

I have to admit that I definitely have a love/hate relationship with Photoshop.  I’d much rather take a picture that is (sooc) straight out of the camera fantastic!!

Then there are times when I just love being able to get rid of someone or something with Photoshop.  Point in case…my second son’s very first touchdown run.  This annoying spectator was just in my way so I got rid of him.  The clone tool has to be one of my favorite!!

Can you find the missing man???  Now you see him…


Now you don’t!


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