inspiRation....

Ok, so, this is my inspiRation page, right?  I got a lot of emails about the brushes post below. Thanks, I'm so glad the 'brush up' 101 helped! So...today we'll do a Brush Up 102. *wink*& hopefully you'll feel inspiRed!

Today I released a brushes tool kit called Lace It Up.    It's a brushes tool kit & is a bit different from a regular brush kit in that it includes pieces to create your own things.

For example: with this kit it comes with 12 brushes (or PNG images as we talked about in 101). 1 8x8 frame; 1 6x8 frame; 4 edges; 1 12x12 pattern overlay; 1 3x5 lace block; 4 lace border strips. Each piece can be used alone (so that's 12 looks) OR you can use each brush to create your own lacey looks. Think: patterns, edges, frames, papers, cards, stickers, transparency overlays, titles, photograph edges, blogs, scrapbooks & even printing out on clear sticker paper & using on anything!

So, really, brush tool kits are just that; tools in your hands to create hundreds of your own looks.

 

In this photo I used the brushes as stamps around the edges. To add some interest, I used 3 different colors. Now, like I mentioned in 101, I created these on their own layers.  The black was first, then the white, then the pink.  This adds depth & interest.

Another thing I did with the brush tool kit was: Masking.  This is a non-destructive way of getting an 'erased' look by hiding portions of that brush layer. Here's how it works:

1. Load in  lace brushes.

2.In your Layer Palette, at the very bottom you will see a tool bar of icons. It has the little garbage can icon on the bottom right. Look for the icon rectangle with the circle in the middle. Hover your mouse over it & it will say : Add Layer Mask.

 

Click on it.

*Notice your Color Box automatically changed to black/white. Black will hide portions of the brush imprint or stamp; while White will reveal the portions again.

Notice what happened in your  Layer.  You'll see a Link & the white box which is the Mask canvas. This will make it possible for you to go in & stamp something that you didn't want hidden if you make a mistake! Fab,huh?

 3. Look at the "Beauty" & the lace border underneath the title.  This is created by simply stamping your lace brush (on its own layer, of course) & then going into the Layers Palette & selecting where it says 'Normal'...simply click on that arrow & you'll see Overlay. This Overlay Mode is what gives this cool look on photos. (I also did it with my Type, too.)

4. Adjust the Opacity of this in case you want it more subtle.  

& voila! You have some funky things to do with brushes!

enjoy!

R