FREEBIE MINI KIT! (and a tribute to my DD's)

So it's been a LONG year with the move, the settling into NJ, 2 kids in High School and my 8 year old (who frankly is a FULL time job on his own!!) So it's been quite awhile since I made a little kit just for my dear DEAR blog readers, but when I was asked to bring back one of my old freebie Christmas Kits from last year, I just couldn't resist! So I've kept some of the best parts (tossed some of the yucky ones...LOL and added a bit too!)

So, just for you guys... here's Peppermint Twist!!


DOWNLOAD LINK BELOW

Did I mention that I had a new kit with Franzsika Altmann too?? Here's the description and previews! (click on the images to check it out!) Don't forget! Catch this kit on sale this week ONLY!





So, with the help of my dear friend Franziska Altmann, I have created a kit for my DD's Emily and Brittany (both teenagers and both in LOVE with Stephany Meyer's Twilight Series (Emily and I are BOTH Team Edward BTW, Brittany is Team Jacob LOL!) While listening to a FABULOUS album by We The Kings (my favorite song is Check Yes Juliet) and finishing book 4 of the series (for the SECOND time) I just had to create a "gothic, grungy, romantic" feeling kit... and here it is! (Don't you just LOVE Franziska's Bella and Edward??? LOL!)

Perfect for boys and girls of all ages, you'll get a TON of use from this versatile kit! Included you'll find: (NOT ALL ELEMENTS ARE SHOWN ON THE PREVIEW!)

8 Textured and Grunged Solid Papers
12 Textured and Gorgeous Patterned Papers
1 Full "English" Alpha
1 Full "European" set of Characters
1 Number and Punctuation Set
1 Teenage Girl Doll ("Bella")
1 Teenage Boy Doll ("Edward")
3 Buttons
1 Checkered Cloud Element
3 Fabric Flowers
3 Checkered Frames
1 FABULOUS Guitar Rub-on (hello... Guitar Hero Layouts Here I Come!)
1 Tattered Paper Heart with Blank Banner
1 Rounded Square Skull Element Cluster
1 12x12 Checkered Border
3 Tied String Elements
2 Sets of "Goth" Wings
1 Burgundy Satin Bow
1 12" Diamond Swirl Border
1 "Night to Remember"
1 "Heartbreaker"
1 "Love Endures"
2 Tattered Bows
1 Chrome Locket
2 Diamond Borders
1 Wrought Iron Swirl Frame
1 Grungy Heart Rub-on
1 Heart Ball Chain
1 Black Satin Ribbon Pull
3 Gem Staples

And last, but not least... CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD PEPPERMINT TWIST FOR FREE!

It's about time RIGHT?

It's been TOOOOOO long since I posted some good darn freebies on this blog hasn't it??? And you guys have been SOOO patient... looking at all of my ads, listening to me go on and on about the move (btw... MOVING STINKS!!!)

But I'm getting a bit more settled into New Jersey (and soooo missing Hawaii!!!) So I had a little time to put together this mini-plus kit for you (not quite a mini, not quite a full kit! LOL!) I was working on it for a full kit and said "darn it Shauna! your faithful blog readers deserve a few more freebies from you!" so here you go!

I'm not sure why I chose the name "School Sribbles" because it's not too school themed and there are NO scribbles in it at all (except the tiny ones that I used to make the little criss cross overlay on a couple of the papers...but I digress...) But no one ever said that I was good at names... LOL!!

And of course I have to show off my newest product in the Orchard... (stop making that face... before you download my freebee you could at least look at my other stuff! he he he!) I'm coming out with a new line of Overlays that I'm super excited about!! It's one PSD file (although I have separate .png files in there too) and you can make literally HUNDREDS of papers out of the one file!! It's called a Paper Pack Overlay and it has several layers, including both a textured overlay AND several patterned overlays that can be turned, twisted, moved, turned on or off and otherwise "played with" to get tons of different looks to your papers!! It's commercial and personal use friendly ... so check it out! (Besides, my dear dear Ellie Lash has tried it and SHE loved it!! So it can't be all THAT bad right?? LOL!!!)

Here it is: Click on it to check it out!!


Besides... I used it to make some papers... for a collab that I'm doing... WITH BREN BOONE!!! Coming soon exclusively to Scrap Orchard!! (who knows... maybe... just maybe... IF you're good.. I'll give you a sneak peek!! MAYBE!)

Oh yeah... the download link for the freebie? It's right HERE!!!

Enjoy and Aloha!!! (yes... I'm STILL going to say Aloha even if I live in New Jersey!!! :)

2.24.08 A Smile...

It's a "quickie" tonight ladies...I'm busy busy busy with new plans, new beginnings and more stuf to share! I just had to say thank you to all my lovely blog readers for their great words of support and kindness....

You guys ALWAYS make me smile...

Enjoy!

Download your Smile Mini Kit HERE
Password: smile (what else?? LOL)

p.s. want to learn something new? Leave me a comment with what you want to learn in photoshop and majority rules!! It's time for a new tut isn't it??

3.20.08 The "HUNT" Begins!!

*Be patient ladies! Your frantic and hurried search for the eggs is causing delays with my 4shared! LOL Hang in there and have fun! Noooo worries...links will be up for a long time!!*


Isn't it pretty! Not much to post for those of you who who know the rules... for you first timers... here you go! Enjoy!

*QUICK UPDATE* Please Read!! One of our sunshine girls has had an emergency and we're unsure if her links will be active by the time you get there... If for any reason you come to a site that doesn't yet have it's links posted or if those links don't yet work... PLEASE just be patient...this is a really complicated matter with all of our different time zones! The links WILL eventually (and by eventually, I mean as quickly as we possibly can) be corrected or posted!.... Remember this is fun!! LOL

"Welcome to the Sunshine Sweets 1st Annual Easter Egg Hunt!" The Sunshine Girls (and surprise... we've added a Mr. Sunshine to our little designer group) hope you enjoy our newest collaborative freebie "Sunshine Sweets".

In the spirit of a traditional Easter Egg hunt we've decided to send you on a little, and VERY easy, hunt for our freebies! Simply click on my egg and download my freebie... inside your download will be my portion of "Sunshine Sweets" along with a folder with your next egg and the link to the blog of another Sunshine Girl (or guy! LOL) just follow that link and click on THEIR egg...their download will contain the link for the next blog... and so on and so on...

Oh! and what would be an Easter hunt without the GOLDEN EGG?? Somewhere during your hunt, you will download the Golden Egg, this link will take you to somewhere where you've NEVER been before, someplace NEW and VERY exciting!! This new place will have a great surprise for you (and only you, our loyal egg hunters)! This surprise will also contain a link that will help you continue on your hunt until at last your journey brings you back to my little blog... where your hunt will be complete!

No hurry...all of our links will be active for plenty long enough for you all to find your eggs, crack them open and enjoy your sweets in time for Easter! So, get busy...have fun and have a great Easter!!!

Here's MY "Sunshine Sweets for your basket"!



Don't forget! Click my egg to download the goodies for your "basket"! (and leave me some love!)

3.17.08 Spring is sure to follow... BIG CHANGES!!

LADIES!!! We have soooo much to catch up on! I've been a baad baad blogger and spent far too much time away from the reason that I started designing in the first place...YOU!

There is sooo much to share with you guys that I'm not even sure where to start, and it's 1:08 a.m. so I can't possibly fit it all into tonight's (this morning's?) post! So you'll have to come back tomorrow and check in too... k?? LOL

First and foremost...do you like today's freebie?? It's a bit different than my usual style (although of course I have my "grungy" paper (made with my second set of CU overlays - in the store as soon as I get a chance! LOL) I had NOTHING planned for you tonight and I just couldn't let another day go without giving you all something, so I put this together and hope you enjoy it!!

Secondly...WE ARE JUST DAYS AWAY FROM THE HUGE, GIANT, FABULOUS (seriously time consuming...) SUNSHINE SWEETS EASTER FREEBIE! And I am soooo stinkin' excited to show you guys what we have been hard at work at for so long!

So here's the deal... we're not only givng you a HUGE GIANT FABULOUS FREEBIE, but we're giving you an Easter Egg hunt too!! Now...this isn't a hard, have you spend all day, make you work for it, "wish they would just give me my darn freebies already!" Egg hunt, no no no...I too am a freebie hunter and the only thing WORSE than no freebies, is freebies that I have to work too hard for! LOL Soo...it's a quick, easy and "wow! I am having so much darn fun!" kind of Easter egg hunt!

Just come pay me a visit on the 20th...(yup! just days away!) and you'll find an egg. (not hidden mind you..just a GREAT BIG EGG... here on my blog... CLICK ON IT! and you will be able to download my portion of the freebie...inside MY download folder will be another Egg (to someone FABULOUS!! and a link (I'm going to include both a HTML file where you simply click to open it and it will take you to this FABULOUS designer's blog AND an RTF file with her link typed in it...(just so there are no problems)... head to her blog and click on her egg...download her portion...inside HER download will be another egg...and another link... are you catching on yet?? EASY right!?

And soooo worth it!

But I haven't gotten to the best part yet...

(yawwwnnn!).... so sleepy.... I can barely keep my eyes open... must... go...to...sleep....

(guess you'll have to come back tomorrow to find out the best part!!! he he he!)

Enjoy the freebie and I'll see you tomorrow!

Click HERE to download Spring is sure to follow... PASSWORD: spring

Click HERE to visit me at Digital Candy!!

pssst.... there are a couple of "clues" to some upcoming surprises in this post! Hmmm...better take another look!! :)

3.4.08 - Add on Mini Kit to Tiptoe!

So, while I haven't been getting too much sleep (read last post if you're wondering why!) I have been busy designing! I've been having some fun with my new kit "Tiptoe", doing some personal scrapping (with stuff OTHER than my own thank goodness!) and hanging out with the greatest group of gals that I've have had the pleasure to "meet" online in a loooong time (other than my fellow candy girls of course! LOL) They call themselves the "Sunshine Designers" or the "Collab Girls" and they have been responsible for those FABULOUS collaborative freebies that some of you may have heard of... Like Whimsical Wonderland and Love Actually.

If you're new to digi scrapping (or have been living under a digital rock since before December) you may not have heard of this WONDERFULLY TALENTED group of ladies, but Whimsical Wonderland was one of my very favorite freebie downloads ever (not to mention the BIGGEST). At any rate, this fab group of ladies has taken little ol' me into their folds and asked me to help with their Easter MEGA collab freebie...of course I had to say yes!!

So yippeee! I've been trying hard to make a freebie kit that will hold it's own with these ladies and we plan on "releasing" the as-of-yet-un-named freebie sometime this month (before Easter). I'll be sure to keep you all up to date on when and where you can get all of the freebies, so stay tuned!

Surprise TWO is my freebie for the day. I know that I said I was going to slow down with the freebies (and I am ....really I am trying) but I really wanted to spruce "Tiptoe" up a bit and add some pizazz (ergo the glitter, a first for me I think)! So here's the mini add-on kit, perhaps you'll like it enough to check out the full kit at Digital Candy (or not! LOL) I'm going to leave the link active for 48 hours here on my blog and then move the freebie to my store at Digital Candy - so get it now while you can!! The password is: tulips

Either way, have a great day scrapping (or, like most of us...just finding and downloading those freebies!)

Aloha!

Shauna

This post has been edited to remove this link.

Click HERE to check out Tiptoe at Digital Candy

2.7.08 Yet ANOTHER Un-named Mini Kit!

WOW! WOW, WOW, WOW! You guys sure liked those paper curls! LOL Thank you for all of your wonderful comments and emails! It really is why I do this everyday!

So, I hope that you all like this mini kit as much! LOL I've taken a few of the papers from an upcoming kit that I'm making for Digital Candy and then created some new elements and put them together for today's freebie. Trouble is, try as I might I cannot for the life of me think of a name! LOL the kit itself has a lot more pinks and corals (with the browns, blues and neutrals). So if any of you wonderfully creative people have any ideas...let me know! lol!

At any rate...after yesterday's long post, I'm making today's a quickie!!

Enjoy your mini kit and PLEASE! Share your layout at the D.C. Gallery!! (send me a link if so!)

Aloha!

Shauna

Click HERE to download the yet un-named mini kit!!

Click HERE to check out my designs at Digital Candy!!

Click on the Donate button to the left if you like what I do and want to help me keep these freebies coming!!

1.21.08 Napa Valley Mini Kit

First of all, thank you thank you for those of you who have sent donations via paypal! It truly touches my heart and lets me know that you all really do appreciate what I do. I am a bit overwhelmed right now with home and design commitments, but I am keeping your email addresses and you WILL receive a RAK from me!!

Quick post tonight all - I'm working on this kit for the store, thought I'd give my loyal readers a sneak peek so that you can let me know what you think! Please, if you want to share your work with me, post it at the gallery over at Digital Candy so that we all can see! I worked on expanding my little blog a bit today (as I was SEVERELY depressed over the last minute loss of my dear Green Bay Packers...sob sob) I re-wrote the HTML a bit to give me an extra column...I'm hoping to add a list of links to gallery posts made with my kits and freebies, so if you post, please let me know!!

As always,

Aloha -

Shauna

Click HERE to download the mini kit

Click HERE to visit me at Digital Candy

Click on the DONATE link to the left to help support Pineapple Plantation Designs!

1.18.08 - Freebie, Challenge, Contest...Big Day!!

Ok - it's late (as usual)and I've been working all night on your freebie (which AGAIN, I'm really liking and think I'll make a full kit - let's see how you guys like it first though...LOL) BUT, I have too much to write! LOL

So, first things first...THE FREEBIE - the kit doesn't have a name yet (just didn't come to me yet, perhaps some suggestions??) but I was inspired by the colors and went from there!

Second - the challenge. Part of my responsibility at Digital Candy is to take a bigger part in the forums and galleries etc. and what I'd really like to do is make a weekly challenge where I give you guys a mini kit and you have to use everything in the kit, adding only small embellishments (stitches, brads etc.) and then you post your layouts in the challenge gallery at DC (I simply do NOT have the time to keep up a gallery of my own, so we'll post them there). PLUS Digital Candy has a great program where the more you post on the site, the more points you get, and once your points reach a certain total you receive a gift certificate to the store! (more on that when I get all the details) So, head's up...I plan on using this mini kit...hint hint hint... come on...won't you play?? (you don't want me to get fired do you??? he he he)

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly PLEASE READ!! there is a HUGE contest going on over at Digital Candy (hereinafter known as DC 'cause it's shorter and faster to type!) called the Masquerade and while I can't take part (sob) YOU guys can, and the winning prize is A MONTH OF FREE DOWNLOADS FROM THE STORE uhhh...yeah...FREE DOWNLOADS FOR A MONTH!... it sounds like a ton of fun click HERE for the official rules, and I would LOVE LOVE LOVE for one of my bloggers to win!! There is A HUGE COLLABORATION KIT from all of the designers at DC and the proceeds of the kit will go entirely to the Animal Rescue Foundation ! This is just a HINT of what is in this huge kit!



Please please please in lieu of leaving a comment or a thank you today, just check out the kit for charity and the contest and see if it might interest you?? that would be thanks enough!!

I'll post more about the challenge for today's freebie tomorrow!

Much aloha my friends!

Shauna

Click HERE to check out the Have a Heart Masquerade Kit

Click HERE to download today's (yet un-named) mini kit!

and... Click HERE if you're really really bored... (no link...just wanted to make you giggle)

1.16.08 Butterfly Garden Mini Kit

I want to first THANK all of you who took the time to wish my little one a happy birthday...I have to tell you that when Ethan got home from school we sat down and read all of the comments, emails and messages that people from literally all over the world sent him and he absolutely beamed!!

My first instinct was to try and take a picture of him sitting with my laptop reading the comments so that I could scrapbook the moment and to post the picture here, but I held back. Too many times in life I find myself absolutely stressing about "getting the shot" and taking the picture, only to find that somehow, while I managed to document the moment for eternity...I have also managed to not really be in the moment and experience it myself - right then, right there. And although it sounds corny, it really meant SO much to Ethan that everyone wished him a happy birthday, (so excited in fact that we had to read them all twice!) So in the end, I didn't take the picture with my camera, but I had such a WONDERFUL time sitting there, and soaking up all the love and well wishes for him today, and I so loved being IN the moment, and not worrying about capturing the moment anywhere other than in my heart. Thank you all SO very much!

p.s. on the lighter side, while putting Ethan to bed, we talked about his day and he told his dad about everyone wishing him happy birthday, Ethan's told me, and I quote "mom, everyone at school tomorrow is going to think that I'm a ROCK STAR"! He is my rock star...rock on little man...rock on!

So, today's freebie.... I'm usually not much of a "butterfly" kind of gal, but well, I was messing around with some swirls and these colors and the name "butterfly garden" kept popping up in my head...so here it is! I think that I like it so much that I might just do a full kit for it for Digital Candy... let me know what you think? I know that butterflies tend to be kind of "girly" but the colors and the quote reminded me of Ethan...I think I might try and do a layout with this freebie with some pictures of him and see how it goes...

Enjoy your freebie and thank you thank you thank you again!

Much aloha my friends,

Shauna

Download Butterfly Garden Mini Kit HERE

Visit me at Digital Candy HERE

1.13.08 Funky Flower Freebie

Another quickie today! My DD, came back to Hawaii tonight from a trip to the mainland to visit family during her winter break... we were up late talking "girl talk" catching up and re-connecting...great night, but not too much time left for the freebie. BUT at the last minute I whipped up this quick kit... The colors are bright and fun...they remind me of DD!

It's girlie, I know...but again, (surprisingly as she WAS my tomboy) so is she! (hello...she came home with a bag full of Mac makeup!!) Anyway...enjoy the freebie and who knows...maybe a qp to follow!!

Aloha!

Shauna

p.s. GO PACKERS GO!!!

Download the freebie HERE

1.08.08 SUCH BIG NEWS!! Tough Love Mini Kit Freebie

Yeah! Yippee! WooHoo! After what seems like FOREVER working on 16 different new kits, my little store inside of DIGITAL CANDY is open for business! I only have 5 kits completely finished at the moment (3 are up in the store and 2 more will be up ASAP!)

The two kits that are being added to the shop today (hopefully) are a full size 12x12 Calendar Kit with a calendar template and instructions on how to use the pages both as a calendar and as a full-page month in review page layout! The other kit is another 12 quick pages that are the companion pages to the first kit. They can be purchased to create both the second page of the calendar AND the second page of a two page "month in review" layout. If both kits are purchased you can have a complete 2 page 12 month calendar AND a full 24 page "year in review" scrapbook that will only takes minutes to create! I also have the calendar in CD Jewel Case size (perfect for your desk at home or at work OR to give as a gift!) The 12 other kits (nearly complete...) are full kits for each month of the calendars, you can purchase them and use them with the quick page calendars, or they can easily be purchased and used completely separately of the calendars! January (Cold & Cozy) is up in the store now, as is "Tough Love" the kit that I used to make the February calendar pages. The other 10 months are coming shortly, I'll let you know when they are there!

Click HERE to see what's in my little part of the store now!

Today's freebie is a little add-on kit to my "Tough Love" kit, I can't wait to see what you do with it! I also included a PS/PSE Gradient preset that I used for the kit in with the freebie - hold on to it as I want to teach you guys about gradients later this week if you don't already know...they give your projects a really professional and smooth look!

Also, thank you to all of you who have submitted layouts for the Lumberjack Plaid contest, they are SO cute!! I've put them in slideshow format and you can see them by clicking on the link to the left - keep them coming, I can't wait to see more!

Lastly I want to say a great big thank you to all of my loyal blog readers from literally all over the world. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! I've had such a great time creating for you all...I can hardly wait to see what we create together in the future. PLEASE check out Digital Candy...they are a great group of ladies (and some FABULOUS designers) I know that you'll love their stuff...

Until tomorrow!

Shauna

Click HERE for today's freebie
Click HERE to visit me at Digital Candy

1.07.08 Lumberjack Plaid Mini Kit + Plaid Pattern & CONTEST!

Well today I had a request from a reader for teaching her how to re-color or re-create plaid patterns and paper. As I sat down to write out a tutorial for her (I'm still working on it Tami - it's coming I promise!) I ended up creating a plaid that SO reminded me of my little boy (not that he would be caught dead in plaid - I can hear him now... "so not cool mom") but it's boyish and rough and it made me think, just like clothes in the stores, there is NOT enough stuff out there for little boys (in the scrapbooking world I mean...) so, I made a mini kit that can be used for some of your boy (and tomboy) layouts.

I included a tag and index card with plaid elements as well as a couple of grungy little boy .png stamps, I wanted to make some papers with them, but ran out of time. I also included a little file that you can use to recreate this plaid yourself (non-grunge...LOL). If you need help defining or using this pattern in PS or PSE check out my tutorial that you can find HERE It's a .jpg file so other programs may be able to use it as well, not sure...

I'd like to start a new little "thing" on my blog with contests/challenges. I'm not sure yet just how big it will get (I'd love for it to be HUGE! lol) and I'm creating a gallery for those who use my freebies (and stuff from Digital Candy soon!) I think that I'll start out with this:

CONTEST:
Complete a layout using my Lumberjack Plaid Mini Kit (as well as whatever else you'd like to use) and send me either the layout, or a link to your layout that I can download, copy and paste or link to my gallery, along with your email and name, and I will choose a favorite by next Sunday night. The winner will be posted on my blog Monday morning and as a thank you gift from me, get a Mini Kit designed just for you (you choose the theme, etc.). Maybe if it catches on I'll make it a regular thing! Don't forget, I'll also be looking for a creative team VERY shortly, so please send the layouts?? LOL Ok, so have the layouts to me by Saturday at midnight my time (I'm 5 hours behind EST) ... I'm SO excited!!

p.s. a special gift to the first 5 layouts that are submitted!!!

Can't wait to see your stuff ladies!!

Aloha -

Shauna

Download the Mini Kit HERE

1.03.08 A Mother's Love Mini Kit

I'm feeling a bit maternal today, what with cuddling on (and unfortunately cleaning up after...) my sick babies (and by babies I mean 15, 13 and 7! LOL) So on a whim I whipped this mini kit out for you. It includes the 4 papers shown, the two tags (made with yesterday's tag templates of course!) a ribbon, a full size version of the quote on the tag and a bonus... the Lullaby Overlay that I used for the dark green paper.

Thank you all for your kind words for my kids and I, my luck (and HUGE doses of vitamen c and my favorite Jamba Juice with an immunity boost) are holding on and I'm not sick yet...cross your fingers for me??

Just a couple of shortucts for today's PS/PSE Tips and Tuts - when you're in your workspace and want to make some quick changes, here are a few of my favorites! M on your keyboard brings up your Marquee Selection Tool, B brings up your Brush Tool, V brings up your Move Tool and E brings up your Eraser Tool! That's it, no alt, no option, no command or ctrl...LOL just the letters! Please note that whatever settings you had last on your tool (magic eraser or a grungy brush etc.) THAT will be what PS brings up, if you want other settings or tools, you'll have to change those as well!

Keep your requests coming... I love to hear what you all are looking for, it inspires me!! Also please keep your layouts coming as well, I love to see them! PineapplePlantation@gmail.com

Aloha my friends,

Shauna

Download the Freebie HERE

1.1.08 School Rules Mini Kit

I was messing around today trying to come up with some items for a kit that has been on my mind for a few weeks. Something for my two teenage girls and some of their school pictures. I thought I'd put it on the blog for my freebie today and see what you think! All of the elements are separate including the scribbles so you can use them or not as you'd like.

3 TUTORIALS TODAY LADIES!!

Defining a pattern
Filling a document with a custom pattern
Using the Overlay Blending Mode in a file

I also included two PATTERNS for PS and PSE (maybe other programs? I'm not sure) They are two very small files called Paper Texture and Notebook Paper lines. This way you can create your own notebook paper! For both patterns you'll need to use the "fill" option.

First you'll have to "install" your patterns. Do this by opening a pattern, make sure that the layer with the pattern on it is active (click on the layer in the layers pallet) then click EDIT>DEFINE PATTERN from the main menu. It will then give you the opportunity to name your pattern, either rename it, or leave it as it is and click OK. That's it!!

Now, simply open the document you want to fill (for mine I made it 8 1/2" x 11 inches). Then click EDIT>FILL (or push SHIFT> F5 for a shortcut) your Fill option box will now appear. You'll click the drop down menu next to USE: and then select PATTERN. Then a CUSTOM PATTERN drop down menu will appear. Your pattern will be the last ones in the box (PS and PSE come with some preset patterns) double click that pattern and 'Voila! You now have your paper texture.

Repeat the same procedure with the paper lines as far as installing the pattern, but this time we're going to place the pattern a bit differently so that we can have a bit more control over the size. This time I want you to double click on the LAYER (not the thumbnail picture of the paper, but the actual layer box that is blue) in the layers pallet, this will bring up the LAYER STYLES option box then I want you to click on PATTERN OVERLAY (or simply click LAYER>LAYER STYLE>PATTERN OVERLAY) this will bring up another option box. Once again click on the drop down menu next to CUSTOM PATTERN and chose your Notebook Paper Lines pattern, I changed the opacity of my pattern to 70% rather than 100% as I thought it looked better, you choose the opacity you want. Then I went down to SCALE and played with the slider a bit until I had the size of lines that I wanted for my paper (make sure that the LINK WITH LAYER box is also checked). This sounds complicated, but TRUST me it's not!! Once you mater the layer styles of PS, you've got the world at your fingertips!!

Lastly, you need to learn a bit about the blending mode of your layers pallet fo this freebie: In playing around with some scribbles and wanting to make it look like it was carved into the desk I came up with something...but you'll need to take my elements and then change the blending mode from "normal" to "overlay"

There is specific word art in the freebie that was created to be "carved" into the wooden desk - "School" "Rules" "Stinks" (my 13 year old wanted School Rules... my 15 year old wanted School Stinks...SIGH) and "Class of 08 carved". On their own they look like black scribbles, but when you place it on the layer directly above the wooden desk element (or whatever else you might want to carve it into) simply change the BLENDING MODE (at the top of your LAYERS pallet) - go to WINDOW>LAYERS if it's not already on your workspace. Ok, at the top of the pallet is a drop down box that says NORMAL this is the blending style of your layer (how it looks on top of the layer beneath it) change this to OVERLAY. If you're not happy with how this looks on whatever you are placing it on top of, try SOFT LIGHT, or HARD LIGHT. In fact try all three and see how different the blending mode changes your element - heck...try them all!

Now your element "blends" into and takes on the color of your element beneath it, in this case a brown wooden desk.

Play around with it and enjoy the new year - I'll be watching University of Hawaii battle against the Georgia Bulldogs!!

Haole Makahihi Ho!

Shauna

Download the freebie HERE

12.31.07 Happy New Year!

So this is a pretty large mini kit folks! LOL! There are approx 23 files in this freebie, but only because I wanted to give you options. I've included full .png files of all the elements (hat, noisemaker, title, the two banners and some little star gems) but I've also included the .psd files and separate .png files of each PART of the element so that you can alter them (EASILY) any way you want. I also included a photo taken in Times Square on New Year's Eve (I used to live there) that I tried to make into a cool background paper, I'm not sure how well I like it, but I worked so hard on it, that I wanted to include it! LOL

The reason for the number of files is that for example, the noisemaker comes just as it is in .png format, AND you can, either with the .psd (photoshop or photoshop elements) files or with the separate .png file,s change the color of the ribbon, and both parts of the noisemaker. So for each image there are several different files and file types.

NEW BLOG ELEMENT - a "CBox" I've been getting quite a few questions on my comments pages and I have no way to answer individuals without posting to the entire community. So if you have a specific comment or question (like what font I used for example) simply email me directly at PineapplePlantation@gmail.com OR post your question in the CBox. You can add your email address there if you'd like and I can email you directly back, or I'll check the chat often and post answers to your questions there! I'd love to hear other chatter as well, (great places to print your layouts, other great freebies, links to YOUR blogs for us all to find, etc.! Have fun with it!

Lastly, TWO Photoshop Tips & Tuts for tonight's freebies ladies and gentlemen (are there any gentlemen? ) the first is a quick and easy way to re-color the elements (say for your child's birthday party layout etc.) Simply take the .psd template with each part of the party hat on a separate layer, or open all three .png files if you're not using PS/PSE. Choose your layer or file that you first want to re-color. Load the selection for that entire file or layer (not sure how to "Load the Selection"? Click HERE for an earlier post that has directions). Choose the color that you want to change the element to and make sure that it is your FOREGROUND color (remember the two tiny little boxes at the lower left side of your workspace in PS? it's the TOP one) once your color is selected and your layer is loaded, simply click OPTION>DELETE for Macs or ALT>DELETE for pc's, this command tells photoshop to FILL the selection with the foreground color (want to use your BACKGROUND color?? Easy! Just click COMMAND>DELETE for mac's or CTRL>DELETE for pc's!) This works for ANYTHING that you want to fill.

Second tip for the day: VERY useful for the .png files of the party hat and the noisemaker. I've created the files so that they line up perfectly if left just as they are....but how do you do that if you have three different files? Easy!If you want to drag an element, say the ribbon for the noisemaker I've included, into another file, and you want to line it up JUST as it was in the first file, AS YOU DRAG THE FILE, HOLD THE SHIFT KEY, only let go of the shift key once you've "dropped" the file you were dragging. This will either center the file you are dragging, (say a full sheet of background paper) or in the case of the noisemaker, it will drop your ribbon exactly were it had been in the last file, so that it lines up with the rest of the elements.

Does that make sense?? LOL Try it and you'll see what I mean!!

Have a happy and safe new year's eve everyone! I'll see you next year!!

Aloha - Hau'oli Makahiki Hou! (Happy New Year in Hawaiian!)

Download HERE

12.30.07 Cold -n- Cozy Mini Kit and Sneak Peek

So, GOOD NEWS! I'm keeping the new blog header, by an overwhelming vote it won! But for those of you who like the "less grungy" look, I'm pulling out a bit of the January portion of my new multi-kit project I've been working on for Digital Candy. It is definately not grungy, it has a bit more of my "cutesy" side in it. The mini kit has 3 papers (hard to see the white one has tiny blue snowflakes on it) some mittens, a snowflake and a snowman.

MORE good news! Heidi, owner of Digital Candy, left a comment on yesterday's post assuring me that indeed, I will have my own creative team!! YAHOO! I'll have to do a bit of research on how to go about "officially" putting out a CT Call, but in the meantime, my faithful blog readers, you have a head's up...please send me your work with my freebies (certainly add your touches, elements etc. to the layouts as well though!) Email them to me at PineapplePlantation@gmail.com!

It's late again (or early, whichever you prefer! LOL) so for my Photoshop Tips & Tuts I have two more of my favorite shortcuts! To switch between your foreground color and background colors quickly (the two tiny little boxes in the lower left hand corner of your workspace), simply press X on your keyboard! To zoom in on your project for detail work press COMMAND and the plus sign for macs or CTRL and the plus sign for pc's, keep pressing it to zoom in further, then zoom out just the same, but by pressing a minus sign instead!

Any time that I can save these days while on Photoshop is a blessing, so I love my shortcuts!!! LOL By the way, I got my Costco coupons today and they have a huge coupon for the latest version of Photoshop Elements! After the coupon it's only 50.00! (might be less outside of Hawaii, I'm not sure) Check it out!

Much aloha - thank you SOOOOO much for all of your kind comments and emails! Please keep them coming, your support keeps me going!!

Much aloha - Shauna

p.s. for those who asked via emails and comments: the font for my new header is Bleeding Cowboys (awful I know) it's a FREE font from Dafont.Com click HERE to download the font now !

p.p.s YES! I am definately keeping the name Pineapple Plantation Designs if and when the Army deems it time to move us from paradise! Thanks for the question Missy!

ok! I'm finished now, I promise!

Click HERE to download the corrected link!

12.29.07 Writers Block Mini Kit - Creative Team?

Ok, it's 3:00 a.m. here in Hawaii, my back is sore from "bowling" with my 7 year old all night on his new Nintendo Wii (a LOT of fun by the way, the whole family bowled for hours!) and I'm exhausted, but desperately trying to get all of my new kits finished for my "grand opening" at Digital Candy. Although...I was distracted enough from my working today to create a new Blog Header!! Do you like it? I SO love the grungy look in my scrapbooking, I thought it should reflect in my header (with some girly swirls of course!) My husband said it was "too dark"... Let me know what you think of it in todays poll would you??

You voted for Mini Kits, and so you shall have one! (didn't vote?? Well then, you can't complain! LOL don't worry, I have a new poll tonight, you can vote THIS time!) I once again have taken a bit from one of my new kits called "Writers Block" (hint... it's part of multi-kit calendar pack - September to be specific!).

It's pretty simple really, 3 papers, one piece of notebook paper, one striped paper and one with some vintage writing on it. The elements I included are a worn leather journal and a fountain pen - I can't wait to see what you do with them!

By the way, I'm not yet sure how it works at Digital Candy, I know that I'll have access to a Creative Team, but I'm not sure if I'll get new people who I choose (my preference) or not, but PLEASE! If you've done some work with my freebies, please email them to me! I'd love to see what you're doing with everything, and I will certainly keep the email addresses of those who inspire me in case I'm allowed to form my own team!! Simply submit WHATEVER you're doing with my freebies, cards, layouts, printables, tags, you name it to... PineapplePlantation@gmail.com. I'd love to post some of them on the blog as well!

My eyes are drooping now, so the PHOTOSHOP TIPS & TRICKS will be a quick one... I LOVE shortcuts and Photoshop has tons of them (you can even create your own, but that's for another day...lol) One of my favorites is COMMAND>OPTION>Z (for a Mac) or CTRL>ALT>Z (for a PC) to Undo. I know that Elements has a quick button to undo, but Photoshop does not, and frankly I'd rather use my keyboard then scroll around and click with my mouse any day! Unfortunately, I use this shorcut so much that I'm a PRO at it and can use 3 fingers in just a millisecond to undo a mistake!! LOL

Much aloha my friends, and remember you can't be creative if you're afraid to make mistakes, dare to be imperfect and create something beautiful today!

Shauna

Click HERE to download the mini kit!

12.27.07 Vintage Grunge Mini Kit +Template Tutorial

Well, I hope that your Christmas went as well as mine did! Between my 7 year old's reaction to his new Wii (I waited in line for 5 hours to get it, he BETTER be excited!) my 13 year old's excitement over her new MacBook laptop and my 15 year old's scream of joy over her new iPod and accessories, it was a merry Christmas all around (although, I've officially resigned as our family's, tech person after a Christmas filled with electronics, it was still better than the Christmas filled with Barbies, GI Joes and THOUSANDS of metal twist ties that took hours to free Barbie, Joe and all of their accessories!!)

So! On to another Freebie - I have finally come down to pilfering from some of my new kits that I'm designing for Digital Candy! LOL and this is a peek at my Vintage Grunge Kit - I really love mixing styles (elegant+grunge etc.) and this is a tiny glimpse of that!

The mini kit includes: 3 of my favorite grunge papers from the kit, a paper flower, a diamond stick pin, a small "memories" element and a library pocket with a template. I've had great response to my small tutorials, so here's another! This time I'm going to teach you an easy way to be able to place something "inside" of your library pocket (a great place for maybe some journaling on a tag or something!) Again, this tutorial is for Photoshop (PS) or Photoshop Elements (PSE). If you have any questions, feel free to email me at PineapplePlantation@gmail.com !

Ok - You'll need to take whatever you're going to place into the pocket, and the template I've enclosed (both in PS/PSE format and a .PNG format) and drag them both into a newly created document (so you keep the original of both individual items for later) that is larger than both of the elements to give you some room to work in. Be sure to create your new file with 300 dpi and with a transparent background.

Once you have both elements in the same file, make sure that the template (which, by the way, looks exactly like the top of the library pocket) is on a layer BENEATH the other element in the layers pallet (don't see the layers pallet? go to WINDOW>LAYERS and it should appear). TIP - resize your ELEMENT if you need to, NOT the template, as it is the exact size you need it to be when you put it on top of your pocket.

Now adjust your element by turning it, or moving it up and down etc. Everything above the bottom of the template will eventually show on your layout.

Once you've done this, then LOAD THE SELECTION of the template (done by doing a special click directly on the thumbnail picture of the template inside of the layers pallet - Ctrl+Click on a PC, Command+Click on a Mac) this should give you a bunch of "marching ants" around your template. Now click SELECT>INVERSE (select is found on the top menu bar). This allows you to work on everything EXCEPT the template inside of your file. If your pocket element does NOT go above the top of the template, you can simply click DELETE and everything outside of your template will dissapear, if your item DOES go above the top of the template, then simply use your ERASER tool (a nice round, hard brush with 100% opacity is perfect). Make sure that the layer with the ELEMENT is active since that is what you want to erase. Then erase everything below the bottom of your template. This creates the illusion that your element is inside of the pocket once you place the template on the library pocket.

By selecting the template and inverting the selection, it allows you to erase with ease, as it preserves everything INSIDE the marching ants, even if you run over it with your eraser, so you don't need to be careful about getting too close to the template or your element that will show (took me awhile to figure this one out, but it saves TONS of time!)

Now, DESELECT your template (Command D on a Mac, Ctrl D on a PC, or SELECT>DESELECT).

Now, while you have two different layers make any adjustments to the layers that you want (maybe add a drop shadow to your element so that it gives it dimension, maybe bevel or emboss it, whatever you like!) Once you merge the layers to add it to your layout you won't be able to make changes to JUST the element.

Once you're finished, simply merge your layers (SHIFT+Command or Ctrl+E to merge all visible layers) and ta da! You've got the top of your pocket finished! Now drag your pocket into this file, placing it BELOW the template and element in the layers pallet, align the two elements so that you can't see the top of the original pocket. Now merge the layers again and TA DA! You've done it!! Simply save your new finished pocket as a .PSD or .PNG file and drag it to your layout!

Please don't laugh at me, but I'm a visual learner so I've visually shown the steps in a photo below for those of you who, like me when I first began, was a bit lost with written directions!!! LOL

I hope this makes all makes sense! OL it's 3:00 a.m. Hawaii time and I'm a bit groggy! LOL email if you have questions, and have fun!

Shauna





Click HERE or on the title to download the Freebie!

12.23.07 Christmas Woodcuts Mini Kit & Quick Page

The Quick Page


Preview of the mini kit!


So here's what I did with yesterday's post, I like the primitive style of the images, I thought they would look good if made to look like carved wood - I also made some great grunge grid paper that I am definately going to use some more!

The little kit includes wood cuts of all of yesterday's images, the grid paper and a QP that I did with the elements - enjoy!!

Shauna