GIMP Tut: Changing element's colour using Colorize Tool

How often have got a kit but you found a certain element is not the colour you are after? Well, it's just so easy changing any element's colour in GIMP and I will show you here in just a few steps.

Some simple instructions as follows:
1. With element's layer selected, select the Colize Tool from the Colors menu
2. Click and drag the Hue slider until you have changed the element's colour to your liking.
In my example the Hue was changed to 280 to achieve a nice purple element.
3. Click OK to make the colour change permanent.
That's all, nice & easy wasn't it!

Hopefully the following screenshots are easy to follow in using this colorize feature. Let me know how you find it if you like.
TIP - Click on each screenshot for closeup.




It really is that easy. Now you have no excuse for not using any element because it's the wrong colour!

Among the Vines

How perfect this kit turned out to be for our recent Picton trip photos, these ones from Forrest wines just beautifully complemented with the November daily download from ScrapbooksGoneDigital. We turned up at Forrest wines while there was already a full bus load of tourists inside so we were asked to wait outside for 10 more minutes. So we entertained ourselves with petanque and wondered around the garden and the grape vines. Both Lynn & I took a heap of photos and enjoyed a quiet moment before we were allowed into the tasting room. Well, the wait was worth it and we all enjoyed the wine talk and tasting. So much so we all ended up buying a bottle of 2,3,4 - Jamie topped that by organizing a case to be send home.

Well, howdy y'all

This was fun to scrap and turns out that SimplySusan's Lil Cowpoke kit perfectly complemented my costume I wore to Steve & Jade's Halloween party. I know, it's not a traditional Halloween theme costume but I had fun wearing it! My hubby went as a gangster and it was the first time I have seen him wear a tie - hehe and CJ found the perfect size jester outfit and wore the mask he got when we went and saw Cirque du Soleil's Varekai over 2 years ago. So we all ended up being a mismash of costumes.

Credits: Lil Cowpoke kit by SimplySusan available at ScrapbooksGoneDigital

The Dec SgD Daily Download available now

With the November Daily Download being such a success at ScrapbooksGone Digital, there is now a December one with a Christmas theme of course. So don't delay and grab this fantastic goodie on a daily basis, you must sign-in and order the new zip file each day. Here is the shop link.

And for those that missed some zip files from the November Daily Download, here is the post that will give you an opportunity to grab those missed parts by creating lo's using SgD shop products, but only until Dec 24, so don't delay!

I'm back CT-ing for One Of A Kind DS

I Got a nice surprise last week when Christine left a message asking me to CT again after her coming out of retirement, I had to jump at the opportunity and am so very pleased that things are going well for her. So keep an eye out for her new kits either on her Blog or AhhhScrap shop.

I am also just back from a short weekend getaway to Picton with hubby's squash team taking the ferry early rainy Saturday morning. In the afternoon we ventured on a wine tour to 3 vineyards, Hunters, Framingham & Forrest. The latter didn't rush our group through and we all ended up spending the most there. A rowdy and late night for some, when woken to a stunner of a Sunday morning. The majority of the group could be found watching the All Blacks game against France in the local pub and others preferred the warm sun on the pub deck with breakfast. As it was such a stunner of the day, most of us were sitting on the sun deck of the ferry heading out of Picton. But that only lasted until most of us got chased back inside with the very strong winds while heading out of Queen Charlotte Sounds.

Credits: Early Autumn Kit by One Of A Kind Design Studio available at AhhhScrap

Don't forget, SGD Daily Download available till the end of Nov

I ment to mention the other day that ScrapbooksgoneDigital have a FREE daily download available for the month of November. The contributers are SgD Designs and Vivayne, with a theme around Thanksgiving/Fall. Very beautiful and well worth it to get the remainder for this month. All you have to do is sign-in each day and re-order the next available zip file with the new daily pieces, very simple. Just click the above image it will take you to the Daily Download page at SgD.


Also noticed that the gorgeous The Wedding Collection - The Entire Collection is now $9.99 you save 33%, this is that gorgeous kit I used in my previous post double layout. It's so totally versatile, not just for your wedding layouts. Enjoy...

Getting slowly back into scrapping (Edited)

Yip, it has been a while but managed to scrap a few pages in the last week. But truth be told my wee vege/salad garden has been taking me away from my scraps. Now that day light saving is here, I am tending my wee veges.

Halloween has been and gone, we made it again to Steve & Jade's Halloween party. I have no photos to show for yet, but scrapped these from 2 years ago instead.

Also last month we attended with our squash friends the annual Te Omanga Vintner's Lunch, all as invited guests of Gavin & Vanessa at the Gee & Hickton sponsored table. I can't think of a better way to spend then an afternoon with great friends all in aid to raise funds for Te Omanga Hospice.

Credits: Halloween & The Wedding Collection - The Entire Collection all available at ScrapbooksGoneDigital

Summer's End QP Freebie

I've been meaning to try my hand again at creating a QP for a while and when I spotted these gorgeous papers by Christine (One of a Kind Design Studio), I'd just thought these would be perfect to have another go again. Thought to include an additional bonus QP to give you another option if you want to include your own title. Here in NZ we seem to be having a lovely start to spring and I certainly am looking forward to summer and the outdoor activities it brings.

For a copy, just follow the link to download HERE

Credits: Summer's End papers by One of a Kind Design Studio

On Cloud 9

The gale force winds during the week have now followed by down pour of rains, crazy weather we're having at the moment. BB played in a D grade and below tournament in Masterton on both Friday and Saturday, unfortunately he didn't win. We all did go over yesterday for support and stopped by the local farmer's market for breakfast, where we picked up some cheese and veges.

Credits: Malencolie World of Sweetness kit, Franziska Altmann Lonely kit tag, Plumblossom Carnet de Voyage tag, template 8 Scrapmatters

Easy Photo Border In GIMP

I hadn't noticed this menu option before until I worked on my recent layout and played with it. It's called "Border" and you'll find it under the "Grow" option on the Select menu.

Some simple instructions as follows:
1. Select photo layer, do Alpha to Selection,
2. Create new transparent layer,
3. Ensure that new layer is selected now, go to Select menu > Border, In pop-up window set border size to your liking,
4. Edit menu > Fill with BG color (default is set to white),
5. Add dropshadow layer if you wish and you are done.

Hopefully the following screenshots are easy to follow in using this border feature. Let me know how you find it if you like, I sure found it useful.
TIP - Click on each screenshot for closeup.

Up up & away

A quick post while this is still 'fresh', yes just completed layout. After hearing how much a friend of ours enjoyed her Milford Sound scenic flight experience, BB and I made a last minute decision to take this flight too. Pilot Robert was only making the afternoon flight if we were keen to go, so we ended up being his only passengers to Milford Sound, we picked up 3 extra passengers on the way back. BB admitted to Robert that he's a nervous passenger in a small plane, to which the pilot responded he had just the seat for him next to him in the front. BB would have been happier in the back where I was sitting. The flight turned out to be glorious with a few bumps here and there, but we made it back in one piece. Thanks my hubby for doing this trip with me, what a scenic sight.

Credits: Franziska Altmann Lonely kit tag, The First kit by Poupoun

Landed @ Queenstown

Boo hoo, I am full of a cold today :( and every time I step out of bed my head hurts. All I want to do is snooze and to breath properly! Some good news today, got a txt from CJ saying the doc at the hospital is taking his cast off. Poor boy had an accident at school and broke his arm, the same one he did at age 6. Boys being boys playing a rough game in the school yard, CJ put his arm out to break his fall, instead it broke it.

Credits: Photoshop Layered Template #T0021, Franziska Altmann Lonely kit tag, The First kit by Poupoune

Skiing down Coronet Peak slopes

Wow, we certainly encountered the best skiing weather ever. No wind, mild temps and nothing but sun, sun, sun! Had pre-arranged our afternoon ski passes through our hotel ski concierge the previous evening over mulled wine and canapes as the weather looked very promising for some slope action. After the first 2 runs the body seemed to remember what to do and soon we were on the intermediate slopes, finishing up with making it down from the top of the Coronet Express Chair. As we hadn't done any pre-ski fitness, our bodies soon told us that we were just as well to do a half day pass. Hmmm, I think it's our bodies telling us that we're getting old!

Credits: Simply Yin template #114, Franziska Altmann Lonely kit tag, Winter Wonderland 2 papers & elements by Franziska Altmann, Ellie Lash & Flergalicious

Queenstown 40th Getaway Weekend

Well better late than never... Hey, I finally managed to scrap 2 layouts from our weekend away in Queenstown for my 40th birthday. Just had a blast and found out that turning 40 wasn't that bad especially when you get extra sweets from flight attendants and your standard lake view booked room gets upgraded to a super luxurious corner suite. I did have to make a decision whether to stay with the lake view room or take the upgrade mountain view room. The concierge assured me that the mountain view suite was a much better room. Turned out that our upgrade room is twice as big with seperate lounge/dining room with flat screen tvs in lounge, bedroom & bathroom. I was so in awe of our new room that I totally missed the flowers, chilled bubbles and chocolates that my hubby had pre-arranged! Forgot to mention that we didn't check-in straight away upon arrival into Queenstown, we made a last minute decision to fly over to Milford Sounds in a small airplane. Totally amazing experience flying between snow capped mountains, though slightly scary with the numerous bumps, drops & sudden lifts. Brian was definetely more nervous flying in those tiny planes than I was, but we did it! The weather was sunnier and warmer on the west coast and we managed a nice 45 min stroll, it sure was a most incredible & magic place to visit. The flight back was a direct root to Queenstown and we finally checked in about 4.30pm into the Sofitel. Over a mulled wine we pre-arranged our next day and ordered our afternoon ski passes for Coronet Peak ski field. So we were free to explore the next morning and we headed to scenic Arrowtown only 15 minutes away. It was a stunning frosty morning and you really needed your hat & gloves to stay warm. We explored the main street and discovered vineyards to visit for later. Too early for lunch we headed for a drive to Crown Rd for the lookout overlooking the valley toward Queenstown with Coronet Peak and Remarkables ski fields opposite each other. Then drove back to Arrowtown for pies and mulled wine for lunch before hitting the slopes! No major queues on the lifts, though being a very nervous skier I needed a few easy runs before hitting the intermidiate runs. But we did finish with a run from the top chair all the way to the bottom without any major spills - yeah. Then thought to finish the afternoon with a drop of wine tasting at Lake Hayes vineyard where we met Brian the winemaker who's wife was also called Maureen (and also Asian) who's the cheesemaker. I know, totally unreal! Had this gorgeous cheeseboard with wine and planned to visit Maureen the next day at the Cheesary. Sunday was spend driving to Glenorchy then back to visit more vineyards and introducing ourselves to Maureen at the Gibson Valley Cheesary. Her husband hadn't pre-warned her we were coming, but she knew something was up when we called her by her firstname when she didn't know us from a bar of soap. Another scrumptious cheeseboard and off to the final vineyard before our hour long hot tub soak at Onsen spas. Yes the same spas as on "the Bachelor" and very relaxing. In fact too relaxing as the heat and combination of all that wine tasting, I was in need of some zzz's. We missed dinner and opted for takeouts instead. Monday morning approached very rapidly and we only had a very small window of opportunity to get in a bit of shopping before checking out. We reckoned we had enough time to take a drive up to the Remarkable ski field, very 'interesting' drive as it felt we up a mountain goat track at times. The drive was worth it and we were glad we did it as we now would like to go back for a family holiday with Colin too, but we'll have to stay in cheaper accomodation to be able to enjoy all the fun.

It took only 40 years (like Lynn put it)

toot, toot - yes it's my birthday. It's a shame I'm working on my birthday, I normally don't, but that's ok as plenty of fun to look forward to this weekend. Enjoy the photos in the mean time...

In Perspective using GIMP - mini Tut

Got asked by Mel how to use this wonderful tool I've just discovered, so thought to help everyone out by publishing this mini tut.

HOW TO USE THE PERSPECTIVE TOOL

1. Ensure you have the element and dropshadow in seperate layers and select the dropshadow layer.
2. Select Perspective Tool (Shift+P)
3. Click and drag the corner handles to your liking.
4. When you are happy, select Transform from window.

And how do you find the result???

July - It's SgD and my birthday month

Yes, I found out late yesterday that SgD & I share the same birthday month, how cool is that. Very cool for you as it means sales and activities to participate and win things.
In the mean time this is my Template challenge for July & to make it easier there is no theme requirement - yeah. See post HERE if you want to participate.

Credits: Princess Papers, Princess Glitter, Happy Spring Elements all available at SgD

As I mentioned before, it's SgD's birthday month and will be turning 3. Looks like there will be plenty to celebrate about. See the following for more details, and check it all out from July 4th to Aug 7th.

My new found (GIMP) friend

I have a new GIMP best friend, called the Perspective tool (Shift+P) and have used it here on the string & ribbon element shadows to give more realistic shadow and just love the effect. To achieve these, ensure you create the shadow in a separate layer. Then using the Perspective tool on the shadow layer and pull the corners to you liking to mimic a more realistic drop shadow on those ribbon/bow like elements. Once you get the hang of this, you'll find that your elements don't look so flat anymore. Have some fun and give it a GO!

Another layout completed for my birthday album, all will be revealed soon...

Credit: Artist kit by Seni

Dawg Gone Cute!

It only took me nearly 3 weeks to complete with one restart from nearly the beginning but it's done! Here Corey is modelling his first outfit knitted up by moi - big bonus it fits him hehe. I was always a very slow knitter, no wonder I haven't attempted anything bigger in many many years.

I have forgotten how easy it is to loose your way around a pattern, and don't get me started on how many stitches kept dropping of my little knitting needles. There is a lot to be said about circular knitting needles!

Am now on a roll as I have found a new project to keep me out of trouble, this one is a crochet hoodie to keep in theme with the big boys who have new recent hoodies each too. Lets hope I'll get to finish it before I give up somewhere in the middle of the pattern...

For the love of Brackets

Yes, as you can see I'm still enjoying scrapping brackets were I can. And follows the same Segway theme as my previous layout. Just couldn't help not scrap these photos of BB having a go too! I promise no photos of me on one, as I was left holding Corey on his lead and the camera glued to my face constantly ;) The joys of being the family photographer. According to the boys, it's really easy to ride those things. It's just a matter of distributing your weight and leaning into the direction you want to go, really does look like fun from the side lines. Not bad 10min fun for $10, I think I'll give it a go next time.


Credits: Template #94 ScrappingwithLiz, Papers & elements SgD Travel Kit Collection, available at Scrapbooksgonedigital

And the winner is....

Thanks to all that participated in my May Template challenge over at SgD last month with the winner picked by Random.org was by sweetiekjo, congrats my dear. I'm sure you had no problem spending the $5 gift voucher in the shop.


This month's challenge is up and posted again, with a theme of Brackets, see what you can come up with using Template # T0003. These photos were taken over our summer on our way home from Tauranga. BB & CJ saw these Segway rides at Taupo, so we called in on our way back down to Wellington. Lucky for Colin, being such a light weight he just managed to get going on it as long as he distributed his weight all forward. Looking from his beaming smile, it was all worth it!



Credits: SgD "Photoshop Layer Template # T0003", papers & elements SgD Travel Kit Collection, SgD Brackets Shapes - all products available at Scrapbooksgonedigital

Finally, another double layout

Looky, looky - fulfilled my May CT requirement and made it into a double layout. I knew that Steve & Jade had many honeymoon photos of their road trip from the States last year so thought that they would be perfect for scrapping using the American Rider Collection kit. I'm so pleased I asked for Steve & Jade's journaling contribution as I still struggle with that aspect...

BB & I had dinner out with them last month too at their local new Mexican restaurant, it sure was nice and so were their Margaritas. We have taken CJ since too, it just keeps amazing me how much he can eat for someone so little & he isn't satisfied with just a kids menu anymore especially with those gourmet taste buds of his ;-)

Credits: Simply Yin Template 25, American Rider Collection kit by SgD

Get your next template for free

For my 2nd template - Say it with FLOWERS Challenge...
Go to this post for the link to the free template, and have a go at winning the $5 voucher to spend in the ScrapbooksGoneDigital store.

Credits: Photoshop Layer Template # T0002 available at SgD, The First by Poupoune, Spring Morning by Manue et Nini both available from DigiScrapBooking.ch

QP Freebie time

I am a total ninny! I participated in a baby shower challenge at SgD last month and never got around to upload the link to my QP for the challenge. Just had been somewhat busy with all things, home, work & squash so the zip file only got finished put together this week. As Norma is absent from SgD during her maternity leave, I don't know if she has had her little wee girl yet. So I hope that all is going well for her on the home front.

If you want a copy, just follow the link to download HERE

Credits: Sweet Midnight Dreams available at http://kennasdesigns.blogspot.com/

Happy feet...

Well things are good, I still have a job and we are still in our own home and I'm blessed with having loving boyz.

Have not been scrapping much of late, still busy as ever with our business stuff, squash and work, though did take last week of and ended up learning heaps about the accounting package we are using, but all good. So just managed only to finish my monthly CT requirements so far and scrapped some penguin photos from Charles & Kelly's recent Antartic trip, the lucky things!


Credits: Dancing with Wales kit & photo mask available at ScrapbooksGoneDigital

It all started with free lemons

Back in late Feb my hubby came home with 2 shopping bags of lemons after giving one away to Lynn to make our own lemon cordial. We had great success with my first previous batch, but dear hubby had no idea that it only takes 6 lemons per batch. So I ended up juicing the whole lot and freezing them in batches for the purpose of lemon cordial. This started my first purchase of a wee little lemon tree and from that I have started to germinate vege seeds and planting up seedlings into a compost bags and numerous pots/containers as our own garden soil is to hard and very clayish. Dear hubby will hopefully make me one day a few timber vegie planters so in the mean time they are all going into pots! Lemon cordial making graduated into Limoncello and liqueur making for our recent homemade liqueur tasting evening organized by Lynn. All our friends got totally into it and some were very imaginative and the evening was a total success - hicup, another excuse for another layout someday...

Credits: Spring Morning by Manue et Nini available at DigiScrapbooking.ch

Be in to win $5 voucher at ScrapbooksGoneDigital

Hello fellow bloggers,
I am finally back blogging again after a busy month with work, lemon cordial making, vegie seedling growing to name a few. Over at ScrapbooksGoneDigital I am hosting my very 1st template challenge as the latest new forum moderator. Using the same template, I am challenging you to scrap your other hobby other than digiscrapping. My challenge runs from now till the end of April and one lucky winner will get a $5 voucher to spend in the ScrapbooksGoneDigital shop. Follow this link to the SgD POST to download the free template to enter and participate.

And here is my take on the challenge:


Credits: SgD Photoshop Layer Template # T0001, Tiptoe Through the Tulips Kit by Mel

Oh dear, my Valentine's Freebie is very late - sorry

I can't believe it's been such a long time since I both blogged and posted a freebie. I had full intentions of posting these before Valentine's, but with work, squash and committee stuff my creative mojo seemed to be lacking. So with hubby out of town for tonight, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to get it finished for posting. Papers and brad created using MickeyBDesigns Commercial Use freebies, WordArt using Marcelle font. I hope you can use it, better still send me a link to your lo's.

As per usual, just follow the link here to download...

Sun, sun, sun - The perfect camping weekend!

The much planned camping weekend finally arrived, together with the JamieGees we'd pick Waitangi weekend and stayed Friday 6th to Sunday 8th Feb at Kaitoke Regional park just north of Upper Hutt. This being the same place we all stayed with Sam & kids last Easter and fond memories. The Butt-kins turned up well packed as usual, this time included trailer with 12 person tent, 8 seater table and chairs and bbq - we did leave the kitchen sink behind ;-)!

The tent proofed a hit with the kids who slept in it and where the food and kitchen items were well kept out of the sun. With the weather co-operating and very hot, the local swimming holes were very welcoming and my CJ finally plucked up enough courage to jump of the walking bridge (at least 15m high) on the last afternoon. Though it took him 3 goes, but the adrenalin was worth it for him, were as I was a nervous wreck watching!

Credits: Simplyyin template 87, Edge of Wood kit by digiscrapbooking.ch

My scrap canvas projects

Wow, a busy couple of days making these hybrid canvases. Started out with a printed layout and adhered to canvas, so did these 2 for BB's birthday. The water skiing one was only done yesterday, hadn't shown the original lo on my blog to him yet, so he got a real nice surprise when he got home and absolutely loved it! Have now got Lynn totally hooked too and I think we both nearly bought out the local shop of supplies - lol. And who did I spot shopping for canvases this morning, you guessed it.

Some CT layouts scrapped

I have been having fun playing around with kits at ScrapbooksGoneDigital for both SgD Club Products as well as One of a Kind Design Studio these last few weeks. Found myself really getting into the Disney theme with borrowed photos from Lynn and all going well we might have an opportunity to go to Disney World ourselves in 4 years time. Me think to better start saving soon!

Credits: Created using "The Mouse Collection" at ScrapbooksGoneDigital, store link here.

Also finished these 2 lo gifted to me by a special lady C. I'm adding some cards to my stash, this Thank You card is for my sister-in-law up in Tauranga. I have just send up a parcel for them. Hope it arrives all in tact & that they'll like it!

Credits: Created using "Glittering Joy Brag Book".