Photoshop Fun

The fall semester is underway!

This semester I'm taking a courses in Photoshop and Flash.  I've been a casual PS user for a number of years, but have never taken a class focusing on the software.  The first few assignments have been pretty basic, but still fun and informative.

This week's assignment was to create a texture quilt using the crop tool and upsampling/downsampling techniques.  I opted to use only images from my trip to Sydney:

I really like the concept of this assignment.  It's a unique way to display vacation photos, possibly as a calendar image or thank you card.

The Flash class is a bit more challenging at the moment.  My only exposure to the software was as an animation intern three years ago.  It will be fun to create some basic animations, which I hope to incorporate into some web design ideas I have.  I'm working on an online portfolio to help with my internship/job search.  Fingers crossed I can get it all together (and looking excellent) by January!

Double Thanks!

My orange and blue bowl made of recycled magazine pages is making a splash on Etsy!  It's been featured in a second treasury, this time by wendyc0603.  Check out her jewelry shop, Sol~E~Mar Designs. 

Nothing to see here...

I've been neglecting my blog lately, but for good reason.  The past weekend was spent moving into a new house, which is still under construction.  While we wait for the bedroom flooring to be installed, I'm sketching new ideas and getting ready for the start of fall classes.  Once everything is in it's place, I'll be sure to share!

Moving along...

So this is what my life looks like right now:

My family and I are less than a week and a half away from a move across town.  I usually hate moving, but this time I'm actually looking forward to it.  A new bedroom all to myself will be a nice change, as well the large backyard with access to canyon hiking trails.  


But the best part will be the new craft room!  Finally I'll have a nice little corner where I can work on my artwork and add stock to my Etsy store.  Once it's all set up I'll be sure to post some pictures.  :) 

Thank you!

I woke up this morning to find that I've gotten some props from another Etsy user!  Member jesseBYAH-- who sells absolutely beautiful photographs on the site-- included one of my paper bowls in the treasury, "Shades of Orange and Blue."

This is definitely inspiring.  My shop is taking off more slowly than I planned, but it's great to know that people out there love what I've done so far.  I can't wait until this move is over so I can set up my work space and add more merchandise to my store!

Class Complete!

Now to wait for the grade...

I'll go ahead and post the URL, here, but don't expect it to be active for long.  The campus server is emptied within a week of the official semester ending.  Once I make a few changes, I'll probably post it to another server.

I believe you can get me through the night...

One of the worst habits I picked up while at college was pulling all-nighters.  This was usually due to another bad habit I developed: procrastination.  When I started taking classes again, I vowed I would stop doing both.  I can proudly report that the procrastination has thus far been held at bay.  Learning Adobe Dreamweaver CS5 is a fun challenge, and easily keeps my attention for hours.

However, working late into the night is a routine I just can't seem to break.  Something about the wee hours inspires me.  I find myself wanting to work more than usual after 10pm, and get some of my best ideas when I should be sleeping.

Since I don't have to be on a "normal" schedule quite yet (one of the perks of retail work), I'll continue to burn the midnight oil.  At least I have my podcasts to keep me company.  New favorite: Radiolab.

And in case you're wondering, here's a peek at what I've been working on:

The final project for my web layout class is to redesign the Palomar College Graphic Communications Department website.  The professor has hinted that the department may actually use one of our designs.  Here's hoping I get picked!  :)

Postal Service Fail

I sent some Lomography film to Snapfish a couple weeks ago, and got this back today:

Apparently my roll was damaged in shipping, and could not be developed.  This is partly my fault for not sending the film in it's plastic container (something I debated in my head before sealing the envelope).  However, I'd like to know exactly what the USPS did that shredded the envelope and nearly flattened the film canister.  I've mailed several rolls in these same envelopes with absolutely no trouble.  I'm also pretty sure some of them were not in plastic containers.

I'm a little sad that I've completely lost these photos (a combination of Sydney, the San Diego Fair, and my cousin at the park).  At the same time, I can't count how many times I've ruined my film by accidentally exposing it to light.

Guess I'll just have to reload and try again.

Happy Independence Day!

George Washington Monument from the Potomac River

Wish you were here

I found these old postcards today in my scrapbooking boxes:

A few I'd like to keep, but others would make lovely greeting card artwork.  Looks like I have some brainstorming to do in the next couple weeks.