Wednesday, August 05, 2009

How about another CoffeeShop Giveaway!

I have been stuck at home since last Friday with a 2 year old who has a nasty virus (not the flu, we had it checked out) and I have not had any time to play on the computer or work on something for my blog. Not to mention we are all dealing with lack of sleep (when your son wakes up at 2 AM with 105 degrees F fever, you can't sleep, believe me) and general grumpiness. My 4 year old is healthy so far (fingers crossed), but he is stuck inside with us, poor kid. And my 2 year old has decided if he feels bad then his brother has to feel twice as bad, so that includes destroying any games/toys his older brother is playing with and hitting his older brother with his hand or any hard object he can grab and successful swing... Thank goodness for Little Bear on Noggin and my trusty DVR or I would probably not be typing this right now...

So what is a poor Mom to do when she is too tired to even think about something interesting to put on her blog? Well, she offers a giveaway of course!!! I have been having so much fun learning all about Blogger blog design lately that I decided to put together a little something for one of my readers.

Make a comment about something you would like to see me post on my CoffeeShop blog (make sure you leave your name) and I will randomly select one person to win the blog design seen below (click on the image to see the blog "in action"). It will only install on a Blogger blog, and it includes installation of a 1 column photoblog with a horizontal menubar (fully customizable) and search button, 3 gadgets lined up on the bottom, the background and post dividers seen on the blog, and a custom animated header with up to 4 "flashes" designed for you! If you like the look of this blog design, please inspire me with some great new ideas for actions, templates, storyboards, tutorials, or anything you want! But please, only one comment per person, I hate having to delete doubles. ;-) I will keep this open until Friday night at 9PM central time.


NOTE: I can change the background and post-divider color if orange does not agree with you. We have many Aggies in our family so the orange would NOT work for them!


I have another vintage action coming out this week, so please come and hang out at the CoffeeShop. :-)

89 comments:

  1. woo hoo first one! I would really love a blog action ( resize, sharpen for web and drop shadow) but that's just me! love your blog!

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  2. how about dealing with shadows on faces or other "poor lighting" situations through photoshop? i have a couple of tricks i use, but i'm always wondering how other people do it.
    great design! i wish i had time to figure that sort of stuff out, but i'm happy to win a design giveaway instead!

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  3. Seriously.... You ROCK!!! I would love to see some customizable Christmas cards or Holiday cards for the upcoming season. I absolutely love the baby announcements you did. Incredible!! Thanks for all you do!

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  4. Love that blog design! I'd love to see more photo editing type actions. A wedding set would be nice -- it seems like I've been going to a ton of weddings lately. It would be nice to have a group that adds that nice soft "glow" to the pics in color, b&w and sepia, all in one small group so I don't have to hunt through all the separate actions to find them! (I'm new to all the actions, so I hope that I'm not missing some easy way of organizing them or something!)

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  5. I'd love to see a blog action too. My blog is pretty blah. LOL Winning one works too though. :)

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  6. ooooh! i love that! i would love to see more photoshop actions, especially of the 'free' variety :) i am so new to photoshop and would really love to see more tutorials as well.

    thanks so much!

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  7. I love this blog design! Beautiful!!!

    While I love all your actions, it'd be great to see a few more extensive storyboards - holding large amounts of pictures (8-12?) in a 20X24 format or something similar?

    Might be a bit much... but you asked! ;o) Thanks again!!!

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  8. Your blog is fantastic!! I love your vivid II action, and I would like to see the sharpen and vignette from that action as separate actions. Also, I would love to have the little perk action combined with levels and the vignette from the vivid II action.

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  9. greta blog design! i wish i knew how to do this! i love the story boards and more on how to get the crispness in my photographs.

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  10. I LOVE your blog! It has helped me so much! I would love to see some actions for newborn photography. Maybe the milky white skin and soft black and whites?

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  11. I love the design! I would like to see some more lightroom stuff! I am so addicted!!

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  12. That is a fabulous blog design and I really need it! :) I'm a beginner at Photoshop. I have both elements and CS3. I am still struggling to use them. I have done so much research and everyone explains things at the advanced stage and act as if we already know. I would love to see some tutorials for beginners on how to actually use actions and get started. A holiday card template would be fab too.

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  13. Hey Rita! I love the blog design...orange is one of my favorite colors:) I would like to see a tutorial on how to make photo cards for the upcoming holiday season or a tutorial on how to make digital papers. Thanks so much for all you've done!
    http://karriedrakephotography.blogspot.com

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  14. I would also love a blog action as well, but also would love to know how to do the watermark & frame (like you gave away), though as I only have pse, I probably can't write my own action!! But it would be so great to have a quick blog action, and then another one to apply a pretty frame and my watermark! Thanks again for your great work, and for sharing them with us!

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  15. I LOVE your blog. I only use elements and you've been such a life saver. I use your Retro Honey, Little Perk, Rounded Corners, and Powder Room ALL the time. Another vote for a resize & sharpen action, although I would love a rounded corners, resize and sharpen one! I'd also like a blog board action, something where I can make a collage of photos to post. Right now I use Picasa when I need it, but I hate having to use seperate programs. Thanks for doing what you do!

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  16. A blog action would be amazing! I always just do them the same when I upload them... (Is that too bad?)

    But any action would be great. I'm new to photoshop and love playing with them.

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  17. I would like a tutorial or action for placing your copyright on multiple pictures at a time if this is even possible and also shrink them for web but have the option of not shrinking it too!

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  18. Just want to say that I love your actions! I like how you mix things up on your blog and would like to continue to see a mix of things. Right now, I'm loving playing with textures so some more textures and/or tutorials and examples of textures! Thanks again for all you do.

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  19. I would also love a resize/sharpen action for a blog.

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  20. Cute design! I'd love to see some more fully layered PDF's for designing cards, storyboards & album pages in a square or double square (ie 10x20 inch) designs.

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  21. I LOVE the orange!!
    Blog headers are always awesome. Blog actions too. OK, I have to admit..I love everything Rita, seriously..you are awesome. :0)

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  22. I would love for you to design templates for blogger as their templates stink.

    I adore your Powder Room action. I use it all the time.

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  23. I would LOVE to have a tutorial to learn how to post actions to share! I have made some and am ahem, not successful at sharing them lol. Thank you, you are very inspiring.

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  24. How about an action that will give your pic rounded edges?
    I've always loved how it looks but have no idea how to do it.

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  25. Bella Photography said...
    I would love to see more idea's/actions that involve textures. Maybe a texture share session....with idea's on how to use the texture.

    nosyparker75 from Flicker

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  26. I think I would like to see some fun brushes. I have been trying to use them in different ways. I can't tell you how much I have learned from you I don't know how you have time for it all! Thank you!!

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  27. I am in love with your denim action. I would love to see that action with different colors like red or pink! Or just a tutorial on how you made it so I can make my own! I love your blog, all your freebies and reading what your up to I guess you could say I stalk your blog!!! ** In a good way **

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  28. I'd love to see tips or tricks on how to deal w/ shadows or how to create a watermark. I'm so lost in Photoshop! Thanks for all the great actions and tutorials you share w/ the photography community! You rock!!

    Hana

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  29. Gorgeous and I totally love the orange! It's one of my colours. I would love to see some more templates geared towards wedding and seniors. I've got tons and tons for little ones but not much for bigger ones! And again, a huge thanks for all the stuff that you've shared! You're so awesome!

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  30. Hey Rita, how about some halloween/fall templates ? thanks so much -Heather Michalsky
    http://heathermichalsky.blogspot.com/

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  31. Im new to your blog especially for beginners like me we can make awesome pics with fewer steps....i think your amazing!....I would love to see some photo card templates to send out just to say hey or to send to family and frinds for updates of your family or child.....(example like look how big Sarah is getting).....thanks soo much!!

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  32. I love your blog and your actions. I guess what I'd most like to see is more about you. I'd like to know how you learned so much about photoshop -- do you have books or sites or other resources to recommend? I'd like to know about your inspiration as well -- both for your individual actions and this whole amazing operation of yours. I'd also love if you included tutorials in your blog posts so I could search on them. Basically, I want to know all your secrets :-)

    wwhat has inspired you to create specific actions, i.e. what you're going for, more about

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  33. Actions that work with PSE are always appreciated!

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  34. Rita,you're great. I would love to see a way to create consistent color in images. Say, we do our own images and run an action to try to make them consistent. Say, all of the greens are the same color, or all of the skin tones are consistent. It would have to do with curves, but I don't know how to do that :(

    Thank you!
    Gina

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  35. YAY!! I would love to see more vintage-y looking actions

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  36. I would love to see more tutorials on how to use textures. I love your website. I would love a new blog header!
    shannon b

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  37. Love your Blog!
    Love that blog design.
    I would love some customizable cards on PSE and/or soft effect action (e.i. Weddings/babies).

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  38. I would love an action that would allow me to use curves in PSE. So just a curves action.

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  39. I love this blog design! So clean and simple! I can't think of anything I'd like to see in the future because I haven't checked out all the goodies you already have yet. Thanks!

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  40. Cute blog giveaway...Would love to see preset holiday cards or birthday invitations... I'm new here so tutorials would be great for me too.

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  41. I love your blog!

    Would love a blog action..how to post sharpened resized large pics on my blog. Thanks!

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  42. I would love to see an action for a watermark...it just takes so much time to put on all my "for the web" photos. Thanks so much for all you do!

    ~Cate S.

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  43. you poor poor MOASK (mother of a sick kid!! I so feel your pain!! If only it were easier to type with a clingy toddler on your lap :)

    I love your blog give away~ especially the 3 photos revolving.

    Hmmmm what I'd love to see more?? I love love love your purple/brown B&W. Maybe a silver B&W??

    Thanks so much for all your great actions :)

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  44. You know what I would love to see? I would love to see what a typical day looks like for you... I mean really, how do you find the time to do all this great stuff???

    Thanks so much for having a giveaway... hope that boy is feeling better soon!
    Therese

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  45. Wow Rita, I'm pretty happy at Wordpress, but I don't know, this seems tempting!

    No requests, love all the surprises you come up with and trying them. I'm just curious about the PW actions you and Erin are reworking for PSE - should I look for them here or will they be posted on her flickr group. Or are they already coming out under Coffeeshop. Or - are you tired of my questions ;)
    Hope your lil'guy's feeling better soon!
    Claudia aka Cosi!

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  46. I have a Wordpress blog, but I wanted to stop by and tell you that I LOVE the design! You are SO creative! I still want you to get creative with my blog...someday...
    Hope your little one gets well soon, hang in there!
    I'm loving your storyboards/templates. I've been using some of them lately.
    Thanks! Silisia Rubel

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  47. Thanks for all the great info and freebies....I would be thrilled to win your blog makeover....I'm a busy mom of 3! I love photography and working towards doing it more full-time and quitting the 9-5 to spend more time with the kids!

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  48. I am new to your blog and I have to say thank you for your generosity! I would love a sharpen action or anything else you want to put out! Thanks again for your wonderful blog, actions, and all your other goodies!!

    Lori

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  49. OMGoodness Rita!! I would LOVE LOVE help on my blog.. ive tried and tried and CANNOT make it look nice :o( please have mercy on me, i am so broke and cant afford to have someone do it for me :o(

    as for what i;d like to see.. i would love to see baby announcements possibly with a damask pattern, cuz thats sooo popular now.. and maybe some PSE actions that give a sunkist warmth to them and a blur around the edges .. pick me pick me plz i never win anything :o(

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  50. Thank you Rita! I would love to see either more RAW presets and/or more blog template tutorials...If we can't win the template you could perhaps simply tell us how to get the faux flash header...Pretty, pretty please...Mwah. Much love to you and your sick little one...

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  51. Your blog is great. I love all of your tips and would love to learn a little more about sharpening. Thanks so much!

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  52. I would love more vintage actions, anything for a blog and card templates. I love it all!

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  53. Brilliant Blog! I have been struggling with my Blogger blog to make it look nice - this would be the icing on the cake. Would love more bw conversion actions and even a tutorial on how to get the faux flash look on a blog header.

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  54. would love to see more Christmas/Holiday card templates. or an action that makes the photo POP! (I'm a beginner...so I would love anything you bring to the table!)

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  55. Would love to see a tutorial on fixing washed out light/baby skin - I work at the beach a lot and that's a major problem with coloring their skin a little so they don't blend into the sand. I'm stuck in burn land and I'm sure there's a better way - just need to learn it! Thanks :)

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  56. tutorials of anything are always super sweet! I am so new to photoshop that I am just plain lost. Love, love, love the orange color!

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  57. I love everything that you post (so glad to have found your blog) and I would love to see some more borders/textures.

    Thanks so much for sharing all of your knowledge with us!

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  58. I would love to see a blog action for PSE...it is so hard to find stuff like that for Elements. I love your site!! It is so helpful!

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  59. I would LOVE lightroom presets that mimic the Little Perk and Creamy Chocolate B&W actions, so I can do more editing in Lightroom and less in photoshop. In fact, ANY new presets for Lightroom would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

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  60. You. Are. Freaking. Awesome! And talented too . . . And generous too . . . and . . . . I could go on . . .

    I would LOVE to see some BLOG BOARD collage type actions - the drop-n-drag kind - that would be AWESOME.

    Also, it would be nice to know HOW to make a photoshop action. There are things I like to do with my pictures - almost every one of them - and if I could streamline it into my own action, well . . . that would be helpful.

    Also, I think it would be nice if you polled your readers about their favorite place to have images printed, favorite place to have books printed, Favorite place to have cards printed, etc. A lot of labs are only available to professionals, and I'm curious where the serious amatures get these things done.

    Thanks so much. This is such a cool give-a-way. Would love to win!

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  61. I would like to see a web sharpen or edge sharpen action for photoshop elements. I would also like to see an action for photoshop elements that would resize for the web. Another action that would be really neat (and fit your theme...I have seen this really rich chocolate (not sepia...darker, richer brown) color that people have been using lately...its beautiful for wedding pictures because of the color contrasts of white and black in weddings...leaves whites white but turns darks a deep chocolate.Thanks so much for all you do for us Photoshop Elements users...you are amazing and I go to your blog several times a day!Thanks.

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  62. Rita, I would love to see a watermark action or tutorial up here...no idea how to get that on my photos.

    Thanks- p.s. if I win, I would need to go without orange... =)

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  63. Your blog is so wonderful. I would love to see more of the make. Thank you so much for being so good at being you.

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  64. I'd love to see a blog action, as well. Maybe even one that includes a collage? Either way, I LOVE everything you do, and am so appreciative to you for doing it!!
    Thank you!!

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  65. I would love to see an action that helps give the sunwashed look of back-lit images. A golden-yellow, sunkissed look, slightly washed out tones. Your vintage action is pretty close in tone, but it is a different look.

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  66. I'm a newbie to your blog, but from what I've seen in the few minutes I looked around, I'm in heaven!

    I would love for you to explain how to make birthday invites/Christmas Cards etc.

    Also, I would love info regarding on how to print designs, and recommendations as to where.

    Love the blog design too!!

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  67. I would love to see more storyboards!!! Especially ones that hold many photos. You rock and I hope your little one feels better soon!!

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  68. More! More! More! (That's not asking too much is it?)

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  69. a tutorial on animated gifs. you have peaked my interest and now i must know how to make one :)

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  70. I would love to see some blog actions. I am wanting to start blogging and just love all the designs but have no idea where to start.
    Jeana

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  71. First, let me sart off by stating how wonderful all of your actions, etc. are. They really make my life a LOT easier when I get a second away from the kids to play around. I would love to see more sessions on using textures. I can always use help in that area.

    Shelly

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  72. How about an action for elements that converts a lot of .raw images to .jpegs? That'd be super!

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  73. Yah!!! Another giveaway... I am sorry you are dealing with the yuk around your house. Hope everyone is feeling better soon.

    I would love to see some storyboards with 8 or more in various sizes. Thanks! I love your actions. Little Perks is my fav!

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  74. I'd love to have something to make pictures web ready in pse...as I'm getting ready to start a blog for my 30th year :) Also I'd like a grid template and a baby girl template in purple or basically anything you throw our way :)

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  75. yay! another giveaway. fun fun fun! i would love to see some frame actions! you have the best stuff! thanks again!
    www.rainahsworld.blogspot.com

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  76. i would love for you to give us some "homework"! give us some ideas and make us get out there and shoot somthing different!!!

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  77. A template for the holidays would be great. I love the stuff you have done.

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  78. I love your blog. You have helped me learn so much.

    I don't have anything new to add that others have not already requested. Anything you do is appreciated.

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  79. Put me in the Blog Action group. :)

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  80. I would love to see you work with textures, as I find these are a great thing to play with but I don't get how to use them.

    Love these giveaways of yours!!!

    :)

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  81. Okay, so I shouldn't have waited til Friday to post my comment! Got tied up this week.
    Anywho, I do a little wedding photography here & there, & when I set up books, it takes me forever to do "pretty" pages. You know, background, accents, & frames for pictures. Even if I don't win, I'd really love a couple of page layouts with adjustable backgrounds! (I hate those cheesy ones from some printing co.) Thanks, Rita
    AlishaJ

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  82. Such a cute blog! I would love to know how to get large, crystal clear pictures on a blogger blog... I just can't figure it out and it's driving me crazy! Thanks for the giveaway - it's adorable!!!

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  83. would love to have a blog design with BIG pictures like this :)

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  84. Lovin all the digi goodness you provide...it would even be more lovely to see some blog actions that we can use on our bloggers. And as long as I am wishing...how about tutorials/actions for photo collages. Many thanks for all the digi love you spread!!

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  85. I would like to see more information on blog actions. I am new to the whole blog designing and really do not know a whole lot about it. Also blog actions would be great as well. Also continue the mix of pse actions you already create. You are awesome and don't know how i would live if i hadn't come across your website. I truly appreciate your creativity and skill.
    -Melissa Power
    melissapowerphotography@yahoo.com

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  86. I am new to the whole photoshop world, but I am trying to hold my own and work my way through it all. Most of the work I do is with babies... I do a ton of birth announcements, and always appreciate the templates and actions. I actually use at least one of your actions on each of my photos. I am currently in the process of moving, so a really cool we've moved card would be cool. Thanks again for being so generous! You are my favorite website to visit...

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  87. Hi Rita,
    i love everything you do and whatever you come up with next will be good for me! thanks for the chances to win cool stuff you make!
    ~meg

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  88. So sorry to hear that your little one was sick. Mine was sick last week too and she had the same nasty stomach virus. I can't tell you how many awful nasty diapers I changed!

    I would love to see how to make my own actions and other photoshop tutorials. I find your site very useful!

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  89. I would love to win this awesome blog *sigh* I am totally clueless when it comes to customizing a blog... as for a new idea... hmmm... what about trying to create an action that would reproduce the Dave Hill look?

    BTW just want to thank you so much for all you do... seriously you rock girl!

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