Saturday, April 16, 2011

CoffeeShop Desktop Backgrounds 1!



Like most people out there, my computer desktop is a complete mess and I can't find anything. I saw this idea of making a desktop background for organization at Pugly Pixel (thank you so much Shaina for posting the link in the comments, I couldn't for the life of me remember where I read that post), and was so excited to create my own version of desktop backgrounds.    Oh, check out her paper-making tutorial at Pugly Pixel too, I used this to make notebook and graph paper.  What a great site!

My husband usually glances at my creations on my computer and blog and doesn't say much.  But he did a double-take on my new desktop background and asked me to make some for his work computers with his logo/business name!  I hadn't even thought how great these would be for business computers.

Here is the version on my computer today.  I love the idea of the big trash area.  I often make files that I need to send off but want to remember to delete after they get there safely.  Now I can drag them in the trash area and know I need to delete them later.


Here is another version with photo frames included in the set:



These backgrounds are a pretty standard size of 1920 x 1080, but they will not fit all monitors. You can try resizing them or cropping them to fit.  Once you edit them, flatten and save them as a jpg.  If you have Windows 7, go to your desktop and right click, select Personalize, and then click on  the background tab on the bottom and load the background like any other image.  If you can't put your icons wherever you want, right click on your desktop and then select View, then uncheck "Align icons to grid".

Both of these backgrounds are customizable. You can change the colors of the background (I used papers from Sassy Designs), and the colors/text on the labels.  The version with the photo frames have clipping masks so you can easily add your images.  You can use my funl Group-It action to quickly load your images. And check out all of my other scrapbooking/digital design freebies. 


Click on the color swatch by Background Color to change the background color.   It is in multiply blending mode, and you can change modes or adjust the opacity for custom colors.  The Color fill 2 layer changes the color of the labels.  And you can adjust the text layers to taste.  The photo frame version has 4 clipping masks you can use to add your images.

I wish I could claim to be the inventor of this clever idea, but at least I can help you organize your desktop!  I really enjoy  making these so I am sure I will be posting more background freebies.  Check out all of the desktop backgrounds my Facebook fans have made at the CoffeeShop FaceBook page!  Make sure you "like" my page if you visit.  I am there all of the time answering questions, asking advice on new freebies, and finding out what you guys want.  Make a comment below if you want me to write a tutorial on making your own custom desktop background.  :-)

Have a great weekend!  Here is the preview of my next CoffeeShop Desktop Background I will be posting in a few days:




Download the free CoffeeShop Desktop Background 1 sethere!

Do you want to download my favorite CoffeeShop PSE/Photoshop Actions and Lightroom Presets or Design Elements in one convenient zipped file AND help support this blog? Just click here for my action pack or here for a download of some of my most popular design elements, storyboards, and textures.

For complete info on installing all of my actions, click here.

20 comments:

  1. Thank you SO MUCH. I loved this when I first saw it and was wondering how in the world I could make one myself. Now you've made it easy!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Awesome idea! Thanks a bunch! It is now proudly display in my nice organized desktop! Thank you for all your hard work!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thank you SO much for sharing this. My desktop has gotten so messy that family memebers walking by have complained. I will definitely be using this soon! :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. This is so rad!! I can't wait to get home and try this. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  5. This was fabulous! I sent the link to your site to several of my friends for them to take a look. Heck, if I think I can use it - I know others might as well. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  6. just thought i'd share where you might have got the idea since you couldn't recall.

    http://www.puglypixel.com/2011/04/01/rss-freebie-exclusive-download/

    i love the details you've got in yours!! terrific job. thanks for sharing. :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Shaina, that is right!!! Thank you so much for linking her amazing site. I look at so many blogs I forget where I see things. I also used her tutorial http://www.puglypixel.com/2011/03/04/how-to-make-your-own-stationery-textures/ to make digital paper. I ♥ Puglypixel!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Rita, are these Mac compatible? This reminds me that I've been wondering if I can create my own Stationery in Apple Mail or even my own Stickie Notes! It kind of looks like you're on a PC, but do you have any idea?

    ReplyDelete
  9. That is such a neat idea! I'll need to make something like that for my wife. I usually have so many windows open that I never even SEE my wallpaper! :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. These are FANTASTIC what a great idea. I can't wait to get home and try them out

    ReplyDelete
  11. This is a great idea! Thanks for sharing your work with us :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thank you! I can't wait to try!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thanks so much. I love this. Please, please write a post how how to make my own.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Such a great idea! Now I'm going to be up WAY past my bedtime creating my new desktop. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Yes! Please show us how to make our own :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. I feel stupid, but just got PSE and this opens, but I don't know what to do from there....any tips?

    ReplyDelete
  17. Thanks Rita, I love this idea!! I couldn't remember how to get my icons to stay put - but I knew you would have it on your site!! I can always count on you for these kinds of issues.
    Thanks for all that you do.
    Cindy

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to leave a message, I love reading them! All comments are personally moderated by me and I will post and answer them them as soon as possible.
Rita