CoffeeShop Mocha Velvet B&W Action UnWrapped Tutorial!

I wanted to post my newest Action UnWrapped tutorial  for Photoshop and PSE: CoffeeShop Mocha Velvet B&W. If you want to save time,

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Mama's got a Squeezebox!

When I was younger I embraced technology.  I had one of the first common home computers, a Commodore Vic 20 with tape backup, a Christmas gift from my father's business partner.  I knew how to program in Basic and I can't tell you how many Mad Libs "programs" I wrote on that little computer.  My parents then upgraded us to a IBM PCjr (this was surprising because we didn't have much money and normally received books and board games for presents) and I continued programming, but I started creating simple digital clocks and games.

Unfortunately my father would not pay for a dot matrix printer,

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{Friday Photo Bliss}

Inspired by the SouleMama blog's {this moment}, I am posting one image every Friday, taken that week, that really makes me happy. If you end up doing the same I would love to see your photo linked in my comments!

Poor Army Guy has only one arm and leg, but he is still a patriot!

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Blogger UnWrapped: How to post a floating button on the side of your blog!

Today I want to show you how to make a floating button on the side of your blog as seen in the screenshot above (and on my actual blog).  This button will stay in place even as you scroll down your blog, and you can link your contact information, website, Facebook or other social networks, a page, etc.  You can also make more than one. 

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Return of the Army Guys!

Since we got Maple there has been a constant war in our backyard:  Puppy vs. Army Guys.  We started with over one hundred Army Guys, but over the last year we have found their remains all over the back porch and yard. Headless Army Guys, armless Army Guys, legless Army Guys, and even a few Army Guy supports with only a foot or two attached.  Army Guys: 0, Maple 100...

So lately I have been finding a few Army Guy survivors  in my house.  They sneak in when I am not looking and show up in all types of odd places.  It is bad enough that I have to clean up after two dirty little boys, but look at the mess these two Army Guys left  in the tub.  To quote Duke, "DeeeSkusting!".

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CoffeeShop Polaroid Effect Action!

Here is my newest free action, CoffeeShop Polaroid Effect.  This action turns your image into a faux Polaroid that you can post on the web.  It also sharpens and resizes your final image.

Instructions for the CoffeeShop Polaroid Effects Action:

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{Friday Photo Bliss}

Inspired by the SouleMama blog's {this moment}, I am posting one image every Friday, taken that week, that really makes me happy. If you end up doing the same I would love to see your photo linked in my comments!

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CoffeeShop CutOuts 11!

Thanks for entering the ColorInc. Giveaway! The winners are (picked by Random.org): #65 Danielle, #118 Kim, and #178 Tricia! Congratulations. ♥ I am sending all three of you an email, so please look out for it. :-)

I love to create digital design elements, and here is my newest creation; CoffeeShop CutOuts 10!  This set

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ColorInc Studio Mount Giveaway!!! - CLOSED!

Closed!  But I will be announcing the winners on Thursday.  :-)

ColorInc, my favorite digital lab, is offering CoffeeShop readers another amazing giveaway; a 12x12 or smaller Studio Mount for three lucky readers! Please read all about it below.  Giveaway will close May 18th, 9PM central time.





Our solid wood 3/4'' ready to hang Studio Mounts

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CoffeeShop Portrait Give It Texture: Action and UnWrapped Tutorial

I love using textures in portraits, and I get so many questions about how I remove the texture from skin yet leave some of the texture color. There are so many ways to do this, but I want to share one of my favorite methods.  Many people simply erase or mask out the texture on skin, but if you are adding a colored texture to a portrait you often want to retain some of the texture's color so the skin doesn't look too washed out or discolored.

This is actually pretty easy and I am going to show you how to do it on your own in Photoshop or Photoshop Elements, and I even wrote a nifty action that does some of the work for you.  I will tell you when you start using the action in the tutorial.


CoffeeShop Portrait Give It Texture Tutorial:

1.  Open your image. 

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{Friday Photo Bliss}

Inspired by the SouleMama blog's {this moment}, I am posting one image every Friday, taken that week, that really makes me happy. If you end up doing the same I would love to see your photo linked in my comments!

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Dog Days of Summer

I am sure you know by now that my favorite images are snapshots capturing a moment of our life. I had my camera out yesterday and happened to snap this photo. The boys are having a fight over creative differences in tearing up my yard and turning it into a construction site. Maple tried to intervene and add some digging power, but the boys yelled and threw mud at her. You can see her staring at them, unloved and dejected. Poor dog...

I used my ButterScotch Vintage action and vintage frame on this photo.  The dirt came free with the photoshoot.  And yes, they are in their underwear. 

I have a few exciting things coming out in the next week or two.  I am working on a new texture tutorial for portraits which includes a nifty little action to help you remove texture on the skin yet still retain some of the color from the texture.  I used it on the image below (as well as a texture from Florabella).  I also have a few more actions, frames, and tutorials; I just need to get them all finished and up here. 

And I also want to thank my loyal readers.  You are what makes the blog possible.  ♥

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CoffeeShop Storyboards 3!

I love making storyboards for blogging and printing, and here is my newest, the CoffeeShop Storyboards 3! I have quite a few free storyboards

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Family Vacation

A vacation is what you take when you can no longer take what you've been taking. ~Earl Wilson

My husband started his own clinic several years ago, so we haven't had the time nor money to take many family vacations.  However, we try to get out of town at least once a year, even though we usually stay in Texas.   The last months have been rather stressful on the adults in our family, so we decided to go to Fredricksburg, TX (one of my favorite vacation destinations) for a long weekend.

We had a lovely time,

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CoffeeShop Velvet Ash B&W Action!

I want to say Happy Mother's Day to all of the mothers out there. I am posting today because I am going to spend Sunday with my family.  ♥   I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.

Here is  my  newest free B&W tinted action, CoffeeShop Velvet Ash B&W!  You can read the complete step-by-step CoffeeShop Velvet Ash B&W Action UnWrapped  tutorial to see how I wrote this action.  I personally love to see what actions are doing and I hope those of you that are interested enjoy my tutorials.This action, like almost all of my actions, runs in both Photoshop and Photoshop Elements (at least PSE6 and above). 

Download the free CoffeeShop Velvet  Ash B&W Action at  MediaFire!

Want all of my favorite CoffeeShop Actions in one simple download AND help support this blog? Just click here for more information! For complete info on installing all of my actions, click here.

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{Friday Photo Bliss}

Inspired by the SouleMama blog's {this moment}, I am posting one image every Friday, taken that week, that really makes me happy. If you end up doing the same I would love to see your photo linked in my comments!

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Introducing My Sister Heather & CoffeeShop Designs Logo SALE!

I have mentioned before that my little sister and best friend Heather works with me even though we live hours away from each other in Texas. I actually started this blog because of Heather. She would ask me how I did my editing, so I decided it was easier to post it up on a blog rather than having to tell her over the phone or emails. Thus The CoffeeShop Blog was born! Who knew that I would eventually have readers that weren't just relatives.  ♥

A few years ago I decided to learn how to design blogs because I wanted to be able to update this blog whenever I wanted to. I really enjoyed learning html  and blog design techniques, and I started doing a few designs on the side for other people. I had requests to design logos, so I decided to give it a try since I love a challenge. Well, I realized that designing logos was not as easy as I imagined, so I called Heather and asked her if she would be interested in working with me as a logo designer.

Thus CoffeeShop Designs, our little part-time venture, was born. I design Blogger blogs and Heather designs logos. Heather and I are both stay-at-home, homeschooling moms, so this was a great way for us to have a creative outlet together and make a little money to help support our families.

I want to introduce Heather to you, in her own words.  BTW, Heather is a tall, slim, gorgeous natural blonde.  Thank goodness she was a gawky 13 year-old when I met my husband or I would never had a chance!  ;-) 

Heather is offering a special logo coupon code for my readers this month!  CoffeeShop readers that use the coupon code "coffeecup" can purchase a premade logo for $69 (regularly $89) or get $10 off a custom logo design.  This coupon code is good through the month of May.  :-)

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Hi! My name is Heather and I am a stay-at-home homeschooling mom. But most importantly, I am Rita's little sister! ;-)

I live in North Texas with my husband whom I am very proud of. He recently medically retired from the army after serving two tours in Iraq. I am also blessed with two children, one of which I am homeschooling, while the other is toddling around underfoot. My children have inspired me to take many pictures and to experiment in Photoshop Elements, capturing their delightful play and smiles.

After following Rita's CoffeeShop blog for a while I started getting inspired to do my own editing and design. After some time I realized I loved designing logos and buttons, so Rita begged me to come over and help her out. We are a great team and luckily best friends!

I typically work in the evenings and homeschool my 7 year old and chase my toddler around during the day. I love creating logos because it satisfies my creative side.   Other things I enjoy are crocheting, playing the piano, and running. Best of all, I love photographing my children.

 

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CoffeeShop Frames 8!

I love making layered adjustable .psd frames with clipping masks for Photoshop and Photoshop Elements.  I have already posted quite a few CoffeeShop Frame Sets, but I can't stop making them!!!  These frames

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