CoffeeShop Frame 1!

I had some "free" time (instead of cleaning I decided to work on the computer!)

{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!

CoffeeShop Group It Action!

Clipping masks are really confusing. They are simply cutouts in storyboards, but you have to group your image to them. Like layer masks, they are a wonderful editing tool, but they are difficult to understand unless you read a really good tutorial or book or have someone show you how to use them. I have two tutorials (tutorial 1, tutorial 2) already posted on my blog, but I still get so many questions.

So I finally decided to make this easy on you.  I wrote this really simple actionthat will prompt you to open your image, automatically group it with the clipping mask, and allow you to free-transform it to fit.  This is the perfect action if you can't figure out clipping masks and/or you want to save time loading your images.  If you can use actions then you can easily use clipping masks!!!  I know the screenshots make it sound involved, but this is a very simple action. 

Some people have problems running my storyboard building actions in their PSE programs (I think some Mac users?), so perhaps they will be able to use this action to load images on my storyboard templates.

I have posted an updated tutorial using this action with a beautiful new storyboard on this post!  

How to use the CoffeeShop Group It action:

1.  Open your storyboard template with clipping mask(s).  The one I used in this tutorial is here.  You can find all of my storyboards here.  Some have actions (scroll down to the bottom to find those links), but all of my storyboards should contain a .psd file, even the ones with actions.  This action should work on any layered storyboard template with clipping masks, even ones you make!

Make sure you are opening a layered .psd storyboard file.  Make sure this is the only thing open in your editing program.  

2.  Click on the clipping mask you wish to add the image to in the layer pane or in the storyboard.  I usually label my clipping masks, but in this case I just labeled it by where it is located.  Just look for a black box or shape if the clipping mask is not labeled.  I am going to load an image to the left cutout.

3.  Click to start the action.  You will be prompted to open your first image.  Select it and click OK.  The image will open, and be selected, copied,  and pasted on your storyboard and grouped with the clipping mask you had selected (see below).

The action will prompt you to free-transform the image to fit.  If you can't see the bars, then click Ctrl-0 (that is a zero) and your image will zoom out.  You can click Ctrl-0 again at anytime to zoom back in.

4.  Make sure if you are using Photoshop that the little chain between W and H on the top menubar is clicked on before dragging.  Otherwise your image will get distorted.  This action should automatically select it so you should not have to hold shift.

If you are using PSE don't hold shift and make sure Constrain Proportions is checked on the top menubar before dragging or your image will get distorted.

5.  Once your image is adjusted to taste (you can adjust the placement by dragging it) click on the checkmark on the top menubar (Photoshop) or on the image (PSE) to accept the changes and your image will be perfected placed!  The image you just opened and copied to paste on your storyboard will be closed.


Now you can add another image to another cutout (clipping mask).  Click on the next clipping mask in the layer pane (top right in this case) and start the action once again.

Easy, right? 

You can download the free CoffeeShop Group It Photoshop and PSE action HERE.

Want all of my favorite CoffeeShop Actions or Design Elements in one simple download 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.

How I don't do it all and can live with that.

We went to the pumpkin patch this weekend.  There was a sea of pumpkins and happy children in cute little black and orange fall costumes.  Their smiling parents followed them around with cameras to capture the momentous event.

Then you had our family.  We looked like we just dragged ourselves out of a trash-bag full of unsold rejects from a garage sale.  That is actually not my husband in the photo, he was taking the picture.  ;-)

A wise man once told me that it was true that women could do everything. But he stared in my eyes and then said "But not at the same time". This wise man was my husband.

I get emails and comments all of the time asking me how I have time to do it all. After all, I blog here,

CoffeeShop WebBoards: Rounded Corners 1

I am going to be coming out with more WebBoard actions and templates.  You can find all of my older ones here.

This action I am posting today automatically build the storyboard, loads your images,and sharpens and crops them for your blog or website! It even has the option of drop shadows and you can change the background color or add a texture.   I also include a layered .psd template with clipping masks for those of you who would rather not use an action.  You can read all about clipping masks here.

NOTE:  When running the PSE action you have to have a random image open before starting the action.  The image will close and the action will start to run.

Notes on the action:

1.  Make sure you load the correct action for your program. 

2.  If you are using PSE, open a random image (only 1) and start the action.  In Photoshop make sure all images are closed before starting the action.

3.  The action will build the storyboard and prompt you to open your first image (that will go on the left side).  Open the image and then the action will ask you to free transform it.  Constrain proportions should be checked (and you should NOT have to hold shift in Photoshop).  Simply drag the bars to fit your image to taste.

If your image is getting distorted, make sure the percentages are staying the same and the little link is clicked between them (Photoshop) or Constrain Proportions is checked (PSE).

If you can't see where to drag the bars (your image is too large) simply click Ctrl-0 (that is zero) and your web-board will shrink and you can adjust the size of your image to taste.  To make the web-board large simply click Ctrl-0 again.

4. Once your first image looks great, click on the checkmark to accept the free transform and the action will prompt you to load the upper right and then lower right images.

5.  After all of your images are loaded the action will bring up the sharpen pane.  Simply adjust the radius to taste to sharpen for the web.

6.  Finally, the action will crop your web-board to fit your blog.  Just adjust the width.  The board is already 1000px wide, so you can keep that size or go smaller.  Please do not make the board bigger!

7.  After the action is finished you will see three layers (seen below).

8.  If you want to change the color of the background, double-click on the little colored square on the Color Fill 1 layer and then click anywhere on your image to select a  color.  Or adjust the color to taste.

9.  If you want to remove or adjust the drop shadow, just double-click on the drop shadow layer (or FX in PSE).  To turn off the drop-shadow in Photoshop just turn off the little eye by Effects.

10. If you want to add a textured background,  drag it above the Color Fill layer.

Enjoy!!!

You can download the free CoffeeShop WebBoards Rounded Corners 1 Photoshop and Photoshop Elements action and template with clipping mask HERE!

For complete info on installing all of my actions, click here!  You can ask questions over at Facebook.

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.

I am now on Facebook!

I have to confess I am a Facebook newbie.  Well, I finally decided to try to figure it out (is it me or is Facebook a bit confusing at first???), and I now have a fan page!  I am going to use this page to announce goodies I am going to be posting on my blog and answer questions.  And perhaps even other things once I figure out what people do on their Facebook page!  ;-)

And if there is something you are interested in seeing me post on my blog (like actions or storyboards), just drop by there and leave me a note.

If you have some hints on keeping a boisterous lab puppy from chasing your chickens and giving those chickens near heart-attacks I would love to read them!

{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!

The Future's So Bright, I Gotta Eat Shades

Imagine for a moment you are Imp, walking around the backyard, enjoying the nice fall weather. You are relaxed, comfortably dirty, and you have your shades on. Life is good.

Then suddenly, ATTACK!


Maple: 10 points. Imp: 0 points. Sunglasses: Beyond repair.

"Imp, don't let the dog eat your sunglasses! That was your last pair."

"Mommy, don't worry, the stores have plenty of sunglasses. We can buy some new ones".

Oh dear, here goes the lecture AGAIN that money AND sunglasses do not grow on trees...

That darn smug dog.

If we see you smoking we will assume you are on fire and take appropriate action. ~Douglas Adams

Don't you love Douglas Adams?  I  know he died a few years ago, but I read and reread The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy in college.  I hung out with the cool crowd as you might well imagine. We read all types of science fiction, wore penny loafers with our sweatpants, and were in the Genetics Club. I believe I was even an officer. We made these t-shirts for our club that we thought were really clever.  They showed some fruit flies meeting in a bar with the slogan "Increase the gene pool, practice random mating!"  Yes, we were not the "The Far Side"...  We were all t-shirt slogan and no action, but it made us feel cool.  ;-) 

Like most mothers out there, I try to do the best job I can raising my children. And that includes not wearing t-shirts that say "Increase the gene pool, practice random mating" around them.   But sometimes, as much as you try to protect them from the bad things in the "real world", they manage to shock you.  This is a cautionary tale of the risk of reading your favorite classic children books to your children.  ;-)

Here you can see little Imp (who is three) sucking on his homemade "pipe" made of aptly-named pipe cleaners and a straw.

Color Inc. Giveaway, Gallery Wrapped Panel Split!!! CLOSED!

GIVEAWAY CLOSED!!!

I am excited to announce the newest ColorInc. giveaway for my readers! They now offer a a new product called the Gallery Wrapped Panel Split and you can read all about it below.

New Product: Gallery Wrapped Panel Split

Longing for a new and improved, eye-catching look for your home? Or are you just tired of that bare- spaced wall you have no clue how to decorate? Well search no more! Try our new Gallery Wrapped Panel Splits for your home or clientele as a great way to achieve that modern and edgy look you've been waiting for. Our Gallery Wrapped Panel Splits are a great way to present and display a single image over multiple Gallery Wrapped Canvas Prints and will enhance any wall space, no problem!

Each canvas is hand wrapped

{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!

I wish I could say this was an outtake or I told Duke to make a funny face.

Duke, didn't your mother ever tell you that your face could get stuck???

Coffee With Morgan: Cloning, Spot Healing, and Patch Tool Tutorial

Morgan sent this tutorial my way and I couldn't wait to post it. Thank you so much Morgan, this is an amazing tutorial!  And please go check out Morgan's workshops, they are worth every penny and then some.

This has probably been the most requested tutorial, and I have finally done it!

 Keep reading for the tutorial.

CoffeeShop Perfect Portrait 2 Action - FINALLY!

If you are new to my blog, welcome!!! The CoffeeShop Blog is a one-woman-owned business (by me, Rita!) and I create all of the tutorials and freebies posted here. If you want to grab hundreds of my Photoshop/PSE actions (including exclusive sets not found here on my blog), Lightroom Presets, and professional digital designs (including all of my favorite holiday sets) in a single download AND help support my site please check out my CoffeeShop Download Pack. Thanks to you The CoffeeShop Blog is possible.

To celebrate my new domain name (CoffeeShop's new address is http://www.thecoffeeshopblog.com/  but the old one will still work) and to also show how much I appreciate you, my reader, I want to present my new updated Perfect Portrait  PS/PSE action (you can find the old version here, the download link for this new updated version is at the bottom of this post).

This is as close as you can get to a one-stop portrait action.  UPDATE:  I have many more retouching actions you should check out. You can find them all listed on this page (go down to retouching actions) or check out Perfect Portrait 3 and Perfect Portrait 3 Express.

{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!

Imp often insists on putting his shoes on the wrong feet. Funny how kids will find something they can control!

A couple of weeks I blogged about this great book I had read; Simplicity Parenting: Using the Extraordinary Power of Less to Raise Calmer, Happier, and More Secure Kids. This book helped confirm how I wanted to raise my children is this crazy busy world.

Well, last week the Outreach Coordinator for Kim John Payne (the author of the book) contacted me and mentioned that they wanted to "reprint" my post over on their website. As you can imagine I was very honored. Please visit the Simplicity blog if you have some time, it is a great resource and very inspirational. I think every parent can work in a little bit of simplicity parenting and doing Nothing!

And guess what, Perfect Portrait 2 is coming out this weekend!

"That nauseating, foul, unclean, repulsive television screen!"

So far so good in homeschooling Duke (wiping the sweat off my brow).  I realized the first few weeks I was being too ambitious with the basic three "R's" and science, history, art and music.  Goodness gracious, he is only 5 and would be in Kindergarten!

CoffeeShop Vintage Damask Frame 2!

Guess what! I finally decided to spend the $10/year to buy my domain name through Blogger. Back when I started this blog I thought I would call it Coffee, Tea, Photography!, but I decided after a while that the name was too long and cutsie. And of course I was too busy (lazy) to do anything about it.

Well, today I sat down and registered as The CoffeeShop Blog! New name, but the same old blog. ;-) It is so much easier to type in www.thecoffeeshopblog.com rather than www.coffeeteaphotography.blogspot.com . Welcome to my new old blog!

I hope everyone is having a great weekend! The weather here has been perfect and we have spent most of the weekend outside. I love Autumn.

By the way, our little puppy Maple is growing like a weed and is already over 20 pounds!  She is so adorable and has been the perfect addition to our family.  I want to mention that she is an outside dog, thank goodness!  Everyone loves her, except Fatso Catso.  He is really grouchy because not only has he been on a diet for months, but he feels that his yard's peace and sanctity has been ruined. He refuses to give in to Maple and if she looks at him the wrong way his paw comes out swinging.

I wanted to post my second Vintage Damask Frame (you can download the first one here). Like the Vintage Damask Frame 1, you can completely adjust the colors and amount of design and texture by clicking on the layers because this is a layered .psd file for Photoshop or Photoshop Elements. Open it like any other image and use the clipping mask to add the images. I made a black/gray version below to show you how different the frame can looks with a few changes.

You can download the free CoffeeShop Vintage Damask Frame 2 HERE!

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.

{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!

My two little photographers-in-training.

Oh, check out this tutorial on KevinandAmanda on sewing your own camera strap slipcover!  I am going to  pull out the sewing machine for this one.  I think I will make it sans ruffle so it won't scare away my husband.  ;-)