February | 2011 | Brandi Girl Blog

Monthly Archives: February 2011

Color Palette Blog Walk – Round 2!

blog hop, color paletteFeb 28 201119 Comments

Hello friends!! I’m back from my week off (though I’m giving serious reconsideration to the way I use the term “relaxing” – half of me didn’t get the memo). I missed you guys last week, though I tried to pop in and follow along with what everybody’s been doing. Did you miss me?

Anyway, I’m back, and guess what? It’s that time again – Color Palette Blog Walk time!

This week, 20 bloggers will be sharing photos we’ve personally taken, and the color palettes we turned them into. Four people will post per day for the next five days (four times the fun, in my opinion). I am so excited for this week, and have been looking forward to it since everybody signed up! So, let’s get started shall we?

Here’s what inspires me:

Architectural details. I’m a sucker for them. Knobs, arches, trims, nifty doors – I love them so much that I had an entire series of paintings in college about them.

Textures. I can’t get enough of textures on photos. They can give such an extra punch to a photo, and really add to the mood, don’t you think?

Geometrical shapes. I’m a Libra, so I’m pretty obsessed with balance, and right now, I’m completely enamored with geometrical shapes and angles, and especially the facets you find on gemstones. I’m actually trying to bring this into my jewelry right now; once I get the techniques finalized and honed, I’ll share it.

Aqua and green/Photoshop actions. This palette is actually a two-fer. A favorite color combo is aqua and olive green – I use it a lot (clearly), and I just flat out love the way they look together. Dark, light, medium, it doesn’t matter; they are so pretty. And this happy color combo came out in this photo thanks to a Photoshop action. If you aren’t familiar with actions, they are a set of predetermined layers and techniques that you “run” in Photoshop to transform a photo. Just like textures, I really love the look you can get with them, and how they can turn an ordinary photo like this one into something interesting.

Borosilicate beads. Is there any wonder why? They are so colorful, and I really love how each is a little piece of art in and of itself. No way could I ignore the influence these have had on me.

Hawaii. No way could I leave this one off the list, either. I’m totally inspired by Hawaii because not only is it always going to be home to me, it’s where I go to truly relax (see, that’s my problem – I didn’t go to Hawaii last week!). I spend the eight hour flight from Dallas feeling like there’s a weight on my chest, and at the first glimpse of the islands out the window, it lifts and disappears. I feel like a calmer, happier person when I’m in Hawaii, and since I never made it back there last year, I’m feeling pretty desperate to go soon (I blame Dave Conrey and his lovely, beachy prints).

Now, don’t stop with me! My blog hop buddies today are Erin at Treasures Found, Jen at Jenn Judd Rocks, and Shari at Exploring the Wonders of Life. Hop on over and see what inspires them!

And in case you’re curious, here’s the full schedule of blog hoppers:

Monday, Feb. 28th
Brandi at Brandi Girl Blog – You Are Here!
Erin at Treasures Found
Jen at Jen Judd Rocks
Shari at Exploring the Wonders of Life

Tuesday, March 1st
Karen at Creative Thoughts and Inspirations
Julia at UlvDesign
Jessa at The ReArtingDotNet Blog
Lyn at Lyn Foley Jewelry Blog

Wednesday, March 2nd
Jescalyn at Peach Honey Love
Paige at Paige Maxim Designs
Katrina at Ma Joie Press
Jenni at Jenni’s Beads

Thursday, March 3rd
Christie at Displaced Urbanite
Rachel at TatterBeans
Brittany at The Home Ground
Cindy at Sweet Bead Studio

Friday, March 4th
Rachel at Balanced Crafts
Wren at Each Day
Kelly at Mackin Art
Kristy at Simply Shiny Blog

Color Palette #59 :: Pink Pink Pink

color paletteFeb 18 201116 Comments

Photo by me

You know, I’ve been thinking of throwing over Spring for Summer. Or skipping town and taking up residence in a resort. Somewhere with cabana boys, fruity drinks, and a negative edge swimming pool. Who’s with me?

On a slightly more serious note, I’m taking the next week off from blogging. I’m not going anywhere (sadly), but I needs me a break. Just a little mental down time, you know. The shop will still be open, and I’ll still be on Twitter (maybe), but I’m hoping a quick, semi-unplugged week off will clear out some fog from my confused brain.

I feel like I need to give myself that kind of permission before I actually do relax. So sad. I used to be awesome at relaxing.

Anyway, I’ll be back on Monday, February 28th, for the second round of the Color Palette Blog Walk! With 20 bloggers blogging, it’s going to be a good one. Click here for the full schedule.

P.S. Anyone else think that “bloggers blogging” sounds a little like an entry for a new version for the 12 Days of Christmas, or is that just me?

Tip Share :: Solid Border

tip shareFeb 17 20114 Comments

A couple of weeks ago, I shared how to make a dotted border over on Kristi’s fabulous blog. Today, I’d like to share how to make a solid border. Bonus part is that it will work with any shaped photo!

You’ll need:
* Photoshop Elements
* A photo or graphic

Step 1: Open your file and locate the layer you want the border to sit on top of.

If you’re working with a flattened photo that only has one layer, then obviously that’s the one you’ll select. But if you’ve got several layers, or are working with a clipping mask, select the shape layer.

Step 2: While holding down the CTRL button on your keyboard, click the thumbnail of your chosen layer.

This will select the outline of the items on that layer.

Step 3: Go up to Select > Modify > Contract. In the little box that pops up, type in any number you want.

I’m going with 5px for my example. This contracts the selection inward 5 pixels.

Step 4: Create a new layer and name it Border.

You can do this by either hitting CTRL + Shift + N, going up to Layer > New, or clicking the New Layer button on the Layers Palette (it looks like a square or post-it).

Step 5: Make sure that you’ve got the new layer selected in the Layers Palette, then go up to Edit > Stroke (Outline) Selection.

This defines the thickness of the border you want to create. You can chose your color here and the width of the line. I’m going with white (#FFFFFF) and 1px thickness for the example.

Step 6: Deselect by hitting CTRL + D.

Check to make sure it looks okay; if it doesn’t, undo it (CTRL + Z or Edit > Undo) till you get back to either the Stroke Outline or the Contract pop-up. Make adjustments as necessary.

Step 7: Save. You’re done!

But what if you’re working with a different shape? Here’s how that would look:

I used the exact same steps on this one. The only difference are the edges. Happy bordering!

P.S. If you’re having a hard time seeing the details in the photos above, click on them to see them full-sized.

Loving :: Pairs

lovingFeb 16 20119 Comments

Glass woven necklace by Balanced | From the Sea 1 by JudyStalus

Desert Island by BeachCities | DIY Crewel Embroidery Kit by TakoFibers

Grace by ALifeThroughtheLens | Via Cavour by GabrielleKai

French Market Bag by BayouSalvage | Whisper by JenMurray

Azul Chiffon Boho Kimono by LaRueBoheme | Turquoise & Gold Wallflowers by LilacSaloon

Home Life in Faraway Lands by DrKennedyJones | Music Makes My World Go Round by ParadaCreations

Coffee Break by SixthandMain | You are wonderful Art Block by CathyNichols

Pattern Monochromatic Wall Art by OhHelloThere | The Lost Medallion Ring by BelindaSaville

I’m really into diptychs lately, and since it’s been a while since I did an Etsy Finds post, I figured this was a good opportunity to pair up items I’d love to have. A few are based on color, a few on texture or shape. Oh, if only I was a millionaire…

Fun fact: I used down live down the street from the Randy’s Donut shop in SixthandMain’s photo up above. Whenever I see it, I have this funny twinge of home, even though it’s been years since I lived in L.A. – funny how that works, huh?

What’s on your wish list? Do you tend to shop for “groups” of things, or is that just me?

New to the shop :: 2-15-2011

new to the shopFeb 15 20115 Comments

Flora Earrings

Bloom Earrings

Poppy Earrings

Just a few things today, as I had to wait on my silver order last week. I’m really pleased with the way these earrings turned out! They might just be my newest favorites. Now I get to play and see if any necklaces can be made in the same vein…

I’m also dabbling with a new line. Taking a cue from the color palettes I love so much, I’ve been trying to work with fibers. “Slow going” is as good a description as any, but I’m going to keep pushing. I’ve been thinking of changing up the materials and trying a new approach – anybody have any experience with air dry clay? Or how about painting polymer clay? How do I seal either, with varnish?