5/31/2013
Tip of the Week - RSS feeds
Tip of the Week
If you don’t use an RSS reader and you’d like to follow a blog that doesn’t offer a newsletter option, you can have new content sent to you automatically via email when you use BlogTrottr.com
This site allows you enter in the feed address of a blog, the delivery options and the email to which you want it sent. No customer account required, and no fees are involved.
Not sure of the RSS address of a blog? Usually you can just enter in the URL displayed in your browser’s address bar and BlogTrottr will find it for you.
5/24/2013
Desginer Resources - Outright
DESIGNER RESOURCE - OUTRIGHT.COM
Do you have trouble managing your bookkeeping for your digital design business? I think finances can be a big problem for many of us creative types but I found a fantastic resource this week that I’d like to share with you. I am now managing all my bookkeeping for 3 digital scrapbooking sites with Outright.com
It can connect with multiple PayPal accounts, bank accounts, credit cards, Etsy, eBay and MORE. It’s definitely better than a spreadsheet! It updates automatically and remembers future transaction categories based on how you assign them one time. It only took me a few hours to properly categorize all my income and expenses for this year and I feel so much better knowing I won’t ever get behind on my records.
It also has a Goggle app and iPhone app.
Oh… also … it’s FREE. woot!
Reviews: Tech Republic || Money Crashers ||
I also like their blog at http://outright.com/blog/
They have some great articles and resources such as 10 Ways to Get Back in Touch with Past Customers
FRIENDLY REMINDER
Do you have the same password for all your online accounts? This can leave you open to major disaster. You should ALWAYS have a different password for your PayPal, credit cards and online bank accounts. If someone gets ahold of your email password, one of the first things they may do is try to login to your financial accounts.
Here is an article at macgroup about this: The Dangers of Using the Same Password for Everything
GIVEAWAY WINNER
Congratulations to Desert Digi Scrap for winning the $10 giveaway to Queen Bee Scraps store from last week. I left you a comment on your blog to claim your prize.
Do you have trouble managing your bookkeeping for your digital design business? I think finances can be a big problem for many of us creative types but I found a fantastic resource this week that I’d like to share with you. I am now managing all my bookkeeping for 3 digital scrapbooking sites with Outright.com
It can connect with multiple PayPal accounts, bank accounts, credit cards, Etsy, eBay and MORE. It’s definitely better than a spreadsheet! It updates automatically and remembers future transaction categories based on how you assign them one time. It only took me a few hours to properly categorize all my income and expenses for this year and I feel so much better knowing I won’t ever get behind on my records.
It also has a Goggle app and iPhone app.
Oh… also … it’s FREE. woot!
Reviews: Tech Republic || Money Crashers ||
I also like their blog at http://outright.com/blog/
They have some great articles and resources such as 10 Ways to Get Back in Touch with Past Customers
FRIENDLY REMINDER
Do you have the same password for all your online accounts? This can leave you open to major disaster. You should ALWAYS have a different password for your PayPal, credit cards and online bank accounts. If someone gets ahold of your email password, one of the first things they may do is try to login to your financial accounts.
Here is an article at macgroup about this: The Dangers of Using the Same Password for Everything
GIVEAWAY WINNER
Congratulations to Desert Digi Scrap for winning the $10 giveaway to Queen Bee Scraps store from last week. I left you a comment on your blog to claim your prize.
5/10/2013
Desginer Tip - QC on the Fly
Designer Tip
Do you wait until an embellishment is completely finished before performing QC checks? I like to check on the fly during my creation process as well as at the end. Today I’m going to share a quick and useful Photoshop or PSE shortcut that lets you look at the flattened version of your embellishment for stray pixels and unwanted outside shadows.
The shortcut function is for “stamp visible layers ” - it will create a flattened version of everything visible in your workspace – but it will be in a new layer.
To start, make sure you don’t have a background layer turned on. Sometimes I use these to check embellishment colors against paper or palette colors. Turn off any solid fill layers before proceeding.
Next click on your topmost visible layer in the layers palette.
Then use the following keyboard combo:
CTRL + ALT + SHIFT + E
You will get a new layer above the other ones with the same results as if you had saved as a .png and then opened it.
Now you can do a quick check:
• apply a 3 px stroke to look for strays or unwanted shadows, if you find some, delete the stamped layer and find the layer with the strays to remove and recheck
• if no strays, just delete the layer and keep going!
I find this to be an extremely useful process when I am building a embellishment with multiple layers, especially when I am adding inking or distressing on some of the layers.
BONUS step --
Do you build your previews in the process of creating your kits too? You can drag the stamped visible version of your embellishment right to your preview as soon as you are done creating it!
Do you wait until an embellishment is completely finished before performing QC checks? I like to check on the fly during my creation process as well as at the end. Today I’m going to share a quick and useful Photoshop or PSE shortcut that lets you look at the flattened version of your embellishment for stray pixels and unwanted outside shadows.
The shortcut function is for “stamp visible layers ” - it will create a flattened version of everything visible in your workspace – but it will be in a new layer.
To start, make sure you don’t have a background layer turned on. Sometimes I use these to check embellishment colors against paper or palette colors. Turn off any solid fill layers before proceeding.
Next click on your topmost visible layer in the layers palette.
Then use the following keyboard combo:
CTRL + ALT + SHIFT + E
You will get a new layer above the other ones with the same results as if you had saved as a .png and then opened it.
Now you can do a quick check:
• apply a 3 px stroke to look for strays or unwanted shadows, if you find some, delete the stamped layer and find the layer with the strays to remove and recheck
• if no strays, just delete the layer and keep going!
I find this to be an extremely useful process when I am building a embellishment with multiple layers, especially when I am adding inking or distressing on some of the layers.
BONUS step --
Do you build your previews in the process of creating your kits too? You can drag the stamped visible version of your embellishment right to your preview as soon as you are done creating it!
5/06/2013
iNSD Afterparty
Wow, what an amazing weekend! I have a little bit of a social media and shopping hangover but the party has NOT ended at CUDigitals! We have today left on our storewide sale and we have NEW products and a new designer.
First a recap of the sales available until midnight May 6
PLUS SOME DESIGNERS ARE OFFERING ADDITIONAL DISCOUNTS AND COUPONS
Kim Cameron
Snickerdoodle Designs is 50% off PLUS---
StarSongStudio | Giane Designs | Bekah E – 50% off
Eirene Designs -
ABCreations
Kristmess | Kathryn Estry
ADDITIONAL SALES:
Courtney’s Digiscrappin’ – 50% off
Twin Mom Scraps – 50% off
Christine Smith – 50% off
Valentina’s Creations – 40% off
Midnight Velvet – 70% off
AneczkaW – 40% off
Peek a Boo Designs – all non-bundled products $1.99
byMurielle – 45% off
SugarButt Designs – 40% off
Elka Romero – 40% off
Leigh Penrod – 50% off
Pathy Santos – all non-bundled products $1.99
LAST CHANCE SALE
Crafty Button Designs will be leaving CUDigitals after NSD Weekend. Don’t miss your chance to get their AMAZING art journal/junk journal type products before they’re gone – right now they are 50% off!
We have a NEW DESIGNER in the store over the weekend! Please check out Mamrotka’s products and shop her great sale!
MORE NEW PRODUCTS
Don’t miss these grab bags!
Have a great week!
First a recap of the sales available until midnight May 6
PLUS SOME DESIGNERS ARE OFFERING ADDITIONAL DISCOUNTS AND COUPONS
Kim Cameron
Snickerdoodle Designs is 50% off PLUS---
StarSongStudio | Giane Designs | Bekah E – 50% off
Eirene Designs -
ABCreations
Kristmess | Kathryn Estry
ADDITIONAL SALES:
Courtney’s Digiscrappin’ – 50% off
Twin Mom Scraps – 50% off
Christine Smith – 50% off
Valentina’s Creations – 40% off
Midnight Velvet – 70% off
AneczkaW – 40% off
Peek a Boo Designs – all non-bundled products $1.99
byMurielle – 45% off
SugarButt Designs – 40% off
Elka Romero – 40% off
Leigh Penrod – 50% off
Pathy Santos – all non-bundled products $1.99
LAST CHANCE SALE
Crafty Button Designs will be leaving CUDigitals after NSD Weekend. Don’t miss your chance to get their AMAZING art journal/junk journal type products before they’re gone – right now they are 50% off!
We have a NEW DESIGNER in the store over the weekend! Please check out Mamrotka’s products and shop her great sale!
MORE NEW PRODUCTS
Don’t miss these grab bags!
Have a great week!
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