How Do You Do That? DIY Hybrid Easter Wreath

The past few weeks I've been forcing Spring here by Spring Crafting...I've created wreaths, garlands, shadow boxes, updated my Spring Jars, all using Rhonna Designs. 

Print, cut, create. Love the hybrid aspect of these kits!

Pin It

So, I thought today, I'd share HOW to create the Easter Wreath I did...I'm loving this!

Pin It

First off....the Junquey wreath base was created back in December when I took Margie's Spark Your Christmas online class. Then, I just Added some Rhonna Designs Spring Circus & more color to create this wreath for Easter.

***Alert: Did you see Margie's doing another online class? Spark Your Spring..I'm sure you will LOVE it! Go on over & sign up! She's always got fab ideas!**

So, I just took a wreath I had already created & filled in some SPRING! ....made it *bloom* if you will.

You can do this with any wreath you have around the house...just add in filler with 

Rhonna Designs Spring Circus papers (printed on good matte photo paper & cut into flowers & butterflies) & these NEW Rhonna Designs Easter Celebrations Printable: 'He Is Risen' cut out with 1 1/2" scalloped punch

Pin It

Pin It

This little bird just makes me so happy. I added her on top of the vintage paper flowers I had in there (See HERE for the Valentine versions & FREE Template) 

To create the little top hat, I just punched out some of the Spring Circus paper with a 1" circle punch. Then, added a strip of the paper & glued on top...added flowers & Voila! Cutest little Top Hat for my Easter Birdie!

 Pin It

Simply punch out tons of butterflies & flowers out of the Spring Circus papers...I used the Circus Harlequin...I"m in LOVE with that paper....

  Pin It

I added gold glitter around the edges of all of the printables: flowers, butterflies & this NEW 'Easter Celebrations" kit that I'm in LOVE with...I'm using it on everything! 

   Pin It

   Pin It

   Pin It

So, there ya have it...a happy Springy wreath ready to hail in Easter! All with the help of Rhonna Designs! Happy Weekend!

My fave photo apps...beginning with Instagram!

I've had lots of questions about HOW I edit my photos that I post on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook. So, rather than copying & pasting my responses to hundreds of ya..I figured a blog post was in order. So...I'm sharing my TOP TEN fave photo apps!

My phone camera is one of my fave Creativity Tools I use everyday with my Creativity Exercises...seriously...this has changed my creative life! So, I'm always thinking of ways to capture, create & then share...in real time!

Enter....

1. Instagram~ free

Pros: My fave place/community to upload. Yes, I've tried other communities, like Hipstamatic, My365, etc...but, this feels like my home. I love the filters, friends, etc. So...I go through various other apps to get the look I want & eventually post them to IG (Instagram) in the end.

Come & follow me: @RhonnaFarrer

Cons: limited in versatility...not type/text. but, hey...it's free!

2. Picture Show~ $1.99

Pros: Best bang for your buck.  If you only want to purchase one extra app, this is my fave. You can add bokeh, fab frames, text, tons of filters, light leaks, crop, noise, blur, and more. I had this one for a long time & it did everything I wanted, but then I ventured out for more fun.

Cons: hmm...i can't find one..i really love this one!

3. Phonto~ free

Pros: Best Font/Type/Text app I've found...it has TONS of various fonts & you can change colors, tilts, fonts, sizes AND the opacity...which is fab to me. I love this one!

Cons: again...can't find any. I am really happy with this one!

4. PicFrame~ $.99

Pros:  This is the app I use to create diptychs, triptychs, & split them up to make collages.  I know there are other apps like this, but this is the first one I got & didn't feel the need to buy more that does basically the same thing...You can round corners, change the color of the  frame & move the size of the frames.

Cons: only about 20 various frames...I know some apps have more options...but, hey! It works for me!

5. Labelbox~ $.99

Pros: Ok...for the dymo label look, masking tape, scotch tape....this is great. You can buy *add-on* tapes for $.99 cents more, too! I bought the set with the doily tape in it & I love it!

Cons: I'm not fond of the fonts/text that comes with it...so, I add my own in some. (i.e. Me no likey the 'light' font on the below pic...I was learning at the time! LOL)

6. Lenslight~ $.99

Pros: This is a VERY fun light app. I'm talking, various bokeh, lens flares, light leaks, cloud rays, sparkles, halo rings...& even the sun, moon, lightning & rain. You can add 1 on top of the other & even adjust the opacity..I love that about this app!

Cons: Not much to complain about on this one..I've been very happy!

7. Filter Mania~ free

Pros: This one is FAB! It has very unique frames, filters & lighting.  Some a little over the top, but really  cool ones! (The above wings & crown is one of them~ And this TIME photo...see the grungey/words in it? Yea..it's this app! cool, huh?)

Cons: Since the filters are so funky...they don't look good on all photos...but, it's fun to experiment!

8. Maskingtape~$.99

Pros: This is one of my faves to add a little *flair* to my photos. With the swipe of your finger, you have TONS of washi/decorative tapes in tons of colors. To 'undo' you just double tap & *poof* it's gone!

Cons: Not a one, IMHO.

9. Pixlromatic/ Picture Magic~ both free. both equally used by me.

Pros: I had to lump these together because I really couldn't pick one or the other...they are both for the same thing: cool frames, light filters, and bokeh... And I have found that there are specific frames or lightings that I like for certain photos in each of the apps.

...but, I do have to say, I think I like Pixlromatic a tidge better....see for yourself..they are both free...come on...have some fun!

Cons: Picture Magic seems to freeze more for me...ugh. And, when you open it up it ALWAYS asks if you want to buy the full version. Gets a little buggy.

10. Picfx~ $1.99
Pros: Fab frames, cross processes, vintage & classic filters, & I am in LOVE with the bokeh filters...they are giving Lens Light a run for their money! One of my fave things is: You can rotate the bokeh filters...I haven't found that in any other Light app!

Cons: The ONLY thing I wish it would do is give you the ability to adjust the Opacity levels in the lights.

'das all. 

So, here's a snippet of my process:

1. Take Photo: I normally just take my photo in the 'Camera' or 'Pro Camera'..they are both sitting next to each other, & which ever one I hit...I snap away. THEN, it's stored in my Camera Roll & I can go in later & edit as I wish. 

2. Add filters: I then, go into my fave apps above to see what will enhance the photo. If I"m in a 'photo collage' mood, out comes Pic Frame. Or if I just want a subtle light leak & cool bokeh, I'll go for Picture Show.

3. Add Text: Here's where I'll add Labelbox, Phonto....or whatever I want.

4. Add flair: This can be the decorative washi tapes in Maskingtape, or some of the faces in Finger Faces...LOL...whatever I want!

And, yes, each of these steps saves in my Camera Roll...so, I go in & delete the unnecessary ones!

REally....this all depends on me, how much time I have & what kind of mood I'm in. If I have a few minutes waiting in the car for my kids' carpool, out comes my phone & away I go!

Sometimes, I only have time to do the Instagram stuff...no worries. just have fun!

Now...here are some honorable mentions that deserve a little shout out:

iDarkroom: $1.99

Pros: I do like this one. It's got a lot of the regular photo editing features, and I LOVE the various bokehs' they have: flowers, hearts, FUN ones!

Cons: For some reason, this one isn't my 'go-to'...but I do use it a bit.

BlendCam: free

Pros: This is a funky one that allows you to blend photos together...cool effects!

Cons: Again, this one isn't in my day to day tool box, but it's fun to have!

Tag Writer Pro: .$99

Pros: This is a fun one like Labelbox that lets you do some fun tags on your photies.

Cons: There's a free one; but very limited. The Pro version has more, but again...I only use it sometimes.

iLabeler, Vintage Cam, Lemme Cam, Pic Collage....all are fun, but for their purposes, I've found the above apps to be my fave.

One that I have LOVED (or my KIDS have loved) is the Finger Face app: $.99

We've had many a laughs over this one...one to play & enjoy with the family!

Ok...that does it...those are my Top Ten Faves! Again, you may or may not agree with me, but this is what I use & what I love!

I always LOVE to hear about new ones, so please share YOUR fave apps with me!

Happy Thursday!

creative team tuesday....luck o' the irish...

For those of us in the states, we've got St. Patrick's Day coming up on Saturday..CHeck out what the Creative Team members have created with the LUCKY kits at Rhonna Designs!

Jamie's Home Decor is so cool. I Love how she's got the burlap in these printables...wow!

 Pin It

Pin It

 And these little flags in the jar are so cute. Perfect for a festive meal, gift, party....yea!

Pin It

And, I'm in LOVE with how she's got the mixture of kits here in this project....Spring Circus + Lucky Brushes + Numbers + Mini Textures...so cute!

Pin It

This LUCKY subway art is so cute.

Pin It

 LOVE how she used the brush kit on the black for a very cool, unique decor item! Thanks, Jamie!


Ok, so how fab are these digital scrapbook layouts by Susan & Kirsty? I'm loving both of them!

Pin It

Susan's got Mini Stamps, Textures & Spring Circus going on in this vintage layout...LOVE it!
And, Kirsty's is super sweet with the Spring Circus....LOVE!

Pin It

She also added the Mini Textures, Stamps, Seals & Starbrusts to the layout for some POW! 
Thanks to the best Creative Team ever...I just adore them & they are always uplifting & inspiring me!


So....come back tomorrow to see some fun ideas I've been playing with...to uplift & inspire! Happy Tuesday!

Creative Foundations Blog Hop With Book Giveaways!!!!

I was lucky to be a part of my friend, Vicki Boutin's new book: Creative Foundations! And today...we are having a blog hop...AND a chance to WIN a copy of the book!

You need to go on a little cyber journey and collect the word featured at each blog.  Put the words together to make the phrase and post it back at Vicki's blog for a chance to win one of four copies of Creative Foundations!!!!  

Here is the list... after me....

Linda Albrecht 

Kelly Goree

Bethany Kartchner

Danielle Flanders

Wendy Vecchi

Melissa Phillips

And then go back to Vicki's blog and post the phrase!!

 ***the word is 'I'd'***


But...here's a little eye candy from what I've created around my house using some of the creative foundations she talks about in the book: mixed media. paints. & some of my delish Follow Your Heart line with My Mind's Eye...in stores NOW!

Happy Monday....xo

How Do You Do That? Layering Digital Stamps/Brushes

For this week's installment of How Do You Do That? we'll play with the layering of digital stamps/brushes.  

Now, if digital brushes/stamps are new to you...here's a starter tutorial on how to load, use, etc.

And HERE is another good explanation with step by steps, too!

And when I was in House of 3, I did this brushes video tutorial....these Hof3 brushes aren't available anymore, but you get the jist of it & you can see HOW to do it on a video.  And, of course, you can use these same techniques using ANY brushes.

Ok, so now, let's do a little tut on how to layer....fun fun! And...we'll make a printable while we are at it!

**note: I'm using Adobe Photoshop here...Adobe Photoshop Elements will be slightly different.

Supplies:

Spring Circus Backgrounds

Spring Circus Tattoos

Spring Circus Brushes

Monogram Junque Brush kit

Mini Seals Brush kit

Step 1.

Open up your Yellow Chevron Background (the 8x10 size).

Recolor it by following this tutorial. And, in the image below, notice the numbers I've got in my Hue/Saturation box in case you want to do the same color.

Pin It

Step 2.

Open your Spring Tattoo & cut/paste onto your background.

Step 3. 

Go to: NEW>LAYER>  NEW & name it whatever you need...*note: for each brush color, create a NEW Layer.

Step. 4.

After you've LOADED your Mini Seals, Spring Circus & Monogram Junque Brushes following THIS tutorial, start to stamp on each New Layer...

Pin It

This is where it gets fun & you can layer & add depth.  Notice the top Layers Icon above....the 'green brushes' Layer is going to a 42% Opacity which will look like this:

Pin It

Step. 5

Now, create another New Layer & stamp your word onto its own Layer.  I did the top layer in white, THEN had fun layering by doing a grey stamp under the white "Love".

Now...you've created your own printable that you can print out on fab paper, like mentioned HERE, & frame it up!

Pin It


I created this one...framed it & am LOVING the Spring Circus I've got going on...

Happy weekend...& cReate to uplift & inspiRe!

& for some Friday inspiration...check out Heather's Whipper Berry link party...something fun!

And the winner is....

.....Sheila Miller! Yes, YOU won a copy of Traci Bautista's new book: Doodles Unleashed!

Congrats! Please email us at info@rhonnadesigns so we can get your info to send to Traci! Thanks!

inspiRation springboards: my cReative pRocess

I've had lots of questions lately about HOW I get inspired when I design my collections & kits...so, I thought I'd share how my creative process started with my Spring Circus collection. 

Step 1. EXERCISE. Yes. you got it...your Creative muscles need exercising EVERYDAY! So, I *always* use my 100 Creativity Exercises. I know I talk about it A LOT...but., I can't emphasize the importance enough...it's critical for me getting new ideas.

Step. 2. LOOK.  After I've exercised, I am always on the lookout for what I'm drawn to...what inspires me. I take inspiration trips to stores, boutiques, Pinterest, my mags/books, & I've even been known to get inspiration from random things like: taking the garbage out! LOL!

Step. 3. GATHER.  I start to gather inspiration pieces...I put them together to create a 'moodboard'...color swatches, magazine rip-outs, typography, etc.  Yes, this is also called an 'inspiration board' & this is essentially the idea behind the widely popular Pinterest...you 'pin' your ideas & inspiration on a board to get inspired! Brilliant to have it online...i LOVE my Pinterest boards, but I also MUST have the ideas on my actual inspiration board in my studio.  

Step. 4. CREATE. This is where I actually sit down & the whole process comes together. I've got the whole collection already in my mind...this is the time to execute it & put it into actual digital art.  Between Photoshop, Illustrator, my own drawings/art/collected ephemera & vintage ephemera from Dover books & CDs or my friend, Karen's Graphics Fairy vintage art, etc....it all comes together.  

Each step is equally important & I can't jump from one to another or SKIP any step...I need to do them in this particular order...this is how I work..I'm sure other designers & artists have their own little formula, but THIS process is what I've been doing for the past 14 1/2 years...since I've been designing greeting cards & gift bags, then onto scrapbook products & now digital art...I've finally found that THIS is my favorite...I can do it on my own timeline...when I want to, when my family schedule permits...& its' always there on our site to uplift & inspire people!