Rachel here to bring you LOTW again!! This is one of my favorite features of the Shabby Shoppe blog. I just love being able to sit in awe at all the talent in the gallery. So it is so much fun to get to spotlight an amazing layout!

This week I have picked the layout KINDERGARTEN by con01008. I just love how it is scrapped in a rectangular format, something I have never tried. Also, I am in love with how con01008 scrapped a photo from the first and last day of kindergarten. What a great idea! To me it almost seems like in the first photo she is a little shy and unsure, whereas in the last photo it looks like she has loved the year and ready to take on anything!  That title just draws your eye in and lets you know everything right away. Love it.

 Congratulations con01008 and thanks again for sharing your exquisite page! Enjoy the $10 Shabby Shoppe gift card that has just been e-mailed to you (be sure to check your spam folder)… have fun shoppe-ing!

Thanks for stopping by the blog today and I’ll see you again tomorrow with a FUN product spotlight!

rachelLayout of the Week, Uncategorized 6 Comments

Hi everyone… Rachel here this week bringing you another installment of Shoppe Tips & Tricks! This is a pretty simple tip, but it can really make a HUGE impact on your layout when saving for the web… with just a few extra steps!

Okay, let’s get straight into the tutorial…

• Once you are finished with your layout, save it in your .psd or .tiff format in Photoshop.  Duplicate the file so you don’t accidentally save over the original or anything. (Name the duplicate as you wish or leave it as copy.) 

• next, Flatten your image (Layer > Flatten image)

• Reduce your image size to 600 x 600 pixels at a resolution of 72 pixels/inch (Image > Image Size)

• then you will have to duplicate your flattened layer, either by selecting Duplicate Layer (right click on layers palette) or ctrl+J on a PC

• once your layer is duplicated run the High Pass filter on the layer you’ve just duplicated

• I usually use a radius of 0.3, but you can play around with it and go with what you like.

• Change the blending mode to Linear Light. I like to lower the opacity a touch most times as well.

• Flatten your image again, and you are ready to save for the web.

Here is my layout before the sharpening…

…and here it is after. See the difference!

Hopefully this little trick helps somebody!! I know there are a ton of other ways to do this, but it’s just my favorite :) Feel free to share yours by leaving a comment here on this post…we’d love to hear from you!

If you’d like to take this little step-by-step trick to the next level why not make an action out of it. Don’t know how? Beckie created a fantastic Tips and Tricks tutorial all about actions -> HERE! And if you’re after even more information on sharpening your photos, well Beckie has that covered too -> HERE!

Thanks for stopping by the Blog today! Be sure to check in tomorrow…Kylie will be sharing the new project SCRAP templates for July!

rachelTips and Tricks, Uncategorized 11 Comments

Happy Monday, Rachel here with this week’s LAYOUT OF THE WEEK. I had so much fun going through the gallery. It`s always such an inspiration to browse and look at everyone’s creations and have them inspire me!

The layout winner this week is crysowens! She says she was hesitant to post because she is so new to digital scrapbooking. But looking at this page, I know that I cannot tell at all! Her page is amazing! I love the beautiful array of papers which are wonderfully placed . I also love how she fastened them down, the string intertwined in the title work. That gorgeous photo and having it all centered down with the family tag! PERFECT!

Congratulations crysowens!!!  I hope you continue to share your amazing pages with us. Enjoy the $10 Shabby Shoppe gift card that has just been emailed to you (and be sure to check your spam folders)… have fun shoppe-ing!

THANKS for joining us today, we’ll be back on Wednesday to inspire you.  Until then, have a great week!

rachelLayout of the Week, Uncategorized 5 Comments

Hi everyone :) Rachel here with my first product spotlight! I am so excited to spotlight Shabby Princess’ Sandbox collection & its coordinating SUMMER additions this week. I loved it when it first came out and I love it just as much today.

These are just PERFECT for scrapping all your summer photos and more! I love all the little doodled elements and her amazing word art pieces. And, you can grab it all NOW… because the Sandbox Collection is on SALE for only $4.75 for a limited time!  And, if you want to pick up the coordinating ADDITIONS - they are marked down to $2.75 for a limited time as well (the sale prices go away when we post our next Product Spotlight)!

Check out these AMAZING layouts by the Shabby girls!

Thanks so much for stopping by the blog today! Tomorrow we’ll be checking in with PROJECT SCRAP… until then, have a wonderful day! :)

rachelProduct Spotlight, Uncategorized 5 Comments

Hello everyone! Rachel here with my first Food Friday recipe for the Shabby Shoppe blog :)

I have a really quick and amazingly yummy jello dessert for you guys. It is always the first thing gone at family gatherings, and is just perfect for summer time! Seriously, this recipe could not be easier!  It does have a bit of waiting time in between, and you do have to make sure you don’t forget about it (or you will just get jello that won’t be pourable into the crust).  But, too early, and you will end up with mush. But it’s really not difficult, ANYONE can do this!!

Ingredients:

• 2 jello packages (orange jello is our fave)
• ½ cup melted butter or margarine
• ¼ cup sugar
• 2 cups graham wafer crumbs
• 1 tub of cool whip

Simple right?!  So you want to prepare the Jello according to the instructions on the box and set in fridge until it is almost set. While that is in the fridge - mix butter, sugar & graham wafer crumbs together. Place in an 8×8 cake pan/baking dish, and bake for 6-8 minutes.  Let it cool. When your jello is ready (you will know because it will be almost set but not completely… make sure it’s not runny either, as that will make your crust soggy), simply pour it over the crust. Place back in the fridge until totally set. When set, spread a layer of cool whip on, and then sprinkle graham cracker crumbs over the top. Keep in fridge until ready to serve. See - simple & OH SO GOOD!

Although this recipe is almost easy enough to commit to memory, I’ve created this cute (4×6″) recipe card for you to use at home. You can click HERE to download, or simply click the image below.  Hope you enjoy!

Thanks for stopping by the blog today…and have a WONDERFUL weekend!  We’ll see you back here on MONDAY for LOTW with SP!

rachelFood Stuff, Free (not desktops), Uncategorized 12 Comments