Saturday, August 18, 2007

-Grunge Overlays 2



My newest freebie. My second set of grunge overlays. Each overlay is 12 by 12, 300 dpi, and in png format. I hope someone can use them.
If you'd like to download, just visit the link below.

Download Here

Huggles, 1 Dizzy Dame

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

-Stripe Pattern Overlays



My newest freebie. Set contains 8 different striped paper overlays. Feel free to use commercially if you want. No link back required, but as always, is appreciated.

If you would like to download the set, just visit the link below.

Download Here

Huggles, 1 Dizzy Dame

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

-Groovy Grunge Overlays


My newest freebie for you. These are my new groovy grunge paper overlays. Set includes 8 different textured/grungy paper overlays. Each overlay 12 by 12, 300 dpi, and in png format.
You may use my overlays commercially. No link back required, but appreciated.
Be sure to check out my new tutorial on how to create your own grunge paper overlays. I'm sure you'll find it easier than many of the other's that are out there.
If you'd like to download this freebie, just follow the link below.


Download Here

Huggles, 1 Dizzy Dame

-Creating Grunge Paper Overlays [my way]

:: Creating Grunge Paper Overlays [my way] ::

This tutorial written in Photoshop,
but can be done in PSP, as well.
Tutorial written for advanced users,
as there are no screen shots available.
After learning how to create paper pattern overlays,

I decided I was going to learn how to create
texured/grunged/scratched overlays.
I wasn't giving up until I figured out an easy way to do this.
I tried to follow different tutorials with brushes etc,
but they just didn't work for me.
It didn't matter how much I played with it, I just didn't like the outcome.
So, here we are, creating grunge the easy way.

The first thing you need to do, is find some free large textured images.
The bigger the better, because it's easier to size down in my opinion,
than it is to size up.

Let's Begin!

Begin by finding a nice textured image on the net.
[A free one or pay one, that is safe to use].
You can use an image that has a lot of texture,

scratches, grunge [the sky's the limit] here.
Once you find one you want, open it up in Photoshop.

Duplicate it, and close out the original.
We are going to resize it.
If your image is too big or too small, we'll fix this.
The image I'm using is larger, so I will be sizing down.
Go to image in your main tool bar, click on Image Size,

a box will pop up with all the image information.
In the area where it says: Document Size,

we will be changing some settings in there.
Change the width and height to 12 inches, 300 dpi.
Look down below that and make sure these settings are the same:
constrain proportions unchecked, resample image checked,
bicubic,and click okay. Now your image has been resized.
It may not look like much, but we have a few more things to do.

Next we need to greyscale our image. It needs to be in black and white.
Go to Image, adjustments, desaturate. PSP users, you can do this step

by simply going to Image and choosing greyscale.
Your image should now be black and white.
Next we are going to define our image to make the effect of our overlay better.
Go to Image, adjustments, but this time choose curves.
Play with the curves until you get a look you like, dark or light, and very defined.
PSP users, for this step you can create the same technique by going to Adjust, brightness/contrast, choose curves.
You're almost done!

Next create a new layer on top of your grunge image.
Flood fill this layer with a color of your choice.
Take your fill value down about 50 percent,
this depends on the lightness or darkness of the paper you are trying to achieve.
Play with your settings on that layer.
Change to hard light, overlay etc. just whichever effect
you think looks best.
Delete your colored layer, and save as a png.

And guess what?
You've created yourself your very own grunge overlay,
but we aren't done yet.
Make a folder in your documents where you wish
to save your own overlays.
And yes, it's now time to save!

Another great tip for this tutorial is to open
two different grunge images, and
do the same steps for both images,

drag one image onto the other.
Play with your fill values and overlay settings

to achieve tons of different looks!
Merge the two or more layers together, and save your new overlay.
Also, don't forget you can add your patterns,
to make a patterned grungy paper!
Isn't that cool, all the things you can do

when you're in the mood to create?!
I hope you've found this tutorial easy,

and more importantly, fun and helpful.
If you use my tutorial,

I would love to see what you create.
If you have any questions or comments,
post me here or in my shoutbox.


Huggles, 1 Dizzy Dame

©Dizzy Damez Designz, 2007.

Monday, August 13, 2007

-Digital Scrapbooking Sizing Tips

When I first started trying to create digital scrapbook items,
I was so confused about sizes. This is what I learned with all my questions.
I thought this might be helpful to you newbies.

Size for Papers: Papers should always be created 12 by 12, for digi scrap purposes, and should be 300 dpi for better printing quality. However, if you are making papers for taggers, you can vary the size and make them smaller, also they only have to be created at 72 dpi. Papers should be saved in jpg format.

Sizes for embellishments: Embellishments should typically be at least 1/2 inch, 300 ppi, and 300 dpi. Breaking this down in pixels it would be approximately 150 by 150 pixels. If you wanted a 2 inch embellishment, it would be 600 by 600 pixels, and 300 dpi. Keep in mind, that your embellishment size should match the size of your papers, so they look realistic enough to match in size. [In other words, if you are making a paper clip, you want it to look approximately the size it would look if you were actually making a scrapbook page]. Again, if you are making embellishments for taggers, you can make them bigger or smaller, and they only need to be saved in 72 dpi. Embellishments should always be saved in png format, this allows your embellishment to remain on a transparent background when needed.

Sizes for Overlays: Overlays for papers should be 12 by 12, 300 dpi, black/whites/grays, and saved in png format.

Ribbon Sizes: Ribbons should be 17 inches high by as wide as you want your ribbon to be. Some of the typical sizes of ribbons include, but are not limited to: 1/4-inch (.25), 3/8-inch (.375), 1/2-inch (.5) and 5/8-inch (.625).


Sizes for Scrapbooking Page Templates: Sizes are typically created in: 12×12, 10×8 and 8.5×11. Templates are typically saved as png, 300 dpi, and are usually layered.

I'll share more tips as I find them.

Huggles, 1 Dizzy Dame

-Going Dotty Paper Pattern Overlays



My newest freebie for you. As you can see, I've went all [dotty] creating pattern overlays. I've made tons. There are 7 dotty paper pattern overlays in this zip. Each pattern 12 by 12, 300 dpi, and in png format. And guess what? You can use these patterns commercially. I'm not asking for a link back, but if you use them it would be appreciated.

All patterns zipped together, and may take some time to download, so please be patient. If you'd like to download, please visit the link below.

Download Here

Huggles, 1 Dizzy Dame

:: My Wish ::


Money to Start my Own Graphics Business Online


Money to Start my Own Graphics Business Online

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