Before we totally write off last year, let’s reminisce. It’s a joy to look back through my archives and files, seeing the projects and pictures, the things we’ve done here, the things we’re created. Lots of work but so many memories. I could chatter on about so many but I’ll keep it short.
The number one post for 2015 was all about the sprinkles, by a landslide. The edible sprinkle bowls were far and away the favorite of the masses but that’s easy to understand. Sprinkles are colorful and fun. You scream, I scream, we all scream for (sprinkle) ice cream (bowls), right?! :) Here are the top 10:
1. edible sprinkle bowls
2. national decorate your home week
3. painted fabric pouch
4. pillow beds
5. party hats for plastic animals
6. nested bowls
7. homemade coffee creamer
8. edible chocolate bowls
9. no-sew napkins
10. family art collage
Remembering is fun, but let’s learn something cool too, okay?
I’m self-taught on Photoshop and a few other Adobe Suite applications. I’ve learned to use the programs to fulfill the needs I have and I learned it all through excessive Googling and YouTube videos. Some actions and processes were a cinch but others took more research (and repeated reading) to fully understand. I think the most challenging part for me was coming up with terms for what I wanted to do. My Google search history is full of funny phrases. Haha!
One of my favorite Photoshop actions is making transparent letters. Or punched-out letters or stencil letters. It’s when the fill of text is removed and then the fill of text is made by layering the punched out letters over an image or images, like I did for the Top Ten 2015 image above. Cool, right? Let’s do it.
First, pick an image. The image can either be a stand along (meaning, the background) or it can be layered on a background.
Next, create a shape on top of the image. Any shape works.
Then create text. Any font is usable however, thick, blocky letters will offer the larger openings.
To make sure the correct layers work together, highlight the coordinating shape and text, right click on the shape layer (not the text) and click Group From Layers.
You can name it or not. Click ok.
From there, open the group, right click on the text layer and choose Blending Options.
On the Blending Options pop-up, on the Knockout drop down menu, choose Shallow.
Additionally, adjust the Fill Opacity to 0%.
Click okay and it’s done.
From here, the text can be edited, adjusted or completely rewritten. This is a very basic letter manipulation action but I love it.
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I’m always interested in learning something new so tell me: what is your favorite action in Photoshop?
