Thursday 16 February 2012

Altered matchboxes and PSE tutorial

HI Everyone

I have been out today to see my sis and we had some time to finish a project we started back last November, but more about that another day.


It was fabulous to have Shirley (FSC), Irene, Claire and Amber come round for some crafty time together last night. 
Irene had been collecting matchboxes, so our challenge was to alter one in any way we wanted. 
We had great fun chatting whilst creating and making and the pics tell the story.

Left to right - Irene, Shirley, Amber and Claire.








You can see both the inside and outside of the boxes.

The girls did very shabby chic styles using gesso, paints, inks, fabrics as well as music paper.
Mine was more grungy and is meant to look like a suitcase - that's because I know exactly who this is for, but I can't share who that person is at the moment.

I think you'll agree everyone did a great job altering their matchbox, we had such great fun.


Yesterday I showed some photos with faded edges. I decided I wanted to learn how to do this and have found several ways of experimenting to get the sort of style I like. Sue asked if I would do a tutorial to show how I had done it. So here goes, I am using Photo Shop Elements 7.

1. Open the photograph you want to use; crop and edit.

2. Select the Eliptical Marquee Tool.

3. Click the image in the top left hand corner and drag to the bottom right hand corner to get the shape you want to work with.

4. Go to Select on the top menu bar and click 'Feather', then enter a radius amount. play with different numbers to see what effects you can achieve. Press ok.


5. Go to Select again and then click on 'Inverse' and ok.

6. Go to Edit and click 'Fill Layer' - here you can choose what you want for colour etc. I had my background set on white so I chose that.


7. Save your new photo with a different name so that you don't lose your original.


This one was feathered at 75 pixels


This was was feathered at 50 pixels.

I hope you find this useful Sue. As you can see I haven't used any brushes at all using this technique.

Have a good end of the week and thanks for stopping by today.

hugs {brenda} xox


Photobucket

29 comments:

Irene said...

Didn't we all make an excellent job of our matchboxes, I think I was the only one who didn't finish, to busy chatting and having a good time.I have to say your suitcase is fantastic,really does look like an old battered suitcase, I love it. We all had a brilliant time Brenda, thank you.
Irene xx

Suze Bain said...

Love the matchboxes, I'm really inspired to have a go. (alas, I don't have photoshop!) xx

Unknown said...

WOW Loving the matchboxes, they are all stunning, thanks for sharing them xx

Lisa Jane said...

oh wow everyone looked to be having so much fun - and those matchboxes are fabulous .. i cant chose a favourite .
Lisa x

cheryl said...

oh Hun,those boxes are all amazing loving all the different elements you have all used great too see all different styles too hugs Cherylxxxxxxx

Terry said...

What a fun way to do some crafting - with friends!! All of you ladies did such amazing alterations of those matchboxes! Wow! Each one is so unique! Great job with the tutorial and I know the only way I will ever learn photo editing is to DO IT! Have fun!

Laney said...

wow your match boxes are fabulous!!
I'm always inspired Brenda when I've been on your blog...got to get some now LOL!!
hugs
laney

Meggymay said...

Looks like you had a great time crafting together, the boxes are all fabulous. Thanks for the tutorial, its one of those things I keep putting even trying.
Yvonne x

trisha too said...

Well that looks like so much fun, what a great group, and the boxes look fab!

:)

Scrumplescrunch said...

Hello Brenda
Thank you so very very much for the
PSE Tutorial.
I follow all you do up until 'Edit-Fill Layer.
I was going to the Paint Bucket Tool!
I take it you made a new Layer before you started editing?
Okay all that is left for me now is to give it a go, I will let you know how I fair.
Also, just love your grungy matchbox Brenda.
Smiles:)

Yvonne Garner said...

Hi Brenda! Thanks so much for sharing your get together and the beautiful resulting altered match boxes! You have my interest peaked on PSE! Have a fabulous weekend. Best wishes, Yvonne

Helen said...

Your group of matchboxes are fabulous, and I love them all, but your suitcase is wonderful. Looks like you all had a great evening.

Ann B said...

Love all the altered matchboxes and your shabby suitcase one is an idea I may 'borrow'.
Have done the tiny boxes before - did a tiny diorama in one but need to have a play at the bigger ones - more scope.

May said...

Love Those matchboxes, fabulous idea, and each one was fantastic, Thank you Brenda on photo tutorial must give that a try, Hugs May x x x

Anonymous said...

The matchboxes are wonderful, everyone with their own style.
Wishes
Lynne

Anonymous said...

All of the match boxes are stunning! Looks like you had a wonderful crafty time together. I haven't got PSE but your tutorial has given me food for thought, thanks Brenda ! Sue C x

Cath Wilson said...

The matchboxes look wonderful - great project. Haven't done one for years but they look so tempting ... x

Siobhan Fyffe said...

Looks like you had fun creating all those lovely boxes. I have never tried this sort of thing but your examples have certainly got me thinking.
Thanks too for the lovely comments you leave on my blog.
Siobhan x

Asia King (aka Joanna K) said...

Gorgeous matchboxes!!! I want to play too!!!! :)) Have a great weekend! xx

Silvia(Barnie) said...

Wow, your matchboxes are breathtaking, the look fabulous.
Have a nice weekend.

anna christensen crafts said...

Wow, these matchboxes are brilliant! I love them all, your suitcase is fabulous! Have a great weekend Anna xx

Unknown said...

Wow all of them are so creative & so very different too. Glad you all had a great time,. certainly looks like you did. x

Martina said...

OMG, Brenda! This altered matchboxes are fantastic. Beautiful created!

Wish you a nice weekend.
Hugs
MARTINA

Joan said...

looks like you all had a great time,fab matchboxes. I had PSE on my old computer, got paint shop pro on here and don't know how to do anything on it !

Gerri Herbst said...

Wonderful time together! Love the matchboxes. Thank you for showing the tut..I really must start using Elements.take care, gerri

Mrs.B said...

Looks like you all had great fun, and very productive! Stunning matchboxes.
Haven't got PSE... but maybe I need to have a look.
Avril xx

Lindsay Craftymonster81 said...

Hiya, was just having a little nose through some of your posts that I missed when I was out of action, gorgeous matchboxes and a fantastic tutorial TFS.

Lindsay xx

Val said...

These look gorgeous. Love all the different styles.

Thanks so much for the tutorial. Will have a go.

Hugs
Valxx

Lisa said...

I really like your altered matchbox. In fact they all looked lovely! I found your site from Gerri's blog. Your Artist Trading Block was gorgeous. Wasn't that such a fun challenge? It was a first for me, but I really enjoyed it.