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Nutmeg

Karen Chandler

By Karen Chandler

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Having Hope Collection, TCS

Back Porch Collection, BMU

Flowering Flourishes Collection, GHU

SS_EMBTemp_Stapled Ribbon, SBA

SS_Embellishment Templates: Blossoms and BloomsTwigs, BHA

Resolutions_Transparency, SNU

Mossy Collection, BMU

Dynamic Brush Set; Bugs 7301 Biggie, TYO

SS_Tools_Styles: Aged Metals, BMU

SS_Tools_Styles: Old Metal, DEB

SS_Tools_Styles: Basic Shadows 6501, SBA

SS_Tools_Actions: Magnetic Poetry, MRE

Fonts, LD Becca, TXT Antique Poster, P22 Typewriter

 

Journaling: On sunny days, you like to stretch out on the front porch swing. It is the perfect place for you to enjoy the neighborhood activity or take a nap and dream your dreams.

 

My inspiration: This little stray cat has brought so much pleasure to my parent’s lives. She was quite ill when they rescued her. Even though they were ill too, they took care of her and helped her recover completely. This photo of Nutmeg relaxing in the sun reminds me of the powerful bond that can be formed between humans and animals and the ways that bond can provide healing.

 

Instructions: First, I duplicated the photo. On the original photo, I created a hue/saturation layer, choosing a green color with increased saturation to emphasize the eyes. Next, I ran the BW Sketch It action on the duplicate photo. Then I dragged the sketched photo on top of original photo, above the hue/saturation layer. Next, I added a white layer mask on the sketched photo and set the foreground color chip to black. I chose a soft round brush and brushed the eyes to reveal bright green. Next, I duplicated the bottom photo layer and dragged it to the top of the layers panel. I added a black layer mask, selected a white soft round brush and brushed the cat (except the eyes) to reveal the original color. I flattened the layers and dragged the photo onto the background paper.

 

Next, I duplicated the background paper and set the blend mode to multiply. Then I duplicated the photo twice, setting the blend mode of the bottom photo to pin light, middle photo to hard light, top photo to normal. Then I added a black layer mask to the top photo and brushed the cat with a white brush set to opacity 65% to reveal some of the increased contrast from the lower layers.

 

Then to add subtle color and texture to the BW photo, I duplicated the background paper layer and dragged it above the top photo layer and set the blend mode to multiply. Above this layer, I added the transparency to create distressed edges on the background. Then I arranged the botanical embellishments, buttons, journaling block, and ribbons. I typed the title and added the bee brush, adding a metal style to both the title and bees for color and dimension. I used the drop shadow action to add shadows to all embellishments. Then I ran the Magnetic Poetry action with the cat's nickname and stapled it to the lower ribbon.

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Recommended Comments

AggieB

What a great job of blending - I can't tell where the picture stops & the layout begins. This is such a nice, sunny layout. I love it and your Nutmeg is a real cutie.

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Cheri T

This is absolutely beautiful! Gorgeous cat photo, and love that little bird with the worm in its mouth and all the little touches you used.

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Karen Chandler

Chambray - I just happen to have written instructions! I wrote it months ago when I submitted this for publication (it was not chosen). It took a lot of steps to accomplish my goals with this photo! There was little color contrast between the porch swing and the kitty, so I changed the photo to black and white, added a mask and brushed the kitty to reveal the original color. I experimented with blending a lot too!

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HisThao

Karen, this is so beautiful and perfect! I really like how you treated the background image around your cat. What a splendid layout to showcase Nutmeg (adorable name too). :wub:

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Ngaire

Oh Karen it seems like such a time since I have seen any of your LO's!! It is so nice to see your beautiful work again. This is just remarkable! Nutmeg looks such a happy and healthy cat!!

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lorac

Nutmeg is too adorable. Love the background paper and all of the elements that you used. I just love how she is relaxing quite comfortably on the chair. However, all the while watching the bird and just waiting.

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CRS

The kitty is so cute (looks like a thinner version of our cat). I love the embellishments and the work you did on the blending and modes is wonderful!

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LauraPM

This is so pretty, I had to put it in my favorites. It really is stunning! And thank you for explaining what you did. As a newbie it really helps! TFS

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Mlady Di

I love the texture of the swing showing and the subtle colors that add without overpowering. We also have a green-eyed grey Tabby. Thanks for the instructions on how you achieved the look. It works very well.

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