How to Give Your Pictures a Summer Glow

I'm constantly asked how I tweak and edit my pictures, so I thought I'd post my favorite and one of the easiest to do!

Before

After

Step 1 
Start by 1st creating a new layer. Click on the adjustment layer button ( looks like this) and select Hue/Saturation. Adjust the Saturation to +25 or +30 and the lightness to +10 or +15 (depending on how light the original image is).

Step 2
Next create another adjustment layer using the Color Fill option. Select a pale yellow, set to Multiply at 80% Opacity and 80% Fill (adjust opacity and fill to your liking).

 Step 3
Create another Color Fill layer. Select a pale purple color, set to Lighten at 50% Opacity and 50% Fill (adjust opacity and fill to your liking).

Step 4
Create one more Color Fill layer. Select a light blue, set to Color Dodge at 50% Opacity and 50% Fill (adjust opacity and fill to your liking).

Step 5
Create a Gradient adjustment layer. Set the gradient from transparent to white, adjust the angle to your liking. Set to Soft Light at 80% Opacity.

Save and Enjoy. Remember that these are just guidelines, every image will be a little different. Don't be afraid to tweak, adjust or omit some of the steps as you see fit.

(Tutorial Source: The Design Nocture)

Maya Hayuk (FRIENDSHIP BRACELET: THE BALLAD OF NEVER FORGET ) via Show and Tell Gallery viaFossil Blog.

Washi Tape For Walls!

Waaaaay back when I first started this blog i wrote tons and tons about this japanese masking tape book I found. Well my dreams have finally come true! You can now cover your walls in mt tape!  Japanese wallpaper and flooring company, Sincol and Japanese washi masking tape company mt have joined forces to release a collection of giant masking tapes for interior use!  Serously folks, heaven! Via Hello Sandwich!

Summer Appetizer

I love appetizers, but in the summer months traditional appetizers seem so heavy to eat. The thought of eating mozzarella sticks, potato skins, etc. in 90 degree weather just doesn't seem to go together. When I found this recipe for strawberry-kiwi summer rolls, I couldn't wait to try it out. It is perfect for summer eating. Enjoy!

DIY: Update ur Bling

Bored with your accessories but trying to give your poor wallet a break? We've got a fun and easy idea for sprucing up your old chains.

Materials:

Scissors 

Bobby pins 

Old chain necklace or bracelet

Yarn

Directions:

Step 1.

Gather your materials and separate your yarn into 2 sections. Tie the two sections together keeping them separate.

Step 2.

Start by pulling one strand under and through the 1st chain link. You can use the bobby pins to help pull the strand through. Pull the second strand over the 1st, then under and through the same chain link.

Step 3. 

Continue by pulling the 1st strand over the 2nd one, then under and through the next chain link. 

Step 4.

Repeat step 2 and 3 until you've done the whole chain. Tie the ends together and cut off excess yarn. Enjoy your brand new necklace.

Proper (printable) Placement

Finally! a Printable Table Placement! Now I'm happy to know it wasn't only me that was unsure of what goes where. I'm pretty sure nobody notices when i make dinner parties but it always something I was curious about. 
See below how Mrs. Lillien's does it:


Perhaps you happened upon this little ditty I whipped up for TradHome - a piece in which I unfold the mystery behind the tabletop's unknown. After endless inquiries and plenty of polite requests - I've whipped up a proper printable placemat for your honorary table guests! With piles of elusive utensils, it's difficult to decipher - so I diagramed a proper place setting map to use as an advisor. These handy little guides make for a highly spirited table - I even included a little place card for guest names that the hostess can label. I invite you to print them out and use them to your hearts content - I hope you enjoy them one-hundred percent! Be sure to load your printer with good paper stock that's 11 x 17 - so that you can print out the proper-est placemat you ever did seen!
Download + Print Mrs. Lilien's Proper {printable} Placemat
Happy Weekending!

How to: Create Sparkly Effects in your Photos

We've mentioned "Bokeh" here before - it's a photography technique that involves, basically, interesting blurring. (In fact, the term comes from the Japanese word boke-aji, meaning, "blur quality.")

MAKE's Matt Richardson has a great how-to video showing you how easy it is to create bokeh effects in any shape you like - all you need is an SLR camera, some black paper and a craft knife.
If you'd like to see lots more bokeh examples, Flickr abounds with bokeh groups.

A little goody to celebrate the first day of Summer & whet your appetite for Samantha Hahn’s upcoming solo show in the fall at gallery hanahou. There's some beautiful pieces. View & download all wallpapers here

For all you Crafters

Cross-Stitched Iphone Covers!.. Yup I totally just bought one.. 

http://connectdesign.co.kr/front/php/product.php?product_no=170&main_cate_no=1&display_group=2

DIY: Friendship Bracelets

Lets be Friends!

Instructions here.