The Graphics Garden

Forest Fairy

2010-08-29T14:20:00.001-07:00

Forest Fairy, originally uploaded by Cheryl Skinner portraits.

This image will be an intro to my changing business. I do love all kinds of photography, but to keep it different and more of a specialty, I have decided, for business, to keep it as follows: My goal for the commissioned clients will be to provide them with a dreamy, fantasy type or unique WALL PORTRAIT to begin with. Extra desk prints such as 8x10s or smaller will be an addition to my packages. We all value our time. I want to make both my time and my clients dollars well worth what each of us spend.
With that said, if you are interested in a beautiful 16X20 ready to hang portrait, planned out and custom designed to coordinate with any room, please email me from my web site!
http://www.cherylskinnerphotography.com

Hope

2010-06-05T15:55:00.001-07:00

Hope, originally uploaded by Cheryl Skinner portraits.

Some of my latest work.

TheShining

2010-06-05T15:29:00.001-07:00

TheShining, originally uploaded by Cheryl Skinner portraits.

In between client sessions I found to play a little bit here. You can't have two girls in the same house and just spend time with one, you know? This is Trinity's version. Thank You, Melanie DeFazio for the inspiration to try this. I hope you don't mind the copy cat. Your work is amazing.

Hope

2010-06-02T10:17:00.001-07:00

Hope, originally uploaded by Cheryl Skinner portraits.

I finally managed to pull off this shot after months of thinking about it, ever since I saw Melanie DeFazio's photo Stream. My attempt at another one will happen this week, if time allows. You can't have two grand daughters so close to home, and only spend time on one, so there will be more coming soon!

Kayla in Wonderland

2010-04-18T15:31:00.001-07:00

Kayla in Wonderland, originally uploaded by Cheryl Skinner portraits.

testing

Flickr

2010-04-18T15:29:00.001-07:00

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Flickr

2010-04-18T15:27:00.001-07:00

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Kayla in Wonderland

2010-04-18T15:20:00.001-07:00

Kayla in Wonderland
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Skinner portraits

I am doing a test here from Flicker. Seems like my photos are defaulting to the Graphics Garden Blog where I post more creations in digi design.. This isn't suppose to happen. Please bear with me, as I was going to actually catch up on blogger..

Kayla roams the Mustard plant hills

2010-04-18T15:15:00.001-07:00

Kayla in Wonderland
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Skinner portraits

Kayla roams the Mustard plant hills
The mustard plants must be at their all time high around this area, given all the recent rain we have had. The hardest part of shooting here, is that the hills are full of all kinds of critters as well, and its a bit hard to angle nicely without being higher than your subject. So I stood on an old fence that separates the road from the hills, and proceeded to hold my breath and aim, and balance. Clumsy ole me, of course, fell. After that hard fall and tweaking my body ( it seemed like it was all in slow motion!) enough to skin up my back and pull muscles, but save my lens which was headed right for the dirt, I didn't have to ask myself if it was worth it. It's always worth it when Kayla is my subject!! Look for more soon as I go through these.

Kayla roams the Mustard plant hills

2010-04-18T15:06:00.001-07:00

IMG_5700
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Skinner portraits

The mustard plants must be at their all time high around this area, given all the recent rain we have had. The hardest part of shooting here, is that the hills are full of all kinds of critters as well, and its a bit hard to angle nicely without being higher than your subject. So I stood on an old fence that separates the road from the hills, and proceeded to hold my breath and aim, and balance. Clumsy ole me, of course, fell. After that hard fall and tweaking my body ( it seemed like it was all in slow motion!) enough to skin up my back and pull muscles, but save my lens which was headed right for the dirt, I didn't have to ask myself if it was worth it. It's always worth it when Kayla is my subject!! Look for more soon as I go through these.

OFF TO VEGAS

2010-03-06T15:41:00.000-08:00

Some of you may be wondering where I have been. Its been a long road the last three months. My Mother board died right after the new year unfolded.. Im extremely grateful for the work the lord had given me in DEC. and for the computer holding out just long enough for me to skid into 2010!
It wont be long now until the new one arrives and I can jump right on into my Digital work again. I wanted to thank some special people in my life on this neglected blog before heading out to Vegas for WPPI tomorrow!!
First of all, Thank You so much, JE Neuhaus, for saving my life and retrieving my files from the ole hard drive!! That will be gas in my car, food in my mouth, etc. in the long run, when I can finally put some collages and hard bound books together for clients who have been so patient with me the last 3 months! Not only did my good friend and fellow photographer save my behind, but loaned me a computer to get by on!
I would like to also thank Amy Parrish for her purchase of my digital designs a while back. Amy was granted 3 Grand in Azuka Book products!! Please visit her blog to see her work : http://www.Amyparrish.com.
I am so excited to see some of my work in the Azuka sample book she made at the trade show at Azuka's booth. I just really want to express how honored I truly am to have her include my name in her upcoming presentation at the MGM Grand in VEGAS, BABY!! Woo hoo! I am excited and hope to run into some of my friends who are lucky enough to be there this year!( I am dragging my husband out to Vegas again just by the hair of my chinney chin chin..
When I get back, hopefully my new computer will have arrived, I can continue to add to my latest paper pack, and start shooting regularly with a faster, more efficient work flow. And yes, update my blog more frequently as well!!
See you soon!

The Graphics Garden: New Digi Paper Pack: The Grab Bag

2010-01-21T17:25:00.000-08:00

The Graphics Garden: New Digi Paper Pack: The Grab Bag
http://www.cherylskinnerphotography.com

New Digi Paper Pack: The Grab Bag

2010-01-21T17:10:00.000-08:00

Check out the newest 25 papers for your Valentines day cards or every day use! Papers are 12x12 jpg. files. for a closer view, check out the papers from my web site by finding me at http://www.cherylskinnerphotography.com
Find the featured Digi paper gallery from my portfolio tab. This pack is 20.00 for 25 papers!! I love the vintage ones, but there may be something for everyone here! That's a lot of paper and texture! Please email ldylites@aol.com to purchase this pack and we will go from there!

10x10 LayFlat WHCC Book

2009-09-23T23:33:00.001-07:00

10x10 LayFlat WHCC Book
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Skinner portraits

Linking from my Flicker Page. I will be adding more templates soon from my Pearl Paper Pack!

This collection of pages makes a beautiful lay flat coffee table book. I used photos from the cutest family and my favorite location to shoot, to showcase this sample. They, actually, were the inspiration for making this template.
The package includes 11 sides with both cover and dust cover and can easily be downsized to smaller size books, after inserting your photos. Clipping masks are included in the pages, and most elements are opened in layers for customizing.( I designed with blank templates for WHCC lay flat hinged book, 10x10).
This introductory collection is yours for $40.00 and is sent to you in a private link within 12 hours( usually sooner) upon clearance of payment. Please email your request to ldylites@aol.com OR graphicsgarden@aol.com.
Due to the digital nature of this product, no refunds will be given, but I will be glad to help if you need it!

New Pearl Paper Pack

2009-09-21T23:33:00.000-07:00

Introducing the Pearl Pack of papers. These are all in jpg. form, 300DPI and still look OK a bit larger, or combine them for a beautiful coffee table book or announcement cards. I am currently working on a coffee table book designed with a WHCC template, but when IM finished with that, the Pearl Papers are going to take a new form of their own! What can you do with them? They are named with Pearl because I think they would look really nice on Pearl paper!
This pack gives you 5 patterned papers, with texture, and there are a total of 8 solids or coordinating papers to accent with. ( Or vise versa of course!)
Email delivery or media fire links upon clearance of payment.. Total for this pack is 25.00. Please email Cheryl: Graphicsgarden@aol.com for your Pearl Pack to get started on your design!

CSVntgeDamaskoverlay3

2009-03-19T00:09:00.001-07:00

CSVntgeDamaskoverlay3
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Skinner portraits

And of course, the rose toned paper- free:: http://www.mediafire.com/file/25witf5iyzz

CSVntgeDamaskoverlay

2009-03-19T00:07:00.001-07:00

CSVntgeDamaskoverlay
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Skinner portraits

The vintage version to download free: http://www.mediafire.com/file/25witf5iyzz

CSVntgeDamaskoverlay2

2009-03-19T00:06:00.001-07:00

CSVntgeDamaskoverlay2
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Skinner portraits

Part of the small paper pack to download free: http://www.mediafire.com/file/leyn02dyz3o

CSDamaskoverlayOrig

2009-03-19T00:05:00.001-07:00

CSDamaskoverlayOrig
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Skinner portraits

This is tonight's play on my current set of papers. You can download these 4 papers here:http://www.mediafire.com/file/010zindmymn

A Very old bible

2009-03-17T15:33:00.001-07:00

Veryoldbible
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Skinner portraits

I wanted to get a feel for how Flickr and blogger work together. IM so proud to have found this book, which I didn't even realize was an old bible from long ago. Boy, I have not ever seen a book like this one. Its funny, I had noticed some very cool antique books in photo streams, and I was thinking to myself, " How cool would that be to find some at a garage sell!" And then I did! Fun!!
So you are welcome to use this for your personal art if youw ant. I have not had time to create something yet with it but IM sure I will find something!

Large Designer Matts are here!

2009-03-03T23:18:00.000-08:00

Finally Finished- The POSH COLLECTION

The first of these three files were designed at 24x34, which leaves a nice 2 inches on all sides for gallery wrapping!

Please visit our friends at Pixel2canvas for printing these if you want quality and perfection for your clients! Visit HERE to check them out!The backgrounds below are designed at 24x30

Below are three of the paper 12x12 files I made and used for the mats, which are included in this collection. Use them for your other template needs, greeting cards, blog headers, or to redesign a frame or mat of your own.

These designer mats are all hand made using brushes from Photo Shop CS3, which I made myself. You will not find these patterns elsewhere, since they are all custom made, and laid out into patterns. Original designs began at 24x30 inches so any standard size up to that will still look great. Patterns are not distorted when you size up!

The following two other layers are in the file above. All you will have to do is turn off the layers you don't want to use. It includes the white, an antique finish, and a greenish hue. Mix and match them, turn on and off the textured effects, and choose the finish you want before flattening with your photo.

The mat below is re sized to a square, but you will receive the file as a 24x30.

Clipping masks were used to sample some of the mats on my other pages, (Flickr, etc.) and some have a layer left in the file which has a clipping mask ready for you. If you are not familiar with using clipping masks, upon ordering, I will make that separate layer for you so you know where to put your image. I have included instructions in these files as well.

I am throwing this file in as well. choose your own frame or use one from the collection.

Lastly, this totally textured back ground is a share, since the texture was shot and shared by Playing With brushes on flickr. Here is a link to the 16x20

Paper Pack

2009-02-10T10:52:00.000-08:00

This is one of my favorite paper packs. I have had it made for a while now, but forget to post here. I am going to really try from now on to keep up with all the blogging and forums! Please don't hesitate to request something custom. If I can help, I will do just that!
As ususal, this pack comes in 12x12 300 DPI squares of delicious designs, and these are versitile ones for sure! Any of these can be incorporated easily into your other projects or mix and match the ones here for your creative digital projects.
I used one of the papers in this set as a frame on a large mat. Below is the sample:
Interested in the paper pack or large mat? Please email me at Graphicsgarden@aol.com

Designing a digital paper tutorial

2009-01-30T22:05:00.000-08:00

This is my very first tutorial, and tonight I am proud to post it (mostly because I finally learned how to do a screen shot in Photo Shop!) That is something I have wondered how to do for a very long time. Some of my friends who don't have as much time as I do have asked " How did you make that?" Well, I can say its never really planned out how the final paper will really look. Most of it is just playing around! I may have to go back and edit this tut. as well. I welcome your feed back!

Some established artist may design differently, but since I am a self taught crafty kinda gal, I just thought I would share with you how "I" do this. For the life of me though, I have no idea why so much of this is showing as a link, so it will have just do as shown.

First, I pull up a new canvas the color I want it to be. ( Or, you can just start with a white back ground and duplicate or make a new layer and then fill that in).OK, as you see I have duplicated my first layer and filled it in with green. Now, I open my brush pallet and make a few strokes on each corner. ( You can choose a new layer if you desire, to put in the new brush strokes.) Here is what my brush window looked like. Notice in the next screen shot, the little checks are checked so I can rotate my brush for the corners.)When you are happy with your brushes designs, you are ready for the next step. I added a new layer and chose a grungy brush to rough up the canvas a bit.
Next, I search for a texture. I chose a light colored rock . This is where the fun starts.With your move tool, drag it onto your canvas. I put it on top of all the other layers, since I want the brush strokes to be a little less blunt. Now stretch your texture over the entire canvas, covering all of the layers.Then, change the blend mode of that layer.( see right above here.) I usually scroll through all of the blending modes to see what look it may take on. Oh, the many choices! I could stop here, but if the night is young and I still want to play, I add a gradient to the background copy layer by opening the fx at the bottom of my layer pallet.I felt like pink, so I applied that.I saved this paper as is, since I thought it would make a pretty cool blog topper.
And then, I duplicated this, and added a pattern. To do this, click on the little fx again, and choose "Pattern overlay." I searched my patterns and applied a new one I made this week. Change the blend mode in the new pop up window as well as the opacity, until you are satisfied.I now have 2 different papers to add to my collection!
You can have them too, by late tonight, after Iupload them and post the link.
Ok, so how did I do?( I mean on the tutorial.) How can I improve? How do my screen shots look? Now that I can do that, or Those, I just may post a tutorial on how to make brushes. If you don't see me soon, that probably means IM editing a new session, ( And that is a good thing!)
Thanks for stopping by!
Here are links to the two papers:File name: 1212PaprDezne.jpg
Download link: http://www.mediafire.com/file/yzmmoanidzm

File name: 1StepFurther1212.jpg
Download link: http://www.mediafire.com/file/noywyzjhkd2

Photo Shop brushes- Planets

2009-01-29T15:00:00.000-08:00

These were created in CS3. They are big!

Please email me at Graphicsgarden@aol.com and I will send the link FREE. ( Please just title your email subject as "Space Brushes".) Thanks!

Digital paper

2009-01-29T13:57:00.001-08:00

This paper ( above) was designed with boys in mind, but of course you can use it for girls too!. All papers here are saved at 300 DPI and in jpg. form so you can just resize or crop to your liking for your scrap book, web or photo needs! There are 8 papers in this pack, all 12x12 inches. Need something custom made? Please contact me via email or please leave a comment! This pack- $10.00

And here is a Valentines pack ! If this isn't your style, check out my other papers. I think I am now officially paper design addicted! These as well, are 12in.x12., 300 DPI, jpg. flattened, and ready to use. This paper pack: $10.00

Here is a mixture of boy inspired papers, but these would also work well in invitations, templates greeting or blog pages for all ages! This pack: $10.00. Specs are same as above.

Valentines paper pack

2009-01-04T00:01:00.000-08:00

I wasn't going to post this paper yet until I had some templates created, but it looks like it just may be a bit popular so I am throwing it out there for a trial run, through Valentines day. I shared one from the pack on ILP so either visit there or email me for the link to that one!
In this pack, there are 5 JPG files saved at 300 DPI, ready for what ever you want to make. This paper is $10.00 for the pack.
I still dont have a buy it button. Sorry to be a pain, but upon payment via PayPal with an email to Graphicsgarden@aol.com stating the title of the paper, I will send an invoice and you will recieve the link to the whole pack.
Please check back for additions, such as Valentines greeting cards, or other templates!

Happy New Year!!

New paper, New template

2008-11-29T09:11:00.000-08:00

I made this patterned design a few days ago and have been working on new back grounds for the damask overlay. Boy, this one is fun! Here is a square template, which is down sizable to any size, since it was created with the 12x12 paper. I will be offering the whole set of papers soon, but for now, here's a flat greeting so you can get the sneak peak. ( Yes, I am a vintage freak!)

New elegant vintage paper

2008-11-18T17:27:00.000-08:00

And there it is- the template!! ( All made from two of these papers. This is very versatile, and has extra options for the front and the back, and can be used for so many occasions!) It is elegant enough for a very fancy event, vintage enough for an old fashioned greeting, and could be just perfect to show clients for their special Valentines card. Text left open for adding your own, of course. As always, these are saved at 300 DPI, appropriate for beautiful photo printing, as well as press print products. This template is designed for press print greeting cards.

This set comes in jpg. form, at 300 resolution, ready for card making, blog toppers, collage back grounds, etc. I stuck with one design this time,and added hues and colors I thought would work good together but the darker hues have a texture applied. The light ones are as is. I am digging this set!! Leave me a comment on what you would like to see from these papers as far as templates go, and I will make one up to share! ( Well, I will do my best.)
There are 11 in this pack- yep, IM feeling odd.. So $9.00 for now, gets all 11 papers, plus your requested template file.

Antique Xmas card 5x7

2008-11-16T22:42:00.000-08:00

This 5x7 card has two built in color options, one frame and clear tape. The text is left open for personalizing. It is great with toned images. This gorgeous back ground design with a personal photo and greeting will certainly stand out! This file was made in PS CS3 ready for press prints.
.25 inch. added on the top and bottom.

Single file card template: $6.00 until it is added to a set. Please email your request to Graphicsgarden@aol.com and file will be sent within one day upon receipt of payment.

Vintage Christmas card pack

2008-11-15T23:42:00.000-08:00

The Christmas vintage card template pack is here!

I have finally finished these as a set you can still order in time for this season for your clients! Order by the 10th of Dec. and I will include paper back grounds, 12x12. ( The red diamond and the 12 inch across Christmas holly trees!) Updated tonight and added a folded 5x7 to the set!( front, back and inside spread)
This whole set is just 30.00- and there's goodies inside! Follow the link to view the gallery with samples and more details.
http://cherylskinnerportraits.homestead.com/TheGraphicsGarden/VintageXmas_set/album/index.html

You will receive personal links to a private folder by the next day after payment is received via PayPal to ldylites@aolcom.

8x10 frame with 5x7 opening

2008-10-05T13:17:00.000-07:00

This frame is an 8x10 made from a paper I have here on the blog ( Look through the digital paper from the labels posted to see the whole set.) You can get it free by clicking the link below.
If you like the design, check out the posted labels for paper. This one is from a set of 12x12.
http://www.mediafire.com/?gykg9dyofnv

Collage

2008-09-27T21:38:00.000-07:00

I found this collage to be quite versatile by cropping, down sizing, and then placing on a new canvas for different size greeting cards. I shared on a forum tonight so I will share here as well! Download is free.
http://www.mediafire.com/?tyx4ti5mlyy

This one was downsized to a 4x6

This one is sized at 5x7 or 5.25 x 7.25 for safe press printing.

12x12 Paper set

2008-09-24T23:56:00.000-07:00

This set was created for those who like to make their own templates, greeting cards, blog headers, etc. These are loaded with textures and rich colors. Designed in CS3, saved at 300 dpi in jpg. files, ready for the creative mind. I have used a few for templates and cards, and I frequently visit this folder while designing. Here is a sample using one:

7 opening10x20 story Board

2008-09-24T12:14:00.000-07:00

This story board has 7 openings, on a 10x20 back ground. Made in CS3 with clipping masks, which makes it easy to insert photos, add your favorite paper to the back ground, or add color if desired. All of the elements are changeable/customizable. This file will be sent directly to you in a private link. Please email me with any questions. graphicsgarden@aol.com