Let me show you how to use textured overlays!

Let me show you how I use textured overlays in Photoshop to create my own digital paper designs, and then you can experiment for yourself to see what effects you can come up with. 

Think of an overlay like a multi-media project in the physical world. You have a textured background, say a canvas that you've glued some tissue paper to, and now you want to paint a wash of color over they top. Well in Photoshop, you can not only create that layer of color, you can even give it different effects! Let me show you...

HOW TO ADD COLOR TO YOUR JPG TEXTURED OVERLAY:

1. Open the textured overlay in Photoshop.

2. Create a new layer (Layer>New Fill Layer>Solid Color), click OK on the new Color Fill layer

3. Grab your eye dropper tool and pick a color from the Color Picker window. Experiment! You've now created a layer of color over the top of your textured file.

4. With the new color layer active, go to the Layers palette and the pull-down menu at the top where you can set the blending mode for the layer. This enables you to create different effects between the two layers. Experiment to see which layer effect you like. Try the 'overlay' and 'lighter color' layers. You can also adjust the transparency if the effect is too severe.

Here are the results using one of my textured overlays from my new 'Art House Textures Collection'.

For more detailed instructions, see my book 'Create Your own Printable Scrapbook Papers', found in my Etsy store HERE.  You get 135 customizable vintage styled overlays in this book for personal and commercial use for just $13 - awesome value!

New CT at Jodie Lee! Meet Frank Garcia, and a chance to win!

Welcome, Frank Garcia to the Jodie Lee Creative Team!  Frank is an incredible paper artist with a very keen eye for design, and I just love the way his work combines textures, colors and patterns in such a unique, eclectic style!

I'm super excited to be working with Frank! You can check out all of his amazing creations HERE on his blog (http://www.magicscrapbook.blogspot.com/).  He has some has some really fantastic detailed project sheets to help you re-create some of his techniques.  For example, check out his felt flower and banner tutorial! ... and there are many more on his blog as well.

To welcome Frank, I am giving away the Nature Garden 6x6 paper pad - just perfect for card makers. Frank will choose the winner based on the best comment below!  Make sure you check back to see if you've won so we can get in touch and send out your prize! Get your comments in before May 18.

Welcome Frank!

And the winner is ...

And now ... to the winner of the 6x6 Fairy Belle Paper Pack ...  (Paul will announce).

"Thank you all for taking the time to say something complimentary. Karen Connor spoke to the creative restless side of me, the side that always wants to try something new and try something different. Congrats Karen."

Paul xx

Thank you everyone for your lovely comments welcoming Paul Browning to my Creative Team.   Paul isa talented paper crafter/artist who dabbles in digital and hybrid crafting as well. Be sure to check out Paul's BLOG at http://theartsiders.blogspot.com/ and add it to your list of crafting sites because he really has some great paper techniques to try.   

Karen, please email me so I can send you your prize and some extra little freebies in there too! Email: jodiepatterson (at) gmail.com   Make sure you add the @ sign in there :).

New CT at Jodie Lee: Meet Paul Browning ... and a chance to win!

Welcome Paul Browning to the Jodie Lee CT! :)

I'd like to introduce you to a very talented new friend of mine, Paul Browning from the UK - the first member of my new Creative Team. I haven't had a CT for a while, and so I thought it was time to invite some very special talents along for the ride, so we can hang out and create cool stuff together.

Paul is an awesome paper crafter and blogger from the UK that I discovered a little while back and I'm hugely excited we get to create some gorgeously shabby stuff together and get to know each other along the way - welcome Paul!! 

You can check out Paul and his crafting adventures at his blog here: http://theartsiders.blogspot.com/.

I'm sure you'll agree Paul has some really inspiring designs, and I love the way he walks his readers through some really unique paper crafting techniques!  I learn so much from this guy, and I know you will too...  Eat your heart out Tim Holtz! :)

One of the things I love about Paul's approach to crafting is he's adventurous enough to dive headlong into the digital and hybrid side of crafting as well.  He will download designs from my Jessica Sprague store,  print them out,  and then incorporate these papers into his creations. I think that's just awesome, and  I love how versatile and talented he is in his craft. No lazy crafter here! If Paul doesn't know how to do something, he will figure it out himself, then be gracious enough to share his secrets with us. Thank you Paul!

Here are some of Paul's wonderfully shabby creations below. Please be sure to leave some love for Paul here by commenting, and letting him know what an awesomely talented guy he is!  

I will send a 'Fairy Belle' 6x6 Paper Pack to the best comment below :)  Not because I want to bribe you :) ... but because I want to know what YOU think about Paul and his crafty talents :) Thank you everyone, xoxo.

New Digital Collection: Home Sewn

Do you remember exploring Grandma's sewing box as a child? It was always an adventure, wasn't it? There were old buttons, scraps of fabric, needle books, and rolled up measuring tapes. Sometimes cute, and sometimes kitschy, but always so intriguing! That's what my new 'HOME SEWN' digital scrapbook collection is all about. Check out the papers and embellishments ... and some really pretty layouts below designed by the Jessica Sprague Creative Team!

Grab the 'Home Sewn' Embellishments

Grab the 'Home Sewn' Papers

'Easter Sunday' by Miki 

'Sew Cute' by Margje

'Our Christmas Dresses' by GrantLaurensMom

'Lovely Little You' by miracles_momma

Awesome Jodie Lee Digital Layouts!

Thought you might like to see some more gorgeous layouts by some very talented artists using the Jodie Lee digital scrapbooking products over at www.JessicaSprague.com

'My Girls' layout by Kelly Mobley

Products used in this layout: 

Shabby Photo Textures II Sweet Heart Collection Vintage Postcard Frames/Blog Frames 1  Gypsy Canvas Textures Botanique Brushes Art House Textures 1

Fairy Belle is here! ... Check out my new Etsy store!

Hi everyone,

I've been a busy bee stocking up my new Etsy store with all the BRAND NEW Jodie Lee scrapbook papers and embellishments!

Take a peek! These hot little items have been selling out faster than stores can replace them, so if you see something you gotta have, grab it today :).  And yes,  I will combine shipping for you, and International customers ... my postage rates are as low as can be. I will create special listings for you and weigh each item to make sure you pay no more than you need to in shipping costs. I include a special little handmade gift in every order as well :)