Create a Silhouette of Your Kiddo Using Photoshop

I have wanted to try creating silhouettes of my girls and this is what I came up with.

I remember doing these as kids. We would place a flashlight on the edge of a counter or chair, stand in front of it to cast our profile onto a paper hanging on the wall. Then someone would trace our shadow, it was not a perfect system. Depending on how close you were to the flash light your silhouette could end up pretty big, too far away and it would be smaller but fuzzy and some detail would be lost.

One day I was working at the desk and I caught a glimpse of LadyA with her cute pony tail. That's it! I'll do a silhouette for her, she will love it, we can even use it for Christmas ornaments. And she did!

There are a lot of ways to go about creating a silhouette. Here is how I did it on my computer with Photoshop. I am by no means a top expert but I am excited to share with you some of the techniques and keyboard shortcuts I use.

Did you know that Amazon has a section for Subscription Software? I know, I had no idea either!! Right now they have a free 30 day subscription for Adobe Photoshop then you can go month to month or do a 12 month subscription.

Warning: this project could take a little bit longer than you think as you follow along the first time, but then you will be a professional and can wiz through making the next ones, just like when I thought you how to bring a cut file from Adobe Illustrator into Silhouette Studio.

Alright, here it is. This might be a bit long but I am trying to be VERY thorough.

: : : : : : : : How To : : : : : : : : 

1. Once the kiddo has their hair done and a shirt on {if you want a collar at the base of their neck} have them stand in front of a contrasting background. Our backdrop was a yellow set of drapes, the light coming in helped create a good contrast. The problem area was the end of the ponytail and the moving boxes but the rest of the image has a great contrast.

   

2. Upload and open the image in Photoshop.
Change the levels of the image.
Go to: --> Image --> Adjustments --> Levels

Use the Input Levels grid to play with the contrast of the your image by moving the black and white levels to the middle until you like the contrast achieved.

NOTE: At some point you will need to unlock the photo layer. Double click on the layer, set color to 'None' and click ok. This will allow parts that need to be deleted, to be completely removed instead of just changing it to an overall color wash.

3. Change the image to Black & White.
Go to: --> Image --> Adjustments --> Black & White.
Change the different levels until you get a good contrast. I changed the yellow because of the drapes and red to increase the contrast with her skin.

4. Now use a combination of the Rectangular Marquee Tool and the Magic Wand Tool to select all the background image that is not needed.

*First use the Rectangular Marquee Tool to select the big parts of the image that will be deleted.

*Now use the Magic Wand Tool and click around the image to finish selecting background. This helps to select items with odd shaped edges, ie: around the face and hair.

NOTE: After making the first initial selection with the Rectangular Marquee Tool, hold down 'shift' on the keyboard. This will allow you to add more to the original selection.

NOTE: If you select something that you do not want selected {which can easily happen using the Magic Wand}, release the 'shift' key and press CTRL Z to undo your last step. Then press 'shift' again to continue selecting the background.

5. It's time to fine tune the selection. At the bottom of the toolbar click the Edit Mode button. I like this to help fine tune my selections. Using the Paintbrush with either black or white {change the size of the brush stroke up at the top left side of your screen or I use the '[' and ']' on the keyboard to decrease or increase the size of the brush.

When white is being used, anything you click on will clear the pink away. If black is being used than anything you click on will appear in pink.

Click on the Edit Mode button from the side tool bar to go back to the Standard Mode.

6. Click the 'delete' button on the keyboard and everything that is selected will be removed. Then turn off the selection by clicking CTRL D on the keyboard.

Use the move arrow to move the silhouette if you would like to where you want it on the page.

Create a new layer and move to the bottom of layers.
--> Over on the layers tool box is a little button on the bottom to create a new layer then just drag the new layer to the bottom of the stack.

NOTE: Because the photo layer is unlocked, the background will be completely cleared. This will allow you to do some other edits but we will not get into them right now.

Use the paint bucket to drop white {or color of your choice} into the bottom layer.

NOTE: Make sure you have selected the correct layer that you want to work on to finish the project.

7. Create a new layer. Make sure it is the top layer.

While on the original image layer use the Magic Wand to select the empty space around the silhouette image. Then change the selection to the inverse.
Go to: --> Select --> Inverse

Switch to top layer, use the paint bucket and black {or color of your choice} to drop black into the selected silhouette space.

Deselect silhouette.

Now you can go in with the eraser or paintbrush and help fine tune any areas that might need it.

Now you are done!!

When I save my files for a project like this I will save it as a .jpg to print as well as a PSD. The PSD file will keep the different layers and then I can go in and try different things on it if I want to, such as adding text, color, etc.

NOTE: Be sure to save your image as you go along so that you won't loose any of the work you have already done.

Don't forget to stop by Amazon to check out their Subscription Software and get a free 30 day trial of Photoshop.

The great thing about doing this project digitally is that you can use the silhouette in so many different ways. Share your silhouette project with me in Instagram. Be sure to tag me in your post and add #PhotoShopSilhouette.

Bringing a Cut File from Adobe Illustrator into Silhouette Studio

I was so excited when I got my first Silhouette Portrait. There were visions of projects dancing in my head, now I had a great tool to help them come to pass. 

When I first tried playing around in the Silhouette Studio I found the program a bit limiting, as far as being able to create my own unique projects. Adobe Illustrator is a program I have been using for years, some for school and some just for fun, and so I was much more familiar with it and believe I can do so much more {design wise} with it. Now the trick is figuring out how to get those AI files into Silhouette Studio to cut.

There is a plug-in that can be purchased now but I got familiar with this technique before that was available, and this way is free, so I will just keep doing this technique.

MATERIALS/SUPPLIES
Cardstock to fit the size of your cutting machine

TOOLS
Computer
Silhouette Machine

Adobe Illustrator {I am using CS5}

INSTRUCTIONS
Make sure your artboard in Adobe Illustrator is the same size as the cutting board in Silhouette Studio {ie. 8.5" x 11" or 12" x 12" etc.}. Create an image using a line weight of 1 pt, making sure not to double and triple your lines. It can get tricky doing a project with so many curves, if the design is kept simple it will transfer over to Silhouette Studio more easily. I would recommend playing around with a couple of shapes first: ie, circle, square, triangle etc.

Once the design is created it is time to get it ready and export from Adobe Illustrator.

• Make sure to save your file  ex. ~ Hearts Cut Lines.ai
• Clean up your file and remove everything except the line{s} you want transferred to Silhouette Studio to be cut.
• On a different layer create an outline of the entire artboard area {ie. 8.5" x 11" or 12" x 12" etc.}. This will force the image to be placed on the cutting board area in the exact location it is in from the artboard area {Illustrator} when transferred to Silhouette Studio. This box will also help check that everything is proportionate once brought into Silhouette Studio.

To export:

• File --> Export to save your image as a DXF file {AutoCAD Interchange File}

Settings:

• AutoCAD Version: 2004/2005/2006
• Click "Scale Line Weights"
• Artwork Scale 1 inch = 1 inch {this is what keeps your art work the right size}
• "True Colors"
• "Raster to PNG"
• "Preserve Appearance
• No other options should be selected.
• "OK"

Merging your DXF file into Silhouette Studio

Merging Preferences:
Click on "Silhouette Studio" in the top bar, from the drop down menu choose "Preferences". The menu will open to the right of your cutting area. 

*If using a PC "Preferences" will be found under the "File" drop down.

Settings:

• General ~ Unit of Length = inches; Dimensions = click
• Defaults ~ default fill style = outline only; Blade Type = cap blade
• Import Options ~ When Importing DXF = centered, make white lines black, join lines into polylines
• Click on "Apply"

To Merge:

• File --> Merge; select your DXF file you created in the previous step

Your lines should appear centered on the cut area in Silhouette Studio. By selecting the outline created in Illustrator that outlined the work area, you can make sure that the scale stayed true. Simply select it and check the measurements, ie 8.5" x 11" or 12" x 12" etc. If it's all correct, then go a head and delete it.

If your lines don't show up after merging them, try zooming out. I have found that a lot of times I may have missed a simple step and when the DXF file comes in, it is HUGE and you have to zoom way out to see it! Just go back to Illustrator and export again and double check all the settings.

If there is any last minute finagoling that needs to happen, now is the time.

Then simply cut like normal.

The original post I got all this wonderful information from can be found here. They talk about how to create a print image in Illustrator and cutting it with a Silhouette after printing it.

Next I will put together a tutorial with simple techniques about designing in Illustrator for when it will be transferred into Silhouette Studio.

Here are some other projects I have done using this technique.

  

If you have any questions on this tutorial, please leave me a not in the comments. I would be happy to help you be able to create your projects any way I can.

Mothers Day Donation Digital Downloads

  Here are the latest Digital Downloads for Donations

 

Digital Download Fundraiser!

My husbands cousin, Hunter, is a young man {14 years old} who loves his family and being a brother to an older and younger sister and one younger brother. He is very spirited and enjoys to play games and play jokes on people. At eighteen months old his Dr.'s diagnosed him with Cystic Fibrosis Pancreatitis, that causes him daily pain. He had to have a Total Pancreatectomy with Auto Islet Transplant, in short, that means a full day of surgeries. Check out his page on FaceBook to read more about his story.

Hunter and his mom were in Minnesota for a few months while Hunter had surgery and has been recovering. It has been a long road to recover, meanwhile, he has had multiple other surgeries do to complications and the bills are adding up. The surgery takes a year to recover and the family needs to raise money for medical expenses.

Hunter and his mom made the long drive home to Utah a couple weeks ago. As I have followed them, thinking about what Jen has done as a mother, well, very inspirational. Hunters family is doing what they can to help lift some of the financial burden for Hunters parents. Because we are in Connecticut we haven't been able to participate in the fundraiser dinners, benefit concerts or other activities I have come up with another way for us to help. For Mothers Day I have designed cupcake toppers and other printable pages that you can purchase, the money from this will go toward Hunters medical bills. I love these little tags because they can be used for so many different things: cupcakes, party favors, cards, scrapbook/memory albums, the list goes on.

Just go to my Donations tab, choose which set of tags you want, enter your donation amount then checkout. You will be emailed a link for an instant download. Come back again to check out my next Digital Downloads for Donations that will be available for Hunters fight.

Christmas Chalkboard Art

Lately I have seen some really cute chalkboard art. Baby announcements, quotes, kid art etc.

I thought I would give it a try and love how it turned out. You can make your own too. I downloaded the chalkboard backgrounds from here. I put mine together in Photoshop but you can create it in Picasa just as well.

Simply open the chalkboard background in the color of your choice, then add your text on top. If you would rather, you can download mine and print so you can add it to your own Christmas decorations.

 

Pauls Graduation Announcement

I love that my husband is graduated now and has the drive to continue on in school. Not going to lie, I'm a bit nervous about moving ALL the way across the country pregnant and having our first so far away from my family and the familiar. But, here's to a great new adventure.

We had some personal info on there so I had to tweak it a little bit to put it out there for everyone to see. But here is Paul's graduation announcement. I love how it turned out and while I might be a little biased, I think he is a pretty handsome guy. He will also be a great dad!!

Neapolitan Floral Wedding Invitation

I designed my own wedding invitations and this one is a take off of it. The colors definitely remind me of Neapolitan ice cream. With the soft colors the design is simple and elegant while still remaining sophisticated. The font color for the names is taken from the photo to keep a consistent color scheme.

With the purchase of this listing, you will receive the high quality 300 dpi digital jpeg file that you can print yourself.

The announcement measures 5x7 inches but can be formatted to a 4x6 size. If larger prints are desired please convo me to set up a custom order.

~CUSTOMIZATION
On this design, the following customization options are available:
-font
-font color
-wording
-theme colors

~PROCESS
-Upon purchase, please email your information to alwaysbecreating.designs [!at] gmail.com or in the notes to seller
-Within 24-48 hours, I will send you a proof for your review.
-Upon completion of the design process, and your approval- I will email you the final file.

~PACKAGES
Invitation packages are also available!! Check them out.
http://www.etsy.com/shop_policy.php?user_id=10920771

~Optional Printing
Send me a convo to inquire about printing and cost.

If you like my style, but don't see what you are looking for contact me! I love custom orders!

Lace and Love

Lace and Love

Ok. Every time I come up with a new design it seems that is my favorite. This design was inspired by the lace trim around the bottom of a skirt. I simplified it and added some color but I love how it turned out. Black and white is a timeless and elegant combination and there is just the subtle addition of color.

With the purchase of this listing, you will receive the high quality 300 dpi digital jpeg file that you can print yourself.

The announcement measures 5x7 inches but can be formatted to a 4x6 size. If larger prints are desired please convo me to set up a custom order.

Love Birds Wedding Invitation ~ Change

Well as I spent more time looking at the Love Birds Wedding Invitation I was feeling like there was something not finished. The heading box needed a little something to break it up so this is what I came up with. I hope you enjoy!

There is a touch more elegance and it feels finished now. I love it.

Love Birds Wedding Invitation

Love Birds Wedding Invitation

The original idea for the love birds came from a custom order I had. The gal was looking for recipe cards to go along with the theme of her friends wedding. I was so excited about how they turned out and the customer loved them as well. The Love Birds invitation has a simple and elegant feel you are sure to enjoy and so will your family and friends!

With the purchase of this listing, you will receive the high quality 300 dpi digital jpeg file that you can print yourself.

The announcement measures 5x7 inches but can be formatted to a 4x6 size. If larger prints are desired please convo me to set up a custom order.

To go along with this announcement there are also Bridal Shower Recipe Cards. Check them out here. Everyone loves to know their work is appreciated, here is what my customer had to say...

"Thank you! Thank you!! Thank you!!
The recipe cards were absolutely perfect -
They went over so well at the Bridal Shower, the bride LOVED them.
Thank you so much for taking the time to make them
and then hurry and send them.
I definitely will visit your shop again..."

~CUSTOMIZATION
On this design, the following customization options are available:
-font
-font color
-wording
-theme colors

~PROCESS
-Upon purchase, please email your information to alwaysbecreating.designs [!at] gmail.com or in the notes to seller
-Within 24-48 hours, I will send you a proof for your review.
-Upon completion of the design process, and your approval- I will email you the final file.

~PACKAGESWedding packages are also available!!
-Sweet Pea ~ Your choice of all ready designed invitation plus two other cards of your choice {Thank You's, Save the Date, RSVP, Direction/Maps, Reception cards, etc.} $27.50
-Iris ~ Custom Designed Invitation plus two other cards of your choice {Thank You's, Save the Date, RSVP, Direction/Maps, Reception cards, etc.} $30.00
-Amaryllis ~ Your choice of all ready designed invitation plus three other cards of your choice {Thank You's, Save the Date, RSVP, Direction/Maps, Reception cards, etc.} $35.00
-Calla Lillie ~ Custom Designed Invitation plus three other cards of your choice {Thank You's, Save the Date, RSVP, Direction/Maps, Reception cards, etc.} $37.50

If you like my style, but don't see what you are looking for contact me! I love custom orders!

Chandelier Wedding Invitation

Chandelier Wedding Invitation

The look of a silhouette chandelier is a simple yet elegant design feature and I have enjoyed working on this one. Even with the design in one solid color the detail of the chandelier really stands out against the background but doesn't shout.

With the purchase of this listing, you will receive the high quality 300 dpi digital jpeg file that you can print yourself.

The announcement measures 5x7 inches but can be formatted to a 4x6 size. If larger prints are desired please convo me to set up a custom order.

~CUSTOMIZATION
On this design, the following customization options are available:
-font
-font color
-wording
-theme colors

~PROCESS
-Upon purchase, please email your information to alwaysbecreating.designs [!at] gmail.com or in the notes to seller
-Within 24-48 hours, I will send you a proof for your review.
-Upon completion of the design process, and your approval- I will email you the final file.

~PACKAGES
Wedding packages are also available!!
-Sweet Pea ~ Your choice of all ready designed invitation plus two other cards of your choice {Thank You's, Save the Date, RSVP, Direction/Maps, Reception cards, etc.} $27.50
-Iris ~ Custom Designed Invitation plus two other cards of your choice {Thank You's, Save the Date, RSVP, Direction/Maps, Reception cards, etc.} $30.00
-Amaryllis ~ Your choice of all ready designed invitation plus three other cards of your choice {Thank You's, Save the Date, RSVP, Direction/Maps, Reception cards, etc.} $35.00
-Calla Lillie ~ Custom Designed Invitation plus three other cards of your choice {Thank You's, Save the Date, RSVP, Direction/Maps, Reception cards, etc.} $37.50

If you like my style, but don't see what you are looking for contact me! I love custom orders!

Party Invitations for Halloween

Today has been fun. I spent some time designing some Halloween cards. I know we design them early so that we can be sure to get them online and available ~ but now I am so excited for a Halloween party. When my husband came home I told him about ideas for a party, he just looked at me like I was crazy.

When it comes time to choose one to use for our own party, I don't know which one I'll go with. I like them both for different reasons but I also started a couple others that I'm pretty excited about too. Good thing I have time to choose.

Ever since my seventh grade art class
I have loved Yellow and Purple together.

This one was inspired by a picture of drift wood (more like drift tree)
and the Hill of Crosses!

ENJOY!!

4th of July ~ Celebration

4th of July ~ Celebration

I love love love this card!!!!

The 4th of July is a great time to get together with family and friends? Invite them all over for a great time with this customizable invitation.

With the purchase of this listing, you will receive the high quality 300dpi digital jpeg invitation, that you can print yourself.

The announcement measures 5x7 inches but can be formatted to a 4x6 size. If larger prints are desired please convo me to set up a custom order.

~CUSTOMIZATION
On this design, the following customization options are available:
-font
-font color
-wording

~PROCESS
-Upon purchase, please email your information to alwaysbecreating.designs [!at] gmail.com
-Within 48 hours of receiving the information, I will send you a proof for your review.
-Upon completion of the design process, and your approval- I will email you the final file.

~PRINTING
If you would like me to print your invitations for you please let me know at time of purchase. I will then set up a custom order for the amount of cards you want printed.

~EXTRAS
A map or a custom design for the back of the card can be added for a small charge. Or you can have the back be whatever you want.

If you like my style, but don't see what you are looking for contact me! I love custom orders!

Recipe Card ~ Pink Dafodil

Recipe Card ~ Pink Daffodil

This was a fun to make and use. I love the colors and how they worked out. This is a set of 4x6 recipe cards. 25 for $14.00!!! Cards are printed on 70 lb Card Stock.

They work great for the photo album for 4x6 picture album slots, which is a great way to organized your recipe cards. It is fabulous way to keep everything in one spot.

If you wold rather the main color be something else just let me know and I can whip that up for you.

These make a great gift and are fun to have at events like bridal showers. If you have a specific color combination in mind but do not see it here convo me at time of purchase. I can also print double sided if more space is needed for an additional $3.00.

Orders ship immediately after payment. If proofing is needed they will ship the following business day.

ENJOY!!

4th of July ~ Celebrate with Us

I have always loved the 4th of July. A member of my family has their birthday that day and now as our family has been getting bigger there seems to be so many birthdays around that same time. Most of the time everyone has that day off since it's a holiday and with us all together it turns into quite the event.

4th of July ~ Celebrate with Us

The 4th of July is a great time to get together with family and friends? Invite them all over for a great time with this customizable invitation.

The announcement measures 5x7 inches but can be formatted to a 4x6 size. If larger prints are desired please convo me to set up a custom order.

~CUSTOMIZATION
On this design, the following customization options are available:
-font
-font color
-wording

~Printing
If you would like me to print your invitations for you please let me know at time of purchase. I will then set up a custom order for the amount of cards you want printed.~Extras
A map or a custom design for the back of the card can be added for a small charge. My example shows a simple map - you can have the back be whatever you want.

Thank You Cards

I had a lot of fun designing the Valentine cards I decided to make some cards of my own. Over the last little while I have been wanting to create some personalized Thank You cards. I wanted to keep them simple but be sure that my personality was able to show in them as well.

Here they are. Each one has a different rendering or construction document on them of a project of mine from school. On in the inside is contact info and my name and logo on the back of the card. I have to say I am pretty excited about how they turned out. The goal is that when I send a Thank You, the image on the front will remind the recipient of my portfolio and keep me in the front of their mind when a position opens up.

Circle Recipe Cards

This set of 4x6 recipe cards were fun to create.

I use them all the time and my mom showed me a fun way to organize my recipes. She has a photo album for 4x6 picture slots and has organized her cards in there. It is fabulous way to keep everything in one spot.

The set comes in a package of 25. You can mix and match the colors how ever you want or request custom colors. Cards are printed on 110 lb Card Stock.

These make a great gift and are fun to have at events like bridal showers. I can also print double sided if more space is needed.

ENJOY!!

A Different Take

I have this card up for sell in my Etsy store. The lady who purchased it had a cute picture of her little baby boy but needed a different color other than orange ~ it would not work with her photo. This is what we came up with. I just wanted to show the difference just a couple of changes could make. The color was changed to red and a note was added to the bottom.

Thanks for allowing me to work on the Announcement Card for baby Kade.
Enjoy!!!

Bentley Photo Collage - Digital Letter Template - Stationary - Printing Available

This is a great way to share with your family and friends what you have been up to in the last year, to put together a collage of pictures! Look at the options and notice that there is one little difference - option 2 has a card stock texture. With customizable color and text you can truly make it your own. All you do is print the PDF then type your letter on your families personal stationary.

With the purchase of this listing, you will receive the high quality digital PDF file that you can print yourself. As well as Word Doc with margins already set. You just enter your text and print.

Digital Christmas

I love the idea of putting a collage of pictures together in one card - to show what has been going on over the last year. This one is of me, my husband and our new addition, Bentley. The pictures can be cropped or squares can be changed to fit the photos. Another thing I like is when the cards are more of a unique size. This one is 6x7, a size that is not used as much as a 5x7 or 4x6. One of the other things that is great about having a personalized digital card is that for those who would want to, you can just e-mail the cards if running short on time or for those who would prefer e-mails. But they can also be printed off at your own convenience and for a lower cost.

ENJOY!!!!

Contemporary Christmas Dots

Contemporary Christmas Dots - Digital File Only - English - Portuguese - Printing Available

Looking for a fun card to wish your family and friends a Merry Christmas? These two are both great options. With customizable color and text you can truly make it your own. You can choose to add text make it a Christmas party invitation.

The card measures 4x8 inches but can be formatted to a 4x6 or 5x7 size.

~CUSTOMIZATION
On this design, the following customization options are available:
-I can change your photo to black/white or sepia
-Font
-Font color
-Wording
-If you would like to add extra text above "Merry Christmas" please e-mail that along with your photo at time of purchase.

If you like my style, but don't see what you are looking for contact me! I love custom orders!