Challenge #158

[Grant]

Well I don't celebrate Valentines day but. Doreen just bought me a bottle of Glenmorangie single malt scotch and said "Happy Valentine's day. I guess I better celebrate Valentines day this year ;-)


I have received a number of wonderful Challenges suggestions this week. Pictorially there were a couple of roses, a couple of chocolates, a bunch of hearts and one stuffed critter. But the greatest number was for an open Challenge. These suggestions ranged from the macabre to the ultra mushy ...oh and one "I Love my Mac Challenge" So I had decided to go with the flow. Therefore it is up to you to do a Valentine your way.

Jodi Frye has added a heart for any one that is stuck for someplace to start.

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Since my hard disk failure I have had some wonder Challenges
suggestions submitted by a few people . I need more suggestions from more
people to be able to mix up the choices. Please send me *your*
suggestions for the Challenges. Part of what makes the Challenge great
is your input. Also please don't forget he Photo Challenge as
presently I have only one suggestion although it is a great one but I do
need more.


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http://www.cavesofice.org/~grant/Challenge/Challenges.html

Present and Past Challenges will remain Until tomorrow at 7:00 pm the then
the Present will be Past and new images will be posted.

* Important notice to all the new people in this forum. This is not a
close shop you are all invited to submit an image. If you don't think you
are good enough this is your first mistake, I think most have found that
working on the Challenge has improved their personal level. So young and
old, hot shots and cool dudes now is you time to post.
--
Grant

Home Pages: http://www.cavesofice.org/~grant/Challenge/index.html

Challenge Pages: http://www.cavesofice.org/~grant/Challenge/Challenges.html

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Creativity is so delicate a flower that praise tends to make it bloom, while
discouragement often nips it in the bud. Any of us will put out more and
better ideas if our efforts are appreciated.

Alexander Osborn (1888 - 1966)

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[Grant]

Have a bit of a flu so doing the Challenge between times in bed ... not
all that ill just tired.

The first images are now being posted and again they are all great.

Notes for viewing.

1). Clicking on the thumbnail will open a larger image.
2). Clicking on the larger image will advance you to the next larger image.
3). If you are using Internet Explorer F11 will toggle a full screen view

... gives the images a view they deserve.

Grant

[Wendy]

Hi Grant ...

So sorry to hear that you are not well ... do hope that you feel better soon :)

Wendy

[Ward Grant]

Have a bit of a flu so doing the Challenge between times in bed ... not all that ill just tired.

Do take care of yourself-let the images slid a day, if needed. We all understand.

Perhaps just a nip of that Glenmorangie single malt scotch, just for medicinal purposes you understand, might be just the thing.

[Robyn]

Perhaps a COUPLE of nips might be more in order.
Take care Grant......we all appreciate what you do for us.

[NMarti]

What the heck - 3 nips and you won't feel a thing! :D

Get well soon!

[Grant]

No...No Single Malt is for sipping .... Rum and grapefruit juice is for colds and the flu

[Carbone]

Grapefruit juice and rum... tastes just like Neocitran on steroids.. :)

Ray

[Pauline]

Grant hope the flu doesn't keep you down for long. I had a horrible head ache today and didn't accomplish much at all.

[GaryK]

Grant

Just take care.. the pictures can wait. :)

[CarolLHB]

Get well soon, Grant:)

[NMarti]

Wow - there are some incredible valentines in this week's challenge. I wonder if Hallmark is peeking? :p

[Red Sky]

Ray- "Let's Make Room For Love"... I love it! Very clever.

[Carbone]

Thanks :D

Let's see if my sense of humour translates as well as... ;)

Ray

[Wendy]

Ray ...

I don't think that I have seen you send in an entry before ... you must have done so maybe I just missed them :)

I'm writing comments at the moment ... there are just so many entries :eek:

Wendy

[CarolLHB]

Our Ray just decided to spread some love around...;)

[Grant]

Wendy

Ray has entered many many Challanges and does excellent work. I do believe his first two entries were in Challenge #9.

[Carbone]

Wendy, I joined the challenge a long time ago. I just had Photoshop Elements 1 I think at the time. I remember how thrilled I was when I saw one of my picture on the web, for the first time :)

Though for various reasons, I'm not always able to participate. This will change, however. I have promised (year's resolution) that I would find time again to have fun with digital imagery :)

Ray

[Pauline]

Now I want to go and look!! I haven't even got an idea yet! Weekends are never good for me creatively with the family around, so if it doesn't get done Friday it's not usually until the next week. This morning was moving some bedroom furniture to my daughter's room from a town house. It certainly would have been more fun hanging out here than with 3 teenage boys!! Boy she sure do love to talk about cars. :rolleyes:

[kevq]

Grant,
I've given up trying to email my effort for challenge 158.
I've tried emailing both email addresses shown on your contacts page and every time they are returned.
I sent them 4 times as an attachment and 4 times as an insert, no joy either way.
Have you any idea as why this should happen.
Kev:confused: :confused: :confused:

[Ward Grant]

Grant,
I've given up trying to email my effort for challenge 158.
I've tried emailing both email addresses shown on your contacts page and every time they are returned.
I sent them 4 times as an attachment and 4 times as an insert, no joy either way.
Have you any idea as why this should happen.
Kev:confused: :confused: :confused:

Kevq

If you want, send them to me (click my profile) and I'll try forwarding to Grant. My submissions usually go through with no problems.

[Grant]

My Cogeco server is very good except for a not to often strange behaviour. It has a some bazarre spam filter and if your IPS was ever been flagged as a suspected spamer it will block you.

If this happens just send it to The Challenge server under the address.

grant@cavesofice.org

It is not as convenient to me and I check it not as ofted as I should but mail has never failed to reach me there .

[kevq]

Ward,
thanks very much for your kind offer. I've sent it to Grant using the alternate address and it seems to have gone through.
If it does get returned I will take advantage of your offer.
Kev.

[Wendy]

Gosh there are so many entries this week that I though I should start doing some reviews :)

There are a great selection of Valentine images ...

Anne ... What a great photo of the grand children. Really like the way you have done it .. and how did you do that halftone effect?

Barbara ... Wow what a stunning effect. How did you do all those fantastic lines ??

Ben ... What great textures you have used and the font is perfect, Which font did you use ?

Bill ... Very nicely put together. Did you create the image? ... it certainly makes a great Valentine Card :)

Bob .. Oh very nice creation ... and what a good image it makes :)

Brian ... That is just so effective. I bet it would print out beautifully. Well done !!

Butch ... Wow what a dark image ... even the devil in the smoke. Scary ... but very well done. Great work !!

Carol ... Oh that is stunning ... I love the heart/apple. It adds a whole new diamention to "I love my Mac". How did you do that wonderful background and border ?

Chris ... Hey that is so good!! ... a beating heart is a brilliant idea for this challenge and its beautifully done.

Cliff ... What a delightful image and who could resist it !

Ellen ... Very nice cut out effect. Nice work!

Juergen ... Good work on the image .. and just fits in with Grant original words. Guess you are another single malt man then.

Kay ... I love the effect in No 1. Did you use Filter>Polar Co-ordinates on it? ... and No 2 really made me smile ... what a good imaginative idea!

Kev ... What a nice Valentine theme and you have made a great job of doing it !

Kristy ... That is clever ... I really like the melted snow. How did you do it?

Malcolm ... Very nicely done and it tells its own story ... cleverly done!

Mark ... That is so unusual and makes a very striking image!

Nancy ... Wow those Chrome hearts in No 1 are amazing. Oh and No 2 makes such a delightful card ... beautiful effect and I especially like the glass border and corners effect. A lovely sentiment in No 3 ... good colours and beautiful swan images. No 4 again is a clever idea ... nice spotlight making the heart glow ! ... and No 4 is an excellent tribute to Grant. Just wish I had thought of that !

Pat C ... What a beautiful card, excellent flowers, beautiful background and the finishing touch is the card. No 2 ... well I haven't stopped laughing yet. Such a funny idea and well done with displacing the text.

Ray ... Oh No 1 is very nicely done ... and quite complicated to do. I love it !! ... and No 2 is going to make Jodi feel much better. Who knows it may even cure her flu No 3 ... love the sentiment and great work on the image itself !

Rita ... Clever idea with the film strip ... and I love the handwritten message. Nice work

Robyn ... Oh very good. Great clouds ... is that a brush? and what a great moon. The whole thing works so well ! No 2 made me smile ... its a neat theme and I really like the way you have done it. Its good work ! ... and No 3 is just so funny. Nice work on the card ... and where did you get hat image from. Its amazing !

Tab ... Cool effect ... what sort of brush did you use to do the text ?. It looks really good !

Terry ... Three very imaginative and very different images. Whist I like the effect in No 2 ... No 1 just has to be my favourite. Its beautiful! ... No 3 is in a league of its own and I would love to know the techniques you used

Tom ... What a lot of things going on in the background. Great painted effect ... how did you do it? Cool effect in No 2! ... and I see that you used Ray's image fro last years Valentine Challenge ... Nice touch !

Ward ... Oh that is brilliant. How did you do it?? Its so realistic. Guess that the second one is yours too. Nice work on the stone ... and the texture is excellent for it. Well done !

Wendy

[Carbone]

Wendy, my number 1 effect is actually very easy.. it's a Mac OS built-in function. It's how you minimize the windows, when clicking in the yellow button. If you do it, the windows go in the dock, full speed. The secret is holding the Shift key before proceeding, this makes the whole effect run super slow, long enough to press on Command - Shift - 3 to capture the screen :)

Have a look here:

http://homepage.mac.com/carbmac/captures/Preview001.mov

Ray

[NMarti]

Thanks Wendy. I was trying out the spotlight tut from you when that came to me. Grant's tribute came from a comment he made when he said he felt like a 3rd grade teacher getting valentines from the class so I thought, why not! It was fun.

I also love yours. The kitten is adorable and the rest are soooo creative. I love how you "converted" your window for the season. Nice thinking!

[NMarti]

Robyn
I just saw the pig! How fun!!!! I love it! You have a great sense of humor. :D I was thinking I would have the link in reserve - just in case my hubby forgets. ;)

[CarolLHB]

Love the pig!!!!

Thanks Wendy! The background is clouds, with a gaussian blur to take the harshness out and then swirl the whole thing around in liquify. Credit goes to my Brian for thinking that one up!:) The hearts on the background are a new set of brushes from Adobe, and the border is a custom shape-I liked the lacey look for a valentine...

I should get busy-so far the only one getting a valentine is my Mac! I can think of a few guys that may be jealous!:D

[Ward Grant]

Ward ... Oh that is brilliant. How did you do it?? Its so realistic...


Well, it is easy to be realistic when you start with realism. I found a coin sorting machine advertisement and used that for the background. I took Jodi's excellent "start heart", resized it, layed it flat with the Transform option and then copied it several times to build a stack of hearts. After that it was easy to copy, move and re-color the stacks.

I really like your clock of hearts theme.

Also kudos to Nancy's Valentine to Grant (not that I would ever send another man a Valentine [unless I spent a winter grazing sheep in Wyoming and it was really cold and really lonely and ....]) and Pat's very creative note-great crumpled paper effect.

[Wendy]

Hi Everyone ...

and thanks for the info on how you did your images :

Ray ... So thats how you managed to capture it !

Ward ... I was so impressed with the way you did it. It looks as though the hearts were there in the original image ... so you did well to make it look so good :)

I enjoyed making the clock ... I originally made it like this but adapted it for the Valentine theme:

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/7135/sclock2sc.th.jpg (http://img215.imageshack.us/my.php?image=sclock2sc.jpg)

Wendy

[Tom M]

Wendy, the background in #1 is a circuit board w/cutout filter. I painted on it, a little, in difference mode.
The heart is basically just painted on separate layers. Used an eraser in places, normal and dissolve.

A year ago I entered my first challenge. It was the Valentine's Day challenge. I just got PSE3 about three weeks before. I had connected to the Challenge site from the Adobe forum.
When I looked at the images there (Challenge page), I thought, "Man, how do they do that!!!"

[Wendy]

Tom ...

Thanks for sharing your techniques :)

When I first found the Challenge pages I thought exactly the same thing .. it tooks me weeks to get the courage to submit an entry :)

Wendy

[Robyn]

Wendy,

Your entries are all just gorgeous, as we have all come to expect. I think we would all go into shock if you submitted anything less "Wendylike". Can you tell me how to make those ribbons in your 4th entry with the kitten and two heart balloons?

Re my own submissions. Thank you for your nice comments. Yes...the clouds on the moon entry was of course a brush. The second.......I was quite proud of that one, not just for the finished product, but I actually discovered/learned quite a few techniques whilst I was doing it.

The third one...the pig.....Gloria asked me in another thread did I dress the pig and put the background behind it? No I cheated.......it's just an image out of Microsoft Digital Image Suite 10......the programme I initially started out with. It was interesting today - I was at my daughter's home and I was trying to do something with a photo ( taken today..........my grandson's very first day at school) on this programme.........I never, never want to go back to it.

Incidentally, I've put an alternative "Pig" card in my gallery......a slightly more romantic version!

[kewTpie]

Kristy ... That is clever ... I really like the melted snow. How did you do it?
Wendy

Thanks, Wendy. I knew I didn't have time to do much and it snowed during the night, so I took some flavored syrup (red of course) out in the yard and made the hearts....
Hopefully, I will really do better on the next challenger I enter!

PAT- Love the crumpled valentine--it is so pertinent to my and my hubby's situation! Except, he'd say I could go buy something from Coldwater Creek!

You people are such an inspiration! Great work!!

[Wendy]

Hi Robyn ...

To make the ribbons I just used a calligraphy brush (flat 35 for the angle and adjusted the size to suit the image) then did a bit of dodging and burning to give it a bit more shape ..

Doing it that way makes it easy and quick to do as the calligraphy brush gives the ribbon shape ... :).

Doing the Challenge is a great way to learn new techniques ... so do keep on doing it :)


Wendy

[Wendy]

Kirsty ...

Now that is dedication making the shape in the snow :). It is just so effective ... do keep the original image as I am sure that you will want use it again.


Wendy

[Robyn]

Thanks for the tip Wendy.

[Jodi Frye]

Ray, Merci tellement de mettre un sourire sur mon visage... je ne suis pas vraiment la chienne que je semble être. Je suis souvent mal compris. Je ne suis pas vraiment beaucoup d'une personne de personnes. Merci encore. J'apprécie vos sentiments aimables.:)

[Carbone]

First of all, since you offended more than one people with your previous comment, it would only be fair that what you just said be also said in English. I will let you translate, however, to make sure the sentiment isn't lost in the translation. We wouldn't want yet another confusion, would we.

That said, your opinion on the Macintosh computer is clear and has always been. Only this time, you went too far. You might claim this was me misunderstanding, or you not being clear enough, but frankly, I don't buy it. It's not the first time you say something not very nice and make it up for it later. This time, you quit smoking. What is it gonna be next time.. ?

Matter is closed, you made your point, I made mine. Apparently, we both made it with a smile which got ignored by the other party. Until next time.

Ray

[Tom M]

My computer speaks French.;)

[Jodi Frye]

Ray, I have to say, it took me this long to reply as I was pretty much speechless after I read your post. I truly am sorry that you feel this way about me. Really, I had no idea of the extent of your feelings. I admit I am definietly taken back by it all. It truly was only a joke....and I never had any intention of it being any more than that. I'm sorry if I offended anyone with it...obviously it was stupid and if i could go back and stop that day i would....believe me I would. Further..I have never ever put a Macintosh computer down. I have always said that everyone should be happy and use whichever computer they were comfortable with. I think you know this stems alot further back ... but that is between you and me. Again, take it for what it's worth to you but i truly am sorry...the post was in french because it was meant for you only. I am sorry.

[Carbone]

Jodi, that is ok. Now.. show us a joyfull, smoke free challenge entry :)
(and no cheating: no fog, vapour, steam.. lol!)

Ray

[Carbone]

Jodi,

Here are some images I made with you (and Grant!) some years ago :

http://homepage.mac.com/carbmac/captures/pse_2.jpg

And this other one :

http://homepage.mac.com/carbmac/captures/Alternate_PSE.jpg

Well.. the sentiment is still the same as it was back then :)

Ray

[Wendy]

Hi Ray ...

Oh those are cute ... I don't think that I have seem them before.

Ummm ... now that gives me an idea for future challenges :)

Wendy

[Carbone]

No Wendy, you wouldn't, that was before you joined Adobe Forums. I was just beginning to have fun with PSE (asside from distorting my face with the Liquify filter.. hehe!)

Ray

[Wendy]

Ray ...

We really don't see your work often enough ... your challenge entries this week are really good !!

Distorting your face with liquify .. oh that is good :) :) ... I have used it a few times on mine :)

Wendy

[Carbone]

Thanks Wendy :) I will try to keep that in mind.

Ray

[Jodi Frye]

Ray, wow, I would never have remembered if ya hadn't of posted...those were the good old ' spedia ' days :) Thanks so much.

[Wendy]

Jodi ...

I have the spedia layer styles :)

Wendy

[NMarti]

Wow - lots of new cards again. There are some great images. This has been a really fun challenge.

[Wendy]

I posted some more comments on the new images ... but the comments seem to have vanished :confused:

Thank goodness I hadn't deleted them ...

Alex ... Love the way you have him popping through the heart ... it makes a lovely picture.

Ashley .... A sweet sentiment and what great textures you have added to the image.

Barbara ... Wow No 2 certainly is impressive ... there is such a lot going on it there and it is so well done !

Ben .. Like your No 2 ... very amusing !! and such a neat idea in No 3

Brett ... What an interesting effect. I think that I can see some plastic wrap in there but I would love to know how you created it all.

Byron ... Like the three heart arrangement ... it would win anyones heart :)

Donald ... Oh very clever. It is so subtle and very nicely done ... How did you do it ????

Flar ... What great words ... did you handwrite it or use a font?

Jodi ... Wow and even more wow. That has to be one of the best things I have seen you do in a while. Its breathtakingly good !!

Joey ... Very nice work ... so effective !

Joseph ... What a creative idea ... nice theme and good work on doing it

Kathy ... The colours match the simplicity of the image and you choose a great font to finish it off. Well done

Kelsey ... Nice theme and choice of words to fit it ... the work on the heart is so good. How did you get that effect?

Kev ... Delightful Valentine and so nicely done. Do hope that you sent it to the lady in your life!

Lindsey ... Nice work on the card ... its different and very imaginative.

Marilyn ... Stunning colours you have used in your image ... it all works perfectly. Its just beautiful ... and how did you do that heart ??

Mike R ... Oh nice gradient on the text and you have done a great job on intertwining it !!. Very nice work.

Pauline W ... What a great montage of images. Good work on the images and a prefect background to set it off. The stamp is a nice touch too ... Where did you get it from ?

Red Sky ... Wow that would make a great magazine illustration !!

Robin ... Oh I like the lipstick on the mirror theme. Really original and it looks so good ... nice work

Tab ... Just spotted your No 2. Very vibrant image .. and I do like the heart frame


Wendy

[Pauline]

Wendy, I kind of cheated this week as I was running out of time not feeling too creative. The pink back grounds, the stamp, and the dividing lines are all from this months Scrappers guide issue. I basically just slapped it all together and added the pictures. I'm hoping to get some lessons done today. My girls are thrilled to be home from school. SNOW DAY!

[Wendy]

Pauline ...

It still looks really good ... I don't get scrappers guide so didn't know :)

Wendy

[Pauline]

Wendy, I actually enjoy her tutorials as I learn something every time. She does different things from this site. I'm really not a scrapbooker, but I am still learning a lot and have to remind myself to look at the papers, etc when I do something. I also ordered both her CD's since they were on sale. I figured I will learn quite a bit from them. My girls do 'real' scrapbooking, but have just started looking in elements so they might get some use out of the stuff too. I would like to see them get more involved in elements and less involved in MSN and boyfriends. :rolleyes:

[mrod]

Thanks, Wendy. The intertwining idea came as I was working. Putting thme on top or bottom didn't really look right.

It actually turned out easier than I thought. Let's hear it for layers...:)

Mike

[Jodi Frye]

Thanks so much Wendy ! I really kind of forced myself to do that on on Valentine's Day..but I guess it turned out OK. I mentioned on the other forum that I really liked you V'day sale image....really neat ! That kitten is still adorable...one of my favorites !

[NMarti]

Jodi,
That image is incredible! Someday I'll learn to blend like that - maybe :rolleyes:
Simply wonderful!

[Jodi Frye]

Nancy, and you will ! Just keep at it. It will all fall into place when you least expect it to. Thanks tho :)

[Wendy]

Well I have just paid another visit to the Challenge site and found a few new ones ... there have been just so many this week :)

Brianna ... Clever idea using a Tic Tac packet and you have done well in getting it to look so realistic

Robin ... Nice work on your No 2 and what a brilliant font!! ... which one is it?

Wild Berry ... Oh my that really is wild :) ... nice work on using the hearts as glasses !!

Wendy