gonna let it happen. (Tilt-shift effect tutorial for Photoshop)

Tilt-shift effect seems to be really popular right now and apps like Instagram have an easy way of applying it to your photos and a lot of compact cameras have added a tilt-shift effect to their art filters. Even the new Photoshop CS6 has a quick tool for thilt-shift effect. But it's actually very simple to do it an older Photoshop version too, so i thought i'd show you how.

This tutorial was made with Photoshop CS4, but i assume it works with older versions too, maybe. Also, i once again assume you know your way around Photoshop, at least a little. But if you need help, or my instructions weren't clear enough, leave a comment and i'll see what i can do to help.

And there it is, a photo with tilt-shift effect. often pictures like that are bright and a bit over staurated, so an easy way to do that is to use curves and/or hue/saturation tool and pump up the saturation a little bit.

i hope this was helpful. (and at least i made a post that wasn't about books. tho a new book haul possibly coming soon!)

Let is snow! Let it snow! Let it snow! (Day 7)

The fault is not in our Stars, but in ourselves.

stay tuned to my love, it's never gonna end, it's never gonna end.

first, let's gather all the things that we're gonna need:

1. thick paper/cardboard that you don't have other use for.

2. a postcard or other square object of the size you want the envelope to be. or you can use a ruler.

3. paper for the envelopes, what ever you want to use. i'm using cutouts from magazines and an old map of New York.

4. Glue, scissors, a ruler and a pen.

1. First we're gonna make a template out of the cardboard, which you can use over and over again. Draw two squares on top of each other using the postcard or a ruler. they should be exacatly alike. then draw a strip on each side of the top square. then draw a triangle on top of the top square (it can be an other form too if you like, like a half circle etc.). and if you like you can make a small curve on the bottom square so that it will be easier to get the letter out of the envelope.

2. Cut the template out.

3. now put the template on top of the paper you want to make the envelope of, but put it on the opposite side than what you want to be the cover. then trace it with a pen. 

4. cut the envelope out and fold the bottom square on top of the top one, then fold the strips and the top triangle. use a ruler to help you fold everything straight. after everything's folded, apply glue on the strips and fold the bottom square on top of them.

and there you have your cool & original DIY envelopes!i hope you enjoyed my very first tutorial! i plan on doing more these. maybe i could share some of my photography & photoshop tips too. stay tuned and let me know what you think.