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We are back to answering more of your questions again! We cover a lot of different topics from listeners questions including Katie and my strategies for shopping the Digital Scrapbook Day sales!
Joining the Discussion:
Peppermint Granberg
Katie Nelson
Steph
From the Show:
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Photoshop shortcuts by Heddy
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Keyboard shortcuts by Janet
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Instagram contact sheet
Picks:
Peppermint: Emergency Compliment
Katie: How to Create Amazing Shadows Using Adobe Photoshop Elements & other Wednesday Q&A videos by Simply Tiffany Studios
Steph: Emergency Compliment
Sponsor:
For the best deal in digital scrapbooking, become a member at TheDailyDigi.com.
Hey guys – I store my kits by designer too. I keep a folder specifically for each store for their storewide collabs but for collabs between multiple designers that I follow closely I will copy the kit into one designer’s folder. In the folders for the other designers in the collab, I’ll just put a shortcut to kit stored under the first designer. That way I’m not storing the kit twice but I can find it under any designer that contributed.
ERMAHGERD. You read my comment! It’s, like, I’m a celebrity.
This must be what it’s like when you win the Caldecott Medal and you’re sitting in the audience while they intro you and read snippets of your writing.
Well, not that my comment is Caldecott-worthy. More like a TMZ expose on Rihanna’s handwriting when one of the paps find a napkin she left behind at lunch with her grocery list scribbled on it.
Like Rihanna makes grocery lists.
Or knows how to write.
Oh, crap. I’mma shut up now.
[You’re never going to read another one of my comments on the show again, are you? The notoriety has gone to my head, I swear.]
P.S. So I totally just Googled ‘Caldecott’ to make sure I knew what I was talking abt… and I didn’t. It’s an award for a PICTURE BOOK. *facepalm*
You totally made me LOL!
So funny!!
I also organize by designer if I have a lot from one designer. The same is true for stores. If I buy a collab from two of my favorite designers, I do copy it and keep it in both places. That rarely happens, though. Most of the time, I only have a folder for one of the designers. I do use my folder system to find things also, so it does matter where I put it so I can find it again. Just my 2 cents.
Absolutely, if you are organizing and searching by folders, you need to keep them organized. Since I get all of my previews organized in Lightroom, I rarely search for things by folder. So, for ME, it is a waste of time to organize my folders too. Totally depends on the system that works for each person though.
OMG I’m seriously rolling. I had to stop shopping for the moment (because hello, best experience EVAR is to plug in today’s episode and then start DSD shopping while listening to you ladies–and I dutifully checked out the monster blog post on the Daily Digi that Katie put up so I know which sales to visit!). But I just started snorting and laughing at Steph and Peppermint’s pick (and actually, Steph gleefully announcing she officially has just-as-cool picks as Peppermint)! Just the thing I need, seriously!!! Thank you so much for making my shopping way more entertaining!
Going into some of what you discussed, I do organize my supplies by designers, and for the longest time was stressing over how to file collab kits. In the end I put them all in one folder marked “collab.” In Lightroom where I tag my previews, I tag the collab with the two/three designers who worked on it (so, for instance, the Epic kit would be tagged “One Little Bird,” “Paislee Press,” and “Biograffitti.”). But for store collabs or charity collabs, it would just get tagged under either its respective store or simply called “collab.” I didn’t want to get any more detailed than that.
As for keyboard shortcuts, with my last PC laptop and before that, my desktop, I was like Katie too in that I would just use my mouse and scroll through the menus for the appropriate command. Then I noticed my brother and sister (who are graphic artists) would use keyboard shortcuts and it’s a little freakish how their fingers would just fly across the keyboard and then magic happens on the screen. I am now on a Macbook Pro and have fallen in love with its trackpad, so after talking with other scrappers on similar hardware, I’ve taught myself to scrap with just the trackpad. It meant learning a few of the more common keyboard shortcuts (and I made my own: command + 1 = Warp; command + 2 = Skew for my dropshadows). Definitely there was a little learning curve, but now I really enjoy it. In fact, I’m really not used to a mouse anymore–one time when I had to use a PC desktop my fingers would automatically drift down past the keyboard, looking for the trackpad, hahaha!
Really great tips, thanks for sharing all of them with us!
YES!! For ONE time in the history of the podcast, I had a cool pick…just like Peppermint! I’m still flying high over it actually…lol…not even kidding!
I’m still listening, but I totally started nodding along when Peppermint started talking about organizing by desinger/store because of challenges. I hate having to search through the stores to see if the designer is there and I can use their items. This really slows me down during Speed Scraps!
Part of my “DSD” celebration is ORGANIZING MY DIGI SUPPLIES. Eek!
I just got to the part about Anna’s store closing… That made me so sad! I bookmarked her store to come back to later, and some how missed that she was closing! Sad!
You mentioned that she had an action for credits?? WHAT? I can’t believe I missed this. Does anyone know of anything like this from someone I can still purchase it from?
I came to the comments looking for which Anna you were talking about. I only know of Anna Aspnes, but her shop seems alive and well (what a relief!).
Lynne-Marie – Anna Forrester – she was at Pickleberrypop but it now gone. Sad Sad.
Sorry about the confusion on all of that. You can find a supply tracker I like here:
/how-i-keep-track-of-supplies-used/
I use a set of free scripts from speedscraps.com (from Christy). I use the copy/close and the supply tracker. They are fabulous. She has instructions for PS and PSE posted.
You can try emailing Anna as well. She might be able to hook you up directly. I hope her stuff won’t be gone forever!
Anyone who is really interested in one of my scripts can always email me at myranalis at hotmail dot com. Cheers.
Great show, ladies!
I wanted to chime in on the organizationd discussion: I organize my supplies with Store and then Designer folders. When I was on more than one store creative team, this was a necessity. It’s also very helpful for participating in store challenges. When I see a designer has moved stores, it’s easy to drag their folder from one store folder to another.
As for tagging, I tag with designer name and product type (for example, kit, alpha, etc.). I do not tag with the store name because of how frequently designers move. But, since the designer folders are always in the correct store folder, I can easily tell which products are eligible to be used in a particular store’s gallery.
Great show as always, ladies! I had a question about PSE11. I took Katie’s advice and downloaded the trial of PSE11, and I agree with her assessment that it is totally worth the upgrade, but…I’m having an issue with the action player. It’s great that I can just drag the actions into the player, but there are a few problems. First, in PSE9 there was a picture associated with each action, which helped me identify them, now all I see is a text list. Is there a way to associate those thumbnails in PSE11? Second, when I run an action and I don’t like the effect, I have to undo through each of the steps in the action. Is there a setting that will allow me to undo the action as a whole. And finally, some of the bigger scripts/actions. They are still presented in that list format (which is a little odd). I haven’t actually used them yet in PSE11 mostly because I’m afraid it’s going to be a mission. (It took me forever to get Anna Forest’s album builder to work in PSE9 and, as silly as it sounds, I don’t even want to think about having to go through all of that again.) I bought a ton of WZ actions/scripts for DSD including PowerScrapIt, which is kind of big. Any suggestions about using it it PSE11? I’m half tempted to just run my scrap actions in PSE9, but I don’t really want to be a sissy.
No, you cannot see the thumbnails. I know it’s a little scary! But, the good news is that you can rename them and even reorder them if you want to. That might help you keep them all straight.
I just installed PSE11 trial today, so I’m not sure if you have a history panel, but if you do, you can take a “snapshot” of the file before running an action and then click back to the snapshot to undo. Or, just duplicate your file before you run the action.
Crash plan issue…
Hey ladies, heard you were stressing with Crash Plan. I was having the same connection issue and was to tears, but after some back and forth, turned out I needed to change some settings manually on my end to let the computer use more memory towards Crash Plan. A TOTAL PITA and I don’t know why they haven figured out a way to figure this out to make it easy for us, but here is the step by step from their guy. So hope this helps you too!
Good day,
Thanks for the logs and I apologize for the delay in getting back to you, I was out for the weekend.
It appears that the CrashPlan backup engine is running out of memory. Could you follow the instructions below to allocate more memory to the CrashPlan backup engine?
Running Notepad or any other text-editor as an Admin, edit the CrashPlan engine’s CrashPlanService.ini file to allow it to use more java memory:
1. Stop the backup engine: http://support.crashplan.com/doku.php/how_to/stop_and_start_engine
2. Locate the Notepad program, right-click and Launch as Administrator
3. Go to File > Open, and navigate to C:\Program Files\CrashPlan\CrashPlanService.ini
4. Find the following line in the file:
-Xmx512m
5. Edit to something larger such as 640, 768, 896, or 1024. E.g.:
-Xmx1024m
This sets the maximum amount of memory that CrashPlan can use. CrashPlan will not use that much until it needs it. I would recommend starting out setting it to 768, and go higher only if you continue experiencing problems. You can set it as high as 2048 on 32-bit systems, or even higher on 64-bit systems.
6. Start the backup engine.
Great advice! I just restored all my photos today when my EHD went dead. Thankful for CrashPlan today for sure!
Hmmm, I don’t know that it could be a memory issue for me. I have 16GB of RAM in this machine and it was unable to connect even after a reboot.
What I wound up having to do was uninstall/reinstall the software and it’s been working for me again for the past couple of days. (Although it wouldn’t start automatically when I logged into Windows, despite having that option checked in the software. Then it spontaneously began running at startup when I rebooted my system this afternoon.)
I have no idea why it’s being so buggy. I haven’t had any problems with it in the past.
Oh DUH .. obviously this is referring to the memory buffer on the program, not the available memory on my system. LOL
Okay, I’ll have to take a look at this for sure!
But it HAS been working perfectly since I reinstalled it, and my computer was having other random issues at the time where it wouldn’t shut down or boot up reliably. So I have a feeling that CrashPlan was just a victim of something else going wrong on my system. (Which turned out to be two corrupted Windows System Fonts, of all things … when a system font corrupts apparently it’ll take down your entire computer!)
I’m curious to know how you figured that out P!
The Windows System File Checker tool. (Info) It finds corrupt system files (original Windows files) and restores the original ones.
I’m primarily a paper scrapper but I listen to your podcast religiously. I bought my first digikit today from the lily pad and I have to say that I love Peppermint’s designs. Although I’m not using Photoshop or Elements I am able to import the images into a commercial scrapbooking software. I also took advantage of all the free downloads on Facebook. Now I really need to pay attention to all your discussions on organization; I can see how this can really get out of control quickly.
You’re like me … immediately you start thinking ahead to the organization. I think I only had five or six kits purchased before I was all “This could turn into utter mayhem!” and started researching organizational systems.
I’m so touched that you love my designs, and happy that you were able to grab all the Facebook downloads! There was a lot of free product up for grabs from a lot of stores and designers over DSD!
My name is Angie and I am a digital scrapbook addict. It had been 20 mins since my last purchase. I think my arm is going to fall off from downloading blog hops and shopping.
Hahaha just kidding. Viva Artistry has the best sale now 70% off some older kits. Happy Dsd all my digi scrapping friends and may the force be with you.
Hi Angie. Welcome to Digi Scrappers Anonymous!
YES! Welcome!! Although, I’m pretty sure Katie and I don’t want to be cured, we really just want to find people to be addicts with us
LOL!
Hi all!
Here’s my two cents regarding cell phone cameras: I have an Android Galaxy Nexus and the camera on it is great! Even the flash is actually usable. I was surprised. I leave the flash on auto (which I never did on my old phone), and most of the time the indoor pictures I get with the flash are not bad. The pictures from it are at least as good as my point and shoot, which I consequently hardly use anymore.
As for shortcuts, I use ctrl g, and ctrl z all the time, of course. What Peppermint mentioned about cycling through tools is doable in Elements, too, but you don’t have to hold shift. For example, to activate the rectangle shape tool, you press “u”, and then to cycle through the tools nested with it (circle shape tool, custom shape tool, etc), you just press “u” again and again and it will cycle through them.
Sarah DG
Thanks for sharing these PSE tips!
Hi girls! I listened to you all the way to Kansas City yesterday and listened to last week’s episode all the way home today. Thanks for keeping me from driving off a bridge if I hear one more political advertisement! lol!
I wanted to make a note about the picks that Peppermint and Steph had. I have been looking for a to-do list app for my iPhone that I can just cross off items and delete them. Reminders didn’t really do what I wanted it to and neither did the notepad.
Anyway a couple of weeks ago, I could see I was getting a long list of to-dos and wanted to find an app for that. I happened upon Any.DO in the app store. It’s free and the very best part is that when you swipe a task as finished and then shake your phone, it tells you what a good job you did. “Awesome!” “Good Job!” For some reason that makes me ridiculously happy
Thanks again for two great shows!
Going to check out this app!
Any.DO is also available on Android, for my fellow Android users. I haven’t actually tried it but it frequently shows up on “Best Of” lists for Task management.
My problem with To Do apps (and really To Do lists in general!) is that you have to actually check them. LOL I’m really good at avoiding them, unfortunately.
I’m reliable when it comes to recording To Do items and calendar events … where the system seems to fall apart is in the CHECKING of the calendar and the To Do list. When I know that it’s 50 items long I tend to just hide from it.
This comment has nothing to do with scrapbooking, but I saw this graphic on Pinterest yesterday and have been giggling about it ever since. I guess Peppermint has all the luck.
“Spiders Hate Peppermint” http://www.everythinghealthynaturally.com/how-to-keep-spiders-out-of-your-home-with-peppermint-oil/
Oh man, I wish that spiders hated me!
Since we’re sharing random things, I’ll share I was video chatting with a friend on Skype a couple of months ago and a spider ran up onto my desk from out of nowhere and I freaked out like a little school girl. But then in the amount of time it took me to pop around the corner into the kitchen to grab a napkin – the damn thing disappeared! And for the rest of that conversation my friend was like “FORGET ABOUT THE SPIDER ALREADY!” because she was trying to talk to me and on my end I was tearing my entire office apart while throwing out the obligatory “Uh huh” and “Sounds good” from time to time.
I hate spiders. :: shudder ::
How about using a shortcut to the folder under the other designer. This way you don’t have to have duplicate files on the computer. (No space issues)
Great idea!
After listening to the show it reminded me that I love my shortcuts card that Chelle (of Chelle’s Creations) gave at Digiscrapapalooza in March. I asked her if we could put it on the blog to print – she said yes! So if someone is wanting to have a printed reference you can grab it on her blog – here is the direct link: http://www.chelles-creations.com/2012/photoshop-pse-shortcuts-card/#
Peppermint should be considered a host. She has been part of it since the beginning. Why not give her the title? You could open with, “Welcome to the digi show. I’m Steph from the daily digi along with your hosts Katie and Pepperment to talk to you today all about digital scrapbooking.”
Like button!
I think if I were a “host” I’d have to do work! LOL
Steph and Katie really take care of everything. All I have to do is be here at the scheduled time each week.
This “regular regular” gig is a kush one!
That was my first thought! Peppermint doesn’t want THAT job! LOL
Question from a shopaholic….
I’m glad you ladies have mentioned it because I have, on a number of occasions, bought something I already owned. Specifically this past weekend I re-purchased Kaye Winiecki’s Never Ending (which I first got from TDD) and One Little Bird Designs’ 12 Days Words.
Two things:
1. Question: Morally/ethically/legally/scrappily can I give my second purchase to someone else? In my mind it’s a bit like buying the same stapler twice. They’re great – I love them – but I only need one so might as well give my spare to my bestie. But obviously I don’t want to tick off the scrapping gods. (Seriously though, I would never DREAM of pirating/sharing supplies; I genuinely mean I have purchased the same thing twice.)
2. Comment: If a store could have some built in warning that says, “Hey – you’ve already purchased this item from this account – you sure you want to buy it again?” I would be SOOOOO loyal! To that end, I also suggest the following to store owners: (a) I would love it if you would email me when things in my wish list go on sale – I would definitely buy more and often (b) I wish the prices shown in my wishlist reflected any current sales. I was a good girl and added things to my store wish-lists prior to DSD – but when the sales started the prices in the wishlists showed full retail prices… I had to click through or add them to my bag to see the sale price. Not a deal-breaker but a pain.
Thanks so much – as always I’m eagerly awaiting the next episode.
I would email the designer first and ask if it’s okay to share your copy with another. In our store, we’d record that information and issue a coupon for you to share with your friend so that there are no questions going forward. We also offer the option of a coupon to that designer’s store for a future purchase.
As for sale alerts, I have used an iphone app to watch for price drops on my app wish list and eReaderIQ for items on my kindle wish list. So, I googled and came up with Shopping Notes (http://www.shoppingnotes.com/) which looks like it lets you watch any item you want. Just enter an email and it will alert you. eReaderIQ will show you the history of an item from the point that anyone has added it to their database which is handy if you’re wanting to see if something has ever gone on sale.
Have I mentioned lately that I love you?
Thanks for the advice and thanks for the great app/website suggestions!!
*blushing*
I would hesitate to share the second copy with someone else because most TOUs don’t allow for transferring ownership of the files. But you should definitely email the designers or the store’s customer service dept and let them know. I can’t refund any money, but I will DEFINITELY send you a store coupon to apply to your next purchase so you’re not out the money. If you want an actual refund I’d have to send that through to customer service people, though. Expect an email from me!
As for the warning systems and wishlist notifications, those aren’t features that are offered straight out of the box for the software most of the digital stores use (X-cart) but I imagine that they are features that can be added via custom modules. They would both come in handy, for sure! I wouldn’t mind seeing those added as well!
Thanks, Peppermint!!
Wow, I am so excited that you read my question! Thank you for your helpful answers. I really appreciate it!