Monday, August 18, 2008

The dogs think I've lost my mind

Ok the dogs think I've lost my mind. They are probably right, but I hate to admit it to them since they usually think I'm pretty wonderful. I am the one who gets them food, water and treats so I'd kind of like to keep them thinking I'm pretty wonderful, but I put a big dent in that thought process the other day. I've been in turtle slow mode for a couple of months, you know the lights are on but no one is home syndrome, so i'm going to blame my outburst on that.

I've been trying to get back into the swing of things and thought I'm finally ready to start making layouts again. It's been really hard to even look at my pictures since Mark is in so many of them, but I figured I have to work through this. So....I open my photos, decide which ones to work on, open photoshop and then my brain comes to a GRINDING HALT. I upgraded to CS3 while I was taking Jessica Sprague's last class and while it's similar to photoshop elements, there are many things that are different. I remembered how to open the photos, get the paper in, well I was working with a template and just used the paper that came with it so I didn't have to deal with any paper, so then I go to "clip" my photos to the mask and that's when my brain just came to a stop. I'm looking at the keyboard like it was something from outer space and none of the keys were familiar. I couldn't remember how to clip the photos onto the mask. So I do what any normal redblooded girl would do - start hitting random keys and hope it works. Well my first guess didn't work. My second guess didn't work either, or the 3rd, 4th or 5th. Well by now I'm not gently hitting the keys (I'm sorry little keyboard), and I'm yelling at the computer. Masking is my very favorite photoshop tool and for the life of me I couldn't remember how to do it!

By now I'm scaring the dogs who are looking at me like I've lost what little mind I had. Here I was sitting on the couch yelling at the computer, hitting keys, the dogs hiding under the table thinking they are the next in line. Mind you NOTHING IS WORKING! I figure I'm better than this. I can figure it out. So I finally think (yes the brain finally started to catch up) I'll just use the layers menu. There is a clip to mask there. So that's what I finally used. During my tantrum Krystin came to see what I was yelling about - saw what I was working on shook her head and turned around and went back to her room. The dogs followed her thinking they were safer with her.

Next thing I think of is Hey! We learned this in the DID class so all I have to do is re-watch the video and it will remind me how to do the clipping mask trick. Told you my brain was starting to catch up. So off the the JS site - load up the class video, (love that they are there forever!) and then watch away. Well I found the lesson and boy did I feel dumb when it showed the little trick. One of those DUH moments. I had been hitting every combination of keys except the correct one. Oh well I'm sure it won't be the last time I'm doing the duh moment, I just hope I figure them out easily like I did this one.

Well the dogs have forgiven me for my lack of self control and are back to thinking I'm pretty wonderful so life is getting back to normal.

Here my latest layout. I'm finally getting to where I can look at pictures of Mark without it choking me up too much.

Thanks for looking



Chirpi Sunday Morning Kit - clip & paper, Old Toy Camera action

12 comments:

Terri said...

I'm so glad to see you back on your blog! Great LO of Mark. I promise it will get easier GF!

Thinking of you and hoping we can chat soon!

Terri said...

OK, I just re-read when you posted this. TODAY!!!!!!!! Imagine that. I was driving home and said, "I should check Lisa's blog to see if she has posted lately." That's kinda scary, eh?

Unknown said...

I love reading your story of frustration, but then of great achievement GF! I can also imagine how tough it must be for you, but little steps matey! Look at all the beautiful layouts you are creating and the memories you are scrapping! I am so proud of you matey! Love you loads!!

Anonymous said...

Good for you for figuring it out - such a great feeling isn't it. That keyboard and mac can use a little yelling every now and then, it's good for the soul. I am so proud of you - you have come such a long way - so you are in turtle mode that's ok - one foot in front of the other and you are getting there. You are my hero! Love you lots gf keep pluggin we are all pulling for you!

Anonymous said...

Unconditional love-nothing like it. So glad that you worked through and finished your layout. It is a beautiful one.
love from the east coast, Annie

Angela2932 said...

Lisa, what a moving, wonderful, loving layout! I'm so glad you're taking this on; listen to yourself about the size of the "doses." Lisa, I also upgraded to CS3, and I've worked through two of Jessica's NWR lessons. . . what a great way to begin to learn CS3! Last night, I also participated in a free "webinar" at schoolhouse photography. It was on facial retouching, and I learned more CS3 stuff. If you want to know more about the links to the webinars, let me know, and I'll send it to you. There are two more in August, and one scheduled in September, an hour long, fairly late at night in CST. Lots of info in one hour. Oh, and one more thing: Dogs are really, really smart! Especially at reading people! Apparently a study was done, looking at dog skills and wolf skills. Dogs can read people body language and learn from us; woves can't! Dog are experts on human emotion and body language. So if you're dogs are thinking you're nuts. . . . . (just kidding and liking chatting with you!)

Tezra Williams said...

Oh lisa, this is just stunning!!!!! I love, love, love it.

Carol said...

First I wanted to say, what a gorgeous layout! It is stunning.

And forgive me, but I laughed a little at your frustration story, because it reminded me too much of me. Zac is always telling me to take a breath and wait till the emotions have passed before I continue banging at things.

Jackie said...

Oh I loved your story of the brain freeze........ha..hadn't scrapped in a while and had to call Noel to ask her how to get the marching ants so I could put a stroke around something....so you are not alone...
Here's to you for trying to work thru some of your grief...my prayers continue with you and your girls

Heather said...

In my house, my brain "farts". Excuse my French. :D

LivE said...

can you believe this? this is like the FIFTH time i'm trying to post in your blog and it's not allowing me to! alack! so here i am doing a test...

test... mic test 1... mic test 2... mic test 3....


ROFL

LivE said...

ahhh. finally. dang gremlins got hungry and left my blogger ID.

anyway, as i was saying...

i haven't been around any blogs lately, but just wanted to come around to yours to congratulate you for your feat of besting a lot of other applicants and making it to the CT of scrapmatters! i am soooo proud of you, my friend! and totally happy too! WAY TO GO!

i also wanted to say that i love this layout of mark that you made... in fact, of all the layouts you've made, this is my most favorite, and i say that not only because it is beautiful but even more because i think (or at least i dare to think) that i know how much of your heart went into the creation of this LO... it truly is beautiful, my friend.

well, talk to you later because the workload is calling out my name again...

hugs!