Free Icons, Shapes, Stock Photos

Icon Links:

Download Christmas Icons

Download Christmas Icons

Misc Links:

Gracey's Free Stock Photos: It's February - And Time for Sweethearts

Custom Thanksgiving Shapes * THEN search for "Thanksgiving Shapes" 

Valentine’s Heart Custom Shapes

Free Fonts

Links:

25 Free Fonts for Beautiful  * http://tinyurl.com/pmtwt010

72 Free Most Important Quality Fonts for Designers * http://tinyurl.com/pmtwt012 

Free Christmas Fonts

40 Christmas Wallpapers, Icons, Vectors, Etc 

Free Photoshop Button and Free Font

Free Texture Downloads

There are a number of excellent websites where you can find free texture dowloads for use in your photographs, artwork, designs, for your desktop, etc. The links below will take you to a few of my favorite textures sites.

You can download and use any of these free textures, but please keep in mind that you are NOT allowed to sell, redistribute, or modify these textures to claim them as your own. Doing that would be uncool.

DesignShard Stained Paper Textures

Texture Lovers

Free Stock Textures

Love Textures

Gracey’s Free 3-D Textures

DesignShard Concrete Textures

CGTextures

Texture King

Dreamstime Textures

Link to texture downloads

Free Textures by Jerry Jones @ MySecondSkin

www.urbandirty.com
Note: Post credit to http://www.urbandirty.com/

Seamless Textures
Note: Cannot be used in scrapbooking.


Mayang's Free Textures
NOTE: Limit of 20 free downloads per day

Free High Res 3D Textures and Backgrounds * http://tinyurl.com/pmtwt013

More Than 620 Bokeh Background Textures * http://tinyurl.com/bokeh2

Free Brushes Downloads

New Year Brushes

New Year’s Confetti Brushes

100+ Brushes for New Year’s

Halloween Brushes

Halloween Brushes

Thanksgiving Brushes

Top 10 Thanksgiving Brush Sets

Christmas Brushes

600 Christmas Brushes

Christmasy Brushes by flina

Christmas Doodles Brushes
Free Christmas / Holiday / Winter Photoshop Brushes 

Christmas Brush Set  * http://tinyurl.com/17DaysPSLinks

Valentine Brushes

FREE Valentine Sparkle Brushes
Valentine’s Heart Brushes Collection
More Valentine’s Heart Brushes 

FREE Valentine Brushes

FREE Vintage Valentine Brush Set (about half way down page) 

30 Free Adobe Photoshop Valentine Brush Sets * http://tinyurl.com/ValDay003

Misc Brushes

Animal Inspired Brush Sets
Create a simple brush that simulates a real brush

Free Ink Droplet Brushes 

Free Photoshop brushes by Gracey

Free Photoshop brushes at brusheezy.com

Video:  Make and save a custom Photoshop brush by Susi Lawson

Download Five Flower Brushes by Jaaaiiro

Wisps Pack by Jeya – 10 Free Downloads

Water Splash Brushes

Twenty-one Free Photoshop Brush Sets

Bonus Links

High Res Brick and Stone Textures

Free Vintage Ornamental Papers
Cute Kids Valentine’s Day Wallpaper
Thanksgiving Card Templates 

List of Links to Photoshop Tutorials and Other Info

LINKS  •   PHOTOSHOP

Sharing my tweets on Photoshop-related links!

Photoshop Quick Special Effects With Filter Forge 2.0 Plugin

http://blog.photoframd.com/2011/02/28/photoshop-cs5-quick-special-effects-with-filter-forge-20-plugin/

Displacement Maps

http://www.scribd.com/doc/4301/Photoshop-Tutorial-Displacement-Maps

Top 20 Photoshop Tutorial Sites

http://junejawebblog.com/tutorials/top-20-photoshop-tutorial-websites/

Twelve Photoshop Light Effect Tutorials

http://www.designshard.com/video-tutorials/12-top-quality-photoshop-light-effect-tutorials/

Color Fragments Effect

http://psdlessons.com/?p=18

Shooting the Sky http://www.instantshift.com/2011/01/28/shooting-sky-creating-an-archive-and-blending-to-enhance-washed-photos/

The Vanishing Point Filter http://tinyurl.com/pmtwt004

[  http://psd.tutsplus.com/tutorials/photo-effects-tutorials/getting-to-grips-with-the-vanishing-point-filter/  ]

Make a Photo Strip http://tinyurl.com/pmtwt005

[  http://www.webdesignerwall.com/tutorials/photo-strip-photoshop-tutorial/ ]

Cool Eclipse Effect

http://tinyurl.com/pmtwt007

[  http://abduzeedo.com/really-cool-eclipse-effect-photoshop ]

The Elements of Retro  

http://tinyurl.com/pmtwt008

[  http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2011/01/the-elements-of-retro-web-design/  ]

Incredible Photos Made Without   

http://tinyurl.com/pmtwt009

[  http://visboo.com/incredible-photos-made-without-photoshop.html  ]

Collection of 50 Free PSD Files  

http://www.tripwiremagazine.com/2011/01/50-collection-of-high-quality-free-psd-files.html

Creating a Lensbaby Effect with Photoshop  

http://www.photozz.com/fizz/14421143.aspx

How to Use the Vanishing Point Tool in Photoshop  

http://www.photozz.com/fizz/14437953.aspx

Video:  How to Automate Anything in Photoshop  

http://lifehacker.com/#!5776749

Create a simple brush that simulates a real brush  

http://ramirezdesigner.com/portfolio/?p=1854

Creating a Duotone Image  

http://www.photozz.com/fizz/13348993.aspx

Peel Back the BW Image to Reveal Color  

http://gurusunleashed.com/249623/how-to-create-a-landscape-change-effect.php

Five Crucial Photoshop Tools  

http://www.photozz.com/fizz/13484293.aspx

25 Useful Photoshop Keyboard Shortcuts
http://inblogs.org/go/nlqex

Pen Tool:  A Comprehensive Guide  

http://tinyurl.com/pmtwt011

[  http://psd.tutsplus.com/tutorials/tools-tips/photoshops-pen-tool-the-comprehensive-guide/  ]

Video:  Oil Painting Effect in Photoshop CS5 and Pixel Bender: Gavin Hoey http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTVIvzfXyQ0

Master the Pen Tool  

http://psdfan.com/tutorials/drawing/become-a-master-of-the-pen-tool-in-under-30-minutes/

Photorealistic Coloring Techniques  

http://psd.tutsplus.com/tutorials/photo-effects-tutorials/photoshop-coloring-photorealistic/

HDR Done Right  

http://neilvn.com/tangents/2010/07/11/hdr-technique/

High Pass Sharpening in  

http://www.tipsquirrel.com/index.php/2010/05/high-pass-sharpening-in-photoshop/

Make your own Photo Rubik’s Cube  

[ http://www.tipsquirrel.com/index.php/2010/04/cube-ism/ ]

Create a Water Scene  

http://www.designertoday.com/Tutorials/Photoshop/6320/Create.a.Water.Scene.Photoshop.CS4.aspx

Give Your Photos a Vintage Polaroid Effect  

http://www.blog.spoongraphics.co.uk/tutorials/how-to-give-your-photos-a-vintage-polaroid-effect

15 Amazing Light Effect Tutorials

http://machoarts.com/15-amazing-light-effect-tutorials-in-photoshop

50 Stunning Text Effects Tutorials for Photoshop

http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/03/04/50-stunning-photoshop-text-effect-tutorials/

50 Tutorials for Photoshop Beginners

http://resources.cssrex.com/photoshop/50-great-photoshop-tutorials-for-clever-beginners/

Star Light Effect   

http://abduzeedo.com/easy-star-light-photoshop

Create Imitation Canvas Texture  

http://www.photoshopstar.com/photo-effects/canvas-texture-imitation/

Create Realistic Tears on Face  

http://www.photoshopstar.com/photo-effects/realistic-view-tears-on-face/

Turn your signature into a custom shape in Photoshop

http://tinyurl.com/243dqr7

[ http://www.tipsquirrel.com/index.php/2010/07/make-a-custom-shape-of-your-signature-in-photoshop/ ]

Create Inscription in Stone Wall  

http://www.photoshopstar.com/graphics/how-to-add-inscription-to-the-stone-wall/

100 Photo Effects Using  Photoshop

http://www.photoshoproadmap.com/Photoshop-blog/2008/04/01/100-wonderful-photo-effects-photoshop-tutorials/

Killer Tips for Photoshop

http://kelbytv.com/photoshopkillertips/

Place photo inside text by Lesa  

http://graphicreporter.com/tutorials/photoshop_clippinggroup.html

Creating Paths With the Pen Tool Photoshop Independence Day Freebie Wallpaper

http://www.tutorialpark.com/independence-day-wallpapers/

The Pen Tool in Photoshop

http://www.digidiversity.co.uk/2010/04/creating-paths-with-the-pen-tool-in-photoshop-cs/

Create a Calendar Using Photoshop Scripting

http://psd.tutsplus.com/tutorials/designing-tutorials/create-a-calendar-using-scripting-in-photoshop/

Working With Photoshop-compatible Plug-ins

http://www.photozz.com/?1whf

Painting a Photo by Gracey
http://photographyblography.blogspot.com/2010/04/painting-photo.html

Simple Silhouettes by Gracey

http://bit.ly/d7aaqQ

Video:  Make and save a custom Photoshop brush by Susi Lawson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16Vx1cZhlhs

Old Texture Effect

http://www.webdesign.org/photoshop/photo-editing/old-texture-effect.15141.html

Create a match strike effect in Photoshop

http://www.planetphotoshop.com/striking-match-part-1.html

Photography and Photoshop tutorials by Gracey

http://free-3d-textures.com/tutorials-photoshop.html

Try an Aquatopiary, the incredible photo trick that sculpts water into shapes.

http://tinyurl.com/ydt626u

Create a Polaroid Effect

http://tinyurl.com/6cuoeo

[http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/create-a-polaroid-effect-of-your-photo/]

Photoshop Useful Actions for Photo Enhancements

http://tinyurl.com/cc93da

Florabella Textures and Actions!

http://florabellacollection.blogspot.com/

Photoshop Dichanos

http://bucksmtngalleries.blogspot.com/2010/05/ps-didchanos-copy-that-style.html

Create an Action in Photoshop CS4

http://www.graphic-design.com/photoshop/tutorial/record-action-photoshop

Create a water reflection in Photoshop

http://quickstepgraphics.blogspot.com/2009/12/water-reflection-in-photoshop.html

Painting Skin in Photoshop

http://foxbane.deviantart.com/art/Tutorial-Painting-Skin-in-PS-100328544

Selecting Hair and Fine Detail in Photoshop

http://www.graphic-design.com/Photoshop/remove_backgrounds/index.html

Brushed Silver Text Effect

http://www.graphic-design.com/photoshop/tutorial/tutorial-brushed-silver-text-effect

Illuminate Your Writing with this Photoshop Tutorial

http://bit.ly/9ttBox

           

Create a water reflection in Photoshop

http://quickstepgraphics.blogspot.com/2009/12/water-reflection-in-photoshop.html

How to create a Hexagon Bokeh Effect in Photoshop by Fabio

http://abduzeedo.com/hexagon-bokeh-effect-photoshop

Susi Lawson's hints on subtle glamour retouching on portaits using Photoshop. http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1492932042078

20+ Photoshop Actions for Photoshop by Steven Snell

http://designm.ag/resources/photoshop-actions-photo-editing/

Design a brochure in Photoshop

http://psd.tutsplus.com/tutorials/designing-tutorials/design-a-ready-to-print-brochure-in-photoshop/

Create Motion in Photoshop

http://www.wacom.com/tips/tip.php?id=1&category=Photoshop&step=1

Free Photoshop plug-ins from onOne Software. PhotoFrame 4.5.1 Free Edition and PhotoTools 2.5.3

http://www.ononesoftware.com/free/

See your Raw images as a thumbnail in in windows.  Download Free RAW Viewer from ArcSoft. 

http://tinyurl.com/2c3648y

[ http://www.arcsoft.com/en-us/software_title.asp?ProductCode=RTV&dyContent=DOWNLOAD_TYPE_0&downloadNow=1#]

MCPactions  Free 10×20 “DAD” Template – perfect for Father’s Day Gifts

http://ow.ly/20PEX

Created a new Twitter background in Photoshop
http://twitter.com/patmonty

How to Smooth Skin Without Losing Texture in Photoshop

http://tinyurl.com/375fmjy

[http://psd.tutsplus.com/tutorials/photo-effects-tutorials/quick-tip-how-to-smooth-skin-without-losing-texture-in-photoshop/]

Now able to view my .psd thumbnails in Windows using MysticThumbs

http://mysticcoder.net/mysticthumbs.html

Techniques for Cutting Out Hair in Photoshop

http://www.inspiks.com/new-techniques-for-cutting-out-hair-in-photoshop-cs5/

Create a set of scattered Polaroid prints in Photoshop

http://tinyurl.com/2cl2cls

[ http://psd.tutsplus.com/tutorials/photo-effects-tutorials/quick-tip-create-a-set-of-scattered-polaroids/ ]

Use Puppet Warp in Photoshop CS5 to Tweak Your Images

http://tinyurl.com/32s52sg

[ http://psd.tutsplus.com/tutorials/photo-effects-tutorials/quick-tip-use-puppet-warp-in-photoshop-cs5-to-tweak-your-images/ ]

Photoshop Brush Tool:  Basic Guide

http://psd.tutsplus.com/tutorials/tools-tips/photoshops-brush-tool-basic-guide/

Get a tattoo with Photoshop – no needles!

http://tinyurl.com/notatoo

[ http://www.tipsquirrel.com/index.php/2010/06/get-inked-with-photoshop-and-no-needles/ ]

Photoshop or Lightroom:  Which to Choose

http://tinyurl.com/2bqhwf5

[ http://www.tipsquirrel.com/index.php/2010/06/photoshop-or-lightroom-which-to-choose/ ]

Creating Stormy Skies Effect

http://www.123rf.com/blog/blog.php?idblog=b1000075

Creating Photo Art

http://www.marktisdalephotography.com/2010/08/creating-photo-art/

Create a Worn Photo Look with Water Overlays

http://tinyurl.com/Gracey-1

[ http://photographyblography.blogspot.com/2010/07/create-worn-photo-look-with-water.html?spref=fb ]

How to make transparent glass lettering in photoshop

http://tinyurl.com/kmq5do

[ http://psd.tutsplus.com/tutorials/text-effects-tutorials/transparent-glass-lettering-in-photoshop/]

Make a text snow effect

http://www.tipsquirrel.com/index.php/2009/12/make-an-easy-snow-effect/

How to Put Lightning Inside a Bottle

http://www.photoshopstar.com/effects/how-lightning-inside-bottle/

The Mirror Effect in Photoshop

http://designlovr.com/photoshop-quicktip-1-mini-showcase-mirror-effect/

Calendar Templates by Gracey   

http://tinyurl.com/Gracey01

[ http://photographyblography.blogspot.com/2011/01/2011-pocket-calendar-templates.html?spref=fb ]

2011-01-21  Blending is Fun – Basix

http://psd.tutsplus.com/?s=Blending+is+Fun

Four Vintage Photo Frames  

http://tinyurl.com/Gracey02

[  http://photographyblography.blogspot.com/2011/01/4-vintage-photo-frames-in-png-format.html?spref=fb  ]

Timesaving CS5 Shortcuts ‘n Tips  

http://www.designzzz.com/hidden-photoshop-cs5-shortkeys/

Organic Clothing Manipulation  

http://www.webdesign.org/photoshop/photo-editing/organic-clothing-exclusive-tutorial.19563.html

Tutorial Blogs Worth Reading

http://bit.ly/hJNxcc

Upsizing Photos in  Photoshop

http://www.chiefalchemist.com/how-to-best-upsize-an-image-in-adobe-photoshop/

100+ Fresh and Excellent Photoshop Tutorials

http://chtr.it/XE5b2D

Record an action in Photoshop

http://bit.ly/hHTW1a

FREE HDR Plugin  

www.georgedewolfe.com/perceptool.html

Create Googly Eyes in Photoshop  

http://gurusunleashed.com/250126/create-googly-eyes-in-photoshop.php

Review of Nik Software’s Silver Efex Pro 2.0

http://www.photozz.com/fizz/13900238.aspx

25 cool Light effect tutorials in Photoshop     

http://machoarts.com/photoshop-light-effect-tutorials

HDR – How Many Exposure Do I Need?     

http://scottwyden.com/hdr-photography-tips-how-many-exposures-do-i-need/

Create a Flowerpot in Photoshop

http://bit.ly/gro7Wr

Video: How to Change a Color in 60 Seconds  

http://www.tutorvid.com/photoshop-tutorial/how-to-change-the-color-60-seconds/

Easy Typographic Portrait  

http://abduzeedo.com/super-easy-typographic-portrait-photoshop

Free PSD Slider  

http://creativeoverflow.net/simple-featured-slider-psd/

Paint a Pro Caricature Portrait  

http://psd.tutsplus.com/tutorials/painting/caricature-portrait-photoshop/

Create a More Dramatic Sky  

http://www.tipsquirrel.com/index.php/2011/01/making-a-moody-sky-even-moodier-with-photoshop/

Video: A Photoshop Photo Pileup  

http://www.tipsquirrel.com/index.php/2011/02/a-photoshop-photo-pile-up/

49 Creative Photo Effect Tutorials Using Photoshop – GREAT LIST!!

http://designbeep.com/2009/10/16/creative-photo-effect-tutorials-using-photoshop/

Photoshop’s Pass Thru Mode  

http://www.tipsquirrel.com/index.php/2011/02/pass-through/

Text in Stitches  

http://pshero.com/photoshop-tutorials/text-effects/text-in-stitches

Role of Light & Illumination in Photography  

http://www.picturecorrect.com/tips/role-of-light-and-illumination-in-photography/

Water Effect Photo Montage  

http://www.tutzor.com/tutorials/water-effect-photo-montage

Ten Things Your Mother Should Have Told You About Photoshop  

http://www.adobe.com/designcenter/thinktank/xd_photoshop10.html

Creative Manipulation Tutorials  

http://www.ozoneeleven.com/tutorials/most-creative-new-photomanipulation-tutorials/

Easy Soft Glow  

http://www.tipsquirrel.com/index.php/2011/01/easy-soft-glow-with-photoshop-and-photoshop-elements/

Five Crucial Tools for Photoshop Users  

http://www.photozz.com/fizz/13484293.aspx

Folding Calendar Template by Gracey

http://photographyblography.blogspot.com/2011/02/3-year-folding-calendar-template-for.html

Turn that Man to Stone  

http://naldzgraphics.net/tutorials/a-photoshop-tutorial-on-creating-a-stunning-stone-cursed-man/

Add Snowfall Effect to Your Photo  

http://www.photoshopessentials.com/photo-effects/photoshop-snow/page-4.php

Create a Fog Effect  

http://ginismagic.blogspot.com/2008/11/photoshop-tutorial-how-to-create-soft.html

Create a Fish Eye Lens Effect  

http://blog.lorrifreedman.com/index.php/2009/04/10/how-to-create-a-fisheye-lens-effect-using-photoshop/

Create a blue sky with your Infrared Image  

http://digitalphotobuzz.com/how-to-create-a-blue-sky-with-your-infrared-image

Free Photoshop Button and  Free Font  

http://sparklogix.com/2011/02/the-perfect-photoshop-button-file-free-for-use/

The Velvia Effect  

http://pshero.com/photoshop-tutorials/photo-effects/the-velvia-effect

Glowing Text Effect   

http://textuts.com/glowing-text-effect/

Video:  Realistic Reflections Tutorial  

http://tinyurl.com/PMTWEET016

http://www.arenacreative.com/blog/tutorials/the-miz-photoshop-tutorial-series-realistic-reflections/

Halloween Fright Self Portrait

I created a specialized Halloween self-portrait this year.  With no make-up and an unflattering style for my hair, I asked my hubby to take my photograph.  I almost ran screaming from the computer screen the first time I saw it!  And that was before I used Photoshop to make it look even worse.

Using tools in Photoshop, I pulled the corners of my mouth down and arched my eye brows upward in a menacing way.  I added lots of wrinkles - gasp! - or should I say, added more wrinkles.  I widened my nose.  Then started playing around in Photoshop to add "effects".

Was that tiny gust of wind that went over my arms?  Are there shadows moving over there?  When I saw the final result, I shivered and darted a quick look over my shoulder!

After I printed the image, I gathered the supplies. 

1 framed mirror - (only $1 from the Dollar Tree)
2 sets of Halloween stickers ($1 each on sale at Michael's craft store)
1 can of oven cleaner spray
1 pair of disposable plastic gloves

I took the cardboard backing off the mirror and placed the printed image face down on the back of the mirror.  Then traced with a thin-line sharpie around the photo so that I would know the exact spot to spray the oven cleaner.

I sprayed the oven cleaner on the back of the mirror and used my gloved finger to spread it around, staying within the traced lines. 

Then I went off and did something else and came back about 20 minutes later.  I put my gloves back on and wiped the oven cleaner off.  Well, nothing happened!  It didn't take the silvering off.  Drat!  (That's my favorite four-letter word.) 

Next I used a butter knife to scrape back and forth on the back side of the mirror, but staying within the marked image lines.  I was careful not to scrape too hard and actually make scratches on the glass.  Then I sprayed oven cleaner again.

After 20 more minutes, I put back on the gloves and again wiped the oven cleaner off the back of the mirror.  Waa-laa!  The mirror silvering came away, leaving the knife scraped edges.  I loved the way it looked!

Using blue painter's tape, I taped the photo into the clear opening and then replaced the cardboard backing. Now it was time to embellish the front side of the mirror with the Halloween stickers. 

Portrait complete!  I put it on the table in our foyer and for more Halloween effect, added a bowl of candy and some of my granddaughter's Halloween goodies.

Here's my Halloween Fright portrait!

It's okay.  You can gasp and scream!




Double-click on the images to see a larger view.

Click here to see an even more frightening close-up of the final result.















Please comment below.  I would love to hear from you.  It's alright, I know I look a fright!

Buy any onOne Software Plug-in for $99.95

THIS DEAL EXPIRED ON JUNE 30, 2010.

I just found a great deal at the OnOne Software web site. Their individual plug-ins for Photoshop are selling at the upgrade price!  The prices are slashed for one week only, with up to $200 off regular prices. But you have to act fast - it expires on June 30, 2010.


Click here for onOne Software Photoshop Plug-Ins for $99.95 each!


From the site:  For one week only, you can buy any individual onOne plug-in for Photoshop at the upgrade price of only $99.95—even if you don't own any onOne product. That's our lowest price ever and a savings of up to $200 off regular prices! All onOne plug-ins now work with Photoshop CS5, CS4, CS3 and CS2.


Hurry, Offer Expires June 30, 2010.


Genuine Fractals 6 (for enlarging images) Now $99.95 Was $299.95
PhotoTools 2.5 (photographic effects) Now $99.95 Was $259.95


PhotoFrame 4.5 (edge and framing effects) Now $99.95 Was $259.95
FocalPoint 2 (Selective Focus) Now $99.95 Was $159.95


PhotoTune 3 (color correction) Now $99.95 Was $159.95
MaskPro 4 (background removal) Now $99.95 Was $159.95


Click here for onOne software sale web page