Still looking for that perfect Mother’s Day gift (that won’t break the bank, is a bit handmade, and fits anyone)? I think these notecards just might be it!
All you need is a copy of Photoshop Elements (and you can download a free 30-day trial, if you don’t already have it!) and this photo, which you can download by clicking on the photo. The photo belongs to me, and I’m giving you my okay to download it for personal use. I know, my generosity is overwhelming. (I’m kidding about that…you can easily take a photo of your own coffee mug to use, quite easily!).
Okay, did you download it? Now just open your Photoshop Elements Editor and do the following:
1. Click on the text tool (side toolbar), choose off-white for the text color(top tool bar), and set the font to Saginaw, 36 pt size (top tool bar).
2. Type the name you’d like to see floating on the coffee. Simplify the layer by right-clicking on the name layer in the palette on the bottom right.
3. Click on the layer in the palette. Select “Filter” (in the top toolbar). Select “Distort” then “Liquify”. In the pop up window that opens, set the brush size to 300 and the pressure to 52. Then drag the brush through your text to make it appear a bit wavy. Play around with the brush size and making the “waves” as much as you like…you can just keep hitting “Undo” in the edit menu.
4. When you’re happy with it, select all the layers (“CTRL” and click each layer) and right-click and “Merge” them. Save as a JPEG.
5. Upload to Shutterfly, Costco, or Snapfish (there are others, but these are the ones I’ve used and been happy with) and create your notecards and order them.
You could also print them at home, but they look so professional when you use an online service, and are very reasonably priced, I think. You can usually get a set of ten for less than ten dollars…and wouldn’t your mom or friend love a set?
My own mom didn’t realize I’d done the photography and personalization…she thought I’d just typed her name into an order form and some company had made them. I totally took credit, though, and forced her to compliment my creativity. That’s what moms are for, after all.
Oh, and by the way, none of the companies I mentioned compensated me in any way. They’re just companies I’ve used and been happy with, and they wouldn’t know me from Adam.
very cute idea!
Thanks, Holly…and I love the name of your Etsy shop (as well as the great prints…especially that CS Lewis book one!).
I love these! And I have lots of Creative Pay It Forwards left to pay forward. Now I just need to install the copy of Elements I got for Christmas a couple years ago….
Well, now that your Superwoman race is over, maybe you’ll have crafting time! Glad you like the cards!