For the I Heart Faces Friday Fix.

Although the contributors link to some wonderful resources, which they played with ending in excellent results and tutorials. My contribution resources will come from the freebie sites. We all love those after all.

Texture from Aethereality

Actions from Pioneer Woman

Created in Photo Shop CS

1) Create a new background layer and hide the original, then select the lasso tool and trace the outline of the girl.
2) Got to select inverse and hit delete. If your edit isn’t perfect use the history tool to go back and make any corrections.
3) Then drag the texture layer over on to the image and move the layer to underneath the background copy layer.
4) Now to not lose all that white go to the background copy layer and select it then go to select inverse. Go back to the hidden background layer and copy and paste the white background into a new layer.
5) Put the snow layer on top of the texture layer and change the adjustment to overlay.
6) To feather and blend the edges of the cut out a little select the girl in the background copy layer. Then go to select, modify, feather set the radius for 25.
7) Go to select inverse and hit delete until you come up with something you like.
6) Go back to your background copy and run the boost action from Pioneer Woman.

You can see the bigger version over here at Flickr.

Popularity: 40% [?]

I braved the airlines with my 4 year old and 7 month old for a trip to Chicago recently. W.W. simply  dripped enthusiasm over the chance to play in the snow. The morning after our arrival nothing would suit him more than a chance to take the ole snow shovel out into the backyard.

My best friend said she had left her backyard pristine and untouched and ready for the attentions of a snow fiend.

Armed with the plastic snow shovel he attacked the great drifts of cold white powder with gusto. I recommend this endeavor to tire out any 4 year olds capable of wielding a shovel.

Mom attempted artistic shots of the frozen clothes pins still on the line. With a little photo shop adjustment to sharpen the ice crystals and bring out the contrast between the white and the blue the macro didn’t turn out half bad.

Honestly though my best shot would have to be of the sheer delight my 4 year old found in the snow.

Popularity: 33% [?]

You know how you live somewhere years and never visit someplace? Friends come to town and visit you. Then disappear to Old Town, Santa Fe, Acoma Pueblo leaving you to wonder just what those places look like. Sometimes I think I’m clocking too many hours in the office.

Sandia Crest turned out be one of those places to visit that’s so close yet too far all at the same time. We finally hit the switch backs and made our way to the top to see the beautiful view of the valley. Definitely a worth while place to drive up too and witness how the desert in the valley turns rapidly into alpine terrain at the higher elevations.

Of course, this brings snow a little closer to home for the littler ones.

Hosted by Cecily and Carrie

Popularity: 33% [?]