February 6, 2012

It's My Birthday!

Here I am on the eve of my 65th birthday - I cannot believe that I'm actually on Medicare.  Where did the time go?!  To celebrate, I bought myself a present - an Intuous 4 tablet.  (Just what I needed - another toy!)

I'm determined to develop my Photoshop Elements skills by trying new techniques as often as possible.  They say "practice makes perfect".  Well,  I'll never be perfect, but it's always a thrill to try something new and have it work!

Mouse over photo to see original.



"Cool Grunge" texture courtesy of Kim Klassen.

Who Said You Can't Teach an Old Dog New Tricks....

Linking to: 

40 comments:

libbyquilter said...

happy birthday~!
the image you created is beautiful.

:-D
libbyQ

Stephanie Suzanne Designs said...

Pat,

Happy Birthday to you! The tablet was a great gift to yourself. ♥ I'm gonna get me one someday. I love gadgets.

My Thomas turned 65 on Jan. 30th.

Have a wonderful day,
Steph ♥

Jenni said...

Happy birthday, Pat. Glad you bought yourself a great gift! Beautiful effects on your photo..thanks for the explanation..I love the painterly result!
Jenni

bohemiannie! art said...

Happy, Happy, Wonderful Birthday to YOU! You're not getting older...you're getting better!

Linda Trine said...

Happy birthday! It sounds like the perfect gift! :-)

Your image is beautiful!

Kia said...

Happy Birthday, Pat! :)
Many happy returns of the day!
So you are now a 35 y-o with 30 years of experience :)

Beautiful effect on your photo :) A friend gave me a Wacom tablet 5 years ago, but I used it once and didn't like it at all. Glad you are having fun with it! :)

Happy Monday!

The Artful Diva said...

Hi Kia,

I added this little reply post thingy to my blog comments. I hope it's working correctly. Thank you for the birthday wishes!

Anonymous said...

That is SO COOL!! I'll have to try that enhanced sketch tool!

Anonymous said...

and BTW...HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Geri said...

I would say you're way on the path to mastering Photoshop - the image is beautiful! Happy Birthday!!!!

Geri said...

It works great, but as far as I know the replies don't go directly to the person unless they subscribe to your comments =). I do like that it encourages conversation though.

Anonymous said...

A beautiful photo and you have done fine work with it.

Angie said...

Oh Pat! How lovely! Birthday's are the BEST and I am wishing you the happiest one ever! Your work is brilliant, beautiful, and I just love everything you do so much!! So happy to have met you via the link-ups! Huge hug to you on your special day. Be sure and make a wish when you blow out your candles. :)

Simon said...

Happy birthday. May your day be joyous and you celebrated. I'm glad to see you have a "to Pat from Pat"...always a great way to honor yourself. I've just started doing that and you know what? If feels good.
Oh yes, forgot to say...I like both the origninal and your "practice makes perfect" rendition.

Angela Toucan said...

fabulous digital work on that photo. And congratulations on your birthday

Unknown said...

Congratulations on your birthday:)
The picture is great without edit but the edit is really special and makes me look at it twice, it is really interesting.

Lisa Gordon said...

Happy Birthday Dear Pat!!!
And congratulations on the new tablet. Once you get used to working with it, you will wonder how you ever got by without it. It especially makes selections so much easier.

This is a wonderful image, and I wish you a most wonderful birthday!

Thank you so much for sharing with us at The Creative Exchange today.

Have a great evening!

lisa.

Carole M. said...

love what you did here Pat! Now I need to learn the mouse-over technique! Enjoy that new gift; my birthday is on the 20th ... and I'll be turning 65 also!!

Sherri B. said...

What a beautiful effect! I love what you've done...the learning never stops, does it? Thank you for sharing!

CameraCruise said...

Beautiful image, love it!
Happy Birthday.
Mette

Marilyn said...

Outstanding job, Pat. Congrats on the new tablet. I love what you did with this photo. It's so painterly. I would never know it was a photograph. I'd love to know what you did to achieve this look.

Marilyn said...

Not sure what color enhanced sketch is.

Tatjana Parkacheva said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST.
I like your post-processing.

Regards!

Lui said...

Happy Bday!
You deserve everything!

photo by ansku said...

Happy birthday!!!
I love your edit, what an inspiration!! I've totally forgotten about PSE filters.
Can you advice about your edit - what is color enhanced sketch? I don't have it in PSE9, is it something you have customized yourself?

Daniella said...

Love the art!! Happy birthday to you too!! I have had PSE for 6 years and have no clue how to use it. You are awesome and use it so well!!!
xxDaniella

Unknown said...

This is an excellent make-over on this photo; it's beautiful.
And, happy birthday from me, too!

Nancy said...

Happy Birthday Pat! Enjoy your new toy! :)

Cathy said...

Wow, I love this. Love the colors.

Anonymous said...

I love your artistic rendering of this beautiful scene!
Hope you had a wonderful birthday. I'll reach that same milestone next month.

Kia said...

Hi Pat, my previous comment has been eaten by Blogger. Hope everyone spoiled you rotten on your special day :)
Enjoy the rest of the week!

Kenya G. Johnson said...

Yay a mouse over. I love it. Beautiful PE-edit. HAPPY belated BIRTHDAY!!!

Angi said...

happy birthday to you!

very wonderful photo and processing

Sinderella's Studio said...

Pat - happy belated birthday...I knew I loved your work and energy, now it is because that zodiac connection...my birthday is the 13th and I will do the big double nickels...you are right, where did all that time go! On my list for this year is to get photoshop and conquer my computer fears!!! lol- hope you celebrated big!
cheers, dana

The Cottage Market {Andrea} ♥ said...

a very happy belated birthday! sending hugs! you are going to have tons of fun tomorrow at trader joe's it is like my favorite place in the world!!!! enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!'hugs....

A Creative Grace said...

Happy belated Birthday Pat, I hope you had a lovely day. I love your creativity here, it came out really well, keep trying the new things :)

Katherines Corner said...

I hope you had a wonderful birthday and I do hope you get your birthday wish too. You photo is lovely. I don't know much about Photoshop. I keep thinking perhaps I'll have time for a class. Maybe one day xo thank you for linking up at the hop today

CREATIVE KHADIJA said...

Sorry honey, I am late in wishing you your special day! Congrats & happpppppyyyyyy Birthday..wish you lots n lots of more happiness & best..
Have fun!

JTWisdom said...

Happy Belated Birthday!

Wow that is cool how that photo looks like a piece of artwork. Photoshop Elements looks like a really neat software.

Anonymous said...

Love this color enhance filter. I don't remember that one in Photoshop. I'd love to know how to use this technique. Btw, I found your fantastic blog from Marilyn's - so glad I did. I know I can learn from you. Be back soon.