Digital DIY Wednesday How to Create a Watermark Using GIMP

Happy Digital DIY Wednesday!
Today I have a video tutorial on how to create your own watermark using GIMP.  Recently there has been quite a buzz about copyright, and photographs on the internet, especially with regards to Pinterest and now Etsy.  I have had at least two friends of mine who have had their photographs stolen, and then reused as their own to sell similar Etsy items, which is not only dishonest and disgraceful, but also illegal, oh and I'd like to add unoriginal to the mix as well.
So, adding a watermark to your photographs that you will be sharing on the internet is a great way to protect yourself and your photographs!Here are two samples of watermarks:

Below the video I'm providing a written step by step as well. If the video appears too small within the blog screen, you can view it on You Tube HERE

Step By Step Instructions
1) Open the File you want to use as your watermark
2) Save a Copy of that file as a .gbr file and make sure you save this copy within the Gimp Brushes Folder (If you're not sure where the GIMP folder is, do a search for it using the "Search Programs and Files" on your Windows start bar
3) Open the file that you want to use the watermark on
4) Select the BRUSH tool and select the brush type. If you don't see the brush file you just created, hit the refresh arrows in the bottom left of the toolbox window
5) Once selected adjust the SCALE and OPACITY to where you want it and then click the brush onto where you want it to appear
*If you mess up and don't like where you put the watermark, or want to further adjust the size or opacity you can just hit CTRL and then Z to undo it. Once you click the brush onto the picture you cannot edit it so simply undo it and and adjust, and then redo the brush

If you have any questions at all, shoot me an e-mail ReleaseMeCreations {at} hotmail {dot} com

DIY Wednesday: Celebrity Earth Day Bracelets Packaging

It's almost April, which means it is almost Earth Day!

I have been feverishly finishing up my Celeb Earth Day gifts, as I need to get them out to California this week.

So here are the finished bracelets!  These little beauties will be going to
Jeremy Piven, Tom Hanks, Bill Maher, Adrian Grenier, Kate Bosworth, P!nk, Leonardo DiCaprio, Dave Matthews, Rosario Dawson, Woody Harrelson, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Daryl Hannah, Drew Barrymore, Ellen DeGeneres, Orlando Bloom, Jake Gyllenhaal, Josh Hartnett, Sting, Barbra Streisand, Alicia Silverstone, Courteney Cox, Cameron Diaz, KT Tunstall, Mark Ruffalo, and Edward Norton.
I included a little note to the fellas that if they're interested in a set of cuff links I'd happily make them...poor guys.

They were made using old vinyl records, which I hand cut, and then shaped and sanded down for a perfect setting.  I was again inspired by Banksy's street art for this piece, but this time I added my own flair, and created an Earth heart shaped balloon for an Earth Day touch.

Now, perhaps almost as important as the bracelet itself is the packaging. 
So here's a little DIY Packaging for my Earth Day Bracelets:

SUPPLIES: Hole Punch, Scissors, Tissue Paper, Small Kraft Bags, Sticker Labels, Business Card or Cardstock)

1) I punched holes in my business card to act as a holder for my bracelet. 
2) I cut slits to the holes so I could slide the chain to rest in the holes
3) I wrapped the card and bracelet with tissue paper in a neat little package and then added a little note to the celebs...you can see the back has all of my contact info on it (I used GIMP to create them)
5) I used the sticker labels from my DIY Sticker Label Tutorial to close the bag, and then punched holes for my divine twine to go through so I could tie a cute little bow

AND TADA:

Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Stay tuned...later today I will be posting the finished packaging for Tori Spelling's jewelry!

Fresh Fridays Link Party #17 on Release Me Creations

It's Back!
Fresh Fridays Link Party #17 on Release Me Creations
I sincerely apologize for missing the past two weeks. I quite frankly didn't even realize that Friday had passed until Sunday of both weeks! Life was a little crazy, but no more excuses...let's get started with
FRESHEST OF THE WEEK!
Jewelry Box Stand from The DIY Dreamer

Thrift Store Finds from Thriftionary

Pretty Headband from A Couple of Craft Addicts

Owl Pillow from Folk Haven

Soft and Chewy Snickerdoodles from Laughter and Grace

If you were featured remember to grab a button on the sidebar!
If you link up to this week's party, please be sure to follow my blog first, and then also visit the other partier's links...it is a party after all :)

DIY Wednesday: Make your Own Sticker Labels

 Today I'll show you how to create and print your own sticker labels like this one:

So my need for sticker labels actually arose out of my Celebrity Earth Day Gifting opportunity.  I'm making these super cute Upcycled Vinyl Record Image Bracelets for Earth conscious celebs this coming April, and I have been working on my packaging.  I am using brown Kraft bags, but they needed some sort of closure.  Immediately stickers popped into my head, . I looked into having them printed for me, but my DIY brain kept yelling at me "You can do these yourself!"
So I did.

WHAT YOU NEED: 
Sticker Labels (I used Avery #22807 White Round Print to Edge)
Internet 
GIMP or Photo Editing Program (Paint.Net or Photoshop will work great as well)
Computer with Word Program
Color Printer

1) After purchasing my labels I went to the Avery Templates page and typed in 22807 to pull up the right template (If you didn't use Avery, go to the brand's website as they will typically provide templates for you)
2) Download the template, and then open it up (I used Microsoft Word)  It will look something like this:

3) Design your label.  I used GIMP (Use this video tutorial on How to Make a Blog Button to help in using GIMP to make your sticker label)
4) I then inserted the saved JPG file from GIMP into my Word Document Template for each label on the sheet

5) Next, print IN DRAFT MODE on a blank sheet of paper so that you can insure proper alignment...I needed to adjust my template a tiny bit to the right so the circles lined up exactly with the template.  When you're sure they line up...
6) Print your labels on your sticker paper

Stay tuned for finished packaging for the Earth Day Bracelets!

DIY Wednesday: Crafty Project Mashup

Happy DIY Wednesday

I have no crafty projects of my own this week...which is par for my crafty slacker course. Life has been crazy as usual, but I do have a few crafty endeavors on the horizon..promise.

Today, I will still give you your DIY fix...I bring you amazing projects from others that I AM IN LOVE WITH want to do when I can gain a few free moments:

Book Art from Elle Decoration:

Little Egg Planters from Marijke

Silhouette Mason Jars from Lauren Elise Crafted

 Living Succulent Picture from BH&G

Sparkle Mirror and Garland from Apartment Therapy

Yarn Wrapped Driftwood from Honestly WTF

Jewelry Storage from A Time for Everything

Wooden Palette Upcycle from Lilly & Fran

Have a great Wednesday!!

P.S.
If you have ever bought a piece of jewelry from me and loved it, or just love what I have in my shop, please vote for me for Best of Fort Worth Jewelry!

Head to BEST OF FORT WORTH SHOPPING

Next to JEWELRY please enter Release Me Creations

Thank you all so much!

Fresh Fridays Link Party #16 on Release Me Creations Blog

Before we start, have you entered the 700Fb Fan Giveaway Extravaganza yet? 

Lots of goodies up for grabs, super fantastic chances of winning!

Now, let's get crafty:

Another fantastic week of projects!
Check out the freshest of the week:
Printable Pear from Laughter and Grace

Valentine's Crayon Art from Kadydid Designs

Awesome DIY Affirmation from Sew Inspired

52 Reasons Book from Lisa's Craft Blog

Heart Pot Holder from Vixen Made

If you were featured, be sure to grab a button on the sidebar!
ALRIGHT! Your turn. Link up your crafty projects.Please be sure to follow Release Me Creations before you link up, either by RSS, E-mail or GFC.No Etsy shops or other shop links please.Be sure to visit every else's links..it's a party after all!

Fresh Fridays Link Party #14

It's that time of the week again!

Let's take a look at this week's freshest projects!
Cool Corel Table from Salvaged Whimsy

Anthro Knockoff Vase from The Turquoise Piano

Wine Crate Shelves from Av Sussanne

Valentine's Day Wreath from I Shir Can Craft

Super Pretty Colorful Felt Necklace and Bracelet from My Life in Namibia

Pretty Cross Stitch Magnet from The Workshop of a Dream

If you were featured, be sure to grab a button on the left sidebar!
YOUR TURN!!!!
Remember to Follow Release Me Create first, either by RSS or GFC. And also make sure to check out the other partier's projects!
Also, please link back either with html or my button on the left sidebar. Many thanks!