In The Designer’s Studio With Danielle of Something Blue Studios
Posted in Contributor Feature, Truly Inspirational | 75 Comments »
75 Comments »Today will mark one of those bigger changes that will be happening this month.
After the results were in from our survey this fall and I saw the things you wanted to know about our contributors, “In the Designer’s Studio” was born. It reminds me a bit of that show “Inside the Actor’s Studio” where an interviewer asks standard questions to Hollywood stars. The questions below are the questions you said you wanted asked, along with a few other suggestions you had. 
I hope you enjoy these new designer features!
I am so excited to have Danielle of Something Blue here with us this month! Danielle is one of those designers that I remember from my early days in digital. She has some great digital products and she is also the home of those very cool magnets you might have seen around! I love that her designs are always unique and fresh and INSPIRING!
Here’s a closer look at Danielle’s contribution to THE DIGI FILES this month:
Here is what our team created with this very versatile kit (you will see my layouts using this kit on Friday):
Layout by Karen
Layout by Jacki, additional supplies: Font is SmartyPants by Darcy Baldwin.
Layout by Katie, additional supplies: font CK Rugged.
Layout by Melissa (included as a layered quick page in TDF11, minus the fonts), additional supplies: Fonts are CK Becky and Century Gothic.
Layout by Rachael
I am Danielle Catalano-Titus, a New Yorker living in Boston. I have a wee boy, a sweet girl, a cat, and a husband. I work full-time as a high school art teacher.
Here is layout by Danielle:
There are a couple of tips on my blog, and here is a Photoshop tip from my newsletter:
I learned this tip at Photoshop World and wanted to immediately kick myself for not knowing it sooner. So, you know how when you’re trying to use the Elliptical Marquee tool (or the rectangular one – but that’s easier) to select something, and it never ends up where you need it to be? So what do you do? If you’re like me, you start over, or you keep the selection and then use “transform selection” to tweak it. No more! Try this: While you’re dragging that marquee tool, hold down the space bar. Now you can move the selection AS YOU’RE SELECTING IT! Wahoo! Add the shift key to the mix and you’ve got perfect circles, wherever you want them. Hooray!
Mine is a long convoluted story, but basically I was a Photoshop lover who enjoyed making stuff to “decorate” my photos with before I printed them. I had never heard of digital scrapbooking. One day in summer 2004, a Google search led me to a post about a contest for a Memory Makers Digital Scrapbooking book, and the rules were that everything had to be computer generated. I said “I can do that!”, and so I made some papers and doodads and created a page to submit. It was accepted for the book, and I was hooked. Unfortunately I was only hooked on the contest/publication aspect of it all, and so all of my early pages are not really dear memories but just pages thrown together based on what I thought that particular contest or magazine was looking for. Doing all that led me to some great opportunities, but I don’t submit stuff anymore. I just design because I love it, and scrap if I feel like I have something real to say. And if there’s time.
Everything I see. And magazines. I’m a magazine junkie. It’s a sickness.
I have a Dell PC, and I’m running whatever came before Vista. I have no idea how much ram, but I know it’s not nearly enough and we’re looking into another computer as I type. I’m lucky I even know what ram means. Ask me anything about Photoshop, but don’t ask me about a computer’s innards. No clue whatsoever.
I use Photoshop and Illustrator. Both CS3 right now. I don’t feel the need to upgrade to 4. I think I’ll wait for the next round.
I have a Canon Digital Rebel XT, and that’s good enough for me as I have no idea what I am doing and just shoot on automatic most of the time.
I could not, no way, no how, design without my Wacom Intuos tablet. How did I ever live without this thing?? And I so love my scanner – the CanoScan8800F.
I would have to say my Love Story kit. My most recent thing is almost always my favorite.
Any of the worn overlays. By a mile.
Here are some of my favorite Something Blue Studios’ products:
Some physical products that you can have made with your digital creations:
Here’s a bit of inspiration using Something Blue products (images without credits are linked to originals):
Layout by Karen, supplies: Something Blue Studios Love Story kit, Paint, and Sentence Strip Wrappers; Font is Darcy Baldwin Angel Baby
Layout by Katie, supplies: Project 365 Quick.ish page by Something Blue Studios (TDF11). Fonts are Fontologie Textura Traced and calibri
I want to say THANK YOU to Danielle for being with us at TDD this month!! Please go check out her store then come back and leave a comment telling us your favorite SBS products. Tomorrow’s GIFTaway will be chosen from those comments.
As a THANKS to our readers Danielle is offering 20% off all digital downloads, now until January 31, 2010: TDD20
You can even use the code during her 30% TDD feature sale for an even bigger discount! All digital downloads are on sale for 30% from now until January 7!
WOW!! What a deal!! Thanks, Danielle!
P.S. Congratulations to Kate who is the winner of today’s GIFTaway! She was randomly drawn from the customers that have purchased THE DIGI FILES to this point so far. She won a $10 GC to Something Blue Studios!
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I love the Project 365 Frames and Masks–so versitile!
I have always loved her overlays (doesn’t everyone)! I’ve always wanted to get the moody overlays and I am actually going to pick them up right now! Thanks for the additional coupon code!
I will go to Danielle’s site when I have wireless at work and come back and post. I liked the PS tip – I NEED to learn so much. I will also visit her blog – High school art teacher! I teach at an outpatient mental health program. Later!
Hi!
I love “Love Story” kit!!! It’s simply amazing! One of my favs for sure!!!
Kisses
When I saw the flower in Love Story it definitely said “Buy me” – downloading now! Thanks.
Thanks for sharing more about Danielle. I had bought her flair magnets for Christmas for both myself and my parents. They are absolutely gorgeous, I love them and would highly recommend them to anyone. In fact, I want more!! A bigger size would be great too! I also love that Love Story kit – adorable!!
What’s not to love!
I downloaded the “Flair for your Fridge” templates… kicking around the idea of getting started on Christmas 2010 already!
I think I have heard of her store, but I’ve never purchased anything of hers. I will now! I LOVE those textures. I am a stickler for realistic textures and shadows.
My fave thing from her hands down is the “Love Story” kit. I have it and I LOVE it! It is just so perfect! Thanks for the chance!
The first thing I ever purchased from SBS was the worn overlays… those are still my favourite!!
Top Ten Quick.ish Page looks fabulous! And so affordable, too.
I have Danielle’s Love Story kit and have really enjoyed using it on my latest project. Someone mentioned the flower, but also look at the wonderful dimensional origami paper stars-so cute and different.
I have Danielle’s worn overlays and I use them all the time. Now off to see what else I need; thanks for the coupon.
That kit is so pretty – I can’t wait to use it. Love your new format.
Love it…
Oh my gosh, this is gorgeous! I must have it! No waiting to see what others have contributed! LOL! Thank you so much!
The Love Story kit looks amazing and Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. But, worn overlays are my favorite that I have. Thanks for the PS tip-that happens to me all the time!
I love the overlays – a must have staple for any digiscrapper!!!
I love the worn overlays… they are my favorite… but I just noticed these Image Transfer Action Kit and must get those!! Thanks!!
The sentence strip wrappers rock!
How cool are those worn journal overlays… love them!
I love the fridge magnets!
Totally agree that ‘Love Story’ is gorgeous, I love the look of torn papers!
Wow! THIS is why I like the DigiFiles so much! Great kit!
well, I really love the overlays, they are a must have!!
thanks so much for the chance, loved the interview!!
I love her Fridge Flair magnets. So cute!
I adore the Paint! So fun!!
I love the Flair for your Fridge magnets!
I can’t get enough of your worn overlays!! They are my go-to tools for distressing my papers.
I really liked this!! I’d never heard of your products, but they’re awesome–and yup, the worn overlays set 2 really rock!
Can I just say that since I bought TDF 11 I have been loving this kit! I have used something from it on the last pages I have done. I really love the alpha that comes with it! Super fun.
I love Danielle’s worn paper overlays – I would LOVE the worn alpha overlays!
Thanks!
Oooh, I love Danielle’s work. Thank you for the introduction. My favorite kit is “Love Story” – what possibilities for scrapping with that one.
I love the jewlery with the charms as a physical product. I am so getting one of those for my mother. Digitally, I (heart) the Baby Bead Alpha. I love bead alphas and I use them all the time on LOs.
She really has awesome kit!!! Thanks for the introduction!
It’s nice getting to know the designers personally 
I love all of Danielle’s stuff but my fave has always been the worn overlays but I am loving Love Story and am off to get it now!
I love the set of photo edges
I have to say that Danielle’s kit was one of my favorites in this month’s digifiles. I also really like the Love Story kit!
I am just loving those Moody Photo Textures, esp with project 365 going and the tons of photos that will be taken.
I love the photo jewelry! The bracelet with the square charms is so pretty. Thanks for the gift-away and Happy Birthday TDD!
‘love story’ kit is sooo beautiful! I’ll be getting it for sure!
I love the product included in the digi files – I will definitely be purchasing it. As far as from her store, I really like the “Love Story” kit, although the fridge flair is awesome as well. I may have to make some for future gifts!
I love that space bar tip for PS, and am always looking for helpful tips like that, as I’m still fairly new to PS! Thanks!
Ooooo I love that little toploader album she made! I am soo gonna have to get crafty and try that!
My favorites are probably the photo textures (which I have!) I LOVE them! But that jewelry – - I adore those bracelets. I think I am going to be needing one of those very soon.
This is one of the reasons why I LOVE TDD – you get to discover “new” designers! I have to say this is just my type of scrapbooking supplies….I think it´s all gorgeous but I´ll pick the photo overlays as my favourites right now. Oh, and those bracelets are to die for….
I really loved the TDD kit from Danielle, and my favorite product from her story is her kit Love Story. Hope I win, thanks for the chance.
So hard to choose! I really like her Love Story kit and I’m a huge fan of her square magnets, too…they’re fab!
I’ve been a fan of Danielle’s work for a long time. I once emailed her and begged her to make more worn overlays like she had in her Autumnal Decay. I like to think I’m her reason for doing so – LOL!
ya gotta love the flair magnets for the fridgie. but then i love it all. thanks for sharing
I really like the Top Ten Quick.ish Page. Gotta go back and look some more!
The worn journal overlays on her layout got my attention right away so I had to go check them out – literally.
Danielle’s pendants and magnets are awesome. I ordered some last fall and was really happy with the quality. Thanks for sharing her story!
Well, I have been a big fan of her magnets and overlays for a long time, but and now eyeing those photo abuse packs!
I have been an admirer for awhile now, so it is easy for me to say that my most favorite and often used product is her worn photo overlays!
Love, love, love the magnets! They make great gifts!
I’m so happy to see you are spotlighting Danielle. I have all of her worn overlays and absolutely love them!
Big fan of her work! Her magnets are the bomb! I have quite a bit already, but I’ve been eyeing those overlay shapes for a little while now! So those are my fav right now!
Great kits and overlays! Such fun
My favorite product is the Love Story kit. So beautiful!
Oh I am all over those fridge magnets – square, the neat cards with magnets, and that set of 16 fridge flairs/magnets…. I know what I’m saving money for! Thanks for introducing me to Danielle and her shop!
I love her worn photo overlays – I own one set. I think I need to get the other!
I love ANYTHING Danielle does. I have it all, just about! I was SO excited when I heard she was in the Digi Files this month. One of my favorite things she’s done is her Provence kit. I also love her worn overlays. Thanks!
Danielle is not only an awesome talented designer, she’s got to be one of the funniest, down-to-earth gals I’ve ever ‘met’ in digiland. Everything she makes is fantastic and fresh, and I’m so happy to be at the same shop with her. Danielle is a hoot, and I lovey her!
I love her Fridge Flair. I bought some for myself and the grandparents for Christmas and they were a huge hit
Love her designs. I bought the paisley thing. How great is that?? Also Love story and an overlay set. I want some fridge flair and jewelry still. Still to come…
Your stuff is absolutely AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!! I think I have every one of your overlays. THEY ROCK!
fantastic!!! You have introduced me to a new designer, a new store, and I love everything I see. I love the worn journaling strips and sentence wraps. Thanks for the coupon codes.
I love Danielle’s favorite “Love Story!!!”
WOW First time i saw her things… gone to her blog and store
I like so much her titorial for shadows!
and i like her products .. special the Moody Photo texture,.,… going there to buy it!.. plus i think the Love kit is great too!
a hug from Colombia
Soffy
One favorite? hmmm, I’m loving her LOVE STORY digital kit. But my goodness, the photo jewelry – it is fantastic!
I love her Love Story! I already have her worn overlays… they are amazing!!
I love all of her things but especially her photo textures and worn overlays. I was very excited to see that she had a kit in TDF.
Thanks Danielle!! I love your products!!
I’m a huge fan!! Love your designs Danielle! My absolute fav. though would have to be your Worn Overlays!