luminicity

Season's Greetings!

2007-12-23T09:53:17Z

For those celebrating a religious holiday this December and everyone else wishing you all had/have a wonderful break with family and friends.

Happy Eid, Merry Christmas, and Happy Hanukkah!

Here's to a happy and safe New Year everyone! Hope you're all enjoying the time off and festivities that may come with it. :)

Technologically challenged

2007-12-02T06:08:02Z

Wow, I totally suck at updating this journal. I've made a few icons so will make a post in the next few days when they're done at my icon journal. YAY!

In other news my Dad was given a really flash mobile phone from work. It has all the bells and whistles, mp3 player, camera, email and all that jazz. The only problem is he only just figured out how to switch on his last phone! LOL Technology and parents really don't mix....no matter how many times you show them how to SMS they never learn. Dad's response, "I don't need all that fancy stuff, I just need to make/receive calls.... " Sure Dad.

Any one else have any stories of parents and their inability to use technology? Please share if you do! :)

Finally I just wanted to point everyone to this site -

FreeRice is a sister site of the world poverty site, Poverty.com You play a vocabulary game and for each word you get right the UN donates 20 grains of rice to end world hunger. So whenever you can spare a few minutes why not take a break and play the game? Feel free to spread the word on your journals and what not, so far 5,306,133,170 grains of rice have been donated...and every bit helps.. Pretty impressive considering the site only started on October 7.

WARNING: This game may make you smarter. It may improve your speaking, writing, thinking, grades and job performance...

TV MEME

2007-04-19T08:33:52Z

Haven't updated LJ for awhile now *cough* thanks for the reminder Dr. Partypants ;-) *cough* A few of you have already done this meme and it looked like a lot of fun so I thought I'd give it a go too. :)

-Go to IMDB.com and look up 10 TV shows you like(d).
-Post three official IMDB "Plot Keywords" for these 10 picks.
-Have your friends guess the show names.

ETA: A few extra clues. I think I made these too hard, that and a few of them aren't that familiar to the fandom world.

1. ~~New York City, Black Comedy, Police – Clue: Stars Denis Leary~~ - The Job lyn09er

2. ~~Child Genius, Lost Identity, Conspiracy – Clue: This is a tough one. A show in 1996, think of another name for imposter.~~- The Pretender daisakura

3. ~~Based On Book, Government Coverup, Conspiracy~~ - Clue: UFO crash, Tabasco Sauce - Roswell daisakura

4. ~~Brother, Baby, Suspense~~ – Supernatural puddleduck3

5. ~~Homicidal Baby, Small Town, Stupidity~~ – Family Guy punky_auri

6. ~~Messenger, Wheelchair, Escape~~ – Dark Angel luna_61

7. ~~Cliffhanger, Chase, Deception~~ - 24 luna_61

8. ~~Mistress, Family Conflict, Lawyer~~ - Clue: New show, extra key word - Brother Sister Relationship, if that doesn't give it away! - Brothers & Sisters one_two_trio

9. ~~World Travel, Airport, Non Fiction~~ – The Amazing Race prior

10. ~~Spy, Murder, Friendship – Clue: Private Detective, Characters Name in Title~~ - Veronica Mars

lyn09er

Oops deleted #10 by mistake. LOL

Reminder

2006-10-13T06:30:32Z

Hi everyone,

For those of you who already know please ignore this post, and sorry for cluttering up your friends view. Just wanted to put up a quick note for anyone who has friended this journal for icons etc...that I will only be posting icons/resources over at my new community luminous_ink from now on - in case you were wondering about the lack of icon updates ;-)

You're all most welcome to watch or join the community.

Thanks! :)

New Community

2006-08-03T04:47:13Z

Hi everyone,

Sorry for the lack of updates, uni has been keeping me pretty busy these past few weeks, but I have a few days off so hopefully i'll have some new icons/graphics up soon. Anyways just wanted to let you know that I've transferred all icon/resource posts to a new community at luminous_ink I'll be posting all icon related things there from now on, it's easier to have everything in one place without any personal entries getting in the way. Plus, your friends view won't be cluttered up anymore, as it's much easier to filter out community posts now :)

You're all most welcome to watch or join the community.

Thanks :)

Even more Fun Icons

2006-07-17T06:01:35Z

(5) Misc.
(10) Jack Bauer facts (a few LOST crossover)
(15) House M.D quotes

Yes, I'm a one trick pony, more icons like the previous batch. If there's any spelling errors (more than likely!) let me know and I'll fix them up as soon as possible. Again, apologies for a mulitfandom post but it shouldn't take too long to load for dial up users (I should know as I have dial up myself.) Most of the Jack Bauer quote icons are from Jack Bauer Facts. Check out the link if you haven't done so, lots of fun! No HP icons in this batch, I think i've pretty much done as many HP icons in this style as possible ;-) To quote House, "but who knows? Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe I'm too stoned to tell." :p

(Community question)
Also off topic but I was thinking of starting a icon community to post all these icons/resources. I feel extremely guilty when I spam your journals with icons and what not, and now with LJ's new navigation strip it'd be extremely easy for you all to filter your posts according to communities/journals only. So would those who have already friended the journal be interested in joining the community if started up? Anyway let me know your thoughts everyone :)

Teasers
2. 7. 16.

(5) Misc.

(10) Jack Bauer

6		7		8		9		10
11		12		13		14		15

(15) House M.D

16	17	18	19	20
21	22	23	24	25
26	27	28	29	30

Resources
* Comments always welcomed/Credit not needed
* Please no hotlinking
* If you're snagging things from previous entries, no need to comment on each post - one comment is fine :)
* Most of all enjoy! =)
You're most welcome to friend this journal for updates, no need to ask :)

Fun Icons

2006-07-07T04:37:20Z

(10) LOST (20) House M.D (25) HP (10) Misc.

I apologise in advance for this multifandom post. I never usually post this way but as there's only a handful of the same style of icons from each fandom and each icon only a mere 6kb size wise, it shouldn't take that long to load up ;) that and I didn't want to spam your F-list with multiple icon entries! I had so much fun making the last batch of HP icons so thought I'd make some more of the same style for HP and the other fandoms. Enjoy! :)

Teasers
3. 20. 61.

(10) LOST

1		2		3		4		5
6		7		8		9		10

(20) House M.D

11	12	13	14	15
16	17	18	19	20
21	22	23	24	25
26	27	28	29	30

(25) HP - the first batch of these icons can be found here

31	32	33	34	35
36	37	38	39	40
41	42	43	44	45
46	47	48	49	50
51	52	53	54	55

(10) Misc.

56		57		58		59		60
61		62		63		64		65

Resources
* Comments always welcomed/Credit isn't necessary
* Please no hotlinking
* Most of all enjoy! =)
You're most welcome to friend this journal for updates :)

Feel free to check out previous LOST icons or just hit the tags.
Teasers
1. 10. 12.

ETA: If anyone would like a T-shirt icon with their fav. band let me know which colour you'd like and I'd be more than happy to make one for you :)

ETA 2: Fixed spelling errors! YAY! Might have to check the entry again if you've already snagged some icons :)

Lemonade

2006-06-30T06:37:07Z

(20) lemonade related icons + recipe

I've been meaning to post this wonderful lemonade recipe I found a month or so back in the The Good Weekend. It's really simple to make and tastes wonderful! Perfect for summer ;-) I've included a few lemonade icons too. Who doesn't love lemons?!

Teasers
1. 12. 20.

1	2	3	4	5
6	7	8	9	10
11	12	13	14	15
16	17	18	19	20

Images from Getty Images, Stock.XCHNG and Corbis. Feel free to slap on some text on any of the icons if you wish. ;-)

GEOFF SLATTERY'S LEMONADE
Ingredients
- 250g white sugar
- 250ml water
- zest of 3 large lemons (use a potato peeler)
- 250ml sieved lemon juice (4-6 lemons)
- small handful mint leaves*

1. Heat the sugar, water and zest in a saucepan, stirring until the sugar dissolves, then bring to a rolling boil - about 30 seconds.
2. With the zest still in, leave to cool to room temperature, then add the lemon juice and return to the boil briefly.
3. Add the mint leaves and leave to cool. When completely cool, strain and bottle. Add sparingly to ice-cold water.
4. Clean up the mess you made! ;-)

* I didn't have mint leaves at the time I made this and it still tasted really nice!

Resources
* Please no hotlinking
* Most of all enjoy! =)

You're most welcome to friend this journal for updates :)

2006 LJ PETITION

2006-06-26T06:01:24Z

I know some of you have already seen the ugly "proposed" changes to the userinfo/profile page. If you haven't done so already then please follow the link below. Click the image and it'll take you there.

If you would like your userinfo page to remain the same then please sign the 2006 PETITION AGAINST CHANGES IN THE LIVEJOURNAL INTERFACE.

Thanks! :)

Stock Icons

2006-06-26T05:31:41Z

(25) Random Stock icons

Teasers
7. 20. 22.

1	2	3	4	5
6	7	8	9	10
11	12	13	14	15
16	17	18	19	20
21	22	23	24	25

Images from Getty Images, Stock.XCHNG and Corbis. Feel free to slap on some text on any of the icons if you wish. ;-)

Resources
* Please no hotlinking
* Most of all enjoy! =)

You're most welcome to friend this journal for updates :)

Cupcake/Muffin Stock Icons

2006-06-21T12:55:01Z

(30) Icons + Double Choc Muffin Recipe

Teasers
3. 8. 30.

1	2	3	4	5	6
7	8	9	10	11	12
13	14	15	16	17	18
19	20	21	22	23	24
25	26	27	28	29	30

All images from Getty Images, feel free to slap on some text on icons if you want ;-)

So my I recently found one of my old recipes I had learned to make way back in Home Ec. class during high school. A little late night shopping for the ingredients ;-) to make this yummy recipe inspired me to make a batch of deliciously sweet icons to accompany the recipe. Enjoy!

Warning: only sweet tooths should make this recipe! Or maybe I just added too much chocolate?! LOL

DOUBLE CHOC MUFFINS
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Total cooking time: 12-15 minutes
Makes 6 large muffins

Ingredients
- 2 cups self-raising flour
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons caster sugar
- 1 cup dark choc bits
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 3/4 cup milk
- 90 grams butter, melted (I didn't add any myself and it works just as well)

1. Preheat over to 180 degrees Celsius (350 Fahrenheit). Add your paper muffin cases to tray. Sift flower and cocoa into large bowl. Add sugar and 3/4 cup choc bits and mix through. Make a well in the centre of the mixture.
2. Add the combined egg, sour cream, milk and melted butter all at once and stir with a fork until just combined. (Do not overbeat; batter should look quite lumpy.)
3. Spoon batter into prepared tin and scatter with remaining choc bits. Bake 12-15 minutes or until firm.
4. Serve warm while the chocolate is melted or cool and eat later.
5. Clean up the mess you made! ;-)

Resources
* Credit isn't necessary
* Please no hotlinking
* Most of all enjoy! =)

You're most welcome to friend this journal for updates :)

Tutorial - How to use Textures

2006-06-16T03:35:12Z

Tutorial requested by psychodids to show how to use textures when making icons. All of the texture used in the tutes are made by me and if you'd like can be downloaded in their respective sets at my journal, just hit the tags to find them or check memories. :)

Learn how to makes these icons

1. 2. 3.

I used the bases as is but please don't feel you have to aswell. By all means I'd prep the bases even more when making icons myself with colouring/brushes and what not, I didn't use any because I wanted to show you the effects of what you can do with textures/blending modes alone.

The table layout codes were inspired by one of 10000_pixels tutorials. If anyone would like to create a table like this they can do so at TableMaker.

Light Textures

Layers	Description - Using Light Textures	Stages
	Light textures are the easiest things to use, but can really add a little something special from an ordinary icon. Simply open up your base (I used one made by by evitaporter and paste the light texture you want to use on top of your base and set it to screen (move the light texture if necessary). Depending on your picture you might have to erase any bits covering your image (Eg. like a face)..

	It seems like you haven't done much but the light texture really gives a pretty effect of sunlight flares. It looks nice as is but I played around with saturation and colour balance to give it a bit of a nostalgic feeling. Follow this order to achieve this colour. Hue - 5 Saturation - 10 Red + 24 Yellow - 24 Added some text and it's finished.

Screening Textures

Layers	Description - Screening Textures	Stages
	I started out with this base of Kate from Lost by zeppo1630 because I was feeling too lazy to crop a pic to 100x100! :p Prep your base image and change the colour etc to your liking, I left mine as is.
	Then open up the texture you want to use. Paste that layer onto your base image and set to screen.
	I moved the texture layer a little to the left, but it doesn't really matter as we'll get rid of everything covering the face anyway. Edit: Now use your eraser tool.

	Erase the bits that are covering her face. The left layer shows you what your erased layer should look like if it wasn't set to screen. That's it! Add any text/brushes if you wish and your done. :)

Multiplying Textures

Layers	Description - Multiplying Textures	Stages
	This is another easy thing to do to add some colour to your icons. I know there are some great tutorials that achieve wonderful colouring but then they have a thousand steps of burn layer/dodge etc. Something different to try out is multiplying a texture layer on to your base. You'd be surprised by the effects! Though you might have to play around to see how well it works depending on your base. Anyway, I started of with this base by evitaporter and this yellow texture.

	I set the texture to multiply 100%. A little too bright so I changed the opacity to 49% (Again this will depend on your base). Experiment with hue/saturation for a completely different look.

Layers	Description - Multiplying Textures	Stages
	I started out with this base of Hermione by shadowshamrock and this texture
	I adjusted the colour of the base by playing with Hue and increased the amount of red. Set the texture layer to multiply 100% and then moved it a littler to the left. Edit: Now use your eraser tool and erase the bits that are covering her face. Add any text etc…

Overlaying Textures


Layers	Description - Overlaying Textures	Stages
	As with multiplying texture to add a little colour, why not try overlaying too? (Again it might depend on your base at how well this effect works) I started of with this base by letmypidgeonsgo and this texture.

	I set the texture to overlay 100%. Experiment with hue/saturation/opacity for a completely different look - I tried it myself and gave it even more of a sunset feel.

Layered Textures

Layers	Description - Using Layered Textures	Stages
	I thought I'd write up a quick tute on how to use the layered textures that I created in my last set of texture sets. I started of with this base by evitaporter and this texture.
	Rotate the base image to 20 degrees CW then set the texture to screen 100%. Move the layer accordingly to fit the size of the polaroid. Edit: Now use your eraser tool. Erase the unwanted bits. The right layer shows you what your erased layer should look like if it wasn't set to screen.
	I added this text brush by radon_ and set it to multiply 100%. Added the word "beautiful" and the icon is done.

Other Examples using layered texture set and following the above tute

Hope these tutes were some what helpful for those wondering how to use textures and by all means post your finished icons here - I'd love to see what you all made. Feel free to use any of the finished icons if you'd like.

The most important thing to remember when making icons is that there is a lot of trial and error involved - experimenting is half the fun! Somethings work really well and others just don't, just try to have a little fun and you'll be surprised with what you can come up with! :)

Fun HP icons

2006-06-14T04:21:18Z

(24)Fun HP icons

I was going to make an icon post devoted to our dear Arthur (because lets face it, he is quite a lovable character) but I couldn't resist making some for the other characters too (that and I liked playing with the bright colours!). Let me know what you guys think.

Teasers
1. 7. 19.

1	2	3	4	5	6
7	8	9	10	11	12
13	14	15	16	17	18
19	20	21	22	23	24

ETA Fixed spelling errors for icon #24 & #7. Spelling was never my strong point! LOL

Resources
* Credit isn't necessary
* Please no hotlinking
* Most of all enjoy! =)

Feel free to check out previous HP icons or just hit the tags.

Teasers
2. 7. 14.

You're most welcome to friend this journal for updates :)

Texture Sets

2006-06-07T04:44:55Z

- Layered texture set (including large 500x300)
- Light Texture set
- Tiling Patterns

16 Layered Textures
I wasn't sure exactly what to call this set, it's a cross between polaroids/scattered note paper/corkboard textures - but the main goal was to achieve a layered look which I attempted to do in my last batch of HP icons here

Download

ETA: Learn how to use layered texture sets

35 Light Textures

Download

15 Tiling Patterns

Download

Resources
* Comments are always appreciated
* Credit isn't necessary
* Most of all enjoy! :-)

Feel free to friend this journal for updates :)

Worst Movie

2006-06-06T04:46:42Z

The other day I watched Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle (because there was nothing else to watch). Though really I shouldn't have been expecting much but none the less hoped it would've been at least some what enjoyable as the first movie. The movie felt like a bunch of clips put together as a "movie". It had no plot, the jokes were lame and The Matrix effect should be banned! And I cannot believe that Demi Moore picked THIS movie of all movies to make her come back! Honestly did she even read the script? Horrible.

Now I know there has been a lot of bad movies, usually teenage movies like "Dude, where's my Car" and the likes, but

Before seeing Charlie's Angels 2 at the top of my worst movie list was Artificial Intelligence: AI by Steven Spielberg. Seriously, you'd think a movie with Steven Spielberg would be great but to my complete surprise it was a truly atrocious movie. It's about a little robot boy (sounds good so far, right?! LOL) wanting to become "real". Think Bicentennial Man with Robin Williams. Now it might seem a bit harsh to call A.I atrocious and it didn't help that I fell asleep (literally) half way into the movie (it didn't help that I was watching this at 4am in the morning either :p) but I remember it being a bad movie because it ended with, wait for it, and avoid this if you haven't and want to see the movie........ALIENS!!! I mean really?!

Another bad movie on the list is League of Extraordinary Gentlemen with Sean Connery. That was one awful movie I must say. There are plenty of others but these are the ones I remember the most at this moment.

George Shrinks bases/icons

2006-06-01T07:03:52Z

* 34 George Shrinks bases/icons

I'm not sure if people are familiar with the cartoon and books by William Joyce but the pictures are just too cute not to be used on LJ ;-)

Preview
18. 22. 31.

1	2	3	4	5	6
7	8	9	10	11	12
13	14	15	16	17	18
19	20	21	22	23	24
25	26	27	28	29	30
31	32	33	34

- Customise to your hearts contents :)

* Credit not needed/Comments always appreciated
* Please no hotlinking
* Most of all enjoy! =)

Feel free to friend this journal for updates :)

Textures and Lost Header

2006-05-31T03:59:11Z

- 2 icon sized texture sets
- 3 Larger Textures (800x450)
- 1 Lost Header (796x450)

Texture Sets
So I've been experimenting with stock images to help create textures and here's what I've come up with. What do you guys think?


Download	Download

Large Textures
For those of you who'd only like the larger textures from the above sets, I've uploaded a zip file containing 3 textures. I'm not sure how helpful the cloud texture will be but I thought I'd throw it in there, you can always delete it if you don't need it. Below is an example of what I did with the cloud texture as my base image.

Download

Lost Header
Used as an example to show what you can achieve with your textures. If anyone would like to use the header go right ahead. I purposely left the top area empty so you guys could customise it to your liking by adding more pictures/your LJ username any other text etc. You might have to resize the image to fit in with your layout but that can easily be done. I suppose you could use it as a wallpaper too.

(796x450)

Resources
* Comments are always appreciated if you have time
* Credit isn't necessary
* Most of all enjoy! :-)

Feel free to friend this journal for updates :)

Resource Dump

2006-05-26T11:05:41Z

I come bearing gifts for your icon/graphics making. =)

- 3 Texture sets containing 15 icon sized textures
- 3 Larger Textures (700x350)
- 25 Icon sized Brushes
- 5 Larger Brushes

Texture Sets
Each texture set contains 15 icon sized (100x100) textures and also the larger (700x350) texture used to create the icon sized textures.


IMAGEPACK	IMAGEPACK	IMAGEPACK

For those of you who'd only like the larger textures from the above sets, I've uploaded a zip file containing the 3 textures
3 Large Textures (700x350)
Brushes
The icon sized brushes were created from the larger brushes, I've left them as two sets as some people may perfer one over the other.


IMAGEPACK	IMAGEPACK

ETA: A huge thank you to neke for making a *.abr brushset for both large/icon sized brushes for Photoshop CS and up
Download *.abr

Note: To change the colour of the brushes using only the images from the imagepack simply open up the brush you like, create a new layer and fill with the colour of your choice (Eg. B01515 - a red colour)and set that layer to screen. To make the brush a white colour, invert your brush image and then copy merged and paste it on your desired image and set that layer to screen.

* Comments appreciated if taking
* Credit isn't necessary
* Most of all enjoy! :-)

15 Textures

2006-05-22T05:56:32Z

First ever texture set - all are 100x100

Download - save to desktop.

* Comments appreciated if downloading
* Credit not needed
* Most of all enjoy :)

12 Fruit Icons

2006-05-20T11:28:37Z

* Comments appreciated (just so I can get an idea of what works/doesn't)

Preview
3. 7. 10.

1	2	3	4
5	6	7	8
9	10	11	12

* Credit isn't necessary
* Please no hotlinking
* Most of all enjoy! =)

Thought I'd do something different to the usual fandom icons, so here you have it, FRUIT! Who doesn't like fruit?! Feel free to add some text in the icons.

Oops forgot to add images from Stock.XCHNG

Resources

Postage Pack Brushes

2006-05-17T03:55:08Z

Image pack that contains 50 postage related brushes

* Comments appreciated
* Credit isn't necessary
* Most of all enjoy :)

Download - save to desktop.

All brushes created with images from Getty Images and Stock.XCHNG

HP icons

2006-05-15T06:43:48Z

(24) HP icons
* Comments appreciated (just so I can get an idea of what works/doesn't)
* 6 Canon Shipping icons (1 animated)
* 6 Text icons
* Rest sketchy effect icons

Previews of each
1. 10. 20.

1	2	3	4	5	6
7	8	9	10	11	12
13	14	15	16	17	18
19	20	21	22	23	24

Resources
* Credit isn't necessary
* Please no hotlinking
* Most of all enjoy! =)

Shipping icons - were inspired by JKR's desk. I loved the layered look of the scattered papers /disks/coffee etc so I tried to somewhat incorporate that in the icons. I'm not a big fan of animated icons, they look really great but if you stare at them long enough they really start to annoy you and it even gives me a headache! LOL But I just add to try out the great tutorial by asya_17. So if people really like animated icons I might make some more.

The sketchy effect was used to complement the Lost Icons I made in a previous post.

Feel free to check out previous W.O.M.B.A.T icons or just hit the tags.

ETA: Since there's been a few comments on how to create the sketchy effect I thought I'd write up a quick response on how to go about creating the look.

Sketch Effect Tute

To create the sketchy image follow this great tutorial with some added touches (I had the original link up by Heather (?) in my resources post but the link doesn't seem to be working. They're both the same tutorial). Once you've followed the tute and achieved your desired effect create a new layer and fill with the colour you'd like the sketch to be in (eg colour #681647). Set that layer to screen 100%.

Open up your background/texture and paste the above image and set to multiply 100%. Add any text/brushes and your done!

Some other tutorials that may be good to check out Half Sketch Effect Photoshop Tutorial, "High-Contrast Sketch"Ulternatively you could try Gooling "create sketch effect" and see what comes up.

Hope that helped ;)If you have any more questions feel free to ask.

Lost icons

2006-05-08T06:11:08Z

(16) Lost icons

* Comments appreciated (just so I can get an idea of what works/doesn't)
* Credit not needed
* Please no hotlinking
* Most of all enjoy! =)

Thought I'd do some non Harry Potter icons this time around. Hope you like them.

Teasers
1. 10. 12.

1	2	3	4
5	6	7	8
9	10	11	12
13	14	15	16

Resources

Picture Frame masks

2006-05-02T05:51:56Z

Image pack that contains 30 Picture Frame masks

* Not all frames are 100x100 but can easily be resized
* Please comment if taking
* Credit isn't necessary
* Most of all enjoy :)

Download - save to desktop.

Examples
1. 2. 3.

To use simply crop the image you want to use to the size of the "black" mask and set to screen. Feel free to change colour, resize, manipulate to your hearts content.

Resources

W.O.M.B.A.T icons

2006-04-27T04:28:48Z

(30) W.O.M.B.A.T icons - a little late I know, but you can still use them for the next test ;)

As always feedback/comments/suggestions is always welcome :)
* Comments appreciated
* Credit is nice but not necessary
* Please no hotlinking
* Most of all enjoy! =)

Teasers
6. 11. 17.

* Feel free to make a request (maybe different colour/text in the icons). I'll try to do my best ;)

1	2	3	4	5	6
7	8	9	10	11	12
13	14	15	16	17	18
19	20	21	22	23	24
25	26	27	28	29	30

Check out previous HP icons?
Resources