Chocolate Cactus Designs

Birth/Holiday Card combos!

Thanks to all of you that requested I make some of these.  I truly had a wonderful time doing them!  There are 4 in the set (for now - I may add some more later).  All are designed to be 5x7 flat cards, and of course come as layered .psd files at 300 resolution with editable colors.  I used the same script font for the last two cards, but certainly any script font will work nicely.

The set sells for $40, and can be paid via PayPal using the email jodi@chocolatecactus.com with the subject "Birth/Holiday combo".  Be sure to include your email address for delivery if it differs from the one you send the payment from.  Cards will be emailed within 48 hours of payment (with the exception of weekends).

Click for a larger image:

Chocolate, Camera, Action!

Well, I decided to create some actions.  Already have a ton?  Well, you don't have these - ha.  Check them out:

(Click for a larger view)

"Antiqued" - This action gives a bit of an antiqued feel to your images by muting the colors and then adding a hit of brown.  It also adds just a touch of grain for effect.

"BW with Pizazz" - This action is a great bw conversion - lots of contrast, doesn't blow the whites and has an adjustable curves layer so you can tweak to taste.   

"BW Tinted" - This action is the same version as the BW With Pizazz, but with a hit of warmth.

"It's Dark in Here" - Does just what it says.  It brightens the image, thus making the color pop a bit.  Has an adjustable curves later so you can tweak to taste.

"Retro Funk" - A fun action that can be used anywhere you want to add a bit of spark t your image.  Perfect for senior photos, too!

"Softie Glow with a Boost" - Adds a bit of a soft glow and pumps the color just the right amount.

"Tack Sharp" - Come on, do you really need a description?  Hee.

"Somebody Punch Me" - Not really, please.  :)  This one is a simple color pop.  Run twice for more effect.  Run three times if you're really feeling frisky.

All of my actions are easy to use - just click play and voila.  No annoying stops to make you work hard for the results.  I made these with simplicity and subtlety in mind.  If they aren't strong enough, simply play them again!

Only works with PS7 and higher.  Sorry to the PS Elements users as I use curves on many of these.

Set of 8 actions - $35

Payments only accepted through PayPal.  Use the email address jodi@chocolatecactus.com when paying and specify "Actions" in the subject.  Actions will be emailed within 48 hours from receiving payment (with the exception of weekends).

New products and a welcome

Welcome to my new Typepad blog!  This one is more versatile, so I decided to transition over.  Starting later today, I will be posting here permanently.

Just some quick news:

I recently released a set of 5x5 folded birth announcements (not trifolds) called "Simply Illustrated". They can be found below - they are not on my site just yet. Go check them out!

Along with the upcoming release of the new templates, I also created a set of actions. These are what I often use for my workflow, so I decided to make a full set. They will be released later today!

As if that wasn't enough to do (ha), you all have me on my toes with work (and logos, thanks to the great response to my recent logo promo). So I am here, just busy! Sorry to neglect the blog.

See you soon!

NEW - "Simply Illustrated" birth announcements

This is something I have been wanting to do for a while - create super simple, super cute announcements with simple illustrations, and here they are!

These are designed as 5x5 folded cards (NOT trifolds), and come as layered psd files at 300 resolution. Main colors are editable (so most of these are universal for both boys and girls), and there will be dummy text in place using a non-paid font - likely Times or Arial - so that you won't have to substitute.  The only thing that is not editable is the strawberry.  All fonts used in these samples will be listed on the instruction sheet.  Sold as a set only - all 4 designs priced at $50.

These are not on my site yet, so if you're interested, send payments via PayPal to jodi@chocolatecactus.com and use the subject "Simply Illustrated announcements" and you will receive them within 48 hours!

Click for a larger view:

If interested, send payment via PayPal to jodi@chocolatecactus.com with the subject "Simply Birth" and be sure to include the email address you wish to receive them at (if it differs from your PayPal email).

Gobble Gobble, Wobble Wobble.

That's what I'll be doing this week after eating lots 'o' turkey. Just a note to let you all know that I will be off Wednesday afternoon (will be working that morning) through Friday for the Thanksgiving holiday spending time with my family. All emails received during that time will be answered Monday of next week.

Have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving! And don't eat too much turkey.

Blog Contest - Start Clicking!

Okay folks, I decided to have a contest for all of you so that I can see the creative geniuses that I know you are.

This is going to be great - there are 4 fantastic prizes to be given away! Once I receive all of the submissions, I will post the images to my blog, as well as a poll, and the top 4 voted for images will receive the prizes below. Simple as that!

Here are the prizes:

First Place
The first place winner will receive a flash website template (01A mini) for only ONE DOLLAR from Flash Palette ($150 value). The first place winner will also receive $100 off logo design as well as a free business card design ($200 value). The total value of this package is $450! Whoa nelly!

Second Place
Options are a good thing! The second place winner will receive either $50 off logo design as well as a free business card design ($200 value) OR $250 off The Whole Cactus. The total value of this package is $250.

Third Place
The third place winner will recieve a set of templates FREE (up to $50 value), as well as $50 off logo design. The total value of this package is $100.

Fourth Place
Last but certainly not least (smile), the fourth place winner will receive a $40 Starbucks™ gift card. They have those yummy holiday flavors out - Peppermint Mocha, Eggnog Latte, Gingerbread Spice, etc. Deelish! Too bad they don't have a flavor called "Choco Cacti"! The total value of this

How Do You Like Your Chocolate?

Take a self a portrait (yes, of yourself - ha) showing how you like your chocolate. Let's keep it clean folks, this is a family blog! Well, not really, but it always sounds nice. :o)

Simple as that! But don't lolligag - this contest ends in one week on Tuesday, November 20th Tuesday, November 27th (extended)!  Submissions should be emailed to me at jodi@chocolatecactus.com with the subject "Blog Contest". Be sure to include your name, email and anything else you feel like sharing.

Looking forward to seeing all of the great entries!!