So many great links this month! It was such a great month to research and read in the creative community. So without further ado, here’s Creative Bookmarks December.</p><divclass="toc" id="toc"><spanclass="label">Quick Nav:</span>

  • <ahref="#photoshop">Photoshop Tutorials
  • <ahref="#illustrator">Illustrator Tutorials
  • <ahref="#web">Web/Blogging Tutorials
  • <ahref="#resources">Freebies, Inspiration, & Resources
</div>Photoshop Tutorials

<divclass="roundup"><divclass="roundupentry"><divclass="image-container alignleft"><imgsrc="http://tutorial9.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2010/01/cb/smoke-effects.jpg" /></div><ahref="http://psd.tutsplus.com/tutorials/photo-effects-tutorials/blend-a-planet-transparently-into-a-photo-manipulation/" target="_blank">How to create amazing light effects in Photoshop

Sebastiano from the new <ahref="http://wegraphics.net/">wegraphics.net has quite a few useful techniques up his sleeves. In this photoshop tutorial he shows us how to create very stylish smoke effects that envelop their surroundings.

</div><divclass="roundupentry"><divclass="image-container alignleft"><imgsrc="http://tutorial9.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2010/01/cb/abstract-effects.jpg" /></div><ahref="http://www.psdeluxe.com/tutorials/photo-effects/light-effect-wallpaper-in-photoshop.html" target="_blank">Light effect wallpaper in Photoshop

Lighting effect tutorials are pratically a dime a dozen now, but this article bears some great resemblance to the famed work from Scott Hansen of <ahref="http://blog.iso50.com/">ISO50, and deserved some sharing.

</div><divclass="roundupentry"><divclass="image-container alignleft"><imgsrc="http://tutorial9.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2010/01/cb/monitor.jpg" /></div><ahref="http://hv-designs.co.uk/2009/12/24/monitor-icon-design/" target="_blank">Monitor Icon Design

Richard Carpenter shares a simple method for putting together a monitor icon in Photoshop using basic shapes and essential lighting tips.

</div><divclass="roundupentry"><divclass="image-container alignleft"><imgsrc="http://tutorial9.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2010/01/cb/psdtuts-planet.jpg" /></div><ahref="http://psd.tutsplus.com/tutorials/photo-effects-tutorials/blend-a-planet-transparently-into-a-photo-manipulation/" target="_blank">Blend a Planet Transparently into a Photo Manipulation

A great tutorial on PSDTuts+ that teaches you how to use blending modes effectively to create an excellent photo manipulation.

</div><divclass="roundupentry"><divclass="image-container alignleft"><imgsrc="http://tutorial9.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2010/01/cb/psdtuts-mail.jpg" /></div><ahref="http://psd.tutsplus.com/tutorials/icon-design/how-to-create-an-envelope-icon-in-photoshop/" target="_blank">How to Create an Envelope Icon in Photoshop

For those of you wanting to get into icon design, this is a great tutorial for you. Using some fairly simple techniques, the tutorial walks you through making a slick envelope icon.

</div><divclass="roundupentry"><divclass="image-container alignleft"><imgsrc="http://tutorial9.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2010/01/cb/psdtuts-mouse.jpg" /></div><ahref="http://psd.tutsplus.com/tutorials/icon-design/creating-a-modern-glossy-mouse-icon-in-photoshop/" target="_blank">Creating a Modern, Glossy Mouse Icon in Photoshop

The new Magic Mouse design is just sexy. This tutorial on PSDTuts+ helps you create an icon out of it.

</div><divclass="roundupentry"><divclass="image-container alignleft"><imgsrc="http://tutorial9.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2010/01/cb/psdtuts-escape.jpg" /></div><ahref="http://psd.tutsplus.com/tutorials/text-effects-tutorials/how-to-design-a-print-ready-flier-with-photoshop-and-illustrator/" target="_blank">How to Design a Print-Ready Flier with Photoshop and Illustrator

A great hybrid tutorial that teaches you how to integrate 3D text, made in Illustrator, into a great looking print-ready flier.

</div><divclass="roundupentry"><divclass="image-container alignleft"><imgsrc="http://tutorial9.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2010/01/cb/psdtuts-watercolor.jpg" /></div><ahref="http://psd.tutsplus.com/tutorials/interface-tutorials/create-a-watercolor-themed-website-design-with-photoshop/" target="_blank">Create a Watercolor-Themed Website Design with Photoshop

Although I’m personally not a fan of “Watercolor Themed” things, this is a great tutorial that helps you create a website mock-up that keeps in mind the code that will follow.

</div><divclass="roundupentry"><divclass="image-container alignleft"><imgsrc="http://tutorial9.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2010/01/cb/masks.jpg" /></div><ahref="http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/12/17/unveiling-photoshop-masks/" target="_blank">Unveiling Photoshop Masks

Having trouble wrapping your head around masks? This article from Smashing Magazine puts you behind the mask and shows you everything you need to know to begin your training as a non-destructive editing master.

</div><divclass="roundupentry"><divclass="image-container alignleft"><imgsrc="http://tutorial9.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2010/01/cb/psdtuts-drawing.jpg" /></div><ahref="http://psd.tutsplus.com/tutorials/photo-effects-tutorials/how-to-create-cityscape-concept-art/" target="_blank">How to Create Cityscape Concept Art

This tutorial, on PSDTuts+, helps you make an urban scene using 3D scene as the foundation. Then, polishing it up in Photoshop.

</div><divclass="roundupentry"><divclass="image-container alignleft"><imgsrc="http://tutorial9.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2010/01/cb/tut9-box.jpg" /></div><ahref="http://www.tutorial9.net/photoshop/3d-wooden-box-photoshop-tutorial/" target="_blank">How To Design a 3D Wooden Box in Photoshop

A great tutorial by Asher Abbasi that teaches you how to create a realistic wooden box icon in photoshop.

</div><divclass="roundupentry"><divclass="image-container alignleft"><imgsrc="http://tutorial9.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2010/01/cb/tut9-audioplayer.jpg" /></div><ahref="http://www.tutorial9.net/photoshop/how-to-create-a-sleek-audio-player-interface-in-photoshop/" target="_blank">How To Create a Sleek Audio Player Interface in Photoshop

Personally, I love interface design tutorials. This one is an excellent example of one, teaching you how to create an audio player interface with some cool Photoshop tricks.

</div><divclass="roundupentry"><divclass="image-container alignleft"><imgsrc="http://tutorial9.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2010/01/cb/abdu-bokeh.jpg" /></div><ahref="http://abduzeedo.com/digital-bokeh-photoshop-screencast-photo-guides" target="_blank">Digital Bokeh in Photoshop

A great video tutorial that will teach you how to create an amazing bokeh effect in a matter of minutes.

</div><divclass="roundupentry"><divclass="image-container alignleft"><imgsrc="http://tutorial9.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2010/01/cb/abdu-poster.jpg" /></div><ahref="http://abduzeedo.com/minimalistic-poster-design-photoshop" target="_blank">Minimalistic Poster Design in Photoshop

This great tutorial on Abduzeedo teaches you how to make a minimalistic poster using some stock photos, blending modes and filters.

</div></div>Illustrator Tutorials

<divclass="roundup"><divclass="roundupentry"><divclass="image-container alignleft"><imgsrc="http://tutorial9.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2010/01/cb/santa.jpg" /></div><ahref="http://www.aimonkey.com/2009/12/turn-a-sketch-into-a-crazy-santa-illustration/" target="_blank">Turn a sketch into a Crazy Santa illustration

This tutorial will show you how to create a Crazy Santa illustration from sketch using Adobe Illustrator. Great tutorial to keep as reference for the Holidays in 2010.

</div><divclass="roundupentry"><divclass="image-container alignleft"><imgsrc="http://tutorial9.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2010/01/cb/snowman.jpg" /></div><ahref="http://www.aimonkey.com/2009/12/draw-a-funny-snowman-in-illustrator/" target="_blank">Draw a funny snowman in Illustrator

We’re pretty thrilled with the recent tutorials from <ahref="http://www.aimonkey.com/2009/12/draw-a-funny-snowman-in-illustrator/">aiMonkey.com. Their tutorial on designing a snowman in Illustrator is a great Illustrator Tutorial for starters, and produces fantastic results.

</div><divclass="roundupentry"><divclass="image-container alignleft"><imgsrc="http://tutorial9.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2010/01/cb/vectuts-face.jpg" /></div><ahref="http://vector.tutsplus.com/tutorials/designing/create-a-code-style-t-shirt-design-for-website-promotion/" target="_blank">Create a Code-Style T-Shirt Design for Website Promotion

A great tutorial on VECTuts+ that walk you through making a promotional T-Shirt for PHP enthusiasts in Illustrator.

</div><divclass="roundupentry"><divclass="image-container alignleft"><imgsrc="http://tutorial9.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2010/01/cb/vectuts-crazyrabbit.jpg" /></div><ahref="http://vector.tutsplus.com/tutorials/designing/use-illustrator-to-create-a-fun-3d-character-logo/" target="_blank">Use Illustrator to Create a Fun, 3D, Character Logo

In this tutorial, David Laplante, shows you how to integrate 3D text and a custom illustration into a fun looking logo.

</div><divclass="roundupentry"><divclass="image-container alignleft"><imgsrc="http://tutorial9.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2010/01/cb/vectuts-colorfultype.jpg" /></div><ahref="http://vector.tutsplus.com/tutorials/text-effects/create-colorful-layered-paper-type-in-illustrator/" target="_blank">Create Colorful, Layered Paper Type in Illustrator

Is winter getting you down? Do this tutorial! It’ll walk you through making some very pretty, custom type with a variety of vivid colors and illustrator effects.

</div><divclass="roundupentry"><divclass="image-container alignleft"><imgsrc="http://tutorial9.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2010/01/cb/vectuts-owl.jpg" /></div><ahref="http://vector.tutsplus.com/tutorials/illustration/how-to-create-a-curious-owl-in-illustrator-cs4/" target="_blank">How to Create a Curious Owl in Illustrator CS4

Awesome icon designer, Andrea Austoni, teaches you how to create an owl using mostly basic shapes and effects in Illustrator.

</div><divclass="roundupentry"><divclass="image-container alignleft"><imgsrc="http://tutorial9.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2010/01/cb/abdu-flowereffect.jpg" /></div><ahref="http://abduzeedo.com/reader-tutorial-geometric-flower-effect-logo-illustrator" target="_blank">Geometric Flower Effect Logo in Illustrator

This tutorial, based on an actual logo design, shows you how to create a flower effect in illustrator to make a logo that’s full of color.

</div></div>Web Tutorials

<divclass="roundup"><divclass="roundupentry"><divclass="image-container alignleft"><imgsrc="http://tutorial9.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2010/01/cb/php.jpg" /></div><ahref="http://buildinternet.com/2009/12/creating-your-first-php-application-part-1/" target="_blank">Creating Your First PHP Application

This three part tutorial is intended for readers who know the very basics of PHP and Object Oriented Programming (OOP) and would like to create a basic web application.

</div><divclass="roundupentry"><divclass="image-container alignleft"><imgsrc="http://tutorial9.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2010/01/cb/brainstorm.jpg" /></div><ahref="http://www.copyblogger.com/brainstorming-for-bloggers/" target="_blank">How to Brainstorm
Brilliant Ideas for Your Blog

Brainstorming is one of the most powerful creative techniques ever devised. When used properly, it can produce more and better ideas than any other process. It’s based on the concept that two heads (or three, or four, or more) are better than one.

</div><divclass="roundupentry"><divclass="image-container alignleft"><imgsrc="http://tutorial9.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2010/01/cb/nettuts-extremeguide.jpg" /></div><ahref="http://net.tutsplus.com/videos/screencasts/the-ultimate-guide-to-creating-a-design-and-converting-it-to-html-and-css/" target="_blank">The Ultimate Guide to Creating a Design and Converting it to HTML and CSS

This is the last entry in the series of posts that have taught you how to take your mockup design in Photoshop, to a fully coded website.

</div><divclass="roundupentry"><divclass="image-container alignleft"><imgsrc="http://tutorial9.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2010/01/cb/nettuts-sprites.jpg" /></div><ahref="http://net.tutsplus.com/tutorials/html-css-techniques/use-sprites-to-create-an-awesomeness-filled-navigation-menu/" target="_blank">Use Sprites to Create an Awesomeness-Filled Navigation Menu

This tutorial by NETTuts will teach you how to use CSS sprites and JQuery to not only increase your website’s performance, it’ll also show you how to make your navigation menu look good in the process.

</div><divclass="roundupentry"><divclass="image-container alignleft"><imgsrc="http://tutorial9.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2010/01/cb/nettuts-shoppingcart.jpg" /></div><ahref="http://net.tutsplus.com/tutorials/php/how-to-build-a-shopping-cart-using-codeigniter-and-jquery/" target="_blank">How to Build a Shopping Cart using CodeIgniter and jQuery

Most big blogs have this feature to showcase the picture, bio and homepage of their writers. This tutorial on Line25 teaches you how to implement the same feature on your blog.

</div><divclass="roundupentry"><divclass="image-container alignleft"><imgsrc="http://tutorial9.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2010/01/cb/line25-twitterstatus.jpg" /></div><ahref="http://line25.com/tutorials/how-to-display-your-twitter-status-in-a-unique-design" target="_blank">How To Display Your Twitter Status in a Unique Design

An excellent tutorial on Line25 that shows you how to display your latest tweet with the use of some Javascript and CSS.

</div><divclass="roundupentry"><divclass="image-container alignleft"><imgsrc="http://tutorial9.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2010/01/cb/csstricks-artdirecting.jpg" /></div><ahref="http://css-tricks.com/video-screencasts/77-styling-an-individual-article/" target="_blank">Styling an Individual Article

“Art Directing” or designing a custom page for each article, is a very popular trend that I hope is here to stay. Although the great, <ahref="http://jasonsantamaria.com/articles/pretty-sketchy/" target="_blank">Jason Santa Maria pioneered the idea, Chris Coyier from CSS Tricks teaches how to “Art Direct” in this video tutorial.

</div><divclass="roundupentry"><divclass="image-container alignleft"><imgsrc="http://tutorial9.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2010/01/cb/TBS-lagging.jpg" /></div><ahref="http://timothybsmith.com/is-your-content-lagging/" target="_blank">Is Your Content Lagging?

Has your blogging effort decreased? Do you noticed you’re not as enthusiastic to write? This article gives some helpful tips on how to change that feeling.

</div><divclass="roundupentry"><divclass="image-container alignleft"><imgsrc="http://tutorial9.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2010/01/cb/uxb-usercontent.jpg" /></div><ahref="http://www.uxbooth.com/blog/writing-user-friendly-content/" target="_blank">Writing User Friendly Content

The content is of upmost importance on a site. If it can’t be understood and interpreted, it really doesn’t matter how UX friendly your site is. This article, by Matthew Kammerer, gives some helpful tips on how to create user friendly content.

</div><divclass="roundupentry"><divclass="image-container alignleft"><imgsrc="http://tutorial9.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2010/01/cb/72ave-unique.jpg" /></div><ahref="http://72ave.com/avoid-the-crap/" target="_blank">Please Create a Unique Site and Avoid the Same Old Crap

72nd Ave. makes the point that the internet is flooded with people that follow trends and don’t create new and unique things. Check out this article and their site and you’ll notice, they practice what they preach.

</div></div>Freebies, Inspiration &#038; Resources

<divclass="roundup"><divclass="roundupentry"><divclass="image-container alignleft"><imgsrc="http://tutorial9.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2010/01/cb/cn-letterpressedicons.jpg" /></div><ahref="http://creativenerds.co.uk/freebies/330-free-letter-pressed-icons/" target="_blank">330 Free Letter Pressed Icons

A freebie from the Creative Nerds that comes with over 100 letterpressed icons in three different Photoshop files. Available for your personal or commercial projects.

</div><divclass="roundupentry"><divclass="image-container alignleft"><imgsrc="http://tutorial9.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2010/01/cb/mediamilitia-rust.jpg" /></div><ahref="http://mediamilitia.com/rust-textures-pack-21-free-images/" target="_blank">Rust Textures Pack

Another great freebie from Media Militia! 21 images are included in the new Rust Textures Pack and all of them are high quality for your personal and commercial projects.

</div><divclass="roundupentry"><divclass="image-container alignleft"><imgsrc="http://tutorial9.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2010/01/cb/mediamilitia-spraypaint.jpg" /></div><ahref="http://mediamilitia.com/drips-and-spray-paint-pack-40-brushes-40-textures/" target="_blank">Drips and Spray Paint Pack

The Drips and Spray Paint Pack from Media Militia is a perfect addition to your resources folder. You can download them as Photoshop Brushes or high resolution PNG’s for your personal and commercial use.

</div><divclass="roundupentry"><divclass="image-container alignleft"><imgsrc="http://tutorial9.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2010/01/cb/tut9-monoicons.jpg" /></div><ahref="http://www.tutorial9.net/resources/108-mono-icons-huge-set-of-minimal-icons/" target="_blank">108 Mono Icons: Huge Set of Minimal Icons

Jason Cho created these beautiful and easily customizable icons. The pack comes with 108 different icons that are available for your commercial and personal use.

</div><divclass="roundupentry"><divclass="image-container alignleft"><imgsrc="http://tutorial9.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2010/01/cb/psdtuts-winter.jpg" /></div><ahref="http://psd.tutsplus.com/articles/inspiration/an-awesome-caravan-of-winter-themed-artwork/" target="_blank">An Awesome Caravan of Winter Themed Artwork

Winter is here and with it many designers come up with stunning artwork. This showcase, by Callum Chapman is an excellent collection of winter themed ads that are sure to inspire.

</div><divclass="roundupentry"><divclass="image-container alignleft"><imgsrc="http://tutorial9.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2010/01/cb/vectuts-monkeys.jpg" /></div><ahref="http://vector.tutsplus.com/articles/inspiration/go-bananas-with-50-vector-illustrations-that-monkey-around/" target="_blank">Go Bananas with 50+ Vector Illustrations that Monkey Around

“Monkeys, chimps, apes, or any kind of knuckle dragging animal, as a group, are a fun illustration subject.” I started to laugh when I read that. Check out this excellent showcase of monkey inspired illustrations.

</div><divclass="roundupentry"><divclass="image-container alignleft"><imgsrc="http://tutorial9.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2010/01/cb/TDC-vintageposters.jpg" /></div><ahref="http://www.thedesigncubicle.com/2009/12/40-vintage-posters-to-inspire-your-next-design-project/" target="_blank">40+ Vintage Posters to Inspire Your Next Designs Color Palette

Brian Hoff from The Design Cubicle rounded-up some retro colored posters that are sure to give you some great ideas for your next project.

</div><divclass="roundupentry"><divclass="image-container alignleft"><imgsrc="http://tutorial9.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2010/01/cb/di-askhoff.jpg" /></div><ahref="http://designinformer.com/typography-talk-brian-hoff-ask-expert/" target="_blank">Ask the Expert – Typography Talk with Brian Hoff

I’ve recently become a big fan of Brian Hoff and his work. This is a great interview on The Design Observer where he talks about how to use typography effectively in print and web design.

</div></div>Get Featured in Creative Bookmarks


If you’d like to be featured in the next volume of Creative Bookmarks, simply <ahref="http://www.tutorial9.net/contact-tutorial9/">send us you’re tutorial, resource, or article link before the end of the month. If we think it’s a top notch link, we’ll be sure to share it with all of our readers!</p><divclass="subscribepromo"> <ahref="http://feedproxy.google.com/tutorial9" title="Subscribe to Tutorial9"><imgsrc="http://www.tutorial9.net/big-subscribe.jpg" /></p><ahref="http://tutorial9.net/subscription-options/">Email &#038; Other Subscription Options

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