As I've been learning more about digital scrapbooking, one thing that I've found really helpful is making sure to keep things relatively simple where the design process goes. Scraplifting some of my old paper layouts has been the perfect way to help eliminate some of the design 'work' and given me more time to focus on learning my computer program & some of the techniques required to create digital pages.
I made this page several years ago for my book Real. Life. Scrapbooking.
Being able to just copy this design with a different photo, quote and papers made this digital version come together quickly & allowed me time to play around with different colors as I customized that little scallop edge border for this new page.{see below}
QUICK TIP: there are many ways to customize colors of digital elements to suit your specific design but the way I changed the color of the scallop border below was by clicking on the border layer itself -> going to SELECT -> LOAD SELECTION -> RIGHT CLICK on the highlighted selection -> FILL -> CHOSE MY COLOR with the eye dropper tool. I use Photoshop CS4 for all of my digital projects, anyone who uses photoshop elements, is this process similar?
*more info about LAYERS coming soon.
supplies: garamond font | freehand521 BT font | Crystal's Hawaiian Luau papers | Crystal's bunch of borders
Here's another paper layout that I used as a basis for an all new digital version:
I love the versatility of this design as I was able to convert the 8.5X11 page to a 12X12, include a lot of different photos and this layout gave me a chance to play around with drop shadows...something I'm still trying to master. {more to come about drop shadows from Crystal tomorrow!}
supplies: CK chemistry font | Crystal's neutral papers
I really liked how many photos I was able to include on this 2 page layout:
I took the above design & I created this 12X12 digital version which gave me a lot of much needed practice resizing my photos.
QUICK TIP: When resizing my photos I always like to have my grid lines visible, this really helps with getting things lined up just so. Go to VIEW -> SHOW -> GRID. In photoshop elements simply go to VIEW -> GRID. To resize click on the layer of the photo you'll be resizing, hit ctrl-T which will then select your photo. By holding down the SHIFT key while dragging the edges or corners of your photo you can adjust the size without distorting your photo.
supplies: gatling font | odestemplik font | Crystal's September 2009 papers | Crystal's bunches of borders
Using this beautiful page created by alexandra s.m. as inspiration...
Marnie Flores created this lovely page using some of Crystal's super cute papers.
So, is anyone feeling up for a challenge this week?
How about scraplifting a layout? Use an older paper layout or any other other page that inspires you and create a digital version. Maybe play around with a new digital technique while your at it and then upload your page to the Flickr gallery! I'd love to see what you create. :)
Don't forget to head over HERE to download Crystal's free templates. That way you can follow along as we explore all the possibilities available when creating with templates tomorrow & learn some fabulous new tricks in the process!
We'll see you back here tomorrow!
