Hello! Following on from discussing design styles for Beginners in my last post, I gave myself an informal challenge to produce 2 different style layouts using the same photos and same products, and seeing it's Monday and I like alliteration, well, here we are.Starting with a template my mindset was to make a minimal style page and then switch things up to make it more maximal, and because I mentioned that Artsy and Mixed media can work with either of those styles in that previous post, I purposely picked a kit with some artsy pieces and papers in it and a template that is simple enough that I could art-ify.Scrappers often gravitate to one particular style but there 's also a lot of scrappers that jump between styles as they feel and I'm one of those people. Maybe it's the kit, maybe it's the photos, maybe it's a challenge but something will pull me in one style direction and I … [Read more...]
Tips & Tricks: Transforming Shapes in Photoshop
Hi there, if you've seen today's MOC challenge, it makes a lot of references to 'transforming', with examples mostly using regular 2D shapes that are linear (and a circle that is an example of how some transformations aren't always applicable to some shapes). I experimented a lot for that challenge and wanted to share another example that uses an irregular, curvilinear shape and discuss some of the Transform options in that tool bar a bit more.I always think of this blob in the Custom Shape menu when I think of weird or unusual shapes so of course I had to see what I could do with it. It's always reminded me of a waving starfish, spilled drink or puddle and I have a ton of pool photos so I thought I'd go that direction and make a quick photo frame.Here's my start point with my irregular shape and a 2x3 rectangle behind it to give me a size guide that is proportional to a normal … [Read more...]
Page Fixes: Let’s talk about Balance
I don't think it matters how long you've scrapped or who you are, there are times when you just aren't loving the page as it's coming together in front of you. It happens to everyone, right?! Here's an example of mine from this past weekend and let me talk you through my process of getting it to a place I am much happier with and share some things you can try if (or next time) you find yourself in the same spot, so you won't be tempted to bin your layout! Try these instead to fix and save your page!______________________________So we begin with me scrapping from a loose recipe, just 4 steps for a page for the Halloween Bash Costume Challenge. Now let me stress there is nothing wrong with the recipe (I love a recipe challenge and the other costume/recipe choices in that challenge were great too!). This post is more about identifying and fixing issues within a layout, while working … [Read more...]
Monday Mash-Up | Varied Template Styles
Hey everyone welcome to a little Monday Mash-up using two varied style of templates. Mashing templates together creates new ways to stretch your stash and gives you the opportunity to try a new style, save time, or stay inspired as we scrap all of our memories. definition: Mash-up noun- informal.* a combination or mixing of dissimilar elements, especially content from different sources.There's been many mash-up posts on the blog, like using the same designer kits with different themes or like using more than one kit with the same color scheme. But today I want to share how I use different styles of templates to create one unique page to fit my needs or artistic inspiration.I had a photo in mind already and an idea of what I wanted to scrap so I spent some time in the Shop just perusing Fiddle Dee-Dee's templates … [Read more...]
Scrapping Secrets: Creative Cover Ups!
Hi there! I'm starting a new series today that will spill some of the secrets and highlight some problems and solutions behind the amazing scrapbook pages you see in the gallery. Sometimes scrapbooking involves problem solving just as much as creativity and you may find these secrets help you with your own pages, especially if you feel like you are at a roadblock. Nobody's perfect, some of us just know a few more tricks and soon you will too! ______________________________________________________________________________________________Today I'm going to address dealing with photos that have less desirable details in the background, like this one, where I didn't love the distraction of one of my son's many little trucks on the table behind my daughter. It's orange so it really sticks out and pulls the focus away from her.So here's a secret you should already know but might … [Read more...]
Template Tuesday | BIG Photo Backgrounds
Hello Scrappers,Kayla, aka keepscrappin, here again with another Template Tuesday quick tip to stretch your template stash. It's no secret that I love BIG photos. I always say go BIG or go home! One way I like to use BIG photos is as the background for my layout. It's such an easy way to get a different look from your templates and it really helps showcase the photo.For my example today, I used the first template in Press Play #5 by our talented Lynne-Marie. I've been eyeing this template pack for ages and was so happy to finally come up with an idea to scrap a layout with it that would do it justice. Don't be afraid to modify the template a bit to make it work with your BIG photo. I selected all the template layers above my photo and used the arrow keys to nudge them down a bit so they wouldn't cover my eyes. I clipped some papers to … [Read more...]