Two of my favorite digital scrapbooking products are string and bling (buttons, sequins, flairs, beads, etc) which are so versatile and can be used “as is” or can be altered in many ways.
STRING:
- String can be re-shaped. I like to use the puppet warp tool to reshape but there are many ways to change the shape of the string, dependent on your editing software and preference. I like to place the string at a starting (or finishing) point and then look to see if it needs to be re-shaped. If the string is too long but I like the start and finish of it, I will use the lasso tool to select a mid section to delete and then move the pieces back together to create one shorter string. If using pupper warp to manipulate the shape of the string, I place anchor points and then start moving the string shape. Puppet warping can be a tricky tool to use and I find that subtle movements work best and work slowly, undoing any re-shaping that warps the string too much. An easy way to re-shape is to create one or more duplicate layers, erasing sections of string on each layer, and then moving the duplicate layers around to create a new string shape.
- String can be re-colored to coordinate with your page design. There are many ways to re-color but my favorite methods are using a hue/saturation adjustment layer or color overlay.
- Tucking string in between layers to make it look woven through the different layers is easily done by erasing the parts of the string that would be hidden if it was really woven into the layers. To do this, you can lasso the area you wish to erase and then delete that section or you can create a mask and brush the unwanted section. I like using a mask because it is non-destructive and can be altered again if needed whereas using the erase tool on the string layer will not be undoable, meaning you would have to start over with a new string if you decide later that you want to change the deletion. To make “tucking” of the string, it’s much easier if you zoom in on your page so that you can see exactly what you erase. I generally use a semi-hard brush, around 70%, so the edges are very slightly feathered but not hard. This is a personal preference.
- A string section can be selected i.e. with the lasso tool, then right click (in Photoshop) and select “layer via copy”. This will place the selection on a new layer that now can be manipulated independent of the original string layer. This is an easy way to add string in your woven pattern by moving the duplicate layer up and down in the layers palette which allows some of the string to be below and above layers in a cluster.
BLING:
- Can be added at any time into your page design but I prefer to add it at the end of my layers/clustering. You can use it to add color, help direct your eye across your page, and can add emphasis to your page.
- Re-coloring and resizing to coordinate with your page design can be done in a variety of ways, my fave is with a hue/sat adjustment layer.
- If using a single bling product, such as a sequin, button, flair, etc, I will often duplicate it a few times and create a scatter of the product, or will group a variety of products together to create a scatter. You can also purchase sprinkles such as these:
Adding string and bling to your page can be a subtle yet integral part of your page design or it can be part of a cluster of products that all work together to create interest in your design. Sometimes, just a bit of string or a few sequins can finish your page off in just the right way. Here are a few layouts from our members that showcase how string and bling can be used.
Member lm44west used black string to draw focus to the photos and creates visual impact.
Member Ferdy used a scatter of stars to balance out her page and draws the eye inward to the layers and clusters.
My page uses bling to help draw the eye inward to the framed duck and the string draws your eye to the descriptive journaling.
I hope I’ve inspired you to create a page with string and bling and see how it can enhance and add to the impact of your page. Give it a try!
Ferdy says
I love to use both strings and blings!! I always have some on my pages…great tips on how to use them!! and thanks for showing my page, it’s an honor to be here in the blog!
xoxo
Ferdy