This is getting to be addictive!

[Bayla]

I have had workmen in all day, removing my kitchen ceiling, replacing it, replastering. Couldn't work in the kitchen or even get to the utility room which houses the washing machine. So I played......:) Here's what I came up with. I'm slowly getting to grips with this scrapbooking thing & sorting out my USA photos at the same time. Heaven knows what we're having for supper tonight:eek:

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/155lNrFU6GRo9YnZg802E75tPOvbI_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=155lNrFU6GRo9YnZg802E75tPOvbI)

Bayla

[AngelicKim]

Bayla that is so adorable. Great job.

Workman in the house, dinner.:eek: Sounds like a night for dinner out to me.:D

[tbrannon]

I'm slowly getting to grips with this scrapbooking thing

SLOWLY??? SLOWLY???
WHAT???????????

YOU TOTALLY HAVE THIS DOWN TO AN ART!!!!!
I love this page.
The colors are perfect and fun. The pics tell a story in them own and your naration is perfect. What's not to love about this page. :D

This is great!!!!

Hey tell them dudes to work slow, so you can play some more. :D
Dinner out sounds like a great plan to me. :p

Great job on the page!!!

[Bayla]

Kim,

Thanks for the positive feedback.

Tina,

I sat and drooled over your gallery this morning for some inspiration - I was trying to get some ideas for incorporating five pictures on one page! My daughters love looking at your gallery. I have yours and about five others bookmarked so I can see how it's done. Find there's enough on this site without having to go elsewhere!

One question I have. Everything that I read says to start off with a background. Is that the way you do it?

I start off by positioning my photos and text on a plain white page and then hope I'll get some inspiration for the background papers. I know what I want to do with the pictures but it takes a while for the rest of it to come together (you should have seen the backgrounds I trashed:) )

Bayla

[tbrannon]

Bayla you are cracking me up...drooling for inspiration...lol :p

I have to tell you, I can sit down and work on a page for hrs and totally hate it and give it the big X. Start over and in 1/2 have a page I love. I work in spells. lol Seriously. It seems when I just throw it together and not have loads of thought put into it, it turns out better. When I work and work on it, I usually hate it. I have started a "work in progress folder" and when I have just looked at one and it's not where I want it, I'll save it throw it in their and try later and boom got it. Does that make since?

I actually start at the picture place it where ever and then look for my background page and then go from there. Have you seen some of the templates out there? If you have a load of pics you are working on those things are great. They are premade you just add your papers and elements and all that fun stuff. I have actually sat and thought of a way I want it layed out. Sat down made the layout and then came back and filled in the colors. Loads of fun. And when you are doing so many it is much easier. And great for added inspiration. There are tons of free ones over at www.digishoptalk.com in the forums under the freebies if you wanna nab one and give it a try. :) To be honest it's a great way to get started. And the great thing is you don't have to stick with the template. You can move things around delete or whatever your heart desires. I have used them before and flipped the layout and tada a whole new one.

I have been know to do 3-4 lo's with the pic I want before I get what I like. If this were paper, I'd be in my own recycle business!! :eek: TRUST ME! lol

OK I better scoot before this turns into a book...lol

[tbrannon]

Here is what I mean I will sit down and make my own sketch.
I save as psd so I can open and go back and use anytime.
http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1oXakt8B5AHEze88Eu2gLkl4lhlZ0

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1oXakt8B5AHEze88Eu2gLkl4lhlZ0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1oXakt8B5AHEze88Eu2gLkl4lhlZ0)

After I get this here is what I do to make the page.....

1. Open the layered psd file in PS.
2. Open all of the elements and papers you would like to use.
3. Select the layer (in the layers palette) in the psd file that you would like to replace with paper or a photo.
4. Select your paper or photo and copy it to the clipboard (CTRL-A, CTRL-C) (select all, copy)
5. Move back to the layered psd file, make sure that in the layers palette, the layer you want to replace is still highlighted. Paste your paper/photo into the sketch document (CTRL-V)
6. Now, create the clipping mask by choosing:
CTRL-G (PSE, PS versions prior to CS2) or
CTRL-ALT-G (CS2)
Voila - the paper took the shape of the layer!
7. Once you are satisfied with the position of the paper in it's new layer you should merge the two layers to decrease the memory required to store the layout. Select the two layers and right-click, choose "Merge Layers" or press Ctrl-E.
8. Repeat steps 1-7 for every element in the sketch.
9. Embellish and make it your own!!

[tbrannon]

Ok I swear I'll go away after this....
before I get kicked out...lol

This is great to do when looking thru a mag and you think ahh I love that LO...run to the computer and build it and save for later.

[tbrannon]

If you even need an idea on photo placements for pages...check this out.
http://pagemaps.com/index.htm
These are page maps, which are basicly drawn sketches to give you an idea for placement.
Ideas for 12x12, 12x12 double pages; 8.5x11, 8.5x11 double pages, cards
You name it.
This is a GREAT place to start and build your page.

[mom to 4]

Bayla:

That's wonderful!!! and you are learning from the master: TINA!!!



Hey Tina: Was that a screen shot you posted?????????:D

I put a few new wedding/beach photos in my gallery.....let me know what you think.....not quite scrappbooking, but I always think I am starting .....I think they are still montages, though.....:rolleyes:

[Bayla]

Colleen.

Just took a look at your gallery - some stunning pictures. I really like the one of the gulls in the pebble frames - did you use a photo you'd taken? I could kick myself for taking pictures of the sea and sky and forgetting the potential in the sand at my feet!

Love the latest wedding montage though I still don't know how you found the time to snap away at your own daughter's wedding!

Bayla

[Bayla]

Tina,

WOW! Thanks for all the tips and links and the PM. I've printed everything off for my PSE file (it has subdivisions entitled 'Wendy', 'Kev', 'Butch', 'Jo', 'Diana', 'Pauline', 'Nancy', 'Tina')

The last two days 'scrapping' has taken it's toll on the house....I'm really going to have to take a break before my dh takes the PC away from me!

Bayla

[mom to 4]

Thanks Bayla! The day after the wedding, we went up to Bath Ave Beach in Long Branch, where I used to go all the time when Kelly was a kid. I took the gulls and ocean and sand and pebbles that day. I just found a tutorial in a bouk about doing a "frame" out of another photo and had to try it out. I kinda like the way it turned out....I am sure I could have found better pics to use, but I just wanted to try it! I took about 500 pics at Kellys wedding....some on auto mode and continuous snapping!!!! I sometimes feel like I still don't have enough:D !!!!

Glad you like them, but I really need to give the scrapbook a whirl!!! Yours is GREAT!!! I love it!!!

PS....if you ever want sand, beach, ocean or pebbles....give me a holler!

[tbrannon]

Bayla, Hey great thinking on the folders. I never thought of doing them from things you pick up here. GREAT IDEA! :D Have fun with the ideas. I am blown away with how fast the digital scrapbooking is booming. It's huge! I LOVE IT!!! :p


Colleen, I posted under the screenshot for you to look what I did. Then I had to go back and fix it...opps I hot linked it and when I fixed it I accidently deleted it. I thought you'd be proud. :D Your pics are awesome. I love looking at them. You are doing some amazing things with them. Love the shot of your four kids. GREAT!!! Keep em coming.

Bayla, ask your hubby if he'd like my hubbies number so they can begin their own support group of men with wives hooked on pse and scrapbooking. :p ha ha!!!

[NMarti]

Bayla
This is such an adorable baby and the page is wonderful. She is really a cutie! Bet she takes after you right.;) :D

[kevq]

Bayla,
really great work. Beautiful child and wonderful placement of photos. Love the intense look on the face and the little comments.
Kev.:) :) :)

[Bayla]

Thanks guys,

I'm now working on a couple of pages of her 'big' sister & new baby brother. I'm biased but she really is a cutie.....but I will be the first to admit that she looks nothing like our side of the family! (We tend to be fair both of skin & hair whereas she is definitely not!)

Bayla

[Pauline]

Bayla that is just gorgeous! Love it.
I find like Tina, I like to start with photos first and then work from there. Unlike her, it's a struggle for me to come up with pages. I'm more into the blended collages and stuff.
Tina I could have used that link you posted weeks ago!! I just finished quite a few scrap book pages for my niece from her wedding. I've told myself I'm finished with it now as I felt like all I was doing was looking at wedding pictures and trying to do something. It was nice today to move onto something else. I created a newspaper front page today of my girls. (it's in my gallery)

[NMarti]

Pauline
That's so fun! Very nice job on the paper. Did you create this all from scratch? The whole thing looks so authentic.

[Pauline]

Yup all from scratch. It's a tutorial out of Photoshop creative magazine. It was a lot of fun making it, but time consuming setting it up. (cs2 comes in real handy there with drag on guides).

I had to work on the photo of my daughter hanging onto the truck. There were people in it walking by and my other daughter was not sitting inside. My daughter was really hanging off the truck that way though. She's quite a character.

[Wags374]

Great layout - love the colors! Well done!!!

Couple of other sources for sketches... (big help when you have scrappers block!)

http://www.scrap-maps.com/ - you can serach by number of pictures and layoutsize - 12x12, 8.5x11 etc...

http://www.creatingkeepsakes.com/mag/sketches/

[tbrannon]

Pauline what a great page. I love that. Would love to try that. Where can you get that mag. (sub. or buy anwhere??) That is such a fun page. I love it!

Wow sounds like you worked and worked on your nieces pages. Maybe if you hold off on them for a bit, you can get back and do a few more at diff. times.

Great job on the page. LOVE IT!

[Pauline]

Tina, it's photoshop creative Issue # 10. You could try e-bay. They are from the UK. This issue would no longer be in stores as the current issue I just bought is 12 (13 is already out in the UK)

[karen donnybrook]

Bayla, ask your hubby if he'd like my hubbies number so they can begin their own support group of men with wives hooked on pse and scrapbooking. :p ha ha!!!


You mean like a Golfing widow's club or a fisherman' widow club :rolleyes:

Karen

[tbrannon]

Thanks Pauline I'll check into it.

Yip Karen sounds like that'd be the type...lol.
Know any men who'd like/need to join? lol

[ktnoon60]

Bayla what a nice job you did on that one. I love her expression on the You? photo. The background and placement are perfect.

Terry

[karen donnybrook]

Tina,

Nope, mine man plays golf :D

Karen

[Wags374]

Mine could join the support group - but then who would watch the kids while I'm busy with PSE? :D

[tbrannon]

Jane we have proof you better not leave ONE OF THEM alone for long.
lol Just kidding.
She would have a blast with my Allie. They seem to both be little spitfires.

We wouldn't have it any other way. (most days hee hee)

[jo]

Bayla, she's adorable and your layout is just right!

[Robyn]

Bayla..............

I haven't read this whole thread (the site is just SO SLOW at the moment)...........just looked at your first post. But it looks like you have well and truly come to grips with scrapbooking. Congratulations on a great layout that tells the story so well. A very appealing image.

[Bayla]

Pauline, Jo, Terry, Robyn,

Thanks you all for the comments. My head is starting to swell!

I e-mailed the page to my daughter last night and she loves it and wants me to print out a couple of copies 12 x 12 size. She thinks her ma-in-law is going to go wild when she sees it!

One question. Does anyone know if in the USA you can buy ready made frames for a 12 x 12 print?

Jane,

Thanks for those sketch websites, I have bookmarked them both. Could have done with them yesterday whilst hunting around for ideas for a layout for five photos! Does anyone have any of Becky Higgins' books on sketches? The internet is fine but I will admit to getting a lot of my inspiration if I can't sleep at night - I have a pile of books next to my bed!

Tina,

If you wanted a particular issue of Photoshop Creative they probably do back issues. Most magazines do.

Pauline,

Love your newspaper page. I also noticed in your gallery the ''cute as a button' page from a past issue of the PSE newsletter. At the time I downloaded the extras and thought 'not for me' but I think I may dig out that issue and have a go!

Bayla

[tbrannon]

Bayla, Thanks that site is exactly where I ended up. Now to make up my mind on another sub. or not. =)

Here is a book I have heard great things about. I don't have it, but I see alot of scrapbook designers say it's a must have. http://www.creatingkeepsakes.com/shop/item.ihtml?idx=430
There are loads and loads of books here. =)

I found a 12x12 frame at my local walmart. So glad your daughter enjoyed the page. I bet it was a great suprise for her. I so love the page myself.
You did a spaticular job with it.

Can't wait to see whats next. =)

[Pauline]

Tina, I have been trying to decide that myself! It's quite expensive to put out for a year's subscription but about $10 cheaper than buying them at the book store. Currently I've been buying them off e-bay (front cover missing), for about the price of a subscription but at least then it's a monthly cost!! I also love Advanced Photoshop. It has a lot of neat stuff in it.

For the newspaper, the background page was included on the cd and also the 'crimped' edges. It was more a texture thing, so you could scan your own paper and then scan the edges of a newspaper (and set it on luminocity mode and lower the opacity). The set up is done next....conversion to b/w, filters, and then more texture is added to the paper on top. The nice thing is that once the basics are done, I can now reuse my psd and just plug in different text and pictures. I plan on doing one for my nieces wedding now.

Bayla, I prefer this kind of stuff to scrap booking myself but wanted to try it out.

[tbrannon]

Hey thanks for the info Pauline. Did you just throw another magazine at me??? hee hee...lol. Just when I was trying to make up my mind on one...lol. Just kidding ya! Seriously I'll check that out too. I appreicate it. You can never have to many goodies.

I looked on ebay and only found a book. Not so sure I looked right. Will look again. Do you get the cd with it on ebay? I think I'll go for the back issue and see what I think and then go from there. Looks intresting though.

Hey great idea setting up the psd and reusing. That would be neato for a wedding page. The page you did was so fun. I just love it.

THANKS AGAIN!!

[Bayla]

Another question.

I made my page 12x12 size with the intention of resizing to 8x8 for printing and putting in an 8x8 album. (Tina's advice once again:) ) OK. But as I said above my daughter wants a couple of 12x12s to frame. No can do on my printer at home. How do I go about getting this size printed? I have used an online site recently but 12x12 is not a size they offer. Preferably a UK site/place though if anybody comes up with a US one I can send her the page on CD for her to get printed.

Bayla

[tbrannon]

Bayla when I want to print things to hang and the 12x12 prints I have done for the wall from this place turn out perfect size. Sometimes a tad (not much at all) a little darker. But the odering from them is a little diff. You have to download something. But you can mail a cd for prints. I highly recomend them. I use them for my best prints. www.propicsexrpress.com . There is a $5.95 ship. charge but totally worth it. Fed-ex two day shipping and let me tell you no-one packs pics. better to ship than them. And if you ever want a canvas print...the are the only ones to use. I did portriats of my gals and canvas framed prints for $9.95 (8x10) and they will blow you away. I haven't printed 12x12's anywhere else cause it only took one from there to get me hooked. =) If she has a cotsco close by I think alot of people use them too.

If anyone knows how to find that Photoshop Creative mag on ebay will you please help out this big dummy. I have turned that place upside down looking for it. And no luck. I found it on the site, but it says to call and it's a UK number and ummmm I have never made a call out of the states and not so sure how to go about that....NO GIGGLES PEOPLE!! LOL

=)

[Bayla]

Tina,

I found Photoshop Creative vols 9 & 13 on Ebay but I think it's volume 10 you want correct? I'll keep looking.

To phone the UK you dial 01144 then the UK number (if there is a zero at the beginning you drop that)

Thanks for the advice re printing.

Bayla

[tbrannon]

Thanks Bayla, I had no clue how you called...lol.

Can I ask how you even found those issues. I searched up down everywhich way and nothing. I searched Photoshop Creative, I added the word mag and everything. I may check out the ones you did find though. I would like the read. =) THANKS!!

[Bayla]

Tina,

I was looking on the UK site (www.ebay.co.uk (http://www.ebay.co.uk)) under Books Comics & Magazines. Found them Here (http://books.search.ebay.co.uk/Photoshop-Creative_Books-Comics-Magazines_W0QQfkrZ1QQfromZR8QQsacatZ267). There doesn't seem to be a category for magazines on the US site.

Bayla

[tbrannon]

Hey Bayla you must have been sending me a brain wave when you posted that. I FINALLY thought of that...lol. Ahhhhh sometimes I think I missed the day they handed out common since. lol
Thanks for the help!!!

[Wags374]

Most craft stores now carry 12x12 frames and the discount stores - Target, Walmart etc are staring to do so too. I just picked one up at BiMart (northwest chain) for under $5.

[NMarti]

Jane
Thanks for the tip. My daughter wants to frame some pages I did for her and I checked Target but right now they only have album frames (for record albums) and they are 12 1/2 x 12 1/2 which leaves a border unframed. I'll check wally world and see if they have them here.

[Pauline]

Bayla I have read where others have asked for a 12 x 18 print and what they do is put 3 - 4 x 6 at the bottom of their 12-12 scrap book page and then cut them away.

Tina, just so you know these magazines are for full version PS, so there will be times when you will have to fudge it with elements. They all come with a cd which contains the stuff needed for the tutorials, stock photography, sometimes brushes, sometimes fonts. You could probably find one in a bigger book store (they have them at chapter here). They are about $19 Canadian, so pretty cheap.

On e-bay I just do a google search for photoshop and they come up. The ones I am getting are from Canada, but I think I saw a couple times they were in the States. It's kind of a hit and miss thing. If you can't find it and really want the tutorial, I can do a summary of it.

[tbrannon]

Pauline, Thanks I sent an email to the mag. and she said she sent it on to the outside group that does the back issues and I should hear from them. I had no luck finding one here in the US. And no issue 10 in the UK on ebay either. So I took my chance with the email. I have called some of the books stores we have around and so far no luck. Hopefully I'll hear from the Co. soon. I think it would be a good read. So hopefully I will hear back.
Thanks for the update on if being full version PS and having to fudge it with elements. That could have been confusing to figure out..lol.

THANKS AGAIN!

[Pauline]

Tina on this tutorial there is only one area where you would have a problem. I think the fix would be pretty easy. Basically after you have converted your photo to black and white you run the filter >Sket?halftone Patter and pick dots in pattern type. Set the size to 1 and contrast to 4.
After that you go to Edit>Fade and reduce the opacity to 27%. Now elements does not have the fade command so what I would do BEFORE running the filter is to duplicate the photo and run the filter on the duplicate and then lower the opacity of that layer to 27%. I would imagine that would work just fine.

Before you invest in subscribing I would see if you could find a current issue to look at to see if it's worth it for you. I just bought issue 12, 1.5 weeks ago here in Canada but 13 should be out soon.

[Bayla]

Tina,

There was a typo in that url for the photo printing site.

It's www.propicsexpress.com (http://www.propicsexpress.com) You put an extra r in it & I couldn't work out where I was going wrong!!

Bayla

[kayser]

Bayla- I'm late to the party here, but your layout is great! Beautiful girl and a great way to capture the moment!

They also have 12x12 frames at Michaels.

On a workplan for scrapbooking- this was posted on Linda Sattgast's site:

PLEASE DO NOT REPLY TO THIS THREAD---(Please feel free to copy and paste it into your Scrapper's Guides folder)

Here are ten steps to success with ANY digital layout. Carefully following a plan will produce your best results. Don't worry--after hundreds of layouts: :D you'll just "wing it through these automatically! Setting up your "workflow" consistently --will produce professional results in your finished layouts!


• Establish an idea and a basic layout . Some people find it helpful to sketch this out on paper, or work from a template that either they, or a designer, has created.
• Imagine your “paper idea” on the computer and decide what you can make yourself for it. Think about what ready-made elements you will use.
• Collect your images, your background papers, your elements and embellishments and put them in a project folder.
Priss Tip: Make A WBWT project folder for each WBWT technique you will be trying. As you gather elements, note the designer and kit if you are using elements you did not create. You might even want to go so far as to create a notepad document with such information for each lesson project. This also can include special things you tried (that did or DID NOT work) as you prepared the page.
• Scan any additional pictures or elements you might want to include in your layout

TAKE TIME TO CREATE DUPLICATES OF YOUR IMAGES (and elements, particularly if you are resizing them for your scrapbook page.) Put them in your project folder.

• Crop, resize and correct all images. Plan right here to invest more time than in the finished layout scrapping steps you do. Post processing and editing every picture you plan to use in a project is extremely important! If you are going to invest the time to make a beautiful themed layout—then spend the time to make every picture you are going to use perfect as possible . This is the step that "tells on you!" (In future weeks look for some Priss Tips that are--Steps for Success in Editing your photos)
• Create any embellishments that you want to make from scratch and file in the project folder
• Assemble your layout, mats, borders, journaling, etc Build lots of layers, and always use the brush with a different color on a NEW layer. Rename layers something meaningful to the layout. (See my Priss tip about labeling text layers)
• Reflect on the overall design and make any changes.
• Commit, save and know when to stop.
• Duplicate, flatten and save as a .jpg . Change the name to reflect that you flattened it. From this Copy create your saved-for-web/gallery sized image for posting, and re-save with a name that reflects that this is the one that’s for the web and gallery posting.

[sbe8418]

I'm hoping you can help me. When doing my digi layouts, I always work w/12 x 12 and then take them to Kinkos to be printed in 6 x 6 size. This last time, however, they told me that I had to present them for printing in a 6 x 6 size or they would charge an additional $15 for resizing from 12 x 12. My question is this. Do I have to work in 6 x 6 or can I continue working in my preferred size of 12 x 12 and resize to 6 x 6 after completion. If I can resize after completion, can you tell me an easy way to do that? I work w/PSE5. Thanks much!

[Byron Gale]

...they told me that I had to present them for printing in a 6 x 6 size or they would charge an additional $15 for resizing from 12 x 12...This is ridiculous.

Just prepare your pages as you have in the past. Then, right before you take them to be printed, use the Image Size dialog to change the size by doubling the resolution (without resampling).

Absolutely nothing will change with your image, and the goons at Kinkos will have to look for some other way to to try to charge you $15 for nothing.

Byron

[sbe8418]

Thanks much!!!!!!!!

[msbrad]

This is ridiculous.

Just prepare your pages as you have in the past. Then, right before you take them to be printed, use the Image Size dialog to change the size by doubling the resolution (without resampling).

Absolutely nothing will change with your image, and the goons at Kinkos will have to look for some other way to to try to charge you $15 for nothing.

Byron

Ditto (above)
I think I would find a different place other than Kinkos to go to.
If you are only printing this 6x6 and do not wish to print it at home,
Have a new doc. 8x10, (put a color on it if you'd like. Then stick your 6x6 LO on it. Merge, save as jpeg.
Go to Walgreens or CVs and have them print it on a 8x10, cut off the excess.

I do my 12x12 following my instructions above. I place it onto a 12x16 doc. and go to Sam's club. It prints for 3.56

[CarolLHB]

Good advice, Mich-I actually use Costco and have been very pleased. 12X12's are 2.99. 8x10's only .39!