Constructive criticism desired

[hukari]

My first real scrap page. It took me a while, since I kept putting the photos on the template layer instead of their own layers.:twisted::mad: Plus a few styles I wanted to use on the frames covered the whole picture in the frame as well. Are those just not made properly?

Template from Jane (thanks, Jane!), a custom shape from PSE5, Mother-of-Pearl layer style from Adobe Exchange.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1YWGX0vJDu40WEKiz30n6rATxReE00_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1YWGX0vJDu40WEKiz30n6rATxReE00)

[nkeevers]

Reka, that is great! Love the colors and the watery looking background. And I like the "swimmingly" text! That's cool! They look like they are having great fun!

[NMarti]

Reka
I think you did a wonderful job. As far as the styles - some are made a little differently and you would simply have to cut your photo to the exact size and move it above the frame to keep the style from blocking it. If you use the frame to "cut" your photo out then it will be hard to tell if it is above or below the frame unless you use shadows. That is - at least - what I have run into with some free styles I've downloaded and used that workaround with great success.

[kimi_boo]

I like it!! They sure look like they had a great time. :D

[msbrad]

Looks great Reka. I like those little silver do-dads (custom shapes) you have on there accenting the photos. Think I will check out the mother of pearls at the exchange too.
I too love templates. However, hardly ever keep everything I place on it in exactly the same spot of the same size. Too me, the photos I am using plus the mood of the page dictates that.

Nancy- LIke the new avatar!
m

[Fernan]

Reka i like it very much. I'm not into scrapbook, but looks very beautiful ( blue is my favorite color) ;)

[Wags374]

Great job on your first page! I sometimes have problems putting things on the wrong layer too, so don't feel bad. :)

Templates/Sketches are just a means of nudging your creativity and you did a beutiful job of making it your own. The silver links between photos along with the silver frames helps to tie it all together.

[Wendy]

Oh that is really nice ... and it looks great :)

Wendy

[Kathy]

Reka,

I think that is a great job for your first page. Wonderful journalling, photos and colours. :) A very fun page for what looks like a very fun time.

Kathy

[Karin Sue]

It looks great. The color is wonderful. My mom took some photos of my nephew at a swimming lesson, I might see if I can try something similar.

I don't think I would change anything but you asked for criticism so I looked hard to see if I could find a suggestion of something different you might try. The only thing I noticed was that on my monitor it looks like there might be a touch of red eye. And I suppose you could try the teeth whitening technique.

On another note, as I look on pictures from the past I have a hard time remembering names. It might be nice if you could incorporate the guest's names on that page or an accompanying page. And maybe the date to avoid head math--"okay, that was the year Jenny turned 12, so that would make it ..200?"

[hukari]

Thanks for all the compliments and suggestions. I was really afraid this would be too blue, but I tried other color schemes and nothing worked out.

Isn't that Mother-of-Pearl style wonderful? I hadn't used it on anything bigger or overlapping before and on the text you can see that it is lightly transparent. I love it!

And they did have a good time. I am so glad she is starting to get along with the girls in her class. She is a bit of a tomboy, a real athlete (swimmer and soccer player) and played with the boys during recess last year. This year she has made friends with the girls. This is the Jennie who loves using PSE as well.

P.S. This is the Mother of Pearl layer style from Beth Spencer:
http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/exchange/index.cfm?event=extensionDetail&extid=1043071

[jojo99]

I love your page Reka, it's just perfect :-)
Thanks for sharing the link to the Mother of Pearl layer style, you've saved me having to go searching for it :D
Jo

[Hummie]

Way to go! Love how the layout keeps the theme and the photos are the main focus of the layout.:)

[hukari]

Thanks, Jo and Hummie. I enjoyed doing it! I never thought I would try scrapping!

Jo, isn't that a cool style??!!