Scrapbook Dimensions » Layouts

Create a Layout From Scratch Using Memory Mixer Software

Cindy Wyckoff — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 13:31:04 +0000

Watch me make a layout from scratch using Memory Mixer Software. You’ll discover the ease and flexibility of this software. You can even use any of your digital scrapbooking kits you have stashed on your computer! Making this layout literally took me just a few minutes! So fun! Take a look!…

For more information, visit MemoryMixer.com.

Layout Credits: Graphics from “Family” Collab Kit by Danielle Young and Kelley Mickus

Hide-a-Tag

Kelli Vander Veen — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 19:57:16 +0000

This is a wonderful way to add extra journaling space to your small albums.

There never seems to be nearly enough room for journaling in small scrapbooks. I always want to make sure that I have plenty of pictures to document the event, but when you have a 6×6 book, how do you fit in enough journaling to thoroughly document the occasion as well? They say a picture is ‘worth a thousand words’ but sometimes, I need the words. I have recently been going through pictures from when my children were small. I hate to admit it, but my son is 19 and my daughter just turned 18, so those are pretty old photos. I wish that I had known then what I know now about scrapbooking. Only about half of the photos have dates and places on them and some photos have me racking my brain trying to remember where we were and what we were doing. This got me thinking that there had to be a way to add more space for journaling without compromising the space that I use for my photos. I didn’t want to have to add extra pages to the book either.

I started looking around on the Internet and thumbing through my scrapbook magazines and found a few options, but nothing that thrilled me to much. Then while I was brousing through an online gallery, I saw that someone had a tag with journaling sticking half way out of their page. That’s really all it took for me to try and figure out how it was done and what I could do with it once I figured it out.

CREATING YOUR HIDE-A-TAG

Deciding on your album style is always the most important first step. Do you want 6×6, 8×8 or will you be using a shaped album to compliment your photos? Once you have that figured out, you will need to get a general idea of the size you will be making your pictures.

Step 1:

I am going to create a 4×6 hide-a-tag for an album that I am working on to sell in my etsy store. The full album size is 6×12, so a 4×6 photo will easily fit. The first thing you will need to do is download and open the template files I’ve included for you! DOWNLOAD HERE. Once you have unzipped the file, open it in Photoshop or any other photo editing software.

As you can see, the 4×6 is 2 files. The 3×5 is only one. Let’s concentrate on Part 1 which only consists of the outer envelope.

If you zoom in, you will see that there are “fold” lines printed on the template.

These fold lines are important to make sure that your hide-a-tag folds evenly.

Next let’s look at Part 2 which is the actual tag part of the hide-a-tag.

Zoom in…

For my tag, I use chipboard which I purchased from a shipping supply company. You could very easily use the cardboard from a cereal box, soda box, or any other medium that doesn’t bend too easily. Keep in mind though, you need to be able to cut it.

Once you have decided which medium to use, you will need to print out both Part 1 and Part 2. I have printed mine out on cardstock so that I can cut the template and use it over and over again.

I usually use a paper that I know I won’t ever use for any other reason. You can use plain white paper if you like, but I can usually manage to find a paper that I consider “ugly” or “unusable” because once you cut it out and start putting it together, you won’t be able to see anything but the tag (or chipboard) portion of the project anyway. This will all make much more sense later in this tutorial. I also do this so that when the tag and envelope are covered with the mat, there is more strength and I don’t worry so much that it will rip. You can also choose to use a paper that will fit into your album and you won’t have to cover it with a mat at all. This is just my preference from several learning experiences.

When your pieces are all cut and you have cut the slit into your envelope piece, you will need to decide how you want to cover the tag/chipboard piece. You will need to do this before you assembly the project otherwise you will have several problems on your hands. Part Two of this tutorial is going to be how to create a special tag with lines for journaling on the computer, printing it and then using it for your tag. For Part One though, I will show you how to cover the chipboard and assemble the project.

Step 2:

Before you make your final decision on the paper you are going to use on your tag, decide what you will be covering the envelope part of the hide-a-tag with. I always make a mat that covers the envelope completely so that you only see a small portion of the tag sticking out at the top. When you are sure of what you plan to cover the envelope with, you can decide how you want to cover the tag. I suggest using a sturdy cardstock. The tag will be pulled out a lot to be looked at and the paper covering it will need to be able to withstand that type of treatment.

The first thing I do is run my tag through my Xyron machine so that the piece is completely covered in glue. This ensures that I will never have lifting anywhere on the tag and I know that the paper won’t peel away from excessive pulling. (You can just use any other kind of adhesive. Just make sure that all the edges of the piece are covered with adhesive.)

Place the tag on the wrong side of the paper and trim right up to the edge of the tag. I use an X-acto knife to be sure that I get very close, but you can use scissors if you are more comfortable with that. I never, ever, trace my tag onto the paper and cut it to fit. I have had several issues with the paper being clipped too short and, more often than not, I can’t seem to get it on straight. This is easier for me and I always know that my tag will be perfect. Of course, you can do this step any way that you feel comfortable with.

After my tag is covered I take a sanding block and sand the edges of the tag in a downward motion, away from the tag. This makes the paper blend a little bit better with the chipboard.

After I’m satisfied with the sanding on the tag, I usually will ink the edges. I do this for a couple of reasons. One, if I have made any mistakes on the edge of the tag, this will cover it up and two, I think it gives it a softer, more finished off look. It’s just my preference and of course, you should do this however you like.

When you have covered both sides of your tag, take your envelope and lay it face down. Feed the tag into the envelope from the bottom of the slit as shown below:

Make sure that your tag easily slides through the slit. Also be very sure that the small tabs on the bottom edges of your tag do not slip through the slit. This is how your tag will stop at the edge of the envelope and keep from falling out. If the slit in your envelope has been cut to wide and the tabs do slip through, do not throw away your envelope and start over. There is an easy fix. Take a small piece of tape and cover a very small portion of the edge of the slit. You will need to do this on both sides to keep the tag even in the envelope.

When your tag is fed through the envelope and you are sure that it slides easily and doesn’t slip out, fold the two side tabs of the envelope in, towards the tag and put a small amount of Tacky Glue on each of the tabs, keeping close to the outside edges.

Fold the bottom of the envelope up. Make sure to line the edges up so that your envelope makes a perfect rectangle. Be very careful that you do not get glue anywhere on the tag or it will not slide. I usually use a toothpick to spread the glue out and make it thin enough so I don’t have to worry about it dripping out of the seams.

I always clip the envelope together with small clothespins to keep it together while it dries.

After a couple of hours, I remove the clothespins and my project is ready to be added to my book.

Since I’m not quite ready to put this into the book that I’m currently working on, I will show you one that I have already done for this book.

PART 2: Creating a Custom Paper for your Tag

For me, this is always the fun part. I get to be extra creative and it’s like opening a present every time someone pulls the tag out.

Open Photoshop and open the tag template, part 2.

Click: Image -> Duplicate (PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS: Click File -> Duplicate)

This will give you a box like this:

Name is something suitable for your project and then click OK.

Now that you have duplicated the template for the tag, you won’t have to worry about corrupting your tag file if you make a mistake.

Next, crop your image. This is an important step, which again, will make sense later in the tutorial.

Make sure that you go back and select your “move” tool.

Add a new layer and drag that layer up above your tag layer. This is where you will be making changes to your tag.

Choose your “paint bucket” tool and whatever color you wish. I always choose white because I can change it and it makes it easier to see what I’m doing. Fill “Layer 2” with your color.

On your keyboard, click ALT/CTRL G. (PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS: Click CTRL G.) This will give you a layer mask that is the exact shape as your tag. Click ALT E. (PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS: Click CTRL E.) This will merge your layer mask and your tag together giving you only a white tag layer and nothing else.

Click your “move” tool and click on your white tag. This should give you a broken line box around the tag. Move your cursor to one of the corners of the tag, hold shift and rotate your tag around so that the tabs are now on the bottom. Click on the checkmark to accept the change.

Double click on the hand so that you can see the tag up close.

Now we are going to start adding lines to our tag. Click on the shape tool and select the line tool. (NOTE: If you can’t find the shape tool, look for the Rectangular Tool or the Ellipse Tool or just press the U key. You will see the shape tool selected. Then right click on it to select the Line Tool.)

Make sure that your “Weight” box is set to at least 3 px otherwise your lines will be way to thin to see. You can adjust the number up and down to your preference, but this is pretty much the number I stick with. Also, make sure that your foreground color is black! (If you foreground color is white and your background color is black, you can just press the ‘X’ key to switch them.)

When you start making your lines, hold the shift key down while drawing to make sure that the lines stay straight. Make your first line from left to right, going beyond the tag on both sides. We’ll trim it later.

Rather than try to make lines over and over again, in the Layers Palette box, I drag my line layer to the “new layer” symbol to copy it. (Or right click on the line layer in the Layers Palette box and choose Duplicate.) Then I select my “move” tool and use my arrow keys to move the line down where I want it.

I continue to do this until my lines are spaced the way that I want them all the way down the tag.

When you are happy with how your lines look, select all the line layers (make sure you do not select the tag layer) by clicking the first line layer, holding shift and clicking the last line layer on your layer palette. Right click and choose “merge layers.”

Now all of your lines are on the same layer and will be easy to work with. We are going to trim the lines. Take your cursor and place it over your tag layer. Hold control and click on the box to the left. This will create a line of marching ants all the way around your white tag.

Choose Select> Modify> Contract and when the box pops up, choose 25. This number is up to you, but 25 seems to make a boarder around the object that isn’t too wide, but not to close either. Choose Select> Inverse (this will put the marching ants on the outside of your tag). Now click on the line layer in the Layers Palete and click “delete” on your keyboard.

Hold CTRL and hit “D” on your keyboard to remove the marching ants.

If you have a picture or something that you would like to incorporate into the tag, now is when we will be doing that. I am going to be using this tag in a baby book, so I have a baby image that I want to use. Open your image in Photoshop and resize it to about the size you need it for the tag.

Drag and drop your image onto your tag and move it to the area you want it. Once you have the positioning and the size right, you’ll be ready to adjust the lines around it.

Take your cursor and place it over your image layer in the Layers Palette. Hold control and click on the box to the left. This will create a line of marching ants all the way around your white tag.

Choose Select> Modify> Expand

In the box that pops up, put in 25. This number is up to you, but 25 seems to make a boarder around the object that isn’t too wide, but not to close either.

Click on your line layer in your Layers Palette and click delete on your keyboard. Hold CTRL and hit “D” on your keyboard to make the marching ants stop.

This is close, but really, not quite it yet. I’m not in love with the lines between my little stamped feet or the little bits on the outside on the left. So I’m going to take my eraser and get rid of them. Make sure you have selected your line layer.

Now my tag looks like I want it too and I’m ready to print.

These tags add so much more room to an album. I use them a lot in small albums (6×6’s mostly).

If you have any questions about this tutorial, please do not hesitate to email me: kelli@tallulamoon.com

I hope that you have enjoyed this tutorial!

Quick and Adorable Memory Mixer Hybrid Layout

Cindy Wyckoff — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 10:41:53 +0000

Find out more about Memory Mixer Software and follow along while I show you how easy it is to make an absolutely gorgeous layout in no time at all!!

For more information about Memory Mixer Software…go to www.MemoryMixer.com.

“Snow”Layout

Caroline Langlois — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 07:48:05 +0000

Learn how Caroline made this fantastic snow layout using gem swirls, Photoshop and Microsoft Word.

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“Jolly” Layout

Gina Lideros — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 07:41:15 +0000

Discover how you can take a digital page and embellish to add interest and versatility.

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“Dear Santa” Layout

Gina Lideros — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 07:38:58 +0000

An adorable way to combine the ease of digital and the dimension of stickers and gems!

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Time-Saving Templates

Julie Fei-Fan Balzer — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 06:08:37 +0000

Layered templates are one of those things that all hybrid scrapbookers should have in their toolbox. Essentially, layered templates are interactive sketches. You can use them quite literally, using a clipping mask to put together a layout that looks exactly like the template. Or you can use them in a looser way, using the templates as a starting point. Templates come in many shapes, sizes, and styles. Visit your favorite digi sites and you’re sure to find a template or two that inspires you!

This issue, we are using templates by Hillary Heidelberg of Scrapbookgraphics.com. Hillary is a scrapper known for her simple style. Her brand new collection of templates certainly demonstrates her graphic design skills with fresh, clean lines. I, on the other hand, am an arsty-fartsy, messy scrapper. I love using templates to provide a strong base. They’re quick and easy and leave me plenty of time to do what I consider to be the “fun” part of scrapbooking.

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Same Products – Different Takes: Prima Hybrid & Brindy’s Backyard

Kristi McFadden — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 05:33:43 +0000

We’re showing different takes on Prima Hybrid and also Brindy’s Backyard. You’re gonna love what we’ve done! Check it out…

PRIMA HYBRID
Prima Marketing is no stranger to the scrapbooking industry. They are currently coming out with creative and beautiful products that we can use inside our scrapbooking and crafting projects. At the beginning of this year Prima took a big step and launched their Prima Hybrid line of products. Prima Hybrid products have both traditional and corresponding digital products that work together so seamlessly that you can confidently blend the traditional and digital products together.

The Same Products Different Takes Team was given a collection of Prima’s Rue 88 Papers and Embellishments along with their hybrid counterparts. Snip, clicks and a few embellishments later… we give you our takes!

TAKE 1:
“Fashion Mobile”
By Kristi McFadden

Supply List:

Prima Marketing Inc.- Rue 88 Papers: Marché de Fleur, Café Diamant, Rendezvous, Feuilles
Prima Marketing Inc.- Rue 88 Gems –Center Kissed Round 9mm, Ribbon – Elyseé and Flowers – Essentials 3 Rue 88
Prima Marketing Inc.- Prima Hybrid Rue 88 Digital Papers and Embellishments
Stemma – Mini Brads: Summer
An old tin can
Adhesive – Provo Craft: Terrifically Tacky Tape, Pantel: Tape’n Glue and Scotch: Scrapbookers Glue
We R Memory Keepers – Crop-o-dile
Adobe Photoshop CS
Epson Scrapbook Ultra Premium Matte Paper
Epson R1900

Directions:

Wash and dry an old tin can.
Import your pictures into your photo-editing software. Use the photos as a guide to create clothing shapes that will cover what is worn in the pictures. (Similar to making Paper Dolls.)
Import the Digital papers from Prima and cut out pieces to fill the clothing shapes.
Select some photographs to be altered after printing.
Print out photographs, clothing pieces and the pictures that have been altered with digital papers for the clothing.
Cut out each photograph into silhouettes and the separate clothing pieces.
Using the printed out clothing shapes and the un-altered photographs, cover the pictures to make new outfits for the photo.

Cover the tin can with Prima’s Rue 88 papers. Cover the inside, outside and bottom of the can.
Using the Crop-o-Dile, punch holes, spaced evenly, around the lip of the tin can; one for each of the photographs.

Turn the can over. The bottom is now the top of the can. Adhere ribbon around the base of the can and use the excess to make a handle. (Like a purse strap)
Cut another ribbon into equal lengths; one section for each photograph.
Using a brad and some flowers affix the ribbon into each hole you punched earlier. Layer it so that the ribbon is closest to the can, then the flowers and on top the brad.

Use a brad at the bottom of each ribbon to attach each photograph.
Add flowers and other gems or embellishments to the individual photographs.
Hang and enjoy.

TAKE 2:
“Café Caddy”
By Laura Vaughn

Supply List:

Paper: Rue 88 collection “Feuilles”
Paper: Rue 88 collection “Café Diamant”
Flowers: Essentials 3 Rue 88
Ribbon: Elysee Ribbons
Crystals: Center Kisses (9mm)
Digital Alpha: Silhouette: Gem Alpha Royal
Digital Frame: Silhouette: Gem Frame Fleurish
Digital Paper: IOD Rue 88 Collection (Paper #12)
Software: Adobe Photoshop CS2
Printer: HP Photosmart 3310 All-In-One
Electric Drill
Sponge Brush
Scissors
Pencil
Ruler
Hot Glue Gun
Brayer
Wood Caddy
4 Wood Spools (size: 3/4” x 1”) by “Lara’s Crafts”
4 Screws (size: 6 x 1 5/8)
Spray Paint Color: Prairie Grass by “Design Master”
Transparency Film (Multipurpose) by “3M”
Translucent Vellum (Inkjet Printable) by “Worldwin Papers”
Adhesives: Mod Podge (matte) by “Plaid”
Glue Dots (size: mini) by “GlueDots Int.”
Embellishments: Metallic Mini Flower brads by “Making Memories”
Pearl Trim

Directions:

Trace each side of the wood caddy onto the paper of your choice.
Spray-paint the wooden caddy and spools. Let dry.
Cut out the tracings.
Using a sponge brush & Mod Podge, attach the cut-outs to the sides of the wooden caddy and then seal the paper by painting another layer of Mod Podge on top. Use the brayer to smooth out any air pockets. Let dry.
With a glue gun to attach them, decorate the edges of the caddy with the ribbons and pearls.
With a brad, connect a stack of 2-3 flowers. (Make 6 sets.) Use the glue gun to attach them to the caddy.
Glue 1 large flower and 1 small flower together, then glue the flower set to the bottom of a spool. (Make 4 sets.)
Glue 4 sets of 2 small flowers together, then glue a set to the top of each spool.
Using a ruler and pencil, draw a mark where you would like the screws/spools to be placed in the bottom corners of the caddy.
Push the screws through the holes in each spool. Push through the end with the larger flower first. (Depending on the thickness of the glue, you may need to use your drill.)
While holding the spool, line up the sharp end of the screw with the mark that you made on the bottom of the caddy. Gently screw it in with the drill. (Don’t go too fast. You don’t want to crack the wood.) Repeat 3 more times. Now your caddy has feet!
Measure the area where you would like to place the photo and frame.
Make a new file in Photoshop. (Make sure the rulers are visible.) Open a photo you would like to use and move it to the new file.
Open the Digital Frame and move it to the same file. Depending on the measurements you took, either resize the photo, the frame or both so they will fit within your measurements.
Open the Digital Paper and move it to the same file. Make sure the Digital Paper layer is directly above the Digital Frame layer. Right-click the Digital Paper layer and select: Create Clipping Mask. Now your frame should match the paper.
Right-click the Digital Paper layer and select: Merge Down. (Now the two layers have become one.)
To be safe, save the whole file as a PSD.
Hide the Paper/Frame layer from view.
Print the Photo layer.
Turn the visibility of the Paper/Frame layer back on and hide the Photo layer.
Save file as a PNG.
Print the Frame on the Transparency Film.
Cut out the Photo and Frame. Attach the Photo to the caddy with Glue Dots and then attach the frame on top of the photo with Glue Dots.
For extra “bling,” attach the crystals with Glue Dots.
As for the names, create them the same way as the Digital Frame.
Tip: Open all the letters that you would need and move them into a new file. (Showing the grid helps to line up the letters.) Once your letters are the correct size and lined up, merge all of them together. Next, open the Digital Paper, move it into the file and create the Clipping Mask. (See step 15.)
Print the names twice; first on the Transparency Vellum and the second time on the clear Transparency Film. Cut them out and attach with Glue Dots.

TAKE 3:
“Mother’s Day Flowers”
By Marge Lutz

Supply List:

Pringles potato chip can
Digital Paper – Rue 88 Coordinates paper #11 – Prima Marketing
Digital Frame – IOD Silhouette Gem Frame Fleurish – Prima Marketing
Flowers – Rue 88 essentials – Prima Marketing
Adhesives:
Scrapbook Adhesives Click ‘n Stick Mounting Squares
Pop dots – Stamp Craft, Inc.
Incredi-Tape!
Tools:
Glue gun – Crafty Magic Melt Low Temp Bonder
Lorna Decorative Touch (hot fix) wand
Miscellaneous pliers, jewelry pliers
Punches – EK Success
Software – Microsoft Digital Image Suite 2006
Adobe Photoshop
Printer – Canon Pixma IP 4300
Ribbons – Elysee? ribbons – Prima Marketing
Corner Punch – unknown brand
Floral wire – Panacea Products Corp., Columbus, Ohio
Leaves – from miscellaneous silk flowers had on hand – used the leaves only
Floral tape – Panacea Products Corp., Columbus, Ohio
Beads – had on hand
Bead wire – Westrim Crafts
Oasis – had on hand
Hot fix crystals – Tulip
Grass – Holiday Inspirations, Joanne’s Arts & Crafts
Center Kisses (crystals) – Prima Marketing
Fonts used – Bradley Hand ITC

Directions:

Cut Pringles potato chip can in half at an angle.
Made a pattern using the potato chip can to ease in covering the potato chip can.
Printed digital paper on home printer.
After cutting paper to correct size, glued it to the outside of the can.
Glued a strip of the rust colored flowers down the can hiding where the ends of the cover paper meet.
Selected flowers to glue around the slanted edge of the can and glued them in place on the inside of the can only.
Inserted the lining piece of paper and glued in place to line the inside of the can where the finished product will show.
Filled the can with a piece of oasis floral foam.
Selected photos and edited them using Microsoft Digital Image Suite 2006 and Adobe Photoshop.
I printed them on my printer.
With a circle punch I punched out the photos.
Glued the photos onto the center of the larger flowers using pop dots.
Using pliers I twisted one end of the floral wire to form a circle to hold the photo flowers.
Attached silk leaves to the floral wire with floral tape.
Attached the photo flowers.
Covered the top of the oasis with Easter grass.
Pushed the photo flowers into the oasis foam.
Printed frame with Mother’s Day greeting on it.
Strung beads onto wire for necklace to hold the Mother’s Day frame.
Attached the necklace and Mother’s Day frame in the back with hot glue.

TAKE 4:
“Personalized Purse”
By Becky Evans

Supply List:

Purse – www.pursueyourart.com
Digital & Traditional Papers – Prima Marketing Inc, (Prima Hybrid)
Embellishments – Prima Marketing Inc, (Prima Hybrid)
Digital Tag Wordart – Vintage Newspaper Digital Kit by Rhonna Farrer, www.twopeasinabucket.com
White Cardstock
Ink – Stampin Spot: Stampin’ Up
Adhesive – Double stick Tape: Herma
Program: Microsoft Digital Image Suite 2006 Editor
Printer: Cannon i9900

Directions:

Remove inside pattern from purse
Trim Paper to fit each section of pattern.
Insert paper into each section of the purse.
Embellish one side pocket with chipboard embellishments, flower with center kisses.
Using Digital Image Suite create a tag with the digital word art.
Print the tag on white cardstock.
Embellish the purse with ribbon and enjoy!

Brindy’s Backyard

Brindy’s Backyard is a darling, family run business that came onto the scene last year at Memory Trends in Las Vegas. They offer a line-up of ready to assemble (complete packets) and pre-assembled products that can really speed up your crafting. Along with the pre-assembled or complete packets that they offer they launched their Acrylic Albums. These albums are thicker than the standard acrylic albums on the market. The thickness allows for greater use and sturdier final products.

The Same Products Different Takes Team was given the “Shelby” Clear Acrylic Book to play with. Snip, Clicks and a few embellishments later we give you our take on these cool acrylic books.

TAKE 1:
“Seasons Wall Décor”
By Kristi McFadden

Supply List:

Clear Acrylic Book: “Shelby” – Brindy’s Backyard
Epson Scrapbook Ultra Premium Matte Paper
Printer: Epson R1900
Pantel – Tape’n Glue
Digital Brushes – Created by Miss M at www.missm.paperlilies.com
Glimmer Mist – Tattered Angel
Digital Filmstrip – Kristi McFadden
Ribbon, Rafia, Snowflakes, O-rings and Strings – Miscellaneous Scrapbooking Supplies
Program: Photoshop CS
Fonts: 1 Bean Sprout DNA, LittleLordFontleroy, Asian, A Yummy Apology, MA Sexy, Prime Minister Of Canada, Be Aggressive, FG Maria, Flair, FG Gabriella, HandScriptLefty, Bambino, and Ashley

Directions:

Select digital photos that fit your favorite seasons and open them into Photoshop.
Open up the digital filmstrip into Photoshop.
Create a 12” x 12” document and drag the photographs and the digital filmstrip into the document.
Duplicate the filmstrip as needed to create enough for your photographs and then place the photographs, according to seasons, behind the individual frames of the digital filmstrip. Crop as necessary.
Link the filmstrip and pictures together (link each grouping separate)
Hide these items and make a new layer in Photoshop. Fill it with white.
Using the digital brushes, create an artistic edge around the layer.
Use your paint bucket to fill in the brushstrokes with various colors. (I pulled colors out of my photographs to help match everything together. I tried to get one color from each season.)
Insert your text (quotes, etc) using the fonts that fit your personality. (Be sure to spell check.)
Save this file as a .jpg and then hide the layers in your document.

Open the .jpg up and insert it back into the document you are working in. Resize it so that it will fit on one of the Acrylic album pages. (I made mine about 5.5” x 5.5”)
Arrange the filmstrips and the Quote portion on the 12×12 page. Around these you can add additional embellishments, brush strokes, words, etc to use in the project.
Print this out on a 12”x12” piece of inkjet printable cardstock. I like Epson’s scrpabooking paper because it is intended for double-sided printing.
Since the album is see through you can flip your canvas and reprint these again on the other side of the paper so that, once cut, it will have the image on both sides. (You will have to fix the text though so keep that in mind. To avoid backward text I flipped the canvas first and the re-inserted anything with text and placed it over the areas that had been effected by the flip.
Make a second 12”x12” canvas and create a row of swirly doodles. You will be cutting this into 4 parts so try to theme it according to the seasons. (On the first portion I have wintery brushes, the second focuses on spring, the third on summer and the forth focuses on autumn. The primary design is a strong set of swirl brushes that I connected together at various points. Since I don’t want to have to use 2 papers to print I have broken the design up in half.)

Once you like your design, go back and enhance it with color.
Print this out. You can also make this double-sided; just remember to adjust or remove the text when you flip the canvas.
Now it is time to assemble. First, lay out each of the pages you will use from the acrylic album. The left side will be for the quote box (like a title page if you will) and the following pages will be for each season. I set the pages side by side so I could line everything up well.
Next, cut out each filmstrip, the quote box, and the decorated swirl. For the swirl I left a margin of the white paper around it rather than trying to cut around each individual brushstroke.

Arrange the items across the acrylic pages. Mark where you need to cut to separate the swirl design. Use the filmstrips as an accent for each of the seasons. If you don’t use all the ones you printed that’s okay.
Adhere the items to the acrylic pages.
Spray the front of the album lightly with various colors of Glimmer Mist to give it a little shimmer. Let it dry.
Add O-rings into the holes along the top of the album pages.
Decorate the rings with various ribbons, raffia, etc. You can add glittery items, seasonal accents and so forth to the ties to help accent the seasons.
Hang either on the wall using hooks and a wooden dowel or you can use a pressure rod and hang it in a doorframe or window.

TAKE 2:
“Endless Summer”

By Laura Vaughn

Supply List:

Clear Acrylic Book: “Shelby” – Brindy’s Backyard
Software: Microsoft Digital Image Suite
Printer: HP Photosmart 3310 All-In-One
Scissors
Pencil
Ruler
Rotary Mat
Paper Cutter
Hole Punch
Hot Glue Gun
Transparency Film (Multipurpose) by “3M”
Adhesives: Glue Dots (size: mini) by “GlueDots Int.”
Paint: Adirondack Alcohol Inks by “Ranger Industries”
Embellishments:
Blue & Green Cotton Cord by “Toner Plastics, Inc.”
Toby Tiny Ribbon by “KI Memories, Inc.”
Silk Flowers by “Prima Marketing, Inc.”
Metal Sun Tag by “Flair Designs, Inc.”
Metal Swim Tag by “Flair Designs, Inc.”
Stickers & Rub-Ons:
Travel by Plane by “Sandylion Sticker Designs”
Copper Summer by “Pressed Petals”
Spring Jewels (rub-ons) by “Bo-Bunny”
Calendar Rub-bits (rub-ons) by “Karen Foster Design, Inc.”
Ellen’s Tropical Summer by “Me & My Big Ideas”
Flower-Rhinestones by “Me & My Big Ideas”
Endless Summer by “EK Success”
Swimming by “EK Success”
School by “EK Success”
Beach by “EK Success”
Pool Party by “EK Success”
Silhouette Ballerina by “EK Success”

Directions:

Choose & print the photos you would like to use. Remember to size them according to the size of the album pages.
Use a filter on the same photos and print them a second time on a clear transparency.
Using Glue Dots, attach the photos to the acrylic pages.
Line up each transparency over each photo/acrylic page and cut them out. Don’t forget to mark the holes and punch them out. (A rotary mat helps with lining things up!)
Embellish your album with anything your heart desires. (alcohol inks, stickers, ribbons, papers, etc…)

TAKE 3
“Life”
By Marge Lutz

Supply List:

Clear Acrylic Book: “Shelby” – Brindy’s Backyard
HammerMill – Transparency paper
Decals – Decorprint S.A. ceramic transfers
Chain – Jewelry Fundamentals Chain Necklace Kit, Antique Brass finish, Sulyn Industries, Coral Springs, FL
Eyelets: We R Memory Keepers
Tools: pliers, jewelry pliers to bend wire for the ‘s’ hooks
Crop-A-Dile – We R Memory Keepers: to add more holes for hanging
Software – Microsoft Digital Image Suite 2006, Adobe Photoshop CS2
Fonts: Bradley Hand ITC, Beautiful ES
Brushes: Rhonna Farer Sassy Swirl2 Transparency
Printer – Cannon Pixma IP 4300

Directions:

Choose the photos you want to use and edit them. I used Microsoft Digital Image Suite 2006 and Adobe Photoshop CS2. If desired, create a layout for each photo to enhance it.
Add the text and the dates to each of the four photo layouts.
Print each one out onto transparency paper.
Let it dry and then trim them to the correct size for the acrylic album page.
We are going to hang this vertically so each of the top 3 acrylic pages will need holes at the bottom. Using the Crop-A-Dile, add more holes to the first three sheets of acrylic, line the pages up so the holes you punch corresponding with the next page of acrylic. This will make sure they hang straight.
Attach eyelets.
Bend wire into ‘S’ hooks and cut the chain into equal pieces.
Attach them to the acrylic sheets and add each page in order so they hang in a line.
Attach additional chain to the top, making a handle, to hang the entire piece.

TAKE 4
“Ammelia’s Book of Colors”
By Becky Evans

Supply List:

Clear Acrylic Book: “Shelby” – Brindy’s Backyard
Photo Paper – Lustre Professional Photo Paper: Office Max
Paint Me Happy Digital Kit – Shabby Princess Designs (on the Font and Back Cover, the red heart, yellow star and pink circle)
Painted Doodles and Flowers Digital Kit – Scrapartist (purple flower)
Things That Fly Digital Kit – Pattie Knox (Blue Button)
Groovy Rock and Roll 60’s Digital Kit – Erica Hite (Green Bird)
Fonts: Marker and CK’s Stylish Black
Ribbon – Miscellaneous Scrap Supplies
Double Stick Tape – Herma
Printer: Canon i9900
Program: Microsoft Digital Image Suite 2006 Editor

Directions:

Open Microsoft Digital Image Suite and create a 7.5” by 6.5” canvas.
Create each page with your digital papers and elements.
Insert a text box on each page and type the information you want.
Adjust the background paper to match (using the color matching eyedropper) the color of each element used.
Save each page as a .jpg and print them onto 8.5”x11” photo paper.
Trim each printed page to fit the acrylic pages.
Attach with adhesives.
Use the provided O-rings to attach the book.
Decorate the rings with ribbons for each color in the book.

Photoshop: Let’s Get Started – Easy Radial Blur Technique

Julie Mead — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 05:25:09 +0000

Are you ready for a fun Photoshop technique that you can learn in a snap with awesome results like the pros? Then this is the technique to try. You can use it for all kinds of cards and even in layouts too and you won’t believe how easy it is to learn.

After I show you the steps and some samples I know you will be digging through your photos anxious to try this Radial Blur technique. So let’s get started…
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REVIEW: Digital Scrapbook Artist – Our Cover Layout – Easy!

Cindy Wyckoff — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 01:57:20 +0000

You won’t believe how fast this was and fun! Check out the video that will walk you through the process using Digital Scrapbook Artist software.

Here is the cover layout we used for Vol 3 Issue 1:

(Click HERE for video near end of article.)

Here is the layout in digital before it was embellished.

Here is the layout after it has been embellished.

Follow along with me as I show you how easy this is to complete and embellish.
I’m using Digital Scrapbook Artist software. This software is very user friendly. It comes with several gorgeous kits so that you can start scrapping immediately.

I have so totally enjoyed playing with the Digital Scrapbook Artist software. It’s quite user-friendly. I really appreciate all the realistic embellishments and papers that come with the software, too!

This program also does what I have not seen in any other graphics software programs. Check out the 24 different scissors edges to choose from that will cut your papers, or the brushes that brush on realistic looking rope or string and even different kinds of stitches! You can easily cut out shapes or create frayed edges. Text on a path is never a problem…simple to do.

Then, just when you think you’ve seen everything, you will find that you can easily extract from your photos! Unbelievable! They even have included built-in digital photo editing!

When you are finished, you can easily print from your home printer, upload your photos to the Daisy Trail website where you can share with friends and family, export your pages to popular file formats, or email your scrapbooks with the click of a button!

I’ve just touched the surface of what this affordable software program can do for you! Stay tuned as we bring you more projects that show you the features of this incredible product!

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