Working with Bookmarker and Greeting Card Printables: Part 101
Written by Joli Kirk, Contributing Editor   

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his is my first article for Scrapbook Dimensions Magazine and I want it to be a good one that covers the basics for both beginners and advanced users.  Therefore, I’ve created two parts to this article – a ‘101’ and a ‘102’ series. Do one or both of them and have fun.

I primarily use Paint Shop Pro Version 8 when designing and that’s what I’ll be using while I teach you the techniques for these projects. As long as you have a basic understanding of your preferred graphics program, you can certainly use it to achieve the same effects.


Kelli (Tallula Moon Designs) and I (ScrapProfessor) created a freebie kit for this issue of the magazine. It’s called “Dream. Create. Inspire.” Included with the kit are some printables. You will find a bookmarker printable and some greeting card printables. In Part ‘101’ of this article I will show you how to use the printables "as is" and also how to customize them to fit your needs. In Part ‘102’ of this article, I’ll show you how to turn the printables into templates so you can create your own bookmarkers and greeting cards with other kits. How cool is that!

BOOKMARKER PRINTABLES 101:

First thing you want to do is download the “Dream. Create. Inspire.” Kit from this issue of the magazine and unzip the files and organize them so they work best for you.  Get it HERE.

Using the graphics program of your choice, let’s start working with the bookmarker printable. I'm using Paint Shop Pro.
  • Open the bookmarker printable in your graphics program, duplicate your image, and close the original. In Paint Shop Pro the quick and easy way to do this is using your keyboard: Shift + D. This will automatically duplicate the active window.
  • At this point you should save your duplicate bookmarker to a location on your computer. For now you’ll want to save it as a .psp image (if you’re using Paint Shop Pro). This will keep all your layers intact as you work.
  • Next you’ll want to open two favorite pictures or graphics of choice to use on your bookmarker. Again, make sure you duplicate your originals and that you’re working with duplicate images and not originals.
  • Copy your photos/graphics and paste them behind the bookmarker template. Use the keyboard shortcut CTRL + C to copy your photo or graphic and CTRL + L to paste your copied photo or graphic as a new layer into your bookmarker image.
  • Align your photos/graphics, crop them, or adjust their sizes so they fit as you want in the two photo/graphic slots on the printable bookmarker.
  • Drag your photo or graphic layer below the main bookmarker image so that it appears behind your bookmarker. As you can see in Figure 1, my bookmarker has one of the photos overlapping the other photo. It’s easy to remove the overlap. Figures 2 and 3 show you how to delete the overlap and I’ll explain it for you here as well.

In Figure 2 I’ve selected my square ‘selection’ tool. The keyboard shortcut for the square selection tool is simply the ‘S’ key on your keyboard. Making sure you’re on the right layer (the layer that overlaps) and using your selection tool, draw just around the overlap. 
 
Figure 3 shows my selection. You can see it clearly because the marching ants have appeared where I’ve selected. Once you’ve got the part you want gone selected, hit the ‘delete’ key on your keyboard and it will go bye-bye, making sure not to confuse it with the ‘backspace’ key. If you make a mistake, hit your undo button (a favorite button of mine) and then repeat the process until you get it right. Zoom in if you have to.
 
  • Now we can add text to the tag part of the bookmarker printable. It might be a good time to save the work you’ve done. To save your previously saved file you simply click “CTRL + S” on your keyboard.
  • Make sure you’re on the top layer of the bookmarker printable and select the ‘A’ tool (the text tool) in your tool palette. Use your favorite font for that added special touch. I used the font “LD Remington Portable” in a black color.
  • As you can see in Figure 4, I made my second line of text smaller than my top line of text. This is really super easy to do. Type your text in the text entry box, and highlight the line of text (or any word or letter) that you want bigger or smaller.  Then change the font settings for it. In my case I made the date a smaller size. When you’re happy with the way your text looks click ‘apply’ on the text entry box.
  • Using your ‘Move Tool’ (keyboard shortcut ‘M’) position the text exactly where you want it.
    • Text ideas include:  Your name, name of the book your reading, the date you started reading the book, and/or photo information for the photos you’ve included on your bookmarker.
  • Once you’re happy with the way your bookmarker looks, save the file again (CTRL + S) and also save it as a jpg. Be sure you choose ‘save as’ or use your jpg wizard so you don’t modify the original bookmarker template and you can use it later!
  • Print your bookmarker onto acid free cardstock.
  • If you like, you can laminate your bookmarker so it lasts longer. Once your bookmarker is laminated you can round the corners using scissors.
  • Then, using a hole-punch or an eyelet setter, punch a hole in the top in the indicated spot (the hole), and run ribbon or fiber through for an added touch.
These bookmakers would make fantastic stocking stuffers or could be included inside of books you give as gifts to friends and family. Enjoy!


GREETING CARD PRINTABLES 101:

Next we’ll generate some ideas using the Greeting Card Printables.

Included with the freebie kit “Dream. Create. Inspire.” are six .png formatted printable greeting cards. The first three, shown here, are greeting card image fronts. You would print these onto acid free cardstock, cut out and adhere to acid free cardstock to create the size of greeting card you prefer.
 

Also included are three .png format cards which are ‘print ready’. They are designed to be printed (in landscape mode) onto 8.5” x 11” acid free cardstock, cut out, folded in half, and are then ready for you to add your personal message inside. They look like this (note: I’ve included a border around these cards so you can see how they look):

 

All the cards are designed to fit inside envelopes that measure 4-3/8” x 5-3/4”. These envelope sizes are readily available at print/copy stores, your local Michaels store, or at any office supply store such as Staples or Office Depot. I buy mine as ‘linen’ envelopes in bulk from a paper store. This saves a lot of money in the long run.


DIRECTIONS:
  • Using the same methods as you learned in the “Bookmarker Printables 101” section of this article you can apply the same methods to your cards to create a custom look.
  • Pick your design.
  • Open the card into your favorite graphics program (such as Paint Shop Pro or Photoshop).
  • Print onto acid free paper. If you choose the third design shown (the one with the photo insert) you should also open the photo or your choice or a graphic image.
  • Copy your photo or graphic and paste behind the card front.
  • Crop and align as desired.
  • Save your image ‘AS’ a jpg image (be sure you choose ‘save as’ so you don’t ruin your original!), then print onto acid free cardstock.
  • Using your paper trimmer, cut the card out, fold where it should be folded.
  • Write your message inside the card.
  • Add any extra embellishments you want included on your card (such as ribbons or metals).
  • Put your card inside your envelope and deliver or mail!

Making cards is FUN and they are always treasured by those who receive them from you.

Click HERE to go to Part 201.


I am here to help you along the way. Don’t forget to contact me (contact details at the end of this article) if you need help in any degree. I succeed when you succeed.

THANK YOU!

KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS LEARNED IN THIS ARTICLE:
For any articles I write for Scrapbook Dimensions Magazine, you will see a keyboard shortcut guide at the end which indicates all the keyboard shortcuts I’ve used throughout the lesson(s). You could easily write them down and start a master list to refer to when you’re working on your own later. I am a firm believer in keyboard shortcuts and I use them all the time in Paint Shop Pro.

SHIFT + D = “Duplicate Image”
CTRL + C = “Copy Image”
CTRL + L = “Paste Image as a New Layer”
CTRL + S = “Save”
SHIFT + H = “Hue/Saturation/Lightness”
CTRL + E = “Paste as New Selection”
CTRL + V = “Paste as New Image”
M = “Move Tool”
S = “Square Selection Tool”


CREDITS:
All the printables this month were created using the “Dream. Create. Inspire.” Kit created by ScrapProfessor and Tallula Moon Designs who both design at ScrapProfessor.com.


The kit is FREE with this issue of Scrapbook Dimensions Magazine so be sure you download the kit.

QUESTIONS?
Is there something you’re confused about? Something you’re not clear on? I am happy to help answer your questions. Simply send an email to me, Joli at the following email address:
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it I respond to all emails as quickly as humanly possible.


Joli Kirk, Contributing Editor
About the author:
My name is Joli Kirk and I design under the name “ScrapProfessor”. I wrote and self-published a book on scrapbooking in early 2001. I am the founding owner of ScrapProfessor.com and co-owner of YourDigitalDesigners.com and DigiScrapU.com, which is coming soon. Completely self-taught in all my computer/web design skills and in my graphic programs, I am 100% hybrid at heart and look forward to being a part of Scrapbook Dimensions Magazine.
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