My First Paper Kit!

Ta-Da! Here it is! My first package of digital backgrounds. I have been teaching myself how to create my own stuff for another project and thought why not create things I can use and share with all my friends.

I love blues and browns. They are very soothing colors for me and make me think of spending the day at the spa. I wish I could go more often. If you would like to download this kit, click here. If you create a page with my stuff, send me a link to your gallery or email it to me so I can check it out! Enjoy!

Just The Right Brush!

Brushes have to be one of the coolest tools out there to scrapbook with digitally. Whenever I feel there is something missing on my page I look to brushes to fill the void. They can be used to accent something or add dimension without overpowering your layout. Even better, when you can't find the brush you are looking for, you can make one yourself! I did just that when designing my header for this page. I wanted some really cool items between my catchy words. I couldn't find exactly what I wanted. So, I took some pictures and made them in to brushes. The best part of brushes is the experimenting with them anyway you feel like and then being able to undo them if it doesn't turn out. Not like real stamps that make you start all over after making a mistake. This is one of my favorite LO using brushes. I used swirls and grunge brushes to reach this effect. You might think that swirls and grunge wouldn't go well together but opposites attract and I think provide great contrast!

Journaling

When I first started scrapbooking, I loved doing all the artsy stuff. The papers, the embellishments, and the photos were so captivating. I would always finish the page up to the point where I should have added a title and journaling. I had these beautiful books but nothing to let my children know what was the history behind it. Now that I have converted to digital scrapbooking, you would think that journaling would be so much easier and done quickly. I have to confess that I still revert back to my old ways, but I am improving. Journaling is fun to play with and being able to add several fonts in several sizes adds to the creative process. It can go up and down, in a circle, in a heart shape, whatever you can imagine. The boundaries are almost limitless. This is one of my favorite examples of journaling:

First, I love the geometric and monochromatic theme of this two page layout. I picked red to add a little pop to my layout and used it to highlight a few of the words on the first page which listed the things we do traditionally at Christmas. For the rest of my journaling I fit it into a box to continue with the monochromatic theme. I just love how it turned out and the journaling will document those things we do together as a family to celebrate the holidays!

Having Fun With Text

Text has become much more than a tool for writing something for a report or other documents. It has become an embellishment all its own. I love to use text as an embellishment that adds just the right amount of drama and still keeps it simple. By duplicating it, lowering the opacity, changing its color, inserting pictures, . . . the list just keeps going! All of these methods can add just the right touch to finish your layout. I love coming up with a great title for the page and using it in my layout to add the tone I want to carry through to those who will view my creation.

These are some of my favorite layouts using text as a design element. Text is so fun to use. In "Dirt" I used a letter as a frame for the main photo of the layout. The next layout is the front page of my daughter's album. I wanted to use words that I thought described her and generate my own background. In "Big Brother" and "Campout" I played with the position of my text. I love using text vertically. Putting the text behind the object in the picture was an idea I scraplifted from another layout I saw in a magazine. It was a lot of fun to make!

Fonts are Fabulous!

One of my favorite things about scrapbooking are the fonts. There are some great fonts available to fit every type of layout. So, what makes a great font? Well, besides personal preference fonts that are clean and not overdone are the best. Fonts shouldn't distract from your layout, but add the finishing touches by enhancing your focal point. I like unique fonts but they still need to be readable. Hunting for the perfect font is sometimes easy to find and others are challenging. Things to keep in mind are the style or theme of your page. Are you creating something unique to a certain time period. If the font matches the style of your page or even contrasts it, you're probably on your way to a great layout! Here are a couple sites that I love to get free fonts from:

1001freefonts.com

dafont.com

fontfreak.com

simplythebest.net

Another great site is: scrapnfonts.com. At this site fonts range in price from $1-$3 individually. You can also buy bundles and get great deals. Happy Font Hunting!

Designing With Photos

I love photography! Photos play such a dramatic impact on your digital layouts. It is becoming a second passion for me. I only wish that my income could support ALL of my expensive hobbies! But, having a simple digital camera is really all you need if you have great software. Sometimes a photo can be the star of the layout with only a few simple words added. Photos also can play a vital role in the colors you choose to use.

If you are looking for a dramatic effect, use a large photo to cover most of the page or all of it. Sometimes I want give my layout a classic, timeless look. Black and white photos fit the bill perfectly. Sepia also works well, adding warmth to the layout. Both of these enhancements can provide great contrast to the photos. Maybe the photo has something in it that you really want to focus on or make stand out. By turning the photo black and white and erasing this part of layer over the item you wish to focus on, the item will pop out and add a little color.

Another fun option, is to give your photos a vintage or hand tinted look. This is a great option for heritage scrapbooks too! Then there are those photos that you love, but turned out less than perfect. Well, don't thrown them out! Give them an artsy touch with a filter or increasing the opacity. They can be used as backgrounds for your layouts or journaling. There are endless options to improve and enhance your photos to add drama to your layout! Here are some examples. So, start taking more pictures!!

Photos as your Focal Point:

Photos as Backgrounds:

Fun Effects with Photos: