|
“Fun Memories - Canada Day” by Janine Buckles
larger view
Directions for one technique I did on this layout:
The three photos, when left in full colour, really didn't work well together. So in order to create a sense of cohesion, I changed them all into black and white images. I did this by placing them on my layout and then, one by one doing the following: I selected an image layer by clicking on its thumbnail image in the Layers Palette. Next I clicked on Enhance> Convert to Black & White (Alt+Ctrl+B) and, in the box that opened, I made adjustments until I liked the way it looked. It’s a simple way to make dissimilar images look like they are meant to be used together!
Software used: Adobe Photoshop Elements 5.0
Name of challenge: Create a Canada Day layout.
Other Ingredients:
Journaling: Queen Elizabeth II visited our city just before Canada Day, 1997. There was a huge crowd so I sent Siobhan to sneak in front for a picture but the people were awesome and made sure she got a good spot to take her picture!
“Thank A Soldier” by Joann Brown
larger view
Directions for one technique I did on this layout:
Because the words to the song, "My Country 'tis of Thee" were stuck in my head, it was a natural step to put them into this layout. I chose a font that would work well for the aged/antique feel I wanted to create. Using Gillian Hurst's Brush Set: Rustic Crush Biggie 2, I carefully erased various sections. As I erased, I changed the Opacity of my Eraser Brush several different times to allow different areas to show through more than others - giving it an aged effect. I finished the effect off with a few deliberately placed ink splotches - using Melissa Renfro's Brush Set: Splatter.
Software used: Adobe Photoshop CS4
Name of challenge: Create a layout about Independence Day.
Other Ingredients:
“Be A Flag Waver” by Kim Meeder
larger view
Directions for one technique I did on this layout:
To change the journaling font from a blue to red, I applied a gradient. After typing the journaling, I rastersized the type layer. To do this, I chose Layer>Rastersize> Type from the menu. Next, I used the layer style button (labeled "fx" and located at the bottom of my Layers Palette.) From the pop up menu, I used the Gradient Overlay option. I selected a gradient and tweaked the settings until I was happy with the result.
Software used: Adobe Photoshop CS3
Name of challenge: Create a layout about Independence Day.
Other Ingredients:
Journaling: At two years of age, you weren’t quite sure why there were so many American flags displayed. In fact, you didn’t even understand what an American flag is, but when we asked you to reach up and hold the flag, you complied. You even waved it back and forth for some picture taking. But, there is a greater lesson in these photos, Dylan. I pray you will always be a flag waver. No matter what is happening in the world around you, be proud to be an American. Be proud of the United States of America. And, be thankful for those brave individuals who fought and gave their lives to win independence for us all.
“Skies” by Armi Custodio
larger view
Directions for one technique I did on this layout:
To create the denim strips, I first created a new layer and used the Rectangular Marquee tool to outline the strip shape. I then filled the shape with any color. Next, I applied a denim style from Melissa Renfro's ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Well Loved 5001. To darken the denim, I simplified the layer (on the Layers Palette Right-Click and choose Simplify Layer) and went to Enhance> Adjust Color> Color Variations. I selected Midtones and clicked "Darken" until I got the shade I wanted.
Software used: Adobe Photoshop CS3
Name of challenge: Create a layout about Independence Day.
Other Ingredients:
“It Doesn’t Get Any Better” by Kara Swanson
larger view
Directions for one technique I did on this layout:
I loved the frame from Melanie's ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: XL Photo Masks, but it included some flowers that didn't quite fit the theme of the layout I was planning. Because her file was layered, I was able to remove the layers I didn't want to use and change the color on those I wanted to keep.
Software used: Adobe Photoshop Elements 6.0
Name of challenge: Create a layout about Independence Day.
“Born in the USA” by Jo Corne
larger view
Directions for one technique I did on this layout:
To create my background, I used a number of papers as well as two photos. The first paper layer is Sunburst from Melanie Johnson's Childhood Memories Collection Biggie. Over this layer, I placed the photo of the American flag. Over this layer I placed another photo of the flag and a parchment of the Declaration of Independence. I changed its Blending Mode to "Luminosity" and dropped the Opacity percentage to 90%. On the next layer, I placed Shalae Tippetts' White Stars paper from her Freedom Collection Mini, changed its Blending Mode to "Luminosity" and dropped the Opacity percentage to 60%. I then gave this layer a layer mask and, using Thao Cosgrove's Brush Set: Sketchbook Pencil Biggie, setting my foreground color to black and, using my paintbrush, I brushed over the photo to give the sketch effect to the photo. So, as you can see, you can use many elements to make up your layout's background and not just a photo or paper.
Software used: Adobe Photoshop CS4
Name of challenge: Create a layout about Independence Day.
Other Ingredients:
“Celebrate Freedom” by Amy Lemaniak
larger view
Directions for one technique I did on this layout:
To make my safety pin look as though it was poking through my photo and my tag, I first took my Eraser Tool and erased the parts that I wanted to look like they were behind my elements. I then switched over to my Burn Tool, chose a dark brown color and an airbrush brush, and clicked where one of the holes was until it looked as though the pin was poking through. I then repeated this to the other hole on the tag.
Software used: Adobe Photoshop CS4
Name of challenge: Create a layout about Independence Day.
Other Ingredients:
“My American Girl” by Christy VanderWall
larger view
Directions for one technique I did on this layout:
To create a fun title for the layout, I chose the Stencil Std font for the word "American" and clipped a copy of the red, white and blue papers from my layout to the text. I then arranged them to resemble the American flag.
Software used: Adobe Photoshop CS3
Name of challenge: Create a layout about Independence Day.
Other Ingredients:
If you have praise, comments, or questions for any of our Product Designers or Layout Artists, did you know you can send them a PM (private message) using the message board? It's easy!
If you are a registered user of the message board, just click on the “PM” box at the bottom of any of their posts to send them a message. Or, to check out more of your favorite designer's layouts, visit the Scrap Girls Design Team section of the Layout Gallery.
| 
