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"Not Just A Game" by Janine Buckles
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Directions for one technique I did on this layout:
My background image was quite dark, so in order to brighten it a bit, and to give it some depth and texture, I placed a paper from ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Pierced over it and set the Blending Mode to "Overlay."
Software used: Adobe Photoshop Elements 5
Name of challenge: Free Scrap
Journaling: "The rules of soccer are very simple. Basically it is this: if it moves, kick it. If it doesn't move, kick it until it does." - Phil Woosnam
"Live Your Dreams" by Karen Chandler
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Directions for one technique I did on this layout:
To create a brighter metal embellishment, add a "Levels" adjustment layer. For example on this layout, I selected the layered metal tag by Ctrl+Click on the tag layer. Then I clicked on the Black/White icon at the bottom of the Layers Palette. I selected the "Levels" option, then moved the right slider to the left until the metal became brighter.
Software used: Adobe Photoshop CS4
Name of challenge: Create a layout using three or more alphas.
"Virgin Islands" by Elisha Barnett
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Directions for one technique I did on this layout:
Robert's Digital Stickers: Bamboo Frames had the exact look that I wanted, but I wanted to have four photos and the frames looking like they were tied together. To quickly duplicate and move a layer in PSE, hold your Alt key down while you click and drag the new layer/element where you want it to be. In this case, I placed the fame I wanted to use into my layout. I rotated it 90 degrees, resized it to about 70% and moved it to the upper left of the layout. Holding Alt, I dragged the duplicate frame to the right and lined up the center "poles." Then with both frames selected, I held the Alt key once more and dragged down duplicating both layers at the same time. I lined up top and bottom "poles," creating a frame with four spaces for my photos.
Software used: Adobe Photoshop Elements 4
Name of challenge: Free Scrap
Other Ingredients:
Journaling: The first stop on our cruise was the island of St. Thomas, in the US Virgin Islands. We did some shopping, visited Blackbeard's Castle, saw some spectacular views and photographed iguanas.
"Family Memories" by Jo Corne
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Directions for one technique I did on this layout:
To give Erica Hite's ScrapSimple Paper Template: Cabinet Curiosities its "woody" color, I applied a "Color Overlay" layer style in a soft brown color with a Blending Mode of "Vivid Color" set to 80% Opacity.
Software used: Adobe Photoshop CS4
Name of challenge: Create a layout about your favorite moments of 2009.
"The Best Moments" by Amy Lemaniak
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Directions for one technique I did on this layout:
To get a whimsical appearance to the trail behind the butterfly, I used Erica's Dynamic Brushes: Doodle Borders 5403 on a new layer and then applied one of the sparkly styles from ScrapSimple Tools – Styles: Glitter Sparks 6401 Super Biggie. At first it was way too intense, so I lowered the Opacity of the layer to about 60% to give it a much softer effect.
Software used: Adobe Photoshop CS4
Name of challenge: Create a layout about your favorite moments of 2009.
Other Ingredients:
"Zoo" by Kara Swanson
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Directions for one technique I did on this layout:
To counteract the bright colors of the papers and stickers, I chose to desaturate the photos using Katherine Weaver's ScrapSimple Tools - Lightroom Presets: Vintage Postcard 10301 Mini.
Software used: Adobe Photoshop Elements 6 and Adobe Lightroom 1.1
Name of challenge: Free Scrap
"Happy" by Kelly Favor-Chronister
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Directions for one technique I did on this layout:
I added one small heart embellishment to the photo of my kids holding hands to add a little extra emphasis to the photo. Since the subjects are smaller in the frame, I didn't want them to get lost in the background. The heart draws the eye directly to them.
Software used: Adobe Photoshop Elements 8
Name of challenge: Create a layout about your favorite moments of 2009.
Other Ingredients:
"Jenna" by Jennifer Labre
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Directions for one technique I did on this layout:
The challenge for this layout was to use at least three different alphas. I love to create unique titles by doing this very technique. Without this challenge, I probably would have had a pretty boring title. Instead, by using three different alphas, I have a fun, whimsical look for my daughter's name. Note that these alphas all come from different collections. So, next time you're looking to create a unique title, go through your stash and pick some alphas you like and put them together. You'll be sure to come up with something original and perfect for your layout!
Software used: Adobe Photoshop CS4
Name of challenge: Create a layout using three or more alphas.
Other Ingredients:
"Highlights of 2009" by Jennifer Wight
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Directions for one technique I did on this layout:
When I started this layout, I was having trouble finding just the right positioning for my journaling and photos. So I decided to look through my stash of ScrapSimple Digital Layout Templates for help. I knew I wanted a fair amount of space to highlight my journaling and a space to showcase three photos. I found what I was looking for when I spotted a template meeting this description in Eric Hite's ScrapSimple Digital Layout Album Templates: 12x12 Baby Book 3. Because each item in her template is on its own separate layer, I was able to remove the unnecessary title and journal prompts relating to babies and make it my own.
Software used: Adobe Photoshop Elements 5
Name of challenge: Create a layout about your favorite moments of 2009.
Journaling: Two thousand and nine has been a big adventure. We started the year thinking we would be moving to Belgium. By March that plan seemed to fall through. April brought a new addition to our family. We were all so excited to welcome Zachery into our lives. Summer was a whirlwind as we decided to move across country to Virginia to try out a new job. We prepared our home for the awful seller's market and packed everything into boxes within three weeks. We made a short jaunt over to California to say our goodbyes and then we were off to Virginia. Our home in Idaho surprised us by selling within three days and so the house hunt in Virginia began. RJ started kindergarten and was honored with accepting the good citizenship award for his class. Just before Thanksgiving, after over 30 viewed homes, we purchased and moved into our new house. RJ switched schools and has made lots of new wonderful friends. We have enjoyed our new adventure and look forward to what 2010 will bring.
"Favorite Moments" by Armi Custodio
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Directions for one technique I did on this layout:
Don't limit yourself to the “What's New” section at the Scrap Girls Boutique. For instance, in this layout I used Erica Hite’s Dear Diary Collection Biggie and Nessa Collection Biggie, which were released in 2007 and 2006, respectively. They are still versatile, timely and relevant.
Software used: Adobe Photoshop CS3
Name of challenge: Create a layout about your favorite moments of 2009.
Other Ingredients:
Journaling: We spent the last days of 2009 at the beach. You loved the big tv and fluffy bed at the resort hotel we stayed in. You spent hours playing at the pool and in the sand. We all had so much fun that when it was time to leave, you both cried so hard; you didn't want to go home. It was a great way to cap the year. I hope we get to do this again soon in 2010.
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