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"Maia" by Kara Swanson
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Directions for one technique I did on this layout:
Using a visual triangle, I placed the flowers and word tabs in a way that would draw the viewer's eye to my picture.
Software used: Adobe Photoshop Elements 6 and Adobe Lightroom 1.1
Name of challenge: Free Scrap
"Live Out Loud" by Laurel Lakey
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Software used: Adobe Photoshop CS3
Name of challenge: Free Scrap
Glass Stone Magnets by Kelly Favor-Chronister
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Directions for one technique I did on this layout:
To give a uniform look to my magnet set, I chose to use the same background paper on all of the magnets. It also helps to choose one large element to be placed behind the glass stone.
Software used: Adobe Photoshop Elements 4
Name of challenge: Free Scrap
Other Ingredients:
"Relax" by Kim Meeder
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Directions for one technique I did on this layout:
To achieve the photo effect with the blended-in title, I simply placed a paper template from ScrapSimple Paper Templates: In The Garden in my layout. Above that, I placed a photo of the palm trees and changed the Blending Mode to "Linear Light." The text layer containing my title with a black font was placed above the photo with a Blending Mode of "Normal." Finally, I placed another photo (similiar to my first) above the text layer and changed its Blending Mode to "Linear Light." Play with your Blending Modes... you'll be pleasantly surprised.
Software used: Adobe Photoshop CS3
Name of challenge: Create a layout using photos in a unique way.
Journaling: All it takes is one look at a palm tree and I can feel myself begin to relax. My mind travels to warm, tropical locations with sandy beaches, aquamarine ocean waters, and gentle breezes. I can smell the fragrance of coconut-scented suncreens, taste the cool tropical drink in my hand, and feel the heat of the blazing sunshine upon my body. Thoughts of beautiful sunsets, starry nights, and outdoor dining follow closely behind. Palm is not a noun to me... it is a verb, and its definition is "to relax."
"I Spy Castle" by Jennifer Wight
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Directions for one technique I did on this layout:
My three-year-old loves I Spy books. For a gift, I thought about creating a little I Spy album just for her.
Software used: Adobe Photoshop Elements 5
Name of challenge: Free Scrap
"Hanging Out Together" by Janine Buckles
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Directions for one technique I did on this layout:
I love to use stitching in my layouts and often use them to give the appearance that they are holding something down. The challenge to use them in a new way was a great idea. I love to try to come up with new ways to use products. I'm sure I'm not the first one to use stitching this way, but I chose to use Brush Set: Art Deco Stitching as a frame. To do this, I created a new layer above my paper layer and then selected my Brush Tool and chose the Scalloped Brush from the Brush Set: Art Deco Stitching. Then I placed it near the top of my image, just under the center of the word art and clicked on my layout to put it in place. Next, I duplicated the stitching layer by right-clicking on it in my Layers Palette and choosing Duplicate. Then, with it still highlighted, I rotated it by clicking Image> Rotate> Layer. (It's important to remember to rotate the layer and not the whole image.) Then I repeated the process twice to create the other side and bottom and used my Eraser Tool to remove any stitching sections that overlapped. Last, I applied ScrapSimple Tools – Style: Sew Doodly Biggie to each layer to complete the look of a stitched frame.
Software used: Adobe Photoshop Elements 5
Name of challenge: Create a layout using stitching in a new or interesting way.
"Indulgences Revealed" by Karen Chandler
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Directions for one technique I did on this layout:
To help find a good placement for the five photos on this layout, I created a template. First, I opened a 12x12 document in Photoshop. On a white background, I drew three rectangles and one square the approximate sizes of the frames I would be using. I used the Rectangle Tool to draw the shapes, holding down Shift to draw the two squares. After drawing each shape, I selected Layer> Rasterize> Shape. Next, I moved the shapes into their approximate positions. To add my photos to the layout, I duplicated a photo, made a direct selection of the duplicate and copied it. Then I made a direct selection of a rectangle on my template, and selected Edit> Paste Into. Then I transformed the photo and moved it until I was happy with the look. Finally, I added the frame over the photo and linked it with the photo and shape layers.
Software used: Adobe Photoshop CS3
Name of challenge: Create a layout about a secret indulgence.
Other Ingredients:
"First Time" by Jennifer Labre
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Directions for one technique I did on this layout:
Want to have a kind of watercolor look for your title? Simply select a grungy, messy font and choose the "Overlay" Blending Mode. Here, the font color I chose was much darker (a dark aqua blue) but still produced a watery green color because of the paper beneath it. Don't be afraid to experiment with Blending Modes when creating your titles. They often produce some great effects you may not have thought of otherwise.
Software used: Adobe Photoshop CS4
Name of challenge: Create a layout about a favorite family moment.
Other Ingredients:
"Our New Garden" by Jo Corne
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Directions for one technique I did on this layout:
Taking inspiration from the stepping stones (or rather, bricks, LOL) in our new garden, I wanted to create the illusion of having stepping stones (bricks!) in my layout. Using the Rectangle Tool and holding down the Shift key, I drew a square with equal sides. Then, I used Ctrl+J to copy the box layer and repeated this twice, giving me four squares total. Then, I spaced out the squares evenly and merged the layers into one layer so I could place my photo on the top layer and clip it to the four squares at once.
Software used: Adobe Photoshop CS4
Name of challenge: Free Scrap
Other Ingredients:
Journaling: For seven years, our bedroom looked out onto a bleak front garden, nothing special, nothing much to look at... but now that we have had it landscaped... we really do have a room with a view!
"Snooze" by Julie Moberly
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Directions for one technique I did on this layout:
I wanted the sheep from Dynamic Brush Set: Lullaby 5701 and my title letters to have more dimension, so I applied ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Fibers 4901 to them.
Software used: Adobe Photoshop Elements 5
Name of challenge: Create a layout about a secret indulgence.
Journaling:
Before the morning sun breaks thru,
I know what I'm supposed to do.
Wake up, wake up, Sleepy Head!
And get that behind out of bed!
Soft music plays, trying to disguise
the torture of an early rise.
I squint at the time in disbelief,
Why did my slumber seem so brief?!?!
Groggy, cranky...words too kind
to describe my state of mind.
Reaching, searching, my fingers feel
to press that button of appeal.
Nine more minutes, I can rest
before the next alarm clock test.
Will I get up or will I stay?
This game of tag I love to play.
Whoever said, "You snooze, you lose!"
Never sleep-walked in my house shoes!
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