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Commercial license versions of Dynamic Brush Set: Burlap Naturals are also available. |
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Layout by Pebbles Jones
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Layout by Cindy Rohrbough
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Commercial license versions of Harvest Dance Paper Mini - Suede, Harvest Dance Paper and Harvest Dance Embellishments are also available. |
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Layout by Syndee Nuckles
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Bubbles and Glass 6301, Dynamic Brush Set: Bubbles 6301, Brush Set: Grungy Fragments and ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Butterfly Shadows 6301 Mini are also available. |
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Layout by Anna Mansfield
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Commercial license versions of Feeling Free Collection, ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Paper Tears PSE 5001 and ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Basic Shadows 6501 are also available. |
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Layout by Shalae Tippetts
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Commercial license versions of JIFFY Easy Page Album: 12x12 Broom Ride are also available. |
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Layout by Jan Ransley
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: More Loopy Frames and ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Embossy Boots Basics Collection One are also available. |
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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.
Prickly Pears
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
IN TODAY'S ISSUE:
- What's New in the Scrap Girls Boutique?
- Life Muse by Ro
- Scrap Girls Club
- Tips from the Pros: Using Multiple Colors with ScrapSimple Alpha Templates
- Designer Freebie
- What's Happening at Scrap Girls?
- Available Online Classes
- Ongoing Opportunities for YOU
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AVAILABLE
We all want our photos to take center stage on our scrapbook layouts. But sometimes, our pictures aren't up for the challenge. Learn how to really make your pictures stand out. Banish blemishes, correct colors and lighting like a pro using the tools and techniques taught in this class. Remove red eye, whiten teeth. Your pictures will become the perfect focus for all of your layouts! Join Anna Mansfield for this two session class which teaches you photo fixing techniques using Photoshop Elements. Detailed step-by-step screenshots make it easy for you to follow along. Classes will take place via GoToWebinar. There will be a private gallery set up for students to post their altered photos and layouts and to receive feedback. There will also be a private forum for students to ask questions and share information. Following each class, students will receive a download link for the class recording. Important: This Intermediate Level class is for Adobe Photoshop Elements users. Students are required to understand the basic skills taught in the Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed: Photoshop Elements and MORE Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed: Photoshop Elements programs prior to starting the course. This information will not be reviewed as part of the course! |
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The entire Scrap Girls team wants to say how grateful we are that you have chosen to participate with us. You'll never know just how much your support means to us and our families. Ro P.S. Your email address is safe with us. We never share, rent, sell, or loan our list with anyone! P.P.S. If you ever need any assistance, please email [email protected] or call IMPORTANT TO KNOWDon't forget to check out the Retirement Sale section of the Boutique. Items in this section are always on sale for 30% off. The items you will find during any particular month will be discontinued permanently on the 5th of the following month. So if you see something you like, grab it while you can! OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUCustomer Muses: Would you like to share your own Life Muse with our readers? To have your own essay considered for publication as a muse in the column for our special Saturday newsletter, send your essay to [email protected]. If your essay is selected, you will receive a $20 Gift Certificate to the Scrap Girls Boutique. Way Cool Scrap Girl: We are so excited to have all of you meet some of the amazing people that have become Scrap Girls! If you would like to be spotlighted and win a $25 Gift Certificate to the Scrap Girls Boutique, send the following items to [email protected]:
Project SG Challenge: Stay motivated to scrap your current photos! Post your 2011 layouts in the Project SG Challenge Gallery to earn one point per layout each month. You can earn up to four points per month this way! Earn a bonus point each month by attending the monthly Project SG Chat! Each point gives you an entry into a quarterly drawing for a special prize! And at the end of the year, each month that you participated in will earn you an entry into the Grand Prize drawing for a 12 X 12, 52 page Keepsakes photobook from Color, Inc! Our fourth quarterly drawing winner will be announced in the Saturday, January 7th Newsletter. Suggest a Challenge, Win a Prize! Have a great idea for a Gallery layout challenge? Submit it to [email protected]. If your challenge idea is chosen, you will win a prize! Friday will be Customer Challenge Day, so keep an eye out on the Message Board calendar. It will be fun to see what YOU come up with for us to do!
Of course, it is a surprise what you will get because birthday presents are always surprises! But you will like it for sure because most people like money.... Anyway, make sure your Message Board email address is current and that you have the correct date entered into your profile to participate. *ADVERTISEMENTS*
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Muse: To be absorbed in one's thoughts; engage in meditation. Not intended to solve the world's problems, another person's problems, or to cover topics completely. One does not have to agree with musings to enjoy them, just as one does not have to be the same as someone else to appreciate who they are.
Would you like to earn a $20 Gift Certificate? Send your own muse to [email protected]. If it is selected for publication in the Scrap Girls newsletter, you'll get to have fun shopping!
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Join the Scrap Girls Monthly Club and you can have fun with the newest traditional digital and printable scrapbooking looks while saving! (A $40.87 value for $9.99 or less!) The Scrap Girls Club contents are released on the 1st day of the month (or the closest business day to the 1st). With the Scrap Girls Club, you will receive:
October's Scrap Girls Club designed for you by Cherise Oleson
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 Layout by Angie Briggs using October's Scrap Girls Club larger view |
 Layout by Shalae Tippetts using October's Scrap Girls Club larger view |
 Layout by Rozanne Paxman using October's Scrap Girls Club larger view |
Using Multiple Colors with ScrapSimple Alpha Templates
Note: Tutorial created using Adobe Photoshop CS5 with Windows 7
I absolutely love ScrapSimple Template products! There are so many to choose from, and they provide unlimited possibilities of color, texture, and patterns. Today we'll be using Thao Cosgrove's ScrapSimple Alpha Templates: Vintage Folio to create a title for a layout.
The first step is selecting a photo. Once that is done, you can create a color scheme. Instead of creating one from scratch, match some of the beautiful papers in your digital scrapbooking stash to your photo. I selected Brandy Hackman's Persian Breeze Collection Biggie because the colors blended so well with the chosen photo of my daughter.
Once the background papers and photo are in place, it's time to work on the title by using the place command (File> Place) to put the letters you'll be using in the layout. ScrapSimple Alpha Templates: Vintage Folio includes a PSD file for each letter with individual layers for the textured letter, the background, and the tape all in one file. I like placing the PSD files into my layout because they already have each layer arranged and stacked. By doing this, you don't have to worry about getting the placement right on the layers for each letter.
Using the Place command also inserts each letter as a Smart Object on its own layer so you can rotate, resize, and transform the combined letter template to your heart's content and not worry about image degradation. Below, you can see the Smart Object indicator on each of the alpha layers.
Once your grayscale letters are placed and rotated in your layout, you're ready to colorize each letter and background. Double-click on the thumbnail next to the layer of the letter you want to adjust. This opens the Smart Object in its own window so you can begin coloring the individual layers within that Smart Object.
Now that the Smart Object is open in its own window, select the bottom layer (or background layer as we'll be referring to it from this point on). To place one of your digital scrapbooking papers into the file above the background layer, choose File> Place and look through your stash. When you've found a paper that goes well with your digital scrapbooking page, choose OK. The new layer appears directly above the layer that was previously selected. Resize the Smart Object (paper) until you can see the part of the paper you want displayed on the letter background, then finalize the transformation (click on the check mark on the control panel or hit "Enter"). At this point, the paper should be completely covering the alpha background.
Now we'll create a clipping mask to make the paper fit the shape of the background. Hold down the Alt button and hover the pointer on the line between the layer you want to create the clipping mask on and the layer you are clipping it to. When you get a mouse pointer shape of two overlapping circles with a triangle pointing left, simply click, and the layer will be clipped the layer beneath it. (You can also choose Layer> Create Clipping Mask or Ctrl+Alt+G in Photoshop or Ctrl+G in Photoshop Elements.)
Looking at the Layers Palette, you can now tell that the paper is clipped to the background layer because the thumbnail of the paper is slightly indented on the Layers Palette, and it has an arrow pointing down to the layer beneath it. (See the image below.) Now the paper is the same shape as the background, but the texture of the crinkled paper isn't there yet.
We'll use Blending Modes to display the texture of the background. Select the paper layer above the background layer and click on the triangle pointing down by the word "Normal" on the top of the Layers Panel. This will display a list of the Blending Modes. Try experimenting with several Blending Modes until you find one you like. I used "Overlay." Now you can see the crinkled background.
However, on my layout the change also lightened the paper a bit too much. To darken it up, I duplicated the paper and changed the top copy's Blending Mode to "Multiply." This made it very dark, so I reduced the Fill of the top copy to 17%, which added just enough color back to create the look I was trying to achieve. (The fill percent is on the top of the Layers Panel below the Opacity percentage. In Photoshop Elements, you can adjust the Opacity, and it will create a similar effect.)
Next, we'll add color to the textured letter by creating a solid color fill layer clipped to the letter. To do this in one step, hold down the Alt key while pressing the "Create New Fill" or "Adjustment Layer" button on the Layers Palette, and move the mouse up to the Solid Color option, then let go of the mouse first and then the Alt key. This will open the New Layer dialog box so you can check the box next to "Use Previous Layer to Create Clipping Mask" as well as name the layer. When you've done that, choose "OK."
At this point, the "Pick a Solid Color" dialog box will appear. You can use the dialog or the swatches or the Eye Dropper Tool to pick a color. Once you have your color selected, click on "OK." I picked a brown color from the text on the paper and then increased the saturation and lowered the brightness of the color to make a darker, rich brown.
The brown color displays in place of the black coloring that was there when the layer was previously alone. However, even though the color I chose was very dark and saturated, the letter still appeared very light and washed out. I experimented with Blending Modes on the Color Fill layer and found I liked the "Screen" Blending Mode, but it was still too light. When I tried duplicating the Color Fill layer as I had done with the paper, it didn't make much difference even when I changed the Blending Mode of the top layer.
I found a good way to increase the depth of the color of the letter: Duplicate both the letter and Color Fill layers, keeping the clipping mask between them. Notice that the image below has two letter layers with two Color Fill layers.
Depending on the paper you use on your background layer and the color you select to use on your Color Fill layer, experiment with Blending Modes and duplicating layers to achieve a look that goes well with your choices.
Once you are done adding color to the letter, you are ready to leave the Smart Object Editing Mode. To do this click on the "X" on the title bar of the file you're working on, and you will be asked if you'd like to save changes to the document (Smart Object) you've been working on. Click "Yes" or all the changes you've worked so hard to make will be gone! (This won't save over the original alpha PSD you used to place the letter into your layout; it will only replace the Smart Object in your layout.)
Once you've saved and closed the Smart Object, your screen will then display the layout you were working on with the updated changes to the letter in your title. However, you'll still need to save your layout to keep the changes you've just made.
In addition to the steps outlined above, I also applied a Hue/Saturation adjustment on some of the papers I used above the background layers and tried out various Blending Modes until I found something I liked. It's all about experimenting until you find the combination that works for you.
When you're done colorizing the letter Smart Objects, apply a drop shadow to each layer to add depth. I recommend applying the shadow in the layout rather than in each Smart Object so you can modify the shadow later if needed by making the change right in the layout. (If you put the drop shadow in the Smart Object, you'll have go to each Smart Object to make any adjustments.)
Now I'm sure you can see why I love playing with the ScrapSimple Templates. I hope this has given you some ideas on how you can use ScrapSimple Alpha Templates: Vintage Folio and other ScrapSimple templates in your layouts. Happy scrapping!
Layout by Wendee Pease
Photography by Janae Bingham
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Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Alpha Templates: Vintage Folio, ScrapSimple Layer Your Own Brushes: Holiday Wishes Alpha, Brush Set: Swirlicious Biggie, Dynamic Brush Set: Inky 5001 and ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Edge It 5001 are also available. |
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Article written by Wendee Pease
Learn to make digital scrapbooking layouts and more! – Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed Ready to learn advanced techniques? – MORE Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed |
Layout by Cherise Oleson
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Designer Freebie by Cherise Oleson coordinates with her Inspiring Collection Biggie,
part of this month's Scrap Girls Club offering!
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Commercial license versions of Dynamic Brush Set: Background Blenders are also available. |
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Today's freebie designed by Cherise Oleson
* There is a "free download" button on the details page for each gift. You don't need to put them in your shopping cart unless you are shopping for other items. Also note that if you are slow reading your newsletter, you may find this freebie has already been retired, as the freebies are only available as gifts for about two newsletter cycles.
East Coast High Noon Crop
Wednesday, October 26th - 10:00AM MDT
Join April (April Showers) each Wednesday at 10am MT for the East Coast High Noon Crop. All coasts and time zones are welcome! These crops are designed to allow you to work on your own photos and themes simply giving participants a one hour goal and a fun, new challenge each week. On October 26th, we will be doing a ScrapSimple challenge! Create a layout using at least one ScrapSimple product. If you haven't used them before, we'll have some great ideas for you in the chat. Create your layout and upload it to the special High Noon Crop Gallery. You'll be amazed what you can get done in just one hour, but there is no High Noon Sheriff timing you! Hope to see you in the chat room!
Ad Inspiration Chat
Thursday, October 27th - 7:00PM MDT
Join Pat (PBarnes) at 7pm MT for an Ad Inspiration Challenge and Chat. A few hours before the chat, a magazine, newspaper or online ad will be posted on the Forum to use as inspiration for a layout. You can use whatever you want to from the ad - the colors, the shapes, the composition. There are no wrong answers!
What's New in the Scrap Girls Boutique Chat
Friday, October 28th - 9:00AM MDT
Join April (April Showers) and Theresa (teecee) at 9am MT on Friday mornings to chat about all the wonderful new products in the Scrap Girls Boutique! What are your favorite new items? Is your shopping basket full? What did you kaboodle? Have you already done layouts or other projects with your new goodies? Come tell the designers how much you love their work! You never know who will show up. There's a thread every Thursday, and now there's a chat too!
Swap Crop Chat
Saturday, October 29th - 6:00PM MDT
It's time for the Swap Crop Chat with Lei (Bride) and Carla (CRS)! We've done the swapping and created the layouts; now it's time to chat about all the gorgeous layouts! I don't know what it is, but these swaps bring out the best in everyone. This is the time to chat about the theme, the beautiful layouts and learn about the swap crop if you haven't participated before. We'll brainstorm a theme for next month, too! If you haven't done so, you can check out past swaps in the Swap Crop Gallery!
Creative Cards Chat
Tuesday, November 1st - 6:00PM MDT
Do you use your digital supplies to make cards? Do you want to? Instead of going to the store every time you need a card, you can save money and have fun making cards with your digi-stash! Make a note of any cards you might need for the upcoming month and Join April (April Showers) and Theresa (tiza126) for the once-a-month Card Chat on the first Tuesday of each month at 6pm MT. Can't wait to see you there!
October Message Board Game: Product Picks
Join us for a new game in October, where we encourage you to stroll through the aisles of the boutique and do a little window shopping!
Each Monday through Saturday in October, a member of the Welcoming Committee will post the name of one or two product designers in the Product Picks game thread. You will then head to the Scrap Girls Boutique and navigate to that particular designer's product pages. Choose any of their products (your favorite product, one you like, or one you wish you owned), then head over to the Product Picks game thread and share the product name, Boutique link, and a brief explanation of why you chose that product.
At the end of the month, members who haves posted links to 42 products (one for each designer) will be entered in a drawing for one of three $10 Gift Certificates. Members who have posted links to 16-41 products will be entered in a drawing for one of two $5 Gift Certificates. And members who have posted links to 10-15 products will be entered in a drawing for one of two $3 Gift Certificates.
For complete details, visit the Monthly Message Board Games folder on the Scrap Girls Forum.
October Monthly Layout Contest: October is all about color! Show us those fabulous fall colors or spring colors for our Southern Hemisphere members! Maybe you have a favorite color you'd like to showcase or a very colorful photo to scrap. Remember, it's all about colors! Share those layouts in the October Monthly Layout Gallery before Midnight MT on October 31st. Be sure to list your credits in the description or under the EXIF Properties. Two layouts will be selected to win a $10 Gift Card to the Scrap Girls Boutique!
Club Concepts Layout Contest: Post your new layout using the current club selection (either the Scrap Girls Club or the ScrapSimple Club) in our Scrap Girls Club Members Gallery or the ScrapSimple Club Members' Gallery. Be sure to list all of the Scrap Girls products you used. If your layout is chosen, it will be showcased as a Club Concepts layout winner, and you will win a $5 Gift Certificate to the Scrap Girls Boutique!
Check our message board calendar if you have any questions about what is happening at Scrap Girls. All event times are given in Mountain Time Zone unless otherwise noted. Need help converting time zones? Check out the World Clock - Time Zone Converter. (Use 'USA-Utah-Salt Lake City' as the location for the Mountain time zone.)
Haven't received your prize as a contest winner? Please send an email to [email protected] and we'll get it out to you right away!