Note: Tutorial written on a PC using Windows XP with screenshots from Adobe Photoshop CS2.

I bet you didn’t know that there’s a gold mine at Scrap Girls! OK, hold on! Don’t get out your gold pan just yet. The gold mine I am referring to is the ScrapSimple line of products in the Scrap Girls Boutique. For every product, there are a zillion different ways they can be used in your digital scrapbooking. The obvious way to use them is usually shown with the product - whether it’s a digital layout template or an embellishment template. Not only can you use these versatile products on your layouts, but also on cards, crafts, and home decorating, (and that is just the tip of the iceberg)!

In this tutorial, I am going to show you several different ways to use ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Journal Strips. These Journal Strips are not just for the obvious journaling. Piqued your interest yet? Well, let’s get started then!

You will need the following:

• A photo
• Digital background papers
• Digital embellishments
• ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Journal Strips

Open your photo and Journal Strip Template (I am using "Journal Strip 1"). Make a duplicate copy of your Journal Strip (Ctrl+D) and close your original. Make it a rule to work on copies of your ScrapSimple products to keep your originals intact.

Drag your photo over on top of your Journal Strip. Resize your photo if necessary. Create a clipping mask (Ctrl+Alt+G) by going to your Layers Palette and scrolling down to ‘Create Clipping Mask.’ Move your photo around on the Journaling Strips until you like the placement. Merge your Journal Strip and photo layer.

Open your Background paper and drag your Journal Strips photo over and place on your background. You now have created that ‘sliced’ photo effect quickly and so easily!

Sample Layout 1 by Syndee Nuckles

Go ahead and build your layout around your photo.

Let’s try another approach. You can use the same photo and background like I did, or try something new. This time using the same Journal Strip, layer a coordinating paper over it, instead of the photo and create a clipping mask and merge the layers just like you did above.

Sample Layout 2 by Syndee Nuckles

Now, drag your paper layered Journal Strip onto your background paper and place either vertically on one side or horizontally on the top or bottom. Notice in the sample layout that I placed the Journal Strips so they went off the page, and only a portion is visible.

Add your photo and embellishments to complete the layout. One thing I noticed while putting these layouts together is how quickly I got them done! By choosing my photo and the Collection I wanted to use along with my ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates, I narrowed down my choices and built my layouts around the embellished templates.

Ok, let’s try one more variation. Choose a different Journal Strip and layer a coordinating paper over it, create a clipping mask and merge like we did before. Now, drag this over to your background paper and make a duplicate of the Journal Strip by hitting Ctrl+J. Drag the duplicate down below the original, and continue making duplicates until you go the length of your layout and have created a border.

Add your photo and embellishments and some journaling if you like and you are done! How easy was that?

Just think of all the ways you could use these Journal Strip Templates and all the fabulous ScrapSimple products we have in the Scrap Girls Boutique! The possibilities are endless. Just step outside the box, mix and match, and see what you come up with!

Happy scrappin’!

Layout by Syndee Nuckles
larger view

	Note: Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Journal Strips Biggie, Remember Seals Brush Set and Lettering Delights Pig Sty Font are also available.

Tutorial written by Syndee Nuckles