Making Digital Scrapbooking Papers with Texture Using ScrapSimple Photo Templates

This free digital scrapbooking tutorial was created using Adobe Photoshop 7.0 with Windows, but should be able to be adapted easily to other systems. If you have questions about how to do this, just ask on our message board!

ScrapSimple Photos can be used to make digital scrapbooking papers with texture. I am using “ScrapSimple_PhotoTemplates_Wood-6501_1-12x12.” Before I start, I want to open this file and go to File> Save As (or Shift+Ctrl+S) and give the file a new name. This keeps the original file safe to be used for other projects.

“ScrapSimple_PhotoTemplates_Wood-6501_1-12x12” is a close-up photo of wood texture. I want to alter it by experimenting with the different filters that come with Photoshop 7 and other Photoshop programs.

The first filter I am going to use is Filter> Artistic> Colored Pencil.

I'm leaving the settings as they were when the window box popped up, but feel free to experiment with different settings. Press “OK” when you are ready to see the effect that the Colored Pencil Filter will have on the paper.

Here is what the paper looks like after applying the Colored Pencil Filter.

I am loving it already! I could stop now, give it some color, and have a beautiful solid background paper... but let's keep going with more Artistic Filters. The next filter on the list to try is Filter> Artistic> Cutout. I follow the same steps as above, but... Naah! I don't like that. I hit Crtl+Alt+Z to undo the effects of the Cutout filter. Let's go to the filter below Cutout. Filter> Artistic> Dry Brush. I left the settings alone, and hit “OK.”

It's a subtle difference and a keeper!

Let's do one more - Filter> Artistic> Film Grain. Again, I'm leaving the settings as they first appeared in the pop-up window box.

And the result is great!

I could keep going with more filters, but let's stop for now. Don't forget to save all this work!

Now let's make a background paper for a layout. All of the work we have just done has only used one layer. To view your layers, go to Windows> Layers and your Layers Palette will appear on your workspace. I'm going to create a new layer by clicking on the Create a New Layer button located at the bottom of the Layers Palette - next to the trash can button.

A new blank layer will be created, and I am going to click on it...

...and drag the layer so that it is underneath Layer 1.

Double-click on the words “Layer 1” to rename it “Texture.” Then, double-click on the words “Layer 2” to rename it “Color.”

Use the keyboard command (i) to select the Eyedropper Tool. Pick a color either from a photograph or from the Swatches Palette.

Use the keyboard command (g) to select the Paint Bucket Tool. The Color layer should be highlighted in the Layers Palette. Use the Paint Bucket Tool to click on the paper and flood it with the color you chose.

To see this color, in the Layers Palette, click on the Texture layer to activate it. Click on the arrow next to the word “Normal.” This is the layer's Mode, and a menu will drop down with other layer mode choices. Select the “Overlay” mode. You may want to experiment with the different Layer Modes to see their effect on the paper.

Hey, Presto! Color! I personally think the texture is a little much, so I'm going to fade it out a bit by sliding the Opacity arrow to 75%.

Let's add some pattern using ScrapSimple Paper Templates. (I am using ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Garden Gate.) Click on the layer, and while holding down the Shift key, drag and drop this patterned PNG file into the paper. Sandwich the Pattern layer between the Texture layer and the Color layer.

Almost done! I want to recolor the black pattern to a soft peach. In the Layers Palette, double-click next to the layer's name (not on the name), and the Layer Style box will appear. Choose “Color Overlay,” click on the box of color (mine is a red box), and a second window (Color Picker) will appear where you can select a different color.

Choose a color using the Color Picker and hit “OK.” Hit “OK” in the Layer Style to close that window. This is the final paper.

Save your work in PSD form - this gives you the option of going back to make changes. You can then Save As with a new name and choose the JPG format to use this paper in a layout.

Digital Scrapbook Layout by Sarah Batdorf
larger view

	Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Photo Templates: Wood 6501, ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Garden Gate Biggie, ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Shapely Curled Edges, and Lettering Delights Warm Heart Font are also available.

Free digital scrapbooking tutorial written by Sarah Batdorf.

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