Archive for the ‘Digital’ Category
Jun
07
Posted by Cristy
There are many ways to make selections in Photoshop. Some are easy, some can get tricky. I find one of the easiest and fastest ways to select text for example, whether it’s been rasterized or not, and as long as it’s in its own layer is by holding down the APPLE (Command) key and clicking on the text layer. This method is more accurate than say using the MagicWand, especially if you’ve added effects or blending options. The same goes for selecting artwork in other layers.
This tip has come in handy many a times.
Try it!
Happy Scrapping!
Oct
03
Posted by Cristy
What about the Craft Robo II? I really love it!
Up until YESTERDAY I liked my Craft Robo. Today, I love it!
See, I thought that by being a Mac user I was limited to a very narrow area of cutting because registration marks had to be printed on whatever I wanted to cut. Narrow, because the marks had to be about 2 inches in from the edges of the paper/cardstock so the digital eye of the cutter could recognize the marks. Then, I always have had to try positioning the paper/cardstock in slightly different ways until the cutter finally recognizes the marks. And then, if I used a dark colored paper/cardstock or one with a busy pattern, the cutter cannot see the marks at all. I did realize that by oulining the marks with my trusty white Galaxy Marker it helped the cutter see the marks…..but come on…… a bit frustrating to get something cut.
BUT……..the revelation! Read the rest of this entry »
Sep
16
Posted by Cristy
New to Illustrator? Here’s a quick tip on how to create a “stitched” look. Make sure you check out my other Illustrator and Photoshop tutorials.
1. Open a new file or a file you’re working on. FILE < NEW or FILE < OPEN…
2. Select the shape tool from the tool palette on the left. I’ll be using the square tool for this tutorial (Figure 1).
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Aug
28
Posted by Cristy
Here’s a quick way to get a chalking effect in your digital layouts.
1. Open your layout or a new blank file, I’ll be using PhotoShop CS2.
2. Create a shape or place a shape if you’ve purchased or downloaded a digital embellishment.
I’ve drawn out this butterfly shape (figure 1) using the custom shapes tool. You can find lots of cool shapes there. I want to use this butterfly in a layout just as I would use chipboard or paper piecing in traditional scrapbooking.
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Jul
02
Posted by Cristy
Digital scrapbooking is growing by leaps and bounds. Are you clueless when it comes to knowing how to get started? Here are 8 simple steps on how to create a single photo digital layout in minutes.
Step 1
Select a background “paper”.
Using a predesigned scrapbooking kit is the easiest way to get your feet wet. You can always design your own, but that takes a while. If you don’t have any kits to start from you can browse through my Shopping Nook and purchase one (they’re very inexpensive).
For this “how-to” I’ll be using my latest kit, Smiley Grunge, and I’ll be creating the layout in Photoshop CS2.
So then, go ahead and open the file you’ll be using as a background paper by clicking: File > Open > choose your file. Click OK. (Figure 1, 2 and 2b)
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Jun
13
Posted by Cristy
I’m gonna try to select a “Digital Layout of the Week”, every week, and deconstruct the design process for the benefit of any newbies to the digital world and for the veterans, maybe we can learn something new! Please leave your comments and questions and I’ll be happy to answer.
This week we have two single photo digital scrapbook layouts, “Cuddly” and “Sweetie”. Here’s how these were created along with notes on the software used:
1. PhotoShop or Illustrator?
It’s up to you. If you want to edit your photos (ie. add effects) then PhotoShop is better. But, both have similar tools and are compatible with each other. I sometimes create patterns, doodles or a drawing of something (like the giraffe and bear) in Illustrator and later open them in PhotoShop and make the rest of the layout there. For this weeks layouts I used Illustrator only.
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May
13
Posted by Cristy
I’ve been scrapbooking for a good 15 years and love the traditional method as well as the digital method. Recently I’ve gotten into the “hybrid” method which is 70% digital and 30% traditional. That being said, I can’t really print photobooks (which really are inexpensive) because I prefer thicker loose prints to be able to add embellishments the traditional way. So I recently purchased the EPSON R1900 wide format printer in order to print on thicker paper. Yes, it’s a big investment but in the long run it’s cheaper.
Here’s why I say that…
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Apr
23
Posted by Cristy
I’m sure I’m not the only one with thousands of photographs that if scrapbooked one per page would equal thousands of pages and albums. We can have several single photo layouts but multi-photo layouts are a must. Ideas there are plenty but when we hit “scrapbookers block” we need some inspiration.
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Mar
25
Posted by Cristy
For several months I’ve been in contact with Graphtec, the manufacturers of the Craft Robo, and a few weeks ago I got the long anticipated email announcing the release of Craft Robo II. I immediately was on the hunt for the cheapest offer. I stumbled upon Specialty Graphics who had a great FREE shipping offer and I bought the crafty machine for $299 flat. Read the rest of this entry »
Mar
18
Posted by Cristy
My sister got married this past year on a very tight budget. One way she was able to save money was having me create her wedding album. The “professional” album was going to cost an arm and a leg so she asked the photographer to give her a CD with all the wedding pictures instead of having him make the album. I then went through the CD along with pictures that I was able to take and also pictures from friends and family, and began to create the album pages using Photoshop. Read the rest of this entry »
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