Layering

I picked a very simple layout to show you how you work in layers when making your page. To begin with I select from the Digital Library all the elements, paper and photos I want to work with and bring them to my work space. I try to scrap in the layers in order...for example, I pick the paper and then put the photo down and then lay the element on top...however at times, you change your mind, or need to put something behind another object. I use the layering tool ALL the time! So here you go a run down of what to do.

1. I have picked the paper and then I have placed the picture and ribbons underneath. Then I decided I wanted to put another layer of paper underneath the photo as a frame.2. I selected another paper from my open files on the far right side column. I then used my marquee tool in the tool bar where the arrow is pointing to below. I drag it onto my paper to form a shape (in this case a square) and then hit copy. Make sure you go back up to the same tool bar and hit the arrow or grab tool again (up by the marquee tool). Go to your open files list and select your layout page and hit the paste button.3. Now you have your selected paper pasted on top of your photo and you need it underneath. 4. I always work from the top, so whatever layer I want on top I select it (in this example the photo). I then left click and move the cursor down to the "move forward or backwards" action. Select bring forward. 5. Now your photo is in front where it should be. You can then select the border paper and pull it till it fits around your photo the way you want.6. To finish it I added a tag, some wording and then went through the same layering process to get the footprints behind the lettering by placing them on and bringing the words to the front. And we are done! If you have any questions or comments - please email or post and I will answer as soon as I can. Have fun!

This adorable kit has many lullaby and sweet bedtime features. You can purchase it from Sweet Shoppe and it is called, The Land of Nod by Dani Mogstad.

Adding Shadows

Once in a while I like to add shadows to some of the elements or embellishments on my pages. It helps them stand out and creates a "realness" to the page. So, I showed you how to do this easy trick with our little cupcake here. I layered it on the page and then selected the heart to add a shadow to.
1. Go to the effects tab on the top tool bar and select shadow.
3. You can experiment with all the different types of shadows, I selected the soft one. (It is also my favorite and the one I use often). After you select the shadow you want you can then go into the customize settings (icon with the pencils).

4. The transparency slider increases how dark or light the shadow is and the edge softness smudges the edge of the shadow. You can also change the color of the shadow if you want.

5. The finished product. The heart has a light shadow under it to create a little depth between the layers on the cupcake. If you look at many of our layout examples, we do this frequently to small elements and frames to give it dimension.

Changing Color/Hue

1. Open up a paper that you want to use from one of your kits. Then go to effects in the top tool bar and in the drop down menu select "change hue".

2. Change the hue by dragging the yellow circle around the outer ring. Change the saturation by dragging the blue circle toward the inside ring and increase brightness by dragging blue circle to the outside of the inner ring. If you are happy with the results then you are done and can begin scrapping, if not continue below.

3. Go into your touch-up section on the left and click on color and saturation. Play around with the midtone saturations and the lighting till you get the color you are looking for.

The great thing about knowing how to do this is it saves money, you can continue using paper and embellishments without getting bored. Also, sometimes the color supplied doesn't quite match the photo, so you can "tweak" it a bit to get the right look and color. Don't be afraid to experiment and play around...just remember not to hit the save button!

Color and Saturation Tool

I loved this picture of my daughter in the early evening hours looking at these pretty orange flowers. The light was not great and I was disappointed with the picture when I got it onto my editor…it didn’t capture the colors at all! So, I opened my color and saturation tool and went to work. (1) I changed saturation and color levels to make it look a little more “sunny” or look like the gold tones from natural sunlight were there, even though they weren’t. (2) You can also play around with the actual color levels of the picture. For instance if you have a picture of the sky you can increase the blue to really make it stand out. Again – PRACTICE makes perfect!

Exposure and Lighting Tool

Unless you have an awesome camera or are a great photographer (I am not) then often times you will import your pictures from your camera looking like this first one of my cat. You can fix that though by opening the Exposure and Lighting Tool found on the left of the screen. Don’t be afraid to go in and do this manually. The more you practice, the better you’ll get. Can you see the difference in the two pictures? (You may have to click on them to get up close). I just played around with the midtones and highlights features till I got it lighter and looking the way I wanted. After I finish here, I usually go to the Color and Saturation tool and fix the color also. It is pretty amazing the fun things you can do with these two tools. Just get on and get to know your program; I recommend this before really getting into the digital scrapping…though doing that will help you get better too. Have fun with it and don’t get discouraged!

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Shadow: The amount of shadow in a picture (less for a darker finish, increase for brighter – like a flash)

Midtones: Increase/Decrease to affect the amount of light in the picture.

Highlights: Increasing really brightens the white balance and can help make colors pop.

Contrast: Use this to increase/decrease the contrast between light and dark.