get started with inspiring sketches

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1 Thank you for subscribing to Creating Keepsakes magazine! We're excited to have you on board and, as a thank you, we present 7 ideas you can try to start scrapbooking today. From sketches to make designing pages a snap to simple mini albums to fun computer tricks, this is just a sample of the inspiring scrapbook ideas you ll get in each issue of Creating Keepsakes to preserve your memories creatively. get started with inspiring sketches TAKE ONE: Nancy used large landscape photos to create her page background. Notice how she lightened them so they don t detract from the other photos on her layout. Try this: Use photo-editing software to add your title directly to a photo. Hong Kong Lights by Nancy Riley. Supplies Software: Paint Shop Pro 8.0, Corel; Photoshop Elements 3.0, Adobe Systems; Computer fonts: Verdana, Microsoft Word; Butterbrotpapier and Samurai, downloaded from the Internet. take two: Instead of placing two photos along the left edge of the page, Nic used four smaller photos. Try this: Widen the horizon line and use it to hold your page title. Butterfly Creek by Nic Howard. Supplies Textured cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper; Patterned paper: Crafter s Workshop; Velvet ribbon: Flair Designs; Stickers: EK Success; Stamping ink: ColorBox, Clearsnap; Computer font: Californian FB, Microsoft Picture It!

2 TAKE ONE: Denine replaced the journaling block on the lower-left corner of the sketch with a page title. Bug Hunters by Denine Zielinski. Supplies Textured cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper; Patterned paper: KI Memories; Chipboard letters and acrylic paint: Making Memories; Rub-on letters: Autumn Leaves and KI Memories; Computer font: Avant Garde Gothic, Adobe Systems. take two: Notice how Shannon slightly enlarged the three photos she placed in the grouping on the right page by placing embellishments in the spaces designated for photos. Being a Bride by Shannon Liu. Supplies Patterned paper: NRN Designs; Dried flowers: Pressed Petals; Epoxy stickers: Jo-Ann Crafts and Making Memories; Letter die cuts: QuicKutz and Sizzlits, Sizzix; Ribbon: Michaels; Photographs: Joseph Brewster.

3 mini album in an evening project EASY MILESTONE ALBUM The idea behind this project is to show different family members at the same stage in life. In this case, designer Kim Morgan showcases first-grade school photos of each of her children. This approach could also be used to showcase other milestones, such as each family member on his or her first birthday, graduation, etc. The same simple style can translate, no matter the approach you choose to take. DESIGN SHORTCUTS Use a Design Scheme: Kim followed the same layout structure on each page (placement of photos, journaling and accessories). Following a repeating approach is a great way to save time and get more done in an evening (or any time.) Use a Journaling Quiz: The journaling approach on this album is repeated on each page. The designer asked her children to complete a quiz about what they remember about first grade. This information is then translated into the journaling a great time saver! The following Simple Scrapbooks quiz can be used to get you started: What was your favorite subject in first grade? Why? Who were your friends at that age? What was your teacher s name? What did you like about your teacher? What is your favorite memory from first grade? What was your favorite thing to have for lunch? PROJECT SUPPLIES (Note: All supplies listed can easily be substituted out for different supplies, so feel free to use whatever s on hand.) 77 6" x 6" chipboard mini album 77 black letter stickers 77 assorted colored paper clips 77 assorted trim to tie on binder ring (Kim used three different colors and sizes of ric rac) corner rounder punch (optional) 77 school photos 77 Four 6" x 6" squares coordinated patterned paper What was considered cool in first grade?

4 PROJECT INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE YOU BEGIN 1 Open jump rings and disassemble album before creating. This will allow your book to lay flat and give you more room to work with as you create. COVER 1 Trim patterned paper to fit cover, round corners, and adhere. 2 Print Remembered on cream cardstock, trim, and adhere along seam of patterned paper. 3 Attach paper clips, and affix stickers. INSIDE 1 Trim various pieces of patterned paper, and round corners. 2 After children have filled out quiz, type up a selection of answers in a word processing program, following an approximate word count for each page of journaling. Bonus Idea: Instead of printing journaling, handwrite it on notebook paper to complement the school theme, or ask your children to write it out this way. 1 Gather school photos. In this example, Kim scanned her photos into a common photo editing software and turned them into black-and-white images. This creates a cohesive feel and allows the original photos to remain preserved. 2 Adhere patterned paper, journaling, and photos, following the same design scheme on each spread. 3 Affix stickers to spell out children s names. 4 Attach decorative paper clips throughout. 5 Reassemble album in correct order, and tie various ribbons and trims to jump rings.

5 digital tricks to try BRUSHWORK BORDER The boundary between background and photo disappears with Laura s brushwork technique. Here s how to get this contemporary, ethereal look: 1 Drag photo into layout file; resize as desired. Hit D key to restore default colors (foreground black, background white). 2 Working on a new layer, use the Rectangle Shape tool (keyboard shortcut: U) to draw a rectangle over most of the photo, leaving top and bottom edges uncovered. Use Edit > Fill to fill it with black. 3 Select the Brush tool (keyboard shortcut: B). Load the decorative brushes of your choice. Stamp brushes along top and bottom edges of rectangle. 4 In Layers palette, position photo layer just above rectangle layer. Right-click layer name and select Create Clipping Mask. 5 Embellish photo further with additional brushwork if you like. Exploring by Laura Vanderbeek. Supplies Software: Photoshop (Adobe); Paper: Baby Mine Everyday Inspiration kit by Meredith Fenwick (scrapbookgraphics. com); Flourishes: Stamped Block Flourishes 1 set by Katie Pertiet (designerdigitals.com).

6 COLOR-MUTING PHOTO EFFECT It would be wonderful if our photo subjects would always wear coordinating clothes but sometimes reality intervenes and the results are photos full of clashing colors. To tone down the eye-popping effect of hot pink t-shirts next to avocado green sundresses, or just to add a note of vintage-style charm to an everyday snapshot, try Donna s colormuting effect. Everyone Needs a Hand by Donna Rousch. Supplies Software: Photoshop Elements (Adobe); Paper and elements: Zesty Summer kit by Melanie Ann Designs (digital-scrapbooking. org); Fonts: Civilian, 1942 Report and Snowshoe. 1 Select photo layer by clicking its thumbnail in the Layers palette. 2 Click the New adjustment layer icon at the bottom of the Layers palette. Select Gradient Map. 3 Open the Levels command (Ctrl/#-L) and adjust output levels to your liking. (The farther to the left you move the white slider, the more the original colors will appear.) 4 Click adjustment layer s thumbnail in Layers palette and reduce opacity.