4 Wheeling Fun

I finished finals yesterday. I haven't had a lot of time to scrapbook, so I have set a goal for myself. I want to make one scrapbook page everyday for the week and a half before I start school for the summer semester. I am going home for three days this weekend, so I probably won't make any pages those days, but expect to see a new page every other day until the 11th. Here's the first page from my "scrap-a-thon".

Journaling reads: This year, Kristi got a 4-wheeler, and Jenny and John got two 4 wheelers. They brought them to Grizzly Ridge for the Liechty reunion. We had a lot of fun riding around on all the trails.

Credits:
Template: Jen Caputo, Collection 23
Papers: Julia Makotinsky, Happy
Fonts: Elizabeth Skinny and Iron Man
Actions: Atomic Cupcake's pristine chipboard action used for the title.

There Ain't No Megs On Me

I made this page on April 5th, but I'm just now getting around to posting it. Katie took these pictures and called that she got to make the first scrapbook pages from these pictures. A few months later, she told me that I could make a page because she didn't know when she would get around to it. It took me a couple of months to finally make the page, but I finally did.

Journaling Reads: Megan laughed as I swung her around on my leg saying, “I have a Megan on my leg!!” When dad saw this he started singing. “There ain't no Megs on me”.

Around the edge: There ain't no Megs on me. Oh, there ain't no Megs on me. There may be Megs on some of your legs, but their ain't no Megs on me.

Credits:
Template: Jen Caputo, Collection 16
Paper: Bren Taylor Boone, Summer Afternoon
Block letters: Robin Carlton, Blox Alpha Brushes
Fonts: Monotype Corsiva, Micahels, Pero CE, Kingthings Wrote, and AppleScruffs,

Photoshop Actions

Cassie told me about some free actions I could download at Pioneer Woman's photography blog. They are all very cool, and I have enjoyed looking at the rest of her blog as well. I wanted to share the link with you (actions here), and to show you one of the pictures I have used her actions on.

Here's the before picture:
Here's the after picture:

The actions I used: Vintage, Lovely and Ethereal, Slight Lighten, and Edge Burn.

I am having so much fun playing with these actions. You definitely need to head over to Pioneer Womans blog and check out more examples, and of course, download these actions for yourself.
(FYI, these are only for the full version of Photoshop, but she says she's working on Element's friendly actions).

Recipe Box

I’m going to try to keep these instructions a little shorter than the last. To learn how to do the clipping masks/group with previous, see the instructions for the matchbook below (steps 2-3). There are just a couple tips I want to share with you for this project.

The products I used are all from the Digital Scrapbook Memories' Beginner Series CD, Flower Patch.

Download the template here.

Dimensions (check the dimensions of your box before using this template):

top/bottom: 7 5/8” x 3 3/8”

front/back main: 7 5/8” x 2 13/16”

sides main: 3 7/16” x 2 13/16”

front/back lid: 7 5/8” x 1 5/16”

sides lid: 3 7/16” x 1 5/16”

To make the paper along the front and one side to look like it is continuous (cut from the same piece of paper), follow these instructions.

1. Drag one piece of the stripped paper over to your template. Position centered on the page and over the section you want.
2. Now copy that layer by dragging the layer to the new layer button (small piece of paper in the corner of your layers palette – look at image 2 below).
3. Create a clipping mask using one of the papers over the front/back main and create a clipping mask using the other paper over the side of the recipe box.

See the pictures below for visuals on this.

*Notice the stars show that the two paper layers are respectively placed right above the front main and the right main layers.

*Notice on image two that the paper layers now have a small arrow pointing at the layer below. This shows that it is clipped/grouped to the layer below. The red arrow shows the new layer button.

I used just any recipe box you can find. It does not have to be a plain recipe box. I painted the edges with a coordinating toll paint. For the papers/design I used, magenta toll paint worked perfectly! Also, I got my recipe boxes from Michaels, so you may want to check there if you are looking for a recipe box.

Feel free to ask questions. I will try to answer as soon as I can.

Matchbook Album

Template: Download outside here and inside here.

Dimensions: 8.5”x 4”

Folds (measured from top): 3/4”, 4 1/4”, and 4 3/8”

*Note*The bottom 1/4” of the outside will be tucked behind the flap, so be aware that this area will not be visible when the matchbook is closed.

I’m going to explain how to make the matchbook album using the items I used (all from Digital Scrapbook Memories' Moods CD, Dreamy Kit). Of course, you can always try different and new things. Make sure you leave a comment with a link to your new designs here, because I would love to see the different ways you guys make these albums.

Outside of Matchbook

1. Open the outside template. The black lines along the side show the places to fold the matchbook. The red lines are the cut marks for the longs sides of the matchbook.

2. Drag the “floral orange” paper over one of the blocks, make sure the paper layer is the layer just above the block layer, and create a clipping mask.

Full Version: Right click on the paper’s layer and click on “create a clipping mask”.

Elements: Make sure the paper layer is highlighted. Go to layer>group with previous.

3. Move the paper around until it is where you want it. Now right click on the paper layer and click “merge down”.

4. Next drag over the scallop template (on the Moods CD, but not in the Dreamy kit). Position the scallops at the bottom of the block.

5. Crop the “WhiteBlue” paper to a small square of just the dots at the bottom. Move it over the scallops and create a clipping mask (group with previous).

6. Drag over three different flowers and three different buttons. Adjust the size of these to fit in one corner of the front (bottom section below the fold lowest fold line).

7. Drag over the tags to spell Mom and adjust them to your liking by rotating them.

8. For the string on the buttons, pull over the tag string. Rotate the string to align between the button holes. Use the circular marquee tool and drag a selection area between the two button holes. Go to Select>Inverse and hit delete (make sure the string layer is highlighted before deleting).

9. Save as a JPEG

Inside of Matchbook

1. Open the inside template. This template actually has two layers for each side. One layer is the size of the actual matchbook, to make sure that the text and paper are in the position you would like to appear on the back. The other layer is larger; this is to ensure that both sides are totally covered with print when you print this out.

2. To start, hide the layers called “paper large left” and “paper large right”. To hide these layers, click on the small eyeball on the left side of each of those layers on the layers palette.

3. Drag the paper “yellowFloral” onto the layout. Create a clipping mask (group with previous) over the layer “inside left/right”.

4. Adjust the paper to the position you want, but DO NOT merge these layers.

5. Type your text into the text box. This text should be upside down so that is oriented correctly when it is printed. The upside down text will be right side up when you open the matchbook.

6. Now, right click on the paper layer.

Full version: click “release clipping mask”

Elements: click on “undo group with previous”

7. Unhide the large paper layers (click in the box where the eye previously was).

8. Move the paper layer just above the large paper layer and make a new clipping mask (group with previous).

9. Save as JPEG.

You are now ready to print these out. Make sure you orient them both with the words inside or outside at the top of the page. Score the matchbook along the black lines before cutting off the white areas. After scoring and cutting off the white, fold along the score lines. Print some pictures about 3.5” x 3.5” and staple into the matchbook with one staple on the flap (see picture at top of post).

Please ask questions if you have any. I know it’s a lot of info, and many of you may be able to do the entire thing without the instructions, but I wanted to make sure that everyone would be able to complete this project. Again, please ask any and all questions you may have.

Swing

April of Digital Scrapbook Memories asked me to make a few layouts from the Beginner Series CDs. This layout and the two following it (Swing, Little Moments, and 1st Day of School) are the layouts I created. I was a scrapbooking machine last week. I made 8 layouts in 7 days. That should make up a little for the slump I was in for over a month.

Journaling Reads:
Megan had so much fun on the swings at my
apartment. Everytime she comes to visit, she wants to go play at the playground or swim in the pool. If she is lucky, she gets to do BOTH!!

Credits: All Digital Scrapbook Memories products from the Beginner's Series, The Garden CD.

Little Moments

Credits: All Digital Scrapbook Memories products from the Beginner's Series, Flower Patch CD.

1st Day of School 2007

Journaling reads:
Jeff started Kindergarten this year, and Megan started Pre-school. So far, they are both enjoying their new school experiences. It’s amazing how quicly they are growing up!

Credits: All Digital Scrapbook Memories products from the Beginner Series, Back To School CD.

Soccer 2007

Digital Scrapbook Memories has a new CD coming out in a few weeks. It's called Oh Boy! The CD is designed especially for boys. I was honored enough to get the CD early and was asked to make a few layouts to showcase some of the items in the kits. This layout and the 4 following it are the layouts I created (Soccer 2007, Stinky 6 year-old, Built Kid Tough, Big Boy Toys, and Playing Dirty). You can see a sample of each of the kits and more layouts here.

Credits: All Digital Scrapbook Memories products from the new CD, Oh Boy!

Stinky 6 year-old

Journaling Reads:
One cold day in December, Jeff came into the family room wearing a sweatshirt and sweatpants, and the following conversation ensued...
Aly: Those sweats look comfy and warm.
Jeff: Yeah, they make me sweat and stink and that’s the best part.
Aly: They make you stink? You like to stink?
Jeff: Yeah!! Boys are supposed to stink.
...later that day...
Aly: Something stinks! Who stinks?
Jeff: (with a huge grin on his face): Me!! I stink!! I’m like the dinosaurs cause they’re stinct.

Credits: All Digital Scrapbook Memories products from the new CD, Oh Boy!

Built Kid Tough

Journaling reads:
Jeff and Megan went to Lowe’s on Saturday, December 16th to learn how to build pine wood derby cars. Lowe’s gave them little aprons and eye goggles. They could not wait to wear their new gear while helping Papa with some of his work on the house.

Credits: All Digital Scrapbook Memories products from the new CD, Oh Boy!

Big Boy Toys

Journaling Reads:
Jeff loves all things that have to do with trucks; especially big trucks. Since he was able to talk, he has learned the names of different trucks and heavy machines, and he will correct you if you call one by the wrong name. You can imagine how delighted he was to come home one day to find a front-end loader and a dump truck making their way down the street. They were collecting yard trash for the annual yard clean-up day. He stood outside watching every thing. When they got to Papa’s house, the man driving the front-end-loader offered to let him ride in the cab. He was so excited and had a great time watching the loader pick up all the tree branches and other trash. What a great experience for a four year old boy!!

Credits: All Digital Scrapbook Memories products from the new CD, Oh Boy!

Playing Dirty

Journaling reads:
Jeff came to see Grandma and Papa right when they got home from a camping trip. Jenny said she would wash his face and hands and 5 minutes later he would be this dirty again, but He sure had fun playing in the dirt.

Credits: All Digital Scrapbook Memories products from the new CD, Oh Boy!

Lots of new pages!!

I just added 12 pages that are either new, or I just had not uploaded yet. Anyway, you may have to click the 'older posts' link at the very bottom to see them all. (and for Katie) KaBang, KaBang!

Christmas Eve 2006

Journaling reads:
Every year the whole family meets for Family Home Evening on Christmas Eve. It's been a Rasmussen tradition since my mom was a little girl. Weread the Christmas story from the Bibleand a whoever wantsto can preform a talent. This year we even got Ryan, Scott , and Eric to do their Jingle Bells routine. It was so funny to see them do the kicks again.

Credits:
Quick page by Michelle Coleman. I changed a few things around and made a second page from the one quick page.
Font: Ace Bingham and Bodie MF Holly

Wide Mouth Frog

I made this page in November, and I am just now putting it on my blog. The Wide Mouth Frog story is one of the things I remember from my childhood, and now that my dad has grandkids, he has a whole new audience. I had to scrapbook this story so that I can remember it forever.


Journaling reads:
Story: The wide mouth frog had her first babies and was unsure what to feed them. She decided to hop around the zoo and ask the other animals what they feed there babies. The giraffe tells her she feeds her babies leaves, the seal tells her she feeds her babies fish, and the bird tells her she feeds her babies worms. To each of these, the wide mouth frog says, "oh is that so?" speaking with her mouth wide open. She finally gets to the crocodile and says, "Hi, my name is wide mouth frog. What do you feed your babies?" The crocodile says, "I feed my babies wide mouth frogs." The frog replies with her mouth open very small, "oh is that so?"
Journaling block: My dad learned the story of the Wide Mouth Frog when he was in college. He has been telling it ever since. It's hard to explain the story; you really have to watch my dad tell it. He really gets into the actions of the frog talking with his wide mouth.

Credits:
Papers: Back To School CD - Digital Scrapbook Memories (DSM)
Tag Alpha (frog): Zoe's Merry-Go-Round, Playground CD - DSM
Scallop circle template: The Garden CD - DSM
Stiching: Riley's Sandbox, Playground CD - DSM
Buttons: Primary Buttons by Jessica Bolton
Stamp Alpha (wide): Hand Stamped Brushes by Michelle Coleman
Chipboard Letters (mouth): Black Currant Cameo font - made into chipboard with Atomic Cupcake Action.
Font: Cat Krap!

Picking Grapes

I made this one for the Stand Up and Scrap challenge, but I've change it up a little since then. It was made in September 2007.


Journaling Reads:
Jeff decided it was time to pick a few of Grandma and Papa’s grapes. 08-14-2007

Credits:
Papers and wordart: Stand Up and Scrap kit (Sweet Shoppe Designs)
Font: Pharmacy

Comfort

This page was also for the Stand Up and Scrap challenge, made October 2007.


Journaling reads:
You can always findcomfort in Grandma's arms. Shecan warm you when youare cold,console youif youare sad,welcome you to her home, wish you a good night, and show you how muchyou are loved. Grandma's hugs are a constant source of comfort.

Credits:
Papers and embellishments (some recolored): Obviously Orange kit and Ravishingly Red kit by Weeds and Wildflowers.

Sweet Feet

I made this layout for the Stand Up and Scrap challenge, created in October 2007.


Credits:
Papers from It's My Party Kit by Dani Mogstad.

Jeff and Megan

Another ADSR challenge layout, made in July 2007.

Journaling reads:
"I, who have no sisters or brothers, look with some degree of innocent envy on those who may be said to be born to friends." ~James Boswell

Once Apon a Time

Another one from the ADSR challenge, made in July 2007.

Journaling reads:
Once upon a time there lived a beautiful princess named Megan.

Credits: Papers from PJs for Courage Kit from Elemental Scraps
Flower: Secret Shabby Chic Kit by Scrappy Pony Designs
Ribbon: Ity Bitty Ribbons Kit by Christina Renee
Alpha: PJs for Love from Elemental Scraps
Fonts: SF-Lea and Scriptina

The Liechty Reunion

I made this page for the ADSR challenge back in August 2007, but the original page was about my favorite part of the challenge (which was my great partner, Katie). I changed it up a little to print and put in my scrapbook.


Journaling reads:
We all went up to Grizzly Ridge for the Liechty Reunion and some 4-wheelin'.

Credits:
Backgroud paper, strips of paper, sticking, sun, and journaling strips: Summer Afternoon Kit by Bren Boone.
Crocheted strip (recolored): French Countryside Kit by Christina Renee
Date stamp: Memory Date Stamps 2 from Peppermint Creative

Got It From Mom

Another page for the ADSR challenge, made in August 2007.

Journaling reads:
A few years ago I went to Staples and wondered around for over an hour. I looked at everything in the store, from notebooks and pencils to desks and office chairs. I bought a few things and went home. I showed my husband all the “cool” things I got at Staples and he looked at me like I was crazy. That’s when I started thinking I must be the only person in the world who LOVES office supplies. A couple of years later I moved home and discovered where I got this crazy obsession. My mother loves all the same things I do! I never consciously realized this before that time. Maybe it is hereditary or maybe I have grown up subconsciously learning this love of all office supplies, but I definitely got it from my mom.

Credits:
photo frames by Katie Pertiet
everything else from Welcoming Spring kit by Gina Huff

Goals

Here's another one from the ADSR challenge, made in August 2007.

Journaling:
- top: My goal is to graduate college.
- bottom: my campus

Credits:
Alphas: Scrap Artist, Plain Digital Wrapper, Shabby Princess, Christina Renee, Scrapbook Bytes, Elemental Scraps, Peppermint Creative, Free Digital Scrapbook.com, and The Sweet Shoppe
Background paper: French Countryside Kit by Christina ReneeArrow stamp:
Arrow kit by Shawna Clingerman
Font: Terentino

Girl Talk

This is another layout I made for the Amazing Digital Scrapbooking Race...made in August 2007.

Journaling Reads:

This group of girls are my oldest friends; the only one missing is Tara. We have all been friends since high school. Some of us have moved to different cities and states, but when we are all back in our hometown, we try to get together for a little Girl Talk.

Credits:

paper, overlay border, and flowers with buttons from Mint Chocolatta by Chere Edwards.

Stitches from Some Kind of Wonderful Kit by Sweet Shoppe Designs.

Font: Witchcraft

Play

Made this layout back in August 2007 as part of the Amazing Digital Scrapbooking Race (ADSR). Katie and I were partners for the race, and we made this layout together. I positioned all the pictures, and Katie embellished it for me. She even created the cool paint splatters from scratch.

Journaling:

Jenny and John were replacing their kitchen floor, soKatie and I took Jeff and Megan to the park to getthem out of the way and let them have some fun. March 25, 2006

Credits:

Paper, painted letters, painted flower, gel button, and paint smudge: Brilliantly Blue and Ravishingly Red Kits by Weeds & Wildflowers.

Paint splatters made by Katie (my partner)

Forum Friends

Journaling:

A group of girls from the Digital Scrapbook memories forums decided we should get together for lunch. We met at Zupas Cafe in Draper. We had a blast meeting for the first time and getting to know each other better.

Credits:

Template: Jen Caputo (Scrapbook Graphics)

Flowers: Playful Kit, Moods CD - Digital Scrapbook Memories (DSM)

All other papers and embellishments: Fiesta Kit, Moods CD - DSM

Fonts: School Bully and Margarosa

Pretzel

Journaling:

You were having so much fun on the hammock in Grandma and Papa's backyard. I had to take a few pictures of the precarious positions you were getting yourself in. You were like a little pretzel with you feet above your head and your toes tangled in the ropes.

Credits:

Template: Jen Caputo (Scrapbook Graphics)

Papers and embellishments: Bubble-licious Kit (Sweet Shoppe)
Font: Girls are Weird

Tutorial - Folded Corner

This tutorial will show you how to achieve the look of a folded corner on a picture or piece of digital paper. Thanks to some awesome people on the Digital Scrapbook Memories forum for helping me figure this out. I used Photoshop CS2 for this tutorial, but I think the process is the same (or very similar) in Elements.

1. Select the polyagonal lasso tool (red circle below) to select a corner of your picture. Delete this corner of the picture. Keep this area selected until I tell you to deselect it or some of the steps won't work correctly.

2. Create a new layer and fill this layer with white (or whatever color you would like the back).
3. Go to Edit>Transform>Flip Vertical (or horizontal depending on the side you are folding).
4. Now use your move tool to rotate this piece to line up with the deleted portion of your picture (see picture below).

5. Now get your brush tool. Choose a round brush that has undefined edges (these are in the assorted brush set that comes with photoshop).
6. Create a new layer for your brush stroke.
7. Use a dark brown or grey color to paint a stripe along the outside edge of the fold. If you still have this area selected (marching ants around the fold) then the stroke will only appear on the fold (see photo below).

8. With the brush stroke layer selected, change the opacity and fill percentages until the brush stroke looks more like shading; you will find these options in the layers palette. A good example can be seen below. For this example I have opacity at 31% and fill at 43%.

9. To add a little more dimension to your shading, repeat steps 5-8. This time make your brush stroke further down on the outside edge of the fold. Make sure you have this stroke on its own layer so you can change the opacity to different percentages. This stroke you end up being a darker than the previous one. In my example, I have the opacity at 48% and fill at 76%.

10. Now you can deselect the layer by going to Layer>Deselect of pushing Ctrl + D.

11. Add a drop shadow to the original fold layer. I made my drop shadow with these amounts: Distance and size at 22 and spread at 30. You can adjust these to whatever looks right to you.

12. The last step is to merge all the layers together. Go to Layer>Merge Visible. Now you can move your photo onto your layout.

If you want to save your photo with the fold, make sure to go to File>Save As and name it something different than the original.

Here's the final look! If you have any questions, feel free to ask and I will try to help you out. Good luck and happy scrapping!!

Jeff & Megan's Birthday Party

I took so many pictures at this event that I thought I better make a page of it as soon as possible. I still have more pics to scrap, so you may be seeing a few more pages from their party soon.

Journaling:

Jeff and Megan had their joint birthday party on Saturday, October13, 2007 at Independence Park. It was a lot of fun to watch them open their presents, interact with their friends, and have an overall great time.

Credits:
Everything: It's my party kit by Dani Mogstad
Font: Angelina