September 2010 DST Insider

INSIDER

september2010

fabulous finds

L orie D avison Get to know this top fantasy designer

Extractions: A 101 class Step-by-step instructions to make extractions easy

Lightbox Tutorial Build-your-own home photography box

Plus, a freebie from Down this Road Designs

s e p t e m b e r ’s f e a t u r e d d e s i g n e r

Faith True

Designer Faith True created this super-hot kit EXCLUSIVELY for DigiShopTalk Gold member subscribers.

See inside for information on how you can get yours!

This issue sponsored by Hummie & Scrap That Idea

September 2008 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM

A

table of contents SEPTEMBER 2010

inside this issue 03 from the desk of

INSIDER

Our Editor-in-Chief, Jennifer Wilson, discusses this month’s theme

04 featured designer Learn more about Faith True and this month’s kit

14 new to you Introducing “new to you” designer Down This Road

19 gallery gems Six exceptional layouts from our DST gallery

22 tutorial Learn how-to make a homemade light tent

25 grow your skills Extractions 101: effectively extract objects from your photos

30 hybrid gallery picks

DST INSIDER © 2010­­EDITORIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief JENNIFER S. WILSON (STARXLR8) Assistant Editor NEISHA SYKES (LAVENDAR) Production & Advertising Editor LEAH LOY (TINKERBEL73) Tutorial Editor JENN WHITE (BIGSCRAPKITTY) Senior Staff Writers KAYLEA HUTSON (KAYTEBUG) WENDY (WENDYZINE) CHERYL ASHCRAFT (GONEWITHTHEWIND) Staff Writers LINDA BIGELOW (LINDABGLW) JAN WALKER

Check out three inspiring hybrid projects from the DST Hybrid Gallery

31 make your own storybook Follow step-by-step instructions for building a story book

34 interview with Lori Davison Discover this top fantasy designer

38 the back page Check out last month’s winners and learn how you can enter this month’s contest

39 advertising directory A directory of designers and stores

Digishoptalk.com is the hub of the digital scrapbook community. We strive to be the one-stop resource for online scrapbookers who want to be “in-the-know” with what is going on in the digital scrapbooking world! In addition to our free member gallery and forums, we also have a DST chat room, a continuously updated Digital Directory to help you find any designer, store or resource, and an up-to-date calendar of all the chats, sales and events in the digital community!

Contact us: DSTInsider@gmail.com DST is owned by Escalate Media, LP. This issue of the DigiShopTalk INSIDER created using Adobe InDesign CS4.

Papers and elements used in this edition are from Faith True’s 4Ever kit designed exclusively for DST Gold Members and used with permission.

Visit Faith True at Scrap Orchard.

September 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM

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from the desk of

T

“

elevision, movies,

require intensive work (i.e. killer

music - these forms of

talent) in Photoshop to create

media all transport us

surrealistic scenes, some that

to another world, another state

would make Dali blush. Whether

of mind. A little escapism is

the style clicks with you or not,

incredibly healthy for relaxation

it is not difficult to be awed by

and recharging your batteries.

the beauty.

The fantasy-style of digital scrapbooking is another medium for this type of mental

This month we’ve packed the issue full of amazing layouts, tips and tutorials to help you

Fantasy

vacation.

scrapping brings

Fantasy scrapping brings

look. You can learn step-by-

storybook

storybook alternate realities

step how to extract a photo

to life and offers unique

as well as other secrets from

alternate realities

opportunities for creative

the pros. Make sure you

to life and

expression. While this style

don’t miss the interview with

incites heated discussion of

designer Lori Davison and

its documentation value (there

roundtable discussion with

opportunities

is often little journaling), it

some of the very best fantasy

for creative

is difficult to argue about its

scrappers. Enjoy stretching your

artistic merit. Fantasy pages

imagination this month!

offers unique

“

expression.

achieve that out-of-this-world

by Jennifer Wilson

September 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM

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featured from thedesigner desk of september’s featured designer

Faith True

Want to dig right into this collection and spend your day scrapping away your 4Ever page?

What inspired you to create this month’s DST Gold Member kit?

I wanted something versatile that shows my whimsical style as well. I wanted everyone to be able to enjoy the kit and I created an option of creating in black and white or in full on color!

What is your favorite part or element of the kit?

Click here to find out more about becoming a Gold Member at DST so you can get this great kit and the next eleven to come!

I love the black and grey swirls. I have made 2 layouts with the kit and I’ve used them both times!

How long have you been designing?

[I’ve been designing] 4 -plus years and I’ve grown a lot since the beginning!

What program(s) do you use?

Adobe Photoshop Creative Suite 3 Which would you pick…more money or more time?

Time! As I said, life is TOO short!

September 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM

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featured designer What part of designing comes easiest to you (themes,

What is your biggest tip for balancing design time with

colors, papers, elements?)

your personal scrapping time?

Themes! I think everything I design has a basic theme

Set a time schedule. I’m also a home-schooling mom so

surrounding it!

I do school work with my son in the a.m. and then I may

What do you see is the next trend in digital design?

have an hour or two before my husband comes home at

Isn’t this supposed to be a well-kept secret? I think it’s

three p.m. I usually wait until after dinner before I start

genuine creativity. Customers are looking for a unique

working again and I am done around 6-7 p.m.

brand of style coming from each designer. Take what you

If you could have one super power, what would it be?

can do best and roll with it and it will be the next big thing!

I do have one, I can find anything that’s lost by

Favorite tv show?

simple deductive reasoning and by being able to read

I just started watching Glee reruns and I have to say I’m

personalities. I’m serious here! I’m not joking!

becoming a Gleek!

At the end of the day, how do you want to be

What is your guilty pleasure?

remembered?

Peanut butter and ice cream! Long baths where I get to

I want people to be proud that they know me.

shave my legs, too.

Additional products available from Faith True at Scrap Orchard. Faith’s blog and facebook fan page.

Queen Bee

Astronomical Boy

Smile of Sunshine

Ballerina Princess

September 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM

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gold kit gallery

Brenda kaleandkiara

Gorgeous kit! I love the pretty colors and the hand-drawn ellies!

Cheryl

gonewiththewind

This kit is filled with fantastic doodles and black-and-white elements with perfect pops of red color. Great word art and fabulous patterned papers make this a must-have kit!

September 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM

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gold kit gallery

Debra

4noisyboys I love the colors, the fun doodled elements and the fabulous texture to the papers!

Heather interstitchal

Oh my, the doodles are so fun! And I love the variety of wooden, sticker and metal elements that allow you to create different looks with the same kit!

September 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM

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gold kit gallery

Jade

scrappycharmer Fun doodley kit! Lots of fun stuff to play with.

Jen

justjem8

There are lots of cute ellies in this kit. Fun to play with!

September 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM

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gold kit gallery

Monika

chantalsmama Love the colors and the wonderful elements.

Suzanne

sbaird

This was a fun kit to play with. I love the contrasting colors, whimsical design and wide choice of elements.

Want to get this Gold Member kit PLUS eleven other great kits during the next year? Sign up here! An annual membership is only $25.

September 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM

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issue sponsor

Hummie’s World Presenting Hummie’s World, one of this month’s DST Insider sponsors! Take a look at her products, check out some amazing CT layouts and shop her store. How do you find Hummie’s World?

Blog, Shop, Testimonials, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube.

Thanks, Hummie, for supporting the Insider this month.

product picks

Visit Hummie’s forum for layout credits.

September 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM

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issue sponsor

September 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM

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issue sponsor

Presenting another DST Insider issue sponsor, Scrap That Idea! Take a look at their products, check out some amazing CT layouts and shop the store. How do you find Scrap That Idea? Blog, Shop, Facebook. Thanks, Scrap That Idea, for supporting the Insider.

product picks

All layouts made using the kit Summer of Love

September 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM

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issue sponsor

September 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM

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new to you

by Cheryl Ashcraft

New to You:

Down this Road Designs

Introducing “New to You,” the Insider’s brand-new column designed to help you discover designers you might not know. Every month, we’ll select a designer, create layouts from one of their kits and introduce you to their style. Don’t forget to download your sample kit, too! You never know, you might discover a new favorite or two!

This month’s “New to You” designer is Angie Iacobazzi of Down this Road Designs at Brownie Scraps. The DST Creative Team showcases Angie’s “Bohemian Blooms” kit in these amazing layouts. Inspired? Like what you see? Download your freebie and check out Down this Road Designs at Brownie Scraps for more of her designs.

September 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM

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new to you

Brenda

Cheryl

I really loved the colors in this kit. The

The kit is filled with the most gorgeous

flowers really made my day, too.

jewel tones and different textures and

kaleandkiara

gonewiththewind

made scrapping an elegant layout so easy!

Debra

Heather

Totally gorgeous kit! I loved the rich jewel

The wonderful patterns and deep, rich

tones and all the fabulous flowers!

colors really make this kit.

4noisyboys

interstitchal

September 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM

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new to you

Jade

Jen

Fun kit. Lots of rich colors and great

Totally adorable kit! I especially love the

elements to work with!

gorgeous bling!

scrappycharmer

Monika

chantalsmama Love the elements and colors!

justjen8

Freebie for you Download here

September 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM

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gallery gems The DST Gallery is packed with amazing layouts and inspiration. Here is just a selection of fantasy pages from our amazing members.

erzocica Zolcsi and the beanstalk

Evus dragon’s castle

September 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM

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gallery gems

merscrapper my bedroom

pSyren water babe

September 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM

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gallery gems

Shawna34 Build Your World

seameaw When the Summer Ends

September 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM

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scrapping tutorial

by Stan White

Lighten Up Your Elements:Make and use a shadow-free light tent!

Good extracted elements begin with a great

• Long sheet of paper for background: Freezer paper

photograph! Lighting is the key to a good, extractable

works well for a white background, it comes on long rolls

image and a shadow-free light tent is a great way to get

so you can replace it when it gets dirty. Check your craft

good, even lighting. You can make one quickly with

shop for black art paper for when you need to

materials you have at home and take your small-object

photograph light objects.

photography to the next level.

• Box cutter or sharp knife • Pencil, pen or marker • Two desk lamps: Those with halogen bulbs are best, but you can use fluorescent or incandescent bulbs, though you may have to correct the color later.

• Tripod (optional)

CREATE YOUR TENT STEP 1: Prepare the Box • If your box is not assembled, fold the bottom flaps in and tape them closed.

• Using the box cutter, cut off the top flaps.

• Lay the box on one side. This will become the bottom of your tent.

STEP 2: Add Lighting Windows • Place a piece of your paper on top of the box and trace around it with a pen, pencil or marker.

MATERIALS • Large cardboard box: I used 20-by-20-by-20-inches, but anything that is larger than the objects you want to photograph will do.

• Duct tape or packing tape • Translucent paper : tracing paper, tissue paper or any paper you can see light through. You will want a piece that is within 4 inches of the dimensions of your box, as you need a single piece to cover each side.

September 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM

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scrapping tutorial.

• Using the box cutter, cut one-half inch INSIDE the traced line. DO NOT CUT ON THE LINE or you will not have

STEP 3: Add Your Background • Cut a length of paper longer than the total dimension of the back and bottom of the box. In our case, each side was 20 inches, so I needed a piece of paper at least 40 inches long.

• Tape the top edge of the paper on to the back of the inside of the box, right at the very top.

• Pull the bottom edge so that the paper falls smoothly across the corner at the back/bottom of the box. This will make your background “seamless” and make it easier to extract your objects later.

STEP 4: Add Lights • Place your box on a table and place the two desk lamps on either side. enough box to tape the paper on to.

• Repeat for the two sides of the box. You should now have large holes in the top and sides that are just a little

• Arrange the lamps so that they light the inside of the box evenly. It will look darker inside the box than outside, that’s ok. We’ll take care of that when we set the camera to get a good exposure. What you’re looking for is that one side doesn’t have more light than the other. Place an object inside the box if it helps you see the light. Notice on the flowerpot below the light on the right is stronger than on the left. You can adjust this by moving the lamps closer or farther away.

smaller than your paper.

• Tape the paper over the windows on the outside of the box. Work neatly and press firmly to be sure the tape adheres to both the paper and the box.

September 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM

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scrapping tutorial USING YOUR TENT Step 1: Place your object • Place the object to be photographed on the background paper just below the curve near the back. Move it backward or forward until you like the way the light looks.

Step 2: Set up your Camera • If you have a tripod, you will want to use it. If not, that’s ok, but you will want to be sure you have the room lights at their highest and the desk lamps as close to the paper as you can reasonably get them. (Please be careful of fire, halogen lamps are HOT).

• Adjust for exposure – you can set your camera on Auto, but you will get best results by using the

TIPS AND TRICKS for using your light tent

Program or Manual settings.

• Try a dark background for light objects. A

o Program – on point-and-shoot cameras, this lets you set the ISO and adjusts the Aperture and Shutter speed to get you a good exposure. Set your ISO at either 200 or 400.

Any higher and you may have grainy images. o Manual – if your camera allows this, you can set all the settings manually. Start with the ISO, then adjust the Aperture so that you can get the entire item in focus (the lower the Aperture number, the narrower the focal range).

Now you can adjust the shutter speed to get a good

contrasting background will make it easier to extract your items.

• Don’t get your lights too close to the box, you will get a ‘hot spot’ of directional light and might set your paper on fire!

• Be careful not to let your lights point into the camera lens, or you could get lens flare on your images. Point the lights toward the back of the box.

• Use whatever you need to position your object. Set it

exposure. This is where the tripod comes in handy. You

on a box, hang it from a string, tape it to a soda

can slow down the shutter speed without getting blurry

bottle, whatever you need to get a flattering angle.

photos.

You’re going to extract the item anyway, so it doesn’t

• Focus – Move the camera until the object fills the frame for the best results. You may need to use the Macro button on your camera in order to focus closely.

matter if you can see the supports.

• If you don’t have a tripod, try setting the camera on a stool or even right on the table.

• To put it away, cut open the tape on the original

Lighting is the key to a good, extractable image and a shadow-free light tent is a

bottom of the box (now the back) and fold it flat! You can slide it behind the couch or under a bed until you need it again.

great way to get good, even lighting.

September 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM

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grow your skills

by Jenn White

Grow Your Skills: Extraction 101 This column is designed to help beginning and experienced

HOW TO:

• Check to see that your image is not

scrappers nourish their seeds

the background layer (the layer

of creativity and grow their

should be named something other

scrapping skills. This month’s

than ‘background’). If it is, double

skill: Photo Extraction.

click on the layer name in the

This tutorial includes instructions/ screen shots for PSCS5 and PSE7. If you have other versions of PS or PSE it should work for you, too. If you use another program, read carefully and you should be able to figure out which tools do the same thing in your

Layers Panel and rename it (you can just leave it at the default name of Layer 0). This will unlock the layer so you can erase to a transparent state, rather than automatically filling in with the background color when you erase.

to enlarge or reduce the size of your brush to get into all the nooks

me, “What’s the secret to easy

and crannies.

extractions?” and I always answer, • Choose your Eraser tool and select a hard-edged brush.

true. There are different techniques

clicking and dragging, ‘stamp’

bit, then click again. This is easier

good options:

to control and easier to undo if you

Technique 1: Erasing

mess up.

The most straightforward and

• ZOOM! You will need to zoom in

time-consuming of all the extraction

closely to get good results. Use

techniques is simply erasing

the Navigator (Window>Navigator)

everything you don’t want to use in

contrast.

lines works well. Rather than

then move the brush a very little

types, so let’s take a look at three

photos, regardless of complexity or

• Using a larger brush for straighter

the brush along the edge: click,

that work best for different image

your layout. This can be used on all

onto your layout.

• Use the bracket keys ([ and ])

I frequently have students asking

have both!” But that’s not exactly

on the extracted image and drag it

TIPS FOR SUCCESS:

program!

“Do you want easy or good? Can’t

• Choose your Move tool and click

• Erase away! Be careful that you don’t leave little areas un-erased, zoom in and go slow!

to move around your image easily or set your mouse to zoom with your scroll wheel (Edit>Preferences>General, then check the ‘zoom with scroll wheel’ box).

September 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM

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grow your skills Technique 2: Quick Selection Tool This tool can speed things up

considerably, but must be used with care. It works best on images where your subject is in good contrast with the background: either a light subject with a dark background or a darker subject on a light background. Busy backgrounds or low-contrast images are problematic with this technique.

HOW TO:

so small that it takes forever to cover the background.

• Click and drag over the areas you want to remove. They will be surrounded by a selection. Hold your Shift key down, then click and drag again and you will add that area to the selection. The image will still be visible inside the selection, but that’s ok.

• Make sure your image is not the

TIPS for SUCCESS:

• If you inadvertently select too

background layer (see Technique 1).

much, hold down the Alt (Mac:

• Choose the Quick Selection Tool. It is bundled with the Magic Wand

Opt) key while clicking and

tool. If you can’t see it, click on

dragging to de-select an area.

the Magic Wand and hold the

Changing to a smaller brush by

mouse button down. You’ll see

pressing the [ key may help.

both tools listed and can click

• It’s best to get your entire area

on the Quick Selection Tool. In the

selected before deleting, if you

Options Bar at the top, click on the

delete and then select an adjacent

center option at the left – this will let

area, there may be a very thin line

you keep adding to your selection.

of pixels not selected between areas which could show up on your • Once you’ve got everything you want to get rid of selected, press Backspace or Delete.

• Now check your edges – you may need to clean up with the Eraser tool some (see Technique 1).

• Choose your Move tool and click on

• Change the brush size for the tool

layout and which you will need to remove with the eraser tool.

Technique 3: Layer Mask

Layer Masks are one of the most foolproof ways to extract! You can start and stop, save your work and come back and finish later. If you erase too much you can restore it.

the extracted image and drag it

The best part is you’re not destroying

onto your layout!

your image. If you decide you don’t

by using the bracket keys ([ and

like it you can delete the mask and try

]) to make it larger or smaller. You

something else.

want the brush small enough to get into the smaller areas, but not

September 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM

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grow your skills BEFORE YOU START

This is one time it’s really best to work right on your layout. Choose the image you want to extract and drag it onto your layout document. Arrange it approximately where you want it (you

• Choose your Brush tool and select a hard, round brush tip.

• Press X on your keyboard to

HOW TO MAKE A LAYER MASK IN PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS

change your foreground color to black.

can move it later) and zoom in so you can see what you’re doing.

Getting a mask on your layer is a very different process for Photoshop and Photoshop Elements so I have different instructions for each program. Please check carefully that

To activate the mask, we will use an

you are following the correct set of

adjustment layer. Adjustment layers

instructions for the program you use!

HOW TO MAKE A LAYER MASK IN PHOTOSHOP • Make sure your photo layer is active

• Brush over the area you’d like to disappear. You will see black appear in the new box where

(click on it and check to see that it

you are painting and the photo will

is highlighted in the Layers panel).

become invisible wherever you

• Click on the Layer Mask Icon at the

paint. Use the [ and ] keys to

bottom of the Layers panel. It is the

change the size of your brush tip as

gray rectangle with the white circle

needed to get into the narrow

in the middle.

areas.

work by applying adjustments to a layer mask rather than the actual layer.

We can take advantage of this by creating the mask without using it for an adjustment!

• Start by selecting the BACKGROUND layer (or the layer below the photo).

• To apply a layer mask, click on the black/white circle at the top of the

• Notice that an additional box has

layers palette and choose Levels.

been added in the Layers panel

(Not all adjustment layers work

next to the photo thumbnail. This is

well for this technique, so stick with

the Layer Mask.

Levels).

• If you overshoot and erase too

• When the Levels dialog comes up,

much, press X on your keyboard

just click OK – DO NOT CHANGE

to switch colors, and paint over the

ANY SETTINGS OR CLICK ON

mistake. The photo will re-appear

ANYTHING ELSE! (PSE8 users:

wherever you paint white! Press X again to switch back to black.

September 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM

25

grow your skills you will get a new panel open that

overlapping circles with an

to switch colors and paint over the

says Adjustments/Levels. Just

arrow. Click. You’ll notice the

mistake. The photo will re-appear

above that you will see the

photo thumbnail will move slightly

wherever you paint white! Press X

Layers panel tab. Click on the

to the right and a little down arrow

again to switch back to black.

word Layers and you will see your

will appear at its left. That’s how

layers again. DO NOT MAKE ANY

you know it’s ‘clipped’.

• Once you are all done, link the two layers together in order to

CHANGES IN THE ADJUSTMENTS/

move them. To do this, select both

LEVELS PANEL!)

layers by holding down your CTRL key and clicking on the layers in the layers palette. Then, click on the little chain icon at the top of the palette. You’ll notice a little chain appears on each layer that is linked. To undo the link, highlight

• You will see a new layer added in

the layer and click on the chain icon

between the background and the photo. There’s a big white square: that is our mask!

• To get the mask to work on the photo, we need to ‘clip’ the photo to the mask. Do this by hovering your cursor over the line between

again.

• Make sure the Mask layer is active by clicking in the big white square in the adjustment layer.

• Choose your Brush tool and select a hard, round brush tip.

• Press X on your keyboard to

the photo layer and the mask layer

change your foreground color to

and holding down your ALT key.

black.

When you’re in the right place, the cursor will change to two

• Brush over the area you’d like to disappear. You will see black appear in the new box where you are painting and the photo will become invisible wherever you

TROUBLESHOOTING • Photo disappears only partially: check the opacity setting on your brush (it’s at the top in the Options

paint. Use the [ and ] keys to change the size of your brush tip as needed to get into the narrow areas.

• If you overshoot and erase too much, press X on your keyboard

September 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM

26

grow your skills Bar). Also, check that your

Layer Mask method, add it to the

foreground color is set to black.

Mask layer). This will give you

• Black paint is appearing on photo:

areas of stroke outside the main

Look at the Layers panel and click

image so you know where to erase

on the white square next to the

or mask further.

photo thumbnail to make the mask

• Add a new layer beneath the image

active. If you need to do something

layer by holding the CTRL key

to the photo itself, click on the

(Mac: Opt) while clicking on the

thumbnail to make that active (for

New Layer icon and fill it with a

example if you want to retouch a

contrasting color (I frequently use

blemish).

hot pink).

• Painting on the mask but nothing

Advanced Extracting These are just the basic techniques for extracting an image. There are many other ways to accomplish the same results!

Photoshop Elements has the Magic Extractor found under the Image

is happening: Press the X key to

menu (down at the bottom). It’s pretty

reset the color swatches so black is

self-explanatory and works well on

the foreground color.

certain types of images. Photoshop

CHECK YOUR WORK

users often prefer using the Pen

The most important part of extracting

tool for extracting and you can find

is checking your work. It’s very easy

tutorials on how to do this by googling

to miss tiny areas of the image with

“Extract with Pen Tool Photoshop.”

all these techniques, so to check for

Try a few different things and

stray pixels do these two things:

you’ll find a technique that you are

• Add a five- pixel stroke layer style

comfortable with before long. As always, practice makes perfect!

to the image (if you’re using the

ADVERTISEMENT

September 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM

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hybrid picks

By JENNIFER WHITE

Hot Hybrid Gallery Picks Each month the Insider team picks our favorite projects posted in the DST Hybrid Gallery from the past month. Check out the amazing projects we’ve picked this time:

clockwise from top left:

do not enter by livelys

mermaid story

by JJ (Lily Designs)

hybrid chest by beth rimmer

September 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM

28

from the desk of get scrapping

by Neisha Sykes

How to make your own story book So, you want to create a one-of-a-kind story book for a special boy or girl in your life, maybe to give as a gift for an upcoming birthday or holiday, or even just for the fun of it.

What type of book do you want to make? Are you up for writing your own fairy tale and extracting a lot of photos?

Maybe your child loves outer space, so a space-counting book is the plan. Not sure, yet? Look for book theme ideas around your home: lift theme ideas from library books or magazines. Get inspired by the interests of your children or grandchildren. Write your theme idea down in a sentence or two.

Step 2: Outline the Plot and Draft Text At this point, brainstorming is perfectly acceptable and even necessary. Write down any and all ideas about how you can combine your subject (who is in the book) with your theme. Get a general idea of the plot and how you may want to structure your book. Then, make a rough, rough draft of your story. It’s okay if it is not perfect. Most likely, you’ll be revising and editing in later steps.

Step 3: Get Organized Now, a very critical step: organizing your book. How many pages do you want your book to have? Most But, once you realize how much making a story book

photo-book printers start at twenty pages. Will your book

involves—photos, extractions, lots of pages to design

have more? Once you know how many pages you’ll be

and text to write—you’re tempted to put the project on the back burner. Don’t. Although a project this size takes time, you can do it! And, since it is only September, there’s plenty of time to build your own story book and have it ready well ahead of the Christmas gift-giving season! I recently completed a custom story book for my daughter, Jane, and I have some tips and ideas to help you finish your own book project. Let’s get started!

Step 1: Choose a Theme and Subject Whom are you going to put in the book? Are you going to feature one of your children, all of them, your pet or a good friend? The answer to these questions is the subject of your book. Once you know the subject of your book, it’s time to pick a theme.

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get scrapping creating, it’s time to map out your book. I find it best to make a visual drawing of my book that includes left- and right-hand pages, page numbers, simple sketches of the photos and action on each page and what text goes on each page. Don’t forget to list the photos you will need for each page. Here’s an example of my book organizer: To get a professional-looking book, don’t forget to include a title and dedication page. You’ll refer to your book map as you create each page, noting the positioning of gutters, the side the page is on and each page’s contents and theme. Edit and revise your plan as needed and then print out a final copy to use.

Next, gather and organize your supplies. Purchase or select from your stash any kits you will be using. You may consider sticking with a single designer or color scheme so the book feels consistent throughout. Group the selected kits together in a file on your desktop or other easy-tofind location. Better yet, create a story-book file with subfolders for kits, photos, text documents and anything else you may need.

Step 4: Take or Get Photos If you’re using photos you already have, copy them to your story-book file. If you plan on using fresh pictures, it’s time to take them. You may need to set up an in-home studio.

Pick a location with good lighting. Hang bed sheets up for a background, especially if you will be extracting your subject from the pictures. Take a few test shots, playing with the settings on your camera to make sure you get the best pictures. Help your subject(s) dress and prepare for the pictures. Then, grab your book organizer and take all the photos on your list, plus more. Take a lot. Get creative with angles and props, if desired. The more photos you have to work with, the better, just in case you find out you need a different shot later on. You don’t want to have to set up the photo shoot again.

Step 5: Make Rough Page Files Once I have everything for my book, I create rough files of each page. I open a blank document in my software the size I need and drag in photos, possible papers and elements for that page. Note: To get the correct dimensions for your pages, use the guidelines for your selected printing site. Not sure what printer to use?

Check out this comprehensive review by The Daily Digi.

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get scrapping When creating rough page files, don’t worry about positioning or laying out anything, simply put all the possible supplies you’ll need on the document. Save it as “page 1.” Do this for each succeeding page. This is a good way to make sure you spread your supplies around and makes it easy to scrap later on. You may realize you need a few more papers or photos. Make a list and take care of those tasks once your rough files are made. Also, don’t forget make a files or files for your covers and spine.

Step 6: Polish the Text Now it’s time to really work on your words. Write and rewrite your story, editing carefully for spelling and grammar. Have someone else read it, too—it helps to have a second set of eyes to catch errors. You don’t want your mistakes in a permanent book. Divide your story by page with headings in your document so you can copy

a quarter of an inch on the edges. Save and back up each

and paste into your finished pages.

file a lot! Check to see that each page works with your book organizer. Place your polished text into your layouts.

Design your covers and spine. Save your files in your program’s format.

Process Pages for Printing and Upload Once every page is complete, it’s time to get them ready for printing. Each page will need to be saved as a highquality jpg file and checked to make sure nothing is in the bleed areas on the edges. I prefer to use an action like those made by Wendyzine Scraps to speed things up.

Once each page is processed, upload them to your favorite book-printing site and order! While you wait

Step 7: Create Your Pages

for your book to arrive, pat yourself on the back for

Get to work making your pages. This may be the most

completing an amazing project!

time-consuming part of the process, but can also be

I know I’m thrilled at the story book I made. If you want

the most fun! Take your time building each page using

to see every page, check it out in my gallery. And, please

your rough page files. Don’t forget to add shadows,

visit this thread at DST to see some more amazing story-

page numbers (if desired) and leave a place for your

book projects from our members or to post your own.

text. Extract photos, if necessary. If you don’t want to

We’d all love to see your books!

extract, put your photos in frames on the pages. Be careful of bleed areas around edges and gutter side of pages. Remember, the book printer will most likely cut off

September 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM

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get scrapping

by Kaylea Hutson

Final Fantasy: Get to know top designer Lorie Davison Characters wanted. If designer Lorie

a gate that leads to a road that forks to a

Davison could sum up her style as a

castle in the woods, I’m happy.”

fantasy artist in two words, it would

She defines “fantasy-style” scrapbooking

be “characters wanted.”

as placing pictures of your loved ones in worlds that couldn’t or most likely wouldn’t occur in reality. “[It] could be your [daughter] having tea under a mushroom with a pixie, or it could also be your seven-yearold grandson surfing with sharks and porpoises in the Pacific,” she

Baby Bee Garden

by Olga Unger

explained. “They are both fantasies, but one could possibly happen – if you had a totally cool seven-year-old with terrible parents.”

Davison said she often uses fantasy in In fact, she considers creating characters

both her journal and in layouts.

for her fantasy kits to be the “most fun

“Sometimes my journal cries out

and important step” in setting the tone for

for a skull wearing a top hat and a

her designs, which she currently sells at

grandchild in a scrapbook layout may,

Scrapbook Graphics.

on certain occasions, really need to

“Fantasy scrapbooking kits can come

be riding a sea monster,” Davison

said. “Fantasy illustrations can be used on blogs (especially D&D), wedding announcements (prince and princesses with carriage and flying mice), collage art, almost any kind of illustration projects (annual reports with monsters).

“Some of my creative team members have printed fantasy kit images onto purses and bags and some of my kits have been used to create hybrid

in any style,” Davison said. “I like to

fantasy dioramas.

experiment. Most of my fantasy kits are

“Digital fantasy kits can be easily

realistic but some are stylistic or cartoon-

hybridized.”

style.”

Davison said she’s always been drawn

Many people use fantasy kits for

to a world filled with fantasy.

journaling or regular scrapbooking.

“Fantasy has always been my favorite

“I love seeing someone using one of my

escape,” she explained. “My sister

fantasy kits in a way I never dreamed of,”

and I had acres of rusting farm

she explained. “I also love a layout that tells a story. If I begin wondering why a little girl in the layout is cautiously opening

Greymouse Manor

by Chichenilla

implements and rolling grasslands to play in and around when we were

September 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM

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get scrapping little but not that many toys or other

back story. This helps her develop

children. So, we made up our own

backgrounds and elements which fit into

little fantasy worlds. I still do that.”

her imagined world.

Creating her designs.

“If, in the process, you find little doodads

Davison said she often starts with an idea,

with a fantasy style:

that don’t quite fit properly you throw

which then leads to the creation of paper

1) Look for fantasy compositions

them into the ‘Useful Doodads for Later’

sketches of her characters. The color

folder,” she explained, adding she tries

palette for the kit is often based upon her

to provide a variety of perspectives in

first characters.

to learn how to do

her creations. “If you can peek through

professional-looking digital art.

Once she has sketches of her characters,

the trees and see Rapunzel’s tower is

Davison will scan them for painting in

made of gargantuan carved stones, her

movies while thinking about

either Photoshop or Painter.

bedroom walls should have those, too.”

fantasy layouts and eating

Here are Davison’s top three resources for those wanting to learn more about creating

on Flickr.

2) Find MissBehaving’s tutorials

3) Re-watch your favorite fantasy

exotic chocolates!

The kit continues to emerge as she begins to invent the character’s

Greymouse Manor Winter Ball

Baby Bee Garden

Prince in the City

No Monsters Under My Bed

September 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM

33

get scrapping Fantasy-Art Roundtable: Top artists share their tips What makes a fantasy layout? How

my son which looks like he’s on the beach

do you define this style and what

when he was actually in my garden, one

sets it apart from things like art

of him in an urban scene with a scooter

journaling and well, regular layouts?

that was also taken in my garden and one

Those were just a few of the questions

of what looks like him sitting in a floating

posed to a group of outstanding fantasy

almost oriental-style room.....no fairies in

artists--women who were recognized

sight!”

Burton: “Creating a fantasy layout means having a magical quality about the layout.

I might use oversized elements or create a magical land in the sky or underwater,

Story Book Castle

by MissBehaving

but to me, all fantasy layouts are best with the use of children in them. Children and

be quite limiting in their scope for mixing

magical fantasy just go together.”

it up and doing something different with

Miss Behaving: “Creating a fantasy-

them!”

style layout is a free ticket to let your

Burton: “I like using water, swans,

imagination and creativity soar to the

unicorns, sunrays and castles in fantasy

Before the First Snow

limits of your artistic ability. What I create

layouts--and of course pictures of

by Soraya

would not happen anywhere in real life.

children.”

It exists only in my mind, with the little for their creations during the 2010 DST Scrappers Choice Awards: Lisa Hunt (Roxy), Janice Burton (Marnie); JoAnn Kinnaird (joannknnrd); Elaine Thompson (Ernst) and Miss Behaving.

How do you define “fantasy” style?

Hunt: “I would ‘classify’ fantasy style as a layout where the subject is put into a created situation, primarily by use of extraction techniques – rather than a whole photo placed onto a page. To me, this doesn’t mean you have to have fairies/unicorns/toadstools in the scene to call it fantasy, though. I’ve made one of

people who talk to me sotto voice. Just for the record, the voices are not always the same.”

What are your favorite items to use?

Hunt: “When I’m creating a fantasy page I tend to use elements from different kits that I think will work, although for my more recent fantasy pages, I’ve tended

Kinnaird: “I love brushes and clouds. My daughters have requested I cut back on wings. I TRY to respect that!”

Thompson: Flowers, branches, leaves, ribbons and basically anything that can be found in nature. “It really depends upon the type of layout I’m trying to create.”

to stick to a kit who’s colours/subject

Miss Behaving: Brushes. “I use them for

have caught my eye and then fitted them

everything from creating hair to making a

to what I want to do. I find I can very

piece more textured.” Overlays. “Essential

often get inspiration from a kit for which

for texturing – the trick is not to overuse

direction I want the page to take! I find

them so that it looks natural and inviting.”

‘fantasy’ kits that are labeled as such to

September 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM

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get scrapping What would we find in your fantasy

background is awful? Extract them and

tool kit?

put them on a beach, in a wood, in a car

Hunt: “Sparkles. I think every fantasy

on a highway, up a tree --the choice is

page should have a sparkle or two!” Also,

yours! You can create a whole amazing

a “scene” paper (a room or a woodland

story around a bad photo and make it

glade), flowers, creatures of some kind

look actually quite good!”

(ladybugs, dragonflies, flying pigs, etc.) and lots of greenery (branches, leaves, trees, grass) – all things that can be placed to add depth to a page.

Good Night

by Lana

Burton: Water, swans, unicorns, clouds, animals, castles, bubbles and sunrays.

Burton: “I like the freedom I have to create a picture that is not of the norm but ends up in a magical land all by itself.”

Kinnaird: “I LOVE the unexpected. One of my favorite layouts featured my oldest daughter’s back. It was early spring and

What sets fantasy apart from ‘art journaling?’

Kinnaird: A bunch of Lorie Davison, cloud

she already had numerous cuts and

brushes and Hollie’s Void Kit.

bruises. I thought she looked like she’d

Hunt: “Extractions. Although they’re not

Thompson: Trees, flowers, birds, leaves,

been in a battle. So I extracted her and

exclusively used in fantasy pages, I

clouds.

tatted her up to look like a tribal warrior. I

can’t recall a single fantasy page I’ve seen that had a regular rectangular photo in it! They are pages that you could never hope to recreate with paper--you just couldn’t! Nothing about them is ‘solid’ looking - no buttons, no ribbons, no staples or stitches--nothing holding the elements onto the paper!”

Burton: “The combining of elements with the photos to create a ‘magical’ land sets fantasy layouts apart from other layouts.”

Miss Behaving: “1) A good background paper, a few of them actually. I love to

that words ever could!”

blend and mix and match backgrounds

Thompson: “It’s my way to use my

to have a totally unique look to them. 2) A

imagination to build a sort of storybook

wonderful sky. I can never have enough!

place where I can put my granddaughters

3) A really unique element that builds a

or even their friends into it. The best

layout on its own for its uniqueness. 4)

part is when they say, ‘Mimi, where is

Brushes. And, 5) filters.”

What do you like about using fantasy art?

Hunt: “My favourite thing about fantasy is that it can be whatever you want it to

Thompson: “ Some type of scene that

be. You can create a full-blown fantasy

you create around an extracted photo/

land and place your subject in it or you

photos. To me art journaling is a layout

can create a small fantasy scene on a

of an event or a special moment that

primarily ‘white space’ page--it’s very

you want to document what is going

versatile! Another fantastic thing about

on in the photo or what happened

it is that you can rescue some quite

when that photo was taken. “

horrible photos! Say you have a photo where your subject looks fantastic but the

felt it conveyed my feelings much better

Off to fight Dragons by joannknnrd

September 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM

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get scrapping that place I don’t remember ever going

Miss Behaving: “Creating is what I love:

Kinnaird: “It all begins and ends for me

there?’ Or even when the oldest one

take[ing] a simple piece and push[ing]

with Maggie Taylor. Her work is whimsical

will say to me sometimes ‘tell me again,

the limits to make it something out of

and dark, you can feel her sense of humor

how did you do that.’ I think the best

the ordinary, while adding a twist of

pouring out of her work!”

part of creating a fantasy layout is their

whimsical artistic liberties. You can take

Miss Behaving: For lessons: Miss

enthusiasm over what I do with their

a photo of your kids doing the most

Behaving Workshops - Introduction to

photos.”

mundane things and make this incredibly

Fantasy Style Layouts or Miss Behaving

fantastical scene. It’s the potential to

Workshops - Shadows Class. For

make something extraordinary out-of-the-

inspiration: Creattica, Deviant Art or

ordinary. However, it can also be the most

Creative Souls.

Ready to take the plunge and create your own fantasy art?

Davison suggests starting with a few must have items: 1) A children’s book library 2) A Wacom Tablet 3) Dark chocolates 4) Dark music 5) Eyeballs: “I start most of my characters by doing their eyeballs first.”

frustrating thing, too.”

What are your top resources for newbie fantasy artists?

Name some of your favorite designers. (Compiled from all our participants, in no particular order.):

Hunt: Miss Behaving – her workshops

* Randi Oh

* Tangie Baxter

and her gallery; tutorials at Scrappers

* Lily Designs

Online; and DST forums and galleries.

* Dreams Designs

* Holliewood Studios

Burton: Search galleries for things you like

* Cali Designs

or dislike – and then make a layout that is

* Creative Victorian Kits

your own.

* Lorie Davison

* Joelle Designs

* Carena’s Designs * Scrap Shana * Alevtina’s Designs

ADVERTISEMENT

September 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM

36

advertising

September 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM

37

the back page

Monthly Gold Member Challenge There were so many fantastic layouts this

And, congratulations to the following

month that it was hard to choose our grand

runners-up, who will each receive a $10

prize winner and three runners-up. But, it

coupon:

had to be done. So, without further ado,

Becca1976 for her layout, Carousel Ride;

help me congratulate:

immaculeah for her layout, Ticket to

DistressedDiva has won a $25 coupon to

Ride; and KimericKreations for her layout

FruitLoOpSally’s store at After Five Designs

Kaylynn’s First Riverfest.

for her layout OC County Fair.

OC County Fair by Distressed Diva

Carousel Ride by Becca1976

Ticket ro Ride by immaculeah

Kaylynn’s First Riverfest by Kimerick Kreations

If you missed out in August, you have a new chance to win! Scrap a page with September’s Gold Member kit by Faith True and post it to our Gold Member Gallery. (Gold Member kits are free for Gold and Diamond level members. Not a member? Sign up today!)

Looking ahead to October’s

September Chat

We’re on Facebook

DST Insider

We’ll be chatting with Faith of

Join over 1,800 of your best

* Photo-focused scrapbooking

Faith True Designs sometime

digi buds in some great

towards the end of the month.

conversations over on our

This will be a weekday,

Facebook

daytime (in the US) chat and

page.

* Featured Designer Amanda Taylor

we’ll let you know as soon as the date and time are scheduled!

September 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM

38

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September 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM

39