by Jolene Shaffer

Just my way to create a basic scrapbook layout that contains a background, a photo, an element and some journaling in PSP 7.

1.  Create a new file (File > New).  The following popup window will come up:

2.  Enter the desired width, height and resolution for your layout.  If you plan on printing the layout, be sure to choose a higher resolution for better quality (300 pixels/inch is the standard). Layouts for galleries on the internet can have a resolution of 72 pixels/inch. 

Select the following settings:  Color depth – 16 Million Colors; Color – Transparent.  Click OK.  You will now have the following:

3.  The Layers palette should look like this:

4.  Rename this first layer to "Background" (right-click on layer1 > Rename).

5.  Choose a color by using the Dropper Tool.  Use the Flood Fill Tool  to fill the background layer with your chosen color.

6.  Apply a texture to your background paper if desired (Effects > Texture Effects > Texture).  Choose the desired texture effect and experiment with the various values—they all have a way of changing the look so do not be afraid to experiment! You can always use UNDO by going up to edit and choose undo the last step or several steps you took.

7.  You should now have a background paper with texture applied to it.

8.  Ok now let’s add a photo to the layout.  Begin by adding a new raster layer to your layout (Layers > New Raster Layer).  Adding new layers for additional items added to your layout will allow you to move each item separately or delete items without having to delete everything else on that same layer.  Choose the Default preset and change the name of this layer to Photo.

9.  The Layer Palette should now have two separate layers (Background and Photo.)

10.  Open the photo you would like to add to this layout (File > Open > browse to photo file).  Create a duplicate of your photo and close the original (Window > Duplicate).

11.  Apply any desired effects, corrections, cropping, etc. to the photo.

12.  Copy the edited photo (Edit > Copy) and return to your layout.  Paste the photo onto the Photo Layer (Edit > Paste As New Layer) and move it to the desired location on the background paper. 

13.  To make the layout have more dimension, add a drop shadow to the photo (Effects > 3D Effects > Drop Shadow—here again you can play with the settings to achieve the desired effect)

14.  Ok now, let’s add an element to the layout, in this example we are using a tag.  Before doing so, however, be sure to add another layer to your layout (Layers > New Raster Layer).  Rename this layer from Raster 1 to "Tag."  The Layer Palette should now look like this:

15. Open the desired element (the tag) -(File > Open) and copy it (Edit > Copy).  Return to the layout and paste it onto the Tag layer (Edit > Paste > Paste As New Selection).  If the size of the element is not the right proportions to your layout, use the IMAGE and choose RESIZE.  I always recommend using BICUBIC RESAMPLE as it maintains the original look of the element. IF you wish to turn the element a different direction you can go up to the deformation tool and if you hover over it you will see near the middle an arrow on your screen which allows you to rotate it

16.  Add a drop shadow to your element (Effects > 3D Effects > Drop Shadow).

17.  Next, let’s add some journaling.  Create a new layer (Layers > New Raster Layer) and rename the layer "Journaling."

18.  Choose the Text Tool, create as floating and antialias, choose a font, font size and alignment.  On the styles palette, choose a fill color (background) and a stroke color (foreground or "outline") if desired. If they are not both filled your font will not be filled either.

19. Click OK when complete. 

20.  Move the selected text to the desired location and deselect the text (Selections > Select None).

21.  Next, let’s add a title to the layout.  Begin by adding a layer (Layers > New Raster Layer) and renaming it "Title."

22.  Activate the Text Tool again, choose the font and size, choose your colors, and click on the layout to type your title.

If you wish you can now add other layers with items such as a ribbon or brads etc. Note that this is not a completed layout for me …I would choose to add a brad to hold down the tag and possibly photo corners etc and pick a fancier font. It’s all up to you what you want to try! DO NOT be afraid to play. Remember to save your work so you don’t lose it but make sure that you are not saving over your original photo!

Keep in mind I used simple everyday fonts on this example and nothing fancy so as not to confuse the reader. There are many, many free fonts out there that will dress up your layouts and most will allow you to use them if you are doing it for your personal layouts. Keep in mind to read all terms of use before you use them if they are in the font file. If you need to know how to install fonts just check the various scrapping sites or google for font installation and you will find lots of tutorials out there.

Congratulations!  You have just completed a basic scrapbook layout!  Be sure to experiment with the various effects and tools in your program for a myriad of options to change the look of your layout.

Most of all have fun with it and be sure to stop by Digitals gallery and show us what you have done! We love new scrappers as much as we love our "oldbies"!

Jolene Shaffer © February, 2006

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