More Layouts to share…

Been scrapbooking away here. Two creative team layouts and then one for a self pace class I purchased a while ago.

Chelle’s Creations came out with a really cute kit Toadally

At first I wasn’t sure what I could do with this. I loved the look of the kit but I just didn’t think I had any pictures which would go with it. That’s part of why I love working with creative teams as it pushes me to use things I wouldn’t have scrapped with usually. Its like a dress which you love but you wouldn’t wear cause the color is wrong for you. Well with scrapbooking supplies you don’t have to worry about what you look like and with Chelle’s Designs a layout can’t but help but look good when you use it. I remembered though that we had some cute pictures of a neighbors daughter at her first dance recital. She was so excited to be dancing in a show with Eleanor and we  got a picture of them both together. Luckily for me her costume was a frog so it was perfect. I will add this layout to our special people album as it records Eva and her interaction with our family.

The second layout I’ve done is another using the great July Templates from Simple Scrapper I really love the large picture options. Templates like this have always been a favorite as they allow me to give the full focus of the page. I used a kit from Dianne Rigdon designs which she released while I was on vacation. I love the colors in the kits and knew that they would work well with this picture of Eleanor that had been taken earlier this year in the Botanic Gardens.

The lace elements that are included in this kit I think will become a firm favorite. I like the look of lace on layouts it helps soften edges where papers join and some texture.

Finally I’m not sure if I shared that I upgraded to the full version of photoshop from PSE10. I’m still using the organizer in Photoshop Elements (PSE) due to all the work I’ve done tagging and I don’t really want to start again. With a new program I’ve been slowed down a little as I wasn’t 100% sure of how to do everything – yes there are some differences. I also had a while back bought a couple of classes from JessicaSprague.com which were self paced and I hadn’t completed. I’m really good at keeping up with classes when they are live but self paced classes are harder for me to complete. Good really as I’d only done the first 2 lessons of one of the classes and none of the others so I have some to work my way through with photoshop. Jessica provides her video tutorials for both PSE and Photoshop. Which is great as I can now watch them for photoshop. The only problem I’ve discovered is that a few of the tools have been changed slightly with the new photoshop 6.0. Easy enough to work out. When you know PSE the move to photoshop is easier. I remember when I was first trying to digitally scrap that photoshop had me totally confused and I struggled which is why I chose to get PSE to make it easier. Now though I’m finding it much easier to make the transition which is good job since I purchased it.

The object of the class was to learn how to use type to make a mask, load and use pattern files, creating photo masks, creating letter sticker from a filled selection and how to create digital vellum. All which I knew how to do but it was well worth the hour it took to work my way through the class to practice with photoshop and I have a cool layout to add to my all about me album.

I really like how you used a screen shot from Google maps to show where you live. ( I’ve changed out the map for sharing here as the real layout I’ve marked exactly where I live and it feels a bit unsafe.) I’d never thought of adding maps like this to layouts and I think I will be doing this again for our road trips album it will be a good addition to show where places are. What do you think? Have you used a map like this. I wonder what it will print like as it’s only a screen grab.

Ronnie