Some things to keep in mind before you begin are
1) Choose which photo(s) you want to scrap. Think about what the photos represent or mean to you.
2) For the first several times, you may want to do what us digi scrappers call “Scrap-lift”. Scrap-lift is simply finding a layout that really inspires you and you really like. You just copy it, only using a whole different digi kit and use your own sense of style. You can go to the many different digital scrapbook community forums out there on the internet. Look in those forums to find tons of layout ideas. There are even some fun challenges that forums do where they tell you to scrap-lift a particular layout and then you can sometimes win a free kit if chosen for your well done scrap-lifting challenge.
If you have 3 photos you need to scrap onto a one page layout, then look for other people’s layouts where they have used 3 photos on their page to see how they have arranged them. Once you have found a layout you really admire, make a sketch of it for reference. Just jot it down on paper…it doesn’t have to look perfect, no one will see this. :)
3) Now that you have some inspiration to help you, next you’ll need some digi scrapin’ products such as papers, elements, alphas, brushes, etc. This is going to be so addictive, you just wait and see. There are so many to choose from these days. There are tons of us designers out there that offer freebies. One of the reasons for this is so you could have the chance to see how each particular designer’s products are and to see if you like them or not. It’s like a try before you buy type of thing. Just about each digi scrap site has freebies for you to download. Just search for them.
Now, I would like to take a moment here and tell you of the importance of downloading any freebies or purchased products. Just because something is free, does not mean you can share it with the world. (The file you download, not your finished layout). :) Sharing your freebies or purchased products is called piracy and is illegal. You can get into some serious trouble if you step on the wrong toes. There is a link to a blog about piracy on the left hand side. I encourage you to go and read up on it please. Make sure you always read each designer’s TOU (terms of use) with each download you get. Each designer has certain set of rules with using their products and not all designer’s terms are the exact same. I just want to point this out so you know.
4) Once you find a kit you like, simply unzip it. Make sure you make a folder from each site, then make a folder inside of that site link and list it by the designer name. That way you will know where you got it from and from whom. This is how I do it. Another reason you should keep this information correct by folders is because sooner or later, you will find yourself at a forum where you can upload your layouts to show off or enter contests. When you upload to forums, you will need to give the designer credit for using her kit, elements, etc. and also, what the kit name was and all that good stuff.
OK…are we ready?
Your layouts can be many different sizes. You may have a wide format printer like me which then you’re pretty lucky because you can print out 12x12 scrapbook pages yourself. :)
You can make 6x6, 8x8, 8-10 and 12x12 layouts. These are the most commonly used. I prefer the 12x12 because you can do so much more to one page.
Open up your program. I’m using PSP9. Many of these programs are similar so maybe if you’re using a different program, you may still be able to follow along.
Go to File>Browse You should then have a window open up for you. I think by default the first time you open it, you will probably see C:\Program Files\Jasc Paint Shop Pro\ and then all the files underneath it. What you need to go to is where you store your photos at. For example: My Docs\vacation photos\the beach. You get the picture. No pun intended. :) You will see in the browse window, all your photos come up as you go through your folders. Click on the photos you will be using. They will all come up in their own little window. Now…Do Not Use Your Originals! For each photo, do the following: Make sure you have a photo up and go to Edit/Copy then just go back to Edit/Paste—paste as a New Image. Now you want to close the original. The original one is what you or your camera named it. The new image should say Image 1, 2, 3…etc. Do this for each of your photos and close the originals. Now is a good time to decide where you might store “Your Layouts”. Minimize your copies of your photos but don’t close them. To make a new folder for your stuff, in the browse window, figure out where to place you folder. For example: My Doc. So make sure that you click on my docs first in that left hand column. Next go to File>Create New Folder. A pop up window will appear asking you to name this folder. You can name it whatever you like. Just remember where you are placing it.
Next, since you already have your photos opened up you will now need to find the folder where you stored your digi kit you are going to be using. Do the same thing as you did with the photos (make copies) Do one step at a time. First find a background paper you like, open, copy, paste as new image and close the original. Now remember that sketch of a favorite layout you liked. Keep this at your side while you build your layout. What you need to keep in mind is that you will be working on layers. You will see to the far right of the program a sidebar. This will show you your layers. You can click on each layer that you need to work on to do editing. Here is a screenshot to help you.
Now, sometimes I do and sometimes I don’t name my layers. If you hover over the layers, it will give you a small screen shot of what layer you are working on. But sometimes it does help just to name each layer so you know what each one is at a glance. For example: Pokadot paper / grunge paper / ribbon/ photo, etc.
Your first background paper you opened is the background layer. The next thing you want to do is figure out what else you are putting on top of the background layer. Say a second background like mine is in the above image. I moved most of the 2nd background layer over to the right so it shows half and half. Are you following me so far? Next, I added some elements to the layout. I used a circle tag, a rick-rack ribbon, a saying and finally my photo. This is only an example…my layouts usually look better than this, LOL.
So whatever you are placing next on top of the background layer, make sure you copy paste but this time, be on the actual layout and click paste as a NEW LAYER. This is where you will see a box open up letting you name the layer.
Keep doing this as you build your layout.
Now, if you want to rearrange things to try different ways of placing your elements and photos, go the left or top of page and find the mover icon. It looks like arrows going all directions. Click on the image you want to move around and then do this for each thing you want to move until you get it where you want it.
When you have your page just the way you want it, you have a couple options here. You can save the file before you merge/flatten. This way, just in case you change your mind…you can go back to it and edit the layout. So go to save as and a box will come up. Name this file what you want and make sure you are putting it in the folder that you want. You will also notice that by default, PSP has it set that you will be saving this as a psp file. That’s fine. Then click save. Now, don’t close your layout just yet. Now you want to merge/flatten the file and save it as a jpg. So go back to File>Save As> find the folder you are going to save your finished layouts in and name it want you want. Then click the arrow at the bottom of that window to change what file extension you are saving it as. Look for jpg jpeg and click on save. Now you have a completed layout.
DURING THE TIME YOU ARE BUILDING UP YOUR LAYOUT…PLEASE MAKE SURE AND SAVE IT AS YOU GO SO YOU DON’T LOOSE WHAT YOU HAVE DONE IN CASE YOUR COMPUTER OR PROGRAM FREEZES UP ON YOU. JUST KEEP SAVING IT AS A PSP FILE UNTIL COMPLETED.
