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This Is Why (Gary Scrapbooks). Print

 

 

Hello, Fellow Spraguers! I heard Jessica's call for more back stories from the swing set and thought I'd heed it. Why do I scrap, you ask? Well, there's a funny story attached to that.

I remember when the new strip mall went in across the street from us and one of the stores about to open was called "Scrapbook Magic". Scrapbooks? Who's going to use that? (I'm a guy, remember. Forgive me.)

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Announcement: Two New Classes, and Course Map Print

Hi there! Happy Monday! Many of us are finishing up our final techniques from the Frame-ups and Special Effects class (which will go on sale as a self-paced class in just a few weeks!), and wondering, what's next?

Well, I have an answer! :) Tonight we start registration for TWO brand-new classes! Registration begins TONIGHT at 9:00 p.m. Eastern time, and goes until midnight on the Saturday before each class starts.

  • Photoshop Brush*Abilities. This two-week class focuses exclusively on advancing our skills with the incredible Brush tool. You'll learn ways to use brushes on a variety of projects, as well as amazing ways to extend the capabilities of your brushes. You'll also learn how to create, save, and organize your brushes. Class begins August 3. Unlimited Registration.
  • Beautiful Evidence: 20 pages in 20 days. In this 20-day class, you'll create an incredible album celebrating the "Beautiful Evidence" of your life. I'll provide you with an awesome digital kit and 20 amazingly detailed templates as we walk through a page each day together. You'll finish with a keepsake you and your family will treasure. Class begins August 24. Unlimited Registration.

New Curriculum Map

And to help you track which classes you've taken, what classes I offer, and how the subjects of the classes fit together, I've created a brand-new Course Map. This printable PDF file has links you can click to explore the descriptions of each class, and I think it'll really help you understand the curriculum here! Click here, or click the image below to launch the course map and start exploring classes!

 
This Is Why (Ann Scrapbooks) Print

 

As I prepared to enter into the sixth decade of my life and retirement (I am now 64), I found scrapbooking. Or I should say it found me.

I had all my photographs in nice boxes, all mixed in together. I had filled these boxes since my daughter was born; she is now 37 years old.

A young friend invited me to a scrapbook party. I sat there fascinated, my heart pounding, thinking of all the possibilities. It was love at first sight! I bought a blank album and a few starter supplies, came home and spent all night thinking and planning album upon album. And as the dawn shone on the horizon I knew I had found a passion that would stay with me forever.

I made my first album in three days, and while I worked on it, I watched my daughter grow again from a baby to a gangling grade-school child to a teenager and then into a wonderful young mother.

Why do I scrapbook? As I look at my photographs I welcome the rekindling of old memories as one would welcome home a long lost friend. Scrapbooking is a kindred spirit, and my gift to my family and myself.

As I work on my pages, my mind is already racing with the possibilities that will become the realities new albums. I think that creating lasting memories for my family is the best way to let present and future generations view a special part of me. My scrapbooks reflect the best part of me and provide a window into my loves, my joys, and my soul.

Scrapbooking is personal. It is also communal. It is a time for personal joy and tears. It is a time to socialize and share at crop-meets and online galleries. It is a time to gather family around--laughing, crying and reviving good times and great memories.

My circle of friends has expanded, my outlook on life is rosier, and my heart has grown younger, and it is all due to some paper, some pens, a little glue, a good computer, some old photographs, and boxes and boxes of memories.

 
Inspiration Thursday: Exploring Typography Print

Typography is how you use text or type in design. Typography can be found on posters, advertisements, and webpages. How does typography apply to scrapbooking? Use it to add punch to your titles or more visual interest to your journaling.

I've gathered some inspirational images on the web that may serve to jumpstart our creative process when we scrapbook.

1. Imagine how you could use this style of typography as a way to present many images at once. This design keeps the viewer engaged in the layout.

Source: Flickr

2. Try using this style to add some movement to a layout.  This particular piece of inspiration includes a tutorial!

Source: The Font Feed

3. Here is another way to use perspective typography with a photo.

Source: NOTCOT

4. Have you ever tried hiding some of your text, yet the message is clear?

Source: Smashing Magazine

5. This would be a creative way to add journaling--maybe within an image or brushed image.

Source: Adam Stennett

 

 
Tutorial Roundup: Watercolor Effects Print

 

Hi there, Spraguemates! I'll be delivering a new roundup every other week, featuring some great tutorials you can find online to improve your Photoshop skills! This week, we're going to explore how we can use various watercolor effects on our photos and backgrounds.

Super Cool Watercolor Effect in 10 Steps

I have seen this effect created by some digital designers and I love the look it gives to just about any photo or layout. Use this technique to create your own photo masks, blend and layer photos for a wonderful collage, or design some of your own papers.

Click HERE to go to the tutorial.

Create a Paint Spatter Image

This tutorial is very similar in style to the first tutorial, but the author uses different steps to achieve a similar look. I really like how this shows you how one style of masking looks completely different simply by changing the brushes you select.

Click HERE to go to the tutorial.

Create the Look of Watercolor Painted Text

You've created your watercolor photo masks; now it's time to see what can be done with text. Not only do you learn how to create the watercolor text look, but you will also learn how to create your own watercolor paper.

Click HERE to go to the tutorial.

Turn a Photo into a Watercolor Painting

Taking a photo and transforming it from an average photo into art always inspires me. Finally there is a tutorial where you can achieve the look of watercolor without actually painting. I'm all for that.

Click HERE to go to the tutorial.

Watercolor Brushes and Textures

Here you will find a plethora of watercolor and paint brushes.

Click HERE to download a few and have fun creating!

 

I can't wait to see your layouts and photos in our galleries!

 
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