These instructions are written for users with a basic knowledge of Photoshop and can easily be followed using Photoshop Elements and in other programs with some slight adjustments. You’ll want to SAVE OFTEN while you are creating.
To get started, open up the following files from the Lola Mini Kit - ClaraWallace-MatterOfScrap_Lola-paper-multistripe.jpg and ClaraWallace-MatterOfScrap_Lola-paper-pattern.jpg.
(1) Start a new file 8x8, 300dpi, white background. Create a new layer CTRL+SHIFT+N. Click on the foreground color box and pick a color, click OK. We’ll fill the new layer by holding down ALT+BACKSPACE. Your background should be filled with color now.
(2) Click on the patterned paper file to make it active and using the marquee tool (that’s the button that looks like a dashed line square at the top left of the tool palette), drag out a rectangle that we will use as a mat. You can choose how big you want it to be. Now CTRL-C to copy. Click back to your new document/layout and CTRL-V to paste it onto your page. Move it around to where you like it – remember to select the MOVE tool first.
(3) Now, click on the striped paper to make it active. We are going to cut a strip to use as a border for the mat. Using the marquee tool, drag out a strip at least 8 inches wide. Now CTRL-C to copy and click to your layout and CTRL-V to paste it on your layout page. It should paste it on a new layer on top of the mat, but if it doesn’t, just drag the mat layer so it’s ‘under’ the strip layers in the layers palette.
Here’s what you should have so far:
(4) Open your photo and drag it onto your layout.
(5) Now we will make a mat for our photo. Create a new layer CTRL+SHIFT+N. Your marquee tool should still be active. If it’s not, just hit “M” on your keyboard and it will be. Now, drag out a rectangle for the photo that you want to use. I’ve made my mat longer than my photo so there will be a bigger border at the bottom.
We’ll fill our mat with a color. Click on the foreground color box and pick a color, click OK. To fill the marquee with the color click ALT+BACKSPACE. To get rid of the ‘dancing ants’ and de-select the marquee, CTRL+D.
If you need to position your photo layer so it’s on top of everything, you can hold down the CTRL+SHIFT+] (right bracket) keys and that will send the active layer to the top of the stack.
(5) Add your titles, journaling using the TEXT tool (looks like a “T” in the tool palette).
Now, here’s what we have. It’s a basic layout. We’ll add some finishing touches for realism – almost done.
(6) We’ll apply a pattern to the background paper. Double-click the background paper. The layer styles dialog box will open. Click on the words “Pattern Overlay” and the checkbox will be checked. Choose the “Clouds” pattern (it’s one of the default patterns), blend mode to “Overlay”, Opacity to 42%, Scale to 15%. If you want, play around with the settings to customize the look to your liking.
When you are done, your flat paper should now be a nice textured cardstock.
With the dialog box still open, let’s work on the easy inked edges. Click on the words “Inner Glow”. Use the settings below. You can choose whatever color you want for the inking – I chose white. You can play around with the BLEND MODE settings and see what effects you get. When you are satisfied, click OK.
Now, let’s apply those same settings to the mat we made earlier. In the layers palette, RIGHT-CLICK on the background layer and COPY LAYER STYLE. Now RIGHT-CLICK on the mat layer and PASTE LAYER STYLE. If you want to change the color of the inking just double click on the layer to open the LAYER STYLES dialog box and adjust the color.
Now, add a drop shadow to the photo, the mat and the border strips by double clicking on each layer and clicking on the words “DROP SHADOW” – I used the default settings. When you are done with the drop shadowing, click OK.
All done! Here’s the completed layout:
For more information on Clara Wallace and Matter of Scrap.com, log onto: Matter Of Scrap Scrapbooking Graphics
