The Paper Layout That Needed Help
When looking through my 12x12 paper layouts for candidates to scan during a “Scanner Magic” class, I found this “Stars” page I made a number of years ago for my husband. I really liked the basic layout and remembered spending quite a bit of time punching out all of those star dots from yellow paper before adding black cardstock and a ribbon.
Oh, but the photo! It is embarrassing that I used it, as it is too dark and came back from the printer very orange. I knew I could make the photo better with some tweaking in Photoshop.
The Digitally Enhanced Layout
I scanned the 12x12 paper layout using my flatbed scanner. I always get asked how I do this, so here is a secret! My new favorite tool for scanning oversized papers is ArcSoft’s new Scan’n Stitch Deluxe software (it’s so easy! It tells you how to make 4 scans and it merges them into one image for you). This gave me a TIF format digital version of my layout that I then altered in Photoshop. Here are steps I took to create the new “hybrid” layout.
Photo Fixes
I found the original photo, which was also digital. Using Photoshop CS3, I opened the digital photo by itself and was able to make a series of color and lighting adjustments. I used the “Levels” adjustment to lighten the image and a blue Cooling Filter to counteract the overly warm tones (I also added a Cooling Filter to the scanned original layout). My final step was a slight Smart Blur Filter to smooth out some of the graininess from the dark exposure.
The digital photo did not have the printed border I still liked it, so I just opened the scanned TIF layout and placed the fixed photo over the scanned version, being careful not to block the old border.
More Digital Additions
While my original intent was to just have a scanned version of the layout with a better photo, my digi fingers found a few more things to add to the layout. I felt the layout lacked a few white elements to compliment the glowing stars in the photo background. Here are five more things I did in Photoshop to digitally enhance the layout.
1. Digi Tag
I added a small curled note from my Stitched Journal Tags Kit and typed “Argentina 2005” using one of my favorite fonts, “Paulinho Pedra Azul.”
2. Copying the Ribbon
Using the Magic Wand Tool in Photoshop, I was able to select the white ribbon and copy it. I moved this new ribbon over the corner of the curled tag.
3. Fireworks Brushes
I had installed a few free brushes and included were some “fireworks” shaped brushes I thought would be fun to try. I stamped the burst shapes with the Brush Tool about 6-7 times using various sizes and white, lavender and peach colors.
4. White Stars
Again using the Magic Wand Tool but with a few different settings, I selected the circles from one of my black punched stars. I made my own custom Photoshop brush and with the Brush Tool stamped a few white versions.
5. Word Overlay
I typed the word “Stars” in the “Snell Bt” font and made it transparent so the paper and journaling were still visible.
I am now much happier with the layout and the photo. While the photo will never be stellar, now I can actually see us! The new color accents and digital details were just fun to add. While I probably would not have re-made the paper layout ever again, I have now reprinted the new layout and I can share it via email and websites with friends and family because it is in a digital form.
I will definitely be taking a second look through more of my paper layouts to see if I can bring to them a bit of digital magic and make some new hybrid creations!
Supplies:
•Cardstock: black
•Patterned paper: Marcella (K&Company)
•Photoshop brushes: fireworks
•Punch: Karen Foster Designs
•Ribbon: white
•Stitched Journal Tags: Bevin Dunn
You can find designer Bevin Dunn’s “Stitched Journal Tags” kit and more digital scrapbooking supplies at her website, www.digitalginger.com.
To find the products mentioned in this article and shown in these layouts, check with your local scrapbook retailer. Browse our Premier Retail Stores for coupons to a store near you.
