Digital Approach

I made this hybrid layout to show how you can easily add digital elements to your work.

Another idea for altering your papers is to print over your patterned paper with a digital mask or layer. I use Photo Shop Elements 5.0 for my photo editing and hybrid scrapbooking, but this will work with any digital software. I don't have a wide format printer either, so don't let that stop you. I just cut down my patterned paper to 8 1/2 x 11 to run it through my printer, then you can just add this to your next project.


Step 1 - Start your editing program and open the digital file you want to use as your print onto your paper. For this sample I used a photo mask from French Laundry by Sande Kreiger. Depending on how you organize your digital files, the usual process is File, Open, (search for the file you want) and Open. You can see the file open in the screen shot below.

Step 2 - How to open a blank canvas to work on. In PSE go to, File, New, Blank File, when you select Blank File an option screen will come up. This helps me to resize (by selecting 'View' then 'Grid') and also if you are printing over a photo you can layer everything on a blank canvas to print it out. I always use a blank canvas to print multi-photos - so I can just drag and drop and resize to get the most from my photo paper.

Step 3 - Select your Blank Screen options. Under Preset, select Letter (if this is the size you want to print on). The size should now show 8 1/2 x 11 - make sure the Resolution is 300, Color Mode - RGB Color, and Background Color - White. Click Ok. A blank screen should show up.


Step 4 - Rotate your screen - if needed. Go to Image, Rotate, 90' left. Your screen should now be a landscape view. (this is not a necessary step, I just like to see it like I am planning to use it) Like this:

Step 5 - Move the digital file onto the Blank Screen. Click and drag your digital file from the photo bin (at the bottom) onto the Blank Screen. Then click and resize the file by dragging the corners, to fill most of the Blank Screen (the Move tool needs to be selected to move and resize). Just remember what your margins are on your printer and adjust to that. It should look something like this: (When I printed my sample I decided I wanted my digital layer to be a little smaller to help frame my photo so my sample wasn't printed as large as this.)

Step 6 - Print - Now you are ready to print your image. First load your pattered paper that you have cut to size, then go to File, Print and when you see the Print Properties it should have the following options selected: Print Size - Actual Size (8.50"x11"), Then click Print. Go through your normal print options - for the type of paper you are printing on and quality and print.


After printing I trimmed to the edges of my digital frame and layered it under my photo on my layout. And now it is a hybrid layout! Hope these directions make sense. I am far from a computer expert and it took me a while to learn how to use PSE but it is an amazing program and I love it now. There are many great free tips online for using Photo Shop so just look around if you want to learn more.

Have a great rest of your week and weekend. Beth has one last thing to share before the month is out on Monday, so see you then.

Lucy