Free Digital Scrapbooking Template Number 043

{Webajeb-Template-043 - 2-page layout!}

It's been awhile since I gave away a freebie, so here's a cool 2-page digital scrapbooking template FREE to my blog readers!  This template was inspired by Sketch #23 in the January 2010 issue of Creating Keepsakes magazine.

Get it in PSD or TIF format (or download both, if you like).  You'll get the 2-page layout as one file AND as individual right and left pages,so you can work with the template in the way you are most comfortable.

These templates include all of my "Easier-to-Use" features: numbers on each photo spot so that you can quickly locate the layer where you want to drop your photo; a plus sign (+) in front of the layer name for layers that are clippable, AND font names included in the layer names for text in case you want to use the same one.

Download in PSD format here or TIF format here.

Visit my online store for more templates, as well as lots of other fun digital scrapbooking products!!

Enjoy!

Revisiting Artsy Quick Pages

 

{My niece, Megan, on her 21st birthday}

After my last post, Go Big or Go Home, I was surprised to receive numerous comments and emails from people who agreed with me!  I truly believed that I was one of just a few people who dislike the current trend of putting one very small photo on a layout, and leaving lots of "white space" around it.  It's one thing when people are using this technique on their own layouts - that's all a matter of personal style.  But the trend has also extended to many, many of the Quick Pages available for download.

So it was nice to know that I'm not as alone as I thought!  Even nicer? I got some suggestions on a couple of really cool ways to use those Quick Pages.

Lisa of Mama Llama Designs mentioned that the more "artistic" Quick Pages look great when printed on canvas and hung on a wall.  I can envision that very well, and totally agree.

Amber and Belle both wrote to say they use the "artsy" QPs to scrapbook low resolution photos, such as those taken with a cell phone, and which will only print well at a small size anyway.  Awesome idea!

My layout, above, uses a low-res photo that I downloaded from Facebook.  It printed beautifully.

Wouldn't it be great if Quick Pages were customizable?  If you could change the size and/or position of the photo window, the elements, the paper, even the text?  Check out my first ever (and perhaps the only one of its kind anywhere) Layered Quick Page. 

It's a free download, too!

Go BIG or Go Home

Ok, peeps, what is UP with all the eensy-weensy photos on everyone's digital scrapbook pages???  If you browse any of the popular designer's websites and/or blogs, you know what I'm talking about.  Layout after layout after layout featuring only a single {tiny} photo, lots of digital elements, and a whole lotta blank space.

Not to mention, when I find a really fun Quick Page to download, there they are again -- itty-bitty windows in the .PNG files where you can slide in a photo no bigger than thumbnail-size.  Like this page:

{Quick Page by Creashens}

How CUTE is that page?  And perfect for the sweet photo of my great-niece, Kayla.  But, dang it, when I printed this out at 8"x8" for my family album, Kayla's picture came out measuring only 1.5" x 1.5".  That's wayyy too small for me {when I have to get out my reading glasses to get a good look at the photo I get grumpy}.

Maybe it's just me but when I look at this page I see the focus as being on the elements - the owl, the button, the stitching, the patterned paper border - rather than on the photo.  I like my pages to be the other way around - with my photos as the focus.

I've been waiting a long time for this trend to go away.  And it's just not going away.  I know there's this idea that all that "white space" (aka empty space) on the page is restful to the eyes, artsy, and modern but, in the long run, my goal is to get all my photos scrapbooked with a minimum of time and money spent.  If I scrapbook just one photo per page it's going to take me a LONG time to make any headway, and it's going to cost me a LOT in ink and paper, too, and albums to put all the pages in and page refills, and bookshelves to hold all the albums . . . well, you get the idea.

Well, I never have followed the crowd, but it could be that my taste and/or style is just different.  Like these pages that I did over the weekend:

{double-click any image for a larger view}

As you can see, my tendency is to FILL the page with photos - usually to the extent that there's no place for journaling {I'm working on that}.  I haven't left much room for elements either, like buttons, ribbons, digi-stickers, etc., which is kind of a shame since I have an external hard drive literally stuffed with 'em.

But somehow I'm ok with that.

And I'm keeping Kayla's page, too, 'cuz it's just way too cute not to.

FREE-Webajeb's First LAYERED Quick Page!!!

 Webajeb-Layered-Quick-Page-001

Introducing...the very first....LAYERED QUICK PAGE!!!  WOOT!

This is not just a template, and it's not just a quick page - it's BOTH!  Each element is still on its own layer in a .PSD or .TIF file (download either or both!) and has NOT been flattened to a .PNG file.

You can choose to either pop your own photos into the spaces provided OR move any of the elements around, resize or recolor them, change the title, swap out the elements with your own or another designer's, pull the individual elements out to use in other layouts, whatever your little heart desires!  The paper and elements are created by me, and are copyright-free, so have fun with them!  Giving credit to me is appreciated, but not required.  {The ONLY thing I ask is that you do not rename them and sell them as your own.}

I'm VERY excited about these . . . even though they are going to take longer to create than regular templates . . . hm, they'll take longer to create than regular quick pages, too . . . still, I'd love to have found something like these out there in digital-land myself, especially when I was a beginner digital scrapbooker (and in many ways I still am since there's always so much to learn).

The inspiration for this first layered quick page came from a layout I did for a client a year or so ago.  I've always loved the bright, pastel colors and the sticker look of the sun and title elements.  The fun background paper is one I created using a photo of my Mom's parquet entryway floor as a texture, then playing with color overlays.  The sun is a standard Photoshop Custom Shape and the font is Flowerchild, available free at urbanfonts.com.  To make them look like stickers (with the white border) I added a size 16 white stroke on the outside.  Add a drop-shadow and you've got the sticker look. It works with pretty much any custom shape and or text.

Here's the original layout:

I do have a problem, though, and I need your help.

I don't know what to call these!  I don't want to just call them "layered quick pages."  Boring!  So that's where you come in.  If you've got an idea for a fun & catchy name, please leave a comment, or send me an email.  If I pick yours, you'll NEVER pay for a Webajeb "Layered Quick Page" - Ever!  I'll simply send you each new file in an email when I post it!  I'm hoping that bribe will prompt you to put on your thinking caps and hook me up with an awesome name.

The other thing I'd love is feedback after you've tried using this.  What worked, and what didn't?  What should I do differently?  I want these to be as useful as possible for you, so any and all critique will be welcome!

Download the file from 4shared as a .PSD here, or as a .TIF here.

Two Free Digital Scrapbooking Templates

It's another double-double day!  Here is a double serving of free templates and they each come in both .PSD and .TIF formats!

Download Webajeb-Template-031 free from 4shared here.

 

Download Webajeb-Template-029 free from 4shared here.

As a demonstration of how versatile templates are, here is a 2-page layout I made using these two templates:

As you can see, I modified both templates pretty drastically!  Sometimes I use a template exactly as it comes, other times I modify them to suit what I have in mind for my layout.  It was fun to combine these two unrelated templates, and I love how the 2-page spread turned out.  Here are the individual pages, for a closer look:

 

Enjoy the templates!

If you'd like to see more templates like these click here to visit my online store!

Free Digital Scrapbooking Templates with Easier-to-Use Features!

Webajeb-Template-026

Here's one of my latest templates.  I say "one of" because I've got a dozen or more new ones created, I just haven't had time to get them uploaded.  I will be doing that over the next week or two, so be sure to check back here frequently or, better yet, subscribe to my blog so you don't miss a single one!

Here is today's template used in a layout:

Since the photos I wanted to use were all landscape-oriented I turned the template on its side, added a textured background, an overlay on the arrow element, and finally, got a little creative with the title.  Next I created a simple, one-photo layout to use as a facing page for a nicely balanced 2-page spread:

So - What are the new "Easier-to-Use" features of my templates?

First, I'll now be offering all my templates in both .PSD and/or .TIF format. The two formats will be packaged separately in downloadable .ZIP files; you will be able to download EITHER format or, if you like, BOTH formats.  I will no longer be zipping the two formats together, as I have done on occasion in the past, because it makes a downloadable file that's just too big for many user's systems to handle. (NOTE: I'm looking into also offering the templates in .PNG format if I find there is enough interest, so if you are interested, be sure to let me know!)

The second feature has been an integral part of my templates for awhile now but many people either don't know about it, or don't realize its significance.  Simply put, the name of each layer in my template files that is meant to be used for "clipping" begins with a plus (+) sign.  For example, in today's template there are 10 layers meant to be used for your photos, so the layer names would be as follows:

+ Photo 1
+ Photo 2
+ Photo 3

and so on, with the presence of the Plus Sign to indicate that this layer is suitable for clipping a photo (or paper).  I can't claim this idea as my own; Jessica Sprague began doing this with her own templates and she wrote {in a blog posting, if I remember right} that she hoped other designers would do likewise.  I loved the idea so am more than happy to include it as a feature in my own templates. I think you're going to love it, too!

Third, all of my templates will now include a topmost layer with numbers to identify each subsequent layer.  As far as I know no other designer is doing this.  This layer can be turned on or off as you desire, while you are working with the template, and then it should be either hidden or deleted before printing or publishing your layout. The first image of today's template posted at the beginning of this post shows the template with the numbers layer turned off, or hidden.  Here is the template with that layer turned on:

No more trying to figure out which layer is which in the template file!  The numbers correspond to the layer names in the .PSD or .TIF file and make it easy to select the exact layer where you intend to place your photo.  Just click on the numbered layer you want THEN drag in your photo.  The photo will automatically land just above the layer you selected.  Clip the photo to the layer, resize it, and it's done!

Ready to try out the new Easier-to-Use features?  Download Webajeb-Template-26 in .PSD format here or in .TIF format here.

Enjoy!

New Digital Scrapbooking Template!

Webajeb-Template-023

I'm just having way too much fun creating templates lately! Luckily, since I try to also create a layout using the new templates I'm also making progress (finally!) on my son's wedding album!

I've also started something new with my templates. I've added a layer in the file with numbers on each photo layer. You can see the numbers in the template above. As I've been working with the templates, especially the ones with lots of photo layers, I found having that reference makes it much easier to select the layer I want before I drag in my photo. (Because, as you know, when the correct layer is selected before dragging in the photo, the photo will land on top of that very layer, eliminating the hassle of moving the photo up or down in the layers palette.) Just be sure to hide or delete the Photo Numbers layer before printing!

I'm still also including the plus sign (+) in front of the layer name on each layer that is clippable. This makes them easy to identify and also reminds you to use that method (if your digital software program supports it) when sizing your photos to fit.

So, on to the layout I created using the template:

When you have tons of photos for an event (like a wedding!) it's great to be able to fit in lots of photo on some of the pages!

Get this template, or any of my previous ones, in my online store here!

Free Digital Template - Two Days Only!

Webajeb-Template-021

This template is based on a sketch I saw on this post at the Daily Digi. I love the kooky & crooked photo and/or element squares juxtaposed with the ultra-straight border lines.

Here is a layout I made today using the template:

(papers by KimScrappinDesigns, Faded Memories kit)

Since I only had one photo that I wanted to use I decided to clip a variety of papers to the smaller photo squares. You could also layer elements there, or a title, or even journaling bullets. I also stretched that inner border just a bit to give me more room for journaling and to offset the total design just a bit.

The template is now in my online store but you can download it at *4shared FREE through Sunday! Please share any layouts you make with it!

{*sorry, the link has expired but you can still get the template at my online store!}

Have a great weekend and make sure it includes some scrappin'!

Judy, This Template's for You!

First, I want to show off a layout my BFF, Judy, made with one of my Page Heroes:
She did a great job! Judy is a brand-spankin' new digital scrapbooker. She's been learning Photoshop Elements and having some success and some frustration.

I sent her some of my Page Heroes (quick pages) to try, thinking they might be easiest to start with, and she loved them. When she sent me her completed layout she said: "Those are so darn fast and handy! I can't wait to try the other ones. Really nice the way the pictures just slip up underneath. I didn't add any extra embellishments or do anything else - just stuck the pictures in."

Then Judy proceeded to ask if it's possible to change the "color & stuff" of the Page Hero. This made me smile. Well, yes, you COULD change the colors, at least, using some more advanced techniques . . . but pre-made pages like my Page Heroes aren't really meant to be used that way. They are meant to provide a super-fast and easy way to whip up a layout in mere minutes.

I smiled because Judy's question indicates that her skill level & her understanding of layers has already moved beyond Page Heroes which have a single layer with cut-outs for photos. She's already chomping at the bit to change the page elements!

Judy, your next step is TEMPLATES! To make the transition to templates easy for you, I've taken the same Page Hero - Hearts - and turned it into a template. Here it is FREE (for a limited time):

Download from 4shared

or

Download from mediafire

(More templates can be found here)

(More Page Heroes can be found here)

Don't forget - ALL Digital Scrapbooking products by Webajeb are
COPYRIGHT-FREE!!!

The downloadable zipped file contains the same template in two different formats; .PSD for Photoshop and Photoshop Elements users, and in .TIF format for users of digital scrapbooking programs that don't work with .PSD files. (Thanks to Grace for the suggestion to include .TIF files!)

Templates have multiple layers with each element on a separate layer. Recolor the elements, clip digital paper to them, re-size, duplicate, or remove them, whatever your little heart desires, Judy! Templates can be thought of almost as a pattern, or guide; something to jump-start your own creativity. The resulting layout can be completely true to the template or have no noticeable resemblance at all. Most are somewhere in-between. Every scrapbooker makes the template his or her own.

Templates give beginning digital scrapbookers the opportunity to learn all kinds of new skills while providing a starting point, or base, for a completed layout. Tutorials abound on the internet, as do online digital scrapbooking classes, both free and paid. Just a few of my favorite places to get help when I was learning are:

Digital Scrapbook Place

Scrap Girls

Photoshop Elements User (this link is specifically for PSE 5, other versions are on other pages of the website).

Blogs have become a fabulous source for tutorials in the past couple of years:

Jessica Sprague has a ton of great info and tutorials.

Kayla Lamoreaux's blog, Digital Scrapbooking 101, is chock-full of great info for both beginners and advanced digi-scrappers.

There are tons more, just do a Google or Yahoo search specifying the particular software package you use (including the version), include the word tutorial as well as the specific task you want to learn such as recolor elements, create text, etc.

Judy has suggested that I include with my downloadable Page Heroes some basic instructions on how to use them, and I think it's a great idea! I'll be writing something up soon, and also for my templates, and then including the documents in each downloadable bundle. If they are not needed, the instructions can be ignored, but if they are needed, it could make the difference between a fun experience and a frustrating one.

Feedback like Judy's, and Grace's, is helping me become a better digital designer.

So grab my free template, make it your own, and then send me your feedback, suggestions, and layouts. I'd love to hear from you!

A Quick Page and Page Heroes

Picked up a fun little quick page freebie at Creashens this morning, modified it just a bit to please me, popped in a photo of my little-girl-cat, Scout, enjoying the spring weather, and . . . done! The kit that goes along with this freebie is really awesome and spring-like and cheerful. You can check it out at The Daily Digi where Shen is being featured in the Sponsor Spotlight.

Quick pages are just that - a quick way to put together a digital scrapbook layout in less than no time at all. I have quick pages - I call them Page Heroes - on my website. Check 'em out! They are now copyright-free (as are ALL my digital scrapbooking products) so share them with your friends, include them in your own kits, modify them in way you like, etc.

(The TOU currently delivered bundled with the Page Hero files is outdated-I will be replacing it soon. Until then please click here for my latest Terms of Use document.)

Enjoy!