Thursday, December 4, 2008

I Photoshopped!

Once upon a time I was a scrapbooker. I loved it. Anna's 1st year album was stuffed to capacity. Then having two kids 19 months apart took its toll on my scrapbooking. Ryne's 1st year album had about half as many pages, and I had to enlarge most of the photos to fill up the pages. Grace? Well, her 1st year album is sitting in various boxes and on my hard drive. And no one has anything in albums beyond their first year of life.

But I still love the idea of scrapbooking. Several years ago I bought Photoshop Elements 2.0 (version 7.0 is in stores now!), thinking it would be easier if I learned how to scrap digitally. No more trips to the scrapbook store, I reasoned. But I never could figure out how to use the darn thing. I used the tutorial, read magazine articles, and even looked for instructions on the web. But no matter how hard I tried, I could not figure out how to make the simplest layout.

Until Tuesday night. I'm not even sure how because I was not really looking for scrapbooking stuff, but I came across Two Peas in a Bucket and found some beginner tutorials. Finally, I figured out how to make layers! And lots more! I was so excited I stayed up most of the night playing around with it (not a good idea when you have to homeschool in the morning).

So here is my first project ever -- my attempt at a Christmas card. It's still in the "playing around" stage because I don't even have pictures of my kids for the card yet. I might not use the circles, but I thought it would be fun to try. So I'm hoping to get some constructive criticism from you ladies. LOL, I might have to go comment on some of your blogs to lure you over here! I obviously have a lot to learn yet, so don't be afraid to tell me what needs to be fixed.

Since this is the "blog version," I used BHA instead of our last name. The JOY, JOY, JOY theme has been a tradition with our cards for several years. I enclose a letter that includes several other Bible verses with the word JOY.

My dear husband looked at my handiwork and said, "Just what you need, another hobby." So true.

5 comments:

  1. Wow!!!! I love it! Nathan and I talked about making our Christmas cards this year as we have done at times in the past, but it's a lot of work. I can see this being much more enjoyable and simpler by printing out each card and not handmaking them all! I like it all, wouldn't change a thing!

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  2. Well, I've already discovered one big mistake. I was supposed to make the card 4x8, not 4x7. Oopps.

    Kellie

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  3. This is wonderful, really and truly. I think I will have to check out those tutorials, because I'd like to do something more than the most basic family photo with names added onto it as we have done in previous years.

    Well done Kellie!

    And thanks also for all your encouraging words and prayers over the last few weeks. I do appreciate them, even if I don't often come back here to let you know on your blog rather than mine.

    ~ Sharon

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  4. I love your husbands comment - sounds like my husband! LOL I think you did an awesome job! The best way to learn photoshop elements is they way you are - tuts and lots of practice. There is always more to learn!! I like both versions you did. Oh... the snow is BEAUTIFUL!! I am so jealous. We are lucky to get flurries once a winter....

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  5. I LOVE this card! It's beautiful. Don't know a thing about digital scrapbooking as I'm still back in the Creative Memories and stickers stage myself. But this is just lovely. I think you have a real artist's eye.

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