The Thursday Review

Thursdays at For the Love of Scrap include reviews of products, books, magazines, stores, and all things related to scrapbooking and papercrafting.

Up for review this week is Digital Scrapbooking magazine.


The stats:
Issues per year: 6
Cover price: $6.99 US and $9.99 CAN
Advertised subscription price: $23.97 US
Best subscription price: $14.99 US.

Digital Scrapbooking is published by CK Media. CK Media also publishes Paper Crafts, Simple Scrapbooks and Creating Keepsakes. These magazines are leaders in the industry. So how does the newest sister publication stack up?

This review is based on the April/May 2008 issue.
As you can expect from its name, digital scrapbooking, the magazine has a digital scrapbooking focus. It does, however, also incorporate tips and techniques that can be used by hybrid, tradigital and traditional scrapbookers alike. For example, on pp.13-15, of this issue the article addresses that fonts should match the mood of your page. Though the article goes into details about how you can create a layered title that utilize different font styles and sizes using either Photoshop or Photoshop Elements; the tips can be applied for use with traditional materials fairly easily.

Other topics covered: photo color correction, scanning, templates, tutorials, product reviews, and more.

Renee Pearson is probably the best-known contributor to this magazine.

This magazine is best for those who are comfortable using a computer, like a challenge and can learn independently. You do not need to be proficient with Photoshop to enjoy this magazine, though you may glean more from some of the techniques demonstrated.

Rating: $$ out of $$$
$ = Not worth the money.
$$ = I wouldn't pay full price, but definitely pick it up when on sale.
$$$ = Don't wait, buy it now!

Happy scrappin',
Colleen

Digital Paper Freebie

Here is a digital paper freebie that I created using Photoshop Elements. You can download it as either a .psd or .jpg file here.

Make sure you read the Terms of Use file before using.

Enjoy,
Colleen

Sketch #20

The long wait is over. Here is another new sketch to help kick start your creativity. My design can hold eight photos.

Tip: Did you know that you can substitute multiple smaller photos in place of a large one without sacrificing the integrity of the design? The same goes for converting multiply smaller photos into a larger one. In this sketch, the two wallet-sized photos could become a 4"x6" instead. One of the 4"x6" photos on the bottom, could be changed to two wallet-sized photos.

This sketch was created using Adobe Photoshop Elements 5.0.

Credits:

Papers: Evening in the Garden by Lisa Carter www.digitalscrapbookplace.com
Embellishments: Thankful by Janel Kretsch www.thedigishoppe.com
Font: decadence

Please let me know if you post a layout to any other website based on one of my sketches. I love seeing your creations!

All the best,
Colleen
colleen@colleenmulder-seward.com

Sketch #19

I've been teaching myself how to create layouts and sketches using Photoshop Elements 5.0.

This 2 page layout can display 7 photos, ranging in size from wallet-size to 4x6. The embellishments needed are 7 buttons and patterned ribbon. The tile is made by using the digital font, A Damn Mess. To recreate this title in traditional scrapbooking:

1. Place stickers on your background paper
2. Next use acrylic paint to paint over top of the stickers
3. Then before the paint dries, remove the stickers.
   

Tip: Try adding the thread to your buttons and adhering them to your layout using glue dots. It's much easier than sewing the buttons directly onto your layout.

If you use my sketch, please send me your layout for posting here. I really love to see your creations.

Happy scrappin'
Colleen