I am an avid fan of the Shabby Princess. I use her freebies (and planning to buy 2 kits). So I decided to be a member of her forum/gallery. So after uploading some of my layouts (using her free kits) to my gallery, I browsed the forums. Then I just found out that the forum has been closed.

I am now on the hunt of another digiscrapping forum. But I want a forum, products of which I actually use. Hmm, so I guess, I should start shopping.

Here’s a simple layout, picture taken on Mikee’s first birthday party. We are busy watching a magic show here. She just woke up here which explains the messy hair. Yes, she slept on her own party!

Credits: Express Yourself Kit from Shabby Princess.

Btw, you may view supplier reviews, video and some pictures here.

Are you like me who’s always challenged when it comes to layout titles? Sharing some tips (again from my notes):

• Use the name of a TV Show or a movie for a title
• Use the name of a song for a title
• Use the name of a book for a title
• Use the word “Love” in the title
• Use the title only to explain your pictures? no journaling
• Dangle something from a letter in the title using a wire, raffia, string, or something
• Use Plaid paper for the title or for the background of the title
• Mix template letters for the title
• Weave a fiber behind title
•  Put title letters on individual tags
• Dot the “I”s in your title with an embellishment
• Use buttons for the O’s or the center of your O’s in your title.

You may also check http://twopeasinabucket.com or http://www.theperfecttitle.com for ideas.

As per Joy’s advice, my blogroll isn’t site-wide anymore. I have put it on a separate page.

For those using my themes, just ‘Write Page’ then on the ‘Page Template’ drop-down list, choose Links. This will automatically create you a page with your blogroll on it. (You may want to download version 1.02 for smaller fonts for your links and archive pages) Hope that helps.

This is my favorite picture of me and my daughter.
I took this (yes, I used the timer) when she was just one week old.

Credits: Sun Porch Kit from Shabby Princess

I found this among my notes. Unfortunately, I can’t remember what site I got it from (I promise to link it here once I find it). But I’m sharing anyway. These steps are for paper scrapping, but can be applied to digiscraps too.

Steps to Making a Scrap Page

1. Sort your photos and select a theme to work on
(generally, 5-7 photos fit on a two-page spread and 3-5 photos fit on a single page).
Keep in mind that you don’t have to scrapbook every photograph? select only the best photos to highlight the event, feeling or moment you want to convey.

2. Select 2-3 colors of safe paper that will complement colors found in the photographs.
Experiment with different color combinations to find the perfect colors to enhance your photographs.
You may want to include stationery or decorative paper that supports the theme of your pages.

3. Choose a photo to be your focal point.
As a general rule, select photos with sharp images, vivid colors and well-lit subjects.

4. Shape and mat your photos to add extra prominence to your focal point.
You can do this easily by matting your photo with a wider border than the others, or double or triple-matting it.
While shaping your photos, keep in mind that simple shapes such as rectangles, ovals, circles and squares are among the most eye-pleasing shapes.
If irrelevant or distracting details appear in the background, simply trim them out.
Keep in mind that this doesn’t mean you have to cut out all of the background?
frequently, ordinary items pictured in the background will bring a flood of memories essential to journaling and reminiscing.

5. Add journaling.
No page is complete without adding your thoughts, feelings and experiences.
Take a few minutes to write down not only the “who” and “when,” but also the “what” and “why.”

6. Arrange photos, journaling and titles on your page.
As you arrange these elements, pay close attention to the direction your eye moves.
In general, well-designed pages are well balanced and will follow a natural flow that mimics the letter Z.
To check the balance, imagine that your layout is on a scale. Does one side tip the scale?
Once you’re pleased with the layout, simply adhere the elements to the page.

7. Try a few extras.
As you get more comfortable with scrapbooking, try your hand with some embellishments?
stickers, die cuts, rubber stamps and punches are among the most popular page accents.
Use these items sparingly?you don’t want them to overpower your photos.

Let me share with you how I made this page.

Tool/s:
Adobe Photoshop

Materials:
Afterhours paper from ScrapSpace;
LimeTea words from ScrapArtist;
SillyBirdNut flower from ScrapbookBytes;
SweetSprinkles Pink dot ribbon from ShabbyPrincess;
film strip

Steps:

1. Open the scrapspace afterhours paper. This will be the “cardstock” of the scrappage.

2. Open the picture to be scrapped. Resize the picture to 3600 pixels to occupy the same width of the background paper.

3. Since a film strip will be placed on the right side of the scrappage, flip the picture horizontally so that the subjects are facing towards the center and the film strip.

4. Select all (ctrl+a), copy (ctrl+c) and paste (ctrl+v) into the background paper. Drop shadow by double-clicking the text layer. When the layer style window appears, check drop shadow option. (see below)

5. Add the pink dot ribbon. Drop shadow. (same as step 4) Next, add the limetea word in such a way that some part of which is laid on the background paper, and some on the picture.

6. Invert the color of the limetea word.

7. Add it on top of the black limetea words.

8. Cut the lower part on top of the picture.

9. Add the pink flower beside the area where the film strip will be positioned.

10. Add pictures behind the film strip. (Tip: sequential pictures are usually used in film strips) Save this as PNG file so that the holes of the strip are still clear. Rotate this 7 degrees clockwise.

11. Add this to the scrap page. (same as step 4)

12. Add another pink flower this time on top of the film strip. Use the lasso tool (shown below) to cut off some petals from the flower on top)

Lastly, Save.

credits: Sun Porch Kit and Sweet Serenity Fonts all from Shabby Princess