Lovely Layout-Simple Circle

You wouldn't initially think that a simple circle would be a dynamic element on a scrapbook page but Heather Summers (one of my MDS mentors!) came up with one of my favourite layouts! First, check out Heather's page here!

Now here's my take on her example.

So...how is it done?

1. Choose the "photo layout" that makes your entire page a photo. Fill that photo box with the photo of your choice (keeping in mind that only the outside edge will show after you place your circle).
2. Add a circle punch. Resize the punch to make it larger in diameter than the page. Reposition it so it leaves about 1/4 to a 1/3 of your background photo visible.
3. Fill the punch with the colour or DSP of your choice.
4. Insert a square punch on top of your circle punch and change it to the colour or DSP of your choice.
5. Insert several photo boxes on top of your square punch. Resize the photos as you wish and fill them with the pictures of your choice.
6. Add text for the title and any journaling (a description of the page).
7. Voila! You made a gorgeous page in no time at all!

Have fun playing with this layout and I'd love to see your results! Please feel free to upload them to www.mydigitalstudio.net and/or email them to me (mydigitalstudioenthusiast@gmail.com) so I can showcase your accomplishment!

Happy MDS'ing!
Lori

Photo Layouts-Your Second Best Friend

Previously, I talked about how Stampin' Up!'s Designer Templates in My Digital Studio make digital scrapbooking SO easy that anyone from 5 to 105 could make a scrapbook page in minutes!  Well, hopefully you've installed your MDS software and played with a couple of Designer Templates to get the hang of things so...let's take another step and try a photo layout page.

When you're creating a new project and you're at the screen with 3 horizontal rectangles titled (from top to bottom) "Designer Template", "Photo Layout" and "Create Your Own", click on the Photo Layout option.  In this case, instead of all of the work being done for you already...only some of the work has been done for you.  There are a number of layout options to choose from ranging from 1 large photo on the page to 9 or even 16 photos on a page.

Choose the layout of your choice and once your page has loaded, you can drag & drop your pictures like you've done with Designer Layouts.  Now here comes the good part...you get to choose whether or not to add any colour, patterns or embellishments!  Now come on!  I think I heard a collective groan spread right across the "blogosphere".  Don't give me those excuses "that you're not creative" or "that you don't know where to start".  Sure you do!  You've already chosen a layout and your pictures! 

Here's a little trick.  Sit back and look at the pictures you've chosen.  Are there any colours that stand out to you?  Does the colour palette of the photos evoke any particular feelings, emotions or memories?  When you take a moment to look at what you've chosen, you're likely to find a couple of colours that are more prominent than others.  So...pick a patterned paper for the background with one or two of those colours in it then pick some solid coloured text and maybe a ribbon or a few buttons. 

Voila!  You just "DESIGNED" a scrapbook page!  Congratulations! 

Here's a little sample of a photo layout that I pieced together for my vacation scrapbook.

Take care!
Lori