Digital Step-by-Step: Fetch

With the myriad of digital scrapbooking supplies and various techniques, digital layouts can be complicated. But it doesn't have to be that way. Digital layouts can also be quick and easy. When I want to highlight a photograph, I often turn to a digital format that allows me to feature one photograph in a large space. In my layout about my dog Merlin I wanted to highlight him doing his favorite activity - fetching. Here's how I did my layout:

Supplies:

• Adobe Photoshop 8.0
• Rhonna Farrer, twopeasinabucket.com, New Year paper 2
• Jesse Edwards, DesignerDigitals.com, Wildflowers Alphabet
• CK Cosmopolitan font

Instructions:

1. Open a new 12" X 12" document with a transparent background.
   
   
2. Open a photograph to add to the layout. Resize it for 300 dpi and 12 inches wide. Copy and paste into the blank document. Position it aligned with the top of the layout.
   
   
   
   
3. Open digital paper to use as background paper. Copy and paste on to the new document. In my layout, I used a paper with flourishes on the bottom to give it extra interest. Select the "Layers" drop down menu. Go to "Arrange" and choose "send to back."
   
   
   
   This will put the paper in the background.
   
   
4. Create a border strip between the photograph and the background paper. Using the Rectangular Marquee Tool select a thin layer under the photograph. Select the "Layer" drop down menu. Go to "New Fill Layer" and then "Solid Color." Name the layer, if desired. Choose the color by selecting the color closest to the desired color for your border strip. I choose white. Click "OK." The color picker will let you chose a lighter or darker hue if desired. Click "OK."
   
   
   
   
5. To add a digital monogram, open a digital alphabet containing the digital letter. Copy and paste into your document. If necessary, resize before pasting. My letter was white with some crosshatching. To outline the letter, select the layer with the alphabet layer. Next, select the "Layer" drop down menu. Go to "Layer Style" and then "Stroke." Choose the size. I choose 4 pixels. Choose the color. I choose black. Choose "OK."
   
   
   
   
   
   Alternatively, add a sticker or chipboard letter after printing.
   
   
6. Add the title by choosing the Horizontal Type Tool. Insert the cursor where you want the text to begin. Choose font and font size from the Options bar. I choose CK Cosmopolitan at 30 point. Type your title. Adjust styles and placement as needed.
   
   
7. Use the Save As option and give your completed layout a title.
   

Creating a digital layout with a few techniques and products can add a big punch to a special photograph.

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