Thursday Treats – Tips for New Scrappers 2/26
I’ve been digi scrapping for almost eight years and I learn something new from just about every tutorial that I read. I’m sure I’m not alone in spending time in digital galleries, on Facebook and Pinterest looking at layouts for inspiration. Recently, I’ve been seeing quite a few queries from scrappers new to digital scrapping in the galleries. I thought it would be fun to ask the SugarBabes for tips they might offer to new digital scrappers.
From Jennifer – Don’t be afraid to try templates while figuring out your style. Learn how to properly use a template first, though. There are plenty of tutorials available online to help with this. My first template layout was a DISASTER because I didn’t know how to use them!
{here is a tutorial on the subject from the Sweet Shoppe’s tutorial section}
From Judie – Find a good shadowing tutorial. It is the single most important factor in making your pages realistic. Or better yet, find some good shadow styles to get you started.
{these drop shadow styles from Jenn Barrette are in the Shoppe}
From Trish – Ask for help. No… really. Find a community and ask for help.
From Rebecca – I agree with Jennifer on using templates but first learning HOW to use them, my very first layout was doing a template challenge. I got so frustrated that I almost gave up on digi… Also, don’t stretch out elements sideways (keep them in proportion).
{here is a tutorial I found on the resizing topic in Sweet Shoppe’s tutorial section}
From Britanee – Be patient, but open up your program every day. Do a little something every day (so the techniques stay with you). And don’t be afraid to ask for help.
From Jenn – I ditto ditto the shadowing.
From Lynnette – My advice would be spending some time learning your program first so that you aren’t trying to learn to use Photoshop AND how to scrapbook at the same time. I did a Photoshop class through Lynda.com and it worked for me.
{there are also beginner scrapbook classes at JessicaSprague.com and at Scrapaneers.com}
From Jacinda – Go through the galleries and see what layouts attract your eye. Try to define what it is that you like. Is it the composition, the shadowing, the way they use colour, the titlework, etc.? Are you attracted to a particular style of scrapbooking? Scraplift some of the layouts that you love to get you started. Try to imitate the shadows, the visual triangle or whatever it was that attracted you in the first place. It doesn’t have to be a direct copy – put your own spin on it (and always give credit to the person whose layout you are lifting) – but this is a good way to get started until you find your own groove and style.
My own “two cents” – Don’t feel that it’s necessary to start with full Photoshop at the very beginning unless you have a reason or are comfortable with it from work or other hobbies because Photoshop Elements is perfect for most scrappers for a long while. Also, don’t be afraid to participate in challenges and share your work in online galleries because the positive reinforcement that you get from it feels amazing!
I highly encourage you to take a look in the Tutorials Section at Sweet Shoppe, it is a wealth of information for both new and experienced scrappers!
