Final Installment of The Cheater's Guide to Fast and Awesome Mini Albums

See How Easily You Can Create

With Paint.Net

by Featured Scrapper, Christine Smith

Copyright 2007, used with permission

What are you waiting for? -->Picture this! Use this free software to create a stunning mini-album simply, easily, and most beautifully. Use Julie Ann's Mini-Albums from Scrapquick for all your mini-album needs. Scrapquick is the new revolution for quick and easy mini-albums for yourself and especially for gifts! A testimonial from a user writes:

"I have two children under 3 and find I don't have the time to put all the elements of a full kit together and produce a great looking page at the same time. Your quickpages are PERFECT! I may FINALLY catch up on my scrapping and finish their 1st year albums." - Marianne W, Ontario

Here are 7 steps to getting started with Paint.net and Scrapquick!!!

MATERIALS

• 1 digital photograph
• ScrapQuickArt™ Signature sample page (your choice of page sizes; for this tutorial, you will see the 12"x12" page size used) This should be downloaded and unzipped.
• Paint.Net software. This should be downloaded and installed.

We have created video tutorials that demonstrate some of the steps to complete your scrapbook pages. These Windows Media player-compatible files are linked on this page for you to download and view on your home computer.

Step 1 - Start Paint.net

Your screen will look similar to the screenshot below.

NOTE: The screenshots and tutorials are shown in a reduced window size so they will download faster for site visitors but all the main elements of the window are there. You may see a rainbow color palette in the lower left of your screen but it has been hidden from view in this series of tutorials to save space.

Click on image to enlarge

Step 2 - Open ScrapQuickArt™ with Paint.net
Click "file" and then "open" from the menu and find the ScrapQuickArt™ file you want to work with. Next, click the "open" button. Now your ScrapQuickArt™ will be visible in your workspace as shown in the screenshot below.

Click on image to enlarge

Step 3 - Add photograph to ScrapQuickArt™.
This step has a video tutorial. Please click here to download it.

Summary of steps

OPEN PHOTO

• From the menus at the top, choose layers-> import from file
• click on the photo you want to use
• click open

MOVE PHOTO DOWN ONE LAYER

• click blue arrow in layers palette

DRAG PHOTO INTO TRANSPARENT OPENING

• click on photo and drag it over so it shows behind the "hole"

Step 4 -Make Adjustments to photo if desired
This step has a video tutorial. Please click here to download it.

Summary of steps

RESIZE PHOTO

• place mouse over one corner of photo until it turns into a "hand"
• click and drag diagonally to resize photo

CONVERT TO B&W

• From the menus at the top, choose adjustments -> B&W

CONVERT TO SEPIA

• From the menus at the top, choose adjustments -> Sepia

ADJUST BRIGHTNESS AND CONTRAST

• From the menus at the top, choose adjustments -> Brightness & Contrast
• Use sliders to adjust as desired or type in the number you want to use

RED-EYE CORRECTION

If your chosen photo has a red-eye problem, it can be quickly fixed with one of Paint.net's photo effects. This step has a video tutorial - please click here to download it.

Summary of steps

ZOOM IN

• pick up tool that looks like magnifying glass

SELECT EYE

• use elliptical selection tool to select pupil/iris area of eye

REMOVE RED-EYE

• use menus adjustments -> red eye remover
• adjust sliders; tolerance usually must be moved left

REPEAT FOR OTHER EYE

Step 5 - Add Alphas for Title
This step has a video tutorial - Please click here to download it.

Summary of Steps

IMPORT ALPHAS

• From the menus at top, choose layers - > import from file to bring individual alpha letters onto your page
• drag the alphas into place on your page

MERGE ALPHA LAYERS

• when you have all the letters placed as desired, click on the topmost letter in the layers palette and then click on the merge layers down icon at the bottom of the layers palette; repeat until all alpha layers are merged so you can move them around as a group if you want.
• use the selection tool to outline the group of alphas to move as one piece after merging

OPTIONAL: ADD DROP SHADOW For an advanced treatment of alphas, you can also add a drop shadow. You can see the difference by comparing the alpha on the left (no drop shadow) with the alpha on the right (with drop shadow). This step is very easy but has more steps than the other tutorials on this page. This step has an additional video. Please click here download.

Drop Shadow Summary of Steps
* duplicate alpha layer (layers->duplicate layer)
* convert to B&W (adjustments -> B&W)
* adjust brightness (adjustments -> Brightness & Contrast: move both sliders to the left)
* blur (effects ->blur ->gaussian blur: 3 px)
* layer style (layers->layer properties: blend mode - multiply; opacity 100)
* move down one layer with blue arrow in layers palette
* nudge duplicate layer down and to the right 3px each using arrows on keyboard

Step 6 - Add Subtitles/Fontwork and Journaling

Note: because Paint.net is strictly a graphics editor and not a digital scrapbooking program per se, it does have a shortcoming in terms of text treatment. Because of that, you can not do word-wrapping like you can in a word processing program. In addition, text that has been typed in is immediately rasterized and cannot be edited after you are done putting it on your page. However, we just use a little work-around for that by typing our journaling into Microsoft's WordPad or Notepad (available from your start menu under all programs -> accessories). This step has a video tutorial please click here to download it.

Summary of steps

SUBTITLES - if text is only one line long

CREATE NEW LAYER
use menus: layer ->add new layer

ADD TEXT

• select text tool (looks like a letter A)
• choose font size and fontface
• click on layout where you want to add the subtitle
• type it onto your page

JOURNALING - if text is more than one line long

USE NOTEPAD/WORDPAD

• type in the text you want for your journaling and do all editing for typos, etc.
• select all text with your mouse and CTRL+C to copy it to your clipboard

PASTE INTO LAYOUT

• create a new layer for text (layer ->add layer)
• select text tool (looks like a letter A)
• choose font size and fontface
• click on layout where you want to add the subtitle
• paste your journaling (CTRL+V) onto your page
• hit enter key on keyboard where desired to force text to next line

Step 7 - Save your Page

The last step to finish your scrapbook layout is to save your page. IMPORTANT: You should always save your scrapbook layouts with a different filename than your original ScrapQuickArt™ download so that you can reuse your original, unmodified downloads in the future, if you choose.

In addition, we recommend that you save two versions of the file - one as a layered .pdn file (Paint.net format), and one as a flattened, .jpg format. Why save two files? First, if you ever need to go back and make a change in your .pdn file (a typo, for instance) you can open it, click on the layer that needs editing and fix it. Second, a .jpg will be compatible with printing and sharing.



Save your original file

In the menus, click on file->save

type in the filename you want to give to your finished page.

To make a .jpg version for printing

In the menu, click file -> save as
Just below the box where you type in the file name, there is another box that says "save as type" - use the drop-down menu arrow to choose "JPEG" as shown in the screen shot below:

Click on image to enlarge

On the next screen, leave the "quality" setting at 95 and choose the "flatten" option on the next screen where it notifies you that it will flatten your layout to save it - in other words, all the layers will be merged into one. This is not an issue because you have already saved a copy of the layered .pdn file.


OPTIONAL: RESIZE FOR SHARING ONLINE

Once you are back in the regular Paint.net workspace, you can now resize the file to share it online OR simply close it. The resizing step has a video tutorial. Please click here to download it.

Summary of Steps

SET IMAGE SIZE
* use menus - image -> resize
* set width at 600

SHARPEN REDUCED VERSION
* use menus - effects -> sharpen - choose between 1 and 3 as amount

SAVE REDUCED VERSION
* use menus - file -> save as
* change file type to .jpg and give it a new name
* adjust quality to control page size

CONGRATULATIONS!!

Now you know ALL the basics for creating custom scrapbook pages using ScrapQuickArt™!

The Cheater's Guide to Fast and Awesome Mini Albums Part 2

Thanks for letting me share with you the mini-albums I've created for Scrapquick. I believe that the tutorials on Christine Smith's website about free software for creating digital scrapbooking have not received the attention they deserve so I'd like to continue to share them with you today and tomorrow. - Sincerely, Julie Ann Shahin

Discover Paint.net {Free Download Below}

to Create Mini-Albums

by Featured Scrapper, Christine Smith

Copyright 2007 Used with Permission

What is Paint.net?

Paint.NET is free image editing and photo manipulation software designed to be used on computers that run Windows. It supports layers, unlimited undo, special effects, and a wide variety of useful and powerful tools. It started development as an undergraduate college senior design project mentored by Microsoft, and is currently being maintained by some of the alumni that originally worked on it. Originally intended as a free replacement for the MS Paint software that comes with Windows, it has grown into a powerful yet simple tool for photo and image editing. (Description from www.getpaint.net) It includes red-eye remover, instant conversion to B&W and sepia and a good selection of more advanced photo editing tools. However, it is very simple to use it to customize your ScrapQuickArt™ without having to learn a lot of extra stuff if you don't want to!

Downloading Paint.net

We are pleased to host a Paint.net software download for the convenience of our site visitors. Please do not link directly to the download for this program as it causes an unnecessary drag on our site's performance.

Note: The download is a zip file. You will need unzipping software to install Paint.net. More information on free zip software can be found on Scrapquick's main tutorials page.

Please read the following before you click on the download link below.

You pop-up blocker may block the download window - please disable it temporarily if it does.

You will be prompted to "open" or "save" the file.

Click "save" and choose a convenient location on your hard drive such as

My Documents > My Downloads

After you choose your location, you will get a download dialog box like this:

leave the "close this dialog box" box UNCHECKED.

When it is done downloading, all you will have to do is click the open button to extract the file.

note: the file is about 51 MB

To start the download, click here.

Installing Paint.net

After the file is done downloading, click on the "open" button in the download dialog box to unzip it.

When the file is unzipped, just double-click on the paint.net icon to install it. It is self-installing. Partway through the install, choose "Quick" installation (not "Custom")

You must agree to the license terms in order to install the program. After the program optimizes for your system, you will get a button that says "finish" to complete the installation.

Tomorrow: How to Use Paint.net to Scrap Faster than Ever

The Cheater's Guide to Fast and Awesome Mini Albums

How to Use the Free Software At Scrapquick ^TM

for Fast and Awesome Mini-Albums

Tips from Christine Smith's Scrapquick^TM Website

Part 1 of 3
Your First Page: How to use the Paint.net to open your first ScrapQuickArt™ page and add your photo, title and journaling. {You may also use your own software if you wish instead of Paint.net} Even if you have never scrapped before, you can finish your first page in about half an hour.

Also includes:

• Basic Photo Adjustments - Improve or alter you photos: adjust colors and contrast, convert to B&W or Sepia

• Red-Eye Removal
• Making Titles with Word Art or Alphas
• Adding Optional Drop Shadows

The key to digi-scrapping with ScrapQuick.com™ is our outstanding product line of ready-to-use pages that we call ScrapQuickArt™. When you use ScrapQuickArt™, all the layout work is already completed for you. All you need to do is the digital equivalent to placing a printed photograph in a matted photo frame. The difference is that when you're done with that, you'll have more than just photo in a frame - you'll have an instant scrapbook page. You can also take it a step further and personalize your page with titles and journaling. Think of journaling as typing out what you would say if you were looking at your scrapbook page with a friend and wanted to explain what was happening in the picture or why you took it, etc. Finally, if you're the kind of person who wants to pump it up just a bit more, you can also add extra embellishments or stylized alphabets ("alphas") from our ScrapQuick à la Carte™ line to your pages.

Click on image to see more views

Click on image to see more views and information

Necessary Tools

In addition to a working knowledge of Windows XP/Vista computer basics (e.g. creating/opening folders, navigating the internet, working with menu-based commands and mousing), you'll only need these things to digi-scrap the ScrapQuick.com™ way:

1. digital photos

Your photos should already be located on your computer's hard drive. In Windows, most users will place their photos in their "My Pictures" folder. If you keep your photos somewhere else on your hard drive, make a note of their location. You can also use high-quality scans of printed photos, especially heritage photographs - you won't have to be concerned about using archival papers and albums when you are using duplicates of those precious photos!

2. ScrapQuickArt™

We have some half-price samples in the store that you can use for your first page. The ScrapQuick.com^TM store works like most other online shopping systems - choose the products you want, use the "add to cart button" and then check out of the store, following the directions on your screen. Your order will be processed immediately and you will receive a link to download your ScrapQuickArt™. The downloads can be obtained with a dial-up connection but will of course be faster with a high-speed connection. There is a tutorial (with screenshots) on using the store HERE.

When you click on the download button/link in the store (after your payment has been processed), your computer will prompt you to "open file" or "save file". Choose "save file" and download to a folder where you can keep all your downloaded and finished ScrapQuickArt^TM pages.

NOTE: Your download will come in a "zip" file. If you do not already have a program that will "unzip" a zipped file, we recommend JustZipIt, which can be obtained absolutely free from download.com. Click on the download button and "save as". After it has downloaded, double click on the file to install it. Once it is JustZip is installed, it is extremely simple to use: just double-click any zipped file you downloaded and it will open (unzip).

You will notice a text file that is included with your download that is titled "Terms of Use." You can also read a copy of it online here. It explains that ScrapQuickArt™ and other downloads from ScrapQuick.com™ are copyrighted and licensed to you for your personal use only, which includes making copies of your finished pages to share with others. No other redistribution of the original or modified files is allowed and the content you download can not be used to create any items for resale or for the promotion of any business. By downloading content from this site, you agree to abide by the complete terms of use file.

3. photo editing software

There are a number of photo editing and scrapbook layout programs on the market that range from low-cost/low-feature versions to professional photo and graphics suites. We want our products to be readily accessible and quick to use without having to invest big bucks in a graphics program so we are hosting a great open-source software called Paint.net. It is comparable in features to impressive, commercial graphics programs but is distributed at no cost to the user. Complete instructions for downloading and installing Paint.net can be found HERE

Click on image to see more of this album.

Coming tomorrow: Part 2 of 3- the Cheater's Guide to Fast and Awesome Mini-Albums

30-Minute Mini-Album Tips!

Maggie's 6x6 Board Book

By Maggie Lamarre, Creative Team Member

Creating a digital album can be very easy or as elaborate as you want it.

• The first thing on creating a mini album it should be no more than 4-7 pages.
• You can follow 1 or two sketches to make it very easy to create an album in less than 30 minutes from start to finish.
  

Next step are you going to print it? put it in an album?
What would be the finish product?

Before I started I knew I wanted to use a 6x6 board book and also incorporate traditional elements.
To create this project you will need:
Autism digital kit from Sotb.com
Flowers crystal by Jenilyn
Stitches Wendy Page Freebie
Photo Corners Trish Jones
Butterflies, swirls Amber clegg doodles Scrapartist.com
Bent Frame Traci Sims Freebie
Overlay, brads Little black dress kit Dragonflairestudios.com
Board book Imaginations
Adhesive 3L corporation
Cardstock Bazill
Word art Tina Chambers
Dpearson word Art
Brads Karen Foster


Let's get started!
In this album I wanted a very simple album of only 4-6 pages,for my daughter.
I created a sketch for the album that was versatile, that I can flip and rotate.
In this first example, The sketch is with a large frame


The next page I cut the large frame into 2 smaller frames and 1 large frame to the right, it's the same sketch just made minor adjustments.


Tips
When rotating the sketches be aware of the elements used places, meaning if you put a ribbon on top and rotate the sketch now the ribbon is not going to match.
Compare each page to make sure they are balanced.

This next page It's the second set of sketch


Page 4 is left blank for my daughter to include her own journaling.




This page I wanted to leave simple with just a minmum of elements not to upstage the pic.



The last page I left blank for more journaling
After printing I added Karen Forester Sequins brads on each side of the pages.


Voila you are done!

We would luv to see what digital mini album you created don't forget to leave a link here!
Have fun, create your ART

Featuring Mini-Albums All Week: Today's Features Free Kit

Editor's Note: I apologize that the newsletter did not go out this week. Thank you for your patience as we switch newsletter providers.

Creating a Hybrid Mini-Book

by Sue Kristoff, Creative Team Member

Mini books and albums are a fun way to celebrate something in your life, are easy to create, and provide instant gratification because they come together so quickly. You can create a mini album out of cardstock, coasters, chipboard or anything else you can pull together. Mini books are generally associated with traditional scrapping. However, there are a ton of ways that you can incorporate digital scrapbooking techniques to create fabulous mini books.

There are two extremes of using digital techniques for creating mini books. On one hand, you can print digital papers and elements and scrap with them as if they were traditional paper products. On the other hand, you can digitally create each page completely, then print out the pages and add them to the mini book. Of course, there is infinite variation between those two extremes.

My example mini-book leans more towards the former.

• This book is made with 4" circular coasters.
  
• The theme of this book is my son's birthdays, and I used one coaster per page.
  
• I printed digital elements from my Stars digital kit, and used them as traditional paper elements, cutting shapes out of the paper for my page backgrounds and decorative elements.
  
• I embellished each page with some traditional elements and handwritten notes.
  
• I left the back of each coaster with just background paper so that I could add more notes and thoughts later.
  
• I also used a large binder ring to hold it all together so I can add additional pages as he grows and has more birthdays.

Related Article: More Ideas for Creating a Digital Kit from Scratch by Sue Kristoff
Supplies:
"Birthday Star" hybrid coaster mini-book
Patterned paper, star embellishment: Stars kit by Sue Kristoff for EDS Blog (Get this free kit here)
Chipboard letters: American Crafts
Rub-on letters: Doodlebug
Pen: Sharpie Poster Paint Marker
Ribbon: May Arts
Chipboard number tags: Lil Davis

We work hard to bring you free tutorials. Please leave Sue feedback, especially for her free kit! Thanks.

Good stuff - We are growing! Notice of changes for newsletter

At some point this weekend, I am switching our newsletter to a new provider as we have outgrown our current provider.

If you receive a notice to confirm your newsletter subscription to the EDS Blog, please confirm! I have to upload our current subscriber database and they will ask each of you to confirm. Also please check your spam folder to make sure it's not ending up there!!!

Thank you so much and we hope to continue to bring you top-notch information!

Want more free card and layout sketches?

Free Templates by Di Hickman
If you can't get enough templates, you need to sign up for Di Hickman's newsletter on her blog. She offers a card and a layout template. If you email her, she would probably send you the template out early before she sends her newsletter to let you submit a layout for her to post along with her sketch.
Check it out!