WELCOME TO THE NEW YEAR

Can you believe it? It seems like only months ago that we fretted over whether our computers would switch to the year 2000 without locking up or overheating or losing all our data, etc. Now it is five years later and we are all still here and on those same computers…well, some of our hubbies have upgraded us, and added more RAM, hard drive and XP and that sort of thing…

I didn't make any new years resolutions although I know which ones I should make. They would involve dusting, cleaning, tidying up, tossing stuff out, and possibly calling “Clean Sweep” but I think that I will wait a bit longer just in case I need some of those treasures that I would be called upon to toss out. It's all approaching being technically ephemera which is a highly valued scrapbooking accessory!

I have to confess that some of the mystery of Christmas was lost since I succumbed to temptation and gave hubby his camera and daughter her present a bit early…like perhaps November . Not that it mattered because it is always a joyous time of year just to be together! I could not stand the thought of that wonderful new digital camera being hidden away while he got the most he could from his 30 year old SLR or his tiny pocket sized digital.

If you are a member of the HugClub or have been checking out the new Creatables on the site from time to time, you will understand my dilemma of just what to share with you this month as we start off the new year. There is just so much good stuff!! Also, I want to share some different software packages with you during the coming year.

The best thing to do seems to be to jump in and let the Creatables inspire me so here we go! I want to show you how the art that you chose sets the tone for the page .

Project 1: A Little Girl's Prayer

*Thank you to my good buddy Sharon for loaning me some wonderful photos of her grandkids. This page was created with only the photo and what was available for use in Digital Image Pro (DIP).

1. Create a new page and fill with blue color. Use the Cave effect and choose the flower pattern.
2. Add oval photo and then shadow it pulling the shadow to the side for this effect.
3. Add journaling or poem.

Project 2: Scrapbook Seasons Creatable

Using the Scrapbook Seasons Creatable (We don't have snow in Coronado but I know a lot of you have wonderful snow photos for which this background will be perfect !)

1. Open the new page using the background from Scrapbook Seasons.
2. Using hue and saturation remove most of the color from photo.
3. Add photo to background.
4. Add rectangle and fill with matching blue color.
5. Insert blue over photo and use transparency feature to lighten.

Project 3: Snow Princess

1. Using the same background and a cut out of the same photo do a different page.
2. Add snowflakes to the edges to decorate the plain page.
3. Using the cutout feature in DIP, cut left side of page out and past on top of itself so that paper can be stuck underneath with poem showing.
   

Project 4: Family Heirlooms Creatable

1. I took the photo into Adobe Photoshop CS and used the pencil sketch effect.
2. I added the photo to the frame from Family Heirlooms and added to a solid color background with the color selected by the color picker.

Project 5: Gentle Moments Creatable

1. Using the Same photo changed in Adobe CS, I used a template from Gentle Moments.
2. I used the magic wand to remove the white in the photo frame and slid the photo underneath to create an instant page.

These are some very simple pages to show you how your choice of background can be used to set the mood for your page.

I have a brand new version of Adobe Photoshop CS and I look forward to sharing some fun things to do with it as we create pages in the coming year.

Your assignments if you should decide to accept them:

1. Enjoy your family and find creative ways to share with them.
2. Resolve to take more photos of everyday moments.
3. Start a prayer journal for those you love.
4. Experiment with some new software programs.
5. Hug someone!
6. Meet me back here next month!