The first thing you will recognize about combining the two art forms is how much easier adding text/word art becomes.  Start your page layout traditionally, choosing your photos, colors, etc.  Write your text down so you know approximately how much space you will need on your layout for tags, titles, etc.  Now using these simple steps as a guide, you will soon be on your way to creating a traditional/digital layout.

 

1.  Print the papers of your choice for backgrounds.  Add a few extra pages that coordinate for mats, frames, tags, etc.

2.  Piece your layout together traditionally, using the lumpy embellishments you love.

3.  Scan your layout and save it.  12x12 layouts will require stitching software.

4.  Open your layout and begin adding text for titles, tags, dates, etc.

5.  Print your layout on high quality photo paper.  12x12 layouts will require a wide format printer, or can be printed at your local copy center by saving as a PDF on a CD.  See our tutorial on printing layouts for more information.

Another variation of my technique is to print your journaling on whole pieces of our paper, print them, and then tear the papers, etc. Our Simply Stated CD has oodles of sentiment tags and sentiments for you to choose from if you're stumped with what to say or want a decorative tag/mat. You can then print our papers, add photos, journaling mat, and lumpy embellishments.  This won't require scanning or stitching software.  For those of you with standard sized printers who want to make 12x12 traditional layouts, just print the 8.5x11 papers and piece them together in creative ways with stitching or brads/eyelets, etc.  Our 12x12 papers can be easily cropped into 8.5x11 using your image editor's crop tool and by setting the crop size in the tool options. 

 

Once you have mastered the text portion of combining traditional/digital, you will gradually begin to add some of the digital embellishments that coordinate with your traditional embellishments.  The nice part is, if you don't like what you have added digitally or the layout begins to get too busy, simply click Undo and the digital embellishment disappears (or click the EYE image on the layer palette to see what it looks like without it before deleting it.  Unlike trying to remove a traditional embellishment once it has been glued into place, digital deletions are a breeze!

 

One of the reasons I love traditional scrapping is that you can bend, tear, fold, etc. your papers in your layout.  So printing digital papers is a great alternative.  I have created a layout as a sample to give you inspiration in starting your new endeavor.  Have fun creating your own masterpieces!  And, by all means, do not limit your masterpieces to scrapbooking.  You will soon begin to see how many others ways there are to design items such as cards, invites, etc. using these same techniques.

Check out my gallery under Simply Digital Design Team Galleries: BethE, to see how I have progressed from strictly traditional layouts to gradually adding more and more digital elements/techniques.  In my recent Cherished Memories layout, I learned how to add the heart wire charms to the baby's photo in Paint Shop Pro and delete a portion of the charms to make them look like wings.  What a thrill for me!

 

 Written by Beth Ervin, Design Team Member of CottageArts.net