Design Tips & Tutorial

I've been busy this past week getting all of the Scrapbook Max shapes I've designed organized - and was able to put together 3 new kits!  If you aren't familiar with Scrapbook Max... you should be!  If you like what I do and enjoy what I create... you would FAINT if you knew how easy and fun it is!  Scrapbook Max is a very basic digital scrapbooking design program, primarily used for scrapbooking... but I use it for EVERYTHING!  I use it to create all of my subway art, printables, quotes, blog graphics, thumbnails, handouts, freebies... tags, everything!  So - even though it's a BASIC, EASY program to learn and use - I do believe I'm proof that it can be used for amazing, creative and original projects, moreso than just scrapbooking.  Many people are so surprised that I don't use PhotoShop... I think it's too hard to use and I hated the time it took to learn the simplest functions.  Scrapbook Max isn't complicated - in fact, my kids even use it!

OK. There. My secret is out.  I'm probably not as talented as you thought I was. ;)

If you'd like to give it a whirl... Scrapbook Max even has a 30 day free trial.  

You can get more info about that {here}.  I also love that it's affordable if you do want to buy it.  In fact, it's hundreds less than most of the programs "designers" use.  It's only $39.99 - you just can't beat that.

Visit Scrapbook Max's Website

One thing that has really boosted my creativity was learning to use and apply photo or paper shapes to my projects.  These "shapes" (or masks as they are called in other programs) are like a cookie cutter or like a die cut.  You take a digital piece of paper, apply a shape to "cut" it out - then you can use the shapes in your projects.  I'm addicted to layering... layer, layer, layer.  Everything ALWAYS looks better layered!

A super fun set I just made is perfect for birthdays and parties.  Lots of the shapes in this kit are what I call - build-your-own-image shapes!  You take various pieces, apply papers and like this example, I made my own cupcake!  This set allows me to make party printables or scrapbook pages out of ANY kit I have in my library. This kit also has balloons, cakes, presents, banner flags and more.

I also expanded my instruction page from 2 pages... to 5 and it now includes not only instructions for how to install and use the shapes in Scrapbook Max - but also tips and techniques for using your shapes creatively.

If you are a Facebook Fan... you can get a free PDF download of the instruction packet!

Current fans already have access {HERE}.
To become a fan to gain access, click {HERE}.

If you don't use Scrapbook Max - it's likely you can still use these shapes in whatever program you use. Shapes are saved as PNG's with transparent backgrounds and can be used as masks in any program (even in PhotoShop).  If you'd like one sample shape to see if it works in your program, download one of my samples here to see how it works.

All of the sets shown are available in my Etsy Shop {HERE} and have also

been bundled together in a discount listing {HERE}!

Have fun!!

Don't miss new printables, freebies and discounts!
FOLLOW ME ON FB | FOLLOW ME ON PINTEREST | SUBSCRIBE TO MY NEWSLETTER | TERMS OF USE

I USE SCRAPBOOK MAX TO DESIGN ALL OF MY PRINTABLES.

Click HERE to get a free 30 trial of this fun, easy & awesome software!

WINNERS!

Thanks to all of you who entered the $20 give-a-way this week!  It was so fun to see what everyone's favorites are (ummmm... Scatter Sunshine is the most popular by far) - which I think means you'll really like what I'll be releasing next week!

My big congrats to Amy Bateman (my blog comment winner) and Carina Bennett (my FB comment winner) - you both get to choose $20 of printables from my Etsy Shop!  So, head over to my Etsy Shop and start shopping!  Email me your wish list and I'll reply with your files.

For everyone else, FAVORITES is still an active coupon... use it at checkout to save 25% until tomorrow!

{not valid for personalized or custom listings}

Have a good weekend!

Don't miss new printables, freebies and discounts!
FOLLOW ME ON FB | FOLLOW ME ON PINTEREST | SUBSCRIBE TO MY NEWSLETTER | TERMS OF USE

I USE SCRAPBOOK MAX TO DESIGN ALL OF MY PRINTABLES.

Click HERE to get a free 30 trial of this fun, easy & awesome software!

Wanna Win $20 to My Shop?

Wanna win some printables?!! To enter... visit my shop, then come back and tell me your 2 most favorite printables in a comment.  Two prizes will be given away (one to the entries on the blog, the other to entries on my FB page) - so enter both!  I'll choose winners on Friday! 

Each winner will receive a $20 credit to use in my Etsy Shop! :)

{Don't want to wait? Use FAVORITES at checkout to save 25% until Friday - not valid for personalized or custom orders.}

VISIT MY SHOP HERE

{FREEBIE} NEW Young Women's Subway!

One of THE most common design requests I get is a Subway Art for the Young Women's program of the the LDS Church.  I serve in another organization, so I don't have much time to design things for other auxiliaries .. but I was able to find a couple of quiet hours this afternoon (in between soccer games) to pull it together and love how it turned out!  My daughters aren't in YW yet, but I'm going to hang the purple one in their room anyway to get them thinking about those values! :)

The full collection of images shown above is available in my Etsy Shop {HERE}

(16x20 & 8x10 & 5x7 of the full image + 8x10's of the chevron images + PDF of all 5 versions)

BUT....

If you are a Facebook Fan... you can get a free PDF download of the full subway art image!

Current fans already have access {HERE}.
To become a fan to gain access, click {HERE}.

Enjoy!

Don't miss new printables, freebies and discounts!
FOLLOW ME ON FB | FOLLOW ME ON PINTEREST | SUBSCRIBE TO MY NEWSLETTER | TERMS OF USE

I USE SCRAPBOOK MAX TO DESIGN ALL OF MY PRINTABLES.

Click HERE to get a free 30 trial of this fun, easy & awesome software!

{FREEBIE} PRINTABLE THANK YOU TAGS

By special and perfect request... I've created a fun set of "Thank You" tags!  There are always people in our lives that we need to thank - whether it's a teacher, a friend, a neighbor or someone in your family... it's just nice to have a set of tags ready to go.  Simply print, trim and attach to a plate of cookies, a small gift or whatever you'd like to do to pass along a sincere spirit of thanks to those that help you. 

DOWNLOAD HERE

Enjoy!

Don't miss new printables, freebies and discounts!
FOLLOW ME ON FB | FOLLOW ME ON PINTEREST | SUBSCRIBE TO MY NEWSLETTER | TERMS OF USE

I USE SCRAPBOOK MAX TO DESIGN ALL OF MY PRINTABLES.

Click HERE to get a free 30 trial of this fun, easy & awesome software!

ALL PRINTABLES, IMAGES & FREEBIES ARE FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY AND CANNOT BE SOLD. 
Please click HERE to read my Official Terms of Use Policy.

"BEST SELLERS" SALE!!

One of my BEST sales ever, starts today... but ends tomorrow at midnight!!

Select "BEST SELLER" Printables on sale for as low as $3!

"Scatter Sunshine" - Reg $5 | Sale $3

"Teacher Appreciation Printables" - Reg $5 | Sale $3

"Happy Birthday Subway Art Collection" - Reg $5 | Sale $3

"LDS Baptism Subway Art" - Reg $5 | Sale $3

"Teacher/School Days Subway Art" - Reg $5 | Sale $3

"Annual Menu Planner Collection" - Reg $12.50 | Sale $10

"Annual Subway Art Collection" Reg $45 | Sale $35!!

Click HERE to start shopping!!

PLUS SAVE AN EXTRA $2

Enter BONUS at checkout to save $2 off purchases of $12 or more! 

Don't miss new printables, freebies and discounts!
FOLLOW ME ON FB | FOLLOW ME ON PINTEREST | SUBSCRIBE TO MY NEWSLETTER

I USE SCRAPBOOK MAX TO DESIGN ALL OF MY PRINTABLES.

Click HERE to get a free 30 trial of this fun, easy & awesome software!

GRADUATION SUBWAY ART FREEBIE!

Graduation is just around the corner and if you have a graduate in your life, this freebie Graduation Subway Art will make an inexpensive - but awesome - gift!  To add some school spirit, tie coordinating school colored ribbons around the bottom of your frame. ;)

After doing a Facebook survey a couple of weeks ago, this was the second most requested printable.  And, after another vote... my fabulous fans decided they wanted it as a freebie - so your wish is my command!  Thank you for following me and keeping my Facebook page an active and fun printable community... if you want to hear about my latest freebies or participate in voting for my projects, be sure to follow me!


So... if you are a Facebook Fan, you can get a free PDF download of the subway art image above!

Current fans already have access {HERE}.
To become a fan to gain access, click {HERE}.

For those of you who asked for a little more, I didn't forget about you!

If you'd prefer to have the JPEG image for crisper printing, or for the additional color options... please visit my Etsy Shop to grab this collection {HERE}.  Additional colors or different years and sizes can be requested, just email me for pricing. :)

Some of you requested fully personalized versions - which are also available {HERE}!  

I hope I covered everyone's wish... a freebie, school color options AND a custom version for the most unique gift option.  Thanks for all the comments and feedback, it really helps me prioritize my projects!

Have a good day!

Don't miss new printables, freebies and discounts!
FOLLOW ME ON FB | FOLLOW ME ON PINTEREST | SUBSCRIBE TO MY NEWSLETTER | TERMS OF USE

I USE SCRAPBOOK MAX TO DESIGN ALL OF MY PRINTABLES.

Click HERE to get a free 30 trial of this fun, easy & awesome software!

{TUTORIAL} Using Photo & Paper Shapes in Scrapbook MAX

I am an AVID ScrapbookMAX user - in fact, everything you see on my blog and in my Etsy Shop is created using this fun program!  It's an easy to learn, basic digital scrapbooking program - and is also PERFECT for making printables!! 

One of the keys to my design success has been really digging in and using the features of the program to their fullest potential.  Once I figured out how to use paper and photo shapes, my projects took on new life.  The program comes with some basic shapes... but over time, I've learned how to create my own and have a growing collection that I've decided to share!  This is my first set (many more to come) and I thought pairing it with an easy tutorial on how to use these shapes would be a great way to get started.

To learn more about SBMax (or to try it out for free for 30 days, read this post HERE).

A photo shape (or paper shape) is like using a digital die cutter!  You select any digital paper or photo, apply the photo shape -> and what's left is a darling shape ready to incorporate into your design!  This scalloped set will make gift tags, cupcake toppers, frames, journaling tags, gift tags, treat tags, banners... really just about anything you can think of!

 I created a 2 page PDF tutorial as a free download for you to use as you practice and learn.

DOWNLOAD INSTRUCTIONS HERE

If you'd like to add my Scalloped Tags & Frames to your SBMax library, you can visit my Etsy Shop HERE, the download will also come with your purchase.  The images are all 300 dpi PNG's which will be compatible as masks in other programs as well.

Happy Designing!

Don't miss new printables, freebies and discounts!
FOLLOW ME ON FB | FOLLOW ME ON PINTEREST | SUBSCRIBE TO MY NEWSLETTER

I USE SCRAPBOOK MAX TO DESIGN ALL OF MY PRINTABLES.

Click HERE to get a free 30 trial of this fun, easy & awesome software!