Lesson 21: Digital Titles--Ideas & Suggestions

Ok, so it's been requested that I do a post about different, fun ways of doing titles. I admit, this is one of my absolute favorite parts of making a page. I also feel a lot of pressure about it! I know that the title can really just "make the page" and if you don't do it right, it won't look as good. So, for this post I'm going to go over some of the titles I've done in past pages, and talk about how I did them. But first a few tips:

FONT, FONT, FONT

This is the #1 thing you need to be aware of. There are so many fonts out there, and just keeping track of them can be a real chore. Fonts are usually free and easy to download. Go font shopping and get lots of fun ones for your computer. As you are looking at fonts, here are some elements to consider:

•    Is it a TITLE font, or a JOURNALING font? Some fonts are too obnoxious to do all your writing in. I wish so much that my 7th graders realized this when they do their power points! They turn in whole pages written in this obnoxious font in garish colors that are hard to read! But I'm sure none of you would do that! Anyway, when you download a font, keep in mind which of these categories it belongs in.
• Will I use it? There are SO many fonts out there, and you can't download them all. Before you choose to download a font, ask yourself this question honestly--can you picture a situation in which this font would be perfect?
• Is it blocky or thin? "Blocky" fonts are AWESOME in digital scrapbooking because you can use actions on them and mess with them a little bit more than thin fonts. So don't leave the blocky ones out--there is so much you can do with them!
• How do I install it? There are plenty of websites that tell you how to do this. But here's the short version for a PC--most fonts are in a .zip file when you download them. So unzip them, and it will now be in a .ttf file. Then just move it into your Fonts file, which is on your hard drive, Windows, Fonts. That's it. If the file is NOT zipped but is already a .ttf file, just move it into the fonts folder.

OK, now we've got that out of the way, let's talk about some fun ways to do titles!

Using Layer Styles

This is the quickest and easiest way to change your title font. I use it a lot--but definitely not every time. If I did, all my titles would look too similar. Still, there are some fun options in here that can help. These were all discussed in  Lesson 6: Layer Styles. Add a shadow, a bevel, a gradient, etc. Putting different styles together can give you different looks.


Note that in order to have a gradient AND a pattern overlay at the same time, you have to change the blending mode to "multiply" on the gradient. So, when you click on the Gradient box, click on the actual WORDS gradient, and then you'll see a pull down menu on the right that says "Blending Mode." Pull that down, and change it to Multiply.

In this example, I did a very simple title in white--I just added a bevel and a shadow. That's it! I think it turned out quite nice--but I wouldn't want to do ALL my titles this way, even though it is the quickest way to enhance a title.
Copy & Paste with Paper

By now if you've been reading a lot of this blog, you've learned that I use my "cut and paste" trick a lot. Well, titles are no different. Use your paper for your title. Pull in the paper you want. Type in your title in the desired font. Then CTRL+Click on your font layer (on the large T section). Then click on the paper layer. Do copy and paste. You now have your words "punched" out of the paper on a new layer. I usually add a shadow, stroke, action, or something to make it pop a little bit more. I use this technique all the time--it's very simple and very effective.


Try Different Sizes & Fonts

Another way to change up your title is to mess with different sizes. A lot of times, my title will be three separate layers, each with a different size or style on it. For this one on the right, I had two layers. I used papers to do the "Helping" and "The Bear" (my Dad's nickname) was just a regular font. It can make your page so much more interesting if you vary the font and sizes. I must admit, though, that I don't do this all that often. I've seen some amazing examples on other blogs, but I'm afraid I am not the best at this!

Use Kit Alphas

This is kind of an obvious one, but I have to include it. A lot of kits come with their own alpha. Unfortunately, a lot of designers no longer include the alpha, or they charge extra for it as an "add-on." As I've gotten better at using ations and creating in Photoshop, I look at the alphas carefully before purchasing. A lof of them are quite simple, and I could make them myself. Still, it can make a quick and cute title to use the alphas that come with the kit. Atomic Cupcake has some of the best Alphas. When creating my ABC Book, I only created the letters myself on a few of the letters. Most of them are Alphas from kits, and most of them are from Atomic Cupcake.

Find the Perfect Font

A lot of font website have "copy" fonts from movies, etc. Obviously they won't have everything, but a lot of times you can find some great fonts that way. When I went to Disneyland, I was surprised at how little there was out there in the way of kits for scrapbooking it--though really, with how tight-fisted Disney is with copyright, it shouldn't be a surprise. I did a lot of Google searches on Disney fonts and found several really cute ones. This particular font is called "started by a mouse."

Here's another example. My husband and I went to Tucson one year so we could see the symphony there perform the music for The Lord of the Rings. (My husband is a die-hard fan. Has all the swords and everything.) I made this page without a kit. I found a map of Tucson, and one of Middle Earth. I then found a font online called "aniron" which is an AWESOME Lord of the Rings font. There's another one called "Ringbearer" that's the exact movie font, but I liked this one better. Anyway, I thought it added a really nice touch to choose that font from the movie.

Use Media from Events

If you go to an event, make sure you pick up any maps, programs, etc, that you can. This can be AWESOME for when you scrapbook it. Yes, I know this is NOT an original idea--but keep it in mind when you go somewhere! Here's how I've used it:

This was from the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival a few years ago. The title, I actually did myself, using an AWESOME action from Atomic Cupcake called Rough Lithograph. It looks a lot like the original title. But the artwork--isn't that gorgeous! When I saw that from the program, I knew I had to use it. So that artwork and all the swirlies and even the writing at the bottom, "Recognize the Stories in you Life!" is straight from the program. Basically, I scanned in the whole cover of the program, used the Clone tool to get rid of

any writing I didn't want. Then I added my title and everything else. So, the whole yellow background is actually straight from the program cover, though the ribbon along the top and bottom and the blue ribbon down the side came from a GORGEOUS kit by Krista called Sundance.

Also with media, use logos. You can find a lot of logos online. For this page, I wanted to title it "this Old House" when writing about a 100-year-old house that we visit as a family. It was an easy thing to find a logo from the TV show, and then just use my cut &paste trick to "punch" the logo out of the paper that I wanted.

Use an Action -- Or Lots of Actions!

Ok, back to my Action obesession. Serioulsy, I don't think there's scarcely a page I do that I don't use an action! I love them! I have so many examples of this, I don't know where to start!

For this page, I used two actions from Atomic Cupcake--the Epoxy action and the small silver action. I've explained this process on how to do borders, but I also do it on text.  I first typed in my text, then I did CTRL+Click on the typing and created a new layer. Then I went to Edit, Stroke. I created a small stroke--probably about size 8 or so. Now I have two layers--one with the text, and one with the border of the text. I just ran an epoxy action on the words, and the small silver action on the border. Then I place them on top of each other, highlight both layers, and did CTRL+E to combine them into one layer.

This next example, I used another action called Stencil. I'm pretty sure I had never really used this action until I did this page--I'd had it for a long time, but never needed it. I thought it turned out PERFECT for this page! I wanted it to have a "jail" theme, since my two naughty cats were always getting into trouble. So first, I create a black box, and then did the "Old Painted Metal" action on it from Atomic Cupcake. Another of my favorites that I use A LOT. Then I just added the stencil action to my white text. I love how it made it look like it had been spray painted on! I also used a "heavy ink" action for the journaling square, and then I used the "Old Painted Metal" action on the borders for each picture. Yes, I think it's clear I'm obsessed with Atomic Cupcake's actions!

This last example--yes, it IS an action. A really cute one from Atomic called "Wooden toy". I used it a lot in my daughter's first year book--I thought it was just perfect for a little kid's book! Now, if you've read my tutorial on Actions, you'll know this is a specific kind of action where you create a black and white image, then run the action. Everyting in white becomes wood, and everything in black becomes the color you selected in your color picker before running the action. I created a whole alpha set just for her book, and used it on the cover and in several places throughout the book.

These are just three out of about a million examples. Like I said--this is the option I use the most.

Use Your Pictures!

 

You can find some pretty creative ways to incorporate your pictures into your pages. And it's a great way to squeeze in more photos! You know me. It's all about squeezing in more photos. I must admit, though, that this is largely unexplored for me--I need to find more ways of doing this!

This example to the left was a little out of character for me. I planned it, though, right there at the par, which is why Trevor and I took our picture in front of the "R" at Disney California. I like the idea, but I admit, I never did quite love the way it turned out. Still, I like the idea that I used a picture in my title.

The other day I ran across this AMAZING page by Stefanie at Stefstyle. It blew me away. I really, really need to make a page like this one! And let me just do a plug by the way--I'm totally in awe of Stefanie's stuff--I can't even begin to compete with it! She doesn't use any kits--just pure brilliance. I love it!

Lesson 14: Picture Borders

So, as you look at my scrapbook pages on the left, you may note that I rarely have a picture without some sort of border. I'm kind of obsessed with borders. Most people seem to be happy with just putting a shadow around a picture and calling it good. But I hardly ever do that. I like to fancy it up, and I have lots of ways of doing that. So I thought I'd do a post today about several ways I do that.


Add a Stroke
First of all, there's the super simple but not as cool way--and that's the way I've already showed you in lesson 6. (demonstrated in full on the video) Adding a stroke is simple and fast, and a lot of times I do it this way for that very reason. My other methods may look cool, but it can time consuming, so I don't always bother. Here's an example of a picture with a stroke border.

1. Double click on the blank area of the layer you want to change--in your layer menu.
2. In the Layer Style menu, check the "stroke" box.
3. Click on the WORD stroke, to get more options.4. Change the color of the stroke by clicking on the black box--remember, if you want to match a color in the picture, as I did here, just click on the color you want on your picture when the color picker is open.
5. Change the width of the stroke, and choose Inside, Outside, or Center. (This one is inside--that's why the corners are so sharp.)

6. Press ok. Remember, you can right click on the layer afterwards and choose "Copy Layer Style" then just click on the layer of any other photos you want the same border on, and right click and choose "Copy Layer Style."
7. I usually add a shadow as well as a stroke to most pictures. It also looks nice if you use a bevel.
Creating a Stroke on a Separate Layer

I learned this little trick in one of the .txt files that came with an action I bought from Atomic Cupcake. I think it was on the small silver action--another one, by the way, that it TOTALLY worth buying. Anyway, I've used this technique like crazy ever since. This can be used to create a stroke, like above, but when you make it on a separate layer, your shadow will go on the inside and the outside and it looks much better. We'll use this technique on the next two types of borders I show you. So learn it!


1. The first step is imperative--and I've shown it before on one of my previous videos. You need to hold down the CTRL key, and then click on the layer you want to border. Now, that's enough in Photoshop 7, but in the later versions, you need to make sure you click on the PICTURE section of the layer, not on the empty area, or it won't work. You know it worked if you can see the "dancing ants" marching around your picture in Photoshop. What you've done is not only select your layer, but selected the SHAPE of your layer.

2. Next you are going to go to Layer, New, Layer. Or you can click on this symbol on the lower right hand corner of your layer menu. Now, it's important you understand what you just did--you just created a new layer in the shape of those marching ants.

3. Now, go to edit, stroke. Choose the color of your stroke. Then if you want it inside, outside, or center. Choose a thickness--try about 30 px. Then press enter.

4. Now, your stroke looks exactly the same as if you had done it the easy way. But remember--it's a different layer than your picture. So double click on the stroke layer you just created and go to your Layer Styles menu. Choose a bevel and a shadow. NOW you should be able to see the difference. Sometimes I'll even go to Pattern Overlay (as discussed in Lesson 6). That's how i got the border to have a bit of a texture to it.
5. Keep in mind, though, that if you want to move the picture, the border won't come with it. So find the layers, highlight them both (hold down the CTRL key and click on one, then the other) and then link them. If you want them to be PERMANENTLY stuck together, press CTRL E. The only way to undo that is to go back in your history.

Using Paper on your Separate Layer

Ok, for this one, we're going to do the same thing we just did above, only we're going to add a step. What if you want the border to be made of the paper you are using in a kit? No problem. All you really need is copy and paste. Remember the shorcuts if you don't know them -- CTRL C is copy, CTRL V is paste.

1. So, do all the steps from above, only don't go into the Layer Styles. Just create a border on a separate layer. Color doesn't matter.
2. Now, open up from your kit the paper you would like to use.
3. CTRL click on the PICTURE part of your border layer, and press CTRL C. Or, Copy.
4. Now, go to your paper, and press CTRL V, or paste.
5. Repeat the step where you CTRL click on the PICTURE again, getting those dancing ants. Now on your layer pallette, click on the Background layer, which is the paper you chose. Press CTRL C.

6. Go back to your original picture and press CTRL V. You now have a border that is "cut" from that paper.
7. NOW go into your Layer Style menu (by double clicking on the new layer) and add a shadow or whatever else you want.
8. Keep in mind that your original stroke is still there--you may want to delete it, or at least HIDE it by clicking on the eye icon next to it. That makes it "invisible" but you can always make it visible again by clicking on the empty box where the eye is supposed to be.
9. This process takes only seconds--it may sound confusing, but watch the video and you'll pick it up quick. It's MUCH harder to explain than to do!

Using an Action on a Separate Border Layer

This last one I use a lot--adding an action to a border. Now, hopefully you've already read Lesson 10, which talks about actions. I will demonstrate in the video how to add an action, and I'll use the Sparkle action by Atomic Cupcake.


1. Create a separate stroke layer, just like we learned above.
2. CTRL Click on the stroke layer, so it has dancing ants all around it.
3. Choose your action, and run it.
4. Remember, depending on the action, it may require you to choose the color you want your layer to be in the color picker in your toolbar BEFORE you run it.
5. Pull the finished border back into your document, and place it on top of your picture. You may want to delete the original stroke you made.




**NOTE - I have had a little confusion on using this feature on SHAPES. If you are going to add a border like this to a shape, you have to RASTERIZE it first. So, draw your shape, right click on the shape in your layer panel, and choose "rasterize." Then you can CTRL+click and get the marching ants, and create your new layer.
Ok, now for a video!

Adding_Borders

Lesson 10: Using Actions

UPDATE: The Atomic Cupcake website, where I get most of my actions, has closed. However, I did find that you can get about 70% of them for free at the following link: FREE ATOMIC CUPCAKE ACTIONS. This is not a link that I have created, but just stumbled across. You MAY have to create a login to get them, but it's worth it. I have downloaded it just fine, and the file includes 109 actions! Unbelievable!

Actions are one of my favorite features in digital scrapbooking. I am very excited to tell you all about them. My favorite site is Atomic Cupcake, which is now closed. But, as I mentioned in the update above, you can download many of their actions for free. There are also many other sites that do actions--there are A LOT of photography actions. I like Atomic Cupcake because her actions are specifically for digital scrapbooking. You can actually create your own elements using them.

What is an action?

Actions are like a macro, if you ever use Microsoft Word. It's basically a set of instructions that are recorded and saved. So you just pull up the action, press play, and wait. You will see Photoshop going through a whole bunch of steps on its own--sometimes it can take quite a while--and then suddenly, your work has all these awesome changes to it.

How do I install an action?

For me, I created a specific folder where I put all the actions that I download. I have a Digital Scrapbooking file, with subfolders like "kits", "templates", "patterns", and "brushes." I also have an actions folder. Once you direct Photoshop to this folder for an action, it will always go there automatically unless you redirect it somewhere else.

So, in order to download it, you may need to unzip the file so that it is an .atn file. Then just place it in a specific place where you need to find it. That's it. We'll go over how to get it from there in a minute.

Where do I get them?

First and foremost, the mother of them all--atomic cupcake. Bless this site. It's changed my world. I have purchased almost every action from this site. As mentioned above, it is now closed. I totally cried. Please go to the link at the top of this post to download 109 actions of hers for free! You will need them in order to do this tutorial.

Another site I go to is Panos FX. (this link will take you right to their free actions) They have some freebies and some for purchase. I have used several and they are really great. They can make some really fun page layouts, though their focus is more on photography than digital scrapbooking itself.

A third place I've gotten actions is thePioneerWoman.com. She's got two great actions for making your photos look FABULOUS.

You can also just do a Google search for actions. My sister is heavily into photography and has purchased some actions from well known photographers. These actions can cost over $40, but I was amazed to see what they could do with a single photo.

How Do I Run an Action?

Below are videos that will show you this entire process, but here are the directions in writing.
In Photoshop, make sure you have the layer you would like to add an action to selected. If it is a shape, you will probably want to rasterize it first. (Just right click on the layer and chose Rasterize). You do not have to rasterize your text, but if you text has a gradient on it or something, its a good idea to rasterize it first.

1. Pull up photoshop and create a new page. Draw a shape and rasterize it.
2. Go to Window and click on Actions to open up your actions toolbar. Mine is usually tabbed with my history bar.
3. On the right of the actions bar, click on the pull down menu button.
4. Select Load Actions, and find where you have saved the action you have.
5. Place your cursor on the second line of the action, where there's a play button. (you may have to pull it down)
6. Press play on the bottom of the action menu and wait!
7. It's also a good idea (and sometimes necessary) to highlight your layer. Do this by holding down the CTRL button, then click on the picture part of the layer. You'll now see dancing ants all around the layer on your page.
8. Depending on the action you are using, you may also need to select the desired color you want in your color picker before starting the action.

Ok--written, it's hard to follow, I know. So I'm doing a video for each of the four types of actions you get from Atomic Cupcake. These are also ones I've personally used a lot, and are all available in the free download.

1. Gold - a total must have! This action doesn't require you to choose a color--whatever you have selected will be turned to gold!
Gold_Action_-_Atomic_Cupcake (click to view)
2. Gemstone- This is an awesome one! Make sure you select the color you want it to be in the color picker before you begin.
Gemstone_Action_-_Atomic_Cupcake (click to view)

3. Torn Paper - The first one I ever bought from this site! I suggest it's your first, too! This is one designed for papers rather than for shapes or text--though it CAN be used that way. There are several others for paper like inked or chalked edges that are really great.
Torn_Action_-_Atomic_Cupcake (click to view)

4. Cast Pewter - There are several actions like this one, that require a black and white image.
Cast_Pewter_Action_-_Atomic_Cupcake (click to view)
Well, that's all for actions. Don't forget to also check the Panos actions and Pioneer Woman actions if you find these are interesting. I use them all!

Can I Make My Own Actions?

Yes you can! I am certainly not capable of making ones like Atomic Cupcake, but the other day I made one because I had a bunch of files that I needed to copy a layer, fill it black, take an outline of the black layer, and then delete the original. So, I opened my Actions panel, clicked "record," named my action, and then just did the steps, pressing the stop button when I was done. Then I could just repeat that action for all the other files. It can be done quite easily!