In this Issue

From Misty Quick Pages: Not Just for Beginners 2

Hi everyone! It’s finally here - Around the DigiWorld 5
the new Inspired to Scrap in Featured Layout 8
an improved monthly Ezine Photoshop: Intro to Layer Masks 10
format. TheScrapHabit Sketch Challenge 16
ScrapHappenings 17
I wanted to take a Just for You 17
moment to give a big thank Trendwatch: Freetylin’ 19
you to my creative team
who have been hard at
work developing wonderful
pages that have been an
inspiration to me to get
going on my own album.
I’ve included much of
their work in this issue in the
hopes that you will be
inspired by them too. That
is really what, Inspired to
Scrap is all about -
keeping you stocked with
ideas, resources, tools and
inspiration to spur on ideas
for you to use in your own
scrapping. ap-
ty Cato, Scr
ro du ct s - B lu e Skies by Mis
ine, P tware - PSE
Alice by Gisla
I hope you enjoy this book-Byt es , F on t - L ittle Days, Sof
month’s issue. If you
have questions or
comments, I’d love to
hear from you. Drop
me a note at Cover Credits
mcato@scrapbook-elements.com
Layouts Artists: Megan(meganmecrazy), Newtty, Claudia
(mnm_y2), Joy Tanjuakio, and Misty Cato
Misty Cato, Designer
Background Papers and Fiber from Old Copper Penny
Scrapbook-Elements Combo Pack by Misty Cato, Scrapbook-Bytes
Scrapbook-Bytes Flowers from Blended Collection, Misty Cato, coming to
Scrapbook-Elements September 24th

1
QUICK PAGES
Not Just for
Beginners
What do all of the layouts on the cover
have in common? They were all created
using quick pages. Quick pages are pre-
made layouts. Sometimes you’ll see them referred to as
Page Bytes or Jiffy Scraps or a host of other names.. Quick
Pages have been around for awhile, but recently designers
have been showcasing a multitude of creative, unique
approaches to quick pages. No matter what your taste or
mecrazy),
mmy by M egan (megan k-Bytes, style, there are quick pages available to suit your album.
Clau dia and Mo by Misty C
ato, Scrapb
oo
r Flowers
oduct - Pape e - PSCS2
Quick pages are perfect for scrapping on a timeline.
Pr
he, Softwar
Font - Apac
They are ideal for creating gift albums (time to start thinking about
Christmas). You can also add variety to you own albums by using quick pages created in a style
different from your own.

Scrappers that enjoy the creative process of designing a page from scratch may find quick pages
limiting. However, there are many creative ways to add your own creative flair to quick pages.
It may help to think of the quick page as the starting ‘canvas’ for your page, much like a back-
ground paper. Here are some ideas for putting your own personal touch to quick pages.

Orientation - Unless the page comes with preprinted text or illustrations, you don’t have to
keep the page in the orientation in which you received it. Rotate or flip it to fit the orientation of
your photos and design goals.

Add an opening - If you have more photos than the original

calls for, you can still add more. You can either add your
photos on top of the page or use your marque tool to select
the area where you want an opening, hit delete, then slide
your photo under your new opening.

Creative use of photo spaces -

Just because the pages has an
opening or says “place photo here”
doesn’t mean you have to do it.
Consider adding journaling,
elements or memorabilia instead.

{Explore} Birch Bay by Misty Cato, Product - Island Nights Quick Pages
by Misty Cato, Scrapbook-Bytes, Fonts - Stencil, Software - PSCS2

2
Continued from previous page.

Journaling and text - You words will always make a

page personal and there a many ways to add them. Con-
sider unconventional approaches such as adding you text
around the edges of the page or photo or on the photo
itself. You can also add journaling strips or mats such as
Joy Tanjuakio has done in 3 Generations, shown right.
Also check out the dramatic effect she has created with
the triangular shape of her journaling in Oreo Disaster
layout shown below.

Make it Yours - Add elements to make your page unique-

ly yours. Consider flowers, a signature doodle, monogram
element, defination, anything really. Consider purchasing
the kit from which the quick page(s) were made so you
have a matching set of elements to spruce up your pages.

The great thing about quick pages is you can do all of 3 Generations by Joy
the above or none of them. You can always just add your Tanjuakio, Product-
Inspire Combo Pack
photo(s) and be done - it is all up to you. by Misty Cato,
Scrapbook-Elements,
Most digital scrapbook stores will have a section for quick Font - Carpenter
page type products. Here are my recommendations for
places to look for quick pages. I’ve tried to pick a variety
of styles - but if you don’t see what you are looking for,
check around your favorite site. There is a large variety
on the market.

Misty Cato Designs at Scrapbook-Bytes and Scrapbook-

Elements - I make quick pages with most of my kits. The
combo packs are quick pages/page kit bundles with
added savings.

One Hour Scrap - This site is devoted to Quick Pages.

Search by theme, color, number of photos or product type.

Denise Doherty, Scrapbook-Elements - Denise creates

some of the most beautiful Quick Pages I’ve come across,
They make for very classy, elegant pages.

Tamara Dantes, ScrapOutsidetheBox -

Tamara has a good variety of eye-
catching pages, many of which will
work for masculine layouts.

Jeanine Baechtold, Scrapdish - Jeanine Oreo Disaster by Joy Tanjuakio, Product - Island
has three adorable 4x6 mini-album sets Nights Combo Pack by Misty Cato, Scrapbook-
Bytes, Fonts - Steelfish, Times New Roman
that are perfect for gift giving.

3
4
Out and About in the DigiWorld
Eight places to go and things to do
There is an abundance of fabulous digital scrapping websites and stimulating activties going on in the
digiworld. Here are my picks of places to go and things to do to keep your creative juices flowing and
meet with fellow scrappers.

1 DigiShopTalk: Aptly named, 2 DigiPick of the Day: Everyday

DigiShopTalk (DST) is the busiest, social Melissa shares her digital kit and layout pick
digital community around. Think of your time with readers.
here as a virtual gabfest with your girlfriends.
The forums are always a buzz. You can find
What to do: Check out the daily pick, read
the Friday designer interview, email Melissa
out all the latest happenings and waste hours
with your layout nomination for Reader Pick.
goofing around the forums and admiring all the
layouts in the gallery.
What to do: Definitely visit the forums;
freebie-hunters can feast in the Freebie forum
and shoppers can go broke browsing the De-
signer Announcements; check out the calender
for one of the most comprehensive lists of crops,
activities and sales; stop in at the Digital
Directory for a huge list of digital scrapping
sites and resources.

3 ScrapArtist: ScrapArtist is dedicated to

digital scrapbooking as an artform and helping site
visitors grow as artists.
What to do: visit the challenges in the forums
to stretch your creativity; I especially recommend the
weekly Out of the Box challenge; visit the shop for DigiPick of the Day for 8/25/06; Redfish by Bugshine,
Product - Split Pea by Ronna Farrer, Three Sixty by Kelly
some truly inspirational designs. Mize, Font - Misproject

4 RAKScraps: As advertised RAKScraps is non-stop fun and freebies. Here you’ll inter-
act with a variety of scrappers from those just starting out to vetern scrappers and designers.
What to do: Download the free Monthy MegaKit (available in pieces throughout the
month), really there is too much to mention - just check out the weekly announcements thread to
find out everything.

5

Nominated for Most Creative Use of an Effect on a Photo
In My Daughter’s Eyes by Megan (meganmecrazy), Prod-
uct- Old Copper Penny by Misty Cato, Fonts - Mr. Wade,
Software - PSCS2
5 OneSourceScrapAds
Scrapper’s Choice: Every month One-
SourceScrapAds takes reader nominations
and votes for best picks in a variety of topics.
August topics include Favorite All About Me
Layout, and Most Creative Use of an Effect on a
Photo.
What to do: Make a nomination or cast
your vote.

6 TheScrapHabit: 7 Treasures to Scrap: I’ve

Celebrate your habit with recently been introducted to this de-
fellow addicts at The- lightful community where digital and
ScrapHabit (TSH). TSH paper scrappers share side-by-side in
is a great open community the forums and galleries.
where links to layouts, What to do: Introduce yourself in
products and resources are the gallery (when you register they start
welcome, gallery layouts a thread just for you), share a layout in
usually get comments the gallery, enter to be a guest digital
and challenge prizes come design team member (information on
from designers all over the how to enter can be found in the forums)
‘net.
What to do: Take
part in my sketch chal- 8 Digital Scrapbook Previews:
lenge, MamaDuck’s Quote Digitals Scrapbook Previews (DSP) is a shoppers
Challenge or any of the paradise. Designers from all over the ‘net show
other challenges; get your off their wares here.
fix of the layered template What to do: This is first place I go if I am
craze by downloading looking for a specific themed kit. Type your need
Alma’s daily Quick Fix into the search field and let DSP do the shopping
Template; do some shop- for you. Of course, if you are a window shopper
ping in the kit gallery; - you can just page through the gallery admiring
stop by and say hi to Alma all the beautiful graphics. There is so much
in the forums talent out there.

6
7
Featured Layout
Pray for Peace by moischka0595

Pray for Peacy by moischka0595, Products - Green paper by Christina Bartholomew. Sandpaper mat, mine. Map paper (used as an overlay) and white dotted border by
Stacy Kluczny. Clock parts by Katie Pertiet.Word art, journaling paper and all stitches by Gina Miller. Negative strip by Gina Cabrera. Paper clip, staple and star brad
by Shabby Princess. Heart button and heart fabric piece (recolored) by Michelle Coleman. Drop shadows by Traci Murphy. Inked edges by Atomic Cupcake. Fonts
- Rage Italic, Monika, Typewriter

When I came across this two page spread by moischka0595 at Scrapbook-Bytes, I knew im-
mediately that I had to feature it here. The photos tell a poignant story of family, commitment
and country. The layout is about one family but the photo of the lined up duffelbags reminds us
that this story can be retold in thousands of homes across the country. Black and white was the
perfect choice for the photos. It gives the photos a timeless quality and also prevents the pages
from looking too busy. The element are subtle but go a long way toward adding to the feel of the
pages. The olive green background is reminscent of army fatigues, messy stitching and inked
edges evoke a sense of the hard reality of war while the tarnish metal heart reminds us that
behind every soldier is a story of love and family. The typed ‘goodbye’ on the on last photo of the
children clinging to their dad just tears at my heart. When a layout can evoke that kind of emo-
tion - it has become a work of art. Yes, moischka, I will “Pray for Peace”. Thanks for the
reminder of the human stories behind military service.

QUOTES TO SCRAP BY

Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear.
~Ambrose Redmoon

Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.
~Winston Churchill

Sometimes the biggest act of courage is a small one. ~Lauren Raffo

8
ad

9
Photoshop Technique
Introduction to Layer Masks
I love collage and montage style layouts. The key to creating successful montage-style pages is being willing
to experiment with layer masks and blending modes. A layer mask allows you to hide portions of a photo or
background without actually erasing it. In this tutorial we will be using layer masks to blend a photo into the
background paper.

Open your background paper in

Photoshop.

Open your photo and drag it onto the

background paper. Place the photo
where you want it to appear in your
layout.

Make sure the photo layer is your

active layer and click on the layer mask
icon in the layers palette. This is a gray
square button with a white circle at the
bottom of the layers palette.

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Set your foreground color to white and
your background color to black. Select
your eraser tool and choose a large,
soft round brush. For a photo as large
as mine, I am going to start with an 800
pixel soft eraser. Although the default
brushes don’t come this large you can
adjust the master diameter slider to
increase the size of any brush. Doing so
will descrease the resolution of the brush,
but in this case it doesn’t matter.

Drag your eraser around your photo to

eliminate everything except the part of
the image you want visible. You really
aren’t erasing the photo. You are just
hiding it. If you want to get a portion
back, switch your foreground color to
black and your image will ‘reappear’ as
you use the eraser. Remember:

White hides your active layer

Black reveals your active layer

Continue this process until you get the

effect you like. In this case I have only
left the image of my son, but you may
want to leave more of you background
showing. This is a place for
experimentation.

11
Open a second background paper.
When trying this for the first time choose
a background that is solid or softly
patterned.

Drag your second paper onto your can-

vas and make sure it is your top layer.

With your top paper layer active, click

on the layer mask icon in the layers
palette.

Make sure you foreground is set to white

and your background to black. Select
your eraser tool from the tools palette
and choose the Pastel Medium Tip
brush. This brush can be found among
the Dry Media Brushes that come with
Photoshop. Increase the Master
Diameter to 2500 pixels.

12
In the options palette at the top of your
workspace, lower the opacity slider to
around 30%

Use your eraser as a ‘stamp’ by clicking

on your canvas. Continue ‘stamping’
with your eraser over your entire canvas.
You will notice the photo and bottom
background paper will begin to show
through.

With your eraser tool still active, choose

a large soft round brush. Use the Master
Diameter Slider to increase the size as
needed.

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 In the options palette at the top of your
workspace, move the opacity slider to
around 80%

Drag your eraser over the photo im-

age to reveal more of the photo as de-
sired. Remember if you ever what to
add back to the layer you are erasing,
change you foreground color to black.

Experiment with different types of brush-

es and opacities to achieve a multitude
of effects.

Remember this is an art, not a science.

Be patient with yourself and have fun!
Variations on the Tutorial: For the purposes
of the tutorial I used brushes that come with
Photoshop. However there are a wide variety of
grunge brushes available that work really well
with this technique.

You are not limited to one photo and two back-

ground papers. Once you get the hang of layer
masks and brushing, try layering multiple pho-
tos and backgrounds.

In addition to varying the opacity of a layer,

you can experiment with changing the blending
mode and see what effects you can achieve. You
can bring up the blending modes by clicking on
the small arrow next to the word ‘normal’ in the
layers palette. Look for more on using blend-
ing modes in the September issue of Inspired to Shades by Misty
Cato, Product - B
Scrap. Copper Penny by
Misty Cato, Scra
ackgrounds from
Old
Software, - PSC pb ook-Bytes, Font
S2 - Palsu,

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13
SKETCH G E
A L L E N
CH
I’m enjoying all the sub-
missions for my August
sketch challenge at The-
ScrapHabit. For example,
see this two-page spread
from bobbysgirlforever.
Joan Marie is gorgeous
and the turquoise back-
ground and brown chip-
board title are terrific
accents.
To See a World by bobbysgirlforever, Product - A Flowery Bit ‘O Grunge by Stacey Kluczny,
3Scrapateers, Fonts - Artistamp Medium BT, Lisa Script
If you haven’t submitted
your layout yet, it’s not
too late. Upload you take on the sketch to the TSH sketch challenge gallery by August 31st to
recieve my “You’re a Star” minikit (shown below). Check back at TSH September 1st for the next
sketch. Your layout could be here in the September issue of Inspired to Scrap.

QUOTES TO SCRAP BY

In every real man a child is hidden that wants to play. ~Friedrich Nietzsche

The great man is he who does not lose his child’s-heart. ~Mencius, Book IV

Grown-ups never understand anything for themselves, and it is tiresome for children to be always and forever ex-
plaining things to them. ~Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince, 1943

One of the virtues of being very young is that you don’t let the facts get in the way of your imagination. ~Sam Leven-
son

16
ScrapHappenings at
Misty Cato Designs
Misty Cato Designs Blog - After months of putting it off I’ve finally done it! I have a
blog. Stop by to see my latest releases, creative team layouts, the occasional free-
bie and read about my digiscrapping resource finds.

Celebrations Crop at DigiShopTalk Monday, September 4, 11pm Eastern - Each

month I’ll pick a theme to celebrate during our hour. You can celebrate by scrap-
ping a layout on the theme or just come to the DST chatroom and share your
stories and meet some fellow DSTers. This month we will be Celebrating Girls (of
all ages). Come chat and scrap about the girl of your choosing (daughter, friend,
mother, sister, yourself). Of course there will be a freebie tailor made for scrapping
girls. DigiShopTalk Chatroom

Blended Collection Launch Crop at Scrapbook-Elements, Sunday September 24,

10pm Eastern - Come help me celebrate the launch of my new collection; Blended.
Free sample from the collection and some great inspiration pieces for all attendees.
Scrapbook-Elements Chatroom

Flowers for You

Download these blooms as my
gift to you. Please do not share
the link with others. If you know of
someone who might enjoy such a
sample, encourage them to
subscribe to Inspired to Scrap. It’s
free and it only takes an email.

Thanks and enjoy the flowers :)

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16
TrendWatch
Freestylin’
It’s bold, it’s eclectic, it clashes. It’s an attitude, a statement,
a voice, a book, a blog, and the latest scrap style popping up in
online galleries everywhere: Freestyle.

I think of freestyle as sort of rebellion against design rules,

templates, and the tendency to create a layout from a ‘page
kit’ of coordinating elements. As you can see from the long
list of credits for the samples layouts on this page; freestyle
scrapping tends to pull items from a variety of designers and
design styles creating an electic look to the page. The only Shopping
rule to freestyle scrapping is that there are no rules. However, Queen by Angelbq, Products -
Play Hard kit, Jennifer Trippetti, Alpha freebie,
there are a few tips for creating the currently popular Carrie Stephens, Funky Flowers Gypsy Chick, ACOT, Finishing Touches,
‘freestyle’ look. Gina Miller, Antiquefinds and Crownstamp Pack, Michelle Underwood,
Summer Whimsy, Scrapartist, Freebie pink flower from Kim Christensen,
rough n tumble kit, Eve Recinella, Tutti Fruitt Elements and Handstamped
Use a broad color palette. Don’t limit yourself to 2-4 colors Brush Alpha, Michelle Coleman, Girls Lie Too, Kim Christensen, free pa-
per from Kristy Ann Nerness, swirly doodles by Ida (freebie from catscrap.
or remain tied to colors related to the colors in your photo. com), Fonts - Rebekah’s Birthday, Oedipa
Think bold and use lots of colors.

Include elements of a ‘non-linear’ nature. Keeping with

rectangular tags, mats and frames and linear ribbons or
stitching will create a traditional look. Adding flourishs,
doodles, stamps, rub-ons, ‘messy’ stitches, mismatched alphas,
torn edges and handwriting style fonts will increase the
freestyle effect.

For more freestyle commentary and inspiration, I recommend

the official
freestyle blog
where you’ll
find a ton of
layout examples
and regular
How
challenges to Sweet it is by Joy Tanjuakio, Products - Claire
inspire. de lune, Michelle Coleman, Fruit of the Spirit CD and blog
freebie, Ashley Olson, Cozy, Live and Daydream from Carrie
Stephens, Shabby Chic Petal Collection and Memorial Day Sam-
pler from Gina Miller, Compassion by Shabby Princess and Gina
Cabrera, Petal Pack by Helen O’Daniel, Breezy Kit by Dianne
Rigdon, freebie from Gina Cabrera, Font - Suzie’s Hand, Software
- PS7

Warm, Special, Giggly by Undecided - Products - Parts of Art

Papers, Girl Power, Cloie’s Closet, Graphic Brushes, Adventurous
Spirit, Art Journal Workshop, Aged Florals, Bliss, Free Spirit, My
Gypsy Rose and Spring Medley, ScrapArtist

19
18
19
Contact Information
I’d love to hear from you. If you can comments or questions about anything in this issue or ideas
for future issues, please email me at mcato@scrapbook-elements.com.

You can support Inspired to Scrap by shopping at my stores at Scrapbook-Elements and Scrap-
book-Bytes. I create unique items for each store, so stop by both to all I have to offer.

Direct Link to Misty Cato Designs at Scrapbook-Bytes

Direct Link to Misty Cato Designs at Scrapbook-Elements

More Creative Team Layouts

er Fields Bouncer Munchkins by Lisa Ca ecrazy), Based

, Product - Lavend Megan (meganm
uct - Bugs
isl ai ne e - Color Burst Quick Pa mpbell, Product Best Friends by
enda Kempf, Prod
er by G
Flow ements, Softwar Sc
on a Sketch by Br
k- El ges by Misty Cato
k-Elements,
, Sc ra pb oo
by Misty Cato rapbook-Elemen
ts, Fonts - Bradley
,
isty Cato, Scrapb
oo
- PSE4 Comic Sans, Softw
are - PSCS2
Hand ITC, for Kaitlyn by M rw ig Fa ct ory, DJ
lk Back, Ea
Fonts - Don’t Ta
PSCS2
Cool, Software -

To subscribe to Inspired to Scrap, email Misty Cato at

mcato@scrapbook-elements.com with “Subscribe Ezine” in the subject
line.
To unsubscribe, email mcato@scrapbook-elements.com with
“Unsubscribe Ezine” in the subject line.

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