Hybrid/Digital Scrapbooking : 6 things to do with Title + Journal Photo Overlays

Photooverlays1

A little something to dress up your photos : 6 Things to do with AE Title + Journal Photo Overlays

Photooverlay

Yesterday we took a look at layout sized overlays. Today I want to focus on smaller overlays that are designed to be used right on top of a 4x6 photo (or as a journal block) and can be used as a brush (the .ABR file - to learn how to load brushes into Photoshop, read here) or as a .PNG file.

Same process as yesterday in terms of opening your photo and the .PNG file overlay in Photoshop, selecting the overlay with the move tool (the black arrow), then dragging and dropping the overlay on top of your photo.

Here are 6 ways to play with these photo overlays:

1.    Add the overlay to a photo, print at home/upload to your favorite developer + add it to a page just like you would a regular photo. When printing at home on 8.5x11 photo paper I usually create a new canvas that is 6 inches x 10 inches. I open a couple photos, drag + drop them onto the canvas, open the overlays and drag + drop them onto the photos, and print.

Photooverlays2

2.    Print overlay on a transparency + add to a layout (could be on a photo or a group of photos or on journaling, etc).

3.    Print lined version onto cardstock or patterned paper for a journal block.

Cardsamples

To print on patterned paper I opened a new file (6 inches x 10 inches) and placed two photo overlays on the canvas. I cut my patterned paper to fit in my 8.5x11 printer, loaded it in the printer, and hit print.

Linedoverlays

4.    Print on transparency + bind together into a transparent mini book. The ones featured below are part of a travel set - each theme includes no. 1 through no. 10. My plan is to use the fabric to create a cover + use the transparencies for the interior pages (adding the photos + journaling on top of the overlays rather than underneath).

Overlay2

5.    Print lined version and bind together into a mini book (or adhere onto a chipboard book) - great for a travel book.

6.    Create a 4x6 album that includes the photo overlays in conjunction with the journal blocks. This one is super simple and would make a great gift. If you don't print your photos at home you can add the overlays to your photos before uploading or taking your photo card to the developer.

Minisample1

[ 4x6 album: Kolo; Spinner: Tim Holtz; Patterned Paper: My Mind's Eye; Photo Overlays: Ali Edwards for Designer Digitals Number One + Number Two ]

Img_1859

Img_1860

Img_1861

Img_1862

Img_1863

Img_1864

Enjoy!

Dottedline_2

Another great site to check out for digital education is Scrap Girls. Check out their University section for a ton of tutorials. I found this section on Digital Brushes especially helpful.

Dottedline_2

For more information on hybrid and digital check out Getting Started With Digital Scrapbooking.

Related Posts

Sign in or sign up to comment.

54 thoughts

  1. Molly says…
    07/08/2008

    these posts are getting me all fired up to make something. I love your entire line at designer digitals and really like the immediacy of receiving my new goodies. Thanks, Ali.

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. Margaret C says…
    07/08/2008

    As my 2 yr old is saying right now; LOVE IT!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Brandi Osborn says…
    07/08/2008

    I have the purchased overlay in my Photoshop Elements, but I'm not able to pull one of the five parts of the package out of its original state. I don't know what I'm doing wrong. Sorry for this silly question. You could say I am a total beginner with this sort of thing and with photoshop. Its almost like I still need to unzip the purchased file or something.
    Any help would be great-thanks!

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Ali says…
    07/08/2008

    Hey Brandi - which part is it? What is the file name?

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Ali says…
    07/08/2008

    I am betting that the one you can't open is the .ABR file. That is the file for the brushes...you need to load those into your brush palette before using them.

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. jennifer says…
    07/08/2008

    I am loving the new series and am so happy to see you doing more hybrid/digital techniques! Your digital elements are awesome. I've already gotten some but will need to get more. Great projects - thanks for the inspiration! :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Miriam says…
    07/08/2008

    this is such a fantastic idea Ali, can't wait to purchase your digital elements :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. Terri Bradford says…
    07/08/2008

    Bought them. Love them. Love that I don't have to design these myself and can just print & scrap! Thanks, Ali! Love the simplicity and clean design.

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. Miriam says…
    07/08/2008

    Hi Ali, will this whole series once complete be available as a PDF?
    Thank you

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. Amanda says…
    07/08/2008

    Love these!! I have already bought two sets and have my pictures uploaded to the printer! Thanks for the fun ideas. Today and everyday :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. annette says…
    07/08/2008

    Ali,
    Once again you never cease to amaze me with your creativity!!!!!!!!!!! Couldn't help myself bought them all and I don't digital scrap hardly at all. Can't wait to use them.
    Thanks Again. :)
    Annette

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Crazy Daisy says…
    07/08/2008

    Wow! I love it! Thanks for sharing this!

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Brandi Osborn says…
    07/08/2008

    It is the title and journal overlay. When I open it in Photoshop Elements it just shows like I downloaded it from Designer Digitals. I can't use the move tool to move each individual part into Photoshop. I am truly a beginner so there is probably something very simple I'm not doing, but I don't know what it is. I keep trying to drag the "today you" page from the picture it gives me onto my Photoshop screen. Is this making any sense? I'm not sure how to explain it.

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Brandi Osborn says…
    07/08/2008

    It says Photoshop could not open my file because it doesn't recognize the type of file (.png)??? What am i doing wrong?

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Rachel says…
    07/09/2008

    I love this series. I'm totally inspired by the 4" x 6" album. I can totally see myself making this as I go, especially while traveling.

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Jen says…
    07/09/2008

    I'm so freaked out by photoshop but I went in and poked around...everything has worked except when I drag my photo into the canvas I created it the photo is HUGE...way bigger than the canvas...and then when I drag the overlay on to it it looks tiny so I guess I'm missing something...HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Jen

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. DeDe Smith says…
    07/09/2008

    You are so amazing Ali! I love your posts! You are such an inspiration!
    I nominated you for the Brilliant Weblog Award on my blog today!
    http://designsbydede.blogspot.com!
    Thanks for all you do!

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. Tonya says…
    07/09/2008

    Thanks for sharing all the nitty gritty details, Ali! You rock! I love your style - simple yet stunning!

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. nicoleprather says…
    07/10/2008

    hi i was wondering how you resize your overlay to the picture i have CS3 extended and yesterday tried for two hours to get it resized....i am very green to the digital scrapbooking this is the very first thing i have boughten for digital.. i love your work and you are very inspirational... thanks

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. Rebecca says…
    07/10/2008

    Fabulous! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. Marlyn says…
    07/11/2008

    Hi Ali- I am still working on finishing my Jessica Sprague class & I am finally getting the hang of all this digital stuff. I love these overlays!
    Thanks for the step by step instructions!
    Marlyn

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. julis sujai says…
    07/11/2008

    Great post! I especially found it useful where tou stated.

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. Vianna (in Florida) says…
    07/17/2008

    Thank you, Ali, for sharing your ideas. It's good to see you in the digital/hybrid world (it's where I can be found mostly) - and I have only one question, but it's one vexing issue. When I use a service to print my photos (I have been using Sams Club) I find that the edges of every picture (about 1/8 inch on all sides)get cut off. These are regular 4x6 photos. Do you, or anyone else, experience this, and if so, how do you deal with it? I place my photos on the 4x6 canvas leaving a small white border around them, which fixes the issues, as the border doesnt show and I get everything to fit in the photo. Maybe it's just a matter of how Sams Club machine is set up and I should try a different service? Thanks, if you can find the time to answer.

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. Bre Thompson says…
    07/29/2008

    Hi Ali,
    I was just checking out the overlays and that is such a clever idea! So this leads into my ridiculous question...what type of printer do you use that allows you to print in white? I know every time I try this it is a no go for me,any suggestions? :)
    Thanks for the inspiration!
    Bre

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. valerie says…
    08/25/2008

    here is my mini book made using your fantastic inspiration thanks for sharing
    http://dottydottyscreations.blogspot.com/2008/08/sultry-summer-stash-bash.html
    Val

    Reply 0 Replies

Sign in or sign up to comment.