Layout Ideas

Idea for a scrapbook page or card
Everyday there are more and more people "Getting Connected" in one way or another. With on-line communities, blogs, and texting you can pretty much keep up with whomever, whenever. Often you will see these cute Emoticons pop-up in the on-line arena. Teenagers are not the only ones who have a license to use them. For those of you who have no idea what an Emoticon is, they are the icons that show your emotions in text, sometimes they are created using symbols from your font-library examples are ;-), wink :0), smile. Add them to your scrapbook pages along with texting lingo like LOL (Laugh Out Loud), BRB (Be Right Back), IDK (I don't Know) etc.... Use a die cutting system and cut them from your favorite font-library, and piece them together on cards, scrapbook pages, or tags. These can be a lot of fun on your pages, and it will introduce some pop-culture to your designs. They may even make your kids think your SICK!
*** side note: sick is cool ;).***

Computer Graphic Design Tips

WordArt Tricks
Ideally you would want to use a vector program to generate these cute icons, but that isn't always an option. MS Word offers you an economical alternative, but with limited options.The medallion at the right was created using MS Office 2003 Word Art. Once you master the concept, you can do this in all kinds of shapes. Think arrows, curly brackets, etc. Here is a tutorial I put together so you can practice. Circle Tutorial in MS WORD

* TIP * Instead of text, try using symbols from your font library to create objects. In the flower icon below I use a period in Times New Roman font made it bold and 72pts. When the circle was drawn it elongated the period to form a petal. Keep the circle the same dimension as a circle punch that you currently own, and it will be easy to trim and use on your scrapbook pages. You may also want to print this on a clear label so that it becomes transparent.

Doodle Art Deco Pages
Are you missing the art chromosome that gives you the ability to draw; but you like the look of doodle art on your pages? It's easy to achieve that look. You will need black construction paper (or carbon paper), your desired design (from magazine, coloring book, or another piece of decorative paper), ball point pen, your decorative paper. Sandwich your construction/carbon paper between your decorative paper and your design. Trace the design. The image will then be transferred to your paper. Children's coloring books are great for kid layouts. Try this same technique with wax paper instead of construction paper for a transparent design.

Heat Embossing on Ribbon
Add some sparkle to your dull grosgrain, sheer or satin ribbon by heat embossing simple designs and use metallic embossing powder. You can also use a coordinating color with the fabric to make a tone on tone effect.

3D Stickers Made Easy
It’s easy to make your own 3D stickers. Take the sticker and place a pop dot on the back. Do not remove the protective tape from the outside of the pop dot. Dust exposed back of the sticker with baby powder. Remove the tape back from the front of the pop dot and apply the sticker to your project.  Want to make a larger sticker appear 3D take two-three of the same stickers, and cut out dimensional parts and place pop dots behind them.  Example:  Using a dog sticker, take the first sticker and place it on your project.  Then take the 2nd sticker and cut the dog’s head out and place a pop dot behind the head using the technique above. Next, place it over the flat dog’s head.  Then cut the tail and do the same.  You can keep adding layers of elements to make the dog pop off the page.  Try cutting out his nose from a third sticker to make his nose pop out. Try using pop dots with different depths to create a realistic look.