March 13, 2012 Bingo Challenge

Holly(HollyinPA) bringing you the Bingo Challenge for March 13, which is a signature challenge.  I’m challenging you to create a new signature for the forums.  If you’ve never made one, you’re in luck as I’m going to show you a tutorial on how to do this.  It also includes instructions on how to change your signature in the ScrapMatters Forum.

Here is my new signature, which uses the kit “Eat Cake – Boy” by KimBroedelet(Kimb’s designs) and Jen Reed and is available in the ScrapMatters store.  You can also get it in pinks using the Girl kit and there is even a bundle AND a HUGE bundle that includes a lot of extras like other Alphas, etc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kayla ( keepscrappin) created hers using LDrag’s Enjoy Life kit and the alpha from LDrag’s Lovestruck kit

First, this is my first tutorial, so please be patient with me   I am going to go step by step and you may or may not need this.  Just skip whichever steps you don’t need.  Second, I use PhotoShop Elements (PSE) 9 so your screen may not look like mine.  If you need help with a particular step or use a different program altogether, just do a Google search for your program and the item and you should be able to find some help.  You can also check in the SM forum for help with a particular program.  I have a little experience with PS but not a lot and Fireworks but that’s it   Okay…here we go!!!

Step 1 :  Open your program and create a new file.  I like to do 3600×3600 Pixels at 300 dpi with a transparent background for anything I’m creating.  This way I have room to work and can always make things bigger or smaller and then save for web.  Here is a screen shot of what pops up when you hit “File>New>Blank File”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once you’ve decided what kit and/or alpha you’d like to use, you’ll want to have them ready in the bin or at least open on your computer so you can drag and drop.  I like to use an alpha that is enough and fits the theme I’m going for.  I chose this kit because I decorate cakes as a hobby and when I saw this kit, I knew I had to make a Siggie with it!!  I usually pick out the letters next and turn on the grid so I can line up the letters how I want them.  I am a bit of a perfectionist, so I often have to have things on the exact line, etc.  Here is a screen shot of my name

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This time I chose to slant the letters for a fun twist.  Next I like to add something that will tie it all together, like a ribbon, string or other element.  You can choose as little or as many elements to add to it until you’re satisfied.  Here is my siggie with a few elements tied in with a ribbon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I like how it is looking but it needs something, so I’ll add some type of filler, like confetti, beads, or a splatter.  Here is a screen shot with some jimmies added behind everything. I also added a background color layer so it will match the SM forum colors.  I used the eye dropper for this.  Definitely looking better…don’t forget to add  your shadows (like I did until the end!!!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next I added the Creative Teams I am on, but you could put personal information, like your kids, hobbies, etc or you can put links to your facebook, galleries and blog, etc.  There are tutorials out there on how to do split links and more…a little too complicated for me right now, but they sure are neat!  I also cropped my image at this point.  You can do it however you’d like, but I try to get a nice amount of the background, making sure it is centered.  ScrapMatters siggie size guidelines are at a maximum of 600 x 250 pixels and that includes any blinkies or other graphics you may have.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You will want to upload your image to Photobucket or other similar online photo hosting site so you can use your signature at any forum or web site without using a particular site’s hosting space.  Once you do that, you’ll want to have a separate window open for the host site and then one for the SM site.  When you go to the ScrapMatters forum to upload your signature, you want to log in and then go to the link that says User CP (#1 in image below) and then choose Edit Signature (#2 in image below).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From your host site, you’ll want to choose the “direct link” and copy the link.  This should start with http.   I like to center my siggie, but you can have it left or right justified if you want. (#3)  You will then click on the “Insert Image” button (#4) and paste your link to your siggie on the host site and hit enter.  You can then hit “Preview Signature” at the bottom of the box and see what your signature looks like.  If it is too big or small you’ll have to re-size it in PSE and then re-upload it to the host site and try again. If you’re satisfied, you can hit save.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That’s all there is to it!!  Hopefully you found this to be informative and easy so you can create your own signature to fill into spot number 13 on your March Bingo Card!!  If you have a questions, please feel free to PM me in the forum or leave a comment here!

This entry was posted on Tuesday, March 13th, 2012 at 12:01 am and is filed under Challenges, Tutorials. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.