Happy Saturday to you!  Thanks for stopping by to see this week’s eye candy!  Each week a new thread is started in the forum where any member can give a shout-out to any layout they find in the ScrapMatters gallery that knocks their socks off!  Our members are amazing scrappers as you’ll see with this sampling from this week’s GSO thread!

First up is a gorgeous layout by ScrapMatters’ CT, Jenn (catgoddess).  “Ummm…this one by Jenn is jaw dropping! I am in love” is what Tanyia said when she nominated it.  Jenn never disappoints when you’re looking for inspiration!

And next up, Denise (shaynesgirl) was wow’d by this challenge layout and said, “LOVE LOVE this by Tanyia! She used Cluster Queen’s challenge template and just rocked it!”  I really like the big title and the personal touch of a handwriting font for her journaling.

“I’m sad for the reason of lack of sleep but wow! what a LO!! I love to blend, and I am in awe.” is what Michelle (msbrad) had to say when she nominated this layout by Jan in Alberta.  Check out the mix of chalked alphas!

Michelle also treated us to this “stunning page!” by another ScrapMatters CT, Julie (Mother Bear).  The large photo design is perfect for the beautiful wedding photo and the clustering is really wonderful!

This next layout by christypoo402 really made me smile when I saw it in the gallery!  Olivia added it to the GSO thread and said, “i love the terrific black and white photos, wonderful journaling and design! the more i look at it the more little things i love about it — great paper stacking, stitching, staples!”

Two Ozegirl layouts were chosen for GSO this week, but you’ll have to check out the forum to see the other! ;)  Since tomorrow is Easter, I’ll end today’s list with her fun Decorating Eggs layout!  Jhari said, “I simply love this layout. The elements and colors are so perfect for her theme.”

Be sure to check out the thread for other beautiful nominees.  Each of the GSO layouts above is linked to the gallery if you’d like to leave love (we all love praise for our work) or check credits.  And if your layout is featured above, feel free to make someone’s day…pay it forward and nominate a GSO you find in the ScrapMatters gallery! 

If you celebrate Easter, I hope you have the baskets ready!  We wish everyone a wonderful weekend enjoying the new season!

~Dolores

There were soo many great LOs this week. It was hard to choose just one. The composition on this one was just tooo spectacular so I finally went with it.   Congrats goes to chocochoco!!

To leave her some love, you can click the image. =)

She used Little Miss Sassy Pants by Stolen Moments and Rain or Shine by Stolen Moments & Pink Reptile Designs.  The colors in both of these kits go so well together, don’t you think??

This is a darling little gift box idea!  Congrats goes to mnmom26 for this matchmox. =)

You can click the image to leave her some love.  She used Snow Sweet by geniaBeana Scraps.

Selection Tools

By Michelle Bradshaw

There are several selection tools in both Photoshop and Photoshop Elements. The tutorial will explore getting to understand their function and how they are very handy in manipulating parts of a photo or a scrapbook page.

The second group in the tool box contains- Marquee [elliptical and rectangular and the keyboard shortcut is 'm']; Lasso [regular, polygonal, magnetic and the keyboard short cut is 'L']; Magic Wand [keyboard shortcut W]; and the Quick Selection tool [also quick selection brush and keyboard shortcut 'A'].

In Photoshop, the quick selection tools are nested with the Magic Wand [keyboard shortcut 'W'].

These tools give you the Marching Ants once pixels are selected.

Marquee Tool [M]- note the option bar for specific adjustments that can be made while using this tool. I am going to select 2 of the sequins from this scatter. If I right click, and select Layer via cut, they can then be moved to another part on the page. [Product- My Happy Place by Stolen Moments Designs]

A handy tip- holding the shift key will ensure a perfect square or circle.

Lasso Tool [L] in the option bar, several options are the same as the marquee tool, however if the magnetic lasso is selected as in this example, there are more options to choose from. Based on the pixel width, contrast and frequency numbers it will affect how tightly the program recognizes the shell from the leaf and the sand.

And now the shell is in a new setting on the beach.

Magic Wand [W] offers the same first 4 selections in the option bar and also allows for a tolerance number to be placed along with your choice of contiguous or not for the color you are selecting. The default number is 32. This means wherever you click on your photo as a reference point ‘colors’ within “32″ will also be selected. Decrease the number if a more specific shade is needed. If contiguous is not checked, the color range will be selected on your entire photo. The magic wand is a speedy way to select things of similar color.

Here is a boring sky-

After deleting the sky, a new one was inserted.

Quick Selection [A] works much like brush where more control can be had to fine tune selections

**tips

Use the selection tools to apply changes to any part of a photo or scrapbook page. Depending on what is being selected, it is often helpful to switch between them. Also after selecting right click to view many more options.

Here is a page where I extracted flowers and a teddy away from the photo giving it an Out of Bounds effect.[Product- Forget Me Not by Andilynn Designs, Template by Meagan’s Creations.

Happy Scrapping,

Michelle

Monday ONLY!! Select items are 50% off!! Visit the ScrapMatters Shop for more details!!
*Sale runs 12am-11:59pm ET. HURRY! What are you waiting for!?! *

Has spring sprung where you are?  It’s warming up here and I’m really loving the daffodils and blossoms all around the neighborhood.  The gallery was hopping with gorgeous spring layouts this week, too!  Lots were given shout-outs in this week’s GSO thread and these are just a sampling of the masterpieces created by ScrapMatters members.

First up is this beauty by zachandavasmom.  Michelle (msbrad) monimated it with these words, ”This is such a cool LO! Awesome bg blend. Love the side edge work and the element facing the framed photo is awesome!  Neat wa too that packs a punch.”

Next is a sweet layout by scrappinnewbie.  Olivia said, “i love the photos, great clustering and journaling — beautiful page!” when she came chose this layout.  The big picture design is just perfect for these adorable photos!

Next up is another big photo layout, chosen by Krista (kc71595), who said, “I love this one by our own JillW! It is just beautiful! I love the blend, the beautiful quote and just the simplicity!”

St Patrick’s Day was last weekend so this layout by Dalis was right on time to inspire us to scrap those photos!   Laura loved it enough to pick it for a GSO!

Dawn treated us to this awesome layout by Lisa Campbell.  She said, “I LOVE this layout by Lisa! The colors, the clustering, the fabulous photo and the sweet word art! All come together for a fabulous page!”   Wouldn’t it be fun to have Mickey and Minnie at your wedding?!?!

JillW paid it forward and nominated this last layout by Terin (Scrappyfrog).  “Your page is beautiful! Your shadow work and clusters are perfect. The dark background in the gorgeous photo adds just the right amount of color-pop on the page! And, your journaling is so heartfelt …! You’ve created a stellar page all the way around!!” said Jill.

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you’ve enjoyed these beautiful layouts as much as I have.  They’re all linked to the gallery if you’d like to leave love or find credits.  We create a GSO thread every week, so feel free to give a shout-out to any layout you find in the ScrapMatters gallery. Every scrapper likes to have his/her layout appreciated.

~Dolores

Love the soft colors, the beautiful layering and clustering, and the great shadows! I also like how she was able to effectively use white space in a multi-photo layout.  Congrats to photocowgirl for her Cowgirl layout!

To leave her some love, you can click the image. =)

She used Petticoat Rose by Stolen Moments and Forever Joy Designs.

Love the numbered background that is so appropriate for the title and the great flower on the closure of this cute little gift card holder!Congrats to mnmom26 for being this week’s POTW winner!

You can click the image to leave her some love.  She used One in a Million by Stolen Moments & Erin Kay Studio.