Computer + School = Hybrid Scrapbook fun
Perhaps you don't like any of the paper options available, or maybe you don't have a local store and don't want to wait for something to ship to you from an on-line source. What is a scrapbooker to do? Well, why not look at digital product? Even if you are not a digital scrapbooker, or if you are not experienced in using programs like Photoshop Elements, you can still get great use from it. Most digital products can simply be inserted into a Word document, and then sized and printed from there. It's easy!
Another great reason to choose digital supplies is if you are making multiples of the same item. You do need to review the TOU (terms of use) and make sure that whatever you're creating does not violate that, but in most cases creating multiple albums or projects is fine when it's for personal use.
Today I have some school inspired product picks as well as a hybrid layout to share with you.
If you're looking for school stuff - from chalkboards to school buses, word art to paper collections - you can find a great selection by visiting Designer Digitals and searching for "school". With so many products to choose from, I did a number of searches and found quite a few new favorites like the kit pictured above. I love that it would be great for back to school as well as fall or harvest pages.
Jesse Edwards has these fun journaling labels that would be simple to re-size, edit the color of the brackets on, and print out for all kinds of fun projects. Also at Designer Digitals, Cathy Zielske has school album digital templates that are fantastic.
When you are searching for digital product to use for school layouts, I have a few suggestions:
- Make sure it's a good value for you. A kit with "first grade" stamped all over it is only going to be useful in a very limited way. A kit with apples and a few vague references to school in a color palette you like will be easier to get more use from.
- Items like lined paper, chalkboard, cursive or handwriting (think school writing) and 'school supply inspired' type things can be used on any number of pages and projects!
- Think about your final project. Are you creating the whole thing digitally, or just printing out individual elements? Will you want to do some editing work with the product on the computer or just print it out as you get it? Knowing what you plan to do will help you decide what products are useful, and what will simply bring a headache.
With all that in mind, I have a few more suggestions that I found while surfing and shopping for school inspired products.
This Chalkboard Paper collection by Danielle Thompson is a great example of digital product that could be re-sized, printed out with white journaling typed onto it, and so much more. I love the look of chalkboard without chalk or mess!
Jodie McNally has a lot of creative word art - this teacher set would be great for school pages, tags and gift items for teacher, and more!
Looking for cool word art that makes the grade? Check out the House of 3! Their whole Fall Junque line is fantastic - and I love the subtle school house touches that are sprinkled throughout. Enough to make it themed but not so much that it won't be useful in any number of projects. The Junque in the Trunque piece is my favorite. The papers are great, too, and the printables kit (so big!) is really cool. The border kit is unique - and so much fun that I had to try it out here for this article.
Digital elements from House of 3 "Fall Junque" collection
Jenni Bowlin Butterfly
Tim Holtz crackle paint in broken china
Webster's Pages trim
Studio Calico grey rub-ons
Echo Park Paper letter stickers and number sticker
American Crafts chipboard butterfly
Smooch pearlized top coat in illuminate
other: buttons, pen, cardstock
This page was a lot of fun to create with the digital elements printed directly onto the background paper, and another printed onto white cardstock and cut out. The digital portion was quick and easy - perfect for the busy schedule I've had lately! Then I cropped some (4 x 6) photos down to work into my design, and went to town playing with bits and pieces, as well as accenting with crackle paint.
As important as the products you choose to utilize in telling your stories is the photos you take. The photos on this layout were taken with my phone! I love having a phone that can produce decent (in good lighting, at least) photos so that if I don't have my camera around I can still capture the moment. Other photo ideas I have in my mind to capture include:
- child with friends and classmates
- walking away from me, towards school
- the classic full-body pose in new clothes. Don't crop out the shoes!
- in front of school/sign
- at classroom and with teacher
- with backpack on and/or lunch box
- holding award/art/other special item(s) from class
The main thing to me is to capture more than one aspect, and rather than pressure myself for perfect shots just get SOME shots. The every day nature of school can cause us to forget how special and cherished photos of these details will be in years to come. From elementary school through college these are details worth capturing, and a moment here and there is all it takes. Some photos of me and some friends standing in front of my elementary school are among my favorite childhood shots - so precious!
Whatever you use, whatever stories you choose to tell or details you capture, the key is to explore the options available and enjoy! I think blending technology and digital product + my old fashioned love of paper product is a fantastic way to do just that.
Happy hybrid crafting!
