How to Create Digital Scrapbooking Background Paper & Embellishments

Not satisfied with the background paper and embellishments you find for your scrapbooking projects? Add a personal touch by creating your own.

Instructions

Step 1: Collect photos Go online and collect photographs with interesting textures to use as backgrounds. Clothing, carpets, metals, and woods all have great textures.
Step 2: Start a new document Open a photo editing program and start a new document the size you want your scrapbook page to be. Typically digital scrapbooks are 12 by 12 inches with a resolution of 300 dpi.
Step 3: Set the background Make the textured photograph the background layer in the new document.
Step 4: Add a gradient layer Add a new layer and select the gradient tool. Choose the colors you want to use for the gradient and fill the new layer.
Step 5: Blend the layers Adjust the blending mode of the layer to change how it affects the background layer.
TIP: Sample colors from other backgrounds using the eyedropper tool.
Step 6: Continue to add layers Continue to add layers with gradients, solid colors, and brushed colors. Adjust the blending modes until you get an image you want for your background paper.
Step 7: Create shapes Use the selection and the eraser tools to cut out different patterns and shapes. Create rectangles, circles, and other custom shapes.
TIP: Drop a shadow on the shapes to make them pop out from the background.
Step 8: Adjust hue and saturation Adjust the hue and saturation of the layers until the embellishments and background are a perfect fit for your digital scrapbook albums.
FACT: Published in 1769, James Granger's Biographical History of England included blank pages at the end for the readers to attach their own pictures.