May 2016

I am sharing a new tutorial on the The Graphics Fairy Membership site*!

This one will show you in easy step-by-step instructions how to make your own gypsy style wall art using just a few images and backgrounds and a wonderful quote. I’m using a lot of blend modes here, they are my favourite Photoshop tool because of all the surprising results you can obtain by using them.

Have fun creating!

* You need to be a member to be able to see the tutorial. Not a member yet? You might want to consider, this is what you will get for a low monthly fee!

Hi! Have you seen the great new paperclip alpha pack in my stores? You will get 4 metal and 4 plastic paperclip style alphas and the whole pack is on sale for a week (make sure you grab it before the price goes up). More information (and some layout inspiration) in this post.

I thought it would be a good idea to show you a quick and easy way to use paperclips in digital layouts and make them look like they are clipped to a photo, paper or element. I will use the layout that I created:

In this layout I have ‘clipped’ the B to the lower picture:

How I did it

Make sure the paperclip layer is selected. Then, in your Layers menu, click on the ‘New Layer Mask’ icon to add a Layer Mask to it.

I use Layer Masks all the time. It allows you to work non-destructively. So if you clip the B to this picture, but decide to move it to another picture later, then you just remove the Layer Mask and start again.

Now go the picture next and make sure that layer is selected. Press the Ctrl Key (on a PC), and at the same time, click with your mouse on the layer icon to select the image (you will see marching ants coming up).

Now go back to the paperclip layer and select the Layer Mask by clicking on it. You will know if the mask is selected if you see it highlighted (there is a white frame around it).

Zoom in to your layout to make sure you see what you’re doing. Then choose a hard round brush of about 20 px (depends on the size of your layout) and start erasing the part of the paperclip that is supposed to be ‘behind’ the picture.

And that’s it!

This was a really simple example, but it works for anything else. Just select the object where you need to erase something first and add a layer mask, then go to the object that sets the boundaries and make a selection. Then go back to the object that needs erasing, select the Layer Mask and erase!

I hope you learned something new - have fun ‘clipping’!

Anja

I love using frames on layouts and when I’m scrapping, I usually search my stash for that one particular frame that would be perfect for the page I’m working on.

Honestly, I think you can never have enough frames in your stash… I like vintage frames, ornamental frames, shabby frames and … torn frames! There are a few torn frame packs around digiland but I’ve always wanted to make my own, and here they are 🙂

These very realistic looking torn photo frames will add a little extra to your digital scrapbooking pages and you will use them over and over again. They’re super easy to use, just clip your photos or favourite papers to the clipping mask, and you’re done.

Included in this pack are 10 layered frames in TIF, PSD and PNG format, in 10 different photo sizes:
2 x 3 in (5,1 x 7,6 cm)
3,5 x 8,1 in (9 x 20,5 cm)
3 x 5 in (7,62 x 12,7 cm)
4 x 6 in (10,2 x 15,2 cm)
4,33 x 5,907 in (11 x 15 cm)
4,5 x 6 in (11,4 x 15,2 cm)
4,7 x 9,3 in (12 x 23,5 cm)
5,12 x 5,12 in (13 x 13 cm)
5,907 x 5,907 in (15 x 15 cm)
5,907 x 7,873 in (15 x 20 cm)

This pack is available in all my stores and on sale for a week! Grab it at Digital Scrapbooking Studio, The Digichick, Etsy or Creative Market.

Note to Etsy buyers:

Because of the limited upload size on Etsy, I could not add the TIF files. You will receive the PNG files and the PSD files. However, the TIF files are included in the price, so if you need them, do not hesitate to let me know and I’ll send them to you.

 

Paperclip alpha

Also new this week, is this cute paperclip alpha pack. I am so excited about it and I had so much fun creating it!

These paperclips will add a unique accent to your digital scrapbooking pages. Use them as fasteners for your photos, papers tags and other paper elements, use them for titles, or just for decoration!

Included in this pack are 4 metal paperclip alphabets (in the colours silver, blue, orange and yellow) and 4 plastic paperclip alphabets (in the colours white, blue, orange and yellow). You will receive complete alphabets (uppercase, numbers and various symbols), all delivered in separate PNG files. For each alphabet you will also receive an all-in-one sheet in PNG format.

Available in all my shops and discounted for a week. Grab the alpha at Digital Scrapbooking Studio, The Digichick, Etsy - here and here, or Creative Market.

Note to Etsy buyers:

Because of the limited upload size on Etsy, I had to split this pack up and remove the all-in-one sheets. I split up the pack but also split up the price, so you will pay the same as if you would purchase the entire pack. If you need the all-in-one sheets, let me know so I can send them to you - they are included in the price.

 

Some inspiration from my creative team

I asked my creative team to combine both packs in one layout. I love what they did!

First up this page by Barbara. Doesn’t that H paperclip letter look so cute on her page? Additional products used: Things To Do In The Garden and My One True Love Elements.

A beautiful page made by Judith, using one of my Whimsical Templates Vol02 and Things To Do In The Garden.

And here’s a page I did. That’s my dad and my husband on the pictures, during a visit to the Blockhaus of Eperlecques in Calais in France (August 2015) - really impressive site by the way! I used Acrylic Transitions Mixed Media Paperpack, Things To Do In The Garden Elements, Easter Morning Elements (recoloured), and two buttons from my commercial use pack Button Mix Vol02. (I also used some paint from my contribution to the new Hatchery Collection at The Digichick - release next week!).

Would you like to know how to use paperclips on digital layouts and make it look as if they are really clipped to pictures, papers or elements? Then follow along with my very easy step-by-step tutorial that you can find here.

 

Sneak Peek!

Here’s a little sneak peek of what’s coming next Thursday at The Digichick:

Have a great week,

Anja

It’s 3-2-1 Sale at The Studio, this time for commercial use tools! This sale will run until May 26th and I have chose three commercial use paperpacks that you can grab for just $2 each during that time:

Whether you’re a designer or a scrapper with an appetite for lots of little extras, you’re sure to find something to help you build your stash during this sale… But wait! There’s more. Head on over to The Studio’s Facebook Page and jump on board for the Commercial Use Hop.

It’s a good day to have a big shopping bag 🙂

Anja

Hi everyone,

With all the craziness of National Scrapbooking Day, I didn’t find the time to make new things for my stores last week, but this week I have something really special for you!

My husband, Wim, is an artist. He teaches art to children from 6-12. And he coaches teachers in schools to help them teach art to children… He has an upcoming exhibition in September, with the rest of his colleagues, and on Sunday he came home with these breathtakingly beautiful textures that he had created. He had been mixing gesso, bistre and black acryclic paint on plastic sheets. The back of those sheets was painted white with gesso, but was kept somewhat transparent.

And the best thing of it all? He allowed me to scan those textures and make them available through my stores!

So… now you can get nine exclusive, stunning mixed media artist papers, brought to you straight from the atelier of the artist Wim Heldenmoed, to create art yourself, by using these artist papers as backgrounds in your digital scrapbooking, papercraft, art journaling or other projects. Included in this pack is a printable letter size version of each paper, for a jumpstart on your journals!

You will receive 18 Hi Res 300 DPI JPG files, including:
- 9 papers in a 8,5 x 11 inch version
- 9 papers in a 12 x 12 inch version

Discounted for a week and available in my shops at Digital Scrapbooking Studio, The Digichick, Etsy and Creative Market. A Must-Have!

My Creative Team has created some gorgeous stuff with these papers (don’t they always 🙂 ) to inspire you:

A poetic page by Judith with a great quote (I love quote pages!). She also used the Stitched Shapes Vol01 here and a bit of Things To Do In The Garden.

 

Amazing layout by Ange… I’m in love with hat picture and the silvery colours she used… This could be a page to document a holy communion celebration, or a wedding! Ange used the Acrylic Transition Mixed Media Papers with bits and pieces from Fly Me To The Moon, Among The Shadows, Dreaming Of Christmas, Edgar Allan Poe Quotes, My One True Love and Whimsical Templates Vol02.

 

Another poetic page, this one is from Jen. She used the Acrylic Transitions Mixed Media Papers with things from Spring Fever, Vintage Tropical Transfers & Brushes, Things To Do In The Garden, Wonderland and Vintage Herbarium Papers.

 

A wonderful page by Barbara! I love everything she used here, it all works so well with the paper from the Acrylic Transitions pack… Barbara used bits and pieces from Among The Shadows, Castles & Princesses and the new commercial use packs, Vintage Findings Vol01 and Button Mix Vol02.

 

A beautiful and cute page from Eszter! Looks like a page from a fairytale book. Eszter combined a paper from Acrylic Transitions with Castles & Princesses, Fly Me To The Moon and A Moment Captured.

 

Em has combined one of the Acrylic Transitions papers with A Moment Captured, and I think this works so well together! The orange adds a beautiful contrast to the whole layout. Those adorable pictures of her little boy are so cute.

 

I’ve been playing too 😉 I blended two papers of the Acrylic Transitions paperpack together and combined that with the following products: Worn & Tattered Vintage Newspaper Textures, A Touch Of Paint Vol01, A Moment Captured Elements II, Things To Do In The Garden Elements, Easter Morning, Fly Me To The Moon Brushes and a jeweled piece from the new commercial use pack, Vintage Findings Vol01.

 

I also have three new commercial use packs for you this week:

Button Mix Vol02

This set contains 12 gorgeous buttons in earthly tones with a bit of a boho/hippie/oriental feel to them. These buttons were photographed and meticulously extracted by me to ensure best quality.

You will receive 12 hi res PNG files, including 3 buttons with a flower pattern (red, orange and yellow), 2 buttons with an abstract leaf pattern, 1 striped button, 1 button with a pearl of mother flower pattern, 1 button with cut out shapes, 1 wooden button with a carved pattern, 1 leather button, 1 suede button and 1 metal button.

Available (and discounted for a week!) in my shops at Digital Scrapbooking Studio, The Digichick, Etsy and Creative Market.

Vintage Findings Vol01

This set contains 6 vintage style jeweled pieces in their original colours. They were photographed and meticulously extracted by me to ensure best quality. You will receive 6 hi res PNG files.

Available in my shops at Digital Scrapbooking Studio, The Digichick, Etsy and Creative Market (and discounted for a week!).

Bead Mix Vol01

This set contains 14 funky and colourful beads. They were photographed and meticulously extracted by me to ensure best quality. The size of these beads is approximately 0,983 inches wide (2,5 cm) for the rectangle shaped beads and 0,907 inches wide (2 cm) for the bulky beads (real sizes). You will receive 14 hi res PNG files.

Grab this pack in my shops at Digital Scrapbooking Studio, The Digichick, Etsy and Creative Market.

Remember, these packs are all discounted for a week, make sure you grab them!

If you’re looking for more commercial use deals, be sure to visit my commercial use shop at Digital Scrapbooking Studio tomorrow. There is going to be another 3-2-1 sale from May 19-26. I will have three commercial use packs on sale for just $2 each. Here is the ad that will run in The Studio’s newsletter on Saturday:

But that’s for tomorrow.

Whimsical Challenges

I have decided to extend Whimsical Challenge No2 at The Studio until the end of this month. I also have Whimsical Challenges running at The Digichick, and those run from the 1st of the month to the end of the month… I would like to have challenges at both shops run equally.

So if you haven’t participated at The Studio yet, there is extra time left! All details can be found in this thread. If you prefer playing at The Digichick, all info can be found here, same rules apply.

 

That’s all for now, have a wonderful day!

Anja

 

Well hello everyone, it’s $2 Tuesday again, that time of the month at The Digicick, when you can grab some awesome deals for just $2 each.!

These are my $2 Tuesday packs for this month:

I have combined all three packs in this layout, for your inspiration:

The effect on the background was achieved by blending one of the solids of My One True Love with one of the Watercolour Textures (blend mode set to Luminosity, that will remove the colour but keep the watercolour texture) and I clipped papers to the masks of the template. With some masks I have lowered the opacity for a more subtle effect.

Remember, this $2 Tuesday deal is only valid today - so make sure you don’t miss it!

And while you’re here, I have four new packs coming to my stores this week, here’s a sneak peek. I’ll tell you all about it in my newsletter on Thursday, so stay tuned!

Anja

If you are a member of The Graphics Fairy Membership Site, then you will find another tutorial from me in the Tutorials tab. I am explaining how you can create your own deck of playing cards in a very easy basic tutorial. These would make a great gift for Father’s Day. And if you start now, you might have them finished in time.

Anja

Hi! Just a quick message about today’s $1 Flash Sales at The Studio - 3 commercial use packs and 3 personal use packs for just $1 each.

Personal Use

Commercial Use

Grab these packs today because this amazing promotion will be gone tomorrow!

Next to the $1 Flash Sales at The Studio, there is also the $2 Chick Blitz sale at The Digichick and the 50% storewide sale in my shops at Digital Scrapbooking Studio, The Digichick and Etsy.

See you later!

Anja

Hi everyone! I hope you are enjoying all the scrapbook parties, challenges and events for National Scrapbooking Day! There are some incredible bargains this weekend. Allow yourself some me-time, grab a cup of coffee (or tea) and take some time to shop.

Being a designer now, I’m seeing it all happen from the other side for the first time and I’ve really underestimated all the work that goes into preparing for NSD. I definitely need to prepare better next time and make lists, a lot of lists.

I have a whole lot going on in my shops at Digital Scrapbooking Studio, The Digichick and Etsy:

• a 50% storewide sale in my Etsy shop, for both PU and CU products (from May 5-10)
• a 50% storewide sale in my personal use and commercial use shops at The Digichick (from May 6-10)
• a 50% storewide sale in my shop at Digital Scrapbooking Studio, for both PU and CU products (from May 6-8)
• $1 Flash Sales at The Studio, 6 products for $1 each on Friday, 6 products for $1 each on Saturday
• $2 Chick Blitz sale at The Digichick
• Win Your Wish thread for my products at The Digichick - win your favourite kit of collection!
• Bundles are 50% discounted (instead of 36%) in my shops at Digital Scrapbooking Studio and The Digichick.

 

And in between all the craziness I also managed to finish, package, zip and upload my new release for this week: a huge set of printables in three different colour versions, just in time for Mother’s Day.

The Mother’s Day Printables collection includes a romantic vintage roses card with matching envelope, a set of coordinating tags, round or rectangle shape, and a pack of journal cards where you can add your personal messages… these will make for the perfect Mother’s Day gift. You can use the tags on homemade gifts, print out the journal cards on heavy cardstock and make a little booklet (keep the cards together with a metal ring)…

On Mother’s Day moms do not always want expensive presents. A very personal gift, made with love, will be so much more appreciated. Although the whole collection was designed around Mother’s Day, many of the tags and journal cards can be used for other occasions: to surprise your daughter on her birthday, to thank a friend or a relative, a neighbour… You will enjoy these printables even after Mother’s Day is long gone!

All the separate packs are availalbe, there is a purple bundle, a red bundle, a yellow bundle, and if you cannot decide what colour to pick, then why not grab the mega bundle!

The Mother’s Day Printables Mega Pack

12 packs of printables for one heavily discounted price! Available in my shops at Digital Scrapbooking Studio, The Digichick and Creative Market. Definitely your best deal!

The Mother’s Day Purple Printables Pack

Do you like purple? Then this bundled deal is for you! All 4 purple packs in one bundled deal: postcard and envelope, gift tags, round tags and journal cards. This pack is available in my shops at Digital Scrapbooking Studio, The Digichick and Creative Market.

Included in this pack are:

Mother’s Day Postcard & Envelope - Purple

Included are a postcard in two colour versions and a matching envelope - very easy to assemble (instructions on the sheet). A back for the postcard is provided (just print on both sides if you want it) and there is an inside for the envelope as well (print on both sides if you want it). I have provided all the PNG and JPG files, and the sheets come in JPG and PDF format for easy printing. Printing on heavy paper is advised!

Grab it in my shops at Digital Scrapbooking Studio, The Digichick, Etsy and Creative Market.

Mother’s Day Gift Tags - Purple

This pack of gift tags is part of the Mother’s Day Printables Collection. You will receive 3 sheets of gift tags (in both PDF and JPG for easy printing), with a total of 12 tags, including:
- 4 tags with ‘Happy Mother’s Day’ written on it
- 4 tags with ‘Hugs & Kisses’ written on it
- 4 tags with ‘You’re The Best’ written on it
You will also receive tags with a slightly different backgrounds on the sheets, so you can choose what you like best. All the PNG files are included as well.

Available in my shops at Digital Scrapbooking Studio, The Digichick, Etsy and Creative Market.

Mother’s Day Journal Cards - Purple

This pack of journal cards is part of the Mother’s Day Printables Collection. Included are 16 journal cards, with room to write personal messages. You could use them on your digital pages, but you could also print them on cardstock, cut them out, write down your personal messages in the provided space, then bundle them up with a metal ring or something else and offer them as a booklet to your mother, daughter or friend. You will receive 16 JPG files, 3×4 inch, and sheets in JPG and PDF for easy printing.

Available at Digital Scrapbooking Studio, The Digichick, Etsy and Creative Market.

Mother’s Day Round Tags - Purple

This pack of round tags is part of the Mother’s Day Printables Collection. You will receive 3 sheets of round tags (in JPG and PDF for easy printing), with a total of 36 tags, including:
- 6 tags with ‘Just Because I Love You’ written on it
- 6 tags with ‘Happy Mother’s Day’ written on it
- 6 tags with ‘Hugs & Kisses’ written on it
- 12 tags with ‘You’re The Best’ written on it (2 different versions)
- 6 tags with ‘A Special Gift For You’ written on it
All the PNG files are included as well.

Available at Digital Scrapbooking Studio, The Digichick, Etsy and Creative Market.

The Mother’s Day Red Printables Pack

Maybe you prefer red tones, then you might like this pack! Available in my shops at Digital Scrapbooking Studio, The Digichick and Creative Market.

Included are:

Mother’s Day Postcard And Envelope - Red

Available in my shops at Digital Scrapbooking Studio, The Digichick, Etsy and Creative Market.

Mother’s Day Gift Tags - Red

Available in my shops at Digital Scrapbooking Studio, The Digichick, Etsy and Creative Market.

Mother’s Day Journal Cards - Red

Available in my shops at Digital Scrapbooking Studio, The Digichick, Etsy and Creative Market.

Mother’s Day Round Tags - Red

Available at Digital Scrapbooking Studio, The Digichick, Etsy and Creative Market.

The Mother’s Day Yellow Printable Pack

If you’re fond of yellow, then you must go for this bundled deal! Available in my shops at Digital Scrapbooking Studio, The Digichick and Creative Market.

Included are the following packs:

Mother’s Day Postcard And Envelope - Yellow

Available in my shops at Digital Scrapbooking Studio, The Digichick, Etsy and Creative Market.

Mother’s Day Gift Tags - Yellow

Available in my shops at Digital Scrapbooking Studio, The Digichick, Etsy and Creative Market.

Mother’s Day Journal Cards - Yellow

Available at Digital Scrapbooking Studio, The Digichick, Etsy and Creative Market.

Mother’s Day Round Tags - Yellow

Available at Digital Scrapbooking Studio, The Digichick, Etsy and Creative Market.

Remember, everything is 50% discounted for National Scrapbooking Day! If you’re reading this today, then you might be in time for my Friday $1 Flash Sales (more information in this blog post), if not, be sure to check the $1 Saturday Flash Sales at The Studio. The $2 Chick Blitz sale at The Digichick is from May 6-9 and my Etsy store is 50% discounted until May 10th included.

Well, I guess now you know everything I wanted to tell you! Have fun shopping and see you again next week!

Anja

Looking for some real deals and steals? Then hurry up and go see the $1 Flash Sales in my shop at Digital Scrapbooking Studio!

Three personal use products and three commercial use products will be available for just $1 - only today. Tomorrow there will be another $1 Flash Sale with six new products.

These are my Flash Sale products for today, Friday:

Personal Use

Commercial Use

Hurry up, because these $1 Flash Sales are only available today (and make sure to come back tomorrow to see the $1 Flash Sales for Saturday!).

Anja

 

 

That’s right, I’m having a big big sale in my Etsy shop, starting today, and valid until the 10th of May included! Use coupon ENJOY50FORINSD2016 on checkout - have fun!

Anja

Hi! Today is Revenge of the Fifth at Digital Scrapbooking Studio … and that means more whimsical deals!

You can grab 5 packs for just $5, today only:

Remember, this offer is valid only today, so be quick!

Anja

Unless you have been living on the moon for the past few weeks, without any form of communication 🙂 you must have heard that International Scrapbooking Day is coming!

For those of you that do not know what that means: each year on the first Saturday in May, National Scrapbook Day is observed. Also known as National Scrapbooking Day, this day will gather thousands of people all over the world to celebrate with scrapbooking parties, events and sales in every scrapbook store.

The Studio is starting the party with a big ‘May The Fourth Be With You‘ Event. You can grab 4 packs for just $4 - or $1 for each pack. Awesome, right?

Here are my four packs that you can grab for just $4 - only today!

The perfect opportunity to start preparing for Halloween 🙂 and save BIG. Remember: you must grab all four packs, otherwise the promotion will not apply.

This offer is valid only today, tomorrow there will be a new event, look out for that too!

May The Fourth Be With You

Anja

Thanks for participating in the May 2016 DigiScrap Parade!

If you are following the Parade route from start to finish, you should have arrived here from Vero and your next stop will be Jimbo Jambo Designs.

If you get lost along the way, simply head back to the main DigiScrap Parade site to view the master list and get back on track.

I’m so excited to be participating in the Digiscrapparade for the very first time as a new designer! I have created solids for you from every colour of the Commencement colour scheme and I have added a bit of silver glitter to them,
for a discrete festive look. I hope you like them.

Click on the image below to download (there’s a little surprise inside as well 🙂 ) :

Thanks for stopping buy and enjoy the rest of the ride!

Anja