Tuesday Tutorial: Adding Artistic Filters Using Word

OK, so we all have our favorite digis that we love to use again and again, right? But even using our favorite digis, we might like a little diversity. Sure, we can add that through the use of different colors, papers, and accessories, but how about something really dramatic like changing the style of the actual lines of the images? Today I'm going to show you how to do just that using Microsoft Word (TM)  and "filters," aka "artistic effects." Fun! :-)

Please note that this tutorial does assume some basic understanding of digis. If you are brand new to using digis, please visit our Digi Stamps 101 page HERE for directions to get you started. Also, for this tutorial, I'll be using Microsoft Word 2010. If you'd like to follow along with my directions for creating scenes with your digis using Word 2010, but don't currently have this program installed on your computer, you can download a free 60-day-use trial of Microsoft Office 2010 HERE (Microsoft Word is included in the Office suite of programs).


A. Adding "Filters" to Digis Using Word (Mac Version)

1. Open a new, blank document in Microsoft Word.

2. Insert the digi of your choice into the Word document.

3. Click on the digi with your mouse to select it in the Word window. Notice that when you select the digi, a blue bounding box appears around the image, and that the  "Format Picture" tab on the Adjustments toolbar becomes highlighted. This means that the tools in this tab are available to be used on the digi.

4. In the Format Picture tab, locate and click the "Filters" button.

5. A visual menu will open on the screen. This menu includes a variety of "filters" that can be applied to the selected digi. A tooltip stating the name of each filter will appear if you hover your mouse over a particular icon.

6. Click on one of the icons in the "Filters" menu to apply a filter, and watch how the image changes on your screen. For example, you might apply the "Chalk Sketch" filter as I did to this image.

7. Go ahead and experiment with all of the filters to see what they do -- you know you want to! :-)

8. If you like the look of the filter you applied, simply print out the digi as you usually would for use in a project.

9. If you don't like the look of the filter you applied, either select a different one from the menu, or click on the first icon in the Filters menu -- "No Filter" -- to remove any changes.

B. Adding "Artistic Effects" to Digis Using Word (PC Version)

The steps for adding a filter to a digi are a bit different if you are using the PC version of Word 2010. Because I do not have access to a PC at this time, I unable to show photos, but here are the steps for you to follow. Note that they are very similar to those for a Mac, with just minor differences in the names of the tabs and buttons, so the pictures above should still give you a good sense of things.

1. Open a new, blank document in Microsoft Word.

2. Insert the digi of your choice into the Word document.

3. Click on the digi with your mouse to select it in the Word window. Notice that when you select the digi, a blue bounding box appears around the image, and that the  "Picture Tools/Format" tab on the  toolbar becomes highlighted. This means that the tools in this tab are available to be used on the digi.

4. In the "Adjust" section of the toolbar (left end), locate and click on the "Artistic Effects" button.

5. A visual menu will open on the screen. This menu includes a variety of "artistic effects" that can be applied to the selected digi. A tooltip stating the name of each artistic effect will appear if you hover your mouse over a particular icon.

6. Click on one of the icons in the "Artistic Effects" menu to apply it, and watch how the image changes on your screen.

7. Go ahead and experiment with all of the artistic effects to see what they do -- you know you want to! :-)

8. If you like the look of the artistic effect you applied, simply print out the digi as you usually would for use in a project.

9. If you don't like the look of the artistic effect you applied, either select a different one from the menu, or click on the first icon in the Artistic Effects menu -- "None" -- to remove any changes.

Although I've demonstrated this technique with an outline image, it can work with pre-colored images as well. (The card at the top of my post was created by applying the "Cement" filter to the colored fall tree image from the "In Season" digi set.) Please note, however, that how well the technique works with pre-colored images will depend on the image itself, which filter you apply to it, and the print quality of your particular printer.

If you have any questions about this tutorial, please be sure to leave a comment on this post. If you would like a direct reply, please include your email address. Until next time, happy crafting! :-)

Tuesday Tutorial: Flipping & Rotating Digis with Word

Sometimes in crafting, I find that I really want a digi to be facing a different direction from how it was drawn. Maybe I want to flip it over (aka "mirror" it), or maybe I just want to rotate it in a slightly different direction. I'm sure I'm not the only one who's had this issue! So for today's Tuesday Tutorial, I thought I'd share how to flip -- a.k.a. "mirror" -- and rotate digis using Microsoft Word. These processes are so very simple, but will give you a lot of flexibility in your crafting, and who doesn't love flexibility? :-)

Please note that this tutorial does assume some basic understanding of digis. If you are brand new to using digis, please visit our Digi Stamps 101 page HERE for directions to get you started. Also, for this tutorial, I'll be using Microsoft Word 2010. If you'd like to follow along with my directions for creating scenes with your digis using Word 2010, but don't currently have this program installed on your computer, you can download a free 60-day-use trial of Microsoft Office 2010 HERE (Microsoft Word is included in the Office suite of programs).

A. Flipping ("Mirroring") Digis Using Word

1. Open a new Word document, and then insert the digi that you would like to work with.

2. In the Word window, click on the digi to select it. A blue "bounding box" will appear around the outside of the digi to show that it is selected.

3. While the digi is selected, the "Format Picture" tools will appear at the top of the Word window. At the far right of this group of tools, locate the Rotate button and click on it.

4. A drop-down menu will appear on the screen. From this menu, select either Flip Horizontal or Flip Vertical, depending on the direction in which you wish to flip the digi.

In the document window, the selected digi will instantly flip so that is now facing the opposite direction that it was, along whichever axis -- horizontal or vertical -- that you selected. Fun, huh, and as I said, so very simple!

B. Rotating Digis Using Word

Now let's say you don't want to flip the image, you just want to rotate it in a slightly different direction? That, too, is very easy to do! You simply follow the same steps as above, but when you reach Step 4, select either Rotate Right 90 Degrees or Rotate Left 90 Degrees.

In the document window, the selected digi will instantly rotate per the option you selected.

Imagine the different ways you could create using these little tricks! For example, to make my sample card today, I simply used two copies of the same digi -- one facing the original direction, and one that I flipped horizontally.

But you could create all kinds of borders, scenes, etc. using a combination of flipped and rotated images. As always, your imagination is the limit!

If you have any questions about this tutorial, please be sure to leave a comment on this post. If you would like a direct reply, please include your email address. Until next time, happy crafting! :-)

Tuesday Tutorial: Make Paper with Digis and Word!

Many of our digi sets include printable patterned papers that coordinate well with the images in the sets. In crafting, I use these often, because they make the process of creating so easy. But every once in a while I decide that I want something a little different than the papers already included in a set. For example, a particular greeting might catch my eye, and I think, "I would really like to have that as a repeating background in a paper!" Using Photoshop, I am able to do this, but I realize that not everyone has access to that tool. Recently, however, I learned an easy little trick using Microsoft Word by which one can take any digi in a set and use it to create a very simple, patterned paper. For example, on the card shown above, I used the "ConGRADulations" greeting from the "ConGRADulations" digi set to make the background paper. I'm sure I'm not the only one who likes to do this sort of thing, so for today's Tuesday Tutorial, I thought I'd share the process with you, so you, too, can enjoy a little more flexibility in your digi crafting.

Please note that this tutorial assumes a basic understanding of how to place, make moveable, and resize digis in Word. Because I've covered these techniques extensively in previous tutorials, I will not focus on them today. But if you are new to using digis, or need a refresher on these steps, please read our Digi Stamps 101 tutorial. Also, for this tutorial, I'll be using Microsoft Word 2010. If you'd like to follow along with my directions  using Word 2010, but don't currently have this program installed on your computer, you can download a free 60-day-use trial of Microsoft Office 2010 HERE (Microsoft Word is included in the Office suite of programs).

Creating a Patterned Paper Using Digis and Word

1. Open a new, blank document in Word.

2. Insert the digi that you wish to use in the Word document.

DESIGN NOTE: I usually use the PNG version of a digi when creating patterned papers. This is because the PNG images have transparent backgrounds, whereas the JPG images have solid, white, rectangular backgrounds. Using PNG images means that if the images overlap a bit in their placement in the Word document, they won't be obscured by white background boxes.


3. Once you have placed the digi in the Word document, set "Wrap Text" on the image to "Tight" so that the digi is moveable within the document.

4. Adjust the size of the digi as necessary.

5. Adjust the "Zoom" of the Word document so that you can see the entire page as you work. To do this, click on View on the toolbar. Then from the pull-down menu, select "Zoom." When the Zoom window opens, click the radio button next to "Full Page," and then click the OK button.

With these adjustments made, it's time to create your pattern.

6. If the digi is not already selected in the document window (blue rectangle appearing around it), click on it with your mouse to select it.

7. Drag the digi to wherever you want it to be in the document.

DESIGN NOTE: This first digi will be the cornerstone for your patterned paper, so give some thought to how you want it placed. Be sure to pay attention to the page margins, so that the pattern you lay out falls inside the printable area of the page.

8. Now you are going to replicate the original digi to begin to create the pattern. To do this, simply press down and hold the ALT key on your keyboard, and then, while still doing that, left-click on the digi with your mouse, and holding down the left mouse button, drag away from the digi. This will create a duplicate of the original digi.

9. Release the ALT key and the left mouse button, and you will see that you have a second digi in the Word document.

10. Click on this digi to select it, and drag it to wherever you would like it in the document.

Repeat steps 8 thru 10, duplicating and placing the digis until you have a background that you like. You might create something linear...

...Or something a bit more random.

You can size the digis differently for a fun look...

...Or use more than one original digi, from the same or different digi sets, to create your pattern.

As with all things crafty, the only limit is your imagination!

11. Once you have filled the Word document with a pattern that you like, be sure to save the Word document to your computer so that you don't lose it.

12. Then, simply print it out on a paper of your choice.

That's all there is to it! If you have any questions, please leave them in the Comments section of this post, and I will respond ASAP. If you would like a direct reply, please be sure to include your email address. Until next time! :-)

Homemade notepad for the Refrigerator

Good Morning!

Today I'm going to show you how to make your own notepad for your refrigerator! With the new Rainbow Notes Digital Image that came out last month this is a super easy project that would be cute to give as a gift.
It would make a great gift for teachers or stocking stuffers.... or co-workers!

How to in Word:

Step 1: Click on the tab that says "INSERT". Pick the file you want to use. I used the green rectangle jpeg image.

Step 2: Repeat above and this time pick the PNG line notes file

Step 3: Keep the line notes file highlighted. Click on the tab that says "TEXT WRAPPING". A bar drops down and click on "IN FRONT OF TEXT"

Step 4: Right click on line notes and drag on top of notepad image.

**To fit another one on the page I made my margins smaller. Then I clicked on the notepad image and right click to hit "COPY". Then hit "PASTE" next to the image you have. Repeat for the line notes.

Step 5: Print on cardstock. I printed 8.

How to in Photoshop:

Step 1: Open the files you want to use. I opened the yellow JPEG notepad image and the PNG line notes.

Step 2: Click on the line notes so it is selected. Hit Ctrl A (select all). Hit Ctrl C (copy)
Step 3: Click on notepad image so it is selected. Hit Ctrl V (paste). The line should appear in the white box. If it doesn't then select the move tool and place it where you want it.
Step 4: Print as many copies as you want. I printed one on one side. Then turned the paper and ran it back through to get two to a page.

How to put it together into a Magnetic Note Pad:

Step 1: When the images are printed out it is time to cut them.

Step 2: Leave a 1/2 inch on the top. That is where you will put the adhesive.

Step 3: I perforated right on the green where my 1/2 border is. This way I can easily tear them off. If you don't have a tool to do that you could score it and that should give it a place to tear when you want to rip it off.

Step 4: Place 1/4 inch scor-tape along the edge where you perforated. I did it on the backside. Do this on each piece of notepaper.

Step 5: Peel off the scor-tape and stick each piece of paper together to make a pad of paper!

Step 6: Cut a piece of cardboard or mat board the same size as the notepad. Put 1/2 inch scor-tape on the last sheet of paper. Stick on cardboard.

Step 7: Add a magnet to the cardboard.

Step 8: Stick on fridge and enjoy! Now I have a pretty notepad that matches my kitchen!
You could also add ribbon to the top and make it look a little fancy!

Hope you have enjoyed this tutorial and have a fun crafty day!

Tuesday Tutorial: Using Digital Papers

Welcome, friends! It's time for another Tuesday Tutorial. Today's topic is Digital Papers. After our last tutorial, where Lori shared her gorgeous craft fair gift card set, we received quite a few questions on this topic. Digital papers are included in many of our digi sets, and we want to make sure you are fully comfortable using them. So let's get started! :-)

Please note that this tutorial does assume some basic understanding of digis. If you are brand new to using digis, please visit our Digi Stamps 101 page  for directions to get you started. Also, for this tutorial, I'll be using Microsoft Word 2010. If you'd like to follow along with my directions for resizing and printing digital papers using Word 2010, but don't currently have this program installed on your computer, you can download a free 60-day-use trial of Microsoft Office 2010 HERE (Microsoft Word is included in the Office suite of programs).

A. What are Digital Papers?
"Digital papers" are just another type of digi. At Clear Dollar Stamps, our digital papers are full-color, patterned images. They are like any other pre-colored digi that we offer, only larger. We include digital papers with many of our colored digi sets, and also have several "just paper" packs available for purchase. Digital papers come pre-sized, but are resizable to meet your crafting needs.

Digital papers can be used in your digital creations (i.e. digital scrapbooking). Alternately -- and this is how most of our designers use them -- they can be printed and used in your craft projects in place of traditional patterned papers. Think of a pad of scrapbooking paper you might buy at a craft store. Each of our digital papers is like one sheet in that pad. The advantage of digital papers, however, is that if you like a particular pattern, you can print it as many times as you want, without having to buy a whole new pad!

B. Do I Need Special Software to Use Digital Papers?
As with our other digis, some basic software is required to use digital papers. You will need to use a zip utility to download and unzip the files after you purchase them. You will also need to have a program on your computer that will allow you to resize and print images.  If you have been using our digis successfully, then you already have what is needed on your computer to use digital papers. However, if you are new to using digis, or need links to some basic software you can use, please read our Digis 101 page to learn more.

C. What Kind of Printer is Required to Print Digital Papers?
To print digital papers, you need to have a color printer. Remember, our digital papers are full-color, so they will not look right if printed in black-and-white! The higher the quality of your printer, the better the digital papers will look when printed.

D. What Kind of Paper is Needed to Print Digital Papers?
No special type of paper is required to print digital papers. However, smooth-surfaced, low absorbency cardstock/paper, such as Neenah cardstock, will likely give you the best results. (Papers and cardstocks that are highly absorbent may suck up the colored ink, and not give you the printing results that you like.) Also, keep in mind that digital papers are fully-colored, so if you print them on colored paper instead of plain white, you may get unwanted results.

I highly recommend that you test the paper you choose with your printer in advance to make sure it will feed through properly. Printers can be a bit prickly at times! :-)

E. How Do I Resize and Print Digital Papers?
The process for resizing and printing digital papers is exactly the same as for any of our other digis. You need to use a program that allows you to resize and print images to do this. There are many different computer programs that you can use, but as I've said many times before, I find Microsoft Word to be the easiest to use for these basic functions.

Here are directions for resizing and printing digital papers using Word 2010. If this feels like a review of the Digis 101 tutorial, that's because, again, the process is exactly the same! :-)

Placing the Digital Paper in a Word Document

1. Open a new, blank document in Word.
2. With your mouse, click on Insert on the menu bar at the top of the Word window, and select Photo from the pull-down menu.


   
   
   
   
3. A second menu will appear to the side. From this menu, select Picture from File.
4. The "Choose a Picture" window will appear on-screen. In this window, navigate to the digital paper you wish to open, and then click on the Insert button at the bottom right corner of the window.


   
   
   
   
   
5. The digital paper you selected will be placed on your blank Word document, and will have a blue rectangle around it. This indicates that it is selected and able to be edited.
   
   
   

Making the Digital Paper Moveable within the Word Document

By default, because Word is a "word processing" program, the digital paper will be set to appear behind any text you might also type into this document. In order to be able to move the digital paper around on the document and place it where you want it, you will need to adjust this setting.

1. If the digital paper is not already selected in the document window (blue rectangle appearing around it), click on it with your mouse to select it.
2. With the digi selected, locate the Wrap Text button on the toolbar above the document window. Click on this button.


   
   
   
   
   
3. A pull-down menu will appear on the screen. From this menu, select Tight.
4. The digital paper can now be moved to wherever you wish to place it on the document. To move the image, left-click the image with your mouse and, while holding down the left mouse button, drag the image to where you want it in the document.

Resizing the Digital Paper
Once you have made your digital paper moveable within the document window, you may want to then resize it to fit your crafting needs. Something to keep in mind when resizing is that shrinking or enlarging it will proportionally shrink or enlarge the pattern of the paper. So if you want to use the pattern at its full size, you will need to print it at full size. Please note that resizing a digital paper in Word only affects how the image appears in and prints from the current Word document -- it will not change the actual file that is stored on your computer. To resize the digital paper in the Word document:

1. If the digital paper is not already selected in the document window (blue rectangle appearing around it), click on it with your mouse to select it.
2. With the digital paper selected, locate the "Size" setting boxes at the top right on the toolbar above the document window. You will see two text boxes, indicating the "Height" and "Width" of the image.
   
   
   
3. IMPORTANT:  To the center right of the Height and Width boxes is a small checkbox -- the "Lock Aspect Ratio" box. Before making any changes to the Height or Width of the digital paper, be sure that a check-mark appears in this box. This will keep the image proportional as you resize it.
   
4. To change the size of the digital paper, click inside either the Height or Width text box and, holding down the left mouse button, drag the mouse to highlight the current number.
5. Type in the number you wish to change this measurement to, and then press the Return/Enter key on your keyboard. You need only change one number -- either Height or Width -- and the other will change proportionally. The image will instantly resize according to the new setting. 

Positioning the Digital Paper on the Page
Once you've sized the digital paper to your liking, you can move it to wherever you like on the page. To move the digital paper, simply click on it in the Word window and, while holding down the left mouse button, drag it around on the page. Be sure to keep the margin settings of the Word document in mind when choosing where to place the digital paper.

If you want to conserve cardstock, you could fill the rest of the page with digis or more digital papers before printing.


Printing the Digital Paper
Once you have your digital paper set up in the Word document to your liking, you are ready to print:

1. Load the paper on to which you wish to print your digital paper into your printer's paper tray.
2. In the Word window, click on File on the toolbar at the top left of the screen.
   
   
   
3. A pull-down menu will appear on the screen. From this menu, select Print.
4. Follow the prompts specific to your printer to complete the printing process.

F. Post-printing Tips
Be sure to let your digital papers dry before using them. Also, if you use a Laser printer, you may want to heat-set the ink before handling the paper. Finally, as with all paper products, we suggest keeping your printed digital papers away from liquids, as this may cause paper to disintegrate and the ink to run.

G. A Free Digital Paper for You to Try
If you'd like to give digital papers a try before deciding to purchase some, Clear Dollar Stamps has one that you may download for free from the store HERE. Because of how the store works, you will need to add the item to your shopping cart and check out as if making a paid purchase, but you will not be charged for this item.



That's all there is to it! Digital papers are fun and easy to use, and we hope that this tutorial has you feeling more confident about using them. Of course, if you do have questions, please leave us a comment or contact Lori directly through the store. Be sure to include your email address so that we can respond. :-)