3 Digital Backgrounds to Make
There are three “go-to” backgrounds that I seem to include in many of my digital scrapbook layouts. They are card-stock, stripes, and dots – specifically, polka-dots. And while I may change the colors, scale, and portions that I use of these elements, I use them so often that they qualify as standards for me. Indeed, I used digital card-stock in this layout of my grandmother (at left). Because of that, I thought a video tutorial on how to make them would be perfect for today’s post.
In the tutorial, I’ll demonstrate an easy trick for simulating card-stock. Then, I’ll show you how to create a stripe and an off-set polka-dot pattern. Next, I’ll share how to combine it all to create a textured background that is as interesting as it is realistic in appearance. Finally, throughout the tutorial, you’ll learn how to change the scale, colors, and look of these elements so that you’ll be able get more from these techniques than just three papers.
After learning these design tricks, you’ll be creating your own backgrounds and digital scrapbook papers in no time!
Download
To add to the fun, we have a sample set of three backgrounds you can try out for your projects. Please click on the image below to download the zip file (~15 MB).
Instructions
The following tutorial steps you through how to make your own backgrounds. Then, I’d recommend saving your designs as .PNG or .JPG files so that you can reuse them again and again.
Problems viewing this video? Try opening it in a new window.
Downloads
Related Tags: scrapbook papers
Robin
January 20, 2011 at 11:13 am
Thank you. I have been using PSE for a long time but knew nothing about patterns.
Debra
January 20, 2011 at 12:37 pm
Super cool. I have not used the patterns much yet, so I learned alot. Thanks!
Rosi
January 20, 2011 at 12:49 pm
Excellent tutorial, Liz. Very well explained. Patterns and seamless patterns are still a mystery to me; now starting year 3 with PSE7.
I’m still excited about your Argyle pattern tutorial!
My PSE7 doesn’t have guidelines, but it’s easy enough to make some lines on a new layer or to use the grid.
I did try to make a knitted texture paper – stitch by agonizing stitch. It would have been much easier to learn to make a pattern.
Thank you!
Liz
January 20, 2011 at 3:18 pm
Oh wow! Though it was a job, your pattern sounds so cool (the knitted texture paper)!
Liz
January 20, 2011 at 3:20 pm
Robin and Debra and Rosi — so glad you enjoyed the tutorial. Thanks for your comments!
=) Liz
James
January 22, 2011 at 3:10 am
Fine effort, Liz! Learned a lot about patterns and other features of PSE and CS5.
Liz
January 22, 2011 at 7:18 am
Thanks James! =)
Mikki
January 22, 2011 at 5:33 pm
Always love learning something new. Thank You!!
Liz
January 22, 2011 at 6:53 pm
You bet, Mikki, and thank you for your comment. =)
Dennis
February 1, 2011 at 6:43 am
Liz,
Great tutorial. Perhaps you can give additional examples for using these papers in your work.
Liz
February 1, 2011 at 7:48 am
Dennis,
Thanks for your request — I’ll see what I can do about that. Meanwhile, If you’d like to see a gallery of my favorite scrapbook layouts (made over the last four or so years — and a couple with the paper designs), please check out my gallery on my personal blog: http://www.liznessstudio.com/2011/01/layouts/
Thanks again and have a great day!
=) Liz
Edward
March 7, 2011 at 10:05 am
Excellent tutorial on getting started making digital paper and using patterns.
Thank you Liz, I hope to see more tutorials from you.
Liz
March 7, 2011 at 10:14 am
Thanks Edward! =)
Jan
May 8, 2011 at 9:22 am
Thank you for this tutorial. I am continually amazed at all the things that can be done with PSE. I can’t wait to play!
Liz
May 8, 2011 at 1:25 pm
You bet and thanks for your comment Jan! =)
Ida
October 2, 2011 at 2:54 pm
When I go to the Offset it only make or moves one circle. What am I doing wrong.
Ida
October 2, 2011 at 3:03 pm
Oh, I figured out what I was doing wrong. Now it is working.
Liz
October 2, 2011 at 3:05 pm
Oh, awesome Ida–glad it worked out. =)
Diana
November 4, 2011 at 11:32 am
HI. I like the tutorial as I am a scrapbooker also. Digital scrapbooking is new to me though. Where would you print out the 12 x12 paper after you create it?
Antonia
March 10, 2012 at 10:57 am
Hi Liz, this was very helpful. I am new to PSE 10 and use it for cards, labels, invitations, etc. Can you do a tutorial on creating dotted and dash circles as I am still learning?