[katykins]

I was just getting into scrapping again loving working things out then came the suggestion to try blending, bought my kit read the instructions and i just dont get it dont understand the instructions guess i am just to thick to get any further cant understand the instructions Angie sent guess i better just stick to plonking photos and a few embelishments on and forget about scrapbooking again so why do i feel so heart broken

[mbc72]

I am not sure what you mean by blending, but if you are talking about blending modes on your editing program, that is ALL practice. I personally came from a paper scrapping perspective and find that I approach my digital pages the same way. I have never really gotten into the artistry of the totally digital look. I still want my pages to have texture and shadows-plonking on photos and embellishments as I go along If you like how your pages look and are having fun, please don't let one aspect of scrapping cause you to give the whole thing up. This is supposed to be FUN!!!!

[elibar]

Heck, you don't have to blend to digi scrap! Who needs it if it's frustrating you. Stick to what you know and you'll learn little by little.

All you need is a background, a photo, and a title and you have a page. Take advantage of beautiful ready made elements and let the designers do the work for you.

[varanda]

Don't give up! We've all been there. Take it step by step.

[teecee]

If you let us know what kit/instructions you referring to and which program and OS you are using, I'm sure someone will be along who will be able to help you. We've all been there, and sometimes still get stuck, especially when trying something new. DON'T GIVE UP! As the others have said, this is supposed to be fun! Don't stress, just give us a little more info and I'm sure these wonderful ladies will help you if they can. HUGS!

[SandiC.]

Keep on plonking on pictures on a pretty paper, put a title on it, maybe a pretty embellishment and you are scrapping. I still do that. Hang in there and don't sell yourself short. Those pages are for you and you can do anything you want. Blending takes time to learn and its not the least bit necessary. Shoot, the papers here alone with just a photo are beautiful, you don't have to do anything else.

[PBarnes]

Please don't give up. Elisha's right. There is so much you can do without having to master fancy techniques. We are here to help in anyway we can.

[CRS]

I'd hate to see you give up!! You don't have to use blending to digi-scrap. Just do what makes you happy!

[StephRN]

I looked at your gallery and your layouts are wonderful. You don't need to blend. You have a great style without it. Just keep having fun and one day it will come to you in a moment of epiphany.

[JenniferZ]

Don't give up! Baby steps to the pages of your dreams!!!! LOL Stick with it and one day you'll look back and you won't believe you ever thought it was hard -- I promise!!

Practice makes better and remember with digital, you can just undo and start over!

[BarbaraC1977]

Don't give up! You might find some of the "easy pages" worth checking out--they'll help you make great layouts by just plonking a photo or too and a title on. That will give you some time to get more comfortable with the tools, and you can branch out when you're ready! And don't hesitate to ask questions. I've learned so much from other members here, and they are super!

[katykins]

thanks for the suggestions but the whole idea of doing anything is to learn and i like the effect of blending and there is absolutlly no point in just say carry on in what you are doing, how can i when there is http://store.scrapgi...lenders---Masks things to use. As for telling someone who is struggeling to just carry on as you are is a case of spend your money and if the products dont work for you tough

[HeidiD]

As Theresa said, we are happy to help you work through any issues you are having, step-by-step. Everybody has started at the beginning and we are happy to help. Just let us know which program you are using and the look you are trying to achieve and we will do our best to help you get there.

With the Photo Masks you mentioned, what you need to do is first place the mask on your layout where you would like your photo to be.

Then, place your photo in its own layer directly above the mask.

Depending on your software, you can right-click and choose "Group with Previous" or "Create Clipping Mask," and the photo will attach itself to the mask, taking on its edges and such.

You can then move your photo on its layer until it is placed perfectly within the mask.

When you have the positioning correct, right-click on the photo layer again and choose "Merge with Previous" or "Merge Down." This will PERMANENTLY attach the photo to your mask. If you prefer to leave the layers separate in case you'd like to make any changes later, you can skip this step.

Does that help a bit?

Again, if you will let us know the specific look you are going for - even if you have a link to a layout that shows the look you like - we will be happy to help you figure out how to create that look for yourself. We would hate to leave you feeling frustrated.

[katykins]

HeidiD, on 16 June 2010 - 01:03 AM, said:

As Theresa said, we are happy to help you work through any issues you are having, step-by-step. Everybody has started at the beginning and we are happy to help. Just let us know which program you are using and the look you are trying to achieve and we will do our best to help you get there.

With the Photo Masks you mentioned, what you need to do is first place the mask on your layout where you would like your photo to be.

Then, place your photo in its own layer directly above the mask.

Depending on your software, you can right-click and choose "Group with Previous" or "Create Clipping Mask," and the photo will attach itself to the mask, taking on its edges and such.

You can then move your photo on its layer until it is placed perfectly within the mask.

When you have the positioning correct, right-click on the photo layer again and choose "Merge with Previous" or "Merge Down." This will PERMANENTLY attach the photo to your mask. If you prefer to leave the layers separate in case you'd like to make any changes later, you can skip this step.

Does that help a bit?

Again, if you will let us know the specific look you are going for - even if you have a link to a layout that shows the look you like - we will be happy to help you figure out how to create that look for yourself. We would hate to leave you feeling frustrated.

thank you for your help I did manage to do the effect I love so much once, and will post the page in a few minutes, I did it by making a sandwich with the mask inbetween the swan picture and moved the swan onto my scrapgirls paper it is the softening of the edges I am now struggeling with. I really don't mind putting the effort into it, if only things came with instructions that did not show pictures I like step 1 move the background paper onto the page you are using then place your photograph next with the masking layer ontop of that.

thanks you so much for your help you really have given me hope and the will to continue

[teecee]

Hi, glad to hear you've made progress. There is also a thread here about blending that may be of some help to you. Just let us know if you need more assistance.

[katykins]

I did not need a blending mask, all I needed was to be told to how to use the feather, after saying that don't think I have wasted money on the blending masks, have loads of ideas how to use them. Now for the big apology, there are going to be pages and pages posted now I have the tools to do what I like, thank you so much, will never be able to thank you enough

kathryn

ps look out for the page in I am back called a boy called Mrs Harrison in a few days

[goodqueenbee]

Kathryn, I just found this post and want to encourage you to get Ro's Software Secrets ebook for your program.
These books offer visual hands-on training to help you learn ONE TRICK at a time.

HINT: Take the time to PRACTICE each trick for a few days before you move on to the next one, so you can remember more of the process!
ENJOY THE TRAINING! Its good stuff!

[Julie - scrapaholic]

So glad you figured it out. Don't ever give up. Always ask and as you can see all will chip in and help you out. Can't wait to see all the LO's your going to get done.

[varanda]

I am glad you were able to create something new in a new way.

Whenever you get stuck on a new product you have purchased, we don't want you to feel frustrated because it doesn't seem to be as easy to use as you thought it would be.

Come here, say specifically what is stumping you and the answers will come. We never want you to feel like we expect you to buy products and tough luck if you don't know how to use it. We are all about teaching you to use the products we create. We have an entire University, tutorials in the newsletter and eBooks as well as Secrets to guide you along.

No question is dumb and the question you ask may be the very one someone else wanted to ask but was too afraid to.

Just think, your frustration caused you to ask and a whole world opened for you. Then you expanded into it and are now creating in a new way. I'd call that good, very good.

[Smiles]

Thanks for asking the question - I learned from Heidi's answer!
And your LO A Boy Called Mrs Harrison is truly precious.

[katykins]

Smiles, on 16 June 2010 - 01:15 PM, said:

Thanks for asking the question - I learned from Heidi's answer!
And your LO A Boy Called Mrs Harrison is truly precious.

You are welcome, perhaps if we have problems we can help each other, I am usually good at the technical stuff thats what frustrated me more than ever

[TallCool69]

Kathryn, one of the many fabulous things about the community here at ScrapGirls, is the willingness to help!

WHATEVER problem you might have (and it doesn't even need to be scrapping-related), just post a question on the boards and you will be helped.
When it is scrapping-related, the most important thing (apart from the question itself) is what kind of software you use!
If you specify that, you'll get the right answer sooooo much faster!

I'm happy you're not giving up!
The more you learn, the more you want to learn!
I've been doing this for the past 4 years, and I'm learning new things constantly and I get frustrated waaaay too often, but I LOVE it!

[Cheri T]

Kathryn, I'm so glad you got it figured out! Learning new things sure can be frustrating sometimes, I think especially when computers are involved! Good for you to stick through it and also I'm so glad we have so many helpful people here at SG when we are stuck.

[HeidiD]

Oh! I'm so glad you are working things out! You wouldn't believe the trouble I had when I started working with graphics programs - I didn't even know layers existed! Boy, was that a light-bulb moment for me to figure those out! LOL!

Keep asking!

[Sara Arell]

I am so happy you are not giving up - my layouts are basically choosing a paper, a picture and some embellishments - I do know how to blend and feather but I don't always do it - As so many before you have already said, we are all here to help and I think you've seen all of the help available to you already - Please continue to stick with it - it will get easier, I promise - and your layout was awesome!

[Sara Arell]

Now, I am completely blocked and my layouts are awful - lost my MOJO somewhere - need advice and have asked for and gotten it from our awesome designers.

[DDecker]

katykins, on 16 June 2010 - 07:16 AM, said:

I did not need a blending mask, all I needed was to be told to how to use the feather, after saying that don't think I have wasted money on the blending masks, have loads of ideas how to use them. Now for the big apology, there are going to be pages and pages posted now I have the tools to do what I like, thank you so much, will never be able to thank you enough

kathryn

ps look out for the page in I am back called a boy called Mrs Harrison in a few days

I am so glad you figured it out. I know it can be so frustrating when you can't produce an effect you like. Off to find your layout now.

[angelaNussbaum]

I have been in your place so many times, trying to learn something, or figure something out. You did the right thing, even in your fustration by posting a call for help!! What courage you have!!

Im so glad to see so many step up to help you out. Sometimes it just takes someone else's language to be able to explain it.

I hope if you have any more questions, you will still ask!

Now im off to look at your layouts!


Angela N.

[BarbaraC1977]

Katy, I know you were discouraged when you started this thread six months ago. I ran across it today, and went to look at your gallery. WOW! You've done so much, and your layouts are a joy to view! I wanted to congratulate you on staying with it, and growing into such an accomplished digital scrapbooker. Well done!

[jenrou]

katykins, on 15 June 2010 - 11:44 PM, said:

thanks for the suggestions but the whole idea of doing anything is to learn and i like the effect of blending and there is absolutlly no point in just say carry on in what you are doing, how can i when there is http://store.scrapgi...lenders---Masks things to use. As for telling someone who is struggeling to just carry on as you are is a case of spend your money and if the products dont work for you tough

I'm sure you can do whatever you want to. I'm trying to learn even the basics and you already are doing pages. I have some of the blender templates, but have not even tried them yet. I'm still trying to learn my program with simple things. Just keep at it, and one day it will make sense to you. I've been a member for several years, and just this month feel as if I'm able to even talk about scrapbooking on here. Now they can't shut me up!
We all have days when we want to throw the whole mess out the window. I know I do.
The first time I accidently got a mask to work, made me want to jump up and down--but then I'd probably have to call the ambulance.
Good luck, and ask questions on here. Somebody will be able to help you.
Jean