Digital Scrapbooking Tips

Last week’s tip focused on creating a thin box around a layout or photo. This week, we’ll alter the key-lines to make them look a little less perfect, creating a less formal look.

Open a document and create a very thin key-line.

Use a dark color to make the line. 

Select the key-line layer from the Layers Panel, then choose Filter > Liquify from the Menu Bar (Photoshop.) In Elements, choose Filter > Distort > Liquify.

This opens the Liquify filter dialog box where you can get the Turbulence tool. Keeping the cursor relatively straight, drag along each of the sides of the box, avoiding the corners. You’ll make four swipes – one on each edge. If you don’t like the results, Undo by pressing Ctrl Z (Mac: Cmd Z) and try again. If you want to start all over again, pressing the Alt key (Mac: Opt key) will change the Cancel button to Reset.

As you drag the cursor, the edges will become wobbly.

Next, switch to the Forward Warp tool and use it to push or pull the sides to make fine adjustments and click OK.

To change the black key-line to white, press Ctrl U (Mac: Cmd U,) drag the Lightness slider all the way to the right and click OK.

Try creating a second box in a contrasting color for an extra helping of whimsy. This is a fun technique to use on summer pages to mimic waves of the pool or ocean. It also coordinates well with doodled elements. Have some fun with key-lines this week and post your dandy pages in the Designer Digitals Idea gallery.