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the best of both worlds
by Audrey Neal

Here are Audrey’s instructions for creating fast and easy digital embellishments:

To make your own epoxy stickers:

  1. Open a new Photoshop document (letter-sized, 300 dpi, transparent background).
  2. Choose your shape tool and select the circle from the menu at the top of the page. Hold down your shift button (this maintains proportions) and draw a circle on your document. Click the simplify button at the top of your screen.
  3. Open the digital paper of your choice and drag it onto your simplified shape (or copy and paste it).
  4. Group (Ctrl+G) and merge (Ctrl+E) the paper on top of the shape. This will “clip” the paper to the shape.
  5. Repeat this process to create as many circles (or other shapes) as you need.

 

To open and manipulate digital images (.png or .jpg images) in Microsoft Word:

  1. Open a new Word document.
  2. Select Insert>Picture>From File and then select your digital image.
  3. To resize the item, hold down the shift button and then use the image.
  4. >Print the item as you would other Word documents.
To create alphabet strips:
  1. Open a neutral-coloured piece of digital paper and make a copy of it (Layer>Duplicate layer). Then close the original background layer.
  2. Select your type tool and choose your font and size. Type your letters onto the background paper, leaving several spaces in between each letter. Simplify the text (right click on the text layer in your layers palette and select ‘simplify’).
  3. Use the area selection tool to make a rectangular selection around the first letter, then right click and select the option that allows you to create a new layer by cutting it out.
  4. Drag and drop that small rectangular section onto the circle you created in the first set of steps.
  5. Repeat with additional letters.
  6. When you are finished, print onto white cardstock or matte photo paper, punch out and top with 1-2 layers of Crystal Glaze.