|
|
|
 |
 |
As webmaster of MSW, I make it a point to check the web for any sites that links back to us. It's much easier if websites don't just post a link-back but actually paste the MSW button or the MSW blog widget. The entire exercise is never a chore but is always considered a rewarding experience. Seeing any form of unsolicited link-back is like a pat on the back. I'm floored each time I see a link-back to MSW from scrappers I have met casually or have emailed one time or another. I'm however ecstatic when I come across link-backs from scrappers I have yet to meet. This is how I came across PurpleSea and KTJison. Double that joy if the link-back comes from a scrapper outside the country! This is how I "met" Skiccio and yes, Currant7 - the latter is also known as Cheryl Chan.
|
|
 |
Cheryl Chan
|
|
 |
Cheryl Chan is a digital scrapper whose pages have caught the attention of several digital designers and digital scrapping sites (WTG Pinay Pride!). I was really intrigued how she "shifted" from traditional to digital scrapping, what made her "shift" and any advice she can share to trad scrappers who are just starting to seriously go into the allied craft.
I asked her if she can write all about it and despite her tight schedule, she graciously obliged. (Scrappers, trad or digi are really a caring, giving lot!) Meet Cheryl, the x-trad scrapper who can now scrap as fast as she can take pictures! (Don't you wish! - M)
About me...
I am an investor services manager for a hedge funds company in Hong Kong. I grew up in the Philippines thought spent my high school and university years in Canada. I came back to Manila to work for a few years before moving to Hong Kong three years ago.
How I started scrapbooking...
I am a working professional by trade, but an artist by heart. I have been scrapping for more than 10 years now. Like all typical scrappers, I started with traditional paper scrapping. I had my share of visiting crafts & scrapbook stores, of joining private crops and, yes, of hoarding supplies that will take me forever to use up!
|
|
Stamps and stickers were my first scrapbook materials. I did not know the existence of "professional and safe scrapbooking" until I saw an episode of Oprah featuring Lisa Bearnson, the creator and editor of Creating Keepsakes, and talking about the vast new world of "scrapbooking". In the show, Lisa demonstrated the some of the many styles of scrapbooking that opened my eyes to everything scrapbooking and greatly affected how I spend my free time. I started exploring more craft items like archival safe pattern papers, vellums, charm accents, etc.
|
More and more I found that scrapbooking lets me get over a "bad day" at the office and at the same time, preserve my family's memories. With so many wonderful things happening to my family and friends, these "precious moments" have been growing so fast that going digital was the perfect solution.
The first problem I have encountered with paper scrapping was how to keep up with supplies and scrapbooking trends. Also, it took me forever to finish a traditional layout since one mistake often means that I have to redo major portions of an entire page. Another issue is that I take a lot of photos. Choosing the right ones to print and place on a one/two page layout became more and more difficult as the number of pictures increased. Over time, traditional photo scrapping became too tedious and I was finding it difficult to feel inspired.
"The Leap of Faith"...
I discovered digital scrapbooking in August 2006 while "idling" in front of a computer at work. I chanced upon some Rhonna Farrer free kits on the 2peas site and found them wonderful. I got really curious about digital kits and their potential. I gave the freebie kits a try and never looked back.
At first, digi-scrapping was tricky but my curiosity and determination overcame my initial missteps. Downloading the kits was easy, thanks to broadband connection at the office. The problem came when I started to use the kits in the office since my computer there did not have any real graphics software. I had to resort to looking for other software to "explore" digi-scrapping. The answer was to use PowerPoint - easy and simple to use due to its limited functions. The software's limitation did not discourage me but instead enabled me to quickly crank out finished products with the help of quick pages and simple grouping functions to save a photo and resize. |
|
| Some of Cheryl's digitally-scrapped pages. Click any to zoom. |
 |
| |
 |
|
|
I would not say that my first few layouts were a smashing success nor were they really interesting but I think I cranked out so much because I found the activity so addicting that my works got the attention of some digital designers. Deborah Vessels was the first to notice my work and approached me to be part of her creative team of Digizines Digital Den. Later, other supportive designers like SOTB's Doodleboogs and SBE's Mikki Livanos and Brenda Johnson also took me under their creative wings. This support boosted my confidence to further pursue scrapping.
|
 |
| |
 |
| Here are some of Cheryl's favorite digital sites: |
- TwoPeas - Love the tutorials and challenges - I really learned a lot from digital artists like Veronica Ponce, Shannon Freeman and Rhonna Farrer (of course!) such as making pop art-like photos, doing pin light and masking
- The Digi Chick -supportive community for newbees and very nice free kits to try
- Nana's Attic - voted as #1 best digital site on the web, Anita (Nan) creates wonderful digital freebees for anyone who wants to get her stuff
- Shabby Princess - choice digital kits for free!
- Digi Scrap Depot - a depot for upcoming artists to share and promote their new kits online
|
|
| Visit the MSW Gallery for some of Cheryl's digiLOs and the MSW Blog too for more of our digi link-picks! Click here! -M |
|
 |
Staying with Digital...
After a lot of practice with Powerpoint files and finally getting into Photoshop (the proper graphics software), I started getting the hang of digi-scrapping. There are so many advantages to this type of scrapbooking like:
- The freedom to alter, edit, "deconstruct" kits and elements to fit a layout theme/feel;
- The ability to reuse papers, kits and elements as many times as I want;
- The power to edit digital photos that are readily available or in my camera without having to develop them;
- The capability to save various versions of one particular layout - this is particularly useful when one is undecided and there is a need to view multiple similar layouts over a few days; and
- The power to use the "undo" feature.
The last one on the list has often been a life-saver to me!
Inspired by...
I find inspiration in my surroundings, anything vintage and yes, my nephew. I try to find new and unique ways to scrap - the "unconventional way" especially to showcase the kits I get. I like the fully embellished look - whether it be for paper layouts or digi-sMy advice for first time digi-scrappers or those who would want to digital scrap is to:
- Start simple. Use freebee kits offered online to see what you come up with.
- Be ready to play. Do not let missing graphics software hinder you from letting out your "hidden creativity". You do not need to invest in a digital software immediately. You can try to use PowerPoint and get comfortable with complete digital kits before trying to buy and learn a new software. Play around with angles, darks/contrasts, resizings, etc. For PowerPoint, note that photo manipulation is limited but it gives you a slight feel for digital scrapping.
- Quick Page is your friend. Use quick pages provided by the designer to ease in to this medium slowly.
- Be adventurous. Manipulate to adjust and not adjust to what the kit has for you. The beauty of digital scrapbooking is that you can manipulate anything to fit whatever you want that paper/element to be. I have done this so many times like how a button can be resized and re-aligned to be part of the paper's design instead or having a particular design on my paper be my photo corner. It all goes to show that you can make what you need to complete your photo...not you to conform to what a kit has given you.
- Templates are good when you get stuck. Let's put it this way, there are days when one really has to resort to scraplifting someone to get rid of scrapper's block. I check out the sites below a lot see new perspectives and new ways to create layouts. Later on, there will be lots of room to personalize a lift.
If you have questions, please feel free to contact me via email currant7{at}yahoo.com or visit my blog. Happy digiscrapping! (Happy digiscrapping to you too Cheryl! And thanks! - M) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
