Keeping track of Credits in PSE7

I read this tip somewhere recently, and have started using it on all my layouts, so thought I'd pass it on! When creating a scrapbook page, I often use art elements from multiple designers. At the very least, I have art elements plus a font, and sometimes a template. Sometimes, the art elements come from ALL OVER and if I don't keep track along the way, it can take a long time at the end to reconstruct the credits. Since most galleries require credits for posting, it makes sense to keep track, and here's a great way to do it.

Ready? It's not rocket science! HOW TO KEEP TRACK OF CREDITS:

Create a new text layer in PSE, and place it as the top layer of your document. As you add elements, make a list in this text layer. At the end... HIDE it before saving your document to print or post. Anytime you need the credits, they are right there embedded in the document.

For example, the layout I posted yesterday, I Miss Lilacs, was pretty simple and had a pretty short credits list. Here's the layout:

Here's a copy of the layout showing my text layer:

That one was pretty simple, but here's a more complex layout I posted last week, Not Giving Up on My Dreams:

In this layout, nearly every element was from a different designer, so the list was longer. For purposes of this blog post, I moved the credits to a blank area of my page and used formatting so it would look good on-screen, but normally, it's just up in the top left corner like in the image above.

Happy Scrapping!

I Miss Lilacs

I did this page for a couple of challenges this month. The Journaling Challenge at godigitalscrapbooking.com for April required a page that contained the words, "I miss." Over at ScrapMatters, the Saturday Special challenge was to create a monochromatic page. When I put those together, I thought of these photos of lilacs that were taken by my friend Sarah, because I LOVE lilacs, and I MISS them, since they don't grow locally.

The Journaling on this page reads:
Oh, how I love lilacs. When I lived in Michigan, I waited every year for the lilacs to bloom.They bloom for such a short time, I could never get enough of them. I love the perfect color, the delicate blossoms, but most of all, I love the intoxicating fragrance, and oh, how I miss it!

Credits: "Because I'm a Woman" by the Scrapmatters Design Team, Template by Katie Pertiet
Fonts: CK Becky 
Photos: Sharp Images Custom Photography (used with permission)

Baby Announcement and Baby Shower Invitation

More baby stuff! The same scrap kit I used for Waiting for Charlie has some nice elements in it for more traditional baby projects, and I thought it would be perfect for Baby Announcements or Baby Shower Invitations. I think the best part is that nearly every element in the kit comes in pink and blue, as well as many of them also in green, yellow and/or white, so one kit is useful for any baby project.

Credits:

 "Waiting for You" by Majula Designs
Fonts, Baby Announcement: Century Gothic, Scriptina
Fonts, Baby Shower Invite: Century Gothic, 3 Hour Tour
Baby photo: Public Domain

Waiting for Charlie | October 2008

I got an assignment from GoDigitalScrapbooking to create a page using a baby-themed scrapbook kit. The blue color in the kit coordinated with the colors we chose for our last family portraits, so I thought it would be fun to use some of those photos, since my sister-in-law at the time was expecting. My page is themed on the kit title, "Waiting for you." I was REALLY excited with how this turned out!

Credits: "Waiting for You" by Majula Designs
Font: Funny Bunny
Photo actions: Pioneer Woman
Photos: Sara Goetz Photography

Not giving up on my dreams

A friend of mind and fellow scrap addict described this page perfectly: Scrapbooking Therapy.

Journaling on this page reads: I love this photo. I knew when I clicked, it was going to be cool. The sky was perfect blue, and the puffy white clouds were amazing. The surreal reflection of nothing but sky on Cloud Gate spoke to me of infinite opportunity, dreams of a future full of possibility. Time has passed, and today this image reminds me it’s all still true, but I can’t let go of my dream just because it hasn’t yet come true.

Credits: "Dream Big" JAB Digital Designs, "Fresh Mini" by Mistica Designs, "Splendid Mini" by Christy Skaggs, "Earth Day" by the GDS Design Team & Shien Designs, "Dipsy Doodles" by Dancing Princess Designs and Dylabel Designs. Some design elements are my own. Layout design inspired by Janet Phillips. Font: Batik Regular

Beautiful Belize | July 2006

When I think about Belize, I think about this photo. On our last work day there, we finished early, and had some time to just sit and enjoy the view. This is that view.

Credits: Earth Day Collab Kit by the Design Team at GoDigitalScrapbooking.com
Font: Mistral

My Favorite Things 2010

I know a lot of scrappers that are doing "All About Me" challenges, and I thought it would be fun to do a few pages like that for myself. This is my first one, and it documents a few of my current favorite things, and my current favorite photo of myself. Thanks LeAnn for the photo!

Credits: Best Friends by Doreen Stolz

Fonts: Caribbean, CK Becky, CK Mini