![\"Summer](\"https:\/\/www.yourscrappingcafe.com\/home\/d19521157\/public_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/8_sotb_clusters_etd-smaller.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nAt their core, we use frames to highlight something, right? This is particularly true for photographs, which are often the centerpiece of a scrapbook page. By framing a photo, you create a distinct boundary that separates the image from other elements on the page, thereby enhancing its visibility and importance. Frames can also add a layer of aesthetic appeal to the photo itself, complementing its colors, themes, or emotional tone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Something a lot of people (including me) forget is that frames are not limited to photographs. They can be used to encircle and accentuate any element on your scrapbook page, such as text boxes, quotes, or other memorabilia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Detached Frames<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
When you add a frame to your layout, rather than perfectly aligning the frame over the photo, offset it so it looks detached. Something like this:<\/p>\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nNote:<\/strong> I created this example using a cluster from \u201cSummer On The Beach<\/a><\/strong>\u201d by ET Designs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Creating this effect is fairly simple. It\u2019s just a simple matter of changing the angle at which the frame is positioned over the photo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most often I think we all tend to position our frames aligned \u201cperfectly over our photos. Like this:<\/p>\n\n\n Looking at both options, I think you can see why the detached frame could add a bit more interest to your layout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This next example is a little bit different. It\u2019s still detached but look closely to see if you can find the big difference.<\/p>\n\n\n This is what some call a \u201cthreaded\u201d photo. Can you see how in only two places the photo is actually over top of the frame? This is a unique twist on the first example of a detached frame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And I thought I\u2019d quickly show you how easy it is to create this effect. Before I do that, just a quick reminder…I use the current version of Photoshop Elements (PSE \u2013 2024). So, my screen shots may look different than what you see on your screen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019ve opened a new blank 12×12 file and loaded, paper, a frame and a photo:<\/p>\n\n\n Note:<\/strong> The photo is from Pixabay<\/a><\/strong>. The paper & frame are from \u201cSummer On The Beach\u201d (link above).<\/p>\n\n\n\n As you can see, I placed the photo above the frame. What I need to do now is erase the parts of the photo that I want to be under the frame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are multiple ways to do this. I\u2019m going to show what I think is the easiest. The first thing I do is draw a selection box around the right-hand portion of the photo that I want to erase:<\/p>\n\n\n Now I ensure that the frame layer is active and press Ctrl+J (Create new layer). PSE then creates that new layer (layer 2 for me) of only that portion of the frame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now I ensure that the photo layer is active. I then Ctrl+Click the thumbnail of that partial frame layer (layer 2) and PSE draws a selection box that matches that shape:<\/p>\n\n\n Ensuring that the photo layer is still active, I then just press the Delete key and that part of the photo is erased:<\/p>\n\n\n I then just repeat the same steps on the left-hand side of the photo. And I end up with what you saw at the start of this example.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And you can use this erasing technique on any frame\u2026not just a simple paper frame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And there\u2019s nothing that says we have to use frames as frames at all. Try using a frame to anchor elements, word art, photo clipping mask or a transfer to your layout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the above image, the \u201coutline\u201d frame was made using a technique I explained in a post about stroking shapes<\/a><\/strong>. I\u2019ll give you a quick refresher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019ve opened a new blank 12×12 file and loaded a thin, square, wood frame:<\/p>\n\n\n Next, I simplify the layer and press Ctrl-Click on the frame layer thumbnail to make a selection (marching ants). Then I create a new layer and go to the top tool bar and select Edit->Stroke-(Outline) Selection. PSE opens the Stroke settings dialog box and I set the Width to 3, the Color to black and ensure the Location is set to Inside. I delete the original frame layer and here\u2019s the resulting outline frame:<\/p>\n\n\n I then used that frame to anchor a selection of other elements along the right side to create the cluster:<\/p>\n\n\n I added a transfer ending up with the image you saw at the top of this section.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I ultimately used this cluster for a layout; adding some clouds near the top of that outline frame, some paint and some word art:<\/p>\n\n\n Note:<\/strong> For this frame\/cluster and layout I used paper and elements from the Digital Scrapbooking Studio Coordinated Collection by various designers \u2013 \u201cCoastal Waterways\u201d (now retired). For more details about the layout, you can find it in my 2024 Gallery<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While this \u201coutline\u201d method works best on simple frames, you\u2019re certainly not limited to just that kind. You can actually use just about any frame to create an outline anchor. Though I would recommend that you not use a frame that is overly ornate or full of intricate little cutouts such as this frame:<\/p>\n\n\n And you certainly don\u2019t have to use just an outline frame as I\u2019ve shown. You can use any frame as an anchor. If you go through some of your kits, you\u2019ll likely find more than a few anchor frame clusters!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Try using those as a guide to create some of your own unique anchor frames.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t get framed in by using frames the old-fashioned way. Break the paradigm and try something new. If you think outside the box you may find yourself using some of those frames more often.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When creating an outline anchor frame, you can make the outline frame any color you choose. And you can make it as bold or as translucent as what fits your layout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t be afraid to use a frame as a page border!<\/p>\n\n\n\n As always, if you have any questions or want to make a suggestion about a topic you\u2019d like me to cover, please don\u2019t ever hesitate to \u201cMessage Me<\/a><\/strong>\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thanks for reading this week\u2019s Tuesday Tip. <\/em>If you want to stay informed about new posts, just click \u201cFollow Me<\/a><\/strong>\u201d to stay in touch. I hope you have a wonderful week!<\/p>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nAnchor Frames<\/h3>\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nMore Frame Tips<\/h3>\n\n\n
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