Note: Tutorial created using Adobe Photoshop CS2 with a PC, using Windows XP.

When it comes to journaling on our digital scrapbook pages, we often have a hard time knowing how and where to place the text within our layout. We often resort to just typing our journaling in a simple box or line.

Often, our pictures create very interesting negative spaces that can create beautiful text shapes. We should look at our layouts and determine if there are any strong lines or shapes that could be used for our journaling. By doing this, we make all of the elements in the layout work together to create a visually appealing design.

In this layout, I want to place some journaling in the negative space to the right of my pictures.

In the Tools Palette, select the Polygonal Lasso Tool.

Use the Polygonal Lasso Tool to draw a shape on your layout where you would like to place your journaling. Look for spaces along the edges of pictures or embellishments. Here, I drew a shape that followed the direction of the photos on the left and the stitching on the right. When you are done drawing the shape, you will see a dotted line appear.

Select the Magic Wand in your Tools Palette.

With the Magic Wand selected, right-click on the dotted line in your layout to get this drop-down menu. Select the option “Make Work Path.”

It will then create a Work Path which will look like a solid line around your shape.

Select the Type Tool in your Tools Palette and place it in the center of the Work Path that you just created. You should see an icon that looks like the one above.

Double-click in the Work Path. This will create a cursor at the very top of your shape where you can now add your journaling. As you type your journaling, it will stay within the shape you created.

When you are done, you can resize or change the font. You can enlarge the text by using the Transform Tool, if needed. Or, it can be moved around and edited like any other text object.

Layout by Shalae Tippetts
larger view

	Note: Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Glitter Brights Super Biggie 4101, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Stamped - Blues 4902 - Biggie, Doting Brush Set, ScrapSimple Layer Your Own Brushes: Doodle Stitching - Line 1 and CookBook Stains Brush Set Biggie are also available.

Tutorial written by Shalae Tippetts