Note: Tutorial is demonstrated using Photoshop 7.0.

If you have ever been to a Scrap Girls crop, then you know that they are not only fun, but they are a great way learn tips and ideas to make your digital scrapbooking a breeze.

Recently, I had the opportunity to host a crop in the Scrap Girls chat room, where participants were challenged to create a layout with their birthday color. (If you missed the chat, you can find out about it on the message board here.) During the crop, I was able to share an easy and fun method of using the Color Picker Tool (located in your Tools Palette or by clicking the letter "I" on your keyboard) to sample a color from just about anywhere on your desktop, including the Internet.

Here is an screen shot of my desktop. To sample a color from somewhere else, you must have your software, such as Photoshop, open, as well as the place you wish to get your color from. You can see on the right that I have Photoshop open, but that it is slightly minimized. Behind Photoshop, but more to the left of my screen, you will see that I have my web browser open, with the Scrap Girls website showing.

I want to use the lavender color on my digital scrapbook project, so the first thing I have done is selected the Eyedropper Tool from the Tools Palette (or click the letter "I" on your keyboard). With the Eyedropper, I click my mouse and hold anywhere in my document. While still holding, I drag my mouse to the color I wish to sample. If you watch your Tools Palette (where it shows your foreground and background colors), you will see the colors changing as you drag your mouse.

When your Eyedropper is above the color you want, and that color is showing in the Tools Palette, simply release your mouse button. Not happy with your color? No problem! Simply repeat these steps as often as necessary. When you have the color you want, you can use it just like any color. I have used my Paint Bucket to fill my document with the pretty Scrap Girls lavender.

If you want to save your color, simply add it to your swatches. For more information on saving color swatches, be sure to read Choosing a Great Color Scheme.

Tutorial by Brandie Valenzuela

Digital scrapbooking is...

• Fast.
• Creative.
• Fun.
• And it saves you money.*

Let Scrap Girls show you how surprisingly simple it can be to become a great digital scrapbooker.

* Digital supplies are less expensive to purchase and can be used over and over and over again...

NEW! Discover your hidden scrapbooking talent today! MORE Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed for Photoshop will have you doing the same tricks and knowing the same tips as the professionals! With MORE Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed for Photoshop, you will be creating your own digital elements and enjoying advanced techniques on your digital scrapbooking layouts in no time!

Have a blast doing the more advanced tricks that you see other people and professional digital scrapbookers doing. Learn how with MORE Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed for Photoshop Elements.

Learn how easy it is to create digital scrapbooking layouts in PSE 6.0 with these easy-to-understand tutorial movies in Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed for Photoshop Elements 6.0 and 7.0.

PSE 5.0 version available here.

PSE 4.0 version available here.

PSE 3.0 (works for 2.0) version available here.

Find out how easy it is to use Photoshop to create digital scrapbooking layouts and edit your photos! Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed for Photoshop. (Versions 6, 7, CS, CS2 and CS3).

Learn how easy it is to create digital scrapbooking layouts with these easy-to-understand tutorial movies for Paint Shop Pro X. (Can be used for PSP XI, too!)

PSP 9 version here.

This great eBook will take digital scrapbookers photos to a new layer. Diane Miller's photographs are amazing and her Photography Simplified eBook shows you how you can get fabulous shots, too!

If you're at all curious about using filters and plug-ins in digital scrapbooking , then The Beginners Guide to Filters and Plug-ins for Photoshop and Photoshop Elements (Windows) is what you need!

Paint Shop Pro version available here.

This ebook was created from the popular online class Creative Brushwork. It is perfect for the scrapbooker who want to go above and beyond basic brushing techniques taught in Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed for Photoshop Elements. Make your layouts shine with the polish that advanced brushwork can bring!

Photoshop version available here.

If you want to take some beginner steps towards improving the type on your layouts, and thereby improving the overall look of your layouts, then this eBook is perfect for you. It's written in a very simple style, focusing on one digitally scrapbooked layout while walking you through ten tips that take type from mundane and awkward to eye-catching and cohesive.

Start to Finish eBooklet - PSE: How to Make a Birthday Scrapbook Page

Nothing could be simpler than learning to scrapbook digitally with Scrap Girls Start to Finish eBooklets. Step by step written guidelines and detailed screenshots will help you learn new digital scrapbooking skills. Included with the eBooklet are the actual digital files you need to create a finished project!

Start to Finish eBooklet - PS: How to Combine ScrapSimple Paper & Photo Templates also available!

Start to Finish eBooklet - PS: How to use ScrapSimple Tools: Custom Shapes & Patterns also available!

Start to Finish eBooklet - PS: The Beauty of Blending Modes: Using them with ScrapSimple Products also available!

Start to Finish eBooklet - PSE: How to Emboss & Texturize with ScrapSimple Templates also available!

Start to Finish eBooklet - PSE: Making a Just Because Card Using ScrapSimple Card Templates also available!

Start to Finish eBooklet - PSE: How to Combine ScrapSimple Paper & Photo Templates also available!

Start to Finish eBooklet - PSE: The Beauty of Blending Modes: Using them with ScrapSimple Products also available!