PL question??

[marlathrall]

I've been pondering my pocket scrapbooking plans for next year. I'm going to keep it up (of course) but think I'm going to change my look around a little bit and start to use more than just design A.

Since I do everything digitally and print in a photo book, I'm also considering ditching the plastic overlay look and going more clean. I like how my colors look bolder and brighter without the overlay, but I've gotten so used to the overlay that I might miss it too.

Which one do you prefer? Please respond here and help me decide. I'm so stinking torn. lol.





Thanks girlies!!

[kristalund]

I like them both. Can you do both? I know I am not helping. lol

[Misty Cato]

I like them without the overlay.

[marlathrall]

Originally Posted by kristalund

I like them both. Can you do both? I know I am not helping. lol

No way! My OCD self cannot do both! lol. But I'm glad I'm not the only one struggling to decide which one is better.

[ripal]

I like the stitching and the pocket feel of the 2nd one. So, when I use this template, I use that overlay, except, I 'cut' the plastic part out of the pocket, so that I can have best of the both world. Does it make sense?

[Nettio]

I like the overlay because I think the stitched edges of the pockets make it look more finished. But I don't notice that much of a color difference between the two either.

[ripal]

Here's the example... Hope you can notice that the plastic overlay is cut off.

[Rubia Padilha]

both! but what Lynnette said! lol

and this is beautiful!

[kim21673]

I like the look of the stitching and pockets...makes it look more finished!!

[Tracyfish]

I started out not doing stitched plastic pockets this year (more like the first look) and I think next year I'm going to because I like that look.

[MamaBee]

are you planning on doing any scattering or having the "pocket" areas overlap any? If you are going to stay with everything in their own pocket area, then I like the stitching of the second... so maybe if you add stitching to the first one? Like our Babe Aly does on her pages... I love her pages...

[Traci Reed]

no comment!

[marlathrall]

Originally Posted by Traci Reed

no comment!

Haha. It will still be with your templates!

[marnel]

I honestly love the template w/the stitching b/c I'm digital I like the pocket feel it gives my printed page. HTH

[cmkb396]

I like both, but like you - I think my LO's look a little more "clean" without the pockets. I have compromised - instead of doing the stitching - I will often add fun little frames to some of my pics. As for template design, I am OCD too and stick with Template A almost all of the time...unless I add an "extra" page or two when I have lots of pics to scrap - then I go with the Design (sorry, I don't it official letter) where I have 12 3x4 photos. Keeping the same LO just helps me stay on-task. I open my two psd files (L & R) and start building...it helps me speed things up that I already have this "map" in mind when I start, and then focus my creativity on building the rest of the page.

[NeverendingJen]

I ditto what Lynnette said.

[DawnMarch]

I prefer templates with stitching BUT no overlay. I think the stitching gives a finished look but I find that the haze of the overlay detracts from the photos. I have sometimes used Ripal's approach but have mostly just used "stitching" templates (that have stitching between the photos instead of on top) where you could delete the overlay layer. I wish there were more of those - I would buy them (hint,hint)

[MommaTrish]

I started out using the overlays, but stopped after a few weeks when John mentioned that he liked the pages better without.

[nun69]

I like both, but honestly I did my whole DD 2 years ago with the overlays and I don't like it as much as I do withOUT.....but that is just personal I like that they are more vibrant without the overlays

but I wanted to add that I was never very good at using the same template over and over, but I do have about 15 different templates I like to alternate and of coarse Traci's are in there!!!!

ets: I LOVE stitching on my LO's

[rach3975]

Originally Posted by DawnMarch

I prefer templates with stitching BUT no overlay. I think the stitching gives a finished look but I find that the haze of the overlay detracts from the photos

That's my feeling. I've been using Traci's stitched grids because I think they divide the page into pockets better than just having all the 4x6s and 3x4s on a background paper, but I knew I wouldn't want the "haze" of the overlay on all my photos, all year long. I don't see a difference when I look at the gallery-sized versions, but I do see it on my own LOs.

[MommaTrish]

Originally Posted by nun69

but I wanted to add that I was never very good at using the same template over and over, but I do have about 15 different templates I like to alternate and of coarse Traci's are in there!!!!

Ditto! I use a mix of Traci's and Julie's.

[fifilur]

I don't really like the plastic pockets since they make the photos less sharp and vibrant. I really do like the stitched edges that it adds though.

[ripal]

BTW... I have saved each template with their cut out plastic/haze from the pockets, so that I don't have to do it for each LO. I just did it once and I have it ready for when ever I want to use that finished, stitched look without making the pages dull.

[abm234]

I do mine without the overlay Marla. I prefer the clean look and vibrant photos. However, I have been printing mine and slipping them into traditional albums so they end up with a page protector over them. To me, it would look odd to have the digital page protector followed by an actual page protector, KWIM? If I remember right, you have yours printed into an album, so you would never end up with that double protector look.

I'd actually like to print mine into an album but haven't found a lay flat album that holds the 104 pages.

Regardless, your pages are stunning and I always find them inspirational!

[carrie1977]

Originally Posted by ripal

BTW... I have saved each template with their cut out plastic/haze from the pockets, so that I don't have to do it for each LO. I just did it once and I have it ready for when ever I want to use that finished, stitched look without making the pages dull.

I kind of like this idea...I like the stitched edges so I might try doing this.

[webseitler]

Normally I'd say without--but, like Lynnette said, I think it looks more "finished" with overlays. You make them look gooood!

[joelsgirl]

Originally Posted by Nettio

I like the overlay because I think the stitched edges of the pockets make it look more finished. But I don't notice that much of a color difference between the two either.

Yes. This. But with your photos, it looks amazzing either way.

[ripal]

Now that I'm home, I had a chance to see how I do it.

There are two layers - black blocks and the stitching/plastic overlay.
Start with first layer with blocks.
Now, select Magic Wand Tool and click on one of the blocks. You should have the 'marching ants' around the entire block.
From the menu bar, click on Select --> Modify --> Contract. Enter 35 pixels. 30 might work too, just a personal preference.
Now, Select the 2nd layer of plastic overlay.
Hit delete.
This will delete the hazy, plastic overlay, but keep the stitching intact.

Rinse, repeat for all blocks. Save/rename the template as your base/work template for starting point.

[MissKim]

What Amy said...I don't use the overlays because I'm putting them in page protectors and having a digital pocket and then an actual page protector seems redundant. If I was making a photo book, I'd use the overlays.

[Darcy Baldwin]

^ What Kimberly said

[luckyme]

^^ This. I don't use the page protectors either for the same reason -- when I print and they go in an actual page protector it would be too much... But I do like some separation between my "pockets" on the page so I use stitching, like this:

[Traci Reed]

You could always lay the mats/photos/cards on top of the overlays so you still have the grids. Or I could just get off my butt and make ya'll some "plastic" stitched grids.

[bestcee]

I don't usually use the overlays for the same reason above : I did and the 'double' page protector looks funny.

I have a template that has the stitching and overlay on different layers, I thought it was traci's....

[cmkb396]

I've kind of shied (did I spell that right??) away from stitched grids, but the more LO's I see in this thread with them, I find myself thinking... "Hmmm...maybe more stitched grids on my LO's next year!)

[Trista]

Marla... I like both looks, but like you I print in books and thought it looked silly to have plastic pockets on a page in a book, so I ditched the plastic protectors/pockets. (ducking for cover) That being said, I do like to have some sort of edging to "ground" the blocking, so I generally use stitching to create a stitched border.

[LeeAndra]

I'm so glad you brought this up, Marla!

I have been debating whether to keep my digital plastic pockets for next year or go without, too. I like the way you've shadowed Traci's; my pockets are much more shadowed and really dull the colors of my photos.

I think the stitching is a good compromise! Let's try that and see how we like it.

[marlathrall]

I was really hoping you all would have a strong opinion one way and tell me exactly how to do it. Lol. I guess I will keep fiddling around and maybe find a compromise somewhere in between the two.

And thanks for all the sweet words.

[eranslow]

Originally Posted by Traci Reed

You could always lay the mats/photos/cards on top of the overlays so you still have the grids. Or I could just get off my butt and make ya'll some "plastic" stitched grids.

this sounds like a good idea

Marla - your pages are gorgeous!! I can't wait to see what you decide to do!!

[jumbbumble]

i preffer the one with the overlay

[MissKim]

I'm going to be waiting for Traci's stitched grids because seeing the layouts here, I do like the look, but I don't like the overlay look in page protectors. My biggest problem is that I am fairly free with the templates I use (mostly Julie Billingsley's) and I'm always moving things around. A stitched grid would make me stay with the original layout.... but maybe that would be a good thing.

[DawnMarch]

Originally Posted by Traci Reed

You could always lay the mats/photos/cards on top of the overlays so you still have the grids. Or I could just get off my butt and make ya'll some "plastic" stitched grids.

YES, please! I don't like having to go "elsewhere" to buy my stitched grids!

[Traci Reed]

I DO have stitched grids in the store..they're just not plastic looking:

https://www.sweetshoppedesigns.com/s...9&cat=0&page=1
https://www.sweetshoppedesigns.com/s...6&cat=0&page=1

[rach3975]

Originally Posted by Traci Reed

I DO have stitched grids in the store..they're just not plastic looking:

https://www.sweetshoppedesigns.com/s...9&cat=0&page=1
https://www.sweetshoppedesigns.com/s...6&cat=0&page=1

Those are the ones I use, and I love them! Pretty please make stitched grids 3 for 2014.

[MommaTrish]

Originally Posted by Traci Reed

I DO have stitched grids in the store..they're just not plastic looking:

https://www.sweetshoppedesigns.com/s...9&cat=0&page=1
https://www.sweetshoppedesigns.com/s...6&cat=0&page=1

Yeah, but they DO all coordinate with some of your page protector sets.

[wvasweetness]

I use stitched edges without the overlay.... that's what I do too.

[mariewilcox]

I like them without the pockets and stitching. The pockets just make me think of a baseball card holder and I personally like my pages to look more like scrapbook pages than baseball card albums But then I'm not a project lifer so what the heck do I know!

I will say that I love your PL pages no matter what you decide

[Traci Reed]

Ask and ye shall receive

https://www.sweetshoppedesigns.com/s...cat=632&page=1