Free Digital Scrapbooking Frames

Finding Free Digital Scrapbooking Frames Online

Free digital scrapbooking frames are available in styles ranging from casual and contemporary to elegant and sophisticated. Like other digital scrapbooking freebies, free frames are usually made available by sites that are selling digital scrapbooking kits. Their hope is that you will support the designer's work by purchasing complementary products to finish your layout. Sites that do not sell scrapbook supplies earn their money from ad revenue.

If you're interested in searching for free digital scrapbooking frames, LoveToKnow Scrapbooking suggests visiting the following helpful Web sites:

• Free Digital Scrapbooking has a nice assortment of frames and photo mats to download, including Halloween frames and frames with a faux stitching effect.
• See Jane Scrapbook offers free frames with a fun scalloped look that would work well for a number of projects.
• OScraps offers a variety of free digital scrapbook supplies, including frames.
• Digital Freebies offers a different free kit each week. Some kits contain patterned papers or page templates, while others offer an assortment of frames and embellishments.

Frames suitable for digital scrapbooking can also be found on Web sites offering free scrapbook clip art. Simply search for "frame" on one or more of the following sites:

• Microsoft Office Online
• Free Clip Images
• #1 Free Clip Art
• Barry's Clip Art
• AAA Clip Art

The Ethics of Free Digital Scrapbooking Supplies

While free digital scrapbooking frames are available from a number of sources, it's important not to violate copyright laws when creating your layouts.

• Do not share freebies you have downloaded with your friends, especially if the freebie is marked as being available for a limited time only.
• You are allowed to make a backup copy of a free file for your personal use, but you can't sell CDs that include items you've downloaded for free.
• Do not sell artwork you've created using digital scrapbook freebies.

If you want to share a layout you've created in an online gallery, remember that it is customary to give credit to the creator of any supplies that you used in your project. This is true even if the supplies were available as a free download.

Making Your Own Frames

If you can't find free digital scrapbooking frames that fit the needs of your project, try making your own. If you have access to Adobe Photoshop Elements, you can make simple frames by following these steps:

1. Use the custom shape tool to draw a frame outline on your layout. If you don't see frame choices available in the toolbox, click on the arrow on the right hand side of the menu and select the "Frames" option to view all available frames.
2. Use the paint bucket tool to change the color of your frame. Ideally, you want your digital scrapbooking frames to be a color that will complement the colors in your layout while still drawing attention to your photo.
3. Add impact to your frame with filters. The "Texture" option under the "Filters" menu at the top of your screen can be used to help mimic the look of textured cardstock.
4. Apply a drop shadow to make your frame look more like a traditional scrapbooking element. Go to "Window", then "Layer Styles." Select "Drop Shadows" from the pull down menu at the top. Choose the drop shadow style you like the best.
5. When you're satisfied with the appearance of your frame, save it as a .PNG file.

To learn more about making your own digital scrapbooking elements, check out our article on How to Design Digital Scrapbook Kits. You may also want to pick up a copy of Digital Designs for Scrapbooking 2: Making Your Own by Renee Pearson for step-by-step tutorials and a CD of graphics you can use to make your own frames.