Tutorial: Use Microsoft Word to Embellish Your Photos
Since a lot of you out there don't have Photoshop, I thought I'd share a digital scrapbooking technique that you can do in Microsoft Word (which most people have). Before we begin, I will mention that I'm on a Mac. So, if you're on a PC and get confused, let me know and I'll try to help you out as best I can. You will need a computer with Microsoft Word, photo paper, and a color printer.
STEP ONE: Open a new document in Microsoft Word (File>New Blank Document).
STEP TWO: Make sure that you have the drawing tool bar open. Go to View>Toolbars and make sure that "Drawing" is checked off.
STEP THREE: Create a Text Box. Click on the Text Box icon. It looks like the letter "A" with a cursor. Using your mouse click in your document and then drag your mouse and release to create a text box.
STEP FOUR: Insert your photo by clicking on the "Insert Picture" icon. It looks like a photograph of mountains or hills or something. When you click on it, you will be able to choose any photo from your computer. Choose the one you want and hit "okay."
STEP FIVE: We need to resize our photo. Use your mouse to click on your photo. In the formatting palette (if you don't see it View>Toolbars>Formatting) the "Size, Rotation, and Ordering" section will flip open and you can resize your photo to fit your needs.
STEP SIX: Staying in the formatting palette, we are going to get rid of that outline around the text box. Click on the text box. Then, under "Colors, Weights, and Fills" choose "No Line" from the drop down menu.
STEP SEVEN: Following the same steps you used for the photo, you are going to import a digital embellishment.
- Create a new Text Box.
- Insert your digital frame or embellishment.
- Get rid of the outline
Many, many digital elements are available for free or a few dollars all over the internet. But, because I love you, here's the one I used (designed by me just for you).
ETA: Thanks, Cheryl, for pointing out the spelling mistake! I guess I should stop doing things late at night! I fixed it and the link above should lead to a properly spelled overlay!
STEP EIGHT: We want our frame to be transparent over the photo, so in the "Formatting Palette" under "Colors, Weights, and Fills" choose "No Fill" from the drop down menu.
Click on the digital element and do this. And then click on the text box and do this.
STEP NINE: Click on the text box that is around your digital element and use your mouse to drag it over the photo. Then, just click on the corners of the digital element and drag to resize it to fit your photo!
STEP TEN: All that's left is to print your fabulous new photo! Use it as you wish!
I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. It's part of a challenge I'll be posting over at My Kits & Pieces in a few hours as part of their online crop. Please do come and play along! And, as always, let me know if you have any questions!
Thank you, what an amazing tut! I work with PSE so no text paths for me. What a great piece of info to have.
Posted by: jaye | July 25, 2008 at 12:30 AM
I didn't know you could do that in word. TFS.
Posted by: Melissa | July 25, 2008 at 12:51 AM
hey... that's a pretty nifty tutorial.. I'm sure it will come in handy for some scrappers out there
Posted by: sara ellis | July 25, 2008 at 02:15 AM
Cool tut, thanks!!
Posted by: Eve | July 25, 2008 at 03:06 AM
That's a fantastic tutorial. Thanks for sharing it. I know those thatdon't have photoshop or are MS Word challenged will really enjoy that.
Posted by: AfriDigiDiva | July 25, 2008 at 03:23 AM
great tutorial thanks :)
Posted by: Paulana | July 25, 2008 at 04:47 AM
thank you for the great tutorial
Posted by: silversword71 (LydiaK) | July 25, 2008 at 05:39 AM
That's a cool tut even if you have PS. I work in PSE and it looks like maybe I could get more text effects by using Word as well. I don't think most people would think to use Word for editing photos. I know I didn't!
Posted by: Amanda | July 25, 2008 at 07:36 AM
Eileen wants to talk to you about spelling.
Thanks for the idea!
Posted by: Cheryl | July 25, 2008 at 08:16 AM
Something so simple, yet didn't think to use. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Annemarie (mommyvictory) | July 25, 2008 at 08:17 AM
this is awesome...i am bookmarking this right now. but i do have PS...but not a work...this is something that can keep me busy at work :)
Posted by: greta adams | July 25, 2008 at 01:52 PM
Oh this is cool! Thanks Julie!
Posted by: nat | July 25, 2008 at 02:38 PM
awesome!!! thanks!!
Posted by: sandra | July 25, 2008 at 02:57 PM
Jeepers! That is soooo cool!
Posted by: betsy | July 25, 2008 at 06:01 PM
Jeepers! That is soooo cool!
Posted by: betsy | July 25, 2008 at 06:02 PM
Jeepers! That is soooo cool!
Posted by: betsy | July 25, 2008 at 06:02 PM
I am soooo going to try that! THANKS!
Posted by: Linda Beeson | July 25, 2008 at 06:06 PM
Great tutorial! I think it might even be good for someone with PSE! Thanks!
Posted by: Denine | July 25, 2008 at 07:44 PM
You are the absolute GODDESS of everything scrappy I swear! Thank you for this, thank you, thank you, thank you! I cannot wait to get the time to play around with this!
Hope you are well,
Jen
Posted by: jen davis | July 26, 2008 at 12:05 AM
Thanks a million!
This is my very first time dabbling in digital layouts. I'd like to attach the result for you to see, if you want. Maybe via email?
I'm using PC, so had a little difficulty aligning the elements with textboxes. But my hubby showed me how to do it using Powerpoint instead. It worked. Your frame is awesome, too. Thanks.
I printed the result. Also emailed it to my family. All ready in a few minutes. God bless you.
Posted by: Henny | August 01, 2008 at 01:13 AM