If you have been following our blogs you know yesterday we gave a way 2 FREE Custom Brushes to Newsletter Members! Wow the joys of being a DSAM Member!
So today, let’s talk more about how to use custom brushes! So you can start thinking about all the ways you can use your custom brushes!
As digital scrapbookers, we usually get all excited about all the flashy Digital Scrapbooking Kits, digital embellishments, digital papers, and forget about the Custom Brushes for using in either Photoshop or Photoshop Elements.
Custom Brushes compared to a digital scrapbooking kits, the black custom brush kits don’t look that exciting. They usually just look like black, white and 
shades of gray images – how boring! But for anyone that has used a custom brush they will tell you custom brushes are wonderful and have many more uses than you might first guess too!
For example, the Sports Custom Brush Set , (see the image on the left) is how a brush kit might look when you go to Scrap Shop and look at bushes you might want to buy.
Usually, custom brushes are shown in variations of black and gray colors in the Scrap Shop. But when you use your brush the 
magic begins as you load your own colors into the custom brush in your graphic program like Photoshop or Photoshop Elements.
Like magic, the custom brush doesn’t have to be black and gray anymore!
Another fun custom brush kit is the The “Join the Cookout” Custom Brushes. But again at first glance they don’t catch one’s eyes like scrap kits do. However, each custom brush is really a hidden treasure just waiting to be discovered!
Read this article and learn more about custom brushes and how to use them in your digital scrapbooking projects!
Use Brushes to add more detail to your Digital Scrapbooking Projects!
A favorite way that digital scrapbookers like using the custom brushes is to use them in a similar way a traditional scrapbooker would use a rubber stamp; by picking up the ink on the stamp and “stamping” on a paper or tag.
Well, custom brushes can be used like this… only a digital-version of a rubber stamp!
In the example above, you can see the brush in Photoshop Elements and the tag that was “stamped” with a green color.
You pick your custom brush, pick your color and “stamp” your digital tag, digital embellishment, digital paper or whatever you like!
For example, the image of the tag and the outline of the cookout food is the actual brush tool moving away from the paper after “stamping”, and the image of the green cookout food on the tag is the “stamped” brush after is is applied to the tag! The black brush in the kit, now with color applied and “stamped,” makes the green cookout food image!
Here is how it looks when you are done – see image below:
You can see how this tag with it’s special cookout design is more exciting than just a regular tag with text!
And of course you can use custom brushes to really make you digital scrapbooking pages special!
This example is nice to look at because it shows digital scrapbooking supplies and custom brushes that made this digital scrapbooking page.
Plus it shows several examples of the “stamped” brush technique that is so popular for those who want their digital scrapbooking projects and pages to look like they used a rubber stamp!
This is one of the easiest ways to get started in using digital scrapbooking Custom Brushes.
Also you can use custom brushes for projects you plan to print.
One fun way to use custom brushes is to “Stamp” them on a project you plan to print like a invitation or place card. Below is an image of a Place Card template in Photoshop Elements, and I am stamping on some brushes to design the place card for my next summer cookout party!
Place cards are easy and fun to make and using custom brushes to decorate them is a fast and easy way to use custom brushes! If you want some training on how to make place cards – then see How to Make Place Cards (and More) using Photoshop Elements Also as a bonus this training comes with 2 FREE custom brushes, a place card template, and free digital scrapbooking embellishments!
More ways to use Custom Brushes!
But don’t stop yet! Custom brushes can be use to enhance Greeting Cards, Thank You cards, Invitations, and so much more!
For example in the image above you can see all the red arrows pointing to places we used custom brushes to enhance this Thank You card! You can see that custom brushes come in handy making Cards, and Invitations!
If you want to learn about how to make Invitations and get the templates too – then see this training – How to Make Invitations, ‘Thank You’ Cards, and Note Cards in Elements
Just by using the the Sports brush set found in the Scrap Shop, to “stamp” a pattern on the Thank You Cards above, then customizing the card with some digital scrapbooking supplies, text and photos, our cards where special and personalized unlike store bought cards. Now all we had to do was print and we are ready to go!
If you would like to see another example of how a custom brush might be applied to a digital scrapbooking page and made into cards, then check out this blog with lots of picture examples! Blog Article: Make Something Priceless Without Spending a Lot of Cash
Bet brushes aren’t looking as boring now!
But wait there is more!
Custom Brushes can be used to Make Coloring Pages for Kids!
Did you know that you can turn your digital scrapbooking custom brushes into your very own coloring pages for your kids? You are not alone… many people don’t know about this simple brush trick!
Creating games and crafts to keep your kids preoccupied, busy, and happy is always a constant challenges as a mother! It can be hard to think of new activities… in fact, it can seem like a full-time job!
Custom brushes are definitely one of the easiest ways to create in quick coloring pages for kids. Coloring Pages made from custom brushes can save money and keep children entertained during the summer. You can make any theme color pages for children to color while your are busy!
Custom brushes are easy to use, and once you get into digital scrapbooking, you will absolutely love them! If you use a brush that looks more like line art (instead of more solid-looking digital brush) then you can enlarge the size of the brush, stamp it on a digital page, and then print it out for a home-made coloring page!
But wait there is more to do with custom brushes!
Using Custom Brushes as Embellishments- by Colorizing them!
Another way to take your Custom Brush design up a notch, is to colorize them! Once you add a little color to your black and white Custom Brushes, you can convert them into personalized Digital Scrapbooking Embellishments!
A Custom Brush might look boring until you add a little color! But once you do, it’s amazing how interesting they can become!
Find out more about Colorizing Custom Brush Images — by reading this Blog Article: Colorizing Custom Brushes! A Great Digital Scrapbooking Trick!
Well here are few ideas of how to use custom brushes, and this is not the end of the ways they can be used!
Keep tuned with the Digital Scrapbooks and More Blog for more Custom Brush help and tips throughout the year. Even with all of these resources in today’s blog, there is so much more to Custom Brushes!
Custom brushes are fun and exciting to use – and who would have know so much fun was bundled up in those black and white packages!
Have a nice day!
Cheri
Now to get started all you have to do is buy a Custom Brush set, install your brushes, pick your brush, choose a color, and then start “stamping” away!
Not sure how to get started using, installing, or “stamping” brushes? Then check out Digital Scrapbooks and More’s Brush Tutorials. Custom brush tutorials that are sold in the Scrap Shop for either Photoshop or Photoshop Elements.
Not sure where to get digital scrapbooking custom brush sets? No problem, the Scrap Shop sells custom brush sets too!
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If you haven’t see these Custom Brushes – check them out!
The Sports Custom Brush Set is a fun set of digital brushes that would make any sports-fan proud!
Personalize a sporty Digital Scrapbooking Page for that favorite athlete in your life, or create a Digital Scrapbooking Project full of team-spirit for the kids, a parent, or even for your own, sport-loving self!
The “Join the Cookout” Custom Brushes are a super-fun set of digital brushes, perfect for Digital Scrapbooking Pages dedicated to remembering family get-togethers, summer holidays, neighborhood cook-outs, and of course – eating BBQ!
Digitally scrap special moments of enjoying the summer sun, playing outside, and making yummy BBQ chicken and steak! Pass the mustard and scrap it later with adorable custom brushes that bring back special memories of good food and good times! Use these Brushes to make the invitations to your Cookout too!!!
Also, “Join the Cookout Custom Brushes” can be used to add unique detail to stamp-on detail for Memorial Day, Labor Day, Fourth of July, or any special family and friend get-togethers that involve being outside, having fun, and delicious grilled food!
Get a great scrapbooking kit for your cook-out!
Take a look at all the great Scrapbook Supplies to create a fun summer 
project!
Check out the Digital Scrapbooking Kit we used for these scrap pages ~ Goals and Resolutions Scrap Kit: nice for using for days at the park, Cookouts and Picnic Digital Scrapbooking Pages!
Use this scrap kit to scrap lots of summer family fun!
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Learn how to use Custom Brushes too:
Need Training in Using Custom Brushes?
Are you interested in Custom Digital Brushes but you are not sure how to install them and use them? Not to worry ~ we have video training in Custom Brushes!
Our training comes with not only videos about brushes in general, but how to load brushes two different ways to use in Photoshop or Photoshop Elements, and the benefits of both ways!
Also, our Brush Training comes with another video tutorial just about using Custom Brushes, (tips and tricks) so you can really enjoy them in Digital Scrapbooking Projects and Crafts.
Our Training Has MORE!
This training also comes with Step-by-Step training guides to make it really easy to follow the steps on your own. Not to mention the training comes with 3 Cheat Sheets and a set of Digital Brushes to get you started right away!
For more information or to buy our Training in Digital Custom Brushes for Photoshop or Photoshop Elements
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Get these trainings and combine Brushes with other Tasks in Digital Scrapbooking Projects!
How to Make Place Cards (and More) using Photoshop Elements 8 is a fabulous way to learn how to make your own place cards for dinner parties, gift cards for presents, and so much more! Bonus: Digital Scrapbooking Supplies, Custom Brushes, and Photoshop Place Card Template are all included in this training too!
There are many ways to use the included place card template. You can combine it with digital scrapbooking supplies, photos, brushes and text to make place cards with people’s names on them for a dinner or birthday parties. You can use them as a food information card to tell things about the food and the ingredients. Use the Place Card template to make photo cards, and gift cards for presents, or even use as clue cards for games, and coloring cards using outline brushes. Use your imagination to find other ways to make many other handy items with this template!
How to Make Invitations, ‘Thank You’ Cards, and Note Cards in PSE 8 training is the best way to learn how to make your own personalized cards- for any occasion! Creating customized cards is a great way to make a card with a lot of personality and meaning… not to mention, it can save you a whole lot of money too! Store-bought cards are so expensive! Why not easily make your own and include all the photos, information, and messages that you really want it to have- all at the same time! Bonus: Digital Scrapbooking Supplies, Photoshop Card Templates (can be used in Elements too) are all included in this training too! Learn how to make the smaller invitation/note card size card around (5.5 x 4.25″ folded), which is perfect for using with the A2 invitation envelopes (4 3/8 x 5 3/4 inches). Learn how to make 2 Invitation Size cards per one sheet of US paper, and design the card in the landscape orientation.
Whether you want to create your own personalized card for birthday party invitations, graduation/wedding/or baby announcements, thank you cards, sympathy or get well cards, tea party invites, birthday or holiday greeting cards, BBQs and neighborhood 4th of July cookout events, sports/ choir/, drama/school activities, congratulation cards, or simply a note card to send to a friend or the grandparents, you’re covered for any type of card-occasion when you know how to make your own!
