by Julie Kelley
Layered templates are the hottest trend in digital scrapbooking
right now. Check out most stores, blogs, or furums, and you’ll find
them… They are a great way for people who are new to digital
scrapping to get started, and a fun quick way to get pages done for the
more seasoned scrapper! Much like a sketch, templates offer a starting
place, but unlike a sketch, templates are interactive. You can click on
the element, drop the patterned paper or embellishments onto the
template, ctrl-G, and there it is, all perfectly sized and placed for
you. Where you go from that starting point is totally up to you! Use
your creativity to adjust, and move things around until the layout is
your own. Template makers often offer both 12×12 and 8.5×11, and of
course with digital scrapbooking, you can change the size of any of the
elements, and the size of the overall layout as well. Drop in your
favorite pictures, fonts, and patterned papers by your favorite
designer, and voila! Pages done in a snap!
right now. Check out most stores, blogs, or furums, and you’ll find
them… They are a great way for people who are new to digital
scrapping to get started, and a fun quick way to get pages done for the
more seasoned scrapper! Much like a sketch, templates offer a starting
place, but unlike a sketch, templates are interactive. You can click on
the element, drop the patterned paper or embellishments onto the
template, ctrl-G, and there it is, all perfectly sized and placed for
you. Where you go from that starting point is totally up to you! Use
your creativity to adjust, and move things around until the layout is
your own. Template makers often offer both 12×12 and 8.5×11, and of
course with digital scrapbooking, you can change the size of any of the
elements, and the size of the overall layout as well. Drop in your
favorite pictures, fonts, and patterned papers by your favorite
designer, and voila! Pages done in a snap!
Here’s how to get started (this example uses Adobe PhotoShop Elements 4, but can be adjusted for other programs):
1. I usually start by choosing the picture or pictures that I want
to work with. Then I find a kit, and a template that I think would
work. For this example, I chose 3 pictures from my son’s birthday
party, chose a birthday themed kit with fun colors (the “Licorice Boy”
kit by Shannon Lee Designs downloaded from www.plaindigitalwrapper.com), and this template that I created.
to work with. Then I find a kit, and a template that I think would
work. For this example, I chose 3 pictures from my son’s birthday
party, chose a birthday themed kit with fun colors (the “Licorice Boy”
kit by Shannon Lee Designs downloaded from www.plaindigitalwrapper.com), and this template that I created.
2. Open the file with the “paper” that you would like to use in the background. Select all (Ctrl A) and copy (Ctrl C).
3. On the template, click on the layer that you want to replace
with the new “paper” then paste (Ctrl V), then clip (Ctrl G) at this
point you can move the paper around to get the correct placement of any
pattern.
with the new “paper” then paste (Ctrl V), then clip (Ctrl G) at this
point you can move the paper around to get the correct placement of any
pattern.
4. When you are satisfied with placement, merge those 2 layers.
Cluck on the top layer, then Choose Layer>Merge Down (Ctrl E). Be
sure not to “Merge Visible” or “Flatten” as you will no longer be able
to manipulate each layer separately.
Cluck on the top layer, then Choose Layer>Merge Down (Ctrl E). Be
sure not to “Merge Visible” or “Flatten” as you will no longer be able
to manipulate each layer separately.
5. Continue working this way until all layers have been replaced.
With text layers, I often just delete the original layer, and add a new
layer using a font of my own choosing. Replace elements that do not
work for you, and don’t be afraid to add different elements, or to
resize the elements that are included. In this example, I added a stamp
below the journaling, and used a pre-made tag that was included in the
digi-kit as a title. I also added stitching along many of the borders
to add extra dimension. Adding a slight (2-5 pixel) drop shadow also
adds a touch of realism to the layout.
With text layers, I often just delete the original layer, and add a new
layer using a font of my own choosing. Replace elements that do not
work for you, and don’t be afraid to add different elements, or to
resize the elements that are included. In this example, I added a stamp
below the journaling, and used a pre-made tag that was included in the
digi-kit as a title. I also added stitching along many of the borders
to add extra dimension. Adding a slight (2-5 pixel) drop shadow also
adds a touch of realism to the layout.
Here are a few of the pages in-progress, ending with the final page.
