Making your own templates

[Wags374]

I have been having way too much fun (is that really possible?:D ) today making my own templates following Linda's guidelines from the Nov. premier issue. Anyone else finding it easier to be creative with layouts when you are just working with various shades of gray boxes? I am actually surprising myself. :)

(btw- I can't seem to get into the premier subsribers forum over there, it doesn't like my password....)

[katehill2003]

One day I made over 2 dozen templates from sketches I've been keeping. Yes, it is easier! I was in a creative mood and scrapped 10 layouts in less than an hour using my templates! I kind of like doing it that way too.
Do you scrap 12x12 or 8x10?

[Wags374]

I used to do 8x10, but now that there are several companies that will print photobooks in square formats at reasonable prices I have switched over to 12x12. I'm in the process of coverting the 70 some pages I already had done for my daughters babybook to 12x12 format.

[JRR]

I haven't made a lot of templates yet, but they do make things easier, don't they? Maybe we can share some later...

[bayhli]

These templates sound interesting....:)

Are the instructions from a Scrappers site and subscription? Thanks.

[katehill2003]

Janine
That would be fun!
I used to scrap only in FotoFusion (and still do a little) and I'm in the process of switching all my templates that I did there (lots and lots) over to PSE. Once I'm done, I'll zip up a bunch of them and upload them at a sharing site like YouSendIt. I've used other people's before and its kinda neat to see how other people think and see their page. Of course, I tend to "color outside the lines" lots of time! I'm not a subscriber here yet (I think it'd be a good Christmas present for me) so I can't upload anything yet, but I have a gallery over at Scrapbookbytes.com - user name katehill2003 if you want to take a look at my scrap pages.
Let's all keep in touch with our templates!
Kate

[katehill2003]

Pat,
Check out the site Scrapgirls.com. They have so many layered templates there as well as lots of other templates/shapes to use in PSE. Plus the lady who runs it is super nice. I also use Natural Designs in Scrapbooking (NDISB.com) and ScrapArtist.com. They just seem to suit my taste. I've dealt with lots of the different online communities and stores and have found most to be very high quality. You can tell the ones that aren't just by looking at their designs. The more I learn PSE though, the more I look at the items in the stores and say "Hey, *I* can do that now!!!" and then I go do it. The digiscrapping sites are good for getting ideas, color mixes, inspiration and of course BUYING!!!
I think if you check out these sites, you'll be blown away by what's out there and what people are actually making in the way of elements and pages! I know I was and now I'm hooked!
Kate

[Wags374]

These templates sound interesting....:)

Are the instructions from a Scrappers site and subscription? Thanks.

Yes - ScappersGuide.com. However, insturctions can be found at other places as well since it is the latest thing to hit digital scrapbooking. I didn't watch the video all that closely. But they really are very easy. Just a matter of designing using black/white/grey to designate your major elements.

By way of example this is one of the ones I made up this afternoon:

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1AwLAoLbasKdMbdlREPOSXYqGsZjwS_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1AwLAoLbasKdMbdlREPOSXYqGsZjwS)

You use the magic wand to select the area you wish to fill (best to start with the background and work up. Once the area is selected you can either copy it to its own layer (what I prefer to do) or leave it as is. You then do a "paste into selection". You can add papers, pictures etc, and then finish with whatever elements you desire.

Here is a finshed page using the above template:
http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1HGZ5Z2G6FlYgBfU0OOm0nZPEute1J_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1HGZ5Z2G6FlYgBfU0OOm0nZPEute1J)

[bayhli]

Thanks Kate and Jane,

Jane that is a great page - thanks for showing me what the templates look like and the result. I'm going to take a look at that.

I did buy some templates for paper and a couple of embellishments once, but I wasn't that happy with them. This looks simpler and I really like what you can do with them - I'd much prefer to do some of my own for the amount I do.

Thanks again!

[bayhli]

Jane,
I spent some time at the Scrapper's Guide site but could not find any video or even hint of the templates. Do you have to become a Premiere Member to access it?

All I found were quite extensive learning CD's about Elements Scrapping.

I was surprised that there were no layouts, templates etc to purchase?

Was I at the right place...? :D

Edit: Just back from the Scrapgirls site and there are many templates for sale, the scrap simple series must be what you are referring to. Doesn't look entirely like what you guys are doing though...

[katehill2003]

They do have a bunch of "layered templates" (as they call them now), just like we're doing, but they also have lots of other "templates" too. For instance, they have 12x12 papers in only black and white with stripes, or zigzags or floral patterns that you'd use to make your own papers in your own colors and textures. They also have monochrome ribbons that have layers of their own to put flowers or stripes, etc. They also have layer your own tags and alphabets which are brushes in different shapes and opacity so you can put down the "base" brush and the layer bits and pieces on top in different colors. I know how confusing this sounds, but it makes creating much easier.

[troush]

Pat,

Yes, you have to become a paying member to get the video on making templates. But, I've priced out DSP, Scrap Girls, etc. And I think you get a pretty good deal at Linda's (scrappersguide) site. You get a full kit every month (and they are huge and beautiful), plus a training video, plus a PDF to go with the video, plus access to the Premier section to the forums to show off your layouts you use with the kit. And, every Monday evening (around 6 Mountain time), they put up the Week-By-Week Technique (WBWT), which is generally a video on some neat scrapbooking technique. You do have to join the Forums (which are free) to get the WBWT.

Eventually, she is going to offer up past issues for sale. Plus, if you are a paying member, you get 10% off everything in the store.

-Trish

[Bayla]

I spent some time at the Scrapper's Guide site but could not find any video or even hint of the templates. Do you have to become a Premiere Member to access it?

Was I at the right place...? :D

Pat,

Yes. The video on templates was part of the November Premier package....

Bayla

[Wags374]

Scrappers guide is going to be offering a Template CD in the near future. If it is as good as her tassels, tags and bows CD it will be worth the money. Preimer membership seems expensive, but the kits alone - which are VERY nice - are worth it. And the tutorials are always top drawer - much more indepth than the free ones, and you get a complete PDF with written instructions too.

CottageArts.net also has templates - I think they call them scrap-overs.

[msbrad]

Jane,
glad you mentioned about the Nov.issue up over there.
We had so many computer troubles this weekend...I couldn't even try.
Maybe today, all will be normal again.
I'll be looking for the bow CD too when I order.
They are very nice there, as I am slow to catch on sometimes:)
m
ps: still haven't made it to the tip of the week yet:o
but I got Oct. newsletter downloaded. so its a start!

[siraacsa]

Thanks for reminding me re the Template tuturiol with the Premier issue this month. I have been so busy that I downloaded it and haven't even had the chance to go back and take a look at whats inside.
Thats a very nice example of template use Wags.

[Wags374]

Thanks - oh I almost forgot one of the bennies of doing a square format layout - you can rotate the templates for a whole new look! Without having to redo them!! :)

[Pauline]

I was just looking at the galleries there last night and was amazed at how many excellent templates there were. There is even a template exchange for Premiere members.

[Wendy]

Hi ...

I found the Video really good and after seeing Jane's template I'm going to try it out and see what I can come up with. :) It looks great !!

Wendy

[Wags374]

Wendy - I'm sure whatever you come up with will put my poor little simple templates to shame. :) I'm just not all that creative, but at least I have fun doing it. :D

[Wendy]

Hi Jane ...

After trying a few I don't seem to be much good at this ... I actually find it difficult to work with the shades of gray :(

Ummm ... I'll keep on trying ...

Wendy

[Wags374]

If you are used to designing a page around a particular photo or theme switching to just a bunch of grey shapes can be difficult. But at the same time there is a certain amount of freedom involved just dealing with shapes.

And as Linda says - nothing says you have to do every layout from a template, or even leave a template as is. :)

[katehill2003]

Don't forget too, that if you make a layout that you really like, make a quick template for it for use later on or for sharing with others. Sometimes a change of direction, color, style makes two identically laid out layouts completely different with done.

[SenorSlick]

That front porch sunset is fantastic; Excellent timing and great colors.

[Wags374]

Another sample...

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/17KNhklDjTjX4mSxtr6sUlOC2ichtw0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=17KNhklDjTjX4mSxtr6sUlOC2ichtw0) http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1y7eAIprKhWt5WSxHamRV9axVU131_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1y7eAIprKhWt5WSxHamRV9axVU131)


By the way you are welcome to "right click" on the template and do a "save as" and use it if you'd like. Templates are really very easy to share since they don't have to be high resolution - just the right size.

[Wendy]

Jane ...

Oh that looks so good ... :)

Wendy

[NRiceDesigns]

I haven't made a lot of templates yet, but they do make things easier, don't they? Maybe we can share some later...

Sharing templates sounds like fun. I'm in if you can get enough interested parties.

[Bayla]

I hope someone can help me out with a problem I'm having. I asked the question on the Scrapper's Guide forum but haven't received a reply yet so I'm asking it here.

I've never done a layout before by first making a template, and after a bit of a struggle I've finally managed to do one.

My problem is this. My template is 12x12, with a resolution of 300 ppi. I have selected one of my grey areas which is approximately 6x4 and I'm attempting to paste into it a photo which is 6x4 with a resolution of 300 ppi. But when I do this, why oh why does the picture just take up a small fraction of the page? Shouldn't it more or less fill the selected area? I'm finding this most frustrating!!!:mad:

Bayla

[kevq]

Bayla,
when you select your grey area, open a new layer above it. Copy your photo and Paste into Selection ( Shift - Control -V).
If you are already doing this then I'm sorry but I don't know what's causing your problem.
Kev.:confused: :)

[Bayla]

Sorted out my problem - the template was indeed at a resolution of 300....but it was pixels per cm instead of inches!

Bayla

[Sissy]

Hi everyone,

I just joined the Premier Edition at Scrapbook Guide just a few weeks ago. I've completed the template tutorial and had lots of fun. So count me in if we decide to do a template exchange. My template was very simple, but I thought the layout I did from it was super.

Sissy

[Wags374]

Welcome to our little corner of the digital world Sissy. I see you are northwesterner too! Are you experiencing a lot of storms in the gorge this year? We have been having some wild wind storms down in the Willamette Valley this year.

[Sissy]

Hi Wags,

Yes, the Gorge has been very active this fall with all the rain. It wrecked havoc on some of the communities in Klickitat County where I live, and especially the road from Hood River to the ski resorts on Mt. Hood. That road got washed away totally in one spot. Going to put a real damper on the Hood River ski tourism this winter. What a shame. Where are you in the Willamette Valley??

I've downloaded the templates you posted on the Scrapper's Guide Premier Forum. Great work!

Sissy

[Wags374]

Thank you sissy. I've made about 2 dozen templates so far - they are like potato chips, you can't make just one. :D

I'm down in the mid valley - out in the country near Lebanon. But I've lived all over the pacific northwest. I feel so badly for Mt Hood Meadows (thats where I learned to ski and I still think they are the best spot on the Cascades) the road washing out will really hurt them this year.

We are currently experiencing flood or near flood stages on most of the small creeks. The bottom half of my pasture is completely underwater. We lived in Salem when the 100 yr flood of '96 hit - and after that we won't buy a home that isn't well out of the way of flooding or mud slides.

[slophotos]

Hi -

I was reading this post because I have an interest in templates. Then I got even more interested reading a couple of you are from the NW USA. I am in Portland, OR and yes, it is raining and causing havoc. It'd be nice to communicate. But, onto the business at hand:

I read about Canon having some freebies and I downloaded a frame. I used it and then have had great difficulty printing it correctly. It is 8.5 x 11 and I thought I cleverly changed the size to 4x6, but to no avail. Any help on how I can change this photo to print out 4x6? I believe I kept the resolution correct. http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1vq432qrBhg6YRdahieaE8UE4oCv (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1vq432qrBhg6YRdahieaE8UE4oCv)

I want to surprise my son. He's always making silly faces and this frame lending itself to one of his pics.

Thanks!

[Diana]

That image, as is, can't be resized to 4 x 6 because that ratio is different than 8.5 x 11. The only way to do it would be to resize the canvas and then fill in with the background color.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/13bjOv4q3kasz2xJtmkODARCwRFlq0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=13bjOv4q3kasz2xJtmkODARCwRFlq0)

Diana

[slophotos]

Thanks Diana -

I was excited to get home from work to see if I had a reply!

I think I was told once how to do this, but I don't remember, would you mind explaining? Why does someone provide an 8.5x11 frame if most people can't print it properly?

I am also wondering how you were able to put my pic into the message? I was trying to figure it out and finally gave up.

I appreciate your time and help.

Thanks,

Stacy

[Diana]

Hi Stacy,

Does your printer only print 4x6? When you send your image to the printer, in the File > Print dialog, you should be able to select the print size. Using the drop-down arrow beside the Print Size box, you could select 4x6 and it will shrink the image to fit on that size of a space but if it's not the same ratio, it won't fill up the whole 4x6.

To resize an 8 1/2 x 11 to 4 x 6, this is what I did with your image:
Image > Resize > Image Size
In the dialog box, make sure all three boxes at the bottom are checked
Change the resolution to 300 and the Width to 3" under Document Size
(A 72 resolution doesn't make a very good quality for printing)
OK
Image > Resize > Canvas
In the dialog box, make sure Relative is checked
Enter 1 inch for Width and 2 inches for Height
OK
In the Layers Palette, make sure the white Background is selected
From the menu: Edit > Fill Layer
Drag the dialog box down a little so you can see part of your image
From the drop down box, click Color
From the Color Picker box, use the eye dropper to select the green color around the image
OK (twice)

To add an image to a post, most of us use www.pixentral.com (http://www.pixentral.com)
You can just follow the instructions on the site, or here's some instructions Wendy posted a while back:
http://www.photoshopelementsuser.com/forum/showpost.php?p=147279&postcount=3

Hope this helps.

Diana