Scrapbooking With Your Computer : Creating Layouts With Layered Templates (Video Tutorial)

Today I want to share a video tutorial (see below) that walks you through the process of creating a layout using a layered template in Photoshop Elements.

I have come to love layered templates. They are one of my favorite things about digital scrapbooking. They work so great as a foundation for your stories. I like that they take some of the additional thought out of the design process and let me focus more on the words and the photos.

To assist you in the learning process I am including a freebie layered template that is the same as the one I am working with in the video tutorial. Click the text below to download to your computer:

AEdwards_RememberThisFreebieLayeredTemplate_PREV

AEdwards_RememberThisFreebieLayeredTemplate

Here's a look at my completed layout:

Supplies: Cardstock: Michelle Martin Just Linens No. 1; Pattern Paper: Katie Pertiet Krafty Ledger; Capturing Brush & Template: aliedwards.com

Because I am an advocate for not reinventing the wheel I am going to direct you to a previous layered template tutorial for specific written instructions on working with layered templates and a step by step walk-through with images using a different template. The steps and the process are essentially the same. Go here to access that tutorial.

Here are a just a couple quick tips from today's video tutorial.



  • Shortcuts in Elements for masking one layer into another: (mac) command + g and (pc) control + g.

  • Use the eye-dropper tool to select colors from your photos to recolor embellishments, accents, etc.

  • Don't forget to make a new layer when you placing a brush design on your layout - this gives you the ability to move it around without it being stuck on a layer with other elements.


  • Don't make things more complicated than they need to be.



I strongly suggest clicking the link below to watch this tutorial on Vimeo or download it to your own computer. The tutorial lasts just about 40 minutes (it's literally a step by step through my process).




Ali Edwards Digital Layered Template Tutorial from Ali Edwards on Vimeo.

Enjoy this tutorial and free download. GO TELL A STORY.

For other posts in my Scrapbooking With Your Computer series go here.


Today is Simon's 8th birthday. We've got some fun things planned for him, including taking cupcakes to his classroom. I can't believe it has been 8 years. What an amazing journey it has been so far.

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101 thoughts

  1. Jenny W says…
    01/21/2010

    A very happy birthday to Simon! And a very happy day to his Momma as well...I think our kids' birthdays are amazing. I know that for me at least, these days mean remembering the birth stories, and reflecting on the years and memories that have past.

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. Deb J says…
    01/21/2010

    Happy Birthday Simon! Ali, I"m really enjoying and learninf from these lessons you are doing. The vimeo tutorial is great too. Thanks so much.

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Yolanda says…
    01/21/2010

    Thanks for the long, detailed lesson and for the link to the brush tutorial, yesterday. Using brushes versus PNG files had been a complete mystery to me ad I finally *got* the difference yesterday. But above all, I want to say...
    Happy Birthday, Simon!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. alexa says…
    01/21/2010

    Delightful LO - Happy Birthday to Simon, and happy remembering to you all!

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Jennifer says…
    01/21/2010

    Thank you for the video. I love using layers, and I am excited that I learned a couple of new tricks! Can't wait to go home and play!
    Happy Birthday Simon, I hope you have a great day!

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. Elaine says…
    01/21/2010

    Happy Birthday Simon !!!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. caro says…
    01/21/2010

    Oh Happy Birthday Simon! I love hearing about your amazing family, all the great things you are interested in (like lego & star wars), and what a wonderful brother you are. enjoy being EIGHT!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. Lara says…
    01/21/2010

    Thank you so much Ali! I love all your designs and use them so often in my digital scrapbooking. Happy Birthday sweet Simon. Have a FUN day!

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. Lori says…
    01/21/2010

    Happy Birthday Simon! Thank you ALL the helpful information this weekend and the freebies too - wowzers!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. Carrie says…
    01/21/2010

    Really love the layout - thanks for sharing. I share a birthday with Simon so please tell him Happy Birthday! 8 is a great age - much better than 35!

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. ale says…
    01/21/2010

    happy b-day to simon!!! and we too get presents! ali, i can't thank you enough for this tutorials (and freebies). you are an amazing teacher, and i can't wait for your next online workshop! "yesterday & today" changed the way i scrapbook.

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. tchrtiff says…
    01/21/2010

    Ali, thanks for the great tutorials this week. Although I've taken an online class about this I'm learning so much from you. The freebie is wonderful, can't wait to make something with it.
    Happy 8th Birthday Simon! Enjoy your special day!

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Julie L says…
    01/21/2010

    Ali, thank you for all the wonderful information and the free download! Happy Birthday Simon! I hope he enjoys his special day!

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Kimberly White says…
    01/21/2010

    Thanks Ali!

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Sabine says…
    01/21/2010

    Ali, thanks for this great tutorial!
    Happy Birthday Simon. Enjoy your day!

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Tara says…
    01/21/2010

    Happy Birthday to an adorable 8 year old....hope you had a wonderful day and enjoy your new presents.
    Happy Happy Birthday
    Tara

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Deiga says…
    01/21/2010

    Happy, Happy Birthday, Simon. Being eight is great! To your mom, thank you Ali for this series and for just the inspiration you have been for a lot of years!

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. Joyce says…
    01/21/2010

    Thank you so much for being so generous with the freebies and tutorial! Hope Simon has a super fun birthday!

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Linda says…
    01/21/2010

    Happy birthday Simon! Lucky you, I love cupcakes. Thanks for being so generous this week Ali.

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. Paula in Australia says…
    01/21/2010

    Hey Simon Happy 8th Birthday from Australia. Have a blast! You already have the best present you could have - the love of your Mum, Dad and little sister. Nothing can beat that.
    Ali, as always, thanks for your inspiration.
    Cheers Paula

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. Diane says…
    01/21/2010

    I just made my very first scrapbook page!!!! I can't believe how simple and easy it was to just drop everything in. I followed along with you during the tutorial. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I can't wait to do more.

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Theresa says…
    01/21/2010

    This series is so timely!! I gifted myself Jessica Sprague's Up & Running class for Xmas, and the lesson I finished yesterday fits in perfectly with this wonderful video on layered templates. Thank you so much Ali!!!! I will be a digital scrapbooker yet.
    Have a great birthday with Simon! It's almost my son's 7 1/2 birthday, as he likes to remind me.

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. Maica says…
    01/21/2010

    Happy 8th birthday to Simon, from Catalonia ;)

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. Sara G says…
    01/21/2010

    Happy Birthday Simon!

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Sara G says…
    01/21/2010

    Happy Birthday Simon!

    Reply 0 Replies

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