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. Kristen says…
    01/21/2010

    Happy Birthday Simon!!! I hope you have many great stories to share about the joys of being eight! :-)

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. Jesa says…
    01/21/2010

    Hope you had a great time with your son on his birthday and that you capture many beautiful memories!

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

    Thank you Ali for this great tutorial. I love your "scrapbook with your computer"-class. :)
    And HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Simon! Have a great day.
    xo

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Heids in South Africa says…
    01/21/2010

    Hope your boy had a FAB DAY being 8, yesterday!
    Can't believe how time goes ... my daugher turns 10!! on Wed! *sigh*
    Anyhoo ... here's to a great year ahead for him!!
    xx

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

    Happy Birthday Simon!
    Thanks & hugs

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

    Happy Birthday Simon!! You are a GREAT KID!!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Nicky from Canada says…
    01/22/2010

    Happy Birthday Simon - hope the day is amazing.

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. Holly S says…
    01/22/2010

    I have spent a lot of time stumbling through working with PSE over the last few months-lots of time spent online looking for help-free help and I finally feel like I've mastered the basics. I love working with templates too. I have a question about working in layers with my templates-> I have trouble with my background moving-I click on the layer in the palate I want to move and it highlights but when I go to move it, the background moves instead. There must be an easy solution to keep that background paper in place-do you lock yours in place? Any help would be wonderful. I have enjoyed your links and the DD forum is fabulous! This week has been one of the most educational on your blog-thank you for that and also the goodies you have given us to work with!

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. Linda McCoy says…
    01/22/2010

    Happy Birthday Simon!!! Great job Mom and Dad!!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. Aunt Adelheid says…
    01/22/2010

    Thank you for this great series of tutorials.
    One request...could you crank up the volume for us oldsters. Please.

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Lisa says…
    01/22/2010

    I have been really inspired by your blog to get back into scrapbooking. I have a lot to catch up on and I love this weeks topic.

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Julee says…
    01/22/2010

    Happy birthday, Simon. I love eight, there is so much fun to have at that age. Trust me, my son is eight also!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. mary says…
    01/22/2010

    Ali
    thanks for the template. funny that the top tab says "remember this"; i'm taking design your life from cathy z. @bps and this weeks template said "remember this"
    yep, that's why we scrap to record those memories. I know exactly what i want to do with your template.
    thanks again and for all the info this week.

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Patti says…
    01/22/2010

    Happy Birthday Simon!!!
    Thanks again for another fab download Ali!:)

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Cindy says…
    01/22/2010

    Ali, thanks so much for the tutorials! I've been digiscrapping for years, but just got PSE8 for Xmas so I have to re-learn how to do what I want to do! Have a great weekend and I hope Simon enjoyed his birthday!

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Trisha says…
    01/22/2010

    Ali - question - what setting do you put your camera on to get the inside/non-flash photo without the shutter staying open too long and getting a "fuzzy" photo?
    Thanks!
    Trisha

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Melleny Ams says…
    01/23/2010

    Hello Ali,
    I want to say a huge thank you to you, for sharing your tutorials this week. I have learnt so much and I managed to complete, not one, but two layouts using your download. It was my first ever attempt and I think I'm hooked. Thanks so much.
    Happy belated birthday to your gorgeous boy too!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. Chastity Thompson says…
    01/26/2010

    Hey Ali! I absolutely LOVE your layouts and would really like to start buying some of you pre-made kits. I followed your great tutorial step by step and for whatever reason, my Elements (version 6) is not allowing me to mask my photo into the photo block..even when it is on top of the photo block. I'm using a PC (control + G) but nothing happens. Just wondering if you have had any trouble with this from other customers? Thanks so much!

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. GrannyCharlotte says…
    03/01/2010

    This is awesome help with layers for PSE. Thanks very, very much for sharing your expertise with us.

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. josephine says…
    11/14/2010

    Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you for the free digital template! Love it.

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. marsha says…
    11/17/2010

    HaPpY BiRtHdAy SiMoN!

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Rosie Stonham says…
    02/01/2011

    Thanks Ali for the template & tutorial. And Happy Birthday Simon!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. kathy bolduc says…
    05/03/2011

    Thank you.

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. PrinzessinN says…
    04/02/2012

    Hi Ali

    Thank you for this great tutorial. I started yesterday and had not lot of experience in Photoshop. Just finished with my first digital layout and I am happy.

    xoxo
    PrinzessinN

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. PrinzessinN says…
    04/02/2012
    Reply 0 Replies

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