Hi Friends! Welcome to our chat about digital scrapbooking! So far we’ve covered:
Today we’re creating a page!! It’s a common myth that Photoshop is too complicated but today’s tutorial will {hopefully} smash a part of that. We’re going to be working with Daydream Believer to create a digital layout using a layered template.
Think of a layered template as a digital scrapbooker’s version of a page sketch. Templates are an amazing tool to use if you are feeling mojo-less, as a quick way to pump out some pages, or as a creative guide for your pages. Templates are also one of the easiest ways to get your feet wet in Photoshop. I’m going to be explaining some Photoshop basics as we create this page:
I’m using this template, which is a free download for you {yay!}, and for this tutorial I’ll be working in Photoshop Elements. {You can download a free 30 day trial on adobe.com.}
To walk you through the process I’ve created a video tutorial. I suggest watching it on Vimeo or downloading it to your computer for easier viewing. It’s about 20 minutes long.
Enjoy 
Creating a Digital Layout Using a Template from Pam Odd on Vimeo.
(I’d love to hear any feedback and see your completed pages…was the tutorial helpful, do I really sound like a 12-year old!, etc.)
I have been intimidated by Photoshop before, but this tutorial is great to show a few basics. I guess I was scared to get Photoshop because I have a Mac and I wasn’t sure it would work on my machine. After looking into it a bit more, it seems that Elements is Mac compatible. Thanks and I look forward to reading more on your blog!
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pameladonnis Reply:
January 27th, 2011 at 4:57 am
Yep, it’s Mac compatible, although I’m not really sure on the differences since I have a PC (next purchase will be a Mac though!). I think it’s pretty similar though.
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Kacey Reply:
January 27th, 2011 at 3:00 pm
Quick question though, now that I’ve downloaded the PSE free trial. In your tutorial, you start with the elements already in your project bin. I did figure out how to make the background a 12 x 12 layout, but how do you get the elements from the kit into the project bin?! I know it’s probably obvious and I’ve missed it somewhere, but I can’t figure it out. First time using Photoshop of any kind, but I promise I’m usually good with software!
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Pam @ Keeping Life Creative Reply:
January 27th, 2011 at 3:47 pm
@Kacey, Good question. Sorry I didn’t address it in the tutorial
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Just go to file>open and open up the papers and elements you want to use. If you are using the template you won’t need to open up a new document.
Don’t worry about asking questions. Photoshop does have a bit of a learning curve, but once you get some basics down you’ll have it in no time
The template is wonderful, thanks!!
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Thanks! What a cute template!
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This is adorable!! Thanks so much!
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Thanks for the great template
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Oh I can’t tell you how much you have helped. Only one request! How about a written version of this lesson. Even if it is just general steps. I can’t keep up (not knowing PSE) but want to learn. I have to keep replaying the video. Many thanks for the great job.
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pameladonnis Reply:
January 29th, 2011 at 2:58 pm
Sure! That’s definitely a possibility
. I’m so glad it helped!!
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Thank you! Just experimenting with digi now, but hope to do more later on. Can’t wait to create a layout.
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Do you use Photoshop to create the pictures/drawings on your website?
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pameladonnis Reply:
October 25th, 2011 at 11:16 pm
I do
. Unless I credit someone else…but most of the images are mine.
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