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<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nSo many times, I run into people who say they just aren\u2019t creative enough to scrapbook. I am always polite but I have to admit it\u2019s often hard to stifle a giggle. I am famous for telling people, especially beginners, that everyone has some degree of creativity. You just need to tap into it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And honestly, the best \u201cleg up\u201d on being creative (especially for a beginner) is to use a template or quick page. If you\u2019ve read the \u201cWhy Digital?<\/strong><\/a>\u201d page you\u2019re already familiar with the concept. And if you\u2019ve clicked on the \u201cFollow Me<\/strong><\/a>\u201d button you actually already have my free template (shown below \u2013 Note: The blue outline is not part of the template). So, let\u2019s dig a little deeper into these helpful items.<\/p>\n\n\n Before I get too far along\u2026regardless of what software you\u2019ve chosen, you should, by now, understand \u201cworking with layers\u201d digitally. If that\u2019s not the case then perhaps you should \u201cMessage Me<\/strong><\/a>\u201d before you delve more into this subject.<\/p>\n\n\n Moving on\u2026I have to admit, my first couple of layouts back in 2018 didn\u2019t involve using a template. And I hadn\u2019t even really started working all that much with Photoshop Elements yet. I didn\u2019t know any better at the time. I did have some prior graphics experience \u201cunder my belt\u201d so I just did things the way I always had. I was used to using a \u201cdinosaur\u201d of a graphics program called \u201cImage Composer\u201d (by Microsoft & long since extinct). I managed but had I only known then what I know now. It could have been so much easier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Templates are great for beginners & experienced scrapbookers alike. I\u2019ve been at this digital thing for more than a few years now and I love them as a way to get something going quickly. As in traditional scrapbooking, we build our digital layouts in \u201clayers\u201d. You start with a background paper and apply all of your photos and embellishments individually \u201cin layers\u201d. Digital layout templates (such as the one above) are layered. It has generic shapes to give you an idea of the type and shape of elements that would work well with the page\u2019s composition. You then look through your stash and choose all the bits to create a page without having to give much thought to the actual page design. Many people love using templates like mine or this one below as a starting point.<\/p>\n\n\n And you\u2019re not locked-in to keeping things exactly as the template has them. You are free to move things around, delete things you don\u2019t like & add things as you wish. It\u2019s kind of like finding a good recipe and tweaking it to include different\/extra ingredients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Templates truly are a great way to create layouts quickly. I haven\u2019t yet run into a shop that didn\u2019t sell templates. Some designers even sell bundles of templates that are designed to help you create an entire album that follows the same look & feel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Most templates are designed to be used with a graphics editing software package like Photoshop, Photoshop Elements, My Memories or the like. The files are generally provided in layered TIFF or PSD format. As long as you have a software program that supports use of those formats, you\u2019re good to go. If by some chance you\u2019re not using a program like one of those, don\u2019t worry. Most designers will also provide sets of PNG formatted files for each layer of the template (numbered according to the order in which to use them). You will then just pull each layer into your program and go from there. I hope that makes sense. If not, you can always \u201cMessage Me<\/strong><\/a>\u201d for more assistance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019d definitely encourage you to check into using templates as a way to get started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are a beginner, you may be asking \u201cWhat in the world is a quick page?\u201d Well, a quick page, or QP for short, is exactly that. A layout that\u2019s already done for you. All you have to do is add your photo(s) and some journaling and you\u2019re done! So, now you\u2019re wondering how they work, right? Keep reading. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019ve created a QP using the free template you can receive if you \u201cFollow Me<\/a><\/strong>\u201d (shown above in the beginning of this post).\u00a0 I used \u201cHomespun<\/a><\/strong>\u201d by Aimee Harrison to create the QP below.\u00a0 Notice how this QP looks very similar to that template?\u00a0 Now all it needs are some photos and maybe some details.\u00a0 If you\u2019d like to get this QP, \u201cMessage Me<\/strong><\/a>\u201d and I\u2019ll be happy to send you a copy.<\/p>\n\n\n When you purchase a standard QP you will receive an image of a completed layout \u201cflattened\u201d into a single layer in PNG format. When you open the QP in your software you will see the complete page with what looks like holes in it. This is where the photos will go. You just place your photo(s) \u201cbeneath\u201d the QP layer and you\u2019re done. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The one disadvantage to using a standard QP is that you can\u2019t change anything in the layout. You can however add things like other embellishments, journaling & time\/date information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, now you\u2019re probably asking \u201cOkay, so what\u2019s an adjustable quick page?\u201d Adjustable (layered) Quick Pages are similar in concept to traditional digital scrapbooking templates, but with one major difference. A traditional template is layered, it has generic shapes to provide you a road map of sorts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Adjustable QPs, as you see below (from \u201cEvanescent\u201d by Synergy Ink), are dramatically different from a template. These Adjustable QPs are pre-designed pages that already include coordinating elements and papers. Not only can you simply just add your photo, title, and journaling and call it done, you also have the option to rearrange the elements change the shadowing, and more easily add additional elements anywhere on the page. <\/p>\n\n\n Just as with templates, most Adjustable QPs are designed to be used with a graphics editing software package like Photoshop, Photoshop Elements, My Memories or the like. Again, these files are generally provided in layered TIFF or PSD format. It\u2019s like using an amped up template\u2026but some of the \u201chard work\u201d is finished for you. You have all the paper, elements, etc., right there in the QP. This makes it so much quicker than using a regular page template. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A bonus to purchasing Adjustable QPs is that you actually get more than just a QP. Even though most designers don\u2019t include the individual layered PNG files as you\u2019ll often find with templates, you still get all the paper(s) and elements that were used to create it. So, you can always pull them from the Adjustable QP to use in another layout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whenever you decide to purchase a QP, please take note of the designer and coordinating kit (if there is one). That way you could later purchase the kit if you ever wanted to create additional pages that would match well with the QP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you like what you\u2019ve read and haven\u2019t already clicked on the \u201cFollow Me” button please do. This way you’ll easily stay updated for Step #4…<\/p>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nTemplates<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nStandard Quick Pages<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nAdjustable Quick Pages<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nMost Important Tip!<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n