template tutorial :: using a layered template

Finally! This tutorial has been in the planning for quite some time and the only reason it took so long was because my design computer was slow as molasses! But, I got a new computer and all the things I've wanted to create and do ... I can finally do! And share!

This tutorial is specifically for all of my Photoshop Elements template clients who have sent me an email in the last few months asking how to use a template. It's a written PDF and the zipped file includes Storyteller Template No. 2 from Storyteller Collection One!

And what, you might ask, will you learn using this guide? Well let me tell you, baby! You will learn how to:

• Prepare your template for modification
• Load and resize your photos to fit the template
• Use clipping groups effectively
• Work with Shaped Layers
• Add a background and modify Text layers

There's also a discount coupon to my template store on the back page. Shhh!

You can download it here:
Template Tutorial :: How to Use a Layered Template (1.4 MB)

Download it today, play around, and let me know what you think! And, I'm always open to suggestions for more tutorials -- holla at me if you have a request!

Happy Scrappin!

Template Tutorial Video :: Blending Photos + Paper using Gradients

My Guru template team members are such sweethearts! I recently picked their brains, ooo that sounds morbid, for ideas on a new set of video tutorials I am creating strictly for my Simply Tiffany templates. I call them template tutorials -- not so tough to remember.

Well, their first request was for a video tutorial describing the process I use to blend photos and paper using only gradients. Scrappable Template No. 44 uses this same process. So they ask, I do and I'm releasing it to any one and every one who wants to know more.

Just a few notes about the video, I used CS4 to record the technique but the same process will work in Photoshop Elements 6.0 & 7.0. The major difference will be that Elements users should not delete the layer mask that's included in the Gradient Fill layer. There is no 'button' to recreate the mask link in CS3/CS4 -- so keep it and paint it white if you want to have a clean/revealing mask!

Update! As of August 20. 2009, I have embedded the video tutorial in this post and you can download the template using the link below!

Check it out, let me know what you think and see what you create with this fine speci-mine!

You can download the template here:
Template Tutorial :: Blending Photos + Paper Using a Gradient Layered Template (2.4 MB)

Happy Creating!

Update on Sunday, August 16, 2009 by Tiffany

Hey peeps! If by chance you downloaded the goodies earlier than this update and had a problem opening the template, holla at me! I can send you a replacement template which will fix the known issue. The above download link has been replaced with an updated file!

And thank you to Anna for letting me know!