Video Tutorial from Chelle's Creations about Using Templates in Photoshop Elements

Learning to use templates is a digi-scrapping MUST. It's a big time-saver, and if you know how to use templates, you also have a good start on knowing how to use layers, another Photoshop must. :) Chelle also has lots more tutorials on her YouTube channel.

I thought I'd share this here because it's one of the things people ask me about a lot. You can also download the template she uses for demonstrating her template. The link to the free template is in the "About" the video section on the YouTube video page: Digital Scrapbook Tutorial - How to use a Template in PSE

Recoloring in PSE7

I've got a quick "how to" today, on how to recolor an element that is black. Some products, like some alphas and elements are sold as "easy to recolor." Sometimes I've used the paintbrush and repainted them, but then the outer edges seem to lose their crispness. These instructions are for an object that begins as pure black. 


I'm going to start with this signature file, and change it to match this paper swatch. (Signature is from Created All Around by Krisi's Kreations and the paper swatch is from This Woman's Work by Trixie Scraps and Wimpychompers Designs. I'm having a little love affair with this particular paper!)

Select your target layer and from the menu:
Enhance > Adjust Color > Adjust Hue/Saturation
In the dialog box, CHECK the box marked "Colorize" and it resets the sliders.

I start by sliding the "Lightness" slider to the right. In the middle, this slider shows your object as black, and as you slide to the right your object lightens, all the way to white at the far right. In between, you'll see it change your object to shades of a color. Once the lightness/darkness is about where you want it, play with the "Hue" slider until it gets close to the color you want. Then tinker with the "Saturation" slider, which will make your color more intense to the right and less intense (more gray) to the left. I usually end up tinkering with each slider a couple of times until I get my color right where I want it.


Here's my finished signatures:

 

Easy-peasy! Give it a try!

Keeping track of Credits in PSE7

I read this tip somewhere recently, and have started using it on all my layouts, so thought I'd pass it on! When creating a scrapbook page, I often use art elements from multiple designers. At the very least, I have art elements plus a font, and sometimes a template. Sometimes, the art elements come from ALL OVER and if I don't keep track along the way, it can take a long time at the end to reconstruct the credits. Since most galleries require credits for posting, it makes sense to keep track, and here's a great way to do it.

Ready? It's not rocket science! HOW TO KEEP TRACK OF CREDITS:

Create a new text layer in PSE, and place it as the top layer of your document. As you add elements, make a list in this text layer. At the end... HIDE it before saving your document to print or post. Anytime you need the credits, they are right there embedded in the document.

For example, the layout I posted yesterday, I Miss Lilacs, was pretty simple and had a pretty short credits list. Here's the layout:

Here's a copy of the layout showing my text layer:

That one was pretty simple, but here's a more complex layout I posted last week, Not Giving Up on My Dreams:

In this layout, nearly every element was from a different designer, so the list was longer. For purposes of this blog post, I moved the credits to a blank area of my page and used formatting so it would look good on-screen, but normally, it's just up in the top left corner like in the image above.

Happy Scrapping!