December Daily 2010 | Ideas For Using The 6x8 Layered Templates (+ Video Walk-Through & Tutorial)

First off I wanted to say thank you to those of you that requested these 6x8 layered templates. After playing with them today in preparation for this post I can definitely see them coming in very-handy for my album.

Today's post includes two videos. This first is a walk-through of the ways I plan to use these 6x8 layered templates and the second is step-by-step instruction in Photoshop Elements.

Let's start with a little walk-through video:

Ali Edwards | December Daily 6x8 Template Walk-Through from Ali Edwards on Vimeo.

And here's a video that walks you through using the templates in Photoshop Elements:

Ali Edwards | 6x8 December Daily Layered Template Tutorial from Ali Edwards on Vimeo.

Here's a look at the ideas I covered in the above videos:

IDEA #1. Use as an overlay on a full page photo.


Inside the layered template package there are two pages that are designed specifically to use for full-page photos. Any of the others could also be used by hiding/removing the image boxes (the yellow photo boxes).

Here's what this one looks like after printing and cropping from the 8.5x11 sheet of photo paper:

And as a spread with the 2010 date overlays:

The page with the #2/right-hand side of the spread might include:


  • another photo or more than one photo

  • handwritten journaling

  • journaling from my typewriter

  • something that came in the mail or other little pieces of paper from the day

  • a photo with journaling


IDEA #2. Print the photos on photo paper + print the frame on cardstock.


Use the layered template to just print photos. Mask your photos (command G on a Mac or control G on a PC) into each of the squares and print on photo-paper (turn off the overlay layer before printing by clicking on the "eye" next to the layer in the layers palette).

Turn the overlay layer back on (and turn off your photo layers) and print on cardstock. Crop images from photo paper and adhere onto cardstock background.

Here's what this one looks like after cropping and before adhering the photos on the cardstock:

This is a really great option if you want to add more dimension to your album. Use foam dots under the photos to have them stick up off the page. There's lots of possibilities with this option. The best part is that the basic design is already decided allowing you to focus more on the images and the story.

Here's what it looks like as part of a spread with the transparent page in-between:


IDEA #3. Print the frame and photos on photo paper.


The super quick and simple option is to just mask your photos and print on photo paper. Add other digital elements or not. Add traditional embellishments after printing or not.

Here's what it looks like after being cropped from the 8.5x11 photo paper:

And a look at this one in the spread:

Want more information or additional video tutorials on digital and hybrid scrapbooking? Click here to access my Getting Started With Digital Scrapbooking tutorials.

ADDITIONAL SUPPLY INFORMATION
Photo Paper | Ilford Galerie Smooth Pearl 8 1/2 x 11
Printer is a | HP Photosmart B8550
Trimmer | Fiskars Desktop Rotary Trimmer

If you've got any questions about this process let me know in the comments. I hope you're getting excited!

For more on December Daily go here.

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107 thoughts

  1. o-girl says…
    11/23/2010

    Hi Ali - I love your templates. I wish I could use them but I don't have PS. I have a question about Idea #1. If you use a photo for the whole page, what do you put on the other side of it? Do you adhere a main page for the previous day or card stock to it? Any suggestions/ideas would be great. :)

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      11/23/2010

      The back of the whole page photo will be the back of the previous day (date page). I just glue them back to back. I'm going to add one page to the front too.

  2. Shana says…
    11/23/2010

    Great tutorial, thank you!! For the right side pages, if you put a photo on there, would you print out on the photo paper or directly on the paper?

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      11/23/2010

      That's my plan Shana - I would print it out on photopaper and then adhere it to the cardstock (I would give myself a little room inside the border).

  3. Michelle M says…
    11/23/2010

    Thanks Ali for your inspiration and great ideas! I love the look, and hope to be able to use them in my first DD :o) So excited about the book!

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Melissa in SC says…
    11/23/2010

    I love using page layered page templates for theme albums like this. It is so easy to turn the layers on or off and tinker with a layout to print out photos for a hybrid page as in your second example. I did a huge (HUGE) retirement album last year by doing just this and using several of your 12x12 layered templates as a base. Thanks for sharing the templates and your instructions. I think I need to go shopping--again! I really like this set.

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Molly says…
    11/23/2010

    Hi Ali! I'm pretty sure I'm using your templates this year. They're gorgeous (of course) and I have so very little time to each day now that I'm working full time. I just want to drop my photos and words in place and call it good. Know what I mean?

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      11/23/2010

      Yes, I know exactly what you mean :).

  6. Jan says…
    11/23/2010

    I'm excited to start my DD as well! :)

    I just want to mention that for those who don't want to print out all the photos themselves, that a different option is to open an 8 x 10 document in Photoshop Elements and then squeeze as many of the little photos (from the templates) onto the 8 x 10 sheet for printing. I did this for the Week in the Life project and it turned out great - and cost less than replacing all my ink cartridges would have.

    I have two suggestions, though. First, the way to do this using the templates would be to mask your photos onto the different sizes in each template (I'm guessing you show this process in the 2nd video you shared today.) and then, merging the two masked layers together, drag the photo(s) onto the 8x10 document. Just be sure to NOT save the changes to the original templates, so you can use them as masks over and over.

    Second, once you have an 8x10 doc filled with as many photos as you can squeeze on there, print out a copy in "fast draft" mode and then write over each photo as to what day/placement you want them to have in your actual book once you get the photos back from the printers. It's easy to forget! THEN, be sure to save your 8x10 sheet as a new, hi-res jpg each time you fill one up. These will be the jpg's you upload to your online printer. Name them wisely. Of course, you can print out these 8x10 docs on a piece of 8.5x11 photo paper instead of uploading them to an online printer, if you want. That would still conserve paper and ink more than printing out each days' photos individually.

    Hope that helps! :)

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Zaylin says…
      02/18/2014

      If I were a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, now I'd say "Knoabuwga, dude!"

  7. Sarah says…
    11/23/2010

    Hi Ali! I love both the templates and the overlays. I'm wondering if the overlays designed at 6x8 can be enlarged and still keep their proportions if used at 8 x 10? My album is an 8.5 x 11 album this year but I'd like to use the overlays. Any suggestions?

    Reply 8 Replies
    1. Tina says…
      11/23/2010

      Hi Ali, I was just reading through the comments to see if anyone else had asked this. I have also created an 8.5 x 11 album, but am interested in using the templates. I am thinking the answer is yes, but would like to be sure before buying the digital templates. Thanks!

    2. Ali says…
      11/23/2010

      For the PNG overlays (the ones with the numbers on them): The margins around the outside edge won't be exactly the same (there will be a bit more room on the left + right edges), but it looks fine.

      I think the same is true for the layered PSD file but I'm checking with someone who knows more first to be sure.

    3. Ali says…
      11/23/2010

      Here's what my go-to expert (Katie Pertiet) says: "enlarging 150% is safe without losing quality. Sometimes even 175% so 6x8 > 12x16 is totally safe making what they are wanting to do just fine!"

    4. Heather says…
      11/24/2010

      Hmmmm. Can I assume then that I could reduce my 12x12 templates to something like 10x10 or 8x8? I bought the 12x12 last year and would like to add more templates this year but would like to keep all templates the same size.

    5. Ali says…
      11/24/2010

      Heather - you can ALWAYS reduce the size :).

    6. Angie says…
      11/24/2010

      Okay - new to digital stuff.. so, I want to buy the 12x12 and can reduce to 8X8.. BUT.. how do I do that? do I do that in the initial screen where it asks pixels etc?? or do I do it when I'm printing???

    7. Ali says…
      11/24/2010

      Angie - here's what I do: create the layout in the 12x12 size. When you are all done save the PSD file and then do a Save As to save a copy. Using the copy, flatten all the layers, and then go to Image Size and change to 8x8. Save that file as a JPG to print/upload to your printing service.

    8. Heather says…
      11/24/2010

      Sweeeet! I totally know what I'm doing now!!! Yay. Thanks, Ali.

  8. Louise P says…
    11/23/2010

    Hi Ali,
    Possibly a daft question but do you need PSE to use these overlays? I don't have PSE but they look great so I'm wondering how else I could use them?

    (Maybe I need to add PSE to my Christmas list?!?)

    Thanks,
    Lou

    Reply 3 Replies
    1. Ali says…
      11/23/2010

      To do the masking with the photos you do need Photoshop or Elements because there are layers involved and the files are all PSD ("photoshop") files. You can use the overlays (which are PNG files) that come in this package (http://www.designerdigitals.com/digital-scrapbooking/supplies/product_info.php/products_id/10662) in Word.

    2. Ali says…
      11/23/2010

      Also Lou - Adobe has a free trial you can download to check it out. http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshopel/

    3. Louise P says…
      11/23/2010

      Thanks. I have the 6x8 downloads already and I've printed these out onto my cardstock (similar to how yours look).

      I'll check out the free trial now.

  9. heather says…
    11/23/2010

    You really made my Dec daily something i am so looking forward to this year, I am so glad i followed your size ad have all your templates! The ease and no stress of me figuring it all out is great. I did it last yr but did just to much that it somewhat overwhelmed me. I bought Elf on the shelf this yr too so cat wait for him to make his debut this yr I have so many ideas for him! He will have 2 page spread, one question are you always starting a new day on a front page I assume meaning you would not adhere day 2 to 1, but I think you said you will adhere to the back of day 1 more day 1, and do you do sometimes more than 2 LO for a day? Oh and I love the Starbucks cozy I ran in the other day ( since I dont buy form there, not a coffee drinker!) Anyway I feel blessed that you are here to guide us so this holiday season in addition to my family I am thankful for you. Its not just about the scrapbooking i realy believe you make all of us take time with our familes to do this great things and that is what is most impt.

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      11/23/2010

      I've definitely added more pages in the past - just depends on the story.

      I'm not sure I understand the other question about the spreads for the days. If you look at the last photo above...if I turn over the page with the "2" on it you would see the beginning of day three.

  10. heather says…
    11/23/2010

    Kinda thought this out and realized thankfully before hole punching all that i may have hole punchedthe wrong side for some days b/c i may want it on the other side...

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Libbi M. says…
    11/23/2010

    just finished watching both of your videos. i practiced for the first time using your last years dec. daily templates in photoshop elements and... BINGO, it was a success. a jump-up-and-down victory for a digital newbee. i strongly recommend anyone who hasn't tried to complete a digital page and wants to attempt a digital album for the first time, to please take the time to watch these two videos. it's super simple and i love that. bring on DECEMBER!

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      11/23/2010

      Thanks Libbi - enjoy!

  12. Helen Carter says…
    11/23/2010

    Ali, you mentioned briefly what brand photo paper you use, could you mention it again in more detail. thanks...loving DD! Thanks.

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      11/23/2010

      Sure. It's called Illford Gallerie Smooth and I order it from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00006I5C3?ie=UTF8&tag=aliedwardsdes-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00006I5C3. I started using it after Cathy Zielske recommended it to me - before that I had always used whatever brand of printer I was using (matching the paper to the printer). I've been using this one for a year or so now and have been really happy with it.

  13. Radish says…
    11/24/2010

    I think I have to do this digitally because I will not have a printer where I will be and will have to print when I get home after my holiday. What I want to know is do you have any idea as to how to photography to make a meaningful, but semi artistic theme. A lot of my effort will be going in to the photography, but I do not have that much back ground about maying a group of photos cohesive. For example: I could shoot one day and black and white, and others with a Helga type print. Do you have links or examples of the way to photograph when you have a whole album in mind.

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      11/27/2010

      The way I look at it, the fact that "you" are taking photos that captures "your" holiday season is what makes it cohesive. You could totally do all black and white, or all close-ups, or find a santa to photograph everyday, or do a ABC's of Christmas if you wanted a really literal connection between the days, but I tend to think that just looking around and shooting what you see over the course of the season is enough cohesion. Don't make it more complicated than it needs to be -

  14. Robyn jenkins says…
    11/24/2010

    Looking over black Friday sale ads and wondering what your thoughts are on the cravat machines. Thanks to your tutorials I have a basic grasp of Photoshop elements and am planning to use the 6x8 layered templates in my dec daily. Just wanted your take on the cuttter. Do you have one? Use a lot? Appreciate your viewpoint. Thanks

    Reply 2 Replies
    1. Robyn jenkins says…
      11/24/2010

      Meant the cricut machines.

    2. Ali says…
      11/27/2010

      Hi Robyn - I don't use a Cricut machine or any other cutter at this time.

  15. Elizabeth says…
    11/24/2010

    I love the digital goodies, though I've never experimented with it. i don't have Photoshop yet, though I'm planning on getting it soon. I am wondering if I would have the ability to change/switch around the 6x8 overlay colors of the number and day of the week? I would love to make a book with a similar concept for our trip to Disney in January, and want to make a 6x8 book "Disney Daily" for it :) (I have my December Daily ready to go, and may incorporate some of the digital elements in it yet!) Thanks!

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      11/27/2010

      Hi Elizabeth - yes, you can do that. The package includes both printer ready (PDF) and png files. You can change the color and move the days of the week around on the PNG files. To change the days of the week you would need to cut and paste from one file to another - not super hard at all :).

  16. Jen Demmon says…
    11/24/2010

    Ali - great tutorial; I learned more in 15 minutes than I did at work today! I can't wait for Dec 1st!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Anastasia says…
    11/25/2010

    Do you by any chance know:
    1. how heavy the Bazzil card stock is? I've ordered the cream criss cross paper but can't find anywhere info on how heavy it is, and my printer can only deal with 160mg max...

    2. Oh, and another "paper-questions" - My printer only can print max A4 sized paper (which is OK as the journal will only be an A5 size... would it work if I pre-cut the 12x12 paper into 6x8 parts before printing, or cut it into an A4 size...)

    3.You are thinking of making two pages per day (I really like this idea and want to do it too) BUT:-) would you be printing the page on the left and then glue it together with the back side of the right side page from the previous day? Or do you know how to get a double-sided printing on a 6x8 paper (which is a non-standard size of paper for printers I think)

    4. If, giving up on too complicated printing issues, I decide to just go with an A5 (in inches 8.3"x5.8") format - what would I need to change in the overlays and the photo templates to re-size them to fit the paper size? (I have PS Elements)

    1 million thanks for taking your time reading through this message and even may be answering this long list of questions!!!

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      11/27/2010

      Hi Anastasia -

      (1) I don't know the weight of the cardstock. It's nice and study :) but not too thick.

      (2) I've pre-cut my 12x12 down to 8.5x11 before printing (and then saved the extra for another time).

      (3) I will be glueing the two pages back to back. It's possible to print onto the back of an already cut 6x8 (just run a test print to see exactly where it will print onto a 8.5x11 sheet and then adhere your 6x8 right onto that same spot). I've done it before but it definitely takes a couple test prints to make sure your page is oriented correctly.

      (4) What I would do is create a new canvas and make it the A5 size. From there I would open one of the overlays, drag and drop it onto the new canvas, grab an edge and drag it to the size you want (in Elements you can just drag and it will keep the correct proportions - if you were in Photoshop CS you would need to hold down the shift key). It's likely it won't fit exactly but should be good enough.

  18. leslie says…
    11/26/2010

    Alie, I have to ask, where did you get your beautiful round wreath with the berries?

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      11/27/2010

      They are from a local woman. This year she was selling them at Glory Days Antiques in Springfield, Oregon.

  19. Amy says…
    11/27/2010

    Ali - Do you ever worry about the inks from the home printers? It seems you print much of your work at home. I've always had my photos and digital pages professionally printed because I've worried that printing at home will result in fading or less archival quality than professional printing. What are your thoughts on this?

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      11/27/2010

      Hi Amy, I don't worry about them. I use both professional printing and home printing and go along with the understanding that some will survive and others won't for any number of reasons...and I'm ok with that :). The pages that I completed back in 2003 and 2004 using photos from my home printer at that time still look just fine.

  20. Heather Johnson says…
    11/28/2010

    LOVE these tutorials, these are so helpful. Bought my templates and am getting SO excited for the month to begin. Such a fun time of year:)

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. Tiffany says…
    11/28/2010

    This is my first December Daily project and I'm really looking forward to it! I did the WITL project in May and LOVELOVELOVE it!! I've got a question, and wasn't sure whether to comment on your latest post or back on the Q&A (since you've already answered!) Anyway...I'm wondering if you use page protectors over your photo pages to keep things like grommets and other memorabilia from scratching and abrasing the photos. My 'middle' pages are patterned paper instead of transparencies and some have scratchy glitter in the pattern. Thanks for all you do. You inspire!

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      11/28/2010

      Hi Tiffany - I don't use page protectors in this album normally (unless they are the divided ones that I cut down to fit). I just pulled out my album from 2007 today and it looks just fine.

  22. Jen Demmoon says…
    11/29/2010

    I finally finished my foundation pages and posted them to 2Peas here http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/gallery/member/167146-jendem/1685857-dec-daily-part-1/

    Ali - I'm really enjoying this and can't wait for Dec 1st.

    thanks so much,
    Jen

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. Donna C says…
    11/29/2010

    Great vids!
    regarding the 6x8 template with numbers and days specific to 2010.......is there a layer to change the day so i can use it for other years? if not, do you have a suggestion for covering it up so it doesn't look cheesy??

    i just realized after watching the videos that I only bought the set without the numbered templates! :)
    thanks ali!

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Heather says…
      11/29/2010

      You can always select the text you don't want and delete it, whether it's in its own layer or not.

  24. Sandy says…
    11/29/2010

    Yes, I am getting excited and getting my book set up at least what I can do for now.
    Thank you for explaining about the templates I was not sure what we were to do with them, if they were to replace the overlays or put inside the overlays or what so now it makes sense to me.

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Donna C says…
    11/29/2010

    Thanks Heather! I am a serious novice with digital as u can tell! Am i able to change the text as well?
    appreciate the help!:)

    Reply 0 Replies

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