Design template tutorial for Frosted Designs.

This week it's my turn to host the "Show Me Sunday" tutorial at Frosted Designs, so I decided to share an idea that helps me with photo sizes and page design.

I love to do multi-photo layouts, and even two-page layouts, but I found myself spending way too much time trying to decide on photo placement, and decide what sizes to print or crop my photos.  To help with the design process, I made some photo templates out of cardstock.  I used a neutral mid-toned cardstock because I didn't want to get distracted by color or patterns, and cut the cardstock into several standard photo sizes:  4"x6", 3.5"x5", 3"x4", and 2"x3". 

I used kraft cardstock and cut some basic shapes - circles, squares, rectangles - in various sizes to use as placement guides for layers of patterned paper or cardstock.  I used kraft cardstock because I wanted a neutral color, but just a little bit darker value than the cardstock used for the photo templates.

Based on the photos I want to scrap, and their orientation (landscape or horizontal photos) I just start playing around with the cardstock photo templates to get a photo layout that works.  Here are a few examples:





Once I have an idea of what size photos to use and their placement on the page, I start playing around with the kraft templates of background elements to get my basic design. 

When I have a design that I like, it's time to start cutting the papers and cardstock and actually start assembling the page.  Since all the templates are labeled with their size, it's easy to start cutting the papers and cardstock for the page.  The final step is to add all those extras that make pages so special - journaling, titles, and embellishments!  Here's my page based on the layout template above (all papers are from Bella Blvd):

I hope you've enjoyed this tutorial and are inspired to make your own design templates!