Applause to everyone who does so beautifully using templates

DebraB

DebraB

Active member
With using my memories suite for scrapbooking it is not the most user friendly with using outside templates so I have not used many templates and always kinda figured they were the "easy way out." Oh, was I wrong.

I commend all of you that do so beautifully with choosing papers, elements and photos to make the layouts shine! I've used 4 or 5 templates the past month and it is so much harder to choose coordinating papers and elements than I would have imagined. Everyone makes it look so easy.

Any tips on using templates?
Deb
 
Deb, for most of my pages I just stick to the one kit/collection, that way the papers all co-ordinate. But then I also do some re-colouring which is easy in my program.
 
My biggest tip is to enjoy yourself. Take your time and go with what pleases you b/c that is the main thing, create pages that you enjoy looking at. The more you scrap, the more comfortable you'll get and you will figure out what kind of style works best for you.

Also, it can help to look at other layouts in the gallery and pick some to scraplift. Whatever you do, just have fun.
 
Templates are lots of fun Deb, you can use them as is, just as a starting point, mix and match other templates, steal a mask or curved edge or shape and use it in your own design..endless options. I was anti templates when I first joined here and had no intention of becoming a template junkie but after having done the template challenges a few times, I was hooked. Keep on keeping on and enjoy. I am a one kit person mostly and still have trouble choosing papers, sometimes they get changed multiple times before I am happy. I will be keeping a watch on your gallery to enjoy your creations:)
 
I love using templates especially when the creative juices are not flowing. Just have fun with it. :)
 
Personally, I don't find that using templates are all that helpful for me, but I will use them to create a layout for a challenge, or to complete a CT assignment. Unless I need to stay true to the template for those types of things I find that I end up tearing apart the template and what it left doesn't resemble it all that much, so mostly I prefer to create layouts from scratch
My layouts are driven by my photos and most of the time templates don't really fit where I want to go. I use Affinity to create my pages and find it easy enough to draw my own shapes so may use a template for inspiration and I love using the 1000s of sketches you can find on Pinterest and other sites for inspiration as well. I find what I like then draw the shapes as I see fit to match my theme or style and this works well for me.
As has been mentioned by others as far as getting your papers and elements to flow and match, if that is a struggle then I would suggest choosing one kit that goes best with what you are creating since they are created to all go together. I do sometimes pick and choose from various kits to pull a layout together if one kit doesn't have all that I need but I'd say the majority of my pages are all created from one kit.
 
Me too...I shy away from templates in general but do find them useful as well.

My method is to start with a white background...The papers (for me) are not the main focus point; the photos are. Best to have some in mind before you start. For instance, if you need three, find three and make sure they look good in the photo spots.

Then work on the clusters. Often I start a new page and create the clusters on it. Then drag them to the template and adjust where needed.

Don't know if this helps; it's my two cents worth.

You might need change back.
 
Deb I always start with a template but don't be afraid to change it to meet your needs. I have my templates in folders by the number of photo spots but don't be afraid to add or delete those as needed. I will also say that choosing papers is the hardest for me and I will sometimes change my mind over and over again until it feels right. I most always use just one kit so that helps with the papers matching and if I am going to pull something in from another kit it is usually just elements, paint etc.
 
What a fun thread! I'm a template fan as I find templates help me complete pages more quickly, but will often tweak them to tell my specific story. I always let my photos take the lead. So I will pick an event, see what photos I want to use, and then find a template to showcase that memory.

When choosing a kit, I will let the colors of my photos lead that decision, too. I don't worry about the theme of the kit... instead I look for the colors and textures. I may only pick one or two (sometimes three) colors from a given kit to apply to a template to give it a clean, uncluttered look.

As others have said, have fun with it, enjoy the process, and you will soon develop your own template style.
 
I used to be a template designer myself. I always told my CT to flip, rotate add or take away from the template. Using one kit as others mentioned does help heaps. I'd also recommend putting a solid color next to a patterned paper and mat the photos. Choose a kit that has similar colors to your photos. Or if you must use a particular favorite kit, you can always change the color of your photo to sepia or black and white.
 
So much great input in this thread!
I personally love templates! I rarely make a page without starting with a template. However, I do not feel locked in to the template, I often more bits and pieces around, remove items, swap them, turn the template around etc.
I hope you have fun playing with them some more in the future! :)
 
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