Birthday Bash Template Exchange!!!

[kimberkatt]

Okay ladies.... are you ready?!!! I see that we have many people waiting for the doors to be open, so here goes!!!

Welcome to the Annual SAS Birthday Bash Template Exchange!

This exchange is relatively straight forward... you make a layered Template to share with other participants!!! Any layered template will do: 12X12, 8X8, 8.5X11, 5X7, 4X6, or any other layered template you can think of! Anyone & everyone is welcome to join in the fun! I even have a super easy way to make a template if this is your first time!

Easy Way to Make a Layered Template from a Layout:

1. Open your layered layout
2. Delete all titles, dates, pictures, journaling and extra elements you do not want to include in your template.
3. Select your first layer (background)
4. Go to Brightness/Contrast
5. Turn the CONTRAST all the way DOWN
6. Repeat for each layer you want to include in your template
7. If grey colors are similar, you can turn the BRIGHTNESS up or down depending on if you want to darken or lighten the tone.
8. You should now have a layered template! Easy, right?

**EDIT**EDIT**EDIT**EDIT**
I wanted to make sure that this is clear.... DO NOT use elements that are Unique to the designer you used to create your layout!!!! Things such as Flourishes, doodles or any hand-drawn/painted elements are NOT okay to use with the instructions above! Any element that has a definite "unique" shape to it, can NOT be used in a template design!! (Unless YOU are the one who made them, of course! ) Things like round buttons, basic butterfly shapes, straight ribbons, ricrac, basic bows & string, straight stitches, scallop edges, bracket shapes, etc are considered "basic" shapes and ARE allowed to be used following the instructions above!
HOWEVER--- MAKE SURE YOUR LAYERS ARE CONVERTING TO A FLAT GREY SHAPE, WITH NO TEXTURE OR DETAIL!!!
If they are not, follow these steps:

1. Make a New Layer on top of the layer you wish to convert
2. Select your layer (CTRL+layer)(so you have the "marching ants" around your image.)
3. Make sure you are on your New blank layer and select the Fill tool
4. Fill the selection with a SOLID color (preferably a shade of grey/black/white for templates)
5. Delete the original layer, leaving just the solid layer

Thanks ladies! Just wanted to make sure that no one inadvertently went against copyright! If you are unsure about the elements, don't use them in the template design. You can either omit them altogether or use your own shapes that came with your program to fill in! I tend to NOT use elements in my templates, because I feel the Scrapper should have the freedom to embellish as they wish! Templates really are just a guideline, and providing Photo placement, borders & edging, and paper layering is what is needed to make a layout! Embellishments are just frill! LOL! :p

Once your template is done, save as PSD or TIFF, zip it up with a TOU & a small JPG preview, upload to whichever file hosting site you prefer and PM me the link. I will be sending out links as they come to me, so you don't have to wait until the end of the month to get them all and play!

You can post your previews in the Template Exchange Gallery for ooh's and ahh's and to tempt more people into joining the exchange!! :p You are allowed to make however many templates you wish! Now go and have some fun!!!


**BONUS**BONUS**BONUS**BONUS**BONUS**BONUS**
Each person who submits a template will get a BONUS 4 pack of Templates just for playing!!!

[littlespooky]

Can i join in too if i am a designer? cause you know I am crazy for templates!!!

[kimberkatt]

of course! It's open to all!

[LauraMarie]

Is this just to create a template?

[Ambowife Designs]

Yes LauraMarie check it out on September 1 to find out the details.
I wanna do this one too Sign me up Kim

[kimberkatt]

Hey.... no questions until class begins! {wags her finger} :p lol

Yes, we're making templates! I'll even have some super easy instructions, for those that have never made templates before!

[Renee]

'have never done this before. I have posted my preview last night, but I forgot to place the layers for the photo's, so I will have to that part again.
Here's my peview:

http://www.stoneaccentsstudioforum.c...9&limit=recent

[kimberkatt]

Hi all!

I've been battling internet issues all morning... grrr! All template links will be sent out sometime today! Thanks again for participating!

[michellemarie]

Thanks for doing all that, Kim! Very cool exchange! Wish I could have had time to do more. But that was really fun

[ljd2007]

Kimberly I have loved ALL the challenges this month, this being one of my favourites, thanks so much for all that you have done and hope we get to do anothe one soon :-)
Hope you get the internet problem sorted soon, I will be away for the weeekend, I have left a message on your blog for you too :-)

[littlespooky]

OOH! I didn't know how to make a template that way Miss Kimberly!!

[kimberkatt]

Originally Posted by littlespooky

OOH! I didn't know how to make a template that way Miss Kimberly!!

I shall teach you many things, my young one! :p

[Mitsybelle]

Count me in too Kimberly

[michellemarie]

K. I just made one! My first ever! Do I need to put it into a preview with my name? I know it needs a tou and zip it up and all that. Fun

[Mitsybelle]

That's wonderful Michelle .... I'm off to create

[kimberkatt]

Whoohooo! Go Michelle!!! Our first Entry!!! Fantastic!

You can preview it up or not, whichever you prefer...

I forgot to mention, please include your name on the zip file... so I know who is who when I'm sorting the masses!!

[littlespooky]

Love it girlfriend!

Originally Posted by michellemarie

K. I just made one! My first ever! Do I need to put it into a preview with my name? I know it needs a tou and zip it up and all that. Fun

[littlespooky]

45 YEARS YOUNG! lol OH THANKYOU mASTER, CALL ME GRASSHOPPER!

Originally Posted by kimberkatt

I shall teach you many things, my young one! :p

[littlespooky]

mASTER kIMBERBRATT, DO WE need to made a folder for png. format for non ps. users?

[kimberkatt]

Originally Posted by littlespooky

mASTER kIMBERBRATT, DO WE need to made a folder for png. format for non ps. users?

I don't think so... PSP'ers should be able to use the PSD or Tiff format... Other programs, I am unsure about...

Can anyone who uses another program besides Photoshop or Paint Shop Pro let us know what type of file you need to maintain layers?