Making a Digital Layout with a Narrative Page using Adobe Photoshop Elements by Laura Hedgecock, author of Treasure Chest of Memories

1. Making a Digital Layout with
a Narrative Page using
Adobe Photoshop Elements
By Laura Hedgecock
Author of Treasure Chest of Memories
© Laura Hedgecock 2013

2. First, establish the background for your narrative.
•Under File, Choose
New ->Blank File
1. Ne
•In the dialog box that
appears, type in your
filename.
•Change the size to inches
•Choose your page size. I usually start with width: 8.5 and height 11
•Set the resolution to 300.
•Click OK

3. Choose the page color or background
On your
content panel Clicking on
(on right) your selection
choose a will change
background your
for your new background.
image.

4. Your page will look something like this.
Hint: If your
ruler isn’t
displaying, turn
it on under the
View menu.

5. Next, you’ll establish your scrapbook
background page.
•Select, File-> New.
• This time, set your
layout size for 12
inches wide by 12
inches high, (if you’re
working with a 12 x
12 layout. )

6. Again, you’ll choose a background

7. Your result will look something like this.

8. Select and open your
larger (12 x
12)canvas out of the
project bin.
Using your
mouse, drop and
drag the smaller
sheet onto your
page.

9. You can re-
size you
sheet using
the ruler.
Don’t
worry, you
can adjust it
later as well.

10. A Word about Layers
Just like paper
layouts are made
up of layers, each
page or item you
add to your
project is
preserved in a
separate layer.

11. Adding Your Narrative Text
•In your word
processing
software, highlig
ht the text.
(Control + A
selects all text)
•Then use
Control +C to
copy the text on
your “clip board.”

12. Add Text to Your Layout
•Use the Text
tool to draw a
text box
•With the text
tool still
selected, use
Control + V to
copy your text
the page

13. Adjusting Text
•With the text tool still selected, you can change the font, font
size, font color, and and vertical spacing between lines.

14. Select Photos to Add to your Layout
• In the
Organizer, select
the photos you’d
like to add to your
layout (Control).
• On the right hand
side click on “Fix”
and select “Full
Photo Edit”

15. Select and drag the additional photos out of your
project bin, in the same way that you added your
narrative paper.

16. After you
If
have placed
necessary, yo
your
u can even
photos, you
delete text
can adjust
from the
your text box.
main box and
add it to an
additional
box.

17. Hint: To add a torn effect to you paper,
1) Select the appropriate layer
2) Draw the edge you desire with your Quick Selection Tool
3) Use the magic eraser to shape your paper edge

18. To finish your “torn” edge, select a slightly lighter color and go
over the edge with your brush.

19. All that’s left now is to add your embellishments.

20. Finished!