If you’ve been eyeing the gorgeous hybrid layouts in Creating Keepsakes and have thought, “I wish I knew how to do that!,” then I’ve got a great solution for you! All this year I’ll be covering the basics of Photoshop Elements as I use it most often to make my layouts.

This month we’re starting with the most fundamental use of Photoshop Elements—arranging photos in a printable grid. Imagine how long this configuration would take if you cut each photo by hand. I’ll show you how to make this photo collage in minutes. Plus, I’ll help you achieve your resolution to learn Photoshop Elements this year.

Rock Star by Jessica Sprague. Supplies Software: Adobe Photoshop Elements 6.0; Printer: Epson R1900; Photo paper: Premium Photo Paper (Semi-Gloss), Epson; Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper; Letter rub-ons: Making Memories; Letter stickers: American Crafts; Chipboard star: BasicGrey; Punches: EK Success (corner rounder) and Stampin’ Up! (star); Glitter and ink: Ranger Industries; Date tag: Creative Imaginations; Date stamp: Technique Tuesday; Digital patterned paper: Benjamin’s Laundry Line by Jen Wilson and Dirty Shirt by Kim Christensen; Font: Century Gothic.

I added a circle shape to the template design to create a cool focal point on an otherwise rectangular photo block. The best part about this template is that you can get up to 8 photos on a single page! Simply print your photo block onto letter-sized photo paper, adhere it to your layout, add a few embellishments and you’re done!

Learn how to add photos to a multiphoto template in Photoshop Elements by checking out my online tutorial here.

Download this cool template, free! Use it as you create a ready-to-print 8 1/2" x 11" page of photos, like Amy Martin and Cindy Tobey did!

The Rail by Amy Martin. Supplies Software: Paint Shop Pro Photo X2, Corel; Digital paper: Cherry Crush Kit by Kasia Designs; Digital journaling tag: Title + Journal Blocks No. 01 by Ali Edwards; Digital stitching: Triple Dipped Stitches by Chere Edwards; Digital buttons: Michelle Godin, Karah Fredricks and Natalie Braxton; Digital title letters: Game Time by Lori Barnhurst; Fonts: Pea Breathe Easy and Susie’s Hand.

Variation: Finish it as an 8 1/2" x 11" page
Like Paula, Amy used the circle space to hold her page title and journaling. She used the remaining spaces to hold photos and added a background design to the template before printing.

Comments Amy, “I didn’t alter the original template at all for this layout. I simply filled in the blanks. Sometimes it’s just as easy to take inspiration and not modify it to complicate it. In this case, there were enough photos to make the layout interesting enough without adding much by way of embellishments.”

Winter Delicacy by Cindy Tobey. Supplies Software: Adobe Photoshop Elements 6.0; Digital paper: Christmas Fancy Paper by Dianne Rigdon; Digital elements: Prima Hybrid (frame and journaling doodle); Thrift Chic Element Pack by Kim Christensen; Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper; Patterned paper, chipboard swirl, ribbon and flower: Prima; Brads: Doodlebug Design (glitter white) and Queen & Co. (white); Letter stickers: American Crafts; Colored pencil: Newell Rubbermaid; Paint: Heidi Swapp for Advantus (blue) and Pebbles Inc. (white); Pen: Sakura; Thread: Gutermann; Font: Century Schoolbook; Other: Buttons.

Variation: Stretch it out across a two-page spread
If you like to scrapbook with the 8 1/2" x 11" format but want a little additional space for your title and embellishments, consider Cindy’s spin on this template. “I used the template horizontally at 100% size,” explains Cindy. “I placed it on a two-page spread so that the photo block spans across both pages.”

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