CT Layout Tutorial for "Dream in the Garden" by PapierCreatif

**This tutorial was written using Photoshop CC. I believe the instructions should work with various other versions, but they are not tested on any other version.  This tutorial is my own creation.  Any similarity to any other tutorial is not done purposely or knowingly (aside from the fact that the process is pretty similar in most tutorials).  If you do not know how to do some of the things I mention here (like mirroring an image, adding a drop shadow, resizing elements, etc.), check out my “Tips and Tricks” tutorial. **

Supplies:

Kit- “Dream in the Garden” by PapierCreatif which can be purchased from the artist’s store.

Abbreviations:

DS – Drop Shadow

Settings I use:

DS Settings - Blend Mode set to Multiply, Opacity set to 75%, Angle set to 120 degrees, Distance 5, Spread 0, Size 5

Ready…..Set….Create!

Open a new canvas (Ctrl +N) 12 inches by 12 inches transparent background.  This will be referred to as the working canvas in my directions when switching between canvases.

Add FrameDistressedGraph02.  Position in the upper right corner approximately ½ inch from the top of the canvas and about an inch from the right of the canvas.  Add DS.

Add you horizontal photo (this is where I used the cat image – referred to as Smokey from here on). Move the photo layer below the frame layer.  Resize until what you want to see is displayed inside the frame.  Use the eraser tool to erase any of the photo outside of the frame.

Add FrameDistressedGraph.  Position in the bottom left corner approximately ¼ inch from the bottom of the canvas and about ½ inch from the left of the canvas.  Add DS.

Add you vertical photo (this is where I used the dog image – referred to as Bear from here on). Move the photo layer below the frame layer.  Resize until what you want to see is displayed inside the frame.  Use the eraser tool to erase any of the photo outside of the frame.

Add GardenFairy02 to the canvas on top of the vertical frame.  Resize and position so that it looks like the fairy is standing with her hand on the inside of the frame.  Add DS.

Add LabelAntiqued copy to the canvas.  Resize so it is approximately 3 ½ inches wide. Position approximately a ¼ inch from the horizontal frame in the upper right corner.  Add DS.  This is where you can add a name or a quote or message about the picture.

Add GardenGate to the canvas on the right of the vertical frame.  Add DS.

Add another LabelAntiqued copy to the canvas.  Resize to the width of the gate.  Position in the center of the gate and move it slightly off to the right side.  Add DS.  This is where you can add a name or a quote or message about the second picture.

Add the Garden cluster to your canvas.  Position it so that the jeweled insect is lined up with the center of your horizontal frame.  This should fill the area between Smokey and the gate.

Add Ribbon-RedBow02 to the canvas.  Resize to your liking and rotate it using Edit > Free Transform to position on the top right corner of the horizontal frame.  Add DS.

Add SparrowsPostCard to the canvas.  Position in the bottom corner so it slightly overlaps the bottom text label.  Add DS.

Add GardenWaterincCan to the canvas.  Resize to your liking and position so it looks like it is sitting on top of the postcard. Add DS.

Add GardenCabbage to the canvas.  Resize so you can position it to the left of the garden cluster and it will slightly overlap both Smokey and Bear.  Add DS.

Add GardenFairy01 to the canvas.  Position her so she looks like she is flying away from the flower you just placed.  Add DS.

Add Lace02 and resize it so that it is 12 inches wide.  Position it along the bottom of the picture.  Since the bottom of the lace was kind of wavy I positioned it so that the bottom of the lace actually extends beyond the canvas.  You can change how much you want to show or not at the bottom by moving more or less out of the canvas area.  Once you are satisfied with it, right click the layer and select “Duplicate layer”.

Select the duplicate layer and then choose Edit > Transform > Flip Vertical.  This will flip the duplicate lace layer upside down.  Drag it to the top of the canvas and position it across the top using the same method as you did the bottom.  When you are satisfied with it, right click the layer and select “Duplicate layer” on this one too.

Select the new layer and choose Edit > Transform > Rotate 90 Counter Clockwise.  This will move the finished edge so it is facing the left of the canvas.  Drag it to the left side and position to your liking again.  When done, duplicate this layer too.

Select the new layer and choose Edit > Transform > Flip Horizontal.  This flips the finished edge to face the right side.  Drag the new layer to the right side of the canvas and position to your liking.

Voila!  The main area of your layout is now created.

I like layouts that have lots of pizzazz to them so I chose to add some more elements to fill in the empty areas. Use your own preferences and judgment to determine how much or how little you want to add from here. Play around with the embellishments.  Resize them as you add them to fit the proportions of your layout.  Experiment with rotating them and mirroring them for more variety.  In addition duplicate embellishments and use multiple times to fill in awkward bare spots.  Remember you can move the layers around to overlap them as well. In this tutorial to indicate when I used more than one of the same embellishments I will add (X#) by the name to indicate how many copies I used. 

Here are all the additional embellishments I added from the bottom layers up.

• LaceRound (x2)
• Ribbon-RedCurled
• Ribbon-RedTwirl
• CraftFlower04
• CraftFlower06
• CraftFlower07
• CraftFlower08
• CraftFlower01
• CraftFlower02
• CraftFlower03

Add text of your choice to the labels.

Save as JPG and you are ready to post in your gallery!

Thank you for trying my tut! I’d love to see how your layout turnd out so if you like what you made, please post a copy here or show me on Facebook!