What's your layout process?

[fruitysuet]

I know it makes sense to start with the photos, but for weekends like this when there are so many challenges, I sometimes actually create the bulk of the page first with a theme or event in mind, then go and find the photos and plop them in nearer the end.

But generally I will tend to look for the photos first and figure out how many photo spaces I will need to reflect the story I am telling. I'll then look for a template which I'll either use as is or chop and change to fit my needs. I add the papers in then elements (shadowing each as I go). The journaling comes last, although I may do some tweaks with papers or elements as I have a final look through. I'll add my credits into the file information box before saving (and resizing for the web).

In my mind this is the logical approach, but, well, my logic doesn't always seem logical to someone else! Am I missing any tricks?

[HavaDrPepper]

Choose Photos
Choose Template
Choose Kit (but sometimes I know the kit before hand)

Open template
Add photos
Add background paper
Add any other papers for paper elements or matting of photos
Add elements
Adjust placement of elements and/or photos if desired

Next come shadowing starting at the bottom layer and working my way up the layer palette. This way I can see what the depth of the shadows should be. I start with a basic depth but usually adjust on each individual element.

Journaling is last

And, of course, I am constantly saving the layout throughout the process. I've had PSP shut down on me unexpectedly too many times, especially when I'm adding text.

[Brendazzle]

I'm very photo-driven in my scrapping so I usually start with the photos and then put them in a template. I usually go papers next except for this week, when I've been so in love with certain elements that I've placed them first and then added papers that don't distract behind them. I shadow as I go and always have a lot of journaling. I add the journaling whenever the words pop into my head.

It's a little chaotic sometimes and I jump around but I tend to be memory first, then pretties (even for my CT duties).

[i_like_snow]

Do you use templets for most of your scrapbook pages?

I never do but I'm running out of ideas for layouts.

[jacinda]

Originally Posted by i_like_snow

Do you use templets for most of your scrapbook pages?

I never do but I'm running out of ideas for layouts.

I looooooove templates and use them all the time. Thinking of a page design would make this slow scrapper even slower. I love that someone else has already done that part, and I just have to decide how to fill it.

[jacinda]

Because the majority of my scrapping is done for the SSD store, I start with kit and template, then find photos to fit.

Papers
Elements and shadowing (I add shadowing on each paper/element as it is placed)
Title and journalling last
An exception to this will be if I'm doing a journal heavy page. In that case I'll often start with the journalling and fit everything else around it so i don't run out of space.

[allyanne]

Another heavy template user here! I just like that I can fit so many photos on a page when using a template! And also, as Jacinda said, it speeds things up. My process is:

Kit/template (because I'm usually trying to use new releases ASAP)

Photos & journal cards

ELEMENTS! I always do these before papers, which seems to go against the flow, but I can't get it to work the other way around. I have tried!

Title (sometimes this happens after photos, though)

Journaling (also can happen after photos, just depends on the page)

Papers
Paints, textures, little finishing touches

I shadow as I go.

I like reading about how everyone does this!

[jk703]

I work better with templates - and they let me scrap faster and at times more focused, along with a better design, lol!

I usually start with a kit, and template. Then I decide what photos I want to scrap. If I have photos in mind, I just adjust my photos to work - b&w, color overlay, editing, etc.

After I have all the pieces, then I start with papers, and elements. I actually work from the bottom up in the layers palette when I use a template. I add things in between, but it gives me a road map to completion, lol!

I shadow as I go along. I adjust or go backwards to change out papers/elements or other things that don't look right in my mind's eye.

Lastly, I add the journaling, title and date. I futz around with title fonts, and sizing for a bit. My journaling font is usually either my handwriting (I made it a font) or Special Elite font. I like to think less, otherwise I would take too much time to pick a font.

I'm very challenge driven or CT Kit or Template driven in my scrapping.

[tammybean04]

I start with the kit. It's rare that I have a photo in mind. Normally the photo is the last thing I add. After I have the kit/template or page I plan to lift, I start with the papers. Then I move on to the elements. I do shadow as I go. Then when that's all complete I look at my photos that still need to be scrapped and go from there.

[3BluEyedBabi]

SInce I do a lot of CT pages (not Sweet Shoppe designers), I sometimes start with the kit or template from the designer and then find photos to fit.

If I'm making a LO for a challenge here at SS, I usually start with the photos, but again, I occasionally start with a kit or template and then the photos. It really depends on what the challenge is and how I can interpret it with the kits and photos I have.

[AmieN1]

For big scrap weekends & challenges, I do the same as you- but since a lot of my scrapping is CT work- I do usually have a kit/templates first then find photos.

For process:
-I open either the template or a paper I'm thinking for a background paper if not using a template (I often change the paper later!)
-place photos (I almost always place a journal card or pocket card in a photo spot- so I like to have those done first)
-With templates, I tend to add all the papers & change all the shadows to the one I like.
-Embellish at the end, shadowing as I go
-Journaling, Title & Date
-Run action that flattens, add a lighting layer & a photo filter, & credits in metadata
-Run action to Save fullsize and then again for websize

[nietis]

Almost all of my pages are Babe work, so I usually start with the kit/template I am going to scrap with.
If I scrap without template, after deciding on the photos, I usually choose the background paper(s) first, then I do my photos placement. After that, I work 'bottom to top', building things up from the place closest to the background paper. Usually, I'd start with stamps, paints, splats, etc., then I'd do my clusters starting with leaves/foliages before adding flowers.

If I am using a template, I'd do tweaking on it first after deciding my photos. After that, I'd place my photos and start to work on the template from the bottom of the template, basically following the layering of the template.

[Cheryl Ashcraft]

KIT > PHOTOS > ELEMENTS/PAPERS or PAPERS/ELEMENTS > CUSTOM SHADOWS > JOURNALING > CREDITS