Photoshop Help?

[ColleenSwerb]

So I love the style of Ali Edward's base pages for her December Daily. With the frame, and the box in the corner with the number for the day, etc. But I never do an album the same size as her, so I want to make my own similar base page.
I just don't know how!
I have my guides set up on my canvas, but I want a nice crisp line and I'm having trouble getting that. What tool is the best to use to achieve that?

[NeverendingJen]

I just use the pen tool with a square pen, and then use my marquee tool set at my guide size to eliminate any overrun.

[mummytothree]

OK I;m no expert but this is how I would do it!!!

1. figure out what size I want my whole page to be: 12x12 8x8 8.5x11 ect....
2. Figure out how many boxes I want: 3 like her
3. Figure out what size I want the boxes to be: 10 x10 square on top of a 2x2 square and a 10x2 rectangle
4. Use my shape tool to make those shapes
5. add a totally different shade stroke to all shapes
6. use my magic want to select that original colored shaped box
7. delete that selection
8. you are left is a nice outline that you can color any color you want now!!

[ColleenSwerb]

Originally Posted by NeverendingJen

I just use the pen tool with a square pen, and then use my marquee tool set at my guide size to eliminate any overrun.

How do you specify a square pen? And then I have no idea what you're saying at the end there with the marquee tool and the guide size, lol.

Elizabeth, I never get a nice crisp outline using the stroke tool. I tried that first. :/

[Nettio]

I would use the Shape tool to draw out my rectangle and add an inner stroke to it which will give you nice crisp corners. Then I'd reduce the Fill (not opacity) of the rectangle to zero so only the stroke shows.

[ColleenSwerb]

Originally Posted by Nettio

I would use the Shape tool to draw out my rectangle and add an inner stroke to it which will give you nice crisp corners. Then I'd reduce the Fill (not opacity) of the rectangle to zero so only the stroke shows.

This was definitely the easiest. I don't know what I didn't think to stroke to the inside! Thank you Lynnette

[Nettio]

Originally Posted by ColleenSwerb

This was definitely the easiest. I don't know what I didn't think to stroke to the inside! Thank you Lynnette

No problem! Glad you got it to work!

[ColleenSwerb]

Now I just need to find a fun font for my numbers. I can't afford the one Ali uses, lol.

[Nettio]

Which font does she use?

[ColleenSwerb]

Numbers Depot. It's got a whole mess of various number styles and is $129 on the link that I saw. I found a few free ones I'll try instead, lol.

[Valgal]

I don't know why the outer stroke rounds out the corners, took me awhile to figure it out too, lol!

Are you going to set up your own base/templates pages and plug in your photos and journaling everyday?

[mummytothree]

Originally Posted by ColleenSwerb

How do you specify a square pen? And then I have no idea what you're saying at the end there with the marquee tool and the guide size, lol.

Elizabeth, I never get a nice crisp outline using the stroke tool. I tried that first. :/

I did mean an inner stroke (I never use outer because I too never get "sharp corners"), so I'm glad Lynnette posted and specified inner stroke!!! I always take it for granted that everyone does stuff like me so I sometimes am too vague!!! I'm so glad it worked for you!!!

[adrianka]

It's taken me for ages to notice that it was the inner stroke that worked this way! :-)

[ColleenSwerb]

Yea, inner stroke may be my new favorite thing ever, LOL!

Val, I'm doing a hybrid album. So I'm making base pages like Ali does and printing them out, and then I'll fill in with photos, memorabilia, journaling, etc, depending on what strikes my fancy that day.