Next open a new blank file in Photoshop elements. I am using PSE 7, so you may need to adjust these directions according to the version that you use.
Choose the “photo” option under the “preset” drop down menu.
In the “size” drop down menu, choose 4x6 landscape. Make sure you are set at RGB color with a white background.
You should have a blank 4x6 canvas in front of you. Next, go to file, open, and browse to the folder on your computer where you have your digital paper/backgrounds stored. Choose a paper for your first month’s background. Most of the digital paper is sized at 12x12, so I chose to crop the paper to 4x6. With the move tool selected, drag the paper onto your blank canvas. When you close the original paper file, be sure to click “No” when the program prompts you to save any changes. Next you will need to open the photo of your choice. You can either resize the photo by going to “Image”, then “resize”, then “Image size” and changing it to about a 2 or 3 inch size, or you can crop to the size of your choice to isolate a certain area of the photo. I chose to use clipping masks instead.
For this project, I used Laura Bratcher’s “Rubbed Off Photo Masks” available at Funky Playground Designs. I love the effect that these masks have on photos!
To use a clipping mask in Photoshop Elements, make sure that the mask and the photo of your choice are both open in the program.
With the “move tool” selected, drag the mask onto your canvas. Grab the mask by one of the corners and drag it in to resize it. Make sure you are on the corner to avoid losing the image proportions. Next drag, your photo over top of the clipping mask on the canvas. Use the same method of grabbing the corner to resize it. Make sure that the photo layer is just above the mask layer in your layers palette (lower right side)
Hold down the Control key (ctrl) and then hit “G” (command + G on Mac) or go to “layer” then “group with previous”. At this point, use your cursor to move the photo around within the mask until you are satisfied with the placement. If you are unhappy with the photo placement within the mask, you can go to “edit” at the top of the screen, then click “undo grouping” and repeat the process a few times to get your photo and mask sized perfectly. Once you are happy with the placement of the photo, right click the mask layer in your layers palette, then click “merge clipping mask” and the photo will take the shape of the mask.
Grab the photo grouping by the corner to resize as needed
Whether you crop, resize or use masks for your photos, be sure not to save any changes to your original photo file.
Next add your date stamp to the canvas. I used the 2009 Calendar Stamps from Misstina Designs available at Funky Playground Designs. These are sized at approximated 4x7 inches, which is too large for this project. You will need to either go to “Image” then “resize” or drag the stamp from one of the corners to resize after you drag it onto your canvas.
I alternated the date stamps from the right to the left sides for every other month. After your photo and date stamp are in place, then add a few digital elements, some drop shadows or some text to personalize.
As you finish each month, you will need to save a copy as a “jpg”image for printing purposes. I would highly recommend that you also save the “psd” file as well so that you can make changes if necessary. Even if you are satisfied with the completed month’s page, saving the psd file will allow you to hypothetically go in and make a calendar for a friend using his or her photos. You could replace your photos very easily instead of starting the whole project over from scratch.
After you have finished all twelve months, simply print them from your computer or have them printed at your favorite photo-processing store. I also recommend saving all files to the original folder that you created for this project so that no files are lost.
Putting the Calendar Together
Once you have all of your pages printed, you will need a small photo album. I used a Best Occasion photo album available at Wal-Mart for $1, specifically because the front and back covers of the album are removable.
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Since these photo albums hold 36 photos and my calendar was only 12 pages, I decided to make a few filler pages for the back.
For example, I made a few very simple 4x6 pages highlighting the major events of 2008.
I also made a “birthdays” page using a pre-designed 4x6 recipe card from the “Home For the Holidays” kit available at Scrapbook Graphics.
I left about 15 empty pages in the back for the recipient of the calendar to fill at their discretion. I also made a calendar for myself in which I have put school photos, note cards and so forth in the empty pages.
Once you have the album itself filled with pages, the next step would be altering the cover. I took the covers completely out, measured them and cut new paper to size. I used a cute pattern paper for the front cover and a coordinating cardstock for the back cover. I cut my text using my Cricut die cutting machine, but letter stickers would work just fine. Then I added a few flat embellishments *.
*Any embellishments added to the cover must be flat so that it will slide back into the sleeve.
I made several of these calendars for gifts this past year. They were a huge hit and cost me less than $5 each.
This project could easily be translated into a traditional paper project using Jenni Bowlin’s Die Cut Calendar cards, or any of the cute cards sold in Etsy shops.
If you have any questions about this tutorial, feel free to email me at nicole_scraps@hotmail.com
To find the products mentioned in this article and shown in these layouts, check with your local scrapbook retailer. Browse our Premier Retail Stores for coupons to a store near you.
I am a 35-year-old wife and stay at home mother from West Virginia. I have been paper scrapbooking since I was a child, but started with mainstream scrapbooking about 5 years ago. My newest addiction, digital scrapbooking, started about four months ago. In addition to scrapbooking, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, reading and writing. You can visit my blog at http://crop-a-holic.blogspot.com. I would like to give a special thanks to Leah F for all of you amazing lessons in using PSE, and to Chris H for all of your help and input along the way.
