INTRODUCTION
This lesson will convert a photo into a framed and titled masterpiece.  You must follow the instructions precisely for this to work for you.

OPEN A PHOTO AND PLAY IT SAFE
Open Photoshop Elements in the Full Edit mode.  Hold the Ctrl key and tap the letter O (open) > select a picture > click Open > click File + Duplicate > click OK > close the original picture.  On the Layers palette, double-click Background > click OK (becomes Layer 0).

CREATE A BACKGROUND LAYER
We’re going to make an 8X10 background.  Select the Crop tool and crop the picture including as much as possible > click the green check mark or press Enter to complete the crop.  Tap the M key (Marquee tool) and draw a rectangle including all the 8X10 area > click Layer + New + Layer > name the layer Pink > click OK.  Set foreground color to pink (color square on lower left of Tools bar) > select the Bucket tool and click the new layer > on the Layers palette, move the Layer 0 above Pink.

SELECT A SQUARE AREA
With Layer 0 selected, tap the Esc key (clear marching ants) press the M key (Rectangular Marquee tool) > under Mode: select Fixed Aspect Ratio > Width and Height should both be 1 > draw a square around the portion of the Picture that is to be used > click Select + Inverse > tap the Delete key > rename Layer O to Photo > erase the marching ants.

MAKE NEW RECTANGULAR LAYER
Select the Marquee tool and set Mode: Normal > draw a rectangle about ¼ inch above and on both sides of Photo and 1 inch below > click Layer + New + Layer > name it White > press OK > on the Layers palette, drag Picture on top and White between Picture and Pink.  Click on White (makes it the active layer) > make the foreground color white (lower left area of Tools bar) > select the Bucket tool and click on the White layer.

MOVE LAYERS INTO PLACE
It is important to move layers in this sequence – before each move, select (click the title on the Layers palette).  Move White to center on Pink > move Picture to ¼ inch from top and sides of White.  Click Edit + Stroke (Outline) Selection > set Width: 3 and Color: black > click OK (this makes a slight border around Picture) > click the Hand tool to kill handles.

ADD TEXTURE AND MAKE A SHADOW AROUND WHITE – ADD TEXT
With White selected, click Filter + Texture + Texturizer > set Texture=Canvas > click OK > select the Layer Styles icon (double square in Effects palette) + Drop Shadows + Soft Edge > double-click the icon right of the name White (on Layers Palette) > play with the settings.  Select the Text tool: Font=G820-Deco, Size=100, Color=black > type HI THERE > select the Move tool (click until handles appear around text) > move and size text to fit.

CONCLUSION
This is a good starting point for preparing pictures for your photo book.