Digital Scrapbook Tutorial: Use a 12x12 Template to Make a Facebook Timeline Cover! FREEBIE Included

Anne posted a timeline cover she had created using one of my templates in the SwL Facebok Group.

She made this with a template from Recyclables 39.

I was so inspired by her cover that I decided to try and make my own. I know, way behind the times here. I usually just upload a picture for my cover, and I'm good to go.

Well, it turns out to be super easy and lots of fun! I thought I would show you how I made my own timeline cover using a template from my Artsy Journal Templates 7 set.

First I did a little google search on Facebook timeline cover sizes. I found that it needed to be 851 pixels by 315 pixels. I opened the new document with those dimensions in Photoshop.

Then I went searching for the perfect template to convert to that size. I chose the template above from my Artsy Journal Template 7 set. I thought it would work well because everything was clustered to the right, plus I love that chevron style.

I opened my template in Photoshop alongside my 851 by 315 document. I highlighted all of the layers from the 12x12 template and duplicated them (right-click the highlighted layers and duplicate to the correct document) onto the 851 by 315 document. Then I grabbed all the layers and used the move tool to resize all the layers to fit the 851 by 315 document. You can see I had to zoom way out.

It took a little bit of playing around to get it to look exactly how I wanted it. I deleted the journaling layer, title layer, and a few layers that weren't seen. I also had to move over the scallop and doodle that was on the left side of the template until it lined up with the left side of the timeline cover. After getting it just how I wanted it, I had to play around with the shadow layers since they were too deep. This is what I came up with:

It only took me a few minutes to get it just right. It took me much longer to find the right photos and kit! Then I just had to scrap it like I would with a regular template.

I used True Stories from Juno Design.

Just to make it a little easier for you guys I have this freebie for you. It's my converted template to a Facebook timeline size and a plain 851 by 315 document in case you want to start with a blank slate. You can take a peek at my shadow layers too if you want to get a feel for what might work on this size of template. I'm no shadow expert, so definitely play around and see what works for you. Just click the image to download.

I *might* design some Facebook timeline covers. What do you say? I'm not sure if I want to get out of my comfort zone of designing 12x12 templates.

-Liz