Free Layouts

Sepiana these are great and I will use some of them. I was also looking for these types of shapes:

www.designtube.org/template/66034-wavy-film-strip-frame-template.html


I could put many pictures into the wavy design here:




I could do a lot with this one:
freedesignfile.com/104933-blurred-geometric-shapes-background-art-vector-01/

and I really like the unusual quality of this one from minimalisti: (it's a chandelier) but I could easily put images into it...... (uploaded jpeg).

Sorry for all the links, but I was trying not to infringe on copyright.

These look good Sepiana, but they want me to use their installer which has the following message:

"Please read carefully: By clicking the button above you agree to install this ConvertDocsNow Chrome New Tab, and you agree to the End User License Agreement and the Privacy Policy and to receiving any future updates and upgrades. The ConvertDocsNow Chrome New Tab communicates with our servers to deliver its functionality and record usage metrics. You can uninstall this program at any time."

I've had problems with this type of "attachment" in the past. I can't figure out where I can simply download the file without using a third party software.

Srmoment

I suggest you purchase one multi-template kit. Digital Scrappers and Scrap Girls are two safe sites that come to mind.

Realize, templates come in psd format, so each piece on the template is movable and you can delete any part of it. Rotating a template creates an entirely different look, too. You can use one package to create virtually an entire scrapbook because, parts can also be enlarged, moved around your page, or duplicated.  The possibilities are endless.

If you are looking for pages that are all done for you and all you do is pop the photos in, you are looking for quick pages and not templates.  Quick pages are png's and are not editable, however, you can add extra things to your page.  Using quick pages will create an extra cost, since you will not be able to edit a page - it's a one shot deal with quick pages.

But, then again, maybe you are more interested in an album that is mostly done for you? Shutterfly has albums where you just pop your photos in and you are done. However, with Shutterfly, you have to have your book printed by them. If you are not printing, you can share your album digitally without cost. You just send friends a link. You will have to sign in with them, but I have been a member there, with created projects, for years, with no negative consequences.  

Shutterfly is a known company liked by almost all scrappers. Working with them does not entail downloading any software that may compromise your computer. All work is done on their site.  However, Shutterfly may not have the unique look you are going for.

Realize you do not have to purchase 8x8.  Templates usually come 3600 x 3600 pixels so your project can be printed 12x12 inches at 300 resolution and get a great print.  This does not mean you have to print 12x12.  Since 8x8 is square also, any 12x12 template can be printed at 8x8.

Examples of how I changed a template are below.  I don't usually keep so many of the original elements and colors when I make a layout, but it seemed to work with my photos, so I kept them.  Note how I enlarged and moved the photo blocks in the original example.  For the other example, I easily duplicated the photo blocks - turned them around, attached them to each other, and made this into a multi-photo template.  I know this isn't the look you are interested in, I'm merely sharing the idea of taking one template and using it in many different ways, thus keeping your cost, if you choose to purchase, minimal.

The template is from Digital Scrapper.

Sr moment

I googled and came up empty. Then I looked over Digital Scrappers and Scrap Girls stores. Scrap Girls seems to have a little different approach to templates - may be more to your style.

store.scrapgirls.com/ScrapSimple-Digital-Layout-Album-Templates-Mini-A-Different-Slant-3.html
This designer has at least four kits with this look

store.scrapgirls.com/ScrapSimple-Digital-Layout-Album-Templates-Scrap-It-Monthly-Series-1.html

store.scrapgirls.com/ScrapSimple-Digital-Layout-Templates-Hello-Honeycomb.html

Nothing is free.

However, finding filmstrip templates and wavy things like you want, may be a challenge. I have some filmstrip templates, but they were acquired a long time ago and can't lead you to the source.

You already seem to know - but beware of the sites that seem to have one item.  They seem to be just a lead on so you get there and see an ad for some sort of computer product.  Those are the ones I would fear downloading a template from - because of the possible auto download of "bad stuff" to your computer.
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I forgot about Snapfish - they work similar to Shutterfly - providing premade books to pop photos in - but they seem to have more flexibility for adding text, etc., to your pages than Shutterfly.

These are all wonderful suggestions everyone! Thanks so much.
I am avoiding the Shutterfly solution (for now), as I am printing out the 8X8 pages myself. What I see on my monitor is what actually prints out on my printer, so I feel I have better color control. I had printed a photobook a few years back and while I loved the book, the colors were quite off; having said that, I did have a different computer and screen at the time.
(Sepiana, I don't know what to say. When I click on the downoad, another screen comes up with the Convert stuff. I will look again and see if there is a different area to download from.) The last time I used a third-party software, it came with a virus that I had a really hard time getting rid of.