So… you want to make a mood/inspiration board, eh? Well, hopefully I can help you out with that task with some guided instructions on how to piece together your masterpiece in either Photoshop (or GimpShop — the free graphics editor) or using some quick online tools. I’m not sure if my instructions will be the best ones out there… but according to google searches by tireless bee’s, they might be the only ones around the web.
The superEasy Way
If you’d like to make a simple mosaic of your inspiration images, then you can use MosaicMaker. You have the option of using the URL of your image from another source (Flickr, Photobucket, etc.) or you can create a free membership on their site and then upload them for the mosaic. Once you’ve picked out your photos you can easily transform your photos into the following formats:
a) Square tiles
Any combination of tiles that you can think of (2×2, 3×4, 5×4, etc) with a maximum of 36 squares.
b) 4×4 with large center
Spots for 13 of your favorite images… with one dominating the scene
You can also change the background color and the border color, and increase/decrease the spacing between the photos with a simple click.
Here are a couple of mosaics that I whipped up in 5 minutes from my directory of inspirational images:
Now that’s the superEasy way to transform your inspirational images into an actual board… up next is a short tutorial on how to use Photoshop to make a more dynamic board using layers!
ooohh, thanks! i’ve been putting this off for a very long time! i have less than 2 mos left to the wedding, maybe i’ll actually do one before the big day!
hmmm, I just tried to get on that website and it didn’t load.
Thanks Mrs. Lemon, I’ve been searching around for instructions.
This is exactly what I’ve been looking for. Thanks soooo much for this. 
Hooray, Mrs. Lemon! I’m one of the bees with the fruitless Google searches (did you catch my mention of the sad Word-document mood board in the lantern post?), so I can’t tell you how excited I am about your series!!!! You’re the best!
That is awesome. Yay for not having to do a ton of cutting and pasting in Photoshop. Thanks (Even thou my wedding is 18 days, it’s fun to play with!
[...] Part I: How to create a mood/inspiration board: The superEASY way [...]
Dear Mrs Lemon - this is fantastic - Ive just linked the page to a post on my blog - thank you so much for sharing about this
thank you so much, this is a really wonderful resource
[...] How to Create a Mood Board/Inspiration Board I: the SUPEREasy Way, Part II by Mrs. Lemon [...]
I am so happy I stumbled across this from the One Year Ago posting…i have been wondering how it’s being done by the pro’s. thanks!
Mrs. Lemon, Los Angeles/Monterey
Age and Occupation in 06: 26, Graduate Student (Public Policy)
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Environmental Consultant
Engagement Date: April 7, 2006
Wedding Date: July 7, 2007
Venue: Rosary Chapel & Monterey Marriott, Monterey, CA
About Me: My FI and I met online, but we like to tell people that we met at a "cookie shop" which is the technical location of our first encounter. He proposed exactly 1 year, 1 month and 6 days after our first date (it's the only part of his proposal speech that I remember), and we're planning long-distance from Los Angeles for a July wedding in my hometown of Monterey, CA. I have a passion for all things "cool, cute and quirky" and I enjoy video games, reading blogs (WeddingBee, trashy celeb, consumer & political) and crafting in my spare time, if I have any!
Thanks Mrs. Lemon!