There are many tutorials and workbooks that you can read through at Gary's web site, The Xaraxone.
I would look through the workbooks.
http://www.xaraxone.com/html/workbook_index.html#L

Sounds like you need to put your template on a layer and lock it so that it does not move around, Then you can draw your designs on a new layer on top of it.

http://www.xaraxone.com/webxealot/workbook22/page_3.htm