i always start with blank scenes -- always have.  but i don't do projects like you have.

 

NUMBER ONE TIP:  once you get the pp12 pieces anchored where and how you want, for heaven's sake, turn OFF their ability to tear off.  i can't tell you how many times i've accidentally torn one out of place and had a devil of a time getting it back where it belonged.  (though i suppose the ui dots can help with that.  still.)

 

 

also, moo...  i'm using ezskin 2 (dunno if that is different), but to get the original diffuse colour chip into the alternate diffuse colour chip, i just click the alternate and sample the original.  is your ezskin actually overwriting the original diffuse chip??  (mine doesn't.)