I want a custom template based on default - how?

[pcmt]

I've read up the various tutorials and the wiki pages. I must be missing something.

I would like to develop a new template my_template with the default Classic Contemporary Green one as the starting point. I thought I'd followed all the instructions: created a my_template folder with all the same folders and files as the default, then uploaded it and selected it in TOOLS/Template Selection/Edit then reset the layout boxes etc.

I'm now seeing the site as a full-width design, with orange and pink rows in the left sidebar, etc. Since I've replicated all the template_default folders and files in my new template, shouldn't I be seeing the same as the default install?

Patrick