Dee Bee Designs shares this fun tip that you can try with her kit, “This Way ‘n That*”

In my kit “This Way ‘n That” there is an overlay element called, “Border Overlay.” You can use the element as is to apply a pretty color overlay to your background. But did you know that you can also use it as a clipping mask with photos or with other background papers? I have used it in that way with this layout:

Following is a quick tutorial (using PSCS3) on how to use this element as a clipping mask and create a similar layout.

1) Open one of the plain (non-patterned) backgrounds from “This Way ‘n That.”

2) Duplicate your background image (Image>duplicate) and close the original background file. (This is a good habit to get into to insure that you never lose or accidentally change your original kit files).

3) Open “Border Overlay” from “This Way ‘n That.”

4) Rotate the border overlay (Image>Rotate Canvas>90CCW)

5) Use your move tool to click and drag the border overlay into your background image. Close the original border overlay file.

6) Open the photo you would like to use as your main background photo. Use your move tool to click and drag the photo into your layout image. Close your photo image. (In your layout image layer 1 should be background, layer 2 should be the border overlay, layer 3 should be the photo.)

7) Click the bottom right or left corner of your photo with the move tool, hold down the shift key and enlarge the photo so that the top and the bottom of the photo are the same size as the background. Hit “enter” when the photo is the desired size. Use the move tool to position the photo on top of the border overlay element. Clip the photo to the border overlay (Ctrl>Alt>G). You can adjust the position of the photo or the overlay with your move tool. Once you have the photo aligned with the border overlay as desired merge the two layers (Ctrl>E).

8. You can use the same process as outlined above and use the border overlay as a clipping mask with a pattered paper.

9) Once you have the photo and patterned papers situated as desired use elements to build the bottom border.

10) Use elements to build a cluster for the area where the title will be placed.

11) Add title and journaling and your layout is complete.

*The kit, “This Way ‘n That” is available as a FREE Gift with the purchase of the January 2012 issue of the Artisan Notebook ™. It may also be purchased separately at these fine stores:

E-scape and Scrap
Natural Designs in Scrapbooking
Pickleberry Pop

Related posts: