Open a template you wish to use as a mask and minimize it. The mask should have an area to fill; I am using ScrapSimple Digital Layout Templates: Trendy 4 for this digital scrapbooking tutorial. Open a new 12X12 image, then open your papers and Ctrl+C to Copy, then Ctrl+L to Paste As a New Layer onto the new image. Do the same with your second paper, making sure the paper you want to show through the openings is on the bottom. Close the original papers and save your new image.

To cut out the opening: Layers> New Mask Layer> From Image. We are going to choose the template you opened and minimized from the drop-down box.

Here you see the Mask group with the mask as the layer over the paper we "cut out" showing the background paper below. You can now click the (-) sign to the left of the group layer to "hide" the layers.

Activate the mask layer by clicking on it (it will highlight blue) and choose your Magic Wand Tool.

Set your Match Mode to "Opacity," Tolerance to about 5 and click INSIDE the transparent area. You should get marching ants around just the shape. Activate your background layer and Layers> Promote to Layer. You should now have your shape on its own layer.

Keep the promoted layer active and selected, Selections> Modify> Select Selection Borders.

In the dialogue box, select "Outside" and set your border width. I have set mine at 10px and click "OK." You will have marching ants on the outside of the edge with a transparent area between. We are going to FILL this selection with another color.

Choose your fill color from the Materials Palette and with Match Mode set to "Normal," fill the selections. They should all fill at the same time with this setting.

This looks good, but I want to see some dimension on the stars so we are going to bevel those new edges. With the edges still selected, go to Effects> 3D> Inner Bevel. When you have your settings the way you like, click "OK." Ctrl+D to Deselect all. Drag the layer you have been working on to the top above the mask layer.

I added a border to my photo in the same manner, including the bevel.

I slid my photo under the stars and added drop shadows. The stitches also have a bevel added to them. The title's drop shadow is white to make it pop off the page.

Layout by Dee-Ann Decker
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	Note: Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Curves are also available.

Tutorial written by Dee-Ann Decker