For this example, I'm using the ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Le Jardin.

 

Open up all of the digital scrapbooking embellishment PNGs within your graphics program.

 

Create a new layer in your document and fill it with white. Drag the white layer to be underneath the base layer. Now your embellishments will be more visible on a white background than on the transparent pixels.

 

On the Layers Palette, underneath the Blend Modes, you'll see the word "Lock" next to a group of icons: a square, a brush, a cross, and a lock. If you roll over the square button, you'll see it says "Lock Transparent Pixels." Click the square so that it is pressed. When this button is pressed in, the pixels in the layer are protected. Now you may fill the layer with any color you choose by clicking Option+Delete (on a Mac) or Alt+Delete (on a PC).

 

I chose a light gray color and filled the base PNG with gray. By filling the embellishment layers with shades of gray, I am able to see the different layers when they are stacked on top of each other.

 

Here are all four of my embellishment template PNGs stacked on top of each other, and they are all filled with different shades of gray.

 

I've decided I want to create a sign on a hanger, so I'll start by coloring one embellishment at a time. Here I've colored the base layer a nice cream color.

 

For the paint texture on the panel, I've chosen a nice verdigris green.

 

For the crackle layer, I'm using the gray I chose earlier, but I'm changing the opacity to 29%.

 

For the top layer, I filled the border with brown.

 

I've selected and colored all of my embellishments. To be able to drag my new embellishments onto layouts, I'll need to select my four layers (not the white background), and merge the layers. Click on the upper right arrow in the Layers Palette and scroll down to "Merge Layers."

 

Now that the layers are merged, I can go in with my Marquee Tool and select individual embellishments to copy and paste or drag over into a new document.

 

Here is my finished digital scrapbooking sign on a hanger.

Tutorial written by Erica Hite