“Cutting Out” Titles
Posted in Computer Tips and Tricks, SCHOOL of SCRAPPING | 21 Comments »
21 Comments »
One of my favorite easy-to-do scrapping tricks is to “cut out” a title. I love how it adds a little “umph” to a page as well as giving it that handmade “paper” scrapbooking look. It’s simple to do…here’s how I did it on the page above.
I adored the alpha that came with the All About Me kit by Zig Zag Scraps (part of THE DIGI FILES 10). I have a thing for stamped alphas! However, on this page, I thought that the alpha was lacking a little something. I wanted it to “pop” a bit more. So, I decided to add some paper behind the alpha (to give the appearance that the alpha was stamped onto paper and then the paper cut out).
1. I selected my alpha layer (CONTROL CLICK on the thumbnail in the layers palette for an easy selection of the entire layer; COMMAND CLICK on a Mac)
2. Once my layer was selected, I created a new layer beneath my alpha layer (CONTROL + Clicking on New layer icon will give you a new layer underneath rather than above)
3. With the “marching ants” still on/the alpha layer selected, I went to SELECT > MODIFY > EXPAND.
4. I entered an amount for how much I wanted to expand the selection. For this alpha, a 65 pixel expansion looked about right.
5. Without deselecting (turning off the marching ants), I selected the new layer I created. Then I went to EDIT > FILL SELECTION. I chose white, but the color doesn’t matter if you plan to cover it with paper.
6. I then deselected (CONTROL D; COMMAND D on Mac). I then had a “paper” background for my title. I wanted a more realistic look, so I used another piece of paper from the kit and used a clipping mask to cover the new layer with paper.
7. I added a drop shadow to the layer and I was done!
FINAL PAGE:
Credits: All About Me by Zig Zag Scraps for THE DIGI FILES 10; stitching by Syrin, paper tears by Steph Krush; font is Typewriter Scribbled
Here are some other pages I have used this technique for
Credits: Shabby Sugar and Chasing Rainbow kits by Zoe Pearn at Sweet Shoppe Designs; stitching by Syrin; swirl and metal brad by Shabby Princess; Shmootzy Alpha 4 by Nancie Rowe Janitz; fonts are Typewriter Scribbled and CK Cursive
Credits: Happy Go Lucky by Shabby Princess; stamped date by Amber Clegg; Shmootzy Alpha 4 by Nancie Rowe Janitz
Credits: Flower Stand by Shabby Miss Jenn and Scrapkitchen Designs. Template by Janet Phillips; stamped alpha by Nancie Rowe Janitz
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Great tutorial, thanx!
what a fantastic idea! And great layouts too, thanks!
brilliant tip/tutorial.
Thank you for another great tip!
Is the “stroke” option available in PSE? I use that all the time in PSCS (same palette as the drop shadows) and it is super easy and gives the same effect.
oh I like this! great tip thanks
great tutorial! I love stamped alphas too and will definitely be using this!
Thanks for the tutorial!!
I think it looked good before the paper AND after.
Thanks for the tip. I have always done it a different way but this way is waaay more flexible than how I did it. You’re awesome! 
Thanks for the little tutorial – I have never done this, but I surely will now!
thank you for such clear directions!
Thanks! I never know whether to add shadows to stamped alphas or not. A stamp in the real world would not have a shadow, but they often look weird or don’t stand out enough on my digi pages without a shadow. This solves the problem! You rock!
What a wonderful tutorial, I’ve always wanted to do that! For some reason, though, I can’t get the “marching ants” when I select my layer, only the bounding box (I’m using PSE6). Does anybody have any ideas? Thanks!!
Hollie — Yes, the stroke option is available but what it doesn’t allow you to do is then cover the background layer with paper/cardstock.
Janet
Thanks! I just used this today on a layout for a calendar!
I don’t comment very often, but I love this site!
Thanks Janet–I’ll remember this if I want to use patterned paper as my fill!
Awesome tip! Thanks!
Janet,
I also was using the stroke option and often wondered how you got the patterned paper behind your letters on your layouts. Thanks so much, I just love the way this looks.
awesome tip! TFS!
Great tutorial, so far I have just been using the “stroke” to get this look!
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