theBlog @reneepearson.com
Keeping It Real: Playing with Text Part 1
Hello! Time for another Keeping it Real technique for digital scrapbookers. This tip is specifically for our Adobe Photoshop friends, though Elements users can recreate the look with a few different steps.
Today I’m sharing a text technique I use when I want to add a piece of “fun” to a scrapbook page. The steps below highlight an alternative way to shape text blocks without using the paths panel. Let’s get to it!
The Real Steps
This fun technique adds a nice final touch to any digital scrapbook layout. I love little digital tips that keep it real – really fun! Until the next Keeping it Real tutorial – Happy Scrappin!
1. To begin, select the Type tool and type a repeating phrase or quote in a text block. 
2. Then select the Rectangular or Elliptical Marquee tool. Be sure your text layer is still targeted in the Layer’s Panel. Position your cursor over the text block and drag your mouse to create a selection. Note: You can also add or subtract to the selection using the Shift key or Alt key respectively. 
3. Once satisfied with your selection, click the Add Vector Mask button at the bottom of the Layers Panel. The areas outside of the selection will be removed non-destructively. Cool isn’t it! Now you can change the text, font, or color at a moment’s notice as you develop your layout because of the layer mask. 
4. Here’s my final layout. 
Materials Paper by Gina Marie Huff • Photo Masks & Kit Elements by KStudio • Circle Stamp by Michelle Coleman
Love the look of this. Could you please spell out the steps for us PSE 7 users? Thanks.
Hi Kelly T. I’m glad you enjoyed the technique. The steps outlined above will work PSE9 users. For PSE7 users, it’s not as easy. You can recreate the look but you will be unable to change, text, colors, etc. of the text using the method listed below …
To begin, follow steps 1 — 2 above.
Then right click on the targeted text layer in the Layer’s Panel, right click, and select “Simplify Layer”.
Next, right click within the selection created and select “Select Inverse” from the pop up menu. Finally, hit the Delete key. The areas outside of the selection will be deleted.
Well that worked like a charm! Thank you for this great tip.
Sure, Kelly T. I listed the steps for PSE7 users in the reply of your comment. Just hover your mouse over your comment and you’ll be able to follow along. Cheers! — Tiffany
Thanks!
That’s a cool technique, thank you for sharing!