Mini Tutorial for Tree

I’m currently enrolled in another wonderful class given by Jessica Sprague called the Heritage Album.  It has motivated me to gather all those bits and pieces of family history and compile them into a keepsake album.  I posted a page in the class gallery that peeked some interest regarding a technique I used to give the “tree” a unique touch.  Although I can not use the actual tree that you see on my finished LO since it was in my class material, I have drawn a small "Charlie Brown" tree for you to use to practice the technique.  You may download the products needed HERE.
I am using a Mac and Photoshop CS3

• Open downloaded file.
• Open a new 12x12 document and place the tree on second layer and then the paper on third layer.
• Close originals.
• Press the Command key while highlighting the box with the tree.  Marching ants should appear.
• Press Command D to deselect the marching ants.
• Clip the paper to the tree.
• Apply the following blending options to the tree layer:

You may clip any textured or patterned paper to the tree.  However, depending on the paper that you are using and the look you want to achieve, you may want to play around with the layer style settings.  I also like to experiment with the adjustment settings (levels, curves, hue and saturation) but make sure you have your paper layer highlighted when you do this.  Move the paper around to bring out the darker contrasts through the trunk area.  Have fun experimenting and you’ll be amazed at what you can learn by trial and error.