To create a vellum look:

1. FILE>OPEN your photo or paper. With your Move Tool drag & drop onto your layout. Here, I’ve used the Custom Shapes tool to create this big flower.

2. Got to your Layers Palette & adjust the Opacity slider to the desired opacity level. Here, I’ve got it at 59 %. Remember, that when you do this, you will be allowing whatever is behind it to show through, so be careful in choosing colors that compliment each other.(image 2)

3. For each layer you add, experiment with the various levels of opacity. Here, I have the background layer with a 20% opacity level for a subtle pattern on the background paper.(image 3)
For the painted flowers, I put them on the top layer & adjusted the opacity level to 60% just enough to be able to see the papers & textures underneath.

4. Or, try using the vellum look on your photos. Just keep in mind that whatever color is in back will show through, so you may want to add a white background underneath your photo.

To create a transparency look:

1. Select the Custom Shapes Tool again, & create a smaller flower.
Here, I’ve created a white flower. Adjust the Opacity level way down to about 9%.

2. For creating the edges of transparent elements, create a New Layer.
With the outline of your transparent element (i.e. using your Magic Wand to create the Marching Ants, as seen in image 4) go to EDIT>STROKE & choose 2 pixels.
Then, simply add a blurred filter to give some depth to the transparent accent. Go to FILTER>BLUR>GAUSSIAN BLUR & adjust it to about 1.8.
Adjust the Opacity level to about 60 % to achieve the look of this flower.

To apply to Text:

1. Select your Text Tool & type your words.
Adjust your Opacity level to your text.
Here, I’ve added the journaling & adjusted my Opacity Slider to 66% so it can go over the accents & photo in a subtle manner.

2. For an overlapping effect, seen in image 5, experiment with various sizes, angles, & opacity for added interest.
Here, I typed larger letters (72 point) & adjusted the opacity level to 28%.
To rotate the text, I simply went to EDIT>TRANSFORM>ROTATE CW.

Used some new digital products here: Tia's fabulous stitched edges & the Painterly Paper pack paper & frame. TFL! R