{"id":12928,"date":"2026-01-20T00:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-20T05:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.yourscrappingcafe.com\/home\/d19521157\/public_blog\/?p=12928"},"modified":"2026-01-20T07:15:23","modified_gmt":"2026-01-20T12:15:23","slug":"custom-edge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.yourscrappingcafe.com\/home\/d19521157\/public_blog\/custom-edge\/","title":{"rendered":"Custom Edge"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We\u2019re already nearly three full weeks into the new year and it\u2019s time for me to get back to giving you creativity tips. I love fresh starts. However, I certainly don\u2019t want to go cruising headlong into the new year too quickly. So, I thought I\u2019d take a few weeks to ease into tips. I\u2019m going to try keeping things on the simple side until we get our 2026 \u201csea legs\u201d. I want to start with a tip about custom edges using a Layer Mask without brushes.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"WHAT?\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Am I kidding\u2026using a Layer Mask without a brush?!? Surely now you\u2019re intrigued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2025\u2019s last tips post about \u201cMasking Patterns<\/a><\/strong>\u201d I showed you how to add a \u201ccustom\u201d texture to a solid paper using a Layer Mask.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This week I\u2019ll show you a different way to add a beautiful custom edge to a rather plain background paper. This time I\u2019ll use that same kind of Layer Mask and the Lasso Tool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Getting Started<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Before I get started here\u2019s a quick reminder. I use Photoshop Elements (PSE) 2024. If you use a different version, some of my screen shots may look different from what you see on your screen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m going to start with a blank 12×12 file open in PSE. Then I drag a solid watercolor paper into the file.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The paper I\u2019m using today is one I created using a solid base in a medium cyan color (#3a64a0) and a Watercolor brush from Brusheezy<\/a><\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Watercolor<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

And here\u2019s what the paper looks like in my file:<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Watercolor<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Note<\/strong>: You are welcome to use any solid background that will fit your project. And if you\u2019d like to try creating your own similar watercolor background using the brush set above, I used Brush 6 (on a new layer) sized to cover the base with a blue color (#2b4f85) slightly darker than the medium cyan. I then duplicated the brush layer, rotated the duplicate layer 90 degrees to the right and changed the opacity to 80%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next, I drag a snowflake patterned paper into the file directly above the watercolor base.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The paper I\u2019m using today is one I created using a solid base in a light greyish blue color (#c8daf0) and several different brushes from a Snowflake Brush set at Brusheezy<\/a><\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Snowflake<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

And here\u2019s what the paper looks like in my file:<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Snowflake<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Note<\/strong>: You\u2019re welcome to use any patterned paper that will fit your project. This snowflake paper might be a bit tedious to try and replicate. So, if you\u2019d like to follow along using that paper just click here<\/a><\/strong> and it will be automatically downloaded for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lasso Tool<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
\n
\"Lasso<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

With the snowflake layer active in the Layers Panel, I select the Lasso Tool. This tool is nested in the same selection group as the Polygonal Lasso and Magnetic Lasso tools:<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Lasso<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

With the Lasso Tool selected, in the Tool Options I select New Selection, set the Feather to 68px, and ensure that Anti-aliasing is checked:<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

With the Snowflake paper active, I click and drag out a selection starting anywhere except a corner:<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Lasso<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Note<\/strong>: While making your selection try to avoid getting too close to corners. Be sure to vary the distance from the edges of the paper. It\u2019s also a good idea to avoid creating any sharp angles. If you want a more blended edge, increase the Feather before creating the selection. For a sharper edge, decrease the Feather before creating the selection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Add The Mask<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In the Layers Panel, I press and hold the Alt key and click the Add Layer Mask icon. PSE then adds a Layer Mask to the snowflake paper layer that is filled with black in the shape of the selection rather than only white:<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Layer<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

And PSE has \u201chidden\u201d the selected portion of the snowflake paper:<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Snowflake<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

So, how easy was that?!? Such a pretty snowflake edge over that solid background.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re not 100% happy with how your edge turned out, simply select a rather large (500px) soft round brush and set the opacity fairly low (between 25-35%).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then with the layer mask active and the Foreground color chip set to black, you can increase the size of the solid background.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want to subtract from the solid background just swap the color chips so the Foreground color chip is white (press X) and brush away any sections you desire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note<\/strong>: When modifying the layer mask, you may need to change the brush size and\/or opacity level as you\u2019re working around the edge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another option is to just drag the layer mask to the Trash icon in the Layers Panel and create a completely new selection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And here\u2019s how my slightly modified edge looks after adjusting the layer mask:<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Modified<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Don\u2019t be afraid to experiment with Blend Modes and\/or Opacity levels to achieve different effects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Final Tasks<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
\n
\"Clean<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

I save the file first as a JPG with a unique name. I plan to use it as the background paper in my layout. I named my file \u201cWhiteBlueSnowflakeEdgeOverCyan\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I then saved only the snowflake edge (solid background hidden) as a PNG file for use over other backgrounds. I named my PNG file \u201cWhiteBlueSnowflakeEdge\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I also saved the file as a PSD with a unique name (CustomEdgeLassoTool). I did this to preserve the layers for later use. With this \u201ctemplate\u201d I can go on to create any number of custom edges and\/or backgrounds simply by swapping papers.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Next<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

I know you\u2019re wondering how that would work. Tune in next week and I\u2019ll show you how easy that really is. Just be sure to save your current file as a PSD so you can continue next week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And here\u2019s the layout I made using this custom edge technique:<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Winter's<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Note:<\/strong> If you\u2019d like to see more details about this layout, you can find it in my 2026 Gallery<\/a><\/strong>. The title of the layout is \u201cWinter\u2019s Heart\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Closing Tips<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
\n
\"Extra<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

I know I said a brush wasn\u2019t required to create this custom edge. And strictly speaking that is true. But from time to time a brush can still come in handy \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes using the Lasso tool is a bit tricky. If you have trouble creating a selection that doesn\u2019t look jagged, don\u2019t get frustrated. It\u2019s super easy to smooth the edges of the selection once the mask is created.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t forget to play around with opacities and Blend Modes to see how the look of the edge will change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And don\u2019t feel like this will only work on 12×12 paper. You can use this same technique to add a custom edge to any size paper or even an element\/card. Sometimes it\u2019s all about thinking outside the box!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember this\u2026You don\u2019t make mistakes, just happy little accidents \u2013 Bob Ross<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thanks for reading this week\u2019s Tuesday Tip. Remember, if you have any suggestions or questions please don\u2019t hesitate to “Message Me<\/a><\/strong>“. Check back next week for tips about creating a template for custom edges. Click \u201cFollow Me<\/a><\/strong>\u201d to stay in touch. I hope you have a wonderful week!<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Keep<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

We\u2019re already nearly three full weeks into the new year and it\u2019s time for me to get back to giving you creativity tips. I love fresh starts. However, I certainly don\u2019t want to go cruising headlong into the new year too quickly. So, I thought I\u2019d take a few weeks to ease into tips. I\u2019m going to try keeping things on the simple side until we get our 2026 \u201csea legs\u201d. I want to start with a tip about custom…<\/p>\n

Read More Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":12925,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_wp_convertkit_post_meta":{"form":"0","landing_page":"","tag":"0","restrict_content":"0"},"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12928","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tuesday-tip-day"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t