Webster's Pages September Digital Challenge

It's all about the layers......a Webster's Pages Digital Challenge for September!

Ahhhhh....September, I love Fall!!!  I am so happy to see September, I love the colors of the season, the slight breeze, warm weather, and back to school!  So this month we are going to focus on a technique of sorts, using layers.  There are many ways to create layers in various sizes and shapes in digital layouts so I will cover the methods that I use on a regular basis, and by all means if you have a different way of doing it please share :)

I am using Adobe Photoshop CS4 but I know that some of these methods work with other programs so it will be a trial and error kind of thing...best way to learn sometimes.
 
The first method I use is to 'cut' the digital paper by simply cropping the paper with the cropping tool.

Another method I use is to use the Marquee tool, in the rectangular/square shape or the oval/round shape.  I simply choose the tool, create the shape on the paper and then 'copy' (control c).  Then I go over to my layout and 'paste' it (control v).

You can also use a mask shape and 'clip' the paper to the mask creating all kinds of fun shapes.

And the last method I use regularly is to simply resize the paper smaller than the background paper.

I created 3 layouts this month as samples.......because.....its Back to School and I have 3 grandkids that went to Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd Grade this year and I managed to get pictures of them all on their first days, yay!!!  I have used lots of layers in these layouts using all of the methods I listed above:

2nd Grader features my granddaughter Jenna and in this layout I used a mask for the bracket shaped paper, and I used the copy/paste method with the marquee tool for the striped square behind the photo.  I used the fantastic Trendsetter collection for this layout.
 
First Day of School features my grandson Jeromy who moved away during the summer and has started at a new school...I sure miss him!  The blue and green papers were 'cut' using the cropping tool, and the strip of ruler paper was cut using the 'cut' and 'paste' method.  I used the new collection, All About Me for this layout.
 
Watch Out Kindergarten features my youngest grandson Trevor who started Kindergarten this year.  It was very difficult to watch him go...he has been my sidekick for the last 5 years!  The paper with the scalloped design on the very bottom of the stack was 'cut' using the resizing method, I just wanted to scallop detail to peek out from the layers.  The two blue papers and the strip were created using the copy/paste method (my normal go to method).  I used the very appropriate Wonderfall collection for this layout.

So my challenge to you this month is to use layers, lots of layers, in whatever method works best for you!   And as an added bonus, if you create a layered layout with the theme of back to school you will get two names into the drawing for the prize package.....a digital collection of your choice!!  Sound good?  I can't wait to see what you all do, and I hope to see lots of back to schoolers!!

Please upload your entry into the gallery at InspireMe and then link it up to the post over at the forum at InspireMe.  Contest ends September 30th.