Adding Word Mats
To highlight important phrases

One way to make a digital layout look more paper scrapped is to have lots of layered paper strips in varying sizes. At least digitally, we don't have to worry about paper cuts or getting straight edges! In the layout at left, small strips of paper are layered beneath some key words. A bolder font was also used for these words to play on their importance. Here's how:

1) Add journaling using the Tool. If you plan to change the fonts of special words, do it now. Add an extra space at the front and end of these words that you want to highlight, allowing more space for the mats.

2) Click the layer beneath the text layer in the layer palette. Select the Custom Shape Tool and draw rectangular shapes beneath the words you want to create mats for. Leave a little extra room on each side (which you accounted for with an extra space in the last step).

3) Merge the layers of  these boxes (link together and then select Layer>Merge Linked).

4) Fill with a color of your choice or paste a paper into these boxes. Add a slight shadow for a realistic look.

This is a great way to add depth and movement to your journaling and also enhance the entire page.