The Home Page has instructions for fading a section of text for patterns containing white. Here are some other ways to work with text over a patterned page:

Fading the pattern behind text on a multi-colored pattern (Sample 1):

1)   Determine where your text will go.

2)   Go to  Layer>New Layer (or create it from the Layers Palette drop-down menu)

3)    Select the Marquee Tool. In the Options Bar, Feather, type in 20 pixels. This will soften the edges of your faded area.

4)   With your new layer selected, use the Marquee Tool to draw a box in the text area.

5)   Select the Eyedropper Tool and click it on the dominant color in the pattern. The color will appear as the Foreground Color at the bottom of the Toolbox.

6)   Go to Edit>Fill Selection and choose Foreground Color, with opacity at 70%. You will want to play with the opacity and find the amount of fade you need for your specific pattern.

You can also use this method to use a any color behind your text (Sample 2). Use the Eyedropper Tool to sample the color you want behind your text. When you do this, you may want to use the Eyedropper Tool to select the color with the most contrast to make it the Foreground Color. Use the Text Tool to select the text and click on the Foreground Color box to color the text in the contrasting color.

The more contrast between the background color and the text color, the easier it will be to read!

Another way to add text to a patterned page is to use a journaling box (Sample 3). These page accessories are available on many digital scrapbooking sites. In  the Boutique, you’ll find Classic Page Accessories 2 has three types of journaling boxes.

Here’s how to make the inside of the journaling box and text match the pattern colors:

1)   Use the Eyedropper Tool to sample a color from the pattern that you would like to fill the box. It will become the Foreground Color in the box at the bottom of the Toolbox.

2)   Select the Magic Wand Tool and click inside the journaling box. Select Edit>Fill Selection and choose Foreground Color.

3)   Use the same process to change your text to a contrasting color.

As you experiment with fonts, background colors and contrast, you will find that these choices greatly impact the visual interest and readability of your page. The beauty of digital scrapbooking is that  you can always change your mind with that wonderful Undo History palette. Enjoy!