Can you make a ribbon from a background paper? There are so many things that you can do with your digital papers, and yes, making a digital ribbon is one of them. Below are steps using Photoshop or Photoshop Elements. The first step is to open the file of the background paper that you would like to use to create the ribbon. For this demonstration I have used the PinStripe Paper from this month's featured kit, Scarlet Memoirs. Using the Rectangular Marquee Tool, draw a rectangle the size you would like the ribbon. Position this rectangle over the pattern you would like to appear on the ribbon. Select Edit>Copy, and Edit>Paste. Drag this new "ribbon" layer onto a layout you are creating.   Once you have this rectangular shape on your layout, you can add a slight wave to simulate the bends and folds of a realistic ribbon. Select Filter>Distort>Wave. Adjust the settings so it has the wave of your preference. A very slight wave has the following settings: To simulate the natural shading on ribbon, use the Dodge and Burn Tools to create shadows and highlights. Burnish the ribbon with the Burn tool to create shadows where the light would make them (in valleys). Draw with the Dodge tool to create highlights where the light would create brighter areas, such as raised areas. Adjust the brush size, shape, and opacity as needed. Create a shadow by selecting Layer>Layer Style>Drop Shadow and adjust the settings, as desired. You have now created a ribbon from a paper! Think of all the uses of the background papers! ADVANCED TECHNIQUES: To add an extra level of realism, draw and blur custom shadows using brushes in a dark gray set at about 40% opacity. If you would like the ribbon to appear "squeezed" by an attachment such as a button, draw a rectangle with the Marquee Tool around the area you will put the attachment and then choose Filter>Distort>Pinch.