Step 1 - Create the First Bracket

• Open a new document the size of your choice at 300 ppi. I created a 12x12-inch document with a white background.
 
• Get the Horizontal Type Tool and choose a font from the drop-down menu in the Options Bar. I have found that Times New Roman works well for this technique, but you can create interesting looks with other fonts. Try experimenting with handwriting fonts, block fonts, and scripty fonts for your own personalized bracket frames.
 
• In the Size field, type in a large font size, such as 400.
 
• Press the letter "D" to get the default colors of black and white.
 
• Click once on the scrapbook page and press Shift + the left-bracket on the keyboard.
 
• Click the checkmark in the Options Bar to confirm the text.

Step 2 - Stretch The Bracket

• Simplify the text by choosing Layer > Rasterize Layer.
 
• Next, get the Move Tool and check Show Transform Controls in the Options Bar. (Some versions will say Show Bounding Box.) A bounding box with handles will appear around the bracket on the document.
 
• Hover the cursor above the bounding box until it rests directly over the top, middle handle. The cursor will change to look like a double-pointed arrow. Click and drag upward to stretch the bracket. When you are satisfied with the stretch, click the check mark in the Options Bar to confirm the change. (Note: the same effect can be achieved by selecting the side handle and dragging inward to slightly flatten the curve of the bracket.)

Step 3 - Create The First Half Of The Bracket Border

• Choose Layer > Duplicate Layer to make a copy of the bracket.
  
 
• Turn the bracket by choosing Edit > Transform > Rotate 90°CW.
 
• Using the Zoom Tool, zoom in close to the top of the left bracket. Move the turned bracket into place by getting the Move Tool and dragging the turned bracket so that it creates a clean connection with the left bracket.
 
• Merge the two brackets by choosing Layer > Merge Down.
 
• Choose Layer > Duplicate Layer to make a copy of the merged brackets.

Step 4: Finish The Bracket Border

• Rotate the merged bracket copy by selecting Edit > Transform > Rotate 180°
 
• Get the Move Tool and drag the bracket copy into place to make the right and lower borders of the frame. Make sure the rounded corners are clean and crisp.
 
• Merge the two bracket pieces by selecting Layer > Merge Down.

Step 5: Fill The Frame Center With Color

• Get the Magic Wand Tool with the following settings in the Options Bar: New Selection, Anti-alias, and Contiguous.
 
• Click once inside the bracket frame to get a selection outline around the inside border of the frame that looks like marching ants.
 
• Expand the selection by choosing Select > Modify > Expand and typing 2 or 3 pixels in the Expand Selection box. Click OK.

• Select Edit > Fill and choose a fill color of black with the Blending Mode set to Normal and an Opacity of 100%.
 
• To get rid of the selection outline, choose Select > Deselect.

To customize your bracket, change the color to match the scheme of your layout, resize it, turn it, or use grouping to attach patterned paper to the mat.