Photoshop Fun

I have been spending time trying to learn more of the features in my Photoshop Elements program.  So I have been scouring the internet looking for different tips and tricks.  

A few weeks ago I learned about textures and how to add them to your photos.  That has been a fun challenge in seeing what pictures look great with textures and which ones don't.  

Yesterday I came across a blog for the Confessions of a Pioneer Woman.  I really enjoyed her entries.  As I went looking through some of them I came across an entry about her favorite photoshop tricks.  So of course I was interested in reading on and giving this a try.

Here are the results of my attempt at using a Hard Light layer in Photoshop Elements.

The first picture is with the Hardlight layer.  The second is the original.  I really like the results of adding this layer.  It just gives the pictures more depth.

Here are a few more:

The first one has a texture layer and a hardlight layer.  The second one is the original.

So what do you think?  Do you enjoy these "after" pictures as much as I do?