GIMP Version: 2.6.11
Operating System: Linux
OS Version: XP - SP3
GIMP Experience: Beginner Level

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I am trying to make a logo for a kayak.
It will be a "stylized" (if that is the right word) bird.
I want to have stylized feathers on it in different colors.
I made something and first saved it with the selection as .xcf.
When I load this picture it still contains the selection.
When I load it as layers it doesn't have the selection anymore.
Then I saved it as .gbr but no more selection and thus no possibility of using different colors.
The first picture is a test gbr which I used on a white background.
I then removed the green with color select and replaced it with a gradient.
Then removed the red same way and replaced it with another gradient.
This way I'll be able to have multicolored "feathers" (which will not be elliptical).
Needless to say I would like to have something simpler than this.
Anyone have a better solution?
Many thanks in advance.
Gerard.
Edit:I don't know what I did wrong but the first 2 pics are the same and the result while the last one is the brush.

Keep the xcf file and with the selection active, do Select > to Path (Select in the image window menu). That way when you want the selection again, Select > From Path and your selection will be there.

I don't know what you saved the layers as; xcf files save all of the formatting in an image file.

After you have done the layers with the new brush, save the file as xcf again, then Save As whatever format you want it in: i.e., png, gif, jpg, and you will have a single layer image. Your intact xcf file will still be available to you with the layers and the path.

It's more efficient (and doesn't alter even so slightly the selection) to save to channel and restore from channel. And you can save a channel to disk, and restore it later:

• In source image:
  
  • open Channels list, and select the saved selection
  • "File/Save as...", and save as PNG
  • You should get a warning that you are saving a channel and not a layer. Confirm.
• In target image:
  
  • "File/Open as layers", and load your saved selection.
  • Make all layers invisible except the loaded selection
  • In channels dialog, duplicate any of the Red, Green or Blue channels (you can also directly use "Channel to selection")
  • Discard or hide the loaded layer, restore visibility of other layers

If you want to keep your selection aligned to other layers in the image you import, in the source image, create a transparent layer, and bucket fill the selection with any color. Save image. Import as layer on the other side. Move the imported layers together if needed. To restore the selection, go to the special layer, and "alpha-to selection".

Thanks for your time O and Ofnuts.
I loaded those files as jpg to save bandwidth.
I tried your solution Ofnuts but it doesn't accomplish what I want.
It selects just the "rim".
When you use Select ellips and then do stroke selection it paints on both sides of the "marching ants".
I also tried with converting the selection to a path but then only the inside gets painted.
I want to be able to change both the rim and what's inside.

With the stroked selection I can fill the inside.
It will paint over the inside of the stroke but I just make the stroke wider.
I tried this in both Gimp-2.6.11 and 2.7.5,same result.
Why does an .xcf image lose the selection when loaded as layers?
Anyway I think so far my solution works but it's tedious.
Gerard.