How do you apply burned paper brushes?

I downloaded a set of burned paper brushes by honerbright and I can't figure out how to add them easily to an icon (using Paint Shop Pro 7) I'm working on. :(

I know of only one way to add a burned brush to an icon, and that is to:

a) create a new 100x100 icon with a background color of cream, white, light brown, whatever
b) paste a burned paper brush in whatever color I like atop that solid-colored icon
c) copy that image as a new layer onto my main icon
d) lower the opacity
e) erase what I want to show
f) bring the burned paper brush's layer opacity back to 100%

It's such a hassle, you know? Does anyone have an easier way to accomplish this task?

Thanks to any help offered for this iconist. :)