Cloning to remove object in photo

[GrandmaSue47]

I have tried for weeks to clone fingers out of a picture of a baby.  I alt click on background color then drag over fingers.  I have alt clicked on a plaid shirt then dragged over fingers.  It doesn't "paint" over the fingers. I have followed the directions many times to no avail.  The pattern clone works.  What am I doing incorrectly?

I'm using Elements 15

[99jon]

Try cloning on a new blank layer. It’s easier to delete if you mess up. Also experiment with a hard or soft brush. See if this video tutorial helps.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YX__ocgE6M

[hatstead · Accepted solution]

On the clone tool's option bar, be sure that "Sample All Layers" is checked. Set the mode to "Normal". Set opacity to 100%. Uncheck "Aligned."

Press ALT and left click on the source pixels, e.g. the shirt, let go (don't drag), then left click to deposit the pixels over the finger(s).