I was trying to remember how I did this in the past and AskBud was trying to help me. Well I re-figured it out. I wanted a flat bottom oval - so I could put patterns there - inset into a domed area. the answer is select the oval, then select the domed area and clipcarve inclusive. I am putng it here incase anyone else runs into this situation and to thank AskBud for his help.
Clint