CT Creamsicle Tutorial

CT Creamsicle Tutorial

This is the tag we will be making:

Moderate level - Some knowledge of PSP is needed.

Materials Needed

Paint Shop Pro  (used Version 9, but can be done on any version)

PTU kit "Tangerine Dream - Tagger Size" by Purple Dragonfly Creations which can be found HERE  

Tube is "Creamsicle" by Cliff Thomas - you can get this amazing tube at Indie-Zine, HERE

Tag Template #33 by Babes Designz - At the moment, Babe's blog is down, so until such time as her blog is back up and running, I have provided the tag template, HERE

Mask of choice ... I used MelissazCreationz #10, found HERE

Floral Deco Brushes by ro-stock found HERE.  Keep in mind that these are photoshop brushes, which come in .abr format.  You can convert them to .png for PSP usage with an ABR viewer, found HERE.  Once in png format, they can be imported in to your PSP brushes (File - Import - Custom Brush) -- or just use them in png format.  I have also provided the .png in the zipfile with the tag template.

Filters Needed 

Blinds - comes with PSP

Weave - comes with PSP

Fonts used

Ambitsek (for copyright info)

Whoop Ass Font by Blambot Fonts (for name/text), free for personal use 

Please note that I typically add my drop shadows last.  I will give the drop shadow settings that I have used (end of tutorial) HOWEVER feel free to use your own settings if you would like.

1.  Open Tag Template.  Shift+D to duplicate template, then close original, then delete the "copyright", "stitch" and "circle" layers.  At this time, also open your mask and minimize in PSP.

2.  Open paper2... copy & paste it as new layer just above the frame layer.  Resize 85%, be sure all layers is UNchecked.  Click on the circle layer then go to Selections - Select All ... Selections - Float .... Selections - Defloat, then Selections - Invert.  Go to the paper layer and click your Delete button.  Selections - Select None.  Close out the Frame layer.  Duplicate the paper layer, then on the bottom one, go to Adjust - Blur - Gaussian Blur ... by 4 pixels ... click OK.  On the top paper layer, change the layer properties to Luminance (Legacy) at 100% opacity.

3.  Go to you tube and, with your eyedropper tool, pick 2 colors, making the foreground color darker than the background color.  I used two orange shades from her hair to go along with the color palette in the kit.  When done, go to your materials palette, and go to Gradient and choose the following:

Foreground/Background

Style:  Sunburst

Repeats:  8

Invert: not checked

Horizontal:  50

Vertical:  50

Link center and focal points:  checked

Activate the "masked" layer on the template.  Selections - Select All ... Selections - Float .... Selections - Defloat.  Add new raster layer and then flood fill this new layer.  You will actually have to do it several times before you start seeing color showing up (I had to click on it 10 times!).  When satisfied, Selections - Select None.  Change the layer properties to Overlay at 100% opacity.  Duplicate this layer, and then change the layer property on this layer to Burn, 100% opacity.  (So, in all you will have 2 layers of the flood filled layer, plus the original "masked" layer.)  Apply the following drop shadow to the "burn" layer:

Vertical: 2

Horizontal:  -2

Opacity:  65

Blur:  2.00

Color:  Darkish Orange (#9a4202) ... you will want a darker shade of what you used for this layer

Shadow on new layer: unchecked

While still on the "burn" layer, go to the Blinds filter that comes with PSP and apply the following settings:

Width:  4

Opacity:  50

Color:   Darkish Orange (use the same that you did for the drop shadow)

Horizontal:  checked

Light from left/top:  unchecked

Click OK, then apply again.

4.  Copy/Paste your tube to your template, move to the top.  Resize by 77% and place in the middle as best you can.  It should now look something like this:

5.  Copy and paste Paper12 as a new layer and then, in the layer palette, go to Arrange - Send to bottom.  Go to Layers - New Mask Layer  - From Image and use the following settings:

Merge - Merge Group.  Apply Penta.com - Color Dot filter with the following settings:

(I use mine through Filters Unlimited so my filter 'screen' may look different than yours. ...just apply the same settings and you should be fine.)

Duplicate mask layer, move duplicate under the original mask layer.  With the duplicate layer, go to Adjust - Blur - Gaussian Blur  ... by 2 pixels - click OK.  On the top layer, change the layer properties to Darken, 100% opacity.

6.  Copy and paste element #7 to template, move to top.  Apply Mura's Meister Copies with the following settings:

move the circle of 'brads' under your tube.

7.  Open your Deco Floral Brush by Ro-Stock.  Keep in mind that these are photoshop brushes, which come in .abr format.  You can convert them to .png for PSP usage with an ABR viewer, found here:  http://www.g1ga.it/abrviewer/ .  Once in png format, they can be imported in to your PSP brushes (File - Import - Custom Brush) -- or just use them in the png format.  I converted the .abr quite a ways back and did not import them as brushes, so I am just using the .png file.  Given that information, take the floral deco and copy and paste as new layer to your template - move to top layer, then move the deco to the upper right corner, like this:

Duplicate, then flip, then mirror, so you will have it going from the bottom left to the upper right.  Merge - Merge Down.  Adjust - Color Balance - Manual Color Correction - change it to a color that complement the colors you are using (make it a medium to dark shade).  Using the Weave filter that comes with PSP, apply the following settings:

Then move them just below the [closed out] frame layer.

8.  At this point, continue to decorate the tag as desired with supplied elements.  Because of the theme of the kit and the tube, I was sure to use the Creamsicle Ice Cream in the kit.  When you are satisfied, resize to 525 pixels x 438 pixels ... 72.000 ppi.... Weighted Average ... "all layers" CHECKED.  Feel free to use the crop tool to crop out any additional edges from the tag.  Use the Sharpen option (Adjust - Sharpness - Sharpen) if needed to clarify your layers.

9.  Apply any desired drop shadows to the layers ... I used the following with the Drop Shadow filter that comes with PSP on all layers EXCEPT my tube layer, the "masked" layers, the frame layer and the actual mask layers:

Vertical and Horizontal:  0

Opacity:  70

Blur:  7.00

Color:  #9a4202  (or a dark shade of what you are using -- not black unless black is a major color on your tag)

On the top "Frame" and "floral deco" layers, I used the following drop shadow settings:

Vertical :  3

Horizontal:  -3

Opacity:  50

Blur:  4.00

Color:  #9a4202  (same that I used, above) 

Shadow on new layer: unchecked

On the tube layer, I applied the following:

Vertical :  3

Horizontal:  -3

Opacity:  50

Blur:  18.00

Color:  black 

Shadow on new layer: unchecked

I did not apply any drop shadow to the very bottom mask layers.

10.  Apply crediting information and watermark.  When satisfied, merge visible.  (If you wish to make this a tag with a transparent background, be sure to close out the white 'background' layer before merging.)  Apply name text and then you are done!

~NOTE~  For name/text:

I did the text at size 48, stroke 3.0 .. foreground color:  #b45000 ... background color was Paper7 from kit at 50% (size) .... kern:  0

Then I duplicated the name/text and then, on the bottom one I applied the following gaussian blur:  by 4.00 pixels

and then on the top name/text I applied the following drop shadow:

Vertical :  2

Horizontal:  -2

Opacity:  60

Blur:  4.00

Color:  black 

Shadow on new layer: unchecked

and done!

If you try my tutorial, I would love to see what you come up with!

CL Pink Yuki Tutorial

CL Plaid Yuki Tutorial

This is the tag we will be making:

Moderate level - Some knowledge of PSP is needed.

Materials Needed

Paint Shop Pro  (used Version 9, but can be done on any version)

PTU kit "Plaid Princess - Tagger Size" by Sweet Southern Comfort Creations, found here

Tube is "Kit Jo Yuki" by Cecilia Lovera - you can get this beautiful tube at PSP Tube Shop, here

Mask of choice ... I used Trese Mask #0074, found here

Filters Needed 

Tramages - Pool Shadow

Xero - Porcelain

Drop Shadow (found in the PSP program)

Fonts used

 Rittswood Impresive (for copyright info)

Tarragon ICG (for name/text)

Please note that I will give the drop shadow settings that I have used HOWEVER feel free to use your own settings if you would like.

1.  Open PSP.  Open New File:  650 pixels x 650 pixels, 72.000 pixels/inch resolution, transparent.  At this time, also open your mask and minimize in PSP.

2.  Open roundframe6... copy & paste it as new layer.  Resize 85%, be sure all layers is UNchecked.  Copy and Paste Paper 1 (ppr_1) as a new layer, move just under the frame.  In your layer palette, close out the paper layer and make the frame layer active and then, using your magic wand, click inside of the frame. Go to Selections - Modify - Expand ... by 8 pixels ... click OK.  Go to Selections - Invert.  In your layer palette, click on your paper layer and then click on your Delete button (you will see all the paper outside of the frame disappear so only the middle part remains).

3.  Copy and Paste Paper 12 (ppr_12) as a new layer and then, in the layer palette, go to Arrange - Send to bottom.  Go to Adjust - Blur - Motion Blur and use the following settings:

Angle:  120.00      Strength:  75%

Click OK, then go to Adjust - Blur - Motion Blur and use the following settings:

Angle:  303.00      Strength:  50%

Click OK.

4.  Go to Layers - New Mask Layer  - From Image and use the following settings:

Merge - Merge Group then resize by 102%.  Duplicate mask layer, move duplicate under the original mask layer.  With the duplicate layer, go to Adjust - Blur - Gaussian Blur  ... by 2 pixels - click OK.  With the original mask layer, apply the Tramages - Pool Shadow filter with the following settings:

(I use mine through Filters Unlimited so my filter 'screen' may look different than yours. ...just apply the same settings and you should be fine.)

Duplicate mask layer, move duplicate under the original mask layer.  With the duplicate layer, go to Adjust - Blur - Gaussian Blur  ... by 2 pixels - click OK.

5.  Activate your paper layer then go to Selections - Select All ... Selections - Float .... Selections - Defloat.  You will see marching ants that are in the shape of the circle your paper is in.  Copy and paste your tube/image so that it is the layer *just* above the paper layer (and below the frame layer) .... go to Selections - Modify - Expand .. by 5 pixels. Then go to Selections - Invert ... then, making sure your tube layer is active, click delete.  Duplicate your tube layer.  Bottom one, go to Adjust - Blur - Gaussian Blur ... by 3 pixels...click OK.  Then on the top tube layer go to Xero - Porcelain and use the following settings:

Change to layer properties to Difference, opacity 100.

6.  Copy and paste the Spiral Scatter, move to just above the top mask layer.  Move it around so the upper right 'corner' is visible beyond the outer edge of the frame.  Go to Adjust - Brightness and Contrast and apply the following settings:

Brightness:  10      Contrast:  15

Click OK.

Duplicate scatter layer, then go to Image - Flip ... and then Image - Rotate.  Merge Down the top scatter layer to the bottom scatter layer (so the scatters are now on 1 layer).  Duplicate the scatter layer.  On top scatter layer, change properties to Screen, 95 opacity.  On bottom scatter layer, go to Blur - Gaussian Blur - by 2 pixels.

7.  At this point, continue to decorate the tag as desired with supplied elements.  When you are satisfied, resize to 500 pixels x 500 pixels ... 72.000 ppi.... Weighted Average ... "all layers" CHECKED.  Feel free to use the crop tool to crop out any additional edges from the tag.  Use the Sharpen option (Adjust - Sharpness - Sharpen) if needed to clarify your layers.

8.  Apply any desired drop shadows to the layers ... I used the following with the Drop Shadow filter that comes with PSP on all layers EXCEPT my tube layer, the paper background layer, the bottom scatter layer and the 2 mask layers:

Vertical and Horizontal:  0

Opacity:  60

Blur:  8.00

Color:  black

Shadow on new layer: unchecked

On the top tube layer, I applied the following:

Vertical :  1

Horizontal:  0

Opacity:  50

Blur:  3.00

Color:  #360208  (I chose a very dark color from my tube, but not black)

Shadow on new layer: unchecked

9.  Apply drop shadow a second time to top tube layer.  Do not apply any drop shadow to bottom tube layer.  Do the same thing with the 2 scatter layers... apply the tube drop shadow settings to the top scatter layer (twice) except change the blur to 1.00  ... leave bottom scatter layer untouched.

10.  Apply crediting information and watermark.  When satisfied, merge visible.  Apply name text and then you are done!

I would love to see what you come up with if you try my tutorial!!!

AKY Take Me Out to the Ballgame Tutorial

Take Me Out to the Ballgame Tutorial

This is what we will be making 

Moderate level - Some knowledge of PSP is needed.

Materials Needed:

Paint Shop Pro  (used Version 9, but can be done on any version) 

Tube "Derek Jeter" by Akyanyme, which is an FTU licensed image at Indie-Zine, found here. Even though it is free, you must still have a license to use work from this artist.  License is also free by contacting customer service

Mask from Butterfly Flutterby #73  

Baseball Fever" Word-Art (Freebie!) from Bekah & Designs, found here at bottom of post

Dingbat baseball elements and grass pattern in zipfile, HERE

Filters Needed:  

Blinds (comes with PSP)

Mosaic - Antique (comes with PSP)

Drop Shadow (comes with PSP)

Xenofex 2 - Little Fluffy Clouds

Eye Candy 5 Impact - Gradient Glow

Fonts used:

FFF Executive for copyright info

Baseball and KR All Sports for the dingbat images

Brannboll Fet for the name/text

Please note:  I tend to make the whole tag first, and then apply drop shadows to the items I wish to drop shadow.  If you wish to apply them as you go along, that is fine, too!  My drop shadow settings are towards the bottom of the tutorial if you would like to use what I have used.

Directions

1.  From my zipfile, put the "Grass" jpg in your patterns folder.  Open PSP.  Open New File, 800 pixels x 800 pixels, 72 pixels/inch resolution, transparent.  (Don't worry, we will be resizing it later on.)  Open your mask, and minimize in PSP.  Also open up word art and minimize that in PSP.

2.  In your materials palette, make black your foreground and medium gray your background, then activate your preset tool and click on square with the following settings:

While still in vector format, go to Objects - Align - Center in Canvas.  Then go to Image - Rotate - Free Rotate 45 degrees, left .. all layers UNCHECKED.  Convert layer to raster.  Name this layer "template".

3.  With your magic wand, click on the medium gray center.  Selections - Modify - Expand: 2.00.  Layers - New Raster Layer.  Go to your materials palette and in one of them (doesn't matter which), choose the grass pattern with the following settings:

Angle:  0

Scale:  50

Texture:  unchecked

flood fill the area with the grass pattern.  Select - Select none.  Rename this layer "grass".

4.  Go back to your original square, click on the black outline with your magic wand.  Layers, new Raster Layer twice.  On one of the new layers go to Selection - Modify - Expand, by 2.00 pixels, and then go to Xenofex 2 - Little Fluffy Clouds and apply the following settings:

 

Select - Select none.  Rename this layer "clouds".  On the second new layer, go to Selection - Modify - Contract:  3.00 pixels.  Flood fill with darker blue color (I used #220eb8).  Selections - Select None.  Move this layer above the "clouds" layer and rename the dark blue layer "border".

5.  In your materials palette, make your background color #2138c5 and your foreground color white  (If you are using the element I gave you - AKY_KR-BaseballDiamond.psd - go to the * areas in parenthesis and disregard how to create it).  Using the "KR All Sport" font (* or using the baseball diamond element I enclosed in the zipfile) - create as vector (using the capital "B"") with the following settings:

Objects - Align - Center in Canvas.  (* if you are using the element I gave you, just center it as best as you can over the grass area.)  Convert to Raster (if creating your own).  In your layer palette, change properties to:

Blend Mode:  Luminance  (Luminance Legacy also works well)

Opacity:  100  

Layer is visible:  checked

Rename the element layer "diamond"  and move it to just above the "grass" layer if its not already.  Change the properties of the "grass" layer as follows:

Blend Mode:  Multiply

Opacity:  100

Layer is visible:  unchecked

6. Go to Layers - New Raster Layer, then move to the bottom.  Go to Xenofex 2 - Little Fluffy Clouds and apply previous settings.  Adjust - Blur - Gaussian Blur:  10.00. Go to Layers - New Mask Layer - From Image and apply these settings:

  

Merge - Merge Group.  Duplicate.  On bottom one - Adjust - Blur - Gaussian Blur:  3.00. Rename layer "Mask 2". Then go to Mosaic - Antique (comes with PSP) and apply the following settings:

Lower the opacity to about 70.  On top mask clouds layer, use the Blinds effect (that comes with PSP) with the following settings:

Adjust - Sharpness - Sharpen.  Rename layer "Mask 1".

At this point you will probably have an empty raster...go ahead and drop that down to the very bottom and - if desired - flood fill it with white.  You should now have something like this:

You can also close out your black/gray square "template".

6.  Open your tube and copy it to your tag layers.  Name this layer "tube".  Resize it 90%, then center it.  Activate your eraser tool with the following settings:

Shape:  round

Size:  50

Hardness:  10

Step:  25

Density:  100

Thickness:  100

Rotation:  0

Opacity:  25

along the bottom of the tube soften the edges and the bottom 'line' so that it looks more blended with the rest of the tag:

7.  In your materials palette, choose black for foreground and #304c86 for background.  (If you are using the elements I provided in the zipfile, you can pass #7 - just copy and paste the silhouettes on to tag as desired.)  Use the following settings as well:

Use the Baseball font (has the silhouettes of baseball players) and choose 2 or 3 positions and place around the tag as desired.  Convert to raster when you are happy with look and placement.  Merge down all of them to 1 layer.  Then go to Eye Candy 5 Impact Gradient Glow and apply these settings:

At this point, resize your total tag to 525 x 525 pixels, 72.000 ppi ... all layers CHECKED.  Be sure to sharpen each layer as needed.  

8.  Maximize your word art.  Shift + D to make a copy, close original.  Resize it to 200 pixels x 101 pixels, and be sure to change the ppi to 72.000 - Resample using: Weighted Average  and all layers checked.  Go to Adjust - Color Balance - Manual Color Balance and use the following settings:

Source color:  black

Target color:  #304c86

(don't have to worry about other settings) .... click "OK".  Copy and paste as new layer to your tag.  Move to upper right (see my tag for idea) ... then apply Eye Candy 5 Impact Gradient Glow using the previous settings.  Also apply the gradient glow to the blue line border layer and set the property for that layer to Luminance (Legacy), Opacity: 50 .

9.  At this point, you are pretty much done with the tag itself.  Feel free to apply desired drop shadows to layers - I used the following:

for all layers except tube layer, word art layer and mask 1 layer (no drop shadow at all on mask 2 layer):

Vertical:  1

Horizontal: 0

Opacity:  75

Blur:  7.00

Color:  black

Shadow on new layer: unchecked

for tube layer:

Vertical:  0

Horizontal: 0

Opacity:  75

Blur:  22.00

Color:  #0f1625  (very dark blue)

Shadow on new layer: unchecked

for word art layer and mask 1 layer:

Vertical:  2

Horizontal: 1

Opacity:  70

Blur:  2.00

Color:  #304c86  (medium to dark blue)

Shadow on new layer: unchecked

10.  Add your copyright information to your tag.

11.  For text on tag, I used Brannboll Fet at size 36, 2.0 stroke, color #0f1625 for foreground and #aab8d6 for background.  (To get the little 'swish' under the name, type in one of the numbers above the alpha pad - each number makes a different 'swish'...don't put a space between the last letter and the 'swish' number.)  Placed it as desired, then did Object - Align - Horizontal Center in Canvas.  Convert to Raster.  Then I used Eye Candy 5 Impact - Gradient Glow with the previous settings, then applied the following drop shadow settings:

Vertical:  2

Horizontal: 1

Opacity:  50

Blur:  8.00

Color:  black

Shadow on new layer: unchecked

Go to Edit - Copy Merged and then save that as jpg. *or* close out white background and save as a .png with a transparent background.

And here it is with transparent background (jpg background at top of tutorial):

And that is it!!  

I hope you enjoyed the tutorial and would love to see your results!

Happy Easter Tutorial

Happy Easter Tutorial

Easy to Moderate level - Some basic knowledge of PSP is needed

Materials Needed

Paint Shop Pro (used Version 9, but can be done on any version)

FTU kit by Purple Dragonfly Creations called "Hippity Hoppity Blog Train"(usually this is available via my scrap blog, however it needs serious updating, so until that is completed, the scrap kit is available via this link)

Image/Tube from Les Toil (FTU) "Sally" found HERE in supplies zipfile (there are tubes of her with 4 different colored dresses)

Happy Easter Text - also in supplies zipfile

Diana Todd's Mask #0028

Tag Template by Soaring Hawk's Nest, found HERE - you want the floral one

Filters Needed

Xero Fritilliary -- provide link

Eye Candy 5 Impact Gradient Glow -- provide link

Blinds (comes with PSP)

Fonts Used

PIXgothic7 (for copyright info)

Bistro Script (for name/text)

1. Open PSP

2. Open New Image, 600x600 pixels, resolution 72.000 pixels/inch, transparent checked

3. Open tag template - Shift+D to copy it, close the original template. Delete the top layer that has the designer's information. Resize to 525 pixels x 525 pixels, 72.000 ppi (template is made at 200.000 ppi).

4. Click on layer #2 to make active, then go to Selections - Select All.... Selections - Float .... Selections - Defloat. Copy Paper 5 and paste as new layer right above layer #2. Selections - Invert then click on the Delete button. Selections - None. Then close out layer #2 (keeping Paper 5 layer visible, rename it "flower petal"). Do the same thing with layer #3 and #4 with papers of your choice (I chose Papers 1 and 4, respectively). Feel free to resize the papers before pasting as new layer, if you would like.

5. Go to your tube and, using the freehand tool:

Go around the image so that you end up with marching ants around it. Then copy and paste as new layer to your template (make sure it is the top layer). Center tube, and resize by 85%. Sharpen as needed.

6. Go to the smallest circle (inner circle) and then go to Selections - Select All.... Selections - Float .... Selections - Defloat. Apply your Xero-Fritilliary filter with the following settings:

DO not deselect yet.

7. Go to the "Happy Easter" text that I provided in the zipfile. Copy and paste as new layer right above the circle you applied the filter to. Go to Selections - Invert then click on the Delete button. Selections - Select None.

8. Recolor the text to something other than the black color it is (I changed it to the blue that matches the paper in the kit.) Go to your layer palette, right click on the text layer, then go to Properties:

And when the Properties window opens, apply these settings:

9. Open on of the papers in the kit (choose one that doesn't have a lot of obvious design - I chose paper 2.) Copy & paste as new layer, move to bottom. Resize by 75%, "resize all layers" UNchecked. Open mask in PSP then minimize. Go to Layers - New Mask Layer - From Image and use these settings:

Go to your layer palette, right click on the background paper layer, then go to Merge - Merge Group.

You should now have something like this:

11. Duplicate the mask layer and move it under the mask layer. Go to Adjust-Blur-Gaussian Blur and apply these settings: Radius: 2.00. Go to original mask layer and go to Effects - Texture Effects - Blinds and apply these settings:

Width: 3

Opacity: 30

Color: black

Horizontal: unchecked

Light from left/top: checked

While you are on this layer, go to your layer palette, right click on the layer and go to Properties and when the window opens, apply these settings:

12. At this point, add elements as desired. I used flowers and eggs to give it an Easter feel. The flowers were resized at different sizes between 15-20%, the eggs were done at 10-15%. The swirly flowers (elements 5 and 6) were resized at 25% and then moved just above the flower petal layer. I rotated the slightly larger egg to the left by 5.00. Remember to sharpen anything that you resize and/or rotate.

13. When satisfied, make sure all layers are sharpened (if necessary). Then on the 3 paper layers, apply Eye Candy 5 Impact Gradient Glow with the following settings (feel free to use a different color than the blue):

14. Apply desired drop shadow to all layers. I used the following for all layers except the tube layer:

Vertical: 2

Horizontal: 1

Opacity: 75

Blur: 10.00

Color: black

shadow on new layer: unchecked

and used the following for the tube layer:

Vertical: 0

Horizontal: 0

Opacity: 65

Blur: 15.00

Color: black

shadow on new layer: unchecked

I did not do a drop shadow on the text layer or the mask layers.

15. Add copyright information, scrap designer information, tagger watermark.

20. Merge - Merge All Visible. Save as .jpg or .png (jpg will have a white background, .png will have a transparent background). I saved mine as a png to help retain background transparency.

For name/text

1. Using Bistro Script, size 72, stroke width 2.0 ...foreground #4699f1, background #47295f, write your name and place it where you would like it. I am placed mine in the center.

When satisfied, convert to raster. Use Eye Candy 5 Impact Gradient Glow with the previous settings. I moved around the blue and white around a little to something I liked. Then apply a drop shadow with the following settings:

Vertical: 2

Horizontal: 2

Opacity: 75

Blur: 6.00

Color: black

shadow on new layer: unchecked

Repeat drop shadow.

And you are done!!

I would love to see your results!!!

New Award!

I just discovered a won an award at My Tag Art (TART) licensing company, which you can read about here. I am so excited - been a long time since I've won an award for something I've done!!

So here it is the award - check it out!!

Touching Base

I know, I've been away for a while - just been so busy, and kinda hit a 'slump' in regards to tutorial writing, however I'm planning on getting back to it, now that it's the start of the new year. Hang in there with me - good things are ahead!

URW Learn Forum Set Tutorial

URW Learn Tutorial

This is what we will be making

Moderate level - Some knowledge of PSP is needed.

Materials Needed

Paint Shop Pro (used Version 9, but can be done on any version)

Tube by UnrulyWitch, who is an FTU licensed artist at Mistaken Art (MTA) HERE

Filters Needed:

Mosaic Glass (comes with PSP)

Distort - Radial Zig Zag (freeware, HERE)

Mura Meister - Copies (freeware, HERE)

AAA Foto Frame (freebie)

Eye Candy 5 Impact - Gradient Glow

Fonts used:

FFF Fuego (for copyright info)

Quasart (for name - freeware)

Additional supplies: HERE

(wordart from Scrappy Expressions - Melissa, now known as Sentimental Style, and cross hatch texture - put in your texture folder in PSP)

Directions

1. Open PSP. Open New File, 600 pixels x 250 pixels, 72 pixels/inch resolution, transparent. Open your tube, duplicate, close the original.

2. Chose a dark color from the tube for your foreground, a light color for your background. Using those colors, chose gradient from the materials palette, and the cross-hatch texture. You want to use the following settings for your gradient:

Style: radial

Angle: 45

Radial: 5

Invert: checked

Horizontal: 50

Vertical: 50

Texture: checked

have the Hatch Fine showing in your drop down menu

click OK

Flood fill your layer with the gradient. Right click on the layer in the layer palette - go to Merge - Merge All - Flatten.

3. Go to Effects - Texture Effects - Mosaic Glass and use the following settings:

4. Go to Distort - Radial Zig Zag and use the following settings:

Roughness: 0

Amplitude: 118

Frequency: 155

5. Copy and paste your tube, then move to the left side of the layer. Duplicate, and move that to the right side. Merge Down, then duplicate it twice (so you will have 3 - the original and 2 copies). Close out the top of them - you will work on the middle and bottom. Resize the middle one (the top of the unhidden) by 85% (all layers UNchecked). Go to Adjust - Blur - Gaussian Blur and use the following setting: Radius: 2.00. Go to the original and go to Adjust - Blur - Gaussian Blur and use the following setting: Radius 6.00. Then, for each, go to the layer palette, right click on it, and apply the following settings:

Blend Mode: Luminance (Legacy)

Opacity: 50

Link Set: 0

6. Go to the hidden duplicated layer and unhide it. Apply the Mura Meister - Copies filter with the following settings:

Random

Wraparound

Blend Mode

*Wallpaper

Number: 20

Shift X / Shift Y: 50

Angle / Rotation / Phase: 0

Cycle: 100

Attenuation: 0

Scale: 100

Tile Gap / Thru BG Range: 0

Thru BG Smooth: 30

Fade Out: 0

Fade Out to BG: unchecked

Click OK. Go to the layer palette, right click on it, and apply the following settings:

Blend Mode: Luminance (Legacy)

Opacity: 20

Link Set: 0

7. Apply tube, move it to the right side of the tag (or place as desired). Apply favorite drop shadow setting.

8. Copy and paste wordart, place on the left side of the tag. Apply Eye Candy 5 Impact - Gradient Glow with the following settings:

Glow Type: Outside Glow

Mask Selection: checked

Glow Radius: 11.00

Soften Corners: 35

Overall Opacity: 100

Distortion Amount: 0

Distortion Lump Size: 100

Gradient Smoothness: 92

move the slider to where you like it - try not to make it too 'fat'.

I used a very very pale shade of the light color I used for my gradient.

Then apply the following drop shadow to the wordart:

Vertical: 1

Horizontal: 0

Opacity: 50

Blur: 2.00

Color: very very dark shade of the dark color you used for your gradient.

Apply drop shadow AGAIN.

9. Duplicate the wordart. Go to the lower layer of the word art, then go to Adjust - Blur - Gaussian Blur and use the following setting: Radius 3.00. Then go to the layer palette, right click on it, and apply the following settings:

Blend Mode: Multiply

Opacity: 100

Link Set: 0

10. Go to Edit - Copy Merged - Paste as New Image. Apply the AAA Frames - Foto Frame and use the following settings:

Width: 4

Brightness: -48

Stroke: 0

Matte: 1

Red: 18 (*)

Green: 11 (*)

Blue: 2 (*)

Opacity: 98

Negative: unchecked

More Shadow: checked

(*) keep in mind that these will be flexible, depending on the colors you are using...these are what I used for mine.

11. Crop tag to 600 pixels wide, 250 pixels high. Apply © information and place where desired. (I used the previous gradient glow setting on my © info, then used Luminance Legacy with Opacity of 85 on it.)

And that is it for the forum tag. For the icon tag, simply take your selection tool, and mark out a large square around the area of the forum tag that you desire (I used the angel/tube, put it kind of to the right of the square.) Make sure the box is nice and big. Copy Merged then Paste as new image. Apply the AAA Frames - Foto Frame filter with the previous settings, then put the proper © information on it.

For the name and the initial for the icon, I used the font Quasart, with the dark shade of the dark color used for the gradient. I then applied Eye Candy 5 Impact Gradient Glow with the following settings:

(I used the lighter shade of my gradient for the first color, and the darker shade of my gradient for the second color)

And then the following drop shadow:

Vertical: 1

Horizontal: 0

Opacity: 50

Blur: 4.00

color: black

And then applied it AGAIN.

I saved my final tag/icon as jpg.

And that is it!!

I hope you enjoyed the tutorial and would love to see your results!