*~The Letter~*

Remember when we used to write letters and use stamps??  LOL

Everything is electronic now - but I still love seeing pretty stamps!!!

Supplies:

PI2_Stamped - HERE

Tubes or images of choice

Scrap kit 

Mask

Anything else you can think of !!!!

I'm not really going to write a tut as I want you to use your own imagination.

Below are just the basics and then I have included a few I did for inspiration.

Let's Begin:

Open PI2_Stamped - duplicate and close the original

Open tubes, images and what ever else you plan to use.

I suggest you resize the Stamped image before proceeding - this way you can see how your images will look and there won't be any distortion later.

With your magic wand - click inside the box or boxes you wish to add something to.  If you plan to fill more than one at a time - remember to hold down the shift key.

Selection - expand by 4 - add a new layer and then paste your image as a new layer or into selection.  If you paste as a new layer - remember to invert and hit delete so that the excess is removed.  Deselect - move under frame.

Now continue the above step until all the stamps are filled.

Add any accents and drop shadow of choice - mask layer if you like - whatever you want - after all it's YOUR creation!!!!

Tune Time - The Box Tops - The Letter

This one I used the art of  ©Jasmine Becket-Griffith - which you can purchase at CDO

This one was made with a scrap kit from Tiny Turtle Designs

This one with the art of ©VeryMany

Flutter !!!

This tutorial was inspired by Goblin, a friend and member of PSPX3.  She was (like many are) a little frustrated with animating tags.  But she stuck with it and kept trying and now she is on her way to being a master!!!!

So I told her I would continue writing tuts that hopefully will help her along that path!!!!

Supplies:

Tube of choice  - one with wings, either a fairy or angel works best.

I am using the wonderful art of ©Molly Harrison available at CDO.

NOTE: Check to make sure the artist allows their work to be animated, some do not!!!  So read their TOU carefully!!!

Scrap kit of choice - 

I am using one from Tiny Turtle Designs.

Mask of choice

Xero Porcelain (optional)

Animation Shop (which will be referred to as A/S)

DISCLAIMER:  Written using PSPX.  A basic working knowledge of PSP and it's tools is required.

Let's Begin:

Open a new image - I started with 600 x 600 - you can determine what you prefer.

Find a nice frame, some papers, and elements from your kit that you wish to use to create a tag.

Make sure you add a background to your frame.

Once your tag is done.  Add your tube.  Resize and position. 

NOTE:  Make sure that the 'wings' are not obstructed by any elements, also make sure that they are on top of your frame if you have them an an edge.

Once happy with your tag - remove any excess from your tube.

Add drop shadow of choice to elements and frame.  DO NOT add a drop shadow to your tube !!!!

Duplicate your tube layer - activate the bottom layer and rename Tube Blur.  Adjust - Blur - Gaussian Blur - 4.00

Activate your top tube layer - rename Tube.  Add Xero Porcelain, default settings if you wish - this is optional.

If you wish to add a mask layer - do so now - remember to merge the group.

If you want to resize your tag - you MUST do that now.  Make sure ALL LAYERS is checked when you do this.

Close out all your layers EXCEPT your Tube layer.

Activate your freehand selection tool - with the following setting:

Activate your Tube layer.  With the freehand selection tool - carefully select the 'wings' of your tube.  Make small movements around the wings so that you get all the details - also you may wish to zoom in so that you can see easier.

Promote selection to layer.  DO NOT DESELECT. Rename this Wings.

Activate Tube layer and delete.

Activate Wings layer - copy - open A/S and paste as a new animation.

Effects - Insert Image Effects - on the first screen - set as shown below:

Now click the CUSTOMIZE button - on this screen change the settings as shown below:

Click OK

You will see now that you have 16 frames.  Scroll to the front of the animation.  Left click on the FIRST frame and hit delete.  You now have 15 frames.

Back in PSP - open all layers.  Still on your Wings layer - Selection - modify - expand by 2.  Now activate your Tube layer and hit delete.  Deselect.  Delete the Wings layer.

Add a new layer at the bottom and fill with white.

Add your copyright and license information and name.

NOTE:  Again make sure that your text does not interfere with the wings 

of your tube.

Edit - Copy Merged.

In A/S - Paste as a NEW animation.  Edit - duplicate selected.  Repeat duplicate selected until you have 15 frames.

NOTE:  If you have too many frames - just click the first one and hit delete - keep doing this until you have the correct amount.

Activate your wings animation (the first one you made).  Make sure that you click on the first frame - Edit - select all - copy.

Now make sure the Propogate Paste button is selected.

Open your tag animation (the second one you made) - again click the first frame - Edit - Select all.  Now Edit - Paste Into Selected Frame

Carefully place the wings so that they line up with the blurred image.

Run your animation - save !!!!

Tune Time - Heather Maloney - Flutter 

Sunday Morning !!!

This tut was inspired by Laine (owner of PSPX3) who always gives the group the weekly challenges on Sunday Morning!!!

Note: Written using PSP X - a basic knowledge of PSP and it's tools is required.

Items needed:

Van Der Lee Unplugged - Defocus

If you need this - you can get it HERE

(it can be installed in Filters Unlimited if you have that program)

Bordermania - Frame #2

PI2 - Geometric Mask

PI2 - Geometric Templates

Texture - Corel_08_048

Mask, templates and texture - HERE

Tube of choice

Let's Begin:

Open a new image - 600 x 250

From tube or complimentary colors - set foreground to light/medium color, background to medium/dark color

Change foreground to gradient:

Open your tube - copy

On working canvas - add a new layer - select all - paste tube into selection - deselect

Effects - Image effects - Seamless Tiling:

Adjust - Blur - Radial Blur:

Layers - duplicate

Image - mirror

Effects - Texture - Mosaic Antique:

Change blend mode to overlay and lower opacity to 70%

Layers - merge visible 

Adjust - sharpen

Add a new layer - fill with gradient

Effects - textures - apply texture:

Apply PI2 - Geometric Mask

Merge group

Duplicate - activate the bottom mask layer

Effects - Van Der Lee - Defocus:

Activate the top mask layer - Effects - Image Effects - Seamless Tiling - same settings

Change blend mode to overlay - reduce opacity to 50%

Layers merge down

Copy and paste PI2_Geometric Template 1

Select all - float - defloat 

Add a new layer - fill with gradient

DO NOT DESELECT

Add a new layer - copy and paste tube into selection

NOTE:  Depending on the tube you use - this may distort the tube. First you may wish to try resizing the tube,  if that doesn't work then paste as a new layer and position in the center.

Deselect

Delete original template layer

Move gradient layer below mask layer

Activate your tube - apply drop shadow - change to one of your colors

Copy and paste PI2_Geometric Template 2

Select all - float - defloat

Activate mask layer - promote selection to layer

DO NOT DESELECT

On promoted layer - selection - modify - expand by 2

Add a new layer - fill with foreground color - deselect.

Duplicate

Activate bottom filled layer 

Adjust - Blur - Gaussian Blur - set at 10.

Activate the top filled layer - change the blend mode to overlay

Merge these 2 layers together

Move under the promoted layer 

Delete the original template layer

On promoted layer - change blend mode to multiply - merge down

Merge visible entire canvas

Effects - Bordermania - Frame #2

Add copyright, license and name.

Merge and save !!!!

Tune time:  Spanky and Our Gang - Sunday Morning

How-to: Animated Snow

It's that time of year - Christmas and winter tag making and often we want to add snow.  So I hope this will help to make 'snow' easy - you must provide your own shovel!!!!  LOL

Note: Written using PSPX.  A basic knowledge of PSP and it's tools is expected.

Supplies:

VanDerLee - Snowflakes

If you do not have this filter - you can get it HERE

(install it into your PSP Filters File and then add to PSP)

Tag

Animation Shop (which will be referred to as A/S)

Let's Begin:

I made a basic tag - make sure your background layer is NOT merged to any other layers.  Also your background needs to be a dark color so that the snow will be visible.

Activate your background layer - select all - float - defloat (please do not deselect until instructed)

Add a new layer

Filters - VDL Snowflakes:

You can adjust your settings as you wish - this is my personal preference.  If you want larger flakes (size) or more flakes (amount) then adjust that.  Transparency should be kept at 0.

Apply filter

Add another layer - change the random seed number (bottom row) - apply.

Add another layer - again change the random seed number.

I use 3 layers - you can use more - I recommend you use at least 3.

When you have all the layers you want - deselect.

X-out all your snow layers - except the one above the background layer.

Edit - copy merged

In A/S - paste as a new animation

Back in PSP - close out the bottom snow layer - open the next layer above it.

Edit - copy merged

In A/S - paste after current frame

Repeat the above step until all snow layers have been moved to A/S

In A/S - run your animation

To me the setting is too fast - to change that - close the window showing the animation.

Click the first frame of your animation - go to Edit - select all

Now go to Animation - Frame Properties - change the speed:

I prefer 30 - the higher the number the slower the snow 'falls'

Run your animation and once happy - save as a .gif.

Twist & Shout !!!

Note: Written using PSPX

Supplies:

Tube of choice

PI2 - Twist Mask - HERE

Shape/Brush/Element of choice

Filters:

Mura Meister - Cloud, Copies

Graphics Plus - Cross Shadow

FM Tile Tools - Blend Emboss

Let's Begin:

Open a new image 600 x 250

Choose a light/medium color for foreground

Medium/dark color for background

Fill canvas with foreground color

New layer

Apply Mura Meister - Clouds:

Effects - Texture effects - Glass Mosaic:

Apply PI2 - Twist Mask - merge group

Effects - FM Tile Tools - Blend Emboss - default settings

Change blend mode to multiply - or whatever looks best

Merge layer down

Add a new layer 

Selection tool - custom selection - set to rectangle:

Fill with foreground color - deselect

Effects - 3D effects - Inner Bevel:

Duplicate

Effects - Image Effects - Offset:

Layers - merge down - rename layer Bars

Add drop shadow:

Add a new layer

Selection - custom selection - set to rectangle:

Fill with background color

Effects - Graphic Plus - Cross Shadow - default settings

Deselect

Move under bars layer

Lower opacity to 70%

Merge this layer with bars layer

Effects - distortion effects - wave:

New layer

With shape, brush or element - place your choice in the middle area between the bars - centered :

Effects - Mura Meister - Copies:

Effects - Distortion Effects - Wave - same settings

Move layer to fit between the bars

Apply graphics plus - cross shadow - same settings

Change blend mode if you like - I changed mine to overlay

Add your tube - position and add drop shadow of choice

Add a new layer - fill with background color

Select all - modify - contract by 3 - delete - deselect

Add Graphics Plus - cross shadow - same settings

Add copyright and license info and name

Merge and save!!!!

Here is another one I made - this time I animated the snowflakes

Tune time - The Beatles - Twist & Shout

Let It Snow !!!!

It's that time of year - so let's go play in the snow!!!!

Supplies:

Tube of choice - I used an element from the scrap kit 

Scrap Kit of choice - I am using Christmas Blues by Tiny Turtle Designs - HERE.  If you aren't familiar with Laura's kits - I hope you will check them out - she has lots of choices and very reasonable prices.  Please read her TOU's when using her kits and respect her terms!!

PI2 - Snowflake shape - HERE  (optional) - you can use or create your own shape !!!!

Filters:

Mura Meister - Copies

DSB Flux Bright Noise OR PSP Noise 

Cut-out effect (comes with PSP)

Animation Shop (will be referred to as A/S)

Note:  Tut written using PSPX

Let's Begin:

Open a new image 600 x 250

Select the paper you wish as your main background - copy and paste as a new layer.  Rename layer BG.

Copy and paste your other paper as a new layer - rename SNOW.

Activate your bottom layer - this should be empty.  Select all - Image - crop to selection.  The reason I have you do this is to remove all excess paper, so that when you take it to A/S it will be the correct size.

Selection - Custom selection:

Activate your BG layer - promote selection to layer - DO NOT DESELECT.

Activate SNOW layer - selection - invert - delete.

Deselect.

Move your promoted layer to top

Open the snowflake - copy and paste as a new layer.

Apply Mura Meister - Copies:

Select all - float - defloat - activate promoted layer - delete - DO NOT DESELECT until told to do so.

Delete the top shapes layer.

Back on your promoted layer - 

Effects - 3D Effects - CutOut:

Adjust - Brightness & Contrast:

Effects - 3D Effects - Drop Shadow:

Note the color change to white or #FFFFFF

Deselect.

Copy and paste your tube - resize and position - add drop shadow of choice.

If you wish to add any elements or brushes - do so now.

Activate your SNOW layer - duplicate 2 times for a total of 3 layers.

X-out the top 2.

On the bottom layer - apply DSB Flux Bright Noise:

OR

Adjust - Add Noise - Gaussian Noise:

Open the middle SNOW layer - if using DSB Noise - click MIX one time - if using Gaussian Noise - change to 55%.

Open the top SNOW layer - for DSB Noise - click MIX one time - for Gaussian Noise - change to 60%.

Add your copyright and license information and name.

Activate your BG layer - select all - float - defloat - contract by 2 - invert - promote selection to layer.  Deselect.

Move layer to top.  Add Drop Shadow of 

then apply drop shadow:

Open A/S

In PSP - X-out your top 2 SNOW layers - Edit - Copy Merged - over in A/S - paste as a new animation.

Back in PSP - X-out the bottom SNOW and open the middle SNOW - Edit - copy merged - in A/S - Paste AFTER current frame

Repeat the above with the top SNOW layer.

In A/S - run your animation - save!!!!

Note:  If you are a tagger or like to save a tag without a name for future - I save my 'nameless' tag as a .mng file.  This is the purest setting - so this way when you duplicate it to make tags for others - you are getting the clearest possible images.  

Here is another one I made using a snow animation that I have.

Video/Song - Dean Martin - Let It Snow!!!

I hope you enjoyed !!!!

CMW - Make Me Smile !!!!

Supplies:

Tube of choice

PI2 - Make Me Smile Template - HERE

NOTE:  I use PSP X - if you use another version you may need to make adjustments.

Let's Begin:

This tutorial uses the manual color correction (MCC).  If you do not have this function on your toolbar - this is how you can add it.

Click VIEW - the CUSTOMIZE

Click COMMANDS tab at the top - then click ALL COMMANDS at the bottom.

On the right hand side you will see icons and a list of all the functions available.

Scroll down until you locate MANUAL COLOR CORRECTION

With your mouse - drag this item up to your toolbar.  Now you may close this window.  You now have easy access to this function.

Open the template - duplicate - close the original and delete the credits layer.

Open your tube and choose several colors or complimentary colors - I made a color chart so that I had easy access when changing colors.

I prefer to copy and paste my tube - resize and position first.  Just so I can see what colors I want around the tube so that it compliments the tube the best.  As always, this is just a personal preference and a tut is just a guideline - please do what works best for you!!!!!

I set my foreground and background to 2 color choices.

I also start on the bottom layer - again, just my preference, and X-out all the other template layers - so I have a full view of the layer I am working on.

With the bottom layer activated - click the MCC button 

                                 that is now on your toolbar.

The first thing you need to do is set the color for the right box - so take your mouse over the template layer and click.  Since this layer is a gradient layer - there are several choices - I usually choose a light to middle tone.  Now I need to set the color I want the layer to become.  Click the TARGET box - right click - the palette opens - choose the color you wish. Click ok.

If you are not happy with that selection - click the undo button and select a different TARGET color.

Activate and un-X the next layer up - and repeat the above with another color choice.  Remember to change the SOURCE color if the template color is different, before selecting your TARGET color.

You can change the blend mode and even lower the opacity.

This is what my template looks like after these first 2 steps:

Continue this process with each layer until you are happy with the look.

Add a drop shadow to your tube.

Add any filters or techniques you wish - experiment and enjoy being creative!!!

Add your copyright and license information.  Merge and save !!!!

Video - Chicago - Make Me Smile