*~Candles~*

Supplies:

Tube of choice - I am using the wonderful tube Candles by Marta Sarmiento which can be purchased at Digital Art Heaven

Filters:

Mura Copies

VM Distortion - Radiator

Let's Begin:

Open a new image 600 x 300

Copy and paste your tube - resize if you like

Effects - Mura Copies - Wallpaper (Rotate)

Duplicate 2 times for a total of 3 - close out the top  2 layers and work on the bottom one

Adjust - Blur - Gaussian Blur at 5

Effects - VM Distortion - Radiator

Effects - Textures - Soft Plastic - for color choice, choose a color from your tube

Acitvate the middle layer

Resize 90% - all layers UNCHECKED

Adjust - Gaussian Blur at 10

Edge Effects - Enhance more

Change the blend mode to multiply

Open the top layer

Adjust - motion blur

Change the blend mode to overlay

Copy and paste your tube - resize as needed.  Add drop shadow of choice

Add a new layer - fill with a color from your tube

Select all - contract by 4 - delete - deselect

Adjust - Gaussian Noise - 45%

Add copyright and license information and name and save !!!!

Here is one where I added animation (#395) from Scrappy Bit Of Fun

*~Dolphin Dreams~*

Supplies:

Tube of choice - I am using the lovely work of Renee L. Lavoie -

her work can be purchased at Digital Art Heaven

Scrap Kit of choice - I am using Seashell Beach by Tiny Turtle Designs

Forum mask of choice - I am using #13 by Moonbeams and Spiderwebs

(look under forum masks!!! - lots to choose from)

Filters:

Eye Candy 4 - Motion Trail

Let's Begin:

Open a new image - 600 x 250

Select a paper from your kit - select all - copy and paste paper into selection - deselect.

Duplicate  - apply your mask - merge group

Duplicate mask layer - activate the bottom mask layer

Apply a bevel

Effects - EC 4 - Motion trail 

Apply a drop shadow

Activate top mask layer - apply same bevel - apply drop shadow

Copy and paste your tube - resize as needed and position

(Optional:  I added Xero Porcelain - default settings - to my tube)

Apply drop shadow of choice

Add a new layer

Select a color - fill - select all - contract by 1 - delete - DO NOT DESELECT - choose another color - fill - contract by 1 - delete  - fill with first color - contract by 1 - delete.

Effects - Cutout

Deselect.

Add your copyright information and name.

(do not add name yet if you plan to do the same text as I did shown below)

Merge visible.

Optional:  Name technique - type out your name using a dark color.  Center text.  Convert to raster - select all - float - defloat - activate background/tag layer - promote selection to layer - deselect.  Delete your original text layer.

Duplicate text layer.  Working on the bottom text layer - add the same bevel as above, add the motion trail as above and the same drop shadow mentioned the first time.

Activate the top text layer - apply bevel and then add the second drop shadow mentioned.  Merge and save!!!!

*~*Summer Breeze*~*

Supplies:

Tube of choice - I am using the lovely work of Erin Ewer which can be purchased at Digital Art Heaven.

Please do not use artwork without a valid license!!

(A tube that comes with the full image works best, but you can always substitute a nice paper background from a scrap kit)

Filters:

DBS Flux

Mura Meister

Lets Begin:

Open a new image 600 x 300

Select all - copy and paste your full image or background paper into selection - deselect

Select all - float - defloat - contact by 10 - invert - promote selection to layer - deselect - move to top - rename Frame

Activate background layer - duplicate

On bottom layer - apply DSB Flux - Linear Transmission

Activate top background layer - apply Gaussian Blur at 5.00 - change blend mode to multiply or whatever looks best

Activate frame layer - with magic wand - feather set to 0 - click in center

Effects - 3D effects - Cut Out

Deselect

Copy and paste your tube - move under frame layer

Position tube over corresponding background image.

Resize tube slightly so that is a little smaller than the background layer image

Add drop shadow of choice.

For Text:

Choose 2 colors from your tube/image

Close out the foreground color for now

Select a block type font and type the first letter of your name

Flip your color choices - and have the background one open - foreground closed

With your preset shape set to circle - draw a circle slightly larger than your letter

Convert to raster and duplicate until you have enough for all the letters in your name.

Line the circles next to each other in a row - merge visible

Reverse your colors again and type out the remainder of the letter of your name

Place a letter over each circle until all are filled

On your circle layer -  duplicate - activate the bottom circle layer-

apply DSB Flux Linear Transmission

Merge together your letter and both circle layers - position to your preference

Add copyright and license information

Save!!!

Tune Time - 

Summer Breeze - Seals & Crofts

*~Sea Cruise~*

Lately I've been doing banner tutorials as I feel there are more options to use filters and techniques - so this is a little twist on that!!!  Hope you enjoy !!!

Materials:

Scrap Kit of choice - I am using one from Tiny Turtle Designs

Tube - (optional) - you can just use image from the scrap kit as I did.

Mask of choice

Filters:

Filters Unlimited - Paper Textures - Canvas Fine

(If you do not have this - you can use the built in Textures effect)

FM Tile Tools - Blend Emboss

Let's Start:

Open a new image 700 x 700  (you can resize later)

Choose a paper from your kit - copy

On working canvas - activate your custom selection tool with the following settings:

Paste paper into selection - deselect

Apply FM Tile Tools - Blend Emboss - default setting - 2 or 3 times depending on which looks best

Move paper to center of canvas

Effects - Geometric Effects - Perspective Horizontal:

Effects - Inner Bevel:

Resize 85%

Selection - select all - float - defloat 

Add a new layer 

Choose another paper - paste into selection - deselect

Apply Filters Unlimited - Paper Textures - Canvas Fine - default setting - apply 2 times:

Select all - float - defloat - add a new layer - fill with a complimentary color choice.  Deselect.

Move layer down.

Activate top layer and merge down.

Apply Perspective Horizontal - same settings

Resize 85%

To both layers apply drop shadow - I used 

0/2/100/38.00/black

Add your elements or tube - or both

Add drop shadow of choice

Add a new layer - send to bottom - fill with either a color or paper choice

Apply mask - merge group

Remember:  If you only used a scrap kit - please give the creator

the proper credit.

If you used a tube - add your copyright and license information

Add your name

Merge and save!!!

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

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 !!!!