Escape From Reality Blog: April 2014

Monday, April 28, 2014

Spring Indulgence Snags

Here are some snags I made using the incredible artwork of

Please do not alter these tags in any way.
Click on graphic to open to full size then right click and select “save image as”.

Friday, April 25, 2014

This tutorial was written by me on April 25, 2014, using PSP X but any version will work. This tut is written assuming you have a working knowledge of PSP. Any similarity to any other tutorial is purely coincidental.

Supplies:

Graphics of Fantasy Cluster Frame 'Soft Elegance' made by me click here

Tube of choice - I am using the gorgeous art of Very Many available at verymanytubes.com

DVB Masks 133 available at Designs by Vabs

Zephyr Script font click here

Filters Needed:

Eye Candy filter Perspective Shadow - free download here.

Filters Unlimited 2.0 - free trial download here.

(although I used these filters, the tag can be made without them by using drop shadow and eliminating the steps involving Filters Unlimited)

Don't forget to save often!

To begin, open a blank canvas 600 x 600.

Floodfill with a color complimentary with your tube. I used #dbded6.

Apply mask and merge group.

Apply Filters Unlimited -> Paper Textures-> Japanese Paper

with these settings:

Open and copy the cluster frame. Paste as a new layer and resize 95%:

(do not select 'Resize all layers')

Use the Eraser Tool to erase the copyright from the frame layer.

Add a Perspective Shadow using Eye Candy with these settings:

*If you do not have Eye Candy, use a drop shadow of your choice.

Open the tube you are using and copy. Paste as a new layer and resize to fit the canvas. I resized the Very Many 'Spring' tube by 52%. Add the same perspective shadow as you used before.

From the original tube, use your Selection Tool in selection mode to select a portion of the tube to use in the tag behind the frame. Here is a sample of how I did mine:

Copy and paste as a new layer under the frame layer and rename the layer 'selection 1'. Resize and position so that it is behind the opening in the frame. Use the Eraser Tool to remove any portion that may show outside of the frame. See my finished tag at the top of the tut as a reference. Duplicate the layer and rename this layer 'selection 2'.

Recolor the original layer (selection 1) using the Color Replacer Tool and this color #8b975d.

Add a drop shadow of V:2, H:2, Opacity 55.

Now go back to the duplicate layer (selection 2) and set the Blend Mode to Screen (see below):

Add the Filters Unlimited - Japanese Paper effect to this layer using the same settings as before.

Go back to the top layer. This should be your tube layer. Select Merge-> Merge Visible.

Add the tube copyright. Add text of your choice using Zephyr Script font. Merge and save as a PNG.

Thank you for trying this tutorial!

Soft Elegance Cluster Frame

FTU cluster frame was created by me using the scrap kit

'Bathroom' from Graphics of Fantasy.

Used with permission.

Click the frame to see full size, 'right click' and 'save image as'

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Me Time Cluster Frame

FTU cluster frame was created by me using the scrap kit

'Bathroom' from Graphics of Fantasy.

Used with permission.

Click the frame to see full size, 'right click' and 'save image as'

And here is how I used the cluster frame...

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Garden Season Cluster Frame

FTU cluster frame was created by me using the scrap kit

'Garden Season' from Graphics of Fantasy
Used with permission.

Click the frame to see full size, 'right click' and 'save image as'
Here is how I used the frame...

Monday, April 21, 2014

Tutorial - Kindness in Blue

Kindness in Blue

This tutorial was written by me on April 21, 2014, using PSP X but any version will work. This tut is written assuming you have a working knowledge of PSP. Any similarity to any other tutorial is purely coincidental.

Supplies needed:

"Kindness In Blue" Scrap kit by Ladyhawwk Designs Scrapkits available CLICK HERE.

Tube of choice - I used the beautiful work of Suzanne Woolcott.

gemsmask 223 available at Gems Taggin' Scraps

Eye Candy filter Perspective Shadow - free download HERE.

Font of choice - I used Euphorigenic Font available HERE

*Remember to save often and add a Drop Shadow as you go.

To begin, open a blank canvas 600 x 600. Selections – select all.
Open the paper of your choice and copy. I used paper 1. Paste onto your blank canvas by pasting into selection. Deselect.

Apply the mask I suggested or one of your choice. Merge group. Duplicate once & merge down. Resize 80%, but do not check the box "resize all layers".

Next, open Frame 1. Copy & paste as a new layer.
Add a drop shadow using Eye Candy Perspective Shadow - I used these settings:

(If you do not have Eye Candy, you can add a regular drop shadow using the settings of your choice.)

Next, open your tube. Copy and paste as a new layer, resizing as needed. Apply the same perspective shadow as before.

You will need to open these elements and word art:

Word Art 1

element 3/butterfly & resize 20%

flower elements 37, 38, & 39 resize 30%

Copy and paste, arranging as you like or as I did in the tag above.

Apply a drop shadow using these settings:

Open element 47 & resize 35%. copy and paste as a new layer. Move it down so it is under the frame layer & above the mask layer. Position it to peek our from the lower right hand corner of the frame. Duplicate and go to Image - Mirror. Move it so it peeks out from behind the upper left hand corner of the frame. Merge down and add the drop shadow (same as above).

Now we are ready to Merge Visible. I added a few white twinkles to mine. If you do not have any, here is a copy of the one I used. I resized it by 50% and copy/pasted as a new selection. No drop shadow on twinkles!