Sisters and Friends

PSP
Corners Album frame (PSP)
2 graphics that are similar
(The ones I used are the art of Andres Orpinas)
Kara Lace
Filters Unlimited 2.0 (Demo Here) Optional

Supplies

You may use the materials I've supplied or
choose the following of your own.

A nice multi-colored background.
From the background, choose 2 solid colors and apply 
a texture to each. Use PSP textures or Filters Unlimited 

The directions below will assume you are using mine. Be sure to
adjust to your own "papers" or patterns and colors.

As you work you may choose to occasionally merge visible layers.
This is a good idea, but I will leave it to you to decide when things
are as you want them and you are ready to merge.
If you don't have automatic save set, you should also save your
work often so if something happens to the program you will not lose
all you have done. 

Open a new transparent image 500 X 500 pixels.
Flood fill the image with the pink textured pattern.
Effects > Plugins > I.C. NET software > Filters Unlimited > Edges, Square> #17

Open a new transparent image 450 x 450
Flood fill with the multi-colored background. 

Effects > Plugins > I.C. NET software > Filters Unlimited > Edges, Square> #13.

Copy and paste as a new layer onto your working image. 
Effects > 3D Effects > Drop Shadow H & V = 3, O = 50, blur = 8.00 color black.

Copy and Paste as a new layer the Kara Lace. Resize if you desire. 

Open a new transparent image 375 X 375
Flood fill with the purple color textured pattern.
Effects > Plugins > I.C. NET software > Filters Unlimited > Edges, Square> #11.
Copy and paste as a new layer onto your working image.
Apply the same Drop Shadow as before. 

Open the two graphic that are similar. Resize the using
Bicubic resampling to 85%. Go to Edit > Repeat resizing
until the graphics are no taller than 250 pixels. 

In the Layers Palette, right click and Promote Background Layer
Images > Picture Frame > Browse to the Corners Album frame and
click OK. 
Layers > Merge > Merge all flatten.
Do this for each image.

Copy and paste as a new layer onto the working image.
See the example for placement. 
I ended up resizing my "photos" again. Apply the Drop Shadow
used before to each layer. 

Open a new transparent image 450 X 50
Flood fill with another color from your multi-colored background 
or a matching gradient.
Selections > Select all
Selections > Modify > contract by 4
Selections > Invert
Effects > 3D Effects > Inner Bevel with this setting. 

Selections > Invert
Adjust > Add/Remove noise > Add noise
Gaussian, Monochrome check 10%

Copy and Paste the ribbon as a new layer onto your main image.
Move toward the bottom of the top layer.
Lower the opacity to 60 % so that you can see through it.
Use your lasso tool set to point-to-point. Tolerance = 0
and Feather = 0 to draw around the portion overlapping the 
top layer. Delete. 
Restore the opacity to 100%

Copy and Paste the bow on the ribbon.
Feel free to colorize it to attain the color you need.
Apply the same drop shadow as before. 

Copy and Paste as a new layer, the Sisters button
near the top left.
Copy and Paste as a new layer, the Friends button
near the middle left.

Copy the WordArt "by Chance" and Paste as a new Layer
next to the Sisters button. 
Effects > 3D Effects > Drop Shadow.
V & H 1, O = 100, Blur = 0. Color black.

Copy the WordArt "by Choice" and Paste as a new Layer
next to the Friends button. 
Effects > 3D Effects > Drop Shadow.
V & H 1, O = 100, Blur = 0. Color black.

Copy and paste the paper clip. Place it wherever you want it
Be sure to select the portion that should be behind the image and delete it. 

I have given you some other elements. Use them as you wish
or leave them off. Your choice. Be sure to place each on a new raster layer
and place a drop shadow if needed. 

Make sure your top layer is highlighted.
Layers > New Raster Layer
Affix your mark. 

Layers > Merge > Merge All (flatten)

Image > Resize to 85% with Bicubic resampling.
All layers checked. 

Background

Open a 1280 X 300 image. Flood fill with you desired background
color. Adjust the size for your preferred pixel size. 

I chose a 60 pixel section from the multi-colored background.
Copy and Paste as a Raster Layer and move to the left leaving
space on the left side. 
Effects > 3D Effects > Inner Bevel with these settings

Effects > 3D Effects > Drop Shadow
V=0, H =-4 (minus 4), O=50, blur =8.00 Color black

Copy and paste the bow as a new layer.
Apply the same drop shadow.

Layers > Merge > Merge All (flatten)

Export using the JPEG optimizer.
Save
Open Letter Creator and create your letter.

This tutorial is just a guide. What you do with it is your choice.
Please do not make changes and then claim it as your own.
It is strictly the results of my playing in PSP and using techniques
I have learn through lessons and experimentation. Any resemblance
to another tutorial written by another is purely coincidental.

Tutorial Index1