Blurred & Woven Forum Set

Supplies needed:

No scraps for this one :)

Image of choice – Artwork used in this tutorial is ©sxc.hu. These are FTU stock images, just be sure to check the usage instructions for the image you want to use. For this set, I used this one - http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1094303

Filter – Mura’s Filter Meister: Copies (Free)

            Eye Candy 5 Impact (PTU) OR Eye Candy 3.1 (Free) – Gradient Glow - Optional

Font of choice – I used “Manta”

All links and supplies shared with permission.

You will need a good working knowledge of PSP to complete this tutorial. This tutorial was written using version X2.

Let’s get started!

Open a new canvas – 500 x 250, transparent.

Open your image. Crop & resize so that it is between 200 x 200 and 250 x 250. It does not have to be square. Be sure, when resizing, you click “Lock Aspect Ratio” so that you do not distort the image.

Still on your small image – add a new raster layer as your top layer. (Or, if your image is on the small size, skip the next 3 steps & use Image>Add Borders to add a 5 pixel symmetrical border in your color of choice.)

Flood fill the new layer with a color of choice from your image. I used #c82a43.

Selections>Select All, then Selections>Modify>Contract by 5. Hit Delete. Selections>Select None.

Right click on either layer and choose Merge>Merge Visible.

Then copy & paste it onto your 500 x 250 canvas. Do not close out your 250x250 image with border, we will use it again.

On your 500x250 canvas, duplicate your image.

On the bottom (original) layer, apply Mura’s Meister Copies: Wall Paper with Shrink. Play with the “Number” setting until you have a nice mix of colors and the entire canvas is filled (no blanks spots or gaps). If you end up with areas of the canvas that aren’t covered, you can duplicate the Mura’s layer, and then mirror it and/or invert it, to get more coverage. If you do this, you will need to merge the 2 layers together.

Still on the Mura’s layer, Adjust>Blur>Radial Blur. Blur type: Zoom, Strength: 50, Elliptical: Checked, Horizontal & Vertical Offset: 0, Protect Center: 25.

Still on the Mura’s layer, Effects>Texture Effects>Weave. Gap Size: 1, Width: 3, Opacity: 1, Fill Gaps: Checked. Weave Color & Gap Color: the same as what you used for your border.

Save your progress.

Above the Mura’s layer, but below the image layer, draw out a long rectangle that goes all the way across your canvas (horizontally). Foreground color turned off, background color the same as your border color.

Center it, convert to Raster. Apply a drop shadow: 3, 3, 40, 5, black. Then -3, -3, 40, 5, black.

Apply the same drop shadows to your image layer.

Above your image layer (will be your new top layer), add a new raster layer.

Flood fill the new layer with the same color you used for your image border.

Selections>Select All, then Selections>Modify>Contract by 5. Hit Delete. Selections>Select None.

Save your progress.

On one side of your canvas, add a quote or saying of choice. (Optional)

On the other side, add your name. Add a drop shadow to your name. I used 3, 3, 40, 3, black.

Now, add your copyright info, license # (if applicable), and tagger’s mark (if you use one). Every tag needs copyright info ;) I used a gradient glow to make my copyright info more visible.

Save as .png file and you are done with the tag.

For the avatar -

Go back to your small image with border.

Resize it so that the longest size it 150 pixels.

Image>Canvas Size – Enter new dimensions of 150x150 pixels and choose placement to center.

Now, add your copyright info / license and your name or initial.

Save as .png and you’re done!

I would love to see your results! Email them to tutsbyj0eswife@gmail.com

This tutorial was created on March 28, 2011. Tutorial is © tutsbyj0eswife and is registered with TWI.

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Here's another example, also using a stock image from sxc.hu: