Supplies you will need:
Scrapkit of choice - I used the awesome “Red Velvet Freebie Kit” from Element by Design, which can be found here: http://element-by-design.blogspot.com/
You will need 1 paper for the background, 1 doodle, 1 bow, and 1 postcard type paper
Tube of choice – I am using the art of PinupToons. You need a license to use this art. You may purchase one here: http://www.creativeimagelicensing.com/
Mask of choice – I am using WSL_Mask169, which can be found here: http://www.weescotslass.co.uk/
Click on Navigation, Downloads, then scroll down to the WSL_Masks169-180 link. Her site is awesome, so be sure to check it out!
Font of choice – I am using “Adore,” which can be found here: http://www.fontspace.com/category/Adore
Optional – Misc. travel or mail themed brushes. I used brushes from Dozi Baer, which can be found here: http://www.dozibaer.com/brushes/dozi's-brushes-02.htm
All links and supplies shared with permission.
Let's begin!First, open a new canvas 600 x 600. Then, flood fill white.
Open a dark colored paper – I am using GrungeMess2. Copy it and paste it onto your white canvas. Go ahead and save now.
Now, with your paper layer active, apply your mask. I am using WSL_Mask169. Be sure that “Source luminance” is checked, “Fit to canvas” is checked, “Hide all mask” is checked, and “Invert transparency” is UNchecked.
Now, right-click on your mask layer and choose “Delete.” Then choose “Yes” to merge the mask into the layer below. Right click on the merged layer and choose “Merge,” then choose “Merge Group.” You can rename this new layer “Mask Layer” if you’d like. Save again.
Next, open “postcard.” (You can use a similar element if you are using a different kit.) I resized mine to 500 x 347. Copy and paste it as a new layer. You may rename this layer “Postcard.”
With your Postcard layer active, choose Image>Free Rotate. Be sure that “All layers” is UNchecked. Rotate the Postcard layer 25 degrees to the left.
Click on your white background layer to make it active.
Now, open “RedDooDaD.” (You can use a similar element if you are using a different kit.) I resized mine to 600 x 600. Copy and paste it as a new layer. You may rename this layer “Doodad.” Save now.
Your Doodad layer should be above your background layer, but below your Mask Layer. Lower the opacity of your Doodad layer to about 55%.
With your Doodad layer still active, choose Image>Free Rotate. Be sure that “All layers” is UNchecked. Rotate the Doodad layer 25 degrees to the left. You can play with the size, opacity, and placement of the Doodad layer, until you have achieved an effect you like. Save again.
Now, click on your Postcard layer to make it active again. Open your tube and copy and paste it as a new layer. It should be your top layer. Position is where you like and save again.
Now, duplicate your tube layer. Activate the duplicate layer, we will be working with it now. Move it below your main tube layer.
Choose Image>Mirror. Then, choose Image>Free Rotate. Be sure that “All layers” is UNchecked. Rotate the duplicate tube layer 25 degrees to the left.
On your Layers Palette, change the blend mode to “Soft Light.” (Depending on your tube, you may want to use Overlay instead. Try them both and see which you like better.)
Now, using your “Pick Tool” (the arrow tool) in Scale Mode, resize your duplicate tube layer until it fits mostly inside of the left side of the postcard. (See my example for reference.) Save now.
To remove any of your tube that is “hanging off” the postcard, activate the Postcard layer. Choose Selections>Select All. Then, Selections>Float. Then, Selections>Defloat. Then, Selections>Invert.
Now, click on your duplicate tube layer and hit the Delete key. (This should delete any of the duplicate tube that is outside of the postcard.) Now, Selections>None. Save again.
Make your Postcard layer active and add a drop shadow. Go to Effects>3D Effects>Drop Shadow. I am using settings 0, 0, 100, 10, color black.
Make your main tube layer active and add a drop shadow. Go to Effects>3D Effects>Drop Shadow. I am using settings 5, 5, 70, 5, color black. Save again.
If you like, you can add a bow or some other accent, or you can skip this step. I am using grungeBow2. Resize it to 200 x 181, then copy and paste it onto the main canvas. Move it above all layers except your main tube layer. Then, choose Image>Free Rotate. Be sure that “All layers” is UNchecked. Rotate the bow 40 degrees to the left. Add the same drop shadow as you did to the Postcard layer (0, 0, 100, 10, black). Save again.
Now, before you add your copyright info and other text, resize the tag to its final size. First, crop off any excess around the edges. Then, choose Image>Resize. Under “Advanced settings,” be sure “Lock aspect ratio” and “Resize all layers” are both CHECKED. Save again.
Now add your copyright info, license number (if applicable), and tagger’s mark (if you use one).
Finally, add your name. I am using font “Adore” at a size of 100, in Bold, using the color #4a0000. I left my name straight across, but you could free rotate it 25 degrees like you did your postcard. I added a drop shadow of 0, 0, 100, 10, but I used the same color as I did for my text (#4a0000).
Save and your done!
OPTIONAL - If you have any postage/travel brushes, you could use those to accent your postcard. I added a new raster layer above my postcard, and used foreground color #4a0000 (same as my text). Then I lowered the opacity to 50%.
This tutorial was created on
First, open a new canvas 600 x 600. Then, flood fill white. Open a dark colored paper – I am using GrungeMess2. Copy it and paste it onto your white canvas. Go ahead and save now. Now, with your paper layer active, apply your mask. I am using WSL_Mask169. Be sure that “Source luminance” is checked, “Fit to canvas” is checked, “Hide all mask” is checked, and “Invert transparency” is UNchecked. Now, right-click on your mask layer and choose “Delete.” Then choose “Yes” to merge the mask into the layer below. Right click on the merged layer and choose “Merge,” then choose “Merge Group.” You can rename this new layer “Mask Layer” if you’d like. Save again. Next, open “postcard.” (You can use a similar element if you are using a different kit.) I resized mine to 500 x 347. Copy and paste it as a new layer. You may rename this layer “Postcard.” With your Postcard layer active, choose Image>Free Rotate. Be sure that “All layers” is UNchecked. Rotate the Postcard layer 25 degrees to the left. Click on your white background layer to make it active. Now, open “RedDooDaD.” (You can use a similar element if you are using a different kit.) I resized mine to 600 x 600. Copy and paste it as a new layer. You may rename this layer “Doodad.” Save now. Your Doodad layer should be above your background layer, but below your Mask Layer. Lower the opacity of your Doodad layer to about 55%. With your Doodad layer still active, choose Image>Free Rotate. Be sure that “All layers” is UNchecked. Rotate the Doodad layer 25 degrees to the left. You can play with the size, opacity, and placement of the Doodad layer, until you have achieved an effect you like. Save again. Now, click on your Postcard layer to make it active again. Open your tube and copy and paste it as a new layer. It should be your top layer. Position is where you like and save again. Now, duplicate your tube layer. Activate the duplicate layer, we will be working with it now. Move it below your main tube layer. Choose Image>Mirror. Then, choose Image>Free Rotate. Be sure that “All layers” is UNchecked. Rotate the duplicate tube layer 25 degrees to the left. On your Layers Palette, change the blend mode to “Soft Light.” (Depending on your tube, you may want to use Overlay instead. Try them both and see which you like better.) Now, using your “Pick Tool” (the arrow tool) in Scale Mode, resize your duplicate tube layer until it fits mostly inside of the left side of the postcard. (See my example for reference.) Save now. To remove any of your tube that is “hanging off” the postcard, activate the Postcard layer. Choose Selections>Select All. Then, Selections>Float. Then, Selections>Defloat. Then, Selections>Invert. Now, click on your duplicate tube layer and hit the Delete key. (This should delete any of the duplicate tube that is outside of the postcard.) Now, Selections>None. Save again. Make your Postcard layer active and add a drop shadow. Go to Effects>3D Effects>Drop Shadow. I am using settings 0, 0, 100, 10, color black. Make your main tube layer active and add a drop shadow. Go to Effects>3D Effects>Drop Shadow. I am using settings 5, 5, 70, 5, color black. Save again. If you like, you can add a bow or some other accent, or you can skip this step. I am using grungeBow2. Resize it to 200 x 181, then copy and paste it onto the main canvas. Move it above all layers except your main tube layer. Then, choose Image>Free Rotate. Be sure that “All layers” is UNchecked. Rotate the bow 40 degrees to the left. Add the same drop shadow as you did to the Postcard layer (0, 0, 100, 10, black). Save again. Now, before you add your copyright info and other text, resize the tag to its final size. First, crop off any excess around the edges. Then, choose Image>Resize. Under “Advanced settings,” be sure “Lock aspect ratio” and “Resize all layers” are both CHECKED. Save again. Now add your copyright info, license number (if applicable), and tagger’s mark (if you use one). Finally, add your name. I am using font “Adore” at a size of 100, in Bold, using the color #4a0000. I left my name straight across, but you could free rotate it 25 degrees like you did your postcard. I added a drop shadow of 0, 0, 100, 10, but I used the same color as I did for my text (#4a0000). Save and your done! OPTIONAL - If you have any postage/travel brushes, you could use those to accent your postcard. I added a new raster layer above my postcard, and used foreground color #4a0000 (same as my text). Then I lowered the opacity to 50%. This tutorial was created on