NOTE: you MAY link to this tut. you MAY print it out for later use offline. you MAY NOT claim it as yours or take anything else from it. this tutorial is ©Ruby/Stormlight, written October 12, 2014.

-- the plugins Mezzotinto Uno (Visman) and EyeCandy's Gradient Glow.
 -- Jazzy's "basic" drop shadow setting of 2, 2, 50, 3 and color black.
-- mask of choice.  I used a mask by Zuzzanna.
-- fonts of choice.  I used GE Signature Script and Vladmir Script.

And now let's create!




1.   Open template, duplicate, close original and save duplicate as your canvas.  

2.  Choose Paper 8, paste as your bottom layer.  Apply mask and merge group.  (NOTE - if you are using a "frame" mask like the Zuzzanna mask I am using, remember to CHECK the box that says "invert transparency" before applying the mask.)

3.  Select the large oval layer on your template.  Click outside it with your magic wand.  Paste in Paper 5 and then hit the delete key.  Merge these layers together.

4.  Select the pair of squares layer on template.  Click outside it with your magic wand.  Paste in a patterned paper (I chose Paper 2 with the leaves).  Resize the paper to 70% and hit delete key.

5.  Select the square frames and click inside them with your magic wand.  Choose a third paper (I chose Paper 7) OR choose a color from your tube or kit.  If doing the paper, paste in the paper, then go to selections > invert and hit your delete key.  If doing a color from your tube or kit, use the flood fill tool.

6.  Select the small rectangles layer and flood fill with a color from your tube or kit.  In your plugins menu, go to VM Toolbox > Mezzotinto Uno.  Play with the settings until you find a pattern you like.

7.  Since the plugin will likely turn your rectangles black with white streaks, use the eyedropper to select the original color you chose from your tube/kit.  Using your color replacer tool, change the black to your original color. Then choose a contrasting color to replace the white streaks.

8.  Time for some elements!  Names/numbers apply to the scrap kit I'm using so if you're using a different one, use the elements of your choice.  All elements are resized with the smart size setting.  Always remember to apply Jazzy's basic drop shadow after each element is placed unless otherwise marked:

02 (tree) - 20%.  place in center.
16 (pumpkin) - 25%.  place to left of tree.
06 (stump) - 20%.  place to left of pumpkin.
9 (leaf pile) - 35%  place at base of tree slightly to the right.
19 (pinecone) - 40%.  rotate 90 degrees left and place atop leaves.
28 (hot chocolate cup) - 20%.  place on stump.

9.  Paste in your tube.  Apply Jazzy's basic drop shadow.  Resize if needed (remember to set resample to "bicubic") and place to your liking.

10.  Create new raster layer.  In a handwriting font, type the words "sweater weather" in a light color at 22 point size.  paste this phrase four to six times in your text box (depending on how your font spaces itself/the size of the letters) so that it stretches across the template.  Copy the line of the repeated phrase, hit your return key in your text box and paste it several times until it fills the layer.  Hit apply and position this layer so that the text covers the square boxes.

11.  Drop this layer down below your square frames.  Select the frames layer and click outside it with your magic wand.  Go to selections > modify > expand by 4.  Return to the text layer and hit the delete key.

12.  Create a new raster layer.  Type your name and position it to your liking.  Go to effects > 3D effects > inner bevel and apply the following settings:


13.  In your plugins menu, go to EyeCandy > Gradient Glow and apply the following settings:


14.  Create a new layer for your copyright/watermark and add it on.  Use a small font, such as Arial Narrow at 9/10 point.

and now you're all done!  Enjoy your new tag!