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 March 5, 2015.


-- Jazzy's "basic" drop shadow setting of 2, 2, 50, 3 and color black.
-- font of choice.  I used Faerie.

Now, let's create!





Banner:
1.  Open a new canvas, 650x200.  Floodfill with a color from your tube or kit.  Selections > modify > contract by 6 and hit your delete key.  Hide this layer for now.

2.  Choose a decorative paper (I chose Paper9) and paste it into your canvas.  

3.  Paste in your tube and position to your liking.  Resize if necessary.  Apply Jazzy's drop shadow.

4.  Let's add in a few 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.  Remember to apply Jazzy's basic drop shadow after each element is placed unless otherwise marked:

17 (golden sparrow) - 45%.  perch on tube's shoulder (or next to tube, depending on placement).
30 (bead string) - 40%.  place on right hand side.
59 (four-leaf clover) - place on opposite side of banner from tube.
24 (bow tie) - 20%.  place on stem of four-leaf clover.
55 (rainbow) - 60%.  place behind tube.  NO drop shadow.
15 (sparkle trail) - 60%.  place against rainbow.  NO drop shadow. 
94 (emerald dangles) - paste under rainbow layer.  duplicate and mirror/reposition to cover the whole banner.  merge these layers and lower opacity to 35%.

5.  Unhide the border layer from step 1.  In your effects menu, go to texture effects > blinds and apply the following settings:  width - 8, opacity - 77, horizontal UNchecked, light from left/top CHECKED and choose a contrasting color from your tube or kit. 

6.  Create a new raster layer.  Type your name and position it to your liking.  Go to your effects menu > 3D effects > Inner Bevel and apply the following settings:


7.  Apply Jazzy's drop shadow but choose a color from your tube or kit.  

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

Avatar: 


2.  Paste in your paper from banner or a new paper of choice.  Drag to show the area/colors you wish to show.

3.  Paste in your tube and position to your liking.  Resize if needed.

4.  Paste in the four leaf clover element.  Resize if needed and place just behind edge of tube.

5.   Choose one of the bead dangles.  Paste in, resize to 65% and position so that it shows behind the tube/clover leaf.

6.  Open a sparkle element and paste in, positioning to your liking.

7.  Repeat steps 1 and 5 from the banner directions to create a border layer.

8.  Repeat steps 6-8 for your initial and copyright.

And you're all done.  Enjoy your new forum set!