CT Tutorial for Stella and matching megakit

**This tutorial was written using Photoshop CC. I believe the instructions should work with various other versions, but they are not tested on any other version.  This tutorial is my own creation.  Any similarity to any other tutorial is not done purposely or knowingly (aside from the fact that the process is pretty similar in most tutorials).  If you do not know how to do some of the things I mention here (like mirroring an image, adding a drop shadow, resizing elements, etc.), check out my “Tips and Tricks” tutorial. **

Supplies:

PTU Poser – “Stella” by Designs By Norella.  You can purchase the tube at the Designs by Norella store

PTU Megakit - “Stella” by Amy Marie.  This and all of Amy Marie’s other kits may be purchased at Amy Marie’s Kits.

FTU Mask - "Masks0172-SophisticatSimone" by Simone.  Available for download on the Scrappy Bit of Fun blog.

Abbreviations:

DS – Drop Shadow

Settings I use:

DS Settings - Blend Mode set to Multiply, Opacity set to 75%, Angle set to 120 degrees, Distance 5, Spread 0, Size 5

Ready…..Set….Tag!

Open Paper 29 in a new canvas.  Double click on the layer to unlock it.

Add the Mask to the canvas and resize if needed so it is the same size as the paper.  Then drag the mask layer below the paper layer.

With the mask layer selected, select all (Ctrl + A) and copy the entire canvas (Ctrl + C).  You will see dashed lines surround the canvas. 

Click on the paper layer to activate it, then turn on quick mask (Press the Q key on your keyboard).  The dashed lines will disappear and that is ok.  Next Paste onto the paper (Ctrl + V) and turn your Quick Mask off (Q again). 

You will now see a dotted outline of the mask on your paper.  Press the button on the bottom of layers side bar that is a rectangle with a circle cut out of it.  The mask will now show. 

Right click on the paper layer and select Convert to Smart Image.  This releases just the mask.  The background layer of the mask will become invisible on its own.

Open a new canvas (Ctrl +N) 700 x 700, transparent background.  This will be referred to as the working canvas in my directions when switching between canvases.

Add the paper/mask combination from above to the working canvas.  Resize to fit the canvas.

Add Element 92 to the canvas and resize to fit the width of the mask. 

Add Element 127 to the canvas.  Resize to your liking and position in the upper left corner.  Add DS.

Add Element 3 to the canvas.  Resize to fit the center portion of the tag.  Position slightly off-center to the left.  The frame should be big enough to reach the road at the bottom and overlap part of the moon.  Add DS.

Add Paper 24 to the canvas.  Resize to fit over the opening in the frame.  Move the paper layer below the frame.  Use the eraser tool to erase any overhang of the paper showing outside of the frame.

Open the poser in another canvas.  Use the marquee tool and draw a rectangle around the head of the poser.  Copy the poser and switch back to the working canvas.  Paste the poser onto the canvas. Make sure the poser is above the paper and below the frame.  Resize the head to fit in the frame the way you want it displayed and then right click on the layer and select “Create Clipping Mask”.  This will hide any part of the head not on top of the paper below it.

Add Element 101 to the canvas.  Resize large enough to hold the name you want on the tag.  Position at the bottom of the frame on the left side.  Add DS.

Add the poser to the canvas.  Resize to fit and position her on the right side of the frame.  Add DS.

Voila!  The focal point of your tag is now created.

Now decorate your tag with any of the gothic elements from the kit.  Resize the elements as you add them to fit the proportions of your tag.  Experiment with rotating them and mirroring them for more variety.  In addition duplicate elements and use multiple times to fill in holes and add more pizzazz.  In this tutorial to indicate when I used more than one of the same element I will add (X#) by the name to indicate how many versions of the element I used. 

Here are all the additional elements I used from the bottom layers up.

• Element 124
• Element 148
• Element 5
• Element 46
• Element 110
• Element 97
• Element 113
• Element 112
• Element 140
• Element 57
• Element 79 (x2)
• Element 4

Add your license and copyright info to the tag.

Add name and any other text of choice.

Save as PNG and go share with all your friends!

Thank you for trying my tut! I’d love to see how your tags turn out so if you like what you made, please post a copy here or show me on Facebook!