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 April 17, 2015.


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

Now, let's create!




Banner:
1.  Open a new canvas, 650x200.  Select a scenic or patterned paper from your kit and paste it as your background.  

2.  Select three to five random elements to add decoration to your scene (example:  I used the wood posts, a glass bottle, a shell and sea grass).  Resize using the smart size selection and place around your background at your preference.  Apply Jazzy's drop shadow to each.

3.  Open an element that specifically goes with your tube (I chose a surfboard element).  Resize to a preferred size and place within the scene.

4.  Paste in your tube.  Resize as needed (remember to switch back to bicubic for the resize!) and apply the drop shadow.

5.  Select some flower elements (or elements of choice).  Resize each one using smart size and place at random along the edges of the banner.

6.  [optional] Open both a word art element and a "hanging" element (for the latter, I chose a net).  Place the word art behind or to the side of your tube (NO drop shadow).  Place the hanging element on the opposite side.

7.  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:


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

9.  Create a new raster layer and floodfill with the same color used in the drop shadow for the previous step.  Selections > modify > contract by 5 and hit your delete key.  In the adjust menu, go to add/remove noise > add noise:  29%, random, monochrome CHECKED.

10.  Create a new layer for your copyright/watermark and add it on.  


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 word art layer and drop under the tube layer.

5.  Choose a minimum of three of the random elements from your banner and paste them in.  Position to your liking.

6.  Repeat steps 7-10 for your border, initial and copyright.