Page Pebbles
I thought it would be interesting to create my own page pebble digitally, then print it and use it on a card or scrapbook layout. While I could just print my design and cover it with a "real" purchased page pebble, I wanted my embellishment to have more substance and look almost like a piece of jewelry. And, of course, I didn't have to restrict myself to a specific shape or size.
First we create our design. I opened a digital paper with a subtle design, added a layer, typed the word "Cherish" in Porcelain font, and added a drop shadow. I opened a purple flower by Shabby Princess, colorized it to lighten the purple, and dragged it onto my design from the Layer Pallette (which automatically created a new layer). You can also copy your flower (Ctrl + C), and Paste as a New Layer (Ctrl + L) on your design.(Image 1)
TIP: Choose the Pick Tool, which puts a box around the flower, and use your cursor to grab an end of the box which allows you to make the image smaller.
Merge All Visible layers.
I opened a silver oval buckle by Shabby Princess. There are many digital designers who have free and for-purchase elements that you can use.
Make a copy of your buckle (Shift + D) and close your original file.
(Image 2)
Copy your design (Ctrl + C), then click the buckle image and Paste as a New Layer (Ctrl + L). On the Layer Pallette, drag the design BELOW the buckle image.
(Image 3)
Notice how parts of the design are visible beyond the edge of the buckle. Making sure you are on the design layer (the layer will be highlighted in blue,) click your Eraser Tool and erase all the design that extends beyond the buckle. If you accidentally erase some of the design within the buckle, hit Ctrl + Z (Undo) and start over.
(Image 4)
On the Layer Pallette, make your buckle layer active. Use your Magic Wand to select the inside. Because this buckle has a drop shadow, I'm not able to select the entire inside portion. There are a few options. Because my selection was right along the bottom edge, but too far in from the top edge, I held my SHIFT key down and clicked with the Magic Wand in the design portion at the top that was not included. By holding down the Shift key, you will ADD to your current selection.
You can also choose the Selections Menu, Modify, Expand, and expand by 3-6 - you want to get as close to the inner edge of the buckle as possible and you may need to experiment with the numbers.
(Image 5)
Open your Layer Pallette again and click on the design layer. Choose Effects Menu, 3D, Inner Bevel. Choose the second option (round), and use the default settings. To see your options, click on the small arrow to the right of the selection box. Deselect your selection (Ctrl + D).
You can see that the Inner Bevel effect dulls the image slightly. We'll fix that next.
(Image 6)
Press Shift + G to open the Gamma Correction dialog box. Type in .84 in any of the boxes and all of the boxes will show the same number. (You can experiment with higher or lower numbers). Press the OK button. You now have your page pebble, and since it was created on a transparent background (the original buckle), you can use it on any digital page.
(Image 7)
For a pebble with more of a glassy look, you can use Eye Candy's Glass filter. Follow all the steps above up to adding the Inner Bevel, and instead, apply the glass filter. You will have to play around with the sliders until you get the look you want. I added a drop shadow 10 horizontal and 10 vertical, and then another drop shadow at -10 and -10. (I will cover filters in an upcoming page, but if you have any questions, just email me).
(Image 8)
Published in SSReflections On-Line Ezine
For a tutorial on how to make your own frame for your page pebble (such as the gold frame on the birthday wishes card below), click
here
