Seed Packet Tutorial
No AgeClick each to view large image
*Please note: If clickable images do not open properly, please try again
Please read the terms of service before attempting this tutorial
The inspiration for this tutorial came from a Home Interiors catalog, my wish book...lol. There are several ways you can choose to do this seed packet. The tutorial will teach you how to create a faux aged finish using simple brush settings. You can also use this technique in real life to age your craft projects. Or you may choose to make your packet without the aging, simply skip the brush steps. You may also choose to age it further with the Xenofex filter as shown at the bottom of the tutorial.
Resources- PSP 8 or 9. You can download a demo of v9 HERE.
- A tube or transparent image of a flower or fruit. You can download the sunflower I have used HERE. Included in the zip is the gold medallion. The sunflower has a transparent background but is not clean enough to be a tube for any other project. Unzip it to your harddrive and open in PSP.
- The checked preset shape. You can download it from my preset shapes page HERE. Fourth one from the left top row. Unzip it into your My PSP 8/9 files/preset shapes folder and point PSP to it.
- **Optional** The font I have used called "Old Gate Lane" by Nick Curtis. (or you can use one of your own) You can download it at 1001fonts.com. Nick Curtis is my favorite font artist and I use his fonts A LOT. Pick up all you can while you are there
. - **Optional** Xenofex 2 filter. You can download a demo from Alien Skins. Possible effects with this are shown at the bottom of the tutorial.
Let's get started
*Please note: If you install this tutorial as a quick guide you may get a script error when trying to view the images, just click "yes" at the prompt and the images will show properly. Don't know how to install quick guides? then check out the tutorial found HERE.- Open a new image 330 x 400px, raster background, 72 res, color #fffbed.
- Go to Effect->Texture Effects->Texture and apply the following settings:
Click to view large image
- Add a new raster layer. Set your foreground color to #ffe597. Get the airbrush tool with the following settings and and brush a little bit of color in an up and down motion onto the canvas as shown below. Then merge this layer down onto the background layer. (Layers->merge down)
Click to view large image
- Add a new raster layer. Apply the preset shape to the top, make sure create as vector is UNchecked. If you wish to change the color set you foreground color to the color of your choice and UNcheck retain style.
- Duplicate the layer. Then Ctrl+I to flip it. Merge the two check layers. You should have the background layer plus 1 other layer.
- Bring up the image of the sunflower. Ctrl+C to copy it, the paste as a new layer (ctrl+L) onto your main image.
- Copy the medallion and paste it as a selection (crtl+E) any where you want. Select none (Ctrl+D). Merge the sunflower layer down onto the check layer. You should have the background layer plus 1 other layer.
- Set your foreground color to #3a5a67 and background color to #088aa6. Apply your name + the word seed in all caps as a vector (anti-alias checked) then stretch it to fit as shown. Change the font to Arial size 18 and apply the word brand in all caps. Convert the layer to a raster. Merge the text layer down. You should have the background layer plus 1 other layer.
- Now apply the saying (or whatever you want) using Arial in the same manner and move it to approximately the same position. (I made up the saying so I put the name of my site there but you don't have to). Convert to raster and merge this layer down. You should have the background layer plus 1 other layer. This is what you should have so far:
Click to view large image
You can stop here, flatten, save, resize to your taste and you're done or you can continue you on to the aging process.
- Activate the eraser tool set the size to 250 and set the other settings to the same as the airbrush in step 3 and make several passes over the top layer. Do not erase too much. Lower the opacity to 68. Flatten the image, save and you are done.
The following examples were done using the Xenofex 2 filter. If you are going to use the filter, promote the background layer to a layer then add a white layer below it as the filter will distort the sides. You will just have to play with the settings to get the look you want.
Click to view Click to view Click to view
large image large image large image
Cracks/Hairline Crumple/Harshfold Crumple/Subtle
I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial and found it easy to follow. If you have any comments or questions please feel free to
