Creating a Cut-out Lace picture

Layer 3 above Lace Background.

Making a Lace design/insert

I'll start with just a "shape" from the Photoshop Elements shape files.

Open your finished "lace" Photoshop.  It should have 2 layers: the dark-colored background and the white "lace".

1)  Create a new layer (3) above layer 2. 

2)  Make sure your pallet has "white" as the top color.


3)  Use the SHAPE tool to create a suitable insert.  I chose a fleur-de-lis.

4)  Go to LAYERS and apply:  Simplify Layer.  SAVE the object in SELECT filter.

Fleur-de-lis: simplified

5)  SELECT the object (fleur-de-lis)
    
Go to  EDIT filter and assign 50% Opacity.
    
Assign FILL pallet with PATTERN.
    
For the Pattern: Chose the ARTIST's SURFACES pallet, and apply: GAUZE preset (64x64 pixels, greyscale to the fleur-de-lis).  Now the fleur-de-lis looks a bit like Linen.

Fleur-de-lis with "gauze" filter added.

6) Select Object (fleur-de-lis)
7)  Go to EDIT filter and select STROKE.  Chose a width proportional to your design.  On this one I chose 6 pixels on the OUTSIDE the object.
 
Opacity: 100% (of the preset 50% GRAY).  APPLY. 
The outline should be slightly grey.

8)  Save the outline selection, Select the Outline. 

Fleur-de-lis with OUTLINE (greyish) added outside.

9)  Go to FILTER:  Add Noise.  
Set Add Noise to monochromatic, set Distribution: Uniform, Noise Amount:  25%.  

APPLY to outline of object.

10)  Go to FILTER: Motion Blur.  
Set Motion Blur to 0 Angle, 5 Pixels long.  APPLY

Fleur-de-lis with "Noise" added, and then 5 pix Motion Blur

11)  Before next step make your Pallets have the  25% grey on top, 50% grey background.

12)   Go to FILTER: Sketch: BAS RELIEF
        Chose: Detail: 15;  Smoothness: 2

Bas Relief & Sharpen applied

13)  Go to ENHANCE filter.  Apply: Auto Sharpen (or sharpen as much as you like. The outline is supposed to look as if it were embroidered.)

14)  In ENHANCE filter go to: Adjust Lighting: LEVELS.  In the (default) RGB channel, adjust the Far right lightness setting to 215.  
Adjust the Middle Lightness Setting to 0.90 
Leave other settings at default.

LEVELS adjustment added

 15)  To add some wrinkles, Apply the DISTORT: Liquify filter, Brush Size: 100, Brush Pressure: 20  
(Obviously the size & pressure are adjusted with the size & type of the picture you are making). 

Now the Design Image is starting to look a little 3-Dimensional.

Liquify Filter (20%) added.

I'll do something more challenging & fun tomorrow.