I took the Brush Set challenge, and these are what I came up with ... Most of them are grungy. The butterflies are a scatter, not a single butterfly. Hope you find a use for them!
Your work is gorgeous Vidia. Thank you for sharing with us. Can you tell me how you made your brushes? I have Photoshop elements 12. I know you have said that you do not like Photoshop but its all I've got for now. Would you be able to tell me how to make brushes with that and also please tell me what brushes are used for? Is it just for the actual object or are they to be used elsewhere?
@ Theresa You're welcome! There's a lot to learn; just take your time. I don't know how old you are (no need to reveal haha), but my mom passed away at 72 a few years ago, and she hated technology, particularly computers and cell phones. She had a difficult enough time with the DVD remote. 20-25 years ago, she always said, "People are going to get addicted to this stuff," and she was quite right. So, yes, I applaud you and other older people for delving into the technological-age.
@Jeanine LOL That's funny because I thought the same thing when I was making those papers.
@Lizanne Thank you! The butterflies will look a bit differently when using a solid or pattern. In my opinion, glitterized looks the best, as the wings don't show as much. Just keep practicing, you'll get there. All the stuff I learned throughout the years was through trial and error. When I got into scrapping, I downloaded some scripts and watched them run to see how people made things, then adapted my own twist on the same types of elements. I can make butterflies and other bugs, among other things, using oval/circle preshapes, then the warp brush (not mesh). I just don't make that stuff anymore, because I prefer real ones. If you want to know how to do something, just ask!
@Debbie Thank you very much! I use PaintShop Pro, but I'll assume making grungy brushes works the same way in PS.
I'll use the checkered one as an example. I made a checkerboard paper template a long time ago, so I opened that up, then used the Selection tool to cut out a portion of it. I then used the Eraser tool (not the Background Eraser in PSP, the normal Eraser), clicked the brush option, clicked on either a grunge, an abstract, or a texture brush, using different ones on each square--simply place the cursor somewhere and left click your mouse--(in PSP, the brush option is located between "Preset" and "Shape" on the top toolbar). Play with the Opacity level in the top tool bar to get varying degrees of transparency each time you erase. You can also play with the other settings, too: Hardness, Density, Thickness, and Rotation.
There are texture brushes you can use to make grungy/distressed papers. You can use the butterfly scatter instead of copying and pasting a single butterfly png, then duplicating the layer a few times, rotating the butterflies, etc. to make a scatter. The brush does the work for you.
The majority of non-scrappers use brushes to create, for instance, desktop wallpapers.
@Nina You're welcome! And thank you!
Since I left mine as PNG files, you ladies will have to import them into your programs yourself. In PSP, you'll have to resize some of them down to no more than 999 X 999 in dimension, or do what I do: Leave them as pngs and use the Color Replacer tool on them.
Thank you Vidia for the help. As I read, I remember seeing some of what you were talking about when I went into brushes. I do think mine is a bit different but I remember some of those words. I appreciate you taking the time to answer about what the brushes are for. I think I've only used it to touch up in spots. I couldn't believe it when I went in last night and really explored the brushes. There is a lot there. It is so fun and exciting to learn new things. Thanks. I took your brushes and will hopefully get a chance to play with them later today. They look awesome.
You're quite welcome, Debbie! I'm certain PS is very different from PSP. PS is more professional with different options and different ways of doing things. When I used to read tutorials, I'd have to think of ways to do various things in PSP in order to get the same result. As I said, lots of trial and error! lol At the same time, I'm also sure some things are virtually identical. There are a slew of PS brushes on the internet. I used to use brushes often when I made desktop wallpapers, especially outer-space brushes for Star Wars wallpapers.
When you go to play with the brushes later, you can use any material for it: solid colors, papers from a kit, gradients, existing PS patterns.
I've been working on a new kit today. I recall a few people, who live in the southern hemisphere, mentioning that since the seasons are opposite, they rarely get seasonal kits when, for instance, it's autumn for them. So, I decided to create an autumn kit before winter hits the southern hemisphere next month. It should be posted tomorrow afternoon/evening (eastern U.S. time).
And here is the autumn kit I promised yesterday. It's all in one zip file. I even ventured into making some word strips and three journal cards. I didn't know journal card dimensions, so I looked at Melo's May BT journal cards, but there were two sizes. lol I ended up going with the bigger one: 6X4in / 1800X1200px.
Thank you all so very much! I greatly appreciate all of your kind comments. You ladies are awesome!
@Nina Yeah, I used the kit for the "Bad Photo" Layout Challenge. lol
I'm considering doing a Memorial Day kit. If I do it, though, it will be geared toward the true meaning of the holiday, not the commercialized version (an excuse to party and BBQ all weekend) that it has turned in to nowadays.
Vidia, there are a few common sizes for journal cards, but the two most common are 4" high x 3" wide and 6" wide by 4" tall. Since we work at 300 dpi, if you multiply 4x300, you get 1200 pixels high for each; the 3" wide ones end up 900px wide and the 6" ones end up being 1800px. You can also do 2x2, 3x3, and 4x4, as well as a 2x4 one--just multiply the inches by 300dpi to get the pixel dimensions.
Also--WHERE did you find that damask pattern in the Fall Back papers? It's very close to the pattern of the wallpaper my mother had in the upstairs bathroom when I was little--a light blue flocked pattern on an eggshell white background. (I might have to make her a paper just to match the background of some of the makeup-and-hair photos when we were getting ready for school/work/church/dances...)
There are some military kits here at PixelScrapper, Nina. They're not huge, but the general military one plus the navy one has been enough to start the scrapbook for my son's Navy career. Add in the right fonts and a couple of solid papers I've made, plus the extracted shots of his dress blues, cover, and the insignia he's earned so far, and it's turning into a solid book.
Vidia, I spotted a set of military vector shapes somewhere a few days ago; I'll see if I can find them and send you the link, if you can use them.
Nina, here's a link to Marisa's post about them: link There are links to each of them in the post.
Also, you'll know how good this one feels: I heard from my deployed son this morning. He's in port somewhere on the far side of the world for a few days, and thought to call his mom.
You're welcome, Theresa!
I took the Brush Set challenge, and these are what I came up with ... Most of them are grungy. The butterflies are a scatter, not a single butterfly. Hope you find a use for them!
Dropbox
Thanks, Vidia. I'm learning so much from this group.
Makes me think of Raspberry Lemon Aide!! Thank you for throwing it out there!!
Those little butterflies are gorgeous, Vidia! I am amazed at all you do in PSP... I only hope someday I have half your talent!
Your work is gorgeous Vidia. Thank you for sharing with us. Can you tell me how you made your brushes? I have Photoshop elements 12. I know you have said that you do not like Photoshop but its all I've got for now. Would you be able to tell me how to make brushes with that and also please tell me what brushes are used for? Is it just for the actual object or are they to be used elsewhere?
Beautiful
Vidia...I love the butterflies too!
@ Theresa You're welcome!
There's a lot to learn; just take your time. I don't know how old you are (no need to reveal haha), but my mom passed away at 72 a few years ago, and she hated technology, particularly computers and cell phones. She had a difficult enough time with the DVD remote. 20-25 years ago, she always said, "People are going to get addicted to this stuff," and she was quite right. So, yes, I applaud you and other older people for delving into the technological-age.
@Jeanine LOL That's funny because I thought the same thing when I was making those papers.
@Lizanne Thank you!
The butterflies will look a bit differently when using a solid or pattern. In my opinion, glitterized looks the best, as the wings don't show as much. Just keep practicing, you'll get there. 
All the stuff I learned throughout the years was through trial and error. When I got into scrapping, I downloaded some scripts and watched them run to see how people made things, then adapted my own twist on the same types of elements. I can make butterflies and other bugs, among other things, using oval/circle preshapes, then the warp brush (not mesh). I just don't make that stuff anymore, because I prefer real ones. 
If you want to know how to do something, just ask! 
@Debbie Thank you very much! I use PaintShop Pro, but I'll assume making grungy brushes works the same way in PS.
I'll use the checkered one as an example. I made a checkerboard paper template a long time ago, so I opened that up, then used the Selection tool to cut out a portion of it. I then used the Eraser tool (not the Background Eraser in PSP, the normal Eraser), clicked the brush option, clicked on either a grunge, an abstract, or a texture brush, using different ones on each square--simply place the cursor somewhere and left click your mouse--(in PSP, the brush option is located between "Preset" and "Shape" on the top toolbar). Play with the Opacity level in the top tool bar to get varying degrees of transparency each time you erase. You can also play with the other settings, too: Hardness, Density, Thickness, and Rotation.
There are texture brushes you can use to make grungy/distressed papers. You can use the butterfly scatter instead of copying and pasting a single butterfly png, then duplicating the layer a few times, rotating the butterflies, etc. to make a scatter. The brush does the work for you.
The majority of non-scrappers use brushes to create, for instance, desktop wallpapers.
@Nina You're welcome! And thank you!
Since I left mine as PNG files, you ladies will have to import them into your programs yourself. In PSP, you'll have to resize some of them down to no more than 999 X 999 in dimension, or do what I do: Leave them as pngs and use the Color Replacer tool on them.
Thank you Vidia for the help. As I read, I remember seeing some of what you were talking about when I went into brushes. I do think mine is a bit different but I remember some of those words.
I appreciate you taking the time to answer about what the brushes are for. I think I've only used it to touch up in spots. I couldn't believe it when I went in last night and really explored the brushes. There is a lot there. It is so fun and exciting to learn new things. Thanks. I took your brushes and will hopefully get a chance to play with them later today. They look awesome.
You're quite welcome, Debbie! I'm certain PS is very different from PSP. PS is more professional with different options and different ways of doing things. When I used to read tutorials, I'd have to think of ways to do various things in PSP in order to get the same result. As I said, lots of trial and error! lol At the same time, I'm also sure some things are virtually identical. There are a slew of PS brushes on the internet. I used to use brushes often when I made desktop wallpapers, especially outer-space brushes for Star Wars wallpapers.
When you go to play with the brushes later, you can use any material for it: solid colors, papers from a kit, gradients, existing PS patterns.
Have fun!
Thanks for the brushes. I haven't done much with brushes yet, but I hope to find time to play around with them soon!
You're welcome, Kathryn!
I've been working on a new kit today. I recall a few people, who live in the southern hemisphere, mentioning that since the seasons are opposite, they rarely get seasonal kits when, for instance, it's autumn for them. So, I decided to create an autumn kit before winter hits the southern hemisphere next month.
It should be posted tomorrow afternoon/evening (eastern U.S. time).
Can't wait to see it!!!
I just wanted to say I love all your designs! Thanks so much for sharing!
@Nina I'm putting the finishing touches on it right now.
Thank you very much, Arlene! And you're welcome!
And here is the autumn kit I promised yesterday. It's all in one zip file. I even ventured into making some word strips and three journal cards. I didn't know journal card dimensions, so I looked at Melo's May BT journal cards, but there were two sizes. lol I ended up going with the bigger one: 6X4in / 1800X1200px.
Dropbox
Thank you for the Fall Back Kit. It looks so much fun. I love the papers in set one, the wordstrips, and the acorn!
Vidia I am loving these, generously shared, kits and elements! Thank you so much! You have a wonderful sense of style! ~M x
Very Pretty Vidia. I love the flair buttons too. I recognize the papers you used in a layout. This kit will be nice come fall...
Love the new kit, Vidia! Thanks!
Thank you all so very much! I greatly appreciate all of your kind comments.
You ladies are awesome!
@Nina Yeah, I used the kit for the "Bad Photo" Layout Challenge. lol
I'm considering doing a Memorial Day kit. If I do it, though, it will be geared toward the true meaning of the holiday, not the commercialized version (an excuse to party and BBQ all weekend) that it has turned in to nowadays.
Vidia, there are a few common sizes for journal cards, but the two most common are 4" high x 3" wide and 6" wide by 4" tall. Since we work at 300 dpi, if you multiply 4x300, you get 1200 pixels high for each; the 3" wide ones end up 900px wide and the 6" ones end up being 1800px. You can also do 2x2, 3x3, and 4x4, as well as a 2x4 one--just multiply the inches by 300dpi to get the pixel dimensions.
Also--WHERE did you find that damask pattern in the Fall Back papers? It's very close to the pattern of the wallpaper my mother had in the upstairs bathroom when I was little--a light blue flocked pattern on an eggshell white background. (I might have to make her a paper just to match the background of some of the makeup-and-hair photos when we were getting ready for school/work/church/dances...)
Ohhh...a memorial day kit would be 'awesome' (lol, that's you
). It is hard to find military kits anywhere...
There are some military kits here at PixelScrapper, Nina. They're not huge, but the general military one plus the navy one has been enough to start the scrapbook for my son's Navy career. Add in the right fonts and a couple of solid papers I've made, plus the extracted shots of his dress blues, cover, and the insignia he's earned so far, and it's turning into a solid book.
Vidia, I spotted a set of military vector shapes somewhere a few days ago; I'll see if I can find them and send you the link, if you can use them.
thank you for sharing all of your hard work!
Thank you! Wonderful as always!
Thanks Holly, I will have to check them out...I have a lot of pictures I can use them on!!
How adorable, thank you so much!
Nina, here's a link to Marisa's post about them: link There are links to each of them in the post.
Also, you'll know how good this one feels: I heard from my deployed son this morning. He's in port somewhere on the far side of the world for a few days, and thought to call his mom.
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