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Christmas Star Decoration

Designing

Step 1

Firstly we need to create a new document – File > New, the size is 600 pixels wide and 420 pixels high. Fill the background with a radial gradient using the gradient tool. The two green colours I have used are #86a722 and #2d380d.

Step 2

Create a new layer and select the custom shape tool from the tool box (under the rectangle tool – left click and hold to see). Go to the list of shapes and choose a star shaped one and set the colour to white. Make the star shape in the middle of the document.

Step 3

Apply the following layer styles to the star. To access the layer styles window right click the layer in the layers window and go blending options.

Result:

Step 4

Now we are going to be applying a shine effect to our star, so create another new layer and select the area of the star (Ctrl + Click layer’s icon).

Go Select > Modify > Contract by 3 pixels.

Select the gradient tool and set it to linear and white to transparent. Fill the selection with this gradient so you have something like this.

Lower the opacity to 75%.

Step 5

As a finishing touch we are going to be adding a starburst effect in the background so create a new layer above the background layer and make a shape using the ‘registration target 2’ shape so that you can’t see the outside of it.

Set the blend mode to Overlay and the opacity to 10% and you are complete.