First, open Photoshop and create a new document. You can make your dimensions any size you'd like, but be sure to make it wider than it is tall. For now, leave the background white and the color mode as RGB. Once the new document comes up, click on the foreground and background color swatches to change the colors, since we're going to use a gradient. For the foreground color, I used hexadecimal #4E0001 and for the background color, I used hexadecimal #BE0000.
Go to the Tools panel on the left hand side of the workspace and click on the gradient tool. If you don't see the gradient tool, it may be hidden under the paint bucket tool; if this is the case, click on the small black arrow at the corner of the paint bucket tool for the gradient tool. If the gradient preview bar at the top shows black and white instead of the colors you chose, click on the black arrow next to it and choose the right one. Make sure the Reverse checkbox is not selected, and then choose the radial gradient from the small icon next to the gradient preview bar.
Drag the gradient down from a point near the upper middle of the document (or anywhere you'd like). Once you've done this, select the brush tool from the Tools panel. Next to the brush tip preview at the top, click on the black arrow for a list of options. Turn the hardness down to 0% to give it a soft, fuzzier feel around the edges and choose a brush tip around 17 to 27 px. Change the mode to color dodge.
Next, go to the top bar and click on Window, then make sure the Brushes window is selected so you can further customize your brush tip and behavior. It should pop up on the right side of the screen. Once you see the window, make sure Brush Tip Shape is highlighted, then make sure the hardness is 0% and change the spacing to something around 500% or 550%. This will give your brush more space between scattered dots.
Click on Scattering - this will let you draw a series of dots with each brush stroke. Make sure to change the amount of scatter; I've changed mine to around 950%. Also make sure to change the Count Jitter value (I've chosen 99%).
Drag the brush tool in curly cue motions around the canvas to keep the lines from looking too uniform. You want them to appear more spread out and random. Doing this combined with using the color dodge mode will give it a more "sparkling" effect. Once you're satisfied with the way it looks, click on the arrow next to the brush tip again to choose a slightly larger brush. This time, I've gone with one that's 45 px. You'll have to redo the brush tip shape and scatter settings like we've gone through in the previous steps. Once that's done, just drag the brush in the same curly cue motion.
I wanted to add some embellishment to the card, so I looked for free floral brushes. I found this set of floral brushes and downloaded it. Then I went through the brushes until I found ones I wanted to use for the corners. When you download your set of brushes, you might have to change the size and play with some of the brush settings in the brushes window.
Using a couple of different floral brushes, move the brush tool over the corners of the document. Just do a couple of single clicks and a few drags (if you still have scattering enabled) until you get it right. If you aren't sure about the effect you're going for, it's a good idea to draw on a separate layer (and to make a separate layer, click Layer at the top bar then New then Layer).
Next, we're going to add some text. Click on the text tool in the Tools panel and choose a font, font color, and font size. I've chosen to use a free font I downloaded called New Garden in 200 pt white. Drag a text box out where you want your text (and you can always use the move tool to change it later).
Once you're satisfied with the placement of your text, navigate to the bottom of the Layers panel and click on the fx. Then, click on Blending Options.
I wanted to add a candy-cane like effect to my lettering, so I started playing with the settings. The best way to get the effect you want is to play with the settings and try different things. First, I decided to add a drop shadow to make my text stand out more. I changed the distance to 10 px to bring it farther from the lettering and changed the contour to Rolling Slope - Descending. That way, it gave my lettering more dimension.
Next, we're going to add a bevel and emboss effect to made the letters look more rounded. Click on Bevel and Emboss and then change the contour setting to Ring - Double. Also change the shadow color by clicking the color swatch and then using the eyedropper tool to select a color from the canvas.
I wasn't satisfied with the way it looked, so I decided to play with the contour some more. You can edit the way the shadows and highlights fall by clicking on the contour icon in the box. Move the curves around until you're happy with the way it looks.
We're almost done, but I wanted to add some sparkle brush effects to the lettering. Just in case I didn't like the placement and wanted to do some erasing, I created a new layer by going to the top bar and clicking Layer then new then Layer.
Next, I went through the brush tips I'd downloaded in the brushes window until I found the 15 px star-shaped sparkle one. I changed the size to 27 px so it would be more noticeable.
Click a few times in different places on the lettering. Don't put an effect on each letter, though, as this will lessen its impact. Click in two or three places either high or low on the letters.
Creating your own custom holiday cards is easy once you get the hang of it. You'll soon find that it's fun to do - and your friends and family will love it too. So save money and put a warm, personal touch on your cards this season.
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