Interlaced Scrolls

by Maureen Williams

This basic tutorial uses selections to create an image suitable for a solid, cut-out or carved egg. The tutorial uses layers for each selection so you can easily change any of the attributes as desired.

The scroll and shape parts of the design came from portion of a stained glass pattern, which I scanned into the computer and added the oval border to. I then used the Lasso tool to outline the scroll and shape areas and saved them as selections.

For an uncut egg the design could be outlined with fine gold cord and the areas then filled with glitter, glass paint or imitation enamel. For a filigree cut egg the white areas inside the large oval could be cut out.

The aim of the tutorial is to teach you how to combine and interlace shapes to create your own designs.

You will need:
 PSP - you can download the trial version here
My selection file which you can download here.

 I would suggest you create a folder for your EggersPSP tutorials with a sub-folder for each tutorial. Create a new sub-folder and unzip the selections into this folder.

Don't forget to save frequently as you work.

Step 1
Open a new  image 235 x 375 with a transparent background.
Rename this layer background.

Step 2
Go to Selections, Load from Disk and locate the selections.
Select 0103-01-oval.sel and click Load.

Step 3
Note: when selecting your colours, choose a lighter version of what you would like the finished egg to be and this diagram can then be used as a marking diagram and glued onto the egg.
Select a foreground colour of your choice and black for the background. 
Click on the paint tin icon and flood fill the oval with black. Do not deselect.

Step 4
Go to Selections, Modify, Contract and enter 1 in the number of pixels box. Click OK. Do not deselect. Flood fill with the foreground colour. You should now have a black outline around the outside. 

Go to Selections, Modify, Contract and enter 24 pixels. Click OK.

Step 5
In the Layer Palette create a new layer by clicking on the Create Layer icon. Name this layer "inner oval". Ensure the inner oval layer is active and flood fill the oval with black. Do not deselect.

Step 6
Go to Selections, Modify, Contract and enter 1 in the number of pixels box. Click OK. Do not deselect. Change the background colour to white and flood fill the inner oval. Save your file.

Step 7
Create a new layer named "left top scroll"  Load the selection 0103-02-scroll.sel from the file.
  Flood fill the scroll using a different colour.

Step 8
 In the Layer palette (with the scroll layer still selected) Right click on the top left scroll layer
  and select Duplicate. Deselect.

Step 9
Click on the copy of left top scroll layer. Go to Image/Flip. Your image should look like this.

Step 10
Turn off the background and inner oval layers by clicking on the eye glasses in the Layer Palette. Right click on one of the scroll layers and Merge Visible. Right Click on the merged layer, Duplicate and then go to Image, Mirror. Right Click again and Merge Visible. Right Click once more and Rename the layer "scrolls". Save your file. 

Step 11
Create a new layer and load the 0103-03-shape.sel.. Flood fill with a different colour. Deselect. 

Step 12
In the Layer palette (with the top left shape layer selected) Right click and select Duplicate. 
  Go to Image, Flip. Turn off the background, inner oval and scrolls layers.
  Right click on one of the shape layers and Merge Visible.

Right click on the merged layer and Duplicate. Go to Image, Mirror. Right click again and Merge Visible.
  Right Click once more and Rename "shapes". Open all the layers and save your file.

Step 13
Create a new layer and name it "small oval". Load 0103-04-smloval.sel.  
Flood fill with colour of your choice. Deselect and save the file.

Step 14
The final step in our design is to interlace the ovals  and the angular shapes. 
To do that we need to click on the Zoom tool to enlarge the image in our work space.

Step 15
In the Layer palette click on the shapes layer to make it active. 
  Lower the opacity by moving the slider bar left until you are able to see the scroll faintly under the shape.

Step 16
Select the Lasso tool set to Point to Point, Antialias checked. Ensure the shapes layer is active and carefully outline the area where the shape crosses the scroll. Hit Delete to remove the section of the shape and expose the scroll.
Note: this step could also be done using the Eraser  to remove the unwanted area.

Step 17
Repeat this procedure for the remaining 3 shape areas. When you have finished, increase the opacity back to 100 by sliding the bar to the right hand side. Clean up any unwanted areas using the eraser tool.. Save your file.

Step 18
I have left the image larger than required to make it easier to work on.  Now we have completed our design the image can be resized to fit whatever size egg you are working on. Go to Image, Resize. In the Actual / print size enter the required finished height for your egg..

Step 19
Print the image and check the printout is the required size - if not go back to  Step 18 and amend. 

Marking the Egg

If you are a new egger I would suggest you try using only one image.
  However, if you want a bit more of a challenge use the Multiple Print function in 
PSP to copy off as many copies of the image as you want.

Step 1
Divide the egg into 4 and mark in a centre girth line.

Step 2
Cut out the marking diagram, removing the white areas inside the oval. 
Do not cut through where the scrolls and the shapes touch the oval.

Step 3
Glue the marking diagram onto the shell using thin white glue.
  Align the scrolls (indicated by the dotted lines) with the lines marked on the shell. 
Press the scrolls and the points of the shapes into place on the egg. 
This will leave the oval raised either side of the shapes. 
Use a pair of small scissors to cut through the oval portion of the marking diagram and 
overlap the paper where necessary to maintain the oval shape.

NOTE: If you prefer you could use the printout as a template to mark the egg. 
Slip a piece of graphite paper under the image and use a sharp object to trace around the outlines, thus transferring the markings onto the shell.

DESIGN VARIATIONS

If you wish to cut the egg, use the paper as a guide, removing the shell
  between the oval,  scrolls and shapes. 
The paper will help to strengthen the shell while you cut the egg. 
Soak the shell in straight bleach to remove the paper and the membrane. 
Once you have painted the egg remark the outer oval measuring the width
  of the oval  from the inner edge.

If using the pattern for an uncut design (e.g.on a trinket box lid), 
cord the edge of the design using a fine gold cord. 
Make sure you cord the scrolls over the shapes so it looks as if the  pattern is interlaced.

Finish the egg as desired.

Be creative with your design to make it your own creation.
 Please share your finished egg and a brief description of what you did with 
the group so others  can see what can be achieved and inspire them to also have a go.

If you have any problems with this tutorial email me.

Tutorial Created 30-12-2002