Very easy tutorial today. First part is a simple method I use on bases to make them a little more interesting. :)
Program: PSP9
Level: Easy
Go from
to 
or for something a big more fancified 
1)I started out with this screencap. Not the best of quality but it will work. Cropped and resized it. I didnt sharpen the cap because its very fuzzy and I find that sharpening it would make it look icky. If however you feel that it needs to be sharpened just a bit here is a trick that I do: Duplicate the base and sharpen the top layer then adjust the opacity so the effect isnt so pronounced.
2)Duplicate the base>set new layer to overlay
3)Create new layer>fill with a tannish color>set to multiply 100%
4)Create new layer>fill with a dark blue>set to exclusion 100%
5)Duplicate the base>drag to teh top>set this layer to hard light>merge all
**And viola! I snazy base you can work with with vibrant colors**
Continuation
6)Use this brush by
whizzicons ... this brush was used by 
grrliz in her last tutorial and I just feel in love with it.
7)Use this gradient>set to multiply 100%
8)Duplicate base>drag to top> set to overlay
9)I used this brush twice. First horizontal, then vertical to outline the bottom and right hand side of the icon to give it a bit of depth. Add a boarder of your choice!
Program: PSP9
Level: Easy
Go from
to or for something a big more fancified 1)I started out with this screencap. Not the best of quality but it will work. Cropped and resized it. I didnt sharpen the cap because its very fuzzy and I find that sharpening it would make it look icky. If however you feel that it needs to be sharpened just a bit here is a trick that I do: Duplicate the base and sharpen the top layer then adjust the opacity so the effect isnt so pronounced.
2)Duplicate the base>set new layer to overlay
3)Create new layer>fill with a tannish color>set to multiply 100%
4)Create new layer>fill with a dark blue>set to exclusion 100%
5)Duplicate the base>drag to teh top>set this layer to hard light>merge all
**And viola! I snazy base you can work with with vibrant colors**
Continuation
6)Use this brush by
whizzicons ... this brush was used by grrliz in her last tutorial and I just feel in love with it.7)Use this gradient>set to multiply 100%
8)Duplicate base>drag to top> set to overlay
9)I used this brush twice. First horizontal, then vertical to outline the bottom and right hand side of the icon to give it a bit of depth. Add a boarder of your choice!