Let's get started. Don't forget to save frequently.

These are the two images we will be working with. Click on each image for a larger view and then Right click to save to your hard drive .

Part 1 by Steven G

Step 1
Open the 2 images provided in PSP.
Copy & Paste (Shift + D) both as New Images and close the originals.

Step 2
Click on the Broken Silence image to make it active.
Using the Selection Tool set to Rectangle, Feather = 0, Anti-alias checked, make a selection as shown.

Step 3
Copy (CTRL + C) the selection you just made and paste as a new layer (CTRL+L) into the Mountain Stream image.
Rename the layer "Deer"
Minimize the Broken Silence image for the time being.
Use the Deformation Tool to position and resize the deer until it looks to be the right scale, so the deer aren't out of proportion with the tree and such.

Step 4
Select the background layer and turn off the Deer layer (layer 1).
With the Lasso Tool set to point to point, anti-alias checked, trace around the bush closest to the water in the screenshot.
Try to follow the branches the best you can.

Hint from Maureen: If necessary, zoom in so you get a closer view

Go to Selections/Promote to Layer.
Name the layer "Bush".
Deselect.
Effects/Blur/Gaussian Blur - radius = 0.50
In the Layer palette, drag the Bush layer to the top.

Step 5
Make the deer layer (layer 1) visible and active.
Using the Eraser Tool choose the following settings:
Size = 19
Hardness = 0
Opacity = 100
Step = 1
Density = 100

Erase as much of the original background of Broken Silence as you can with this size brush, be careful not to erase the deer.
Lower the brush size as needed and continue erasing.

I hear you saying to yourself "does he think I'm a miracle worker!" but to tell you the truth, this isn't really hard, just time consuming. The hardest part for me (besides finding patience) is around the antlers.

Hint from Maureen
Turn off the background layer while you erase.



You should have something like this.

Step 6  (Additional step from Maureen)
To soften the blend of the deer outline with the background use the
Retouch Tool with the following settings:
Shape = round
Size = 1
Hardness = 100
Opacity = 100
Step = 25
Density = 100
Turn the background layer back on and make the deer layer active.
Use the Retouch Tool to go around the edge of the deer.

Part 2 by Lady Willow

Step 7 - Cloning an image
We are going to explore another method of adding new images
to our picture.
Open a new raster layer and name it Clone
Open your cloning brush and use the following settings:
Shape = round
Size = 76
Hardness = 36
Opacity = 100
Step = 25
Density = 100

Now we are going to begin to build up our new picture.

Step 8
Restore the Broken Silence image (this is the source picture)

Right click on the area in the source picture that you wish to transpose
to your composite image.

You will have to experiment to find just the right point
I chose to right click in the top right hand corner of the green bows

Now the creative fun begins!

Select a spot in your composite
picture and left click.
Using a drop, drag motion, lay down a small cloned image.
Continue to do this, building up your picture with additional areas
from your source picture .

Step 9
You may find that you develop sharp lines as you clone.
Using your retouch tool at the following settings, simply smooth them out
as you go along.
Shape = round
Size = 19
Hardness = 28
Opacity = 85
Step = 25
Density = 75

I did promise you fun...the one problem will be knowing when to stop!
I added another tree in the foreground and a number of small bushes to add to the feeling of a winter snow scene.
This is a terrific technique which can be used for so many things.

Hints from Maureen
If you have trouble cloning the tree trunk, copy a selection from the
Broken Silence graphic following
Steven's instructions in Step 2.

Paste as a new layer into your
composite picture
Image/Mirror
Move the selection into position on the right of the picture.

Use the top of the tree trunk with
Willow's cloning instructions and clone down over the neck and antlers of the deer.

I changed the size of the Clone Brush back to 16 to do this.

I also find it easier to hold down the Shift key & Left click to select the source area rather than using the Right click.
Release the Shift to copy.

Step 10
Now we will add some Morning
Sunshine to give our image a glow.

Effects/Illumination Effects/Sunburst using these settings.

Save As Morning Sun if you would like to use these settings again

Step 11
Next we'll add some borders.

Use the Eye Dropper to select a pale color from the sky for your background color.  (we've used #8EA8CB)

Image/Add Borders, Symmetric, 5 pixels.




Select the border using the Magic Wand (Tolerance 0, Feather 0)

Effects/3D Effects/Inner Bevel using these settings.

Your image should now look like this.

Step 12
Change your background color to white.
Add another border 25 pixels wide.
Select the border with the Magic Wand.
In the Styles Palette, click the foreground arrow  and select Gradient fill.
Click on the Gradient fill box and choose Metallic, with the these settings.

Flood fill your border with the
gradient fill.

Do not deselect.

Step 14
Effects/Texture Effects/Mosaic
Antique with the following settings

Almost finished now!

Add another 5 pixel border using the same settings as before.
Color #8EA8CB
Select the border with the Magic Wand.
Apply the same inner bevel settings as before.
Resize your image to 60% of the original.
Effects/Sharpen/Sharpen.
Save your file