This is a timeline tutorial. But you could easily
convert to a forum style tag.

This tutorial was written
by Sarah Fiack on
January 12th, 2014
Any resemblance to another
tutorial is purely coincidental.
I am using 1 tube by Cris DeLara
which you can purchase at
TPP

No scrapkit needed.

Dingbat font of choice.
I used the font KR All Sport

Plugins:
Muras Meister Copies
VM Natural -Acid Rain
VM Stylize- Motion Trail
Toadies -Glasswork Gray
UnPlugged Tools -REM Lotus


Open a timeline size image.The size
for this is 851x315.Open your tube
of choice.

Fill with a dark color from your tube.
For mine I am using black.

Select your ellipse preset shape tool.
Make sure the circle shape is selected
on the settings.

On your Materials palette,
X out the stroke box as we don't
need it at the moment.
Select a color from the tube for
your fill box. I am using red.

Draw out a smallish circle
on your image. Convert to
raster.

Apply the plugin effect
Muras Meister Copies.
Tiling Angle. Change tile gap
to 2 for this.
Click Okay.

Change the color on your
materials palette for the
fill. I am using a light
purple.

Draw out a large
circle to take up most
of the center of the timeline.
Objects - align -center in canvas.
Convert to raster.

VM Natural Plugin
Acid Rain -default settings

VM Stylize Motion Trail
default settings

Duplicate the circle layer
once. Make sure the
copy layer is selected in your
layer palette.

Apply the plugin Toadies
Glasswork Gray - default settings. Click Apply.
Resize this layer 75%.
Merge the two circles together.

Plugin UnPlugged Tools
REM Lotus -default
Round button -default

Take your tube & paste onto
the circle image you've been
working on.
Resize the tube 60%.

Go to effects - 3d effects-cutout
default settings. Make sure both
colors are set to black. Click okay.

Paste your tube again. Resize 65%.
Position on the left side of the circle.
You want it partly over the circle
and partly off it.

Add a drop shadow to the 2nd
tube layer and the large circle layer.
2,2,50,5 black.

Now click on the multiple
circle layer of the timeline.

Select your font tool and a
font of choice. I am using a sports
dingbat font.

On your Materials palette, select
the fill box to a white or similar color.
Also make sure stroke is set at 0.0
on font settings. Font size to 14 or
as wanted.

For the dingbat I wanted, I did
a Capital E to get bowling icon.
Enlarge if needed. Convert to raster.
Do an icon on each side of the main circle.
Merge the two icons together.
Change the blend mode in your layer
palette to soft light.

Select your rectangle preset shape
tool. Change the fill box on materials to
black. Make sure the rectangle shape is
selected.

Draw out two rectangles on the upper
right side of the timeline. Make one
wider and slightly longer than the
other one. Convert to raster &
merge the two layers together.

Select your font tool.
Choose the white color again.
Select a font you like for your tag.
Add a word per rectangle which fit
yours. I am using Bowling & Strike
for mine.

Merge layers visible.
Add a new raster layer.
Fill with color of choice
from your tag. This is for
the border.

Click the layer with your
magic wand tool.
Selections -contract by 4.Press
delete button on your keyboard.
Select none.

Add artist copyright for the
company timelines. Some companies
vary on their timeline rules.
Make sure to add a name as well.
Save as png or jpeg.
Thanks for trying my tutorial.