Skip to main content
davescm
Community Expert
Community Expert
Jan 2, 2026 11:34 AM UTC
Question

Something for the Weekend - Part 257 - A lucky new year!

Thank you to all who took part in our previous Christmas challenge.

We have now entered a new year and, thanks to an idea by jane-e, I thought we should create something that represents good luck for 2026. With that in mind, we start with this 'lucky' horse-shoe. what can you make with it?

 

The “rules”:

  • Use the starter image as at least part of your own image entry.
  • Anything goes, as long as it meets the forum rules on decency, copyright, etc.
  • Anyone, and everyone, is welcome to have a go, whether you are a complete beginner or a Photoshop expert. This is not just for our forum “regulars”.
  • The challenge is not limited to Photoshop. Any Adobe software can be used. 
  • There are no prizes apart from the chance to practice, show off your skills, or bring a bit of humor and fun. Don't be shy, join in and have a go!
  • The starter image is made available for you to use in this forum challenge only.

 

To download the starter image, hover over the image and click on the circle with the arrows at the top right. Then, when the image opens in its own window, right click and choose “Save Image As/Save Target As” (or similar depending on your browser). The image has a transparent background so there is no need to cut it out.

872475iF8183157FE889A45.png

 

When posting back your image — please use the blue reply button in this first post and use the 'Insert Photos' icon at the top of the reply box. If posting a comment on someone else’s entry, then please use the grey reply button next to their image post.

 

Have fun!

 

Dave.

156 replies

War Unicorn
Community Expert
Community Expert
Jan 12, 2026 12:58 AM UTC

(This is Muffin. He is part of a family of a mom and her five kittens. I had originally planned to foster him and his other two brothers (named Donut and Pumpkin) and sister (Sunshine) and keep the mother (Fluffernutter) and one of the sisters (Minerva). I found out I absolutely suck at fostering because they all managed to worm their way into my cold heart. So I adopted them all. Every one of the kittens is double-pawed, just as you see Muffin here. Front and back. Never seen anything like it.)  lol

"Muffin the Bug"

Translate
jane-e
Community Expert
Community Expert
Jan 12, 2026 1:06 AM UTC

@War Unicorn 

 

Sweet kitten and sweeter story! They will be happy in their new loving home!

 

Jane

Translate
Participant
Jan 12, 2026 12:42 AM UTC

874252i4DA6661646F5A2E8.jpg

Translate
davescm
Community Expert
davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
Community Expert
Jan 12, 2026 8:29 PM UTC

@fldavis07  Unfortunately, the forum is not showing previews of attachments. Can you post your image using the image 'widget' in the forum posting box. That way it will be embedded in your post for all to see.
Dave

Translate
JR Boulay
Community Expert
Community Expert
Jan 13, 2026 1:49 PM UTC

Done for him

Translate
Acrobate du PDF, InDesigner et Photoshopographe
Arafatproductions
Participating Frequently
Jan 11, 2026 7:21 PM UTC

873943iA974E4BA6A9A95A3.png

Translate
Trevor.Dennis
Community Expert
Community Expert
Jan 11, 2026 10:19 PM UTC

Lucky contact lenses. 

 

[Interesting fact of the day — On] I was thinking that horses have pretty big eyes, so asked Google.  Turns out they have the largest eyes of any land mammal.  Two inches!  [Interesting fact of the day — Off]

873967iA0CC0D07753501CD.png

Translate
Arafatproductions
Participating Frequently
Jan 11, 2026 7:15 PM UTC

Lucky white horse sign of peace

Translate
Trevor.Dennis
Community Expert
Community Expert
Jan 11, 2026 8:19 AM UTC

873904iD995DC7EA798A825.png

Translate
fbeaume
Community Expert
Community Expert
Jan 11, 2026 2:25 PM UTC

Love that Trevor!
2026 will rock!

Translate
AlanGilbertson
Community Expert
Community Expert
Jan 11, 2026 4:55 PM UTC

I dunno. It seems a little too conservative, to me. 😄

Translate
lambiloon
Community Expert
Community Expert
Jan 11, 2026 5:05 AM UTC

873893iC4C92AEF8E0EC305.jpg

Translate
Ali Sajjad / Graphic Design Trainer / Freelancer / Adobe Certified Professional
davescm
Community Expert
davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
Community Expert
Jan 12, 2026 8:24 PM UTC

You are lining up the title sequence for a new equine super-hero, lambiloon. Nice job! 🙂
Dave

Translate
didiermazier
Community Expert
Community Expert
Jan 10, 2026 8:14 PM UTC

873836i62022C7CB00514E1.png

No AI. Just a pexel pix and blend modes

 

Translate
davescm
Community Expert
davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
Community Expert
Jan 12, 2026 8:22 PM UTC

Worthy of a spaghetti western opening title, Didier. 🙂
Dave

Translate
Turtle.PSD
Inspiring
Jan 10, 2026 5:34 PM UTC

873823iDE3A118BF7DA32ED.jpg

 

873827i682B76B6EE83DD42.png

I was inspired by the classic snake eating itself design.

Translate
fbeaume
Community Expert
Community Expert
Jan 11, 2026 2:24 PM UTC

Great idea and well executed!

Translate
Community Expert
Jan 10, 2026 7:13 AM UTC

873769iDEDD0A2B951387A2.png

 

Translate
Trevor.Dennis
Community Expert
Community Expert
Jan 11, 2026 4:44 AM UTC

Great picture Maria, but I am not going there for my holidays.  I take it you are are a SciFi fan?  If that's right, do you have a favourite author?  Mine is Iain M Banks, who we lost a while back.  Sadly, there'll never be another Culture book, and unless his family change their minds, we won't even get a Culture inspired movie or TV series.  

Translate
EuanWilliamson
Community Expert
Community Expert
Jan 11, 2026 3:29 PM UTC

Me too 🙂

Sadly I never met the man despite having a few pints in his local. 
It's just 40 miles down the road from me. 
873925i940AE2F518BA1665.jpgHe lived in North Queensferry in the shadow of the Forth Rail Bridge.

 

Translate
Best regards, Euan.
Community Expert
Jan 9, 2026 12:42 PM UTC

873662i623F7D9B5018631F.jpg

Translate
Trevor.Dennis
Community Expert
Community Expert
Jan 11, 2026 4:47 AM UTC

Nice one Ronald.  I have been trying to think of a similar idea, perhaps using Firefly Adobe Express.  I've got 3195 credits that expire today, and I HATE wasting them. 

Translate