Skip to main content
davescm
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 2, 2026
Question

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

  • January 2, 2026
  • 44 replies
  • 5703 views

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.

SFTW257_Horseshoe.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.

44 replies

January 6, 2026

Shoot! This is me. I posted from my work account and can't figure out how to delete it... screenshot proof!Screenshot 2026-01-06 at 11.37.38 AM.png

– Kat
davescm
Community Expert
davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
Community Expert
January 6, 2026

Hi Kate,
I'll remove it for you - can you post again under your own account 🙂
Dave

January 6, 2026

Thank you!

– Kat
CORCTON34033231
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 6, 2026

Magic!!

 
 

1767677329282-t2vtu0.png

 

creative explorer
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 6, 2026

CORCTON  Like Stargate!

creativeexplorer_0-1767681540327.png

 

m
Participating Frequently
January 5, 2026

Nothing terribly creative. But this is my horse who passed away in 2023. Miss her every day!

 

Nothing terribly creative here. But this is my horse who passed away in 2023. Miss her every day! 

Jacob Bugge
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 6, 2026

A really creative frame, critter; and such sorrowing lasts.

 

Inspiring
January 5, 2026

This was a fun one.

 

Firefly_Gemini Flash.png

davescm
Community Expert
davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
Community Expert
January 6, 2026

Ah the leprechauns and their pot of gold. A clever use of the horeshoe, Michele. 🙂
Dave

Mike_Gondek10189183
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 5, 2026

SFTW257_Horseshoe.jpg

davescm
Community Expert
davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
Community Expert
January 6, 2026

Very festive, Mike, and a nice transformation from iron to gold! 🙂
Dave 

daniellei4510
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 5, 2026

Prompt: Use this image as the mouth of a garden gnome, out of which flows a serene river. The gnome is sleeping. In the background is a beautiful landscape.

gnome.png

Adobe Community Expert | If you aren't submitting your assets in sRGB, you probably didn't read the rules.
Community Expert
January 5, 2026

This is super cool. 

 

jane-e
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 5, 2026

 

SFTW257_Horseshoe JE.jpg

Thanks for another fun weekend, Dave! Your horseshoe is beautiful!

 

Jane

 

 

davescm
Community Expert
davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
Community Expert
January 6, 2026

Thank you Jane, that's a nice candle stick you have created. 🙂
Dave

Jacob Bugge
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 4, 2026

Here are some sketches of farrier work done on the horseshoes kindly given by Dave, the fore (front) shoe already shown, and the corresponding hind shoe, forging to fit them to the near (left) hooves of the fine horse that saw the Horseshoe Rock, hind hoof at the top and fore hoof at the bottom.

 

For each of them, first the shape of the shoes from Dave, then the shape forged to fit, then placed, and last the unshod hoof.

 

The shapes of the far (right) hooves are almost mirrored, but not quite.

 

 

Click to get closer, Click again to get closer still

davescm
Community Expert
davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
Community Expert
January 6, 2026

Until I modelled the shoe in the starter image, which meant looking at reference images, I did not realise there was a difference between front and rear shoes. 🙂
Dave

Christelle RD
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 4, 2026

Horseshoe, lavender, and the number 13 are the three symbols of luck in this artwork. In Provençal culture in the south of France, lavender is a symbol of luck and purity. In a springtime style, I added:

  • Cornflower: hope
  • Forget-me-not: love, childlike spirit
  • Bee: prosperity and harmony

Best wishes for 2026!

 

STFW_Luck.jpg

davescm
Community Expert
davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
Community Expert
January 6, 2026

It's interesting that the number 13 is considered lucky by some and unlucky by others. It is not uncommon for number 13 to be missing in a street of houses here in the UK.
Very nice image, Christelle!
Dave

Christelle RD
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 6, 2026

Thanks Dave! 
Yes, the number 13 does not leave people indifferent, in one way or another.

Greg_S.
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 4, 2026

Pot Luck!

 

SFTW-257 Pot Luck.jpg

davescm
Community Expert
davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
Community Expert
January 6, 2026

Haha, a clever idea Greg! 🙂
Dave