Create Fancy Text in Photoshop

I found a tool in Photoshop to make really fancy text that I didn't even know existed.
Of course I've tried fancy fonts and have downloaded fonts that were fancy. But I like fonts that have the first letter as big and almost gaudy as possible. It reminds me of my old story books where the O in Once upon a time is big and beautiful!
Here is what you need to do.
First let me tell you that not all fonts work for this. I'm using "Bickham Script" in my example. You'll have to see what other fonts will work if you decide to try something else. In each example, I selected and edited the F in Fancy.
In my example #1 I just used the font as it was.
In example #2 I opened the Character panel and selected the flyout menu. I clicked on OpenType and selected "Stylistic Alternates" and I got exactly the look I was hoping for!
In example #3 I removed "Stylistic Alternates" and tried "Swash".
And finally, in example #4 I turned off "Swash" went back to "Stylish Alternates" then added a drop shadow and bevel from the Layers - Layer Style menu.
I topped it off with a layer mask using the Filter - Render - Clouds to soften the effect. What a nice way to make an invitation look professional.
Finally, the font I've always dreamed of isn't just a dream any more!

Free Photoshop Brushes

Greetings fellow fun hunters!
I always love it when I have something really special to share with my Photoshop friends. Not only is it really cool, but it's completely free!
Here is a collection of some spectacular Splatter Photoshop brushes. There are more than 20 sets of splatter brushes which contain more than 300 brushes.
The collection contains almost every kind of splatter brush you will need, containing brushes like Blood splatter, line splatter, coffee stains , watercolor splattering, dirt splattering, ink splatter and more. Who knew making a mess could be so much fun!

After downloading the file here is how to load the brushes:

1. Click on the flyout menu in the brush menu
2. Select load brushes and find the file you just downloaded

I have absolutely no artistic talent yet I found I could create interesting art by splattering color on a new blank canvas in Photoshop with these brushes. Enjoy this collection of the brushes and start creating your own art.
With this much fun, there goes the afternoon!
http://www.smashapps.org/2009/07/photoshop-splatter-brushes.html