Wanting to learn some WOW Photoshop effects

[GeelongSally]

I have been using Photoshop CS5 for awhile now but am just very basic with my abilities. I have also started a Photography Course to learn to use my new camera & of course they set assignments for completion.
I own a copy of "The Photoshop CS3 CS4 WOW Book" by Linnea Dayton & Cristen Gillespie. I've spent days trying to reproduce an exercise on Page 280, to make a pastel image from a bright bunch of flowers, by using the Patch Tool Vignettes technique. I follow the steps exactly as listed, but it doesn't achieve the desired effect. This is probably because the instructions are for an earlier version of Photoshop & not my CS5.
If anyone has played around with this technique in CS5, I would love to hear from you, but you will need to be explicit and not assume that I'm a proficient user.

Hoping someone can assist

[kiwicolin]

Without posting an image of the final result, I have no idea what technique you are attempting

[GeelongSally]

Thanks so much for your reply. I will attempt to add a photo here & cross my fingers it works.

[kiwicolin]

Do you have an image of your result?

[GeelongSally]

Hi Colin,
I had another go at this task & this time I did at least get the 2 layers to blend together. I think I was trying to use too large a selection before. I will include my first attempt here. Now I will try this with a few other photos until I get one I'm really happy with. I've been having a good look around your website & I love it. I see I could learn a lot in here & maybe I can save up & buy a tutorial or two. I see you have coupled tutorials for Photoshop CS6 & Lightroom 4 together but I'd be more interested in in getting Photoshop CS5 & Lightroom 3. Do you have these as a package too? As I live in Australia, I would only want to download. Please find my attempt at the above technique below:

[kiwicolin]

I think its all about the size of the feather.

Yes, we do offer the CS5 and LR3 bundle. Contact me to set it up