Does anyone have a good cheat sheet on what levels to use for drop shadows? I'm looking for something for paper, buttons, 3D flowers, etc -- I know to fuss with them for each individual object, but it'd be really nice to have someplace to start!
I use PSE 12, fwiw.
Thanks much!
I use PS CS5 Extended, but the settings will be very similar to your PSE. Anyway, I personally like to keep my "distance" between 5-10 and the "size" between 10-15. I usually go by a rule of thumb (my thumb
) that you add 5-10px in "size" than you have in "distance". So if you want to go 25px in distance, than a good number for size would be 30-35. I usually keep the other settings at default unless I'm doing something special. Hope this helps. 
I really think that shadows are a matter of personal preference (how I like buttons or frames shadowed my not be how you like them - I have even noticed that my preferences change from layout to layout and even element to element.). However there are some great shadow style kits here at DigitalScrapbook.com:
by Sheila
by Elif
I have some plugins for the shadows as the photoshop shadows are too limited in terms of choice. Lots of people just copy the layer they want to shadow and then fill it with black and hand (gaussian) blurr and hand transparent the new black layer and then adjust it. I find this technique too time consuming, really. Eyecandy is a good choice as far as shadows go. If you want to invest 12 dollars you can get the elements+ scripts , they boost your PSE12 to the level of CS6. Great bang for the buck.
Kaleena,
I love the shadow styles by Sheila and Elif that you have featured here and use them all the time. They are invaluable and save SO much time! I highly recommend them.
These shadow styles look fantastic! Thanks Kaleena, I will give them a try.