Retro style illustration

This is what we did in Digital group yesterday.  I repeated it today with my own photos. It's long winded with many layers but I enjoyed doing it.

HELP!  Could anyone familiar with Photoshop CS5 Explain to me why, when I saved this as a JPG, I lost the golden glow in the background?

Ro and I went for a walk : the colours of the autumn leaves in the sun sang!  So beautiful!

Also had a visit from the gardener.  We discussed how he could make a planter for in the corner of the garden.  So a good day.  Hopefully I'll do a bit more of our book this evening!