Is there a way to make the image itself clear (so only the surrounding color and the drop shadow are left)?

Looks as though your image links are broken.

For further reference, what OP is talking about is discussed here:

http://gimpchat.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=17716&start=0

Yes, please!!

How would I do that with lines (trying to draw perfectly horizontal/vertical lines)?

How do I place an object (line, shape, etc.) precisely in a given position (coordinates) on my canvas? (I would like to be able to make my own patterns.)

Thank you so much, Pat! I PMed you with my email address.

Thanks, Pat! I would love it if you could find those tuts. The photos I'm trying to fix are mostly too yellow or too blue. I tried a white balance on the first one and didn't like the result at all. I really wish there were an "easy button" for this. I used to have a software package that would fix ...

I've recently begun scanning older color photos from my family, many of which have faded, yellowed, or otherwise the color isn't what it was. Is there a tool, plugin, or script somewhere that will help me restore the color on these? All of the manual adjustments, curves, histograms, etc. are over my...

Welcome! Lots of fun things here!

Good idea, IMHO.