Four ATCs And A Card

I was in the mood to do some more ATCs this past weekend so I got four done; all made twice as each of these will be sent out to my ATC Swap Group.

This first one started out with Tim Holtz' Distress Inks (Rusty Hinge and Walnut Stain) with some edging in Walnut Stain as well. I used his stamps on this one too - an old architectural design that reminds me of a ledge, so I perched a family of crows on the ledge and added some grommets for interest. The word "Family" is stenciled on using black paint. 

The second one was created using all acrylics; this time I just finger-painted green and yellow in swipes across the card. Then I used a stencil (made from a punched plastic ribbon) to create the white layer of circles. I stamped the swirls with another Tim Holtz stamp and used a piece of ribbon from my stash to add some bling - hard to see here, but the ribbon has some glitter in it. I then stenciled on the word using black paint. This card has so much texture; it is fun to touch!

All that painting gave me an idea to simply paint a card... so I used Tim's Broken China and Pine Needles Distress Inks to paint a background first. Then I stamped an image of a seascape over top. I went over the stamp with a black pen and added white acrylic paint for the clouds and whitecaps. This was so much fun; I know I am going to do this again...

The last card I created was a simple stamp and ink card; I used Tim's Spun Sugar and Worn Lipstick then stamped his images over top. I love watching the way the inks interact with a water spritz; you get a different effect every time!

My last project was to create another birthday card for a co-worker. I enjoy this technique; embossing with white on a grey card then colouring in with a black pen. Effective and she loved it!

Oh Yes She Is

In response to this week's challenge to create a "Diva" card at:

I made an "Andy Warhol" - style quartet of ATCs:

This is Tawnee, a Ragdoll -- our youngest feline; a true "Diva" if there ever was one.  When she graces me with her presence, it's usually by tucking herself in beside me in my favorite chair. And heaven forbid if I should stop patting her while she's there; if I try, she vocalizes her displeasure immediately.

But those beautiful blue eyes always seem to get their way...

These cards started out with a printed image layered with a sentiment I found online. I used Tim Holtz Distress Inks to colour each in. Copics were used to colour the crowns and her blue eyes. I added Glossy Accents on her eyes as well. A final touch of Star Dust Stickles was added to the border of each card.

That was fun!

Tim Holtz ATCs

Over the weekend I finally did something I have been wanting to do for awhile... buy some Tim Holtz stamps! I already had a few Distress inks, Mini Misters, alcohol inks and some stickers, but I have been eying his stamp sets for some time so I got out a my 40% coupons and shopped at Michael's a few times to pick up three sets! I also bought about a dozen more Distress ink pads and embellies that were on sale, so I had a rather "Holtz weekend" ;)

The first thing I wanted to try was his dye ink "watercolour" effect using his Distress inks. So I created this ATC with two of his stamps (the bird and saying). The birdcage is from another set (can't remember which one!). I made two of these, again one to trade. I just LOVE the way the ink creates such interesting designs.

I wanted to complete these next three ATCs before the deadline for Metallics is over at Fun With ATCs this week:

I played around with the idea of using wire underneath a foil layer, so I made three one-of-a-kind ATCs (I'm keeping these ;) - no doubles this time since I was really just playing around). I  just bent some craft wire into interesting shapes, laid it on the ATC, brushed on some watered-down glue and laid crumpled foil over top. I then used my finger and a pencil eraser to emboss the foil, careful not to tear it.

I coloured them with Tim's alcohol inks and added a few of his charms (the heart, bird and star) too. They had the charms on for a ridiculously low price at Michael's, so I bought all four sets that were hanging there!  I attached them with either ribbons or by using his Glossy Accents glue... I tell you, that stuff works great and fast! I am so glad I saw him use it on one of his teaching videos. It even attached that butterfly charm that I bent so the wings would stick up on either side; I simply glued the body part to the ATC.

Worked "like a charm"! Ha!!!

Metallic ATC

While learning all I could about Artist Trading Cards online, I came across the "Fun With ATCs" blog that features different challenges each week. Anyone can participate, and they have some great design team members who create awesome ATC samples to inspire.

Even though it is in German (I think!), they also post in English.

Since I stumbled across their site, I have wanted to join in... so here is my first submission for this week's challenge: Metal

I knew just the material to begin with. While at a thrift store a few weeks back, I picked up a bag of craft supplies that had some lovely lace in it. To my surprise, it also had hundreds of sheets of round metallic papers in both gold and silver used to wrap bridal cake for wedding favors! So I tore a gold sheet into two rectangular shapes and mounted these on black cardstock, edged with gold ink. I then pulled some sequin ribbon from my stash and taped it to this before attaching to my ATC card. A gold and black button was threaded with black satin ribbon and attached with a tag with a small bird embossed in gold glitter. I used a Spellbinder's die to cut it out. The sentiment is white embossed on black cardstock and cut freehand.

As usual, I made two of these at once (I always do this!); one to keep and one to trade.

My ATC trading stash is steadily growing...

Titanic ATCs

Obviously influenced by watching specials all week...

As usual, I made two of each; one to keep and one to trade.

The first features a scan of a Titanic playing card from a set I bought at the Titanic Artifacts Exhibition last year. I ripped and inked a scan of a dictionary page... "Sink". Three brads represent the more than 3 million rivets used to hold the great ship together.

The second card is "Tragic"... again, two images scanned from my playing card set, cut out and the newsboy is popped up on foam dimensionals for even more impact.

The last card is a compilation of images from my Titanic ephemera, along with a dictionary page on "Titanic". Appropriate.

I was going to add more to these, but I think they speak volumes as they are.

More ATCs

It is so much fun to make these small pieces, I have already made the three I will trade in May!

The black and white one is just a doodle I made. One day I did a whole slew of them; I'll probably trade 1 each per month. The second is Pinky, torn from a metal Victorian frame I plan to use for another image. But I didn't want to throw her away, so I used her on an ATC along with a sheer ribbon, pink jewel and "Love" sentiment. The last ATC is made from an old Bingo card and matching bingo marker. "Lucky" was stamped and threaded with some blue fiber and an old moth image popped up on foam.

At this rate, I am going to have all my cards ready for trading straight through to August in no time at all!

I think I may need to find another trading group...

3 New ATCs

Here are my newest ATCs all ready to trade in April... yep, for ONCE I am ahead of the game! These are so easy and fun to do; when I am in the mood I can make a few on the same day.

The first one is simply different coloured cardstock taped together on the back and run through a Cuttlebug. Easy peasy, but a nice effect.

The second is made up of different vintage inspired papers inked and torn.  I thought the wool tie was more fitting instead of a ribbon. The butterfly embellie is from K&Co.

The third card is another white embossed / inked card. Another simple one with a piece of ribbon from my stash pierced by a flat brad.

March ATCs

Here are some of my first ATCs. If you don't know, ATC stands for Artist Trading Cards. (Instead of going into the whole history of ATCs here, you'll find a lot of information online, including YouTube videos). The first time I ever tried my hand at these was last fall when I entered a Christmas ATC swap and made 26 of the same reindeer card.

Recently, I joined an online ATC swap where you are asked to make three ATCs and send them to the same person. Each month the person you send to changes, for six months total. Of course, you receive 18 ATCs in return after the six months are up.

I made these three for March: two of each design: one set I kept and one set was sent in the mail.

On  the first one I did a white embossed bird cage stamp, then I rubbed some Tim Holtz distressed inks for the background. I added another stamp of the bird on top. The text is a clear sticker. The feather is real and I added a ribbon layered with glittered ScorTape to hold it in place.

The second card started out with two scans; I scanned and printed a dictionary page then tore and inked it to make it look old. Then I scanned my antique watch faces and cut one out, using my Cropadile to punch out the center and added a grommet. The sentiment is done with a set of Making Memories letter stamps, held onto the card using a small paper clip. A small length of lace was also added.

The third card is a paper napkin! I love this image so I tore it apart and watered down some white glue to seal it on the card. I added a "happiness" stamp on the left side and a bit of bling with a self-adhesive jewel on the bottom.

These cards are great fun to make; now I need to get started on what I am going to do for April!