July ATC cards: Game Pieces, Body Parts & 'Shrooms

For July, I created three different cards. One for the first group I joined, the ATC group of Custom Impressions in Los Alamitos/ This group meets on the last Sunday of the month. And we do demos and trades with an optional theme. I also made two for a group where I trade by mail. This group is called ATCs Unleashed.

GAME PIECES
The July theme for the Custom Impressions group was game pieces. I decided to make cards that featured the game Clue (or Cluedo.) This card was a different style for me, because I used mostly images of the internet instead of stamps or scrapbook paper. I started by finding an image of the board you play on and combined it in Photoshop with an image from the Clue movie ethat showed the backs of all the suspects holding various weapons.  I printed this image at 3.5 x2.5 and it became my background for the ATC. Then I found and printed tiny game cards of the suspects, weapons & rooms from different versions of the game. I hand trimmed these and layered them with pop on to the background image so that each ATC  card had a different combo of suspect, room and weapon. On the backs, I altered the classic backs from the game and added my name and the date. They feel simpler than some of my other cards to me, but I think they are cute, fun and represent a game I have fone memories of playing.

BODY PARTS
For the ATC Unleashed group there are usually two themes. I choose to use the body parts theme for all seven of my main trades. I decided to do these in a multimedia / art journal style. (I am so obsessing on Dyan Reavely's style right now.)  So, I just HAD to use the Daddy Long Legs Dylusions stamp that I had just bought during So Cal Shop Hop.  So I had legs as the body part. For the background, I used more Dylusions with their inks, paints and stencils. I started by spraying the entire card (Strathmore multimedia paper cut to ATC size) with lemon peel yellow ink. I added lime green ink spray thru the small rectangles stencil over top; on the edges of the card I added the chocolate brown Dylusions paint with a blending tool. Over the background, I stamped a pair of stripe stocking-ed legs (in heels of course) with black Stazon ink.  I filled in any light or "bad" areas with a black pen using stripes or doodles. I  also doodled a bit on the corners.For a finishing touch, I hand wrote a quote from fashion guru Iris Aptel along the top of the leg. "Fashion can be bought, Style you possess."

'SHROOMS
The my second or bonus cards forATC Unleashed are always a free theme and only require two card to be submitted. These are sometimes the card I try new techniques or outlandish ideas for. And am adding step by step pictures. Since I was already enjoying the Dyan Reavely / Dylusions products so much m (and already had them out,) I used them again. I started the card backgrounds by spraying it with funky fuchsia and tangerine dream  inks. 

I blotted them with paper towels and let them dry a bit. I then used the Dylusions large circle stencil and sprayed plain water thru it.After letting the water sit for a few seconds, I blotted again. This created what Dyan calls ghosting, where the ink is removed where the water re-moistened it.

Then to create a very basic stencil, I stamped the mushroom image (a Dylusions stamp again)  on a blank piece of heavy weight paper. I cut around the mushroom image leaving a slight border to create a  stencil the  roughly the shape of the stamp. It didn't have to be exact, in fact, I wanted it to look handmade and slightly imperfect. 

Using the lime green Dylusions paint and a round Timmy blender, I painted the stencil on the left of all the cards and allowed them to dry thoroughly before moving on. I really like how the inks react and bleed into the paint letting you see the ghost circles beneath.

Now that the paint was fully dry, I stamped the mushrooms image on top of it with black Stazon ink. I tried to line it up with the stenciled area. On the right side  I added a quote from Lewis Carroll: "Its no use going back to YESTERDAY because I was a DIFFERENT person then."  I used a little of Tim Holtz Distress paint in picket fence to color in the circles on the mushrooms. And dotted a bit on or over the handwritten text. And as a last note, a tiny bit of bling.

I hope you liked seeing my cards for this month and learning a bit about my creative process. I will try and share a bit about my cards each month. Do you guys make ATC cards? If you are in Southern California, come join us some Sunday!

Steampunk ATC its a Contest Winner (Honorable Mention)

On March 14, I attended the Original Rubber Stamp Convention in Carson, CA for the first time. I decided I would also enter the ATC contest while I was there. And my card got Honorable Mention! Yay!!
 

 

I took the theme from my monthly ATC group at Custom Impressions - gears or wheels. For the card, I started off with a pattern paper base. I used the "Clockworks" paper from Graphic 45's Steampunk Spells 8x8 pad. I love the dimension in this pattern, especially for a monotone looking print.

I then added some multicolor metal gilding to the right side and upper left corner. I really like the texture and color the gilding brought to the ATC. I also added a Tim Holtz word band on the left side.

Next, I diecut gear shapes on metal sheets and grunge board. I tinted the grunge board with brass distress paint and walnut distress ink.

The gears were added to the card background, with one being pop dotted to add a layer of dimension. A G45 brad was added to the center of the grunge board gear.
 

 

For the central image of the ATC, I choose a stamp of a woman with gears in her hair from Graphic 45's Steampunk Debutante line. I stamped it on watercolor paper with black Stazon ink.

I colored the image with Prima watercolor pencils using a water brush to blend. I tried to achive a vintage, hand colored look. After the watercolor was dry, glitter and shine was added to the gears with Zig wink of stella pens.

When the image was colored, I fussy cut the lady. And then added some embellishments, gears and a number die by Tim Holtz, then a Graphic 45 brad.

The stamp was popped dotted onto the background. And as a finishing touch, I added s little glitter. to the gears.

My Three ATCs for November

I created three ATCs for November, one for the Custom Impressions trade and two for the mail trade I joined last month. I used Twinkling H2O paints on all three cards. I haven't used these much and am starting to feel like ATCs are a fun opportunity to play and learn about my less used products.

For the CI group the theme was Gratitude. I decided to make two similar cards, representing two November holidays- Veteran's Day and Thanksgiving. 

For both versions, I used a stamp from The Greeting Farm Cheeky collection, one a soldier and one with a pie. The images were stamped in Stazon and colored with the H2Os. Most of the painting/coloring went well. I used two yellowy shades for the hair (Sunburst & Yellow Roses) on both images. For Cheeky Pie, I painted the dress blue (Bashful Blue) with accents of pink (Playful Peony) on her shoes and scarf. The pie was painted in Bronze, Pearl Gold and Copper for the pan.

 I had trouble at first with the green for the soldier since I didn't have a khaki or olive color. I eventually diluted a darker green (Emerald) with lots of water to create a wash of a lighter more transparent green and I think it looks good. I could even layer the color with the wash and create shadows and tone. (Yay learning.) I then added Bronze for the piping and bow.

 

 

 I also was unhappy with the skin tone for both. I used Baby's Breath and it was very pink until dry and the level of shimmer seemed some how wrong for skin.
 

The background coloring is a Viva Decor paint called Maya Gold in the shade Petrol. Due to accidental spillage, I applied the paint with my fingers. I added the words "thank you" along the edge. I cut these out with my Cricut from G45 Steampunk Spells paper. And added a few glitter paper punch outs to finish  the cards.
 
The ATC trade is the last Sunday of the Month at Custom Impressions. Please call ((562) 430-8100) for details and themes. Hope to see you next month!

 

The theme I choose for the seven mail in  ATCs was things with stripes or dots. I decided to use some stamps of moths and butterflies as my striped and dotted things. I once again used Stazon, because it works well with wet mediums like the H2Os. Instead of using any of the bright colors of paints, I decided to try out the set of pearl colors I had. These all look almost white and have an iridescent quality to them. I painted the stamps in Pearl Green, Pearl Violet and Pearl Gold. What was really cool and unexpected to me was that these paints changed the color of the ink not the paper. (More learning!) And it looks so different and interesting from different angles, with I thought looked just right on my winged buggies. 

For the background of the dot ATCs I painted the whole cards in a copper metallic paint. Once thst dried I added some Viva Decor Ferro in a dark gold shade thru a circle pattern mask. I finished off the cards with a few rhinestones.

The final card for November is my mail in bonus card. I only need to make three- two to trade and one to keep. And it is a free theme.

I used another TGF stamp, this time from the Magical collection. I stamped with Stazon and painted in the H2O.  I think I did WAY better with the painting this go round. (The learning paid off, yay!) I played more with the wash method of diluting the colors to create shading on the hair (Sugar Plum & Heavenly) and clothes (Lemongrass & Kiwi) And also to make the skin tone not only less pink, but slightly less sparkly by creating a light wash with the Baby's Breath pink. I added some pinkish (Playful Peony) and teal (Mystique) to the stats in her hair and the stamp was all colored in.

For the card background I used Primary Pigment powders in a few shades (Twilight, Bronze and Kiwi) and blended/rubbed them onto black chipboard. I then spritzed the cards with two coats of Goosebumps. This not only set the powder, but created a texture and sheen to the background. 

I used a Dyan Reavley phrase stamp-"a life without dreams would just be a life"- on the right corner in Pastel Violet Prima chalk and added dome multicolor bling gems to finish up the card.

Which card is your favorite? I think I like the bonus card best, my technique was getting pretty good by then. Have you tried Sparkling H20 paints? How do you use them? I would love to hear any new tips or techniques for next time.

October: Two Pink Crops & Three October ATCs

This October, I participated in two "pink" crops to benefit breast cancer. 

The first was at Custom Impressions. This is a great store and has become my "home" store for cropping and crafting. The breast cancer charity crop benefiting the Breast Cancer Angels was a great event. It featured a raffle with almost 50 items. There was also an altered bra contest, door prizes and some delish food. Not too mention great company.  

I donated a few things for the event. Including a pair of pumps i had decorated with Graphic 45's Ladies' Diary and an undecorated album based on Kathy Orta's My Design Mini album. I am proud to say the album was very popular and recieved quite a few tickets. Yay!

 

 

I also entered a bra into the altered bra contest. It was fun to make. I used trim and ribbon to createca vintage-y floral look (#2). And i won! I couldnt believe it. All the entries were so pretty and well done. I think they were all winners and congratulations to all the participants.

I really enjoyed the crop and got alot done (my ATCs.) And store raised alot of money for the Breast Cancer Angels thru the raffle, donations and the crop, so way to go Teresa and company!!

The  second breast cancer event I went to was for Scrap Pink OC. Its run by my friend, Rachel and her Just Crop Retreats company. And yes, this is more of a retreat than a crop. But since i didn't get a hotel room it felt more like a crop for me. Lol.

 

 
This was another great event with door prizes, a yard sale type store and a huge space to work in. But the best part was my crafty buddies I hadn't seen in a while. So for me this crop was all about spending time with more of my crafty friends. Which is always awesome!
 

I enjoyed the opportunity to go in and craft during the wee hours of the night/morning because I really am a night owl at heart. And my friend Carole is the night shift and I always have fun hanging out with her, she is such a hoot.

The travelling back and forth between home and the hotel was less fun and i fid not get much sleep. But the cats needed to be fed and i was too cheap to get a room. (More crafting supplies.) But i did get a massage which made me feel way better. Plus once again a lot of money was raised toward finding a cure for breast cancer. How can you beat that?

I had to leave the Scrap Pink OC crop early on Sunday in order to make it to my monthly ATC swap at Custom Impressions. (More info here.) So I was uber tired by then. But I made it.

This month's theme for the Custom Impressions ATC group was Harvest. For my card I used a digi stamp by Some Odd Girl, a leaf stamp & die by Stampendous, Stampendous embossing powder and Viva Decor blackberry crackle paint. As accents I added some glossy accents and pearl pen to the acorn and flocking to the squirrel's tail. The stamp was colored with Copics.

 

The ATC trade is the last Sunday of the Month at Custom Impressions. Please call ((562) 430-8100) for details and themes. Hope to see you next month!

 

I also was invited to participate in a through the mail ATC swap. The themes were Currency and Halloween. For the currency theme, I used Viva Decor gold crackle, a piece of a print out of a fake $1,000 bill, Stampendous Luxe Mix, Prima fine glitter (to cover the cricut cut $ sign) and heart shaped bling.
 

 

On the Halloween ATC, there is Guildenstern gilding on the background in sunset with two digi stamps I bought on Etsy from AuroraWings in front. I colored the stamps with Copics

So what did you do this October? Id love to hear about what you created.

September ATC: Back to School

For this month (September) the theme for Custom Impressions' ATC group was Back to School. I used a digital stamp I bought on Etsy by  Artbymiram. It is an adorably anime style girl with books and a satchel.

I colored her with colored pencils that I blended with mineral spirits in the gamsol method. To do this I filled in lightly with two or three shades of colored pencil and then blended it wit a paper "stump" dipped in mineral spirits.  This was my first time trying this method, I had picked up a kit during Shop Hop.  I did find that some pencils blended way better than others, I am not sure why and will have to investigate further.

I covered her glasses with Diamond Glaze to give a lens look, In the background I used pieces of Dear Lizzy Neopolitain paper and added some Stampendeous Luxe Mix and butter fly bling.

The ATC trade is the last Sunday of the Month at Custom Impressions. Please call ((562) 430-8100) for details and themes. Hope to see you next month!

My ATC card for CI's July trade.

The theme for July was Books. This was a really fun theme because there are so many different ways to go. Like do you do something about reading, or a specific book or images of books? I choose to go with reading as the main focus.
 

Once again, I choose a Some Odd Girl digi stamp, this one is of Mae reading. It is colored and shaded with Copics and fussy cut. (The old fashioned way this time.)  In the background is a card that looks lije a book page. It is from a set i bought that were close to ATC dimensions. I thought they were so cute, I even cut up the cover page and used the tiny preview cards. I attachedvthem to tge cardcwith a tiny Tim Holtz paper clip. I inked the edges of both with brown ink.
  

As embellishments to finish the ATC, I added a few bits of bling and a punvhed glitter heart. And to the bottom, the phrase "I ♡ to read" with a plastic strip style label maker.

I think it came out cute and makes me think of books and reading.  What do you think? Would you have tackled the subject of books as a general theme (like I did) or been inspired by a specific book?

The ATC trade is the last Sunday of the Month at Custom Impressions. Please call ((562) 430-8100) for details and themes. Hope to see you next month! 

June ATC for Custom Impressions' Trade

The theme for the ATC trade at Custom Impressions this month is Lace.

I choose a digital stamp by Some Odd Girl. It is a Princess Tia stamp. I choose it because she is so cute and gleeful i thought it went with a princessy lacy look. I colored it with Copics and Wink of Stella pens. I did the fussy cut around the stamp using the print and cut feature on my Eclips. This was my first try doing this and it worked pretty good. I need to practice centering more.

For the background of the ATC, I sprayed Prima Bloom over a floral mask. I then added a strip of lace that I had also colored with Prima Bloom sprays. (Both with Gold and Tea colors.) The lace looked way more brown than the sparkling gold I was hoping for, so I added some gold stickles to try and increase the sparkle factor. 

I have to admit that this ATC did not end up l quite like I originally envisioned it. I wanted more sparkly, princess. I think its ok, and I really like how the Eclips worked and the coloring of the stamp. But the lace just seemed to end up blah, and that should have been the wow factor.

Do you guys think its blah too? What do you when a plan starts to go awry? Do you start over or try and fix it? For me it depends on time, how about you?

The ATC trade is the last Sunday of the Month at Custom Impressions. Please call ((562) 430-8100) for details and themes. Hope to see you next month!  

ATCs, Small Canvases With Big Art

If you havent heard of them, ATCs are original art pieces done on a 2.5 x 3.5 sized paper or canvas. (This is the sized of a baseball card or playing card.) You create a limited quanity. (Usually the number of people in the group or a pre agreed upon amount.) And frequently there is a theme or subject for the card. And then you trade. So you get cards created by other artists. Its really cool and quite fun. 

Back in March, I started creating ATCs to trade with a group called the Art Therapy Club, that my friend Blacque Diamond started. I made three cards for the Art Therapy Club.

The first card is for the theme Quotes. It was made with Graphic 45's Couture, Typography and Staples (washi tape). All these elements had different quotes on them. I then conected all the pieces with a o-ring, twine and bling that i think is from Teresa Collins' Blingage line. Since I was really new at making ATCs, it is very interactive which i have found out is unusual to do.

 

My second card was for the Disney theme. For this card I did what is sometimes called a hug. This is created by making the card twice as big and folding it in half. This lets you use more or larger images on an ATC. On the front of the card, I printed a line drawing of the Cheshire Cat. I then doodled in the stripes. After finishing that, I used Copics to lightly color the Cheshire Cat and thd background. On the inside, i printed a quote from Alice In Wonderland and doodled a floral design at the top. I also colored this doodle with Copics. On the back, I hand drew the cat's grin floating in space. The doodling was a lot of tiny hand work, but I think it came out cool and was happy with the result.

The last card was a free theme and we were encouraged to make something that represented what we liked. So I did a steampunk shoe theme. (Lol.) I did a hug style card again. On the front and inside, I used Stampendous stamps of Steampunked up shoes. (well not just any shoes, but the ruby slippers.) Over the stamp I used some gold pen and Wink of Stella to give it some depth and sparkle. I also added a metal corner to the front. And inside I also added some red stickles and red bling.  And on the back is a small piece of Graphic 45 (who else!) Couture paper of the shoe pattern. I really enjoyed making this card and feel like it represents my style. And this may be my favorite do far.

 

I am now part of a bigger trading group (also headed by Blacque Diamond) It meets at Custom Impressions. We make just 10 cards to trade. So its really easy and low stress. The ATC trade is the last Sunday of the Month at Custom Impressions. Please call ((562) 430-8100) for details and themes. Hope to see you next month!

Here is my first card for the CI ATC group. The theme was flowers. I stamped my card with the center part of a Prima Bloom stamp and colored it with Copics. I added a little glitter and pearl pen to accents parts of the design. I think it came out pretty and I like how the stamp fills the whole space.

Do you make ATCs? Do you trade online? In meet ups? Or by mail?