Monday, Monday...nah nah nah nah nah nah. Another full week here at my house, but I had a loverly weekend and enjoyed an evening coffee outside with my hubby last night. Perfect.
I have a few Artist Trading Card themed projects for you today. Even if you are not an ATC kind of crafter, I think you will find lots of inspiration from the teachers here at The CLASSroom this week.
ONE OF A KIND
My first ATC is an "art for art sake" piece. I created this when I just sat down to play with stamps and paper and ink that I loved. See the supply list right below the photo for more details.
Stamps: Botanical Bliss set and Stitches Scrapblock (Cornish Heritage Farms) Ink: Pearlescent Chocolate Brilliance (Tsukineko), Vintage Photo Distress (Ranger) Paper: Cotton Candy (Memory Box), Natural White (Neenah) Other: Circles and Ovals Fragments (Tim Holtz), Paper Distresser and Piercing Tool (Tonic), Ink Blending Tool (Ranger), Crackle Accents and Glossy Accents (Ranger), Chino Pearls(Kaisercraft), E77 Maroon Copic Marker, Brown Waxed Linen Thread Finished Size: 2.5 x 3.5 inches
SWAPS OR MASS PRODUCTION
My second ATC could be created on mass or at least a few at a time if you are a person who makes 4 or 8 cards. I like to create on a single layers when possible which is why I chose Craft-a-Board as the base for my ATC. Collage Elements I (Kim Hughes) are the images featured.
Begin by sponging Juniper Adirondack Pigment Ink (Ranger) in a circular motion over the entire Craft-a-Board ATC with an Ink Blending Tool. Heat set.
Repeat the process with Terra Cotta Adirondack Pigment Ink. This time ink only a portion of the background.
One more time with Purple Twilight Adirondack Pigment Ink - again just sponging certain areas.
Add some text.
And some flowers and stamp words as shown in the finished project photo.
You may have noticed the silver rim around the edge of the ATC in first photo for this project. That was created with a Silver Krylon Leafing Pen. There is a little trick I use to get the ink flowing. First, it is important to shake the pen well - there is a little ball that will help the mixing. If you press the tip to your Non-Stick Craft Sheet several times the ink will begin to flow and you can build up a pool of ink on your sheet.
This will allow you to pick up more as you need it easily. Heat set when done.
Create centers for the flowers with Mint Green Liquid Pearls and allow to dry.
Layer Kioshi 6x6 Papers (Basic Grey) together for the card front and create a line of faux stitching as shown with the Tim Holtz Design Ruler and Retractable Craft Pick. Use a Black .05 Multiliner Pen to trace between the holes you have pierced to create a "faux stitch". Place Mango and Lavendar Pearls along the stitch line.
PREMADE BACKGROUNDS
My last tip of the day is one that may surprise you. I make a lot of ATC's and Inchies. I also really, really, really *love* 6x6 paper pads because they are created for the scale of projects that I like to create. Are you sitting down? Have you swallowed that mouthful of coffee?
When I purchase a new 6x6 pad, the first thing I do is pull out one of each sheet and cut it into ATC and Inchie bases as follows:
I am using a piece of Kioshi to illustrate. Cut at 3.5 inches.
Take the 3.5 x 6 inch piece, turn it and cut at 2.5 inches, two times. (Illustrated in the next two photos.)
You will have a 1 x 3.5 inch strip left. Trim off the 1/2 inch and then trim the remaining porting into three 1 x 1 inch squares.
Now cut the remaining piece measuring 2.5 x 6 as shown - cut at 3.5 inches. You will be left with a 2.5 inch square.
Here are the pieces you will have created - 3 ATC's (2.5 x 3.5), 3 inchies (1 x 1), a 2.5 x 2.5 inch square to use as a mat or could be cut down to a Twinchie (2 x 2 inches). I even save that little .5 x 1 inch piece and adhere it to an Inchie Square. Now I have ready made backgrounds that just need a little embellishing or stamping to create a fabulous ATC or Inchie.
Here is a photo of all of the ATC's I cut from the Kioshi 6x6 Pad:
Do you have any idea how this little fan of ATC's makes me?! Ack. Love it. The other benefit of cutting into the paper right away is that you get to *know* it. AND, your hoarding tendencies will be curbed because you have already cut it. :P
If you are still with me after this lengthy post, good for you!
Cheers, Lisa
