Today, I have an anniversary ATC to share with you, because tomorrow happens to be my 16th wedding anniversary! Distressing and aging are some of my favorite techniques and you'll probably see them on most of my projects, so I thought I'd share a few things I like to do.
First, I'd like to refer you back to the ATC basics I did here and you can click on the ATC category over on the left sidebar for more ATC inspiration.
Second, when working with patterned papers for my ATCs, I like to use a template I created. It's just a scrap piece of cardstock in which I cut a 2.50" x 3.50" opening:
This allows me to move the template over all parts of the patterned paper, choosing just the right part of the pattern I want to use.
Third, I like to use the scrap piece of cardstock I cut out of the template to arrange the stamps I want to use ... moving them around until I find a placement I like:
Fourth, I'd like to reiterate that using punches and die cuts on your ATCs is sometimes overlooked simply because the smaller 2.50" x 3.50" canvas size of ATCs can be intimidating. Just remember, smaller punches and dies can work wonderfully on them! Here's an example where I used a die to cut the base of my ATC.
On today's project, I used EK Success Daisy Chain edger punch to cut a Memory Box Water cardstock accent for my ATC:
As you can see in the photo above when I was playing around with the arrangement of all the elements, left unsponged with Memento Rich Cocoa ink, the daisies might have looked a little out of place on the brown/pale blue/cream patterned Basic Grey Cappella paper I used -- they wouldn't have maintained the shabby feel the paper has.
After sponging the daisy chain, I noticed the centers of the daisies were still pristine pale blue (center daisies in the photo above), so I took a Copic E25 marker and just lightly touched it inside the center hole of each daisy (bottom daisies). I think this really continued the distressed look I wanted.
All the elements from the Rummage Bin-Sweet Bee stamp set I used on my ATC were stamped with the Rich Cocoa ink onto Memory Box Water cardstock, cut out, and sponged with Rich Cocoa ink. Remember, when trying to maintain a shabby feel, keep your coloring muted, too.
The beehive was accented with Copic markers E31 & E50, and the word HONEY word was highlighted with Gold Copic Spica Glitter pen. The bee was stamped onto Neenah Classic Cream cardstock (again, a muted color instead of using bright white cardstock), colored with Copic YR31 & BG0000 markers, cut out and popped up on foam tape. His body was also accented with the gold glitter pen.
To finish the distressed/shabby feel of my ATC, I roughed up the edges of the patterned paper with the Tim Holtz Paper Distresser and mounted it onto more of the Water cardstock, sponged with Rich Cocoa ink. When adhering the daisy chain to the paper, I intentionally put adhesive over the holes of the daisies, and then sprinkled on some Crystal Fine glitter.
I hope you'll enjoy trying some of these techniques/tips on your ATC creations!
Stamps: CHF Rummage Bin-Sweet Bee
Paper: Basic Grey Cappella 6x6, Neenah Classic Cream cardstock, Memory Box Water cardstock
Ink: Tsukineko Memento Rich Cocoa, Copic markers (detailed above) & Gold Copic Spica Glitter pen
Accessories: EK Success Daisy Chain edger punch, Tonic Tim Holtz Paper Distresser, Martha Stewart Essential Colors Glitter Set (Crystal Fine)
