Recycling Christmas ATC

Another swap on AMCA is to make an ATC with a Christmas card  - "recycle Christmas.

I started by stamping a stampscapes hill scene on some glossy cardstock. Found a Christmas card with a vintage scene and fussy cut out some of the image and adhered it to the bottom of the ATC. I added two different colours of Stickles to simulate snow and ice.



Signs of the Zodiac

In the AMCA group we are doing and ongoing swap for the Signs of the Zodiac. For the month of January the sign is Aquarius.

All my printers are out of ink so I could not print an image. I was sure that I had some already printed, but as with my flowers - no luck!!! So again, I had to improvise.

Since Aquarius is the Water Bearer, I decided to use a stamp of a woman holding a pitcher. I stamped it with permanent ink and coloured it with Copic markers and made the area above the pitcher a bit darker to simulate water falling out of it.

I hope my partner will be okay with my improvising this, as it is a lot different than what I originally envisioned doing for this month.



Colour Perceptions - Violet

 In the ArtVentures ongoing swap of November the Colour is Violet. The pereption/emotion of this colour to me is Powerful.

I started by colouring the base with violet pigment ink then heat set it by ironing it between two sheets of newsprint paper. I then embossed it with a Tim Holtz embossing folder.

I printed a freebie image from The Art of Altering and cut off the bottom and top portions, then coloured it with copics.

I coloured some white glossy cardstock scraps with a violet copic and cut crowns from a spellbinders die. I coloured some little fancy gems with Rangers purple alcohol ink and attached them to the crowns.

I glued the image to the base and attached the crown with double-sided foam tape.

I coloured some white ribbon with plum dye ink and coloured a little sticker "gem" with alcohol ink and attached them to the neck of the man's shirt collar.

Colour Perceptions ATC

For the month of  October the colour is Blue and must be predominately that colour. Inspiration/theme is based on and emotion/how the colour us makes us feel.

I think of blue as a calm colour so that is the emotion/perception that my ATC evolved around. 

I started by stamping a Stampscapes stamp with Marvy dark blue ink.  I coloured the sky and river with copic markers. 

On a piece of cardstock, I stamped the Marks of Distinction swans in fluid chalk Prussian Blue then coloured the water below them in chalks. I cut them out and attached them at the bottom of the card. 

To make the river look more realistic I covered it with Glossy Accents. 

Colour Perceptions Artist Trading Card

On ArtVentures we are starting a new ongoing swap theme "colour perceptions", with each month being a different colour. For this we must think layers of the colour and must be  predominatelythe colour for that month. Inspiration/theme is based on and emotion/how the colour us makes us feel,

For this month the colour is red, and this colour made me think of love and passion.

I took a piece of glossy white cardstock and coloured it with Sangria Piñata Alcohol Ink and pounced it on with Caro extender and a felt pad.

I coloured some white cardstock with Lipstick Red Fluid Chalks then cut out the Memory Box curly wreath. I had printed off some pictures of lovers previously so I also cut them out with the die and placed it in the centre of the curly wreath on the ATC.

I punched some heart from 130LB cardstock and layered 3 together to give them some body, and coloured them with a red marker. I melted some clear UTEE and added some garnet Heat-it-Inks, dipped the hearts in it and when dry added a little flower gem.

I attached a piece of Sookwang tape to the bottom of the ATC and covered it with Fire Red and burnished it and attached the heart to the side.

I coloured some white cardstock with Red Pepper Adirondack ink and stamped the PSX Pixie Expressions stamp in Versfine Onyx Black and attached it to the glitter piece with double-sided foam tape.

A to Z Techniques- X for X-Acto Cutwork

The latest letter for the A-Z techniques is X. I thought of doing something like an X-Ray type background, but two other people are going in that direction. I even spent  time looking at websites and books, but there are very few techniques that start with the letter X, so I wracked my brain to come up with something else.

First I stamped a stained glass stamp on white card stock cut to size. I took a sharp X-Acto knife and started cutting out areas on the stamped image, being careful that they did not join, as the piece would come apart. After I was satisfied with the "cut-work" I cut some sheets of Sookwang tape to size and attached it to the ATC base. I removed the tape cover sheet from the ATC base and very carefully attached the cut-work image to it. This was definitely the hardest part, as the tape grabs fast and I ended up having to redo a couple as I got them on the base a bit "wonky".

I then used different colours of Stampa Rosa Ultra Glitter on the pieces. I covered the centre area with the tape backing and covered the cutouts with one colour, rubbing it in, then brushed it off to remove the excess, then added the second colour. The reason I chose to use this particular glitter is because the colour palette is so vibrant.

The last addition was to stamp a tiny X and attach it in the corner.

Artist Trading Cards

These two ATC's were ones I was really pleased with for the Mad Crafters Attic swaps.

The first one was the theme of triangles. I had some pieces of embossed cardstock that I had put aside from another project. I cut them into triangles and coloured them with different colours of pigment ink and embossed them with clear embossing powder and then rubbed them with dye ink pads to hit the high spots.

I attached three of them to the ATC Lumiere paint background. I stamped two words with dye inks matching the colours of the background and adhered them to the ATC.

The second one was Time Flies. I had recently bought the Tim Holtz Movers and Shapers Alarm Clock and Camera mini Dies, so this was the perfect opportunity to use the clock die.

I cut the die out of grunge board then coloured it with black acrylic and copper paints. I had some clock faces already printed and one was the perfect size to fit in the die. I cut a circle out of acetate and attached it over the clock face and laid all the pieces aside.

I had some Tim Holtz grunge board pieces in my stash and found some wings. I coloured them first with Frost White daubber paint, let it dry, then added the Pearl dauber paint over the top. I manipulated the wings so they fit nicely under the clock and attached both pieces with Glossy Accents. To finish the piece I used my labler to print Tempus Fugit, which is Time Flees in Latin or as in todays world Time Flies.

A to Z techniques- V for Vellum-tous

A- to Z on Art-Ventures I used a technique that I learned from Cathie Allan a number of years ago called Vellum-tous.

The technique was originally done on a card but it worked for the ATC.
I cut a piece of White vellum a bit larger than the ATC base and stamped and embossed an open image with white pigment ink and embossing powder. I coloured the image with markers on the front of the vellum,  colouring the portions that I wished to be dominant.

I flipped the vellum over and took a  background stamp and stamped it with with a clear embossing pad and embossed with clear embossing powder. Make sure you hold the vellum up while heating, as the embossing on the other side gets hot and melts.

Using a stipple brush and dye ink colours I stippled around the stamped image on the back of the vellum. If you also want to colour the open areas of the stamp as it could change the colour tones that you used with the markers.
When satisfied with the stippling, I bent the edges over and attached the vellum  to a white ATC base with vellum tape. ( You could also use glossy accents). You can also try it with pastel coloured bases for a different effect. I stamped a V on Vellum scraps using white pigment ink and embossing powder and glued it to the ATC.

I chose different colours of Dye ink for each of the ATC's, to show the different looks. I forgot to scan the other two which were done in yellow and blue.

T for Tapestry-A to Z Techniques

For the T I chose to use the Tapestry Technique and discovered two different versions for it.

The first one I found on Split Coast stampers. On cream coloured cardstock I applied two different colours of Fluid Chalk inks and blended them together. You can also use distress or pigment inks and of course more than two complimentary colours.

I chose a floral stamp and stamped over the dry background with white pigment in and set it aside to let it dry well. You can heat set it by placing a piece of newsprint paper over it and iron it with a dry iron, or heat set with a heat gun.

If you want you can emboss the whole piece with clear embossing powder, but I decided to  leave it as is.
I used a Tim Holtz ticket stamp and sentiment to complete the card. Linlnk for this variation:

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/tapestry/http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/tapestry/

The second variation I found on Youtube. Tapestry Paper Vintage technique

I stamped a text stamp on off white cardstock in a light brown dye ink.

Using a wadded/crinkled piece of plastic wrap and shimmer paint, dab off some of the paint them dab over the surface. You want subtle areas, not big blobs. I don’t have shimmer paint, and used scribbles and some of the Tim Holtz Dabber Pearl paint. You could probably experiment with other paints which have a shimmery effect.

Brayer a light coat of a pink toned dye ink over the surface. (I used Marvy Rose Pink).

Clean brayer and add a tan or light brown dye ink over the pink. (I used Old Paper Distress Ink).

Make sure the inks are completely dry and if necessary use an anti-static pad such as SU embossing buddy, then ink a stamp with pigment ink and embossing powder of your choice. I used Merlot pigment ink and Terra Cota embossing powder.

Here is a link to the technique: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnXAOMmMIZw&feature=player_detailpage

Artist Trading Cards

I do a monthly swap of Artist Trading Cards  in A Mad Crafter's Attic Group. These are a couple that I really enjoyed making this month.

The first is Vintage Children. The background is a Hero Arts stamp which I  embossed with white embossing powder then coloured with cheap watercolour paints. The image is a freebie from magicmoonlight and the sentiment stamp is from Quietfire Designs.

The second is "Let them eat Cake", which I decided was Marie Antoinette. For this one I coloured the background with Distress Stains. I stamped Tim Holtz and Hearts in Touch stamps with Memento Tuxedo Black ink after drying the stains. I then attached the Marie Antoinette image to the card. This was a gift from a friend so I can't tell from which site they would be available.

A-Z techniques

The upcoming ArtVentures technique is Q and I chose to do the Quink ink technique that my friend Adrienne shared with us.

I started by covering a piece of matte cardstock with gesso then stamped into it with a detailed stamp. Sprinkled it with salt then sprayed watered-down black Quink ink . When it dried I brushed off some of the salt and highlighted it with some Goldfinger metallic paste.

I stamped one of the heads from a Diane Reavely stamp set, coloured it and attached it to the ATC, I then stamped the Inkadinkado word stamp "quirky".cut around it and added it. The heart is a sequin.

After looking at the ATC for a while I thought the Blue Heart drew the eye away from the rest of the card so I decided to take it off and added a stamped letter Q instead.

A-Z techniques - P for Polished Stone

Continuing on with the A-Z techniques, this month is P. I chose to do the polished stone technique. Instead of using the dye inks and metallic acrylic paint, I used alcohol inks and Lumiere paints. The other "P's" are parrot and paint pen.

I covered a piece of glossy cardstock with some rubbing alcohol then dabbed three colours of alcohol ink over the surface. I then dabbed on some copper coloured Lumiere paint.

For the P image I used a parrot from Dover publications, printed it, cut around it and pasted it on the ATC.

I used a chipboard alphabet P and coloured it with a Marvy Metallic paint pen.

To complete it I die cut a Cuttlebug Corner die and embossed it with copper embossing powder.

A-Z Techniques - Alphabet O

On ArtVentures we are doing Alphabet O techniques for the upcoming swap and my ATC represents Opalite Infusion, Oleander and Opals embossing powders.


I remembered a technique called Opalite Infusion and decided that would be my background technique. I can't remember where I originally came across this technique (thought I saved the site in my favourites), but I did have the instructions written down.

I started by stamping an image in permanent ink on white cardstock. When completely dry I applied two colours of Opalite ink, using well inked pads.. When that layer was dry I sponged on dye inks in the same colour family.

I then cut out some Cuttlebug corner dies and coloured them first with clear embossing ink and purple opals embossing powder. Because the ink pad was not inked well the whole die cut was not covered. So I decided to use that to my advantage, and tapped a Versamark pad over the bare areas and embossed those portions with a pink Opals embossing powder.  I did four of these for each ATC (Artist Trading Card).

I applied the corners to each ATC, then I printed some pictures of an Oleander using photo paper.

I attached the picture with double-sided foam tape.

A-Z Techniques Alphabet N

This month the Alphabet technique is the letter N. I chose to do the Northern Lights Technique.

I  used black cardstock as the base. I diluted Gold, Raspberry Sparkle and True Blue perfect pearls with a bit of water then brushed it on in lines across the cardstock. I spritzed it with water and let the colours run together.

I chose an image of a Nutcracker bird and printed it on glossy photo paper, cut it out, and attached it with double-sided foam tape. To complete the ATC's I used a die cut N and some punchie flowers. I inked them with Versamark and "Heat and Stick " embossing powder which becomes sticky after heating, then applied Navy Glitter Ritz over the top.

Doodles Unleashed Alphabets

On the ArtVentures group I am participating in a Doodles Unleashed Alphabet swap, based on Traci Bautista's style of doodling.

I am not sure I am doing these right as I think I need to be more "free' in creating the letters, but I went ahead with the first four and hope that the other participants won't be disappointed with my efforts.

The A is on a colour wash background and coloured with Tombow markers, B is a Fresco ink background and the letter coloured with Twinkling H2O's, C is a shaving cream marbled background on matte cardstock - the letter coloured with Tombow markers and Galaxy Gel Pens, D is on an acrylic paint background.

A-Z techniques Alphabet M

Finished my M for the ArtVentures A-Z techniques. For this month I decided on doing a metallic ink background. I tried doing it with the marbling technique but for some reason the inks kept sinking to the bottom of the pan of water, no matter how full or empty it was. So I reverted to dipping the glossy cardstock in the water and adding inks  while it was wet

To complete the M theme, I used a music stamp on the background and stamped a young boy for masculine and finally added a piece of Mica Tile over the image.

Acohol ink Butterfly ATC's

I signed up for a swap on AFTCM with the theme of Alcohol ink background and butterflies.

I decided to make mine with Tim Holtz alcohol ink splatter background. The bottom  one is very colourful and I stamped a coloring book (open) butterfly (Pedlars Pack) with Ancient Page permanent ink. I then masked the butterfly and stamped a Tim Holtz background stamp over the top.

After stamping it I felt the image did not stand out well enough so I stamped it again on acetate, cut it out and adhered it on top of the stamped image with Glossy Accents.


The one on the top left was stamped with another Tim Holtz stamp and some German Scraps added to the edges.

The one on the top right is a stamp by The Old Island Stamp Co. and I added some Glossy Accents to the butterflies to give them dimension. To complete it I stamped a saying on vellum and attached it across the ATC.

L technique in A-Z techniques

Continuing on with the A-Z techniques in ArtVentures the latest is L. Initially I had made some ATC's using the Lumiere paint scraping technique, a lattice border and a love stamp. I was not entirely happy with them so I made another set using a different technique and I can use the original ones for RAKS.

The technique that  I decided to use for the L technique to send out to the participants is the layered background technique from Hero Arts and some Graphic 45 lady images.

I cut my watercolour paper to size and stamped embossed a small  Hero Arts  stamp in white. I added the Old Paper distress ink on a clear acrylic block, spritzed with water and placed it on the paper allowing the colour to seep into the paper.

I then stamped a Magenta background stamp over the top (I stamped off a couple of times to make it lighter). I added several colours of distress ink to a craft sheet and wiggled a Penny Black stamp over the inks, spritzed it with water and stamped onto the background.

To complete the cards I cut out some ladies from Graphics 45 paper.

K technique for A-Z techniques

This month is the K technique on ArtVentures. I was going to do the "kissing" technique but decided instead to use the Kaleidoscope stamping technique which I "winged" since I could not find any tutorials.

I started off by not being happy with my prototype using a tiny stamp so I went over the image with some pigment inks to create a background. After heating setting them, I took these pieces and lightly drew lines horizontally and diagonally to create 8 triangle areas on the ATC.

Using the stamp that looks like a wing from the Stampscapes Butterflies (sheet 3) unmounted set I inked it with Kaleidacolor Dye Ink and stamped it around the ATC background in each triangle.

I then inked some scrap card stock with the same colours of pigment inks used on the backgrounds and embossed it with Kaleidoscope embossing powder. I punched out a shape from these scraps and attached them to the centre with a glue dot.

For the ATC I am keeping for myself I used a background piece made with fluid chalk inks and Dr PH Martin iridescent gold ink and the same technique as the others just to see how it would look on a different background.

I decided not to add anything further and let the techniqe show through.

J technique

Continuing on with the ArtVentures A-Z techniques for the J technique I decided to do the Jenny's Coat.

This is similar to the Joseph's Coat but instead you start with a piece of decorative scrapbook paper. ( I would recommend using something with a lot of colour). I used a piece of Magenta Style paper which had blocks of colour but the main one was an ochre, with greens and maroon throughout.

I attached the paper to a piece of card stock cut to ATC size, then stamped and embossed a background stamp with clear embossing ink and embossing powder. After that I brayered over the piece with black Versafine ink, then buffed it with a paper towel, which removes the ink from the embossed areas revealing the coloured decorative paper.

I stamped a Hero Arts Jewel shape from a coordinating colour of card stock and added glossy accents to give it dimension and the look of a jewel. I then stamped a Hero Arts J and a sentiment from the same stamp set. Attached all of these to the ATC when dried.