Stamps Ahead

Here are the Artist Trading Cards (ATC's) I made for the April swap at Natalie May Scrapbooki ng. The swap was to make ATC's with theme "use your stash". I was required to make 11 ATC's to swap. This was the first time participating in the monthly ATC swap. Everything I used on the ATC's did come from my stash. But, first a little tale... I initially started with a piece of a sheet of heavy-duty white card stock that I believed was enough to make the required number of cards...well, it turns out I didn't I only had enough for 8!! What to do? Left the decision overnight!! I decided to cut up the eight I made into 1" strips and create new background.  What did I use? For original 8 cards I used layered techniques inspired by a virtual retreat I did with Seth Apter this time last year. For the new backgrounds I used the same colours I used for the above strips and sprayed onto the now 12" x 12" white cardstock.  I then applied gesso over this s...

One of the joys of doing a scrapbook cruise is that I get to make Artist Trading Cards (ATC's) to swap with others on the cruise.  Here are mine for the latest cruise I am taking. It is not compulsory to make ATC's, however I do like to make one for each person and the class leaders.  This time 30 cards.   Here are some close ups of some of the cards. A great way to use scraps of paper to make circles, chipboard and wood veneer from my stash and finally a piece of cheesecloth under the chipboard and wood veneer and a Tim Holtz chipboard finishes off my ATC's. Thank you for looking.  I will finish with a saying that I found online and added to the back of each ATC. Thank you for looking.   "Life is a circle.  The end of one journey is the beginning of the next."    Joseph M. Marshall 111 Update: Due to mechanical problems (Azipods) on the Anthem of the Seas our 27th January cruise to South Island of New Zealand has been cancelled....

I have just returned from a 4 day/3-night cruise to Eden on the South Coast of New South Wales. One of the fun things we can participate in is to create Artist Trading Cards (ATC's) to swap on the cruise.  Firstly, I used a collection of spray inks to create backgrounds, then I cut them up into 3" x 4" cards.  This size is smaller than regular ATC's for ease of displaying in our scrapbooks. I then applied strips of black cardstock to left side. I wanted some more texture on the ATC's so I used the spray inks on white cheesecloth, allowed it to dry and then cut and distressed the cloth.  These I placed behind the focal points and greeting on each card.  I used Tim Holtz idea-ology Paper Ladies and Chit Chat stickers on my cards.   If you look closely, you may be able see that I have displayed them on a very old metal travelling box that belonged to my grandparents.  Here are some close up. I loved the last image - ready to embark on her voyage of discov...

 I am leaving a jet plane-----no I am leaving on a South Pacific cruise.  It is a scrapbook cruise with Unmistakeable Creations . One of the fun things to make are ATC's to swap and here are mine  We swap ATC's with each person (it is optional to participate) however I like to give one even if a person is not participating.   We do make them at little bigger than regular ATC's so that they fit into a pocket style page.  For mine I have used the following: a neutral kraft coloured cardstock. Edged with Distress Ink. torn corrugated card (mine came from a cut down delivery box). Edged with Distress Ink. tape I made with Distress inks and stocks (you will find this on the right-hand side of each ATC) tea dyed cheesecloth (was white but I dyed in a cup with hot water and about 5 tea bags, left for a while, removed and washed, then dried. 8 images from Darkroom Door Sheet (purchased at Wrapped in Paper, ACT) and 3 images that have been in my stash for ages - sor...

In just over 4 weeks my sister and I are off on a scrapbooking cruise to New Zealand.  Check out Unmistakable Creations to see what cruises Melissa has coming up in the next couple of  years. As part of the cruise we are encouraged to make Artist Trading Cards (ATC's) to be given to each member of the group that is scrapbooking. I have been playing with magic creating my backgrounds. Here are a couple work in progress cards - I wanted to show you the technique only at this stage-come back later to see final results. How did I get to this stage? What did I use?  I list supplies below. Glossy paper (I also tried with regular white cardstock - the results not as vivid but still worked) Tim Holtz Distress Oxides - wild honey, cracked pistachio, wilted violet, peacock feathers (of course  you could you any of the Distress Oxides - love them all so hard to choose) Ranger Distress Micro Glaze Mini Ink Blending Tool and applicator Paper towel This first t...

Today I am sharing 10 ATC's that I have created to be swapped with others over at Soul Scrappers . The theme was Paris. Paris is one of my favourite cities and the Eiffel Tower is iconic to them.  A close up of one of the cards. To make the ATC's I first applied a coat of Gesso to a 12" square piece of regular cardstock and allowed it to dry.  Then I cut into 3 1/2" x 2 1/2" cards.  Next I dabbed 3 colours of acrylic paint to top of each card and using a palette knife 'swooshed' them down and across the card.  These were then allowed to dry before adding gold embossing paste to a butterfly stencil.  Again, left to dry overnight. This morning I stamped a script stamp on the top, and added a die cut Eiffel Tower from gold cardstock which I affixed to the card.  Then I added the Journey stamp, and some doodling and rhinestones completed each card. They are off the USA tomorrow and I will await the return of 9 other cards from the other particip...

Cold here today, maybe the coldest day of year so far, so why not spend time inside and get my mixed media on.   I am participating in an Artist Trading Card (ATC) swap with Mixed Media as the guideline. Here are my ATC cards. I had fun creating these. How did I make them?  The first thing was I brayered acrylic paints onto old book pages. I have not used brayer for a long time - good to get it out and use it.  The book was old, brittle and showed signs of age. The book "Travels with Charley" I got it for 20c at a flea market.  I have used it on cards previously. Do you see my reference to my title of this post?  A love that it says a "vivid kaleidoscope" so this was what aided my search for just right colours of paint. Next, I made my own tape - washi style.  I found this fabulous video by Mixed Media Morsels on how to make your own painted tape.   I watched the video, was captivated and decided to give it a try. You lay s...