Tim Holtz Inspired Metal ATCs

I’ve been wanting to enter a project inspired by one of Tim Holtz’s 12 Tags of 2012 and I finally got to it. Funny that this was the month because his tag this month is so not my usual girlie style! But I joined a metal madness ATC swap on Swap-Bot and his tag was perfect!

Aren’t these cool? They look so industrial and it was fun and easy to make. I had some old Karen Foster metal sheets for so long they were dusty and I’m amazed I remembered where they were!

Tim used various techniques to distress and mark the metal. A pen makes rivet-like marks, a piercer makes the holes and I used a bone folder for the lines. Alcohol inks give the rusted look, I actually used red, green and grey together and it turned out amazingly I think. Those are all the colours I had so I was glad it worked out. Check out September 12 Tags of 2012 for more details and to see Tim’s tag.

Enjoy, Rebecca

RECIPE
Paper: Grungeboard arrows, vintage stickers-Stash, vintage music paper, black CS-SU!
Ink: SU! black craft, alcohol inks-Ranger, vintage photo Distress
Accessories: TH filmstrip ribbon, copper eyelets-SU!, metal sheets-Karen Foster, tiny stapler-TH

Miscellaneous ATCs for Swap-Bot

I have a blast making ATCs to trade on Swap-Bot.com. Here are a few I haven’t blogged yet.

Oh my word, I just got tot he bottom of this post and came back up to add this note. I can’t believe how many projects I found I’ve never shown you! And how many ATCs ended up in this post! WOW!

I think this one was for a book page swap. The requirement was to use a real book page as part of the ATC.

I didn’t execute it very well but this one was showcasing kissing technique. The letters were kissed with a dotted background stamp.

I made a card like this then miniaturized it into an ATC. The lighting was bad so the colours are way off but I still love the design.

This one shows grid technique where you stamp after embossing lines in the paper. It looks kinda like tiles and I think it suited this stamp well.

I’m sure this one was for a beach themed swap. I absolutely LOVE this paper. The whole thing is rows upon rows of pretty flip flops. Here I trimmed the paper into a cool border and I added gold glitter to look like sand. The paper flower was cut apart and placed to resemble palm tree branches leaning over the scene.

This one was for an interactive ATC. The wheel inside rotates to show different craft supplies and one image has the sentiment ‘...crafting.’

This one was probably summer fun or sweet treats or similar. I added glossy accents to the chocolate sauce.

Another beach themed one. I love this real fishing net I got when I was in Ocean City, NJ. I have scads of it and so I don’t have to hoard it! I’d decorate my whole house in a beach theme if it wouldn’t seem so silly in the middle of our too long winter!

This one was to use a new technique. i may have tried faux marble a million years ago but if so, I know I didn’t make anything with it. I also tried metallic rub-on paste using the die as a stencil for the first time.

This one was ‘add a number’. The number could be in any form you liked.

This was one of the biggest challenges I’ve done. No adhesive allowed on this one! Can you see the techniques I used?

You can definitely see them from the back! A brad holds on the label. Slits hold the background paper in place and the brad reinforces that. I sewed on the doily and the button which holds on the ribbon and the flower. I had lots of other ideas too but these just ended up being the ones I used.

I know the photo is atrocious, so sorry. This was another tricky challenge to make an ATC without paper! Yikes! I used plastic from packaging as the base and the rest you can see.

Vintage Bathing Beauty ATC.

I have no idea what I made this one for. Hmmm…

Copic coloured kitten ATC. According to the website, which has a story for each character they draw, these two are friends. No munching in imminent.

 

I guess this one was for flowers. I am always working on making metal look shiny and realistic. Not sure if I got there or not…

I love using this embossing folder on the cone. Doesn’t it look so much like a real sugar cone? Summer treat or drink theme.

Pink Cupcake, part of a cupcake series.

I think this one was for my Nature Series: Plants.

Nature Series: Flowers

Pretty Bird ATC.

No idea, I made this one two years ago!

If you got this far, you deserve a gold star! Especially since I am always running behind with my swapbot swaps and I take most of these with my iPhone and they aren’t great photos. Thanks!

My Favourite Things ATC

This is one of my favourite ATCs I’ve ever made. Interestingly enough it was for a swap called My Favourite Things-make an ATC inspired by the song from Sound of Music. It really isn’t a traditional ATC though. This is what it looks like before you open it.

So as you can see, it looks like a ‘brown paper package tied up with string’ and inside…

…is a collection of things from the song. The rose has glossy accents on it in specific spots to look like rain drops, as in ‘raindrops on roses’. Then we have a ‘cream coloured pony’, a ‘white dress with blue satin sash’ and a bee from ‘when the bee stings’. They’re a bit hard to see but in front of the pony is ‘snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes’ which I made silver in reference to ‘silver white winters’. The little tag lists the things from the song in case it wasn’t clear. Once I was done, I really wanted to keep this one!

Enjoy, Rebecca

RECIPE
Stamps: girl-MFT, pony-TAC, flower-SU!, bee-Unity
Paper: white, ivory CS-TE, brown paper-lunch bag
Ink: Memento black, cocoa
Accessories: baker’s twine-Masterstroke Ribbon, Curvy rectangles-Spellbinders, glossy accents-Ranger, tag die-Cuttlebug, Copics, snowflake punch-MS

Butterfly Dreams ATC

I don’t remember when I made this or for what but I am finally getting around to posting it. It was probably for a butterfly or
shabby chic themed swap on Swap-Bot.

Pretty simple so not too much to say. I hope you like it!

Enjoy, Rebecca

RECIPE
Stamps: SU!
Ink: Memento cocoa
Paper: vanilla, chocolate CS-SU!, vintage music paper
Accessories: foam dots-Jody Morrow, Making Memories fabric tape, Copic Markers, Pearls-Dollarama

Paris ‘Challenge Me’ ATC

As any of my regular readers knows, I trade quite a few craft items on Swap-Bot. This one was for a swap I designed called ‘Challenge Me’ ATC which was quite new and different. In order to make the ATC, the sender had to list  their favourite 10 crafting supplies or tools in the comments section.

The recipient would choose 5 of those that the sender HAD to use to make the ATC. The recipient would also look over the sender’s profile and choose a theme from things that the sender listed as likes. Then the sender created the ATC with the 5 items chosen (basic supplies like scissors, cardstock etc were givens for everyone) plus one additional item from the list of 10 and 2 other items of choice.

I made this a couple weeks ago so I’m not sure I'm 100% but I think the 5 were DP, ephemera, punches, dies and ribbon. The scalloped border is a punch, the doily a die. The ephemera is the music paper, background is DP. I used a stamp as an additional item from my list of 10. And I added pearls. The theme my partner chose was Paris but could I find my Eiffel Tower stamp? UGH! Took me ages! And I know I have 2 but I never did find the 2nd one.

I dyed the silk ribbon with Copic ink and distressed it with Vintage Photo ink. I used a Bow Easy to make a nice tidy bow. TIP: Did you know that if you wrap the ribbon in a figure 8 around the ‘legs’ rather than wrapping around the outside of the ‘legs’ of the Bow Easy and  you put a twist in the ribbon in the center, the bow loops will fluff much more easily? Especially with lots of loops. I forgot to do so here and you can see that my loops will stay out to the sides and not fan all the way into a nice circular shape. I don’t have enough loops to make a full circular shape anyway but if I did, they would always try to stick out to the sides unless you figure 8 wrap the ribbon.

Enjoy, Rebecca

RECIPE
Stamps: unknown
Ink: Vintage Photo, Antique Linen Distress, Memento black
Paper: Graphic 45 Romantique, white typing paper (doily), vanilla, black CS-SU!, vintage music paper
Accessories: doily die-PTI, punch-EK Success, May Arts Ribbon, Bow Easy, Copic, Kaisercraft Pearls

Berry French Horn ATC for Doodle Pantry

I’ve been making lots of ATCs lately because I’m in a swap where I send my partner 20! WOW, I know! So I’ve been searching through all kinds of images I’ve printed, coloured, stamped whatever, anything that shaves a bit of time off of making them! I love this pretty image from Doodle Pantry called French Horn.

I’ve been trying to make my Copic colouring more realistic so I heavily relied on Google images of French horns. Most are brass coloured but a few are silver and some are even funky colours! So, in the spirit of realism, I coloured this as though there are lots of reflections on the horn. It looks pretty flat on here but IRL, I coloured it with a clear Spica pen  so it looks nice and sparkly! I hope it doesn’t look to weird to those of you who haven't Googled French Horns lately!

I guess I should have printed it a wee bit smaller but when I printed it, I didn’t have an ATC in mind necessarily. I meant to do the ‘Outside the Box’ technique on the bow but would you believe, I forgot? Seriously? In case you don’t know it, it is the technique where you pre-cut areas of the image that stick out beyond the die’s edges and keep them out of the way while die cutting. It is a great look, bummer huh?

Enjoy, Rebecca

RECIPE
Image: French Horn-Doodle Pantry
Paper: DP-Kaisercraft, white CS-Taylored Expressions
Accessories: Copics YG63,67, C00,1,3,5,7, R11,20,22,32,35, E37, rhinestones-Dollarama, Spica pen, Labels 8 Nesties

Pear ATC-A Doodle Pantry Sketch Challenge

Did you know that Doodle Pantry has a challenge twice a month? On the 5th and 20th of each month (delayed this time due to illness) Laurie gives her designers and loyal followers a challenge at the DP blog. This one was a sketch Doodle Pantry Sketch Challenge 10.

You really have to find time to play as you could win 1 of 4 PRIZES! Visit the challenge post for all the details.

I usually combine the release image and the challenge but I goofed and forgot. So I also made an ATC that used the sketch, kind of a blend between the two.

I tried something new when colouring this pear. I’ve seen some of the gals who’ve finished had the privilege of attending the advanced Copic course doing some cool things with  their shadows. Maybe my version wasn’t quite right as I can’t decide if I like it or not. That grey blob on the pear is (you already know right?… please!) is a shadow from the leaf. Of course…

Enjoy, Rebecca

RECIPE
Image: Doodle Pantry Pears and Raspberries
Stamps: Carte Postal-All Night Media
Ink: Antique Linen, Vintage Photo, Scattered Straw Distress, Staz on brown, chocolate-SU!
Paper: vintage sheet music, all CS-SU!
Accessories: Oval Nesties, flower snaps-Scrapbook Interiors, seam binding ribbon-Masterstroke
Technique: Wrinkle Free Distress

Fabric ATCs-Tea Time!

I made these for a fabric ATC challenge. I’d never made ATCs using this much fabric before so I wanted to try it out. I used some scraps from an apron my mom made. It was supposed to  be mine but the pattern had a shaped chest area and it made up quite small so no room for my ample bosom! She’ll make me another but for now, I get to play with the scraps!

The embroidery on the right one was already done, for the left, the trim was already sewn to the  lower fabric. They were so fun and easy to make. So if you know someone who sews, hit them up for some great scraps!

Enjoy, Rebecca

RECIPE
Fabric: Amy Butler
Accessories: buttons: PTI and stash, ribbon-stash

Cutesy Cupcake ATC

Another Swap-Bot creation! I just love cupcakes though I’m not so fond of the ones with faces (sorry Taylor) and I’m kinda picky about the shape of the icing too. This set of stamps from Basic Grey is perfect.

The adorable borders are from Doodlebug Designs I think, they were already glittered. The sprinkles are stamped and then I added Quickie Glue Pen and glitter! Since then I’ve gotten the 24 set of fine MS glitter and I can’t wait to use it. Even better, I got it with a 50% off coupon, it is normally $39.99 here in Canada!

Enjoy, Rebecca

RECIPE
Stamps: Basic Grey
Ink: pretty in pink,  chocolate-SU!, chestnut ColorBox chalk ink
Paper: Pink pirouette, cocoa, white-SU!, hibiscus burst-PTI
Accessories: foam dots-Jody Morrow,  borders-Doodlebug Designs, Art Institute Glitter

Beautiful Bride ATC

Another creation for a Swap-Bot swap. It was a wedding ATC swap. I decided to go with very soft colours but mostly white; I’ve seen a lot of white on white lately and wanted to try it!

 
The background is a soft muted green floral from Basic Grey’s Porcelain paper pack. The tulle in the back is cut quite wide and about as high as the ATC. Then I tied it with sheer white ribbon and glued it to the ATC; the bride covers the knot. I stamped her on shimmer white cardstock; I wish you could see the shimmer!

Enjoy, Rebecca

RECIPE
Stamp: MFT
Ink: memento black
Paper: white CS-Taylored Expressions, DP-Basic Grey, Gold CS-SU!
Accessories: tulle, white sheer ribbon-stash, Rhinestones-Taylors tiny twinkles, foam dots-Jody Morrow, Copics R22, 32, G21, Y21

Clear Baby Boy ATC

I am always trying new things and this one turned out so cool! I made this so long ago I’ve forgotten but I think it was a brown and blue ATC swap.

 
I decided to use the clear cardstock because I had scraps on my desk. I embossed the clear background with an embossing folder; when I did it before, I got white raised areas but not this time, I wonder why? I still thought the subtle texture was cool. It is hard to see but I subtly enhanced the ribbing with a Copic marker. The bottom of the ATC is a sticker.

Enjoy, Rebecca

RECIPE
Stamps: Fiskars
Ink: Memento brown
Paper: clear cardstock-PTI, DP-?
Accessories: Masterstroke seam binding ribbon, plastic accent-Jesse James buttons, foam dots-Jody Morrow, sticker-K&Co

Brown, Cream and One ATC

I hosted this swap on Swap-Bot recently. I’ve seen lots of Black White and One, even hosted it before, but never this one. I, of course, went with pink for my other colour.

The base is cardstock covered in some really wide eyelet lace. It is actually much wider than you even see here, I cut off a big piece! Love that lace. The butterfly is a Cuttlebug embossing folder and die combo, well, they are two pieces. It is a set of 4 embossing folders and a matching die. Way cool. I sponged ink over the raised areas with Victorian Rose Distress ink. But once I added glitter, you really can’t see it, next time I will use white transparent glitter. The ribbon is from Miss Alayneeah on etsy. I love the variegated look she gets.

Ever wonder how to get a bow to look like that? All I do is tie a bow with extra long tails and pull the middle tight. Then I put a forceps clamp on the knot and tie another bow. Ta Da! A double bow!

Enjoy, Rebecca

RECIPE
Ink: Distress ink
Paper: chocolate CS-SU!, sweet blush-PTI
Accessories: buttons, white twine-PTI, Prima pearl flourish, seam binding ribbon-Miss Alayneeah, vintage lace, Pearl-Kaisesrcraft, Art Institute Glitter, Cuttlebug embossing folder and die, foam dots-jody Morrow, Krylon spray adhesive

Breast Cancer ATC

I love using pink and my life has been very touched by breast cancer (not personally) so it was an obvious choice to join a Swap-Bot swap for a breast cancer themed ATC.

I absolutely LOVE the background swirl stamp (Tim Holtz). He has put it into several sets I believe. No wonder, it is gorgeous! The rest is pretty obvious so not too much to say.

Hope you are all having a fabulously fun and safe summer!

Enjoy, Rebecca

RECIPE
Stamps: verse-SU!, background-Tim Holtz
Ink: pink pirouette-SU!, worn lipstick Distress ink
Paper: sweet blush CS-PTI, white CS-SU!
Accessories: MS butterfly punch, sheer ribbon-stash, pearls-Kaisercraft and Dollarama, rhinestone-K&Co., Cuttlebug Swiss dots embossing folder, foam dots-Jody Morrow, rectangle Nestabilities (no, there isn’t one that is a perfect ATC size, it is slightly short and fat!)

Cute Monster ATC for Swap-Bot

Have you seen the movie, Monsters Inc? I LOVE that movie, the monsters are so interesting and different and then there is the story of course, melts my heart to see those ‘scary monsters’ with that little girl. Anyway, that was my inspiration for this ATC.

I coloured them all with Copics, then I texturized the purple one with blender rubbing alcohol sprayed on my stamping rag, previously a washcloth. The result is subtle but interesting. I love how they pop on the black but of course, that presents a problem since their tail, legs and feet are too tiny to cut out. I had already used the copper EP to emboss the sentiment so it was a natural progression to use EP for their legs! I tried to only ink their legs and then I used a tiny paint brush to brush away the excess EP so it wouldn’t show underneath them if you look from an angle.

Like the top hat? I originally stamped it in black when I thought that I was going to put some sort of DP underneath the monsters. But when I decided to use the plain black background, I needed to change it. TIP: So I put some two-way glue on a little scrap of paper and allowed it to dry. Then I stuck the hat on it and pressed it into my Versamark ink. Then a quick dip into the silver EP then I heated it with my heat gun and voila! A perfect silver hat! No finger prints or tweezer marks.

I placed red line tape around the outer 3 edges of the card and applied splotchy, imperfect glitter. Then I tapped off the excess and applied another colour to get this fun border. The purple shows up pretty well in the picture but what looks yellow is really a fun, bright, almost fluorescent green! Very monsterish! Both colours are MUCH brighter in person!!

Enjoy, Rebecca

RECIPE
Stamps: Monsters INK-MFT
Paper: white CS-Taylored Expressions, black CS, SU!
Ink: Memento black, Versamark
Accessories: glitter-Art Institute, redline tape, foam dots- Jody Morrow, silver, copper EP-SU!, tiny twinkle-Taylored Expressions, Copics: V04,06,09, R17,29, YR04,07,16,68, Y38, YG03,06, G14

Handsome Gentleman ATC for Swap-Bot

PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR DOODLE PANTRY POST.

I decided to host a swap on Swap-Bot for Handsome Gentleman ATCs. I figured I could use my new Proper Gentleman paper by Graphic 45 (I think) to make something really nifty.

Can you believe that only ONE other person joined me? AHHH! Oh well, I enjoyed making mine and will still get one back so that is all that matters. I’m just always hoping to come up with a swap that will attract big numbers, not even sure why!! Stupid right?Anyhow, I used a mix of stickers by Karen Foster and paper from the paper pack. Isn’t this a great mini booze case? It was my hubby’s grandfathers. He knew right away I’d love it, smart man!

Enjoy, Rebecca

RECIPE
Stamp: text background from Background Basics: hearts-PTI
Ink: burgundy-SU!, antique linen Distress ink
Paper: proper Gentleman-Graphic 45, burgundy, black CS-SU!
Accessories: foam dots-Jody Morrow, vintage stickers-Karen Foster, bracket sticker-stash

Glittery Lateness for Whimsical Wednesdays!

OMW, in a year and a half, I have never FORGOTTEN a Whimsical Wednesdays (formerly Twinkling Tuesdays) post! So much has been happening that is other than my normal routine I seem to have been thrown a curve ball!

This week’s challenge, by Emilie and Kaeli, was to use lots of sparkle and glitter on your project. I made this cute little ATC that will go to a kid in a swap I am hosting, Kids Love ATCs.

I added pink glitter to her tutu, white glitter to the DP using red line tape and Taylor’s Tiny Twinkles to her bun. I hope that is glittery enough for ‘s girls.

I’d like to send a HUGE thank you to Sweet Pea stamps for their generous gift of three stamps this month! They were an AWESOME sponsor! And much thanks to Randi for organizing the whole shebang!

So for June, we DareDevils are taking a break every week except next. But we have a HUGE prize package for anyone who plays next week’s challenge. And when I say HUGE, I mean HUGE!!!  Best thing, you may enter as many times as you like and you have ALL MONTH to play! Sound good? Tune in next week for the challenge and the hugest prize we’ve ever had!!!

Make sure the DareDevils get some love this week; be sure to visit all of their blogs and leave a nice comment. And don’t forget to play this week too! Upload using DDSC37 and link with Mr Linky using the DIRECT link to your project!

Enjoy, Rebecca

RECIPE
Stamps: CTMH
Paper: riding hood red CS, DP-SU!, white CS-Taylored Expressions
Ink: riding hood red, Memento black, white-PTI (to tone down the DP brightness)
Accessories: Tiny Twinkles, Art Institute Glitter, foam dots-Jody Morrow, Copics: R20,22, E00,21,31,33,35,37,93

Flame Mermaid ATC for Whimsical Wednesdays ETA: Butterfly Mermaid Card

Wow, time got away from me like crazy today. I am not used to spending the whole day out on Tuesdays as I usually take it easy since it is my church night. It is all I can do to make it there on time some days so I try not to add anything much to Tuesdays. This time however, the night was switched to Thursday and so Spencer and I went to the park, for ice cream and did a few errands. I hardly slept last night so when we got home, we had a bath and a long nap and I am still tired. I know, get to the ATC already. I just wanted to explain why I have only an ATC and not a full card to show you today. I am going to turn the other ATC I did into a card later today and add it to this post in the afternoon.

I coloured this one for a Non-Cutesy Mermaid swap on Swap-Bot. It was actually a lot more vibrant IRL if you can believe that. I tried different lighting including sunlight but I just couldn’t capture it. Oh well.

ETA: Here is the card I am finally getting to post at 11PM, eek!

 
This is the ATC I did that became my feature image for this card. It was going to be for a PRO Artists ATC swap (yep, I was accepted!) but it wasn’t quite PRO enough for me yet it was just asking me to do something with it. For all of you who think ATCs are cool but don’t know what to do with them, this is it! Trade ‘em with your friends and then challenge each other to make cards with ‘em. It is fun, I promise! Although it looks like the background here is white, it is actually a pale blue with purple tones to it, B60. A lighter version of the colour I used for the leaves made from dotted lines (click for a larger image) in the top left corner. Is that seaweed? or is she on land and that is a hanging vine?

Anyway, I used Heather’s DD, Piper’s sketch. According to the notes she had her mom include, the butterfly image was not required nor were all 4 of the corner butterflies. So cute huh?

Thanks to Sweet Pea stamps for being our Sponsor this month. I would NEVER have bought them but I am having SO MUCH FUN colouring them and I am SOOO GLAD to have them!! It is so freeing colouring a fantasy image that really has no rules for the colouring. I like to keep the skin tones natural, that’s just me but other than that… anything goes.

Be sure to check out the Whimsical Wednesdays blog to see the sketches, yep two of them, for this week and I will add the one I plan to use when I add my card later. (ETA DONE!) Be sure to upload your project to online galleries using DDSC36 and link it up with Mr Linky. Don’t forget to visit all of the DareDevil’s blogs and leave them some great comments.

Enjoy, Rebecca

RECIPE
Flame Mermaid ATC
Paper: white CS-Taylored Expressions
Ink: memento black
Stamp: Sweet Pea
Accessories: Spica white glitter pen, Copics-V12,15,17, Bv08, Bg72,75,78, B24,29, B32, Rv06, Y21,35,38

Butterfly Mermaid Card
Paper: Taylored Expressions, Sultry DP-Basic Grey
Stamp: Sweet Pea
Ink: memento black, worn lipstick Distress
Accessories: (best guess, Spencer erased this file too), R81, 83, 85, 89, B60, 63, G21, YG 03?, E00, 21, 31, 33, 35, 37, 95, BV ? (thing in her hair), Y35, MS butterfly punch, Sultry brads-Basic Grey

I have been the WORST blogger!

I can’t believe how few times I’ve posted in the last while. To be fair, I do have a needy three year old with chicken pox but still… Anyway, I am going to include a few items in this post, not my usual style but why not!?

Girl ATC Swap-Bot

This was for a swap requiring a girl or woman on the ATC. I used a an architectural stamp and a script stamp for the background and embossed them with gold powder. The girl was stamped and Copic coloured'; I deliberately made her with medium skin so her race was indeterminate. The pearls were a strand that were already glued together, how fun and easy! The ‘dress’ is ombre ribbon I’ve had forever, I’m glad I finally have a use for it.

Mickey Mouse ATC Swap

I paper pieced Mickey’s face and eyes, colouring in his tongue. The embossing was done with a powder painting technique where you pour on one colour of powder, flick it off and then pour on another. I thought it really suited the razzle dazzle that is all things Disney! I coloured in the star and Mickey word with Spica pen, then wished I hadn’t. Oh well!

Sarah’s Travel Themed Post-It Note Cover

I made this Post-It note cover for my sister who loves to travel. I made it thin enough to put in a purse. Normally I make these 1/4” thick but this one is just 1/8” thick. I made one similar for me and it fits in the pocket of my Bible’s leather cover. This one uses stickers from Making Memories and I’m not sure of the girl ones plus some stamps I’ve had for ages. I didn’t add a tie to the ribbon because I was keeping down the bulk and I was concerned about fraying.

Enjoy, Rebecca