Last of the Christmas Thank you cards

These are the last of my Christmas thank you cards!  They feature a wonderful snowflake patterned gift wrap in red and white which I also used on this card.  The mitten was a 3D embellishment off of an ATC and the poinsettia was trimmed from an ATC layer. I used a spare vellum greeting from this set of cards for the first one along with a punched layer and attached the vellum using two little brads which I coloured using two different red Sharpie markers to get the colour I needed.  I added small fabric snowflakes to the brads. Very handy to be able to customize white brads to whatever colour you need for your project.
Therese

Birthday ATC card

Made this card last week and am just getting it posted today!!  I started with the focal image, an ATC from my collection which features a paper napkin layer embossed with clear embossing powder which I layered onto red.  I adhered it to a white card front to which I had added a blue layer embossed with the Decorative Dots embossing folder (SU) which I just recently purchased when my sister, Sylvia, hosted an online party.  I added a length of yellow gros grain ribbon.  I inserted the end on the left hand side through a slit I cut on the spine of the card and used double sided tape to secure both ends to the inside front of the card.  I added this greeting which I cut using the smallest Deco Labels framelit (SU) after I laser printed it and then watercoloured it to coordinate with the card.   Another one to add to the stash!

Therese

RAK Challenge!!!

 I signed up for a RAK challenge while I was away on vacation.  I had only brought a limited amount of crafty supplies with me and they were mostly for my quilties so I had to get creative!!  I found this playing card on the sidewalk when we were out walking one day and thought it was worth keeping.  The ribbon was found on a different walk a couple days after Valentines.  Determined to make something with what I had on hand I decided to embellish my card with ink and embroidery!  I punched all the holes with my needle following the lines in the design on the front of the card before I started.  This gave me the guidelines I needed to add the doodling I did on the back.  I cut pieces of heart ribbon to incorporate as on the front as I did my stitching.  It was fun to work with limited supplies and I am happy with the final result.  

I also added four little embroidered flower designs to the envelope which she can incorporate in her art. They can be stitched in place or easily adhered with any of the products created for fusing fabric.

Therese

Vintage looking Valentine's card for a special guy

I created this card for my DH for Valentine's!!  I started with a black quarter sheet of cardstock which I trimmed slightly to leave an even border all the way around. I stamped it with a flourish background (IO) and embossed it with red embossing powder.  It worked out great!!  I rubbed on a bit of gold mica powder to add a bit of depth to it and stitched it to the front of a kraft coloured card using black thread.  I added a red layer (ATC from my stash) that had a metal butterfly, some black stamping and a gold shimmer finish over which I mounted a square of serendipity background in reds and golds.  I created my focal element using a laser printed digital image of a heart with leaves (CLKER) which I trimmed and watercoloured.  Once it was dry I added some clear dimensional magic to the heart and berries.  Once that was dry I mounted it to my card using 3D foam tape.  I really like the vintage look in the red, white and black colour scheme!!

Therese

Another ATC card - anniversary

This card features an ATC from my traded collection. I liked that this collage had a heart so I decided to use it to make an anniversary card.  I stippled my orange card front using my stipple stamp (SU) and brown ink.  I stitched on this piece of burlap which was sitting on my desk with orange thread and then stitched on the ATC using the same thread.  I love how all the pieces look together.   I trimmed this laser printed greeting, watercoloured it to coordinate with the card and adhered it using double sided tape.

Hope you are enjoying your holiday season and are grateful for every blessing you have received in 2014!!  I am!!  Wishing every thing good in the 2015!

Therese

Another couple cards with serendipity collage

I have been on a collage kick for the past few days and here are a couple more cards that use a serendipity collage.  I used green and blue for this serendipity and it ended up with some orange in it too which was kind of fun.
I created the collage on 8.5" x 11" scrap paper using a regular glue stick, stamped it with a newspaper column background stamp (IO) using green ink.
For this card, I punched the left hand side with a chevron punch (SU) and backed the holes with navy cardstock.  I added a navy gros grain ribbon and stitched the whole layer to an orange card front using orange thread.  I added a colour printed greeting which I trimmed to look like a tag to the ribbon using orange fiber. I created a bit of a collage on the right hand side using a colour printed light house image (mine) and a green and blue rectangle.  Once the collage was in place I used double sided tape to adhere the greeting in place.  The large white area to the left of the greeting seemed to pop too much so I dug through my used postage stamps and found this one that had the right colouring and size. I glued it in place with double sided tape.  That was much better!!

For this card, I used an ATC from my traded collection which features a beautiful little bird done in glittery transparent embossing paste.  I started by adding navy ribbon to my serendipity collage and then stitched the whole thing to my green card front using red thread.  I added a colour printed greeting to the bottom edge of the ATC and then adhered this element to my card front using double sided tape.
Using ready to go focal elements makes for quick and easy cards!!

Therese

Cards using ATCs

 On Saturday, World Card Making Day, I spent some time in my craft room making some cards for donation.  I decided to work with my stash of ATCs which usually makes the creation of a card quick and easy!!
These two embossed metal heart ATCs are ones I created years ago for trading.  You can read more about them here!!  I added a layer to each of them (black on left, orange on right), added them to red card fronts and stamped greetings.

I used alcohol backgrounds on both of these cards and ATCs from my collection!
I added a bit of script on the left hand one before I adhered the ATC along with a flagged greeting.

I love this ATC - a bit of a sewing theme!!  I adhered the ATC to the card front and stamped a small greeting on the right hand corner.  Love it!!

For the one on the left I added a multi layer background and a yellow one before I layered the ATC element onto the coordinating alcohol ink background and rust card front.  I added a small stamped greeting to the right hand corner.

For a friend who needs to know that we are thinking of you her I have created an angel card using an ATC I created years ago for trading. You can check out the details here!  I stamped the greeting on the watercolour background first, added it to my blue card front and then adhered my angel ATC equidistant from the top left hand corner.  I like the way the colours coordinate so nicely!!  I hope my little angel will be a comfort to her while she heals!!

Therese

A couple more ATC cards!

Here are a couple more cards I created using ATCs from my collection!!
The one on the left features a beautiful koi fish image that was quite glittery.  I layered it over an alcohol ink background I made a while back adding a rust and blue layer along with a flagged strip with blue rhinestones which were coloured with a sharpie marker!!
On the right I layered the leaf ATC onto another alcohol ink background which I bokehed and stamped with a flourish in red.  I added the flagged greeting that coordinated in colour.
These are quick and easy cards because the focal elements are ready to go!!
How many ATCs have you collected?  Do you have them put away or on display? Do you think you will convert some into other projects like cards?

Therese

More ATC cards!

Here are a few more ATC cards!! You can check here and here for a few more.  I am working on incorporating my large collection of traded ATCs into cards!!
I love this beautiful fish so decided to create a masculine card with it!!  I removed several layers of cardstock and adhered the image and layer to an embossed black layer which was glued to a green card front.  Because the ATC had the word "believe" on it I decided to add a wordy laser printed greeting from Pink Cat Studio that wishes the recipient a magical day.  I added some colour and glitter using gel pens, layered it onto green and added it to my card front using 3D foam tape.
The second card features a colour printed digital background from When the Scrap hits the Fun and I was lucky enough to find this beautiful ATC which coordinated perfectly!!  I added a little colour printed greeting and mounted the ATC to a black layer then added it to my card front using 3D foam tape!! I corner rounded all the corners to keep with the circle theme in the background.   Have not used that corner rounder on a card front for quite some time!!  Another masculine card!!

Therese

Thank you card using an ATC

Still making thank you cards for my friend.  This one features an ATC from my huge collection.  The ATC had a blue brad in the right lower corner which seemed to be throwing off my colour scheme so I found a star brad in my stash that was a more appropriate colour and substituted in.  Much better!! I added a colour printed greeting, embossed the background using Swiss Dots (CB) embossing folder and glued all the elements to a very light blue card front.  Makes for another subtle card with a beautiful loon image.

Therese

Thinking of you angel "ATC" card

I made this card for a friend who is facing a challenge and I wanted to send her angel.  I found this bright and cherry angel in my ATC collection and thought it would do perfectly for her.  I added an all over gel pen squiggle to the blue layer and adhered it to an orange card front.  I added the angel ATC with 3D foam tape and hand lettered my greeting just below it using an orange gel pen!!
A hand made card is like a gift to someone who needs a lift or a bit of encouragement.  It is a physical reminder that they were on your mind and the hugs you sent along!!

Therese

Two more cards created with ATCs

I am still working on getting some cards made with my large collection of ATCs.   Here are a few more.
I used an ATC from a technique swap for this first card.  It was created using rusted metals.  I really like its arty look.  I found the embossed kraft frame in my stash and decided I could make them work as the major components for my card.  I used Aged Wood distress ink to highlight the embossing on the frame and then stitched it to my gray card front using black thread.  I added the ATC using homemade washi tape that was a similar colour to one in the ATC. Next, I added a colour washed laser printed greeting between the ATC and the card front.  It still needed a bit of something so I went digging into the stash looking for a 3D embellishment that might work. When I found this mangled bottle cap I thought it was perfect.  I found it on the ground somewhere along the way when I was out for a walk.  I made a hole in it with my awl and then attached it to my card front using a tiny pewter brad.  Done!!
I love the grungy look of this card!!

Here is the other card I made.  I used another of the kraft frames I had on hand and used blue/green ink on it instead.  I glued it to a blue card front, added some embossed mesh (window screening) on both the left and right sides using double sided tape and then glued the ATC over them centered in the opening.  The ATC was created on handmade paper using dimensional paint and mica powders.  I added a layered greeting below the ATC.

I am really enjoying working with ATCs.  They make wonderful cards!!  The perfect focal elements!!

Do you have a stash of ATCs that need to find a new home??

Therese

Envelope book swap

On one of my groups we are having an envelope book swap!! I thought it was a great idea!! I choose to use the theme - from our house to yours - referring to the communication between families that is done through the postal system - we all love to get mail!!

I used walnut ink to distress my envelopes and added coffee cup stains to most of them!! Cool effect!! I created art on the front and the back and included fun stuff inside too!!

The front of the A2 sized envelope features a road stamped on the bottom using an unmounted distressed wheel (SU), a bare tree stamp (Applachian Arts), some mountains (Applachian Arts) and words stamped with my set of magnetic letter stamps (Making Memories) - all in dark brown ink (Memories Chalk). I used an old funky book, drew houses with a large black permanent marker on the pages and cut them out to embellish my envelopes. Colour printed the mail box onto label, cut it out to make a sticker and placed it by the road near the house. I stamped the little envelope on label as well and cut it out as well. I placed it near the top of the house and used a fine tip Sharpie marker to create a line of movement from the words to the mail box.

On the back of the envelope I stamped the unmounted wheel stamp of houses (SU) across the bottom edge and added a bit of colour with coloured pencils. I dug through my postage stamp collection looking for an appropriate postage stamp. Found enough of these that feature flags and were similar in colour to my mailbox so added that to my flap next to the my words along with a line of movement with a black Sharpie.

To the inside of the envelope I added a little petal envelope cut from brown paper embellished with french script (SU) that has postage stamps inside it. They all feature houses of some kind. I also included one of my 3D house ATC!!! These little ATCs actually can be unfolded and make a three dimensional house!! Very fun!!

I have mailed them off and am looking forward to the little stash of envelopes I will be getting back!! I will make myself some interesting covers and bind them all together using my Bind it All!!

I am starting to have a little collection of interesting art books that are all my creations!!

Therese

Hands of Time ATCs

I created these three ATCs for a Hands of Time swap on AFTCM!! I used photos I downloaded from The Morgue File - a great resource of photos for free - and added some elements to make them work. The left hand one - I used a dandelion photo, added a clock face and a quote - You only have n o w. Choose wisely. I added some 3D hands with a brad to the middle and added the n and the w with a white gel pen to spell the word n o w. The middle one - I used a photo of a watch, added a quote to the top and bottom and a clock sticky border to the side of it. The right one - I used a photo of a clock mechanism and added a quote with white gel marker.

One swap down - several more to go!!

Therese

Transportation - Steampunk ATCs

Have been working on ATCs for the last day or so!! The theme is Transportation in the Steampunk style!! I first had to do some research to figure out what Steampunk was and then do some searching around on the internet for images!! I did find some free images that would suit the theme so I resized them and printed off my sheet and got busy!! The backgrounds I downloaded from Cemerony - Freebie 11 which is a colourful map of Paris that I thought would be appropriate. The gentleman I downloaded from this Flicker collage group from an artist - artbychristi. The train is a Dover clipart image. The car is just one from the internet somewhere. The lady's dress is from a paper doll image - thought it had credits on the page but, alas, no!! I will see if I can find it and link it when I do. The lady's head is from one of Kelly Burton's collage sheets - I just cut out the head and layered it onto the dress. The woman's face is also cut from somewhere ages ago and I do not know where I got the original.

For the left one I printed the background to which I had added the gentleman's face then using acrylic medium I glued the transparency with the car over it. I surrounded the woman's face with an open metal ring and added some clear acrylic medium to glue them to each other and give it a nice glossy look. The round letters are a set of typewriter letters I created for myself before there were fonts that would do the same thing. I just punch them out with a 1/2" punch. The word " journey" is printed on label using a Dymo font. I added an A inside a black cogged washer - no idea where it came from. You can find star washers - toothed lock washers - at a hardware store and colour them with alcohol inks or Sharpies that would give you the same look.

The one on the right has lots of layers. I coloured the dress and added the head and collar from another image. I trimmed the oval gentleman, glued him to the altered tag, added twill with a safety pin and a little gold heart charm. The train is trimmed close, coloured and glued to the bottom edge. I did add a bit of a book page behind the lady so she would stand out more from the busy background. The little metal disc - $1 store years ago - seems to just belong there!!

So now onto the rest of my day!!

Therese

Flower ATCs!

Flower ATCs!! I just received my envelope from a flower swap and got a cool little supply of handmade flowers!! Two of them were just what I needed to add to these two ATCs in a trade with Beth. She sent along some Japanese paper in trade for this little house ATC I made a while back!! She always makes great ATCs!!

ATCs are very cool because they are so small they don't take a lot of supplies to make and usually not too much time as well.

For the left hand one I added a black border on my pink ATC blank. Linda often adds these kinds of markered borders to her journal pages and I think they are so neat so I gave it a try. Added an embossed layer and then this layered punchie flower!! Added a black stem with a marker, cut out the colour printed words and glued under the flower!!

For the second one, I found the saying in my stash of goodies gleaned from items that are headed to the recycling bin. Glued my flower on the left of my mustard ATC blank and layered on my saying after I altered it with a bit of yellow ink to help it coordinate with my flower and background. Added a sticker to the lower right hand side and some piercing at the flower's edge. Stippled a bit of green over everything to help give it a cohesive look.

Therese

Another little house ATC!! I made this one for an "ABC - Anything but a card" challenge on one of my groups. I changed up my house - made it brick instead of wood siding and also created a new front door for it!! Colour washed the siding and the roof and added a little wreath and a new saying "From our house to yours!!" so it would be appropriate for sending as a Christmas card. For someone crafty you could send it ready to be assembled or you can send it as a folded ATC that they get to transform into a little house ornament for their tree!! Would be great to include a tag with the year on it!! So many possibilities!! If you are interested in trading for this little house check out my posting here for the details!!

Thanks to those who have already traded!! I hope you enjoy the little house and get creative with it!!

Therese

ATC Architecture and folding

I have been playing all day!!!!!!!!!! Here is what I have to show for it - a folded ATC which unfolds into a little house!!!! It worked out so well!! I modified a photo of a house I took in Kingston Mills for the front and back, created sides and roof with my layout program and folded it up so it would lay flat and fit in an ATC sleeve!! I added the words before I printed it, washed it with a bit of colour and added a red heart!! It will satisfy my Architecture and accordion folded ATC for a swap and Anything but a Card for another group!!

I will be working on my Domino book next and I have a few Christmas card challenges I would like to get to as well.

Have a great weekend!

Therese

PS I have had several requests for the template for this cool little house. Over night it occurred to me that these would be great for Christmas!! Flat to mail and a 3D card/ornament all in one!! If you would like a little house (undecorated and mailed flat with instructions) I am willing to trade one for something you have!!!!!!!! Click my profile and send me an email and we can get a trade happening!! I would take cardstock, decorative paper, flat embellishments, stickers, printed collage images, unmounted rubber stamps, etc - anything flat that is inexpensive to mail.

Altered page with Nature ATC

Catching up on some projects that were put on the back burner last month!! Created this page around the Nature ATC I received from Linda last month. I love the look of those landscapes put together with Stampscapes stamps. Linda has only recently started with this stamping style but is already very good at it!! I loved this style of drawing when I was in college and thought I would give it a go for this altered page. Though a bit time consuming I love what you can achieve with a couple black markers!!

I created the background by painting white gesso on to the book page and adding some blue acrylic transparent paint I create a while back for this project. Just painted it on and moved it around a bit with fingers and paper towel. Once dry, I drew onto this surface with a black fine point Sharpie creating rocks, trees and water. The dimension in the elements is created by adding dots with a black ultra fine point Sharpie. I used the ATC image as a guide. Added colour with Sharpies as well - gray for the rocks, moss green for the trees and several colours of blue in the water. This quote by Bliss Carman suited the layout perfectly so I wrote it in by hand. The holes you can see in the layout accommodate the shell I glued to my previous altered page in by altered book.

Try a new technique today!!

Therese

ABCanada - Nature ATC

On my Altered Group we are doing a Nature ATC swap!! This is out of my usual colour scheme but I have been working on getting out of my comfort zone so I just went with it!! I punched the flower out of the original layer and attached with 3Dfoam tape just over a bit and backed the hole with turquoise cardstock and added a rhinestone to the center. Overstamped the background with the quote and then added the quote stamped in red on white which I ripped apart to make it fit. Added a turquoise and white fiber tied to the belly of it all. I have sent it along to another player and she will have the fun of including it when creating an altered book page!!
I received this ATC from Linda which I will include in an altered book page sometime this week!! Check later and see what I have created!!
It has been a busy week prepping for my card class.

Therese