Monday 5 March 2018

ATCs - A New Addiction

Hello sweet visitors and welcome to my blog.  So pleased you decided to drop by.

I'm sharing something new with you today.  Well, at least it's new for me.  I have been busy creating some ATCs and, I have had so much fun with it,  I think I have a new addiction!  
Like everyone else, I have seen these around for a long time but never really felt the need to try my hand until now.  I've been watching a few videos, which is not unusual in itself but, I've been watching videos about ATCs.  I think I can blame Anne Redfern for this.  LOL!!  She mentioned her love of ATCs a few times recently and it got my curiosity aroused.

So, I watched a few videos and thought I would give it a go, and these are the result.
  I must tell you that these are not my own design.  Quite a few of the videos I watched used these techniques and I simply followed them.
The inspiration for my version came mostly from Shira Manor so these look very much like hers.  Here is the link to her video.

 So, basically, I made a Masterboard, and then cut it up into ATC sized pieces.  I ended up with 6 ATCs and the scrap was used for the collage.
I didn't take any photos of the process because, if you're interested, you can see it all on Shira's video.
 The substrate is watercolour canvas paper.   The layers started with a few papers from Simple Stories 'Documented' paper pad.  These were torn into strips and adhered to the canvas paper.
The next step was to add masking tape and washi tape.  Unfortunately I couldn't find the masking tape.  It has disapeared into our domestic black hole I think, so I used plaster tape instead.
Next came some stenciling with two different stencils and texture paste.  Before the paste dried I applied white embossing powder and heat set it.
Unfortunately, embossing powder is not my friend.  I can never apply it cleanly.  It just seems to stick to everything.  Even when I have rubbed the area with a resist pad, it still sticks and it is really hard to get it off the places I didn't want it to go.  Hence you can see it scattered everywhere.  Still, I don't really mind the look of it here.
So, once the embossing was finished it was time to add the colour.
I used a mix of Lindy's Stamp gang Sprays and Magicals. 
 The colours used in the Sprays was Sea Grass Green and Cape Cod Coral and
 in the magicals I used Tears on my Pillow Tangerine and TiffanyLou's Blue.
Once all the colour was dry it was time to chop up my Masterboard and, as stated before I ended up with six ATCs but, so far, have only completed these three.
The scrap was cut into smaller pieces for the collage and, once I got the arrangements to my liking they were simply stapled together but, before glueing them to the bases, I added some twine underneath.  I added a metal button to each ATC and then went round all the edges with a Sharpie pen.
Found some quotes on the net, printed them, cut them out and also edged them with the Sharpie.
The final step was to glue the quotes to the base.
A final look at all three together.
This was so much fun!  I loved getting messy preparing the Masterboard.  Should say, I was not really impressed when it was done but, once I got it all cut up and once my ATCs were assembled, I am really loving these.  Also, putting that black edging all around made a big difference to the look.  I love them!!! And I'm definitely making more of these.

Thank you so much for stopping by.   I really appreciate your visit and hope I have inspired you to try making some ATCs for yourself, if you haven't already.  Check out all the amazing videos, I'm sure you'll find something you haven't tried before!!

Have yourself a wonderful day!
Take care, stay safe and God Bless.

15 comments:

  1. Oh wow Margaret, these are simply gorgeous..... love all the textures and details on them. xx

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  2. Oh my..... I am MORE than happy to take the blame Margaret because these are just wonderful mini works of pure art!!! The collaging looks amazing and I just love the colour tones, these are so beautiful.... a real triumph. I am sure you will enjoy making many more....

    Embossing powders are not best friends with me either and those little powder pouches they sell never work for me... but baby talc rubbed over a dry surface before stamping (or whatever) works a treat for me and has the bonus of making the project smell nice too... Hugs, Anne xx

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  3. As I mentioned on your Facebook post Margaret these are amazing Love them!! Agree with Tania. I keep saying I'm going to have a crack at mixed media again It's never been my fortay but this has rally given me food for thought !! .Well done .xx ��

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  4. Oh Marg these look really good, full of texture and great quotes.. love the closeup photos and yes there is so much on the net to check out it can be a huge task just to find something so thank you for sharing your inspiration.. we have had a fair bit of rain here this afternoon, the humidity has been horrendous, I think there might be more rain on the way.. i hope the weather has been kind to you.. have a great week..

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  5. I adore these! Such gorgeous colours and textures!

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  6. Stunning details and such artistic design Margaret!! BRAVO!
    Hugs
    Samra
    Paper Talk with Samra

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  7. Oh wow, they are spectacular, Margaret!! You have mastered ATC's already!! These are stunning!! The texture and details are amazing!! I love, love them!! They're so artistic and gorgeous!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)

    Lisa
    A Mermaid's Crafts

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  8. Your ATC's look fantastic Margaret. Beautiful colours, design, texture, details, everything. Great work! hugs, Marlies

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  9. Oh Marg, so glad you got the ATC bug!!! (ATCs were what got me started on this papercrafting journey, but I have not made any for a long, long time). These are so super cool, STUNNING, real mixed media at its very best! I will definitely check out that video, I think you have just really inspired me!!!

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  10. Your atc's are so beautiful! I am loving all the layers and the paint. I have never gotten in to atc's but I have seen so many beautiful ones as of late.
    Kate

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  11. Can you hear the shouts of joy, Margaret???! Your foray into ATC's has yeilded some FABULOUS results! The colors are just perfect, and I happen to REALLY like the results of your embossing! I guess it's the messy in me! I never remember to use the little bag of powder, and I accept my embossing will never be perfect. Oh, but how you layered these pieces together is what I find so incredibly wonderful! I could sit and stare all day long! And it looks like you have Found Your Fire! Well done, you! Thank you for the inspiration! Hugs!

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  12. Goodness me Margaret, your ATC's are pieces of art. I always felt ATC's are way too small to make some fun on it but seeing these just maybe I have to give it a go too ?!!
    Love them. Hugs Veerle xx

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  13. These are right up my alley! I love your layering, doodling, dimension! WOW WOW WOW! Hugs, Autumn

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  14. These are absolutely fantastic Margaret! The ATC bug has never hit me, but I am always inspired by Anne's work as well, and have so been tempted on many occasions! Glad you took the plunge because these are magnificent. I love the neutral tones with the mix of black and white for contrast. The splashes of colour are fabulous, love the blue! So many wonderful designs and textures, I'll be they are fabulous to touch in person! Your sentiments are fantastic, they have a great theme and bring the cards together as one terrific set! Well done with the mixed media, dang! hugs :)

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  15. Loving these too. Super texture and detail. Angela xXx

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