Maura's Musings

Monday, August 19

Let's Make Some ATC's! (Artist Trading Cards)

Hello Monday, my friends! Welcome back to another fun week with us at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge! Our theme this week is ATC's, or Artist Trading Cards. An ATC is a small art piece that is 2.5" x 3.5" or 64mm x 89mm. People often like to make and trade them with other creatives. Why not get a group of friends together this week and make and share some ATC's, and be sure to share with us also!

Kid's Summer Vacation challenge is in full swing. Get your kiddos, grands, nieces, nephews, neighbors together for some crafting fun this month, and share their work with this challenge!

I made a quartet of patchwork artist trading cards this week.

One of my new favorite paper lines is Stamperia. This week, I am using their Patchwork set. I covered both sides of cardboard from a mailing envelope that I cut to size. I was going to make 2, then 3, and somehow it ended up with 4.

I used two different Simon stencils and the Transparent Gloss Texture paste. It took a long time to dry because of the humidity.

Once dry, I blended the Fossilized Amber over the cards to deepen the yellows and make the texture stand out. Then, I edged the cards with Ground Espresso.

Meanwhile, I cut out several shapes from the papers, and adhered them to more cardboard with gel medium. Once dry, I cut each one out.

Added a distressed edge...

Then, the fun began with this faux encaustic technique. Seth Apter and Emerald Creek came up with an awesome embossing powder - Vintage Beeswax! I did two layers to build it up and make it look more like a layer of wax, but without all the fuss.

Details....

With a cup of TEA in your hand, anything is possible

Big Love

Dream Big

Make a Wish

Patchwork ATC's

Now, it's your turn to make some Artist Trading Cards and join us in the challenge! One lucky participant is drawn at random for a $50 shopping spree from our generous friends at Simon Says Stamp!

SUPPLIES:

Stamperia PATCHWORK 12x12 Paper

Simon Says Cling Stamp WAVES sss101982 Rest and Refresh

Simon Says Stamp Zig Zag stencil

Ranger TEXTURE PASTE TRANSPARENT GLOSS

Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad GROUND ESPRESSO Ranger

Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad FOSSILIZED AMBER

Simon Says Stamp Clear Embossing and Watermark ink

Emerald Creek Vintage Beeswax Baked Texture embossing powder

Dina Wakley Gel Matte Medium

Tim Holtz Idea-ology KEYHOLES Key Hardware Altered Art Metal

Tim Holtz Idea ology Key adornments findings

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Adornments in Silverware

3M Scotch PINK ATG ADVANCED TAPE GLIDER

3M Scotch DOUBLE-SIDED FOAM TAPE Permanent

Craft Scissors - Tim Holtz

Fiskars Reinforced Paper Trimmer 12 inches

Ranger HEAT IT CRAFT TOOL

Beacons 3-in-1 Advanced Craft Glue

Ranger Palette Knife set

ranger mini round ink blender

A GREAT place to shop!

Simon is on Instagram - use #sssmchallenge

Be sure to head on over and check out the awesome ATC's from the design team!

Monday, August 12

Midsummer Blues, Midsummer Dreams...

Hello Monday, my friends! Do you find yourself feeling a bit blue as the days start getting shorter? (if you are in the southern hemisphere, lucky you - the days are getting longer!) Maybe the summer adventures are coming to a close? Perhaps school is beginning shortly? No matter, we have a challenge this week to fit that mood - MIDSUMMER BLUES at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge, and we'd love to have you join us!

UPDATE: Thrilled to have my Midsummer Blues chosen as a Splitcoast Favorite for the week of August 17!!! Thank you so much for the honor!

Midsummer Dreams meets the Midsummer Blues...

A set of encouragement cards

I began my project by cover 4" x 6" pieces of cardboard with the lovely papers from Stamperia's Wonderland collection. I think Stamperia is my new favorite paper line, be sure to check them out. I love the wonderful mix of blues on these papers, and they also reminded me of scenes from Shakespeare's A Midsummer's Night Dream!

Then, I used a variety of stencils and texture paste and added some raised dimension to parts of the cards.

I went over the texture paste with Ground Espresso Distress Ink.

Then, I rubbed Venice Blue around all the edges, and front and back with my finger. Next, I took a flat brush, and dry brushed the Glacier Ice over the Venice Blue to give a nice finished edge to my cards.

I cut out some of the papers to use as embellishment, and made a few of them 3D, as well as added transparent wings to the cards.

I added details with the Nuvo Drops, and encouraging words using the Tim Holtz Chat stickers.

Fronts and backs of the encouragement cards...I'd love to know if you have a favorite!

Tie the set up with a pretty ribbon, and the encouragement cards are ready to be gifted. These would be certain to lift the summertime blues with the thoughts expressed on them. Why not make a set of your own that you can reach for as needed?

Words of encouragement to chase away the midsummer blues...

I hope you are inspired to join us this week in our Midsummer Blues challenge! One lucky participant will be selected to receive a $50 shopping voucher from our generous friends at Simon Says Stamp!