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Showing posts with label ATCs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ATCs. Show all posts

Man is made or unmade by himself - a set of ATCs








“Man is made or unmade by himself. In the armory of thought, he forges the weapons with which he destroys himself. He also fashions the tools with which he builds... joy, strength and peace.” - James Allen in As A Man Thinketh. 

A friend of mine sent me this little book for my birthday, and I’m about halfway through it. It’s about how our thoughts shape our reality and thinking good thoughts will manifest good results. I’m trying to take it to heart and implement more positive thinking! These ATCs have one of my favorite lines from the book so far. Woot woot for fun and positive crafting :) I just sat down with my bag of scraps and threw down some paper and ink. Therapy.

 It also helps that I’ve got my medications reconfigured once again so I’m not being crushed by the weight of crippling depression and anxiety. My new attitude for stress reduction has been going fantastic. I’ve been spending a few hours outside with the boys every day that the weather has been good for the past couple of weeks. Whether it’s in the yard or at the park, it makes a big difference. For one, they don’t make messes in the house. Secondly, I get to stretch out on a blanket under the sky and do a little bit of makeshift amateur yogajunk and deep breathing. Therapy. 



I’m feeling good about taking advantage of this beautiful weather before the Alabama heat, bugs and humidity become unbearable in a month or so. Carpe diem! I’m enjoying myself. 

Skull ATC, Bird Stickers, Ticket Stickers, Gelliprint Tags

Hey, hey. It's the end of the day on Tuesday and I think I did a good job today with managing my time. I usually have babysitters on Tuesdays and/or Thursdays for about 4 hours so I can get work done, listen to my podcast playlists, fill orders, run errands, do art, and basically have alone time. I love being able to make a list of tasks that I've been meaning to get done and actually doing ALL THE THINGS. It happened today, it just so happens that the last thing on my list is a blog post. So here's my update!

I did a little bitty swap with an old Craftster buddy, AlwaysInspired. She just wanted some blank craft stickers (of which I have a whole roll), but I wanted to make something for her. So I made this skull ATC with paint, inks, gelatos, etc. The base is another gelliprint from Audio. I was pretty pleased with how it turned out, especially the light peony doodles in the background.

 This grouping of birdy drawings made me smile. There's something about feathers. These are also for swapping, and they're all drawn on sticker paper for extra function and coolness.
 Also, swapped these altered tickets. (I got the idea from another craftster pal, Smmarrt). They're alien cats, because I love cats and I love weird things. Also, I made these into stickers using my Scotch ATG. Fun fact: there was also a blue ticket in this set, but I turned on my fan and it vlew off the table, presumably into an alternate universe, because I couldn't find it.
Last, I made some gelli-printed tag stickers out of blank labels that aforementioned Smmarrt sent to me. They turned out soooo cute and I can't wait to make more. They're gonna be perfect to use in my planner.

So, I hope everyone had a beautiful, peaceful MLK weekend. Mine was pretty okay, and I got to spend time looking after my poor unfortunate, pained husband who was separated from his wisdom teeth last Thursday. Until next time, I'll be making art when I can and sharing it here :) Have a really, really good week.






The Language of Flowers ATC Swap

Alpha Stamps is at it again with a new kit for May and a delightful new ATC swap. this month is "The Language of Flowers"
And how fitting for May... yesterday it was April 29th and we had a lot of April showers here. I'm hoping the saying holds true and there are plenty of May flowers, particularly on my tomato plants :)
Check out those moon beads that I love so much at the top. The colors in this bead mix are my favorite...

 And I think this one is my favorite ATC of the bunch.
 Violet Ladies... So go join the swap. It'll be fun and springy!



Language of Flowers CS
The Lovely Garden CS
Violets CS
Bead Strands (Green)
Paper Flowers Mix
Iridescent Crescent Moon Beads
Paper Roses (Orange and purple)




Valentines ATCs

There's a new Alpha Stamps Kit for February, filled with all sorts of pretty stuff to make some sweet valentines. I made this set of ATCs using the hand-picked bits, bobs and collage sheets in the kit. (To have a look at the kit, click here!)
 This first one is a Kissing Booth, tee hee. 
 I think this one is my favorite of the three, because it's sparkliest. 
 Romance!

I'm determined to make today a good day... I hope yours is good, too. 


New Year ATCs

I just realized that I hadn't posted these yet! Lucky for me, it's still January, so they'll still be somewhat appropriate :) I made some New Year/Doorways themed ATCs using some Alpha Stamps Collage Sheets. 

 The doorways theme came about because of the ancient Roman god, Janus, who was the god of new beginnings, gates, and doors! And the Romans named January in honor of Janus. Fun fact!
If you want to see more fun doorways ATCs, check out the AS Gallery. Happy New Year, friends! Even though January is almost over....

Product list:

Bunnies and Kitties ATCs

I did a personal ATC swap with the amazing Gozer. She made me some seriously awesome cards, and I sent her some kitties/bunnies themed cards. This one is watercolor and ink. Originally, I was going to leave the background kitties black and white, but there just wasn't enough color for me.
This one is a bunnies-themed mixed media card. Postage stamps, paint, regular stamps, pigment powder, etc. 

Anyhoo, I hope everybody is having an awesome month. I can't believe that October is suddenly so close to its end! I haven't even made my art calendar and I feel pretty slackerish about that. But I have been so busy with what seems like millions of doctors appointments in places that are just way too far away from my house. Bobby and I are trying to start our family, and have been for what seems like for-ev-er, and we're finally into the crazy stuff. Keep your fingers crossed for us, prayers appreciated :)

And just a wee reminder: 
Learn to sew a bag! "A Bag for All Reasons" book giveaway is still happening. Go comment to enter!


Halloween Monster ATCs

Stamp: Goat Monster #4019 by Kira Nichols for Stampotique
Ooooooh, Halloween is coming!!! I know, I know, it's early, but I can start the crafting fun.  I made a set of Halloween themed ATCs using various monster stamps from my line over at Stampotique. All of them have Owl Tree #4018 as part of the back ground. Whats fun with that stamp, is you can flip it over, and BOOM. The owls are bats. Spooky, huh?
I used embossing powder for this background, too, on the spiderweb.
I think this is one of my favorite new stamps... I've been using it on my fragile packages and writing beneath it, "Handle with care" :)
And finally, how appropriate for Halloween, a little monster with a sweet tooth. Halloween cannnndy! It's already in the stores, tempting me... I love Snickers... I hope everyone has a great week!



ATCs! Crookshanks, orange tabby, and the letter N

I couldn't resist trading some ATCs this month. It's been a while since I've made any, but ATCs are kind of addicting. I made all these on certain requested themes and requested toucan-themed cards in return :) 
The letter "N" as part of a collection spelling out a partner's last name. I wanted a sort of zentangled look, but less fuss and clutter, so I just stuck with lines and swirls and then used watercolor to add pizzazz! 

 This one is a pet portrait of an orange tabby cat named Mayhem. I kinda loved drawing this, and it made me think about offering custom watercolor pet portraits in my Etsy shop. What do you think?
And finally, Crookshanks, for a Harry Potter animals theme. Well, I'm off to the beach! Have a splendid weekend, everyone :)

Bunny and Monster ATCs

 I recently had the opportunity to swap a couple of ATCs with one of my Craftster homies, Zombie Lili, and here is what I made for her! She has an affinity for bunnies (who wouldn't?), so I thought this little gentlemen bunny was appropriate. It's acrylic, ink, paper, chipboard & book page.
This second little guy is a watercolored monster with real cicada wings. Fear not, I didn't go hunt the cicada and steal his wings. They are really common around here, so occasionally you'll find a dead one in a parking lot or someplace, and the wings are easy to...acquire.

Anyway, I hope everybody had a wonderful weekend! Have a super week! I'm off to girl's camp tomorrow!

Hogwarts, Otter Feast, & Monster ATCs... And DT announcement!

hog image from Clipart Etc.
 ATC time! It's been a while since I've done up some good ol' artist trading cards. I've been meaning to get back into trading them, but things are busy, busy, busy. At any rate, I have made/traded a few in the past month or so. The first is this collage "I'd rather be at hogwarts" ATC for a Harry Potter theme. Yeah, I sometimes wish I were at Hogwarts, too.
 This is an original ink/watercolor illustration of an otter having a crazy feast. I think it's the cutest thing that otters use their tummies as a floating table.... My favorite snack of his is the little squid.
"Keykeeper" from my collection at Stampotique
And finally, this one is to be traded to an artist kinda new to ATCs, so I thought I'd add a hanger to the top with eyelets and wire and beads, so she could hang it up. The quote is one of her favorites by Edgar Allen Poe: "All we see or seem, is but a dream within a dream." and the image is a rubber stamp from my collection of Stampotique Stamps!

And speaking of Stampotique, there shall be a blog hop tomorrow celebrating the new images for Feb 2012. I have 5 new ones added to my line: Old Timey Frog, Wolfie King, Gentleman Fox, Shouting Bird, and Wombat! So get ready to help me celebrate, and do some hoppage tomorrow. You'll have the chance to win some stamps :)

Oh! And happy Valentine's Day to you all! Bobby & I don't really make a big deal out of it, because we're in love every day, but hey. Chocolate will be on sale tomorrow and that's what really matters.

EDIT: AW, SNAP! How could I forget to make this announcement?! I've been invited to take my very first design team position at the Unique Crafter's Challenge Blog sponsored by Scrapbook Unique. It's going to be a great time, and you'll get to hear about some fun challenges to enter and maybe win some rad stuff :)

Hare and Monster ATCs

I did a little ATC swap with Kate over at the Kathryn Wheel last month and I realized I hadn't blogged these little guys yet!

This first monster one has a lot of layers to it. First, I took strips of scraps with different textures and patterns, and glued them to the ATC base. Then I painted it over with a watered down blue craft paint... Next I used a stamp with a burlap pattern for texture while the paint was still wet. After it was dry, I used some glue and craft foil to make some super shiny fingerprints... I dabbed the edges with gold inkpad. The monster was watercolor on a bookpage... I cut that out and slapped him on there :)

This one is a hare I drew and watercolored. Bobby thought it looked like a dog-rabbit. I kind of agree, but I like him anyway!

I hope everyone had a super weekend!

Thank you to everybody who left such sweet get well comments. I still don't know why I've been feeling weird. I'm just kinda hoping it'll go away!
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Nine Little Fishies

Today I was very much in need of a crafty escape, so I shut myself in my craft room and churned out nine little fish ATCs for the doodle swap project! They're all watercolor and ink.
Smugfish
Fishlips
My favorite squintyfish
Angry, incredulous fish
Mesmerized fish
Snoutyfish
Disheartened Fish
Snackfish
Heyfish I hope you enjoyed all these crazy fish! It was kinda refreshing to do such a big set of ATCs... It would be fun to do 9 owls, or 9 kitties, or 9 sloths! Anyway, happy weekend!
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