Artist Trading Cards Summer 2024

 Got back into having some fun creating Artist Trading Cards for a small group I trade with. Love my small group as we have agreed to be free to create whatever we want, using whatever skills, techniques and products we want, and on whatever schedule we want! No stress just an opportunity to share and receive vibes on a whim!

So my first ATC set was created using an old retired Unity March 2020 SMAK stamp set, an old Prima paper pack, called En Francais, Washi tape, a Divinity Designs stencil, Tim Holtz sentiment strips and Brutus Monroe sequins. After using watercolors on the image, I paper pieced clothing using paper from the pack. I always add shading to paper pieced items. I added cut up ephemera pieces using images from the paper and also cut up pieces of the Washi tape to add to the design. It was so fun finding Washi tape that color matched. I used more stamps from the kit for background effects, filled in with stenciling and added background shading to the image. I love how the sequin and cut up Washi tape created a little dream catcher effect. I added paper strips at the bottom and sentiment strips to complete the cards.

For the second set, I started with creating a watercolored background that I could add a stamped grass image to. Using green and purple oxide inks, I stamped a tiny Nellie’s Choice Blooming Grass clear stamp that I had picked up at a stamp expo. To create the foundation for the stamp I tore up and glued together coordinating scrap paper strips. I added to the background watercolored stalks and stamped sentiments from Hobby Arts Greenfingers sentiment stamp set. To complete these ATCs, I added twine and clear crystals. I love the sentiment on these as I have dozens of flowers in my own gardens that I enjoy daily.

So fun and freeing to try to create tiny cards with impactful messages. Thanks for stopping by!

BYSHC Sketch 48 Holiday Cards

 Got back into the swing of card making, after a short break, with this interesting sketch from the Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers group - 

For the first card (and second), I used an old pretty pack by Craft Smith, called Say Freeze. I ended up using one of the papers and layering on cut up plaid strips from another paper from the pad to form the background. I stamped and colored (with watercolors and pens) the image from Unity’s Angie Blom’s Planner Girl: Cold Outside on bristol paper. I ended up paper piecing cut up clothing stamped onto papers from the same pack. I added snow effects using a Posca pen. I used a Sizzix embossing folder to die cut a circle background and matched the diagonal slant of the sketch. I used a cut up sentiment from the pack, enamel dots and ribbon to complete the card.

The second card was so easy to pull together with just the use of this pretty paper pack. I cut down the background from the paper pack on a slant. I then fussy cut the image and sentiment from the paper pack, and added matching shiny green/gold ombré paper to complete the card.

Thanks for stopping by and hope these cards provided a little inspiration for cardmaking using simple methods and limited supplies.

Friends of Unity August Blog Hop

 Hey there… long time no see! Back after a break and getting back into the crafting mind space! Here for another Friends of Unity Blog Hop, this time, focused on friendship!

So, a reminder - comment on blogs in the hop to be eligible to win some Unity goodies from our stash! My last FOU hop was in May and I promised to do a giveaway that month. Since I’m just back participating, I’m going to now announce my May Winner…. Congrats to

Jodie Powers

Pm me and I’ll get out a package in the next 2 weeks! Congrats again! I will be doing another giveaway this month as well…so be sure to comment!

My first card shows off my rusty skills along with a yearning to try out my old collage skills. For this card, I used March 2024’s Love and Good Vibes kit. I ended up using a combo of watercolors and markers on the image. I pulled out a very old Prima paper pad, called Romance Novel for the background and ephemera pieces I cut from the pad. I stamped the sentiment from the kit on scrap paper and distressed all the paper edges. I randomly cut and adhered paper scraps to the cards background. To complete the card, I added twine and enamel dots. I think it came out okay and somewhat interesting.

 

 On the second card, I used Unity’s Hello Fresh Start kit. I stamped the image using a Hero Arts Contour ink on Kraft paper. I then found and pulled out a pretty random sheet of paper from my stash, that I decided to use as color inspiration and a background. After finding some Netflix pics, I proceeded to color it in! Okay, it took awhile as it was a lot more detailed than I was prepared for… but I finally finished! I did end up using a little brown pen for detailing the image.

I decided I wanted the background paper to show through, so I fussy cut the image down. I then found a Simon Says Stamp Privet Branch wafer die I could use to augment the card. I found a coordinating navy sheet I could as a base on the ivory card base and for die cutting. I also used Kraft and tan paper scraps to add more branches for variation. I white embossed the sentiment and finally added lace and navy sequins to complete the card. Ended up creating a busy card, but hopefully pleasing to the eye! I at least got to practice coloring and die cutting!

Hope these cards provided some ideas for friendship cards! 

Thanks for stopping by… reminder to comment on blogs for a chance to win goodies (especially mine😊)! Now, on to the rest of the hop!

You may have come here from:

Tammy’s Blog

Next up is:

Rachel’s Blog

Or, you can start from the beginning with:

Crystal’s Blog