ATC: It's a Girl Thing

Quick share...this is the ATC I did for a recent swap on Paper Crafting Divas.  The theme was, "It's a Girl Thing".  Cinderella came to mind...finding a prince, so I went with it.  I cut the shoe from 'Graphically Speaking' Cricut cartridge.  The background is handmade paper with touches of metallic inks and a glitter punched border.  I attached the crown with a rhinestone brad.  Not quite how I envisioned it, but....

Thanks for stopping by! 
Marie

ATC: A Christmas Carol

July's ATC Swap on Paper Crafting Divas had a theme of "A Christmas Carol"...however that inspired you.  I was inspired to do one of my favorite Christmas songs..."Rudolph".  I got to use one of my favorite Cricut Cuts, too!

Here are the details:

Papers -  textured green velvet for the background, torn white mulberry and printed vellum.

Cut - deer from Cindy Loo cartridge

Extras - silver Flower Soft corners, small red pearl

Thanks for stopping!  Hope you are having a wonderfully, crafty week!

Marie

ATC: Seahorse Recipe

Last month's ATC swap on Paper Crafting Divas was a recipe. The recipe:  pearls, color blue, and glitter. Here is my creation:


Pearls - accents in the corners

Glitter - seahorse is cut from champagne glitter card stock, and then cinnamon Stickles was used for accents

Blue - background is blue metallic and blue mulberry papers.

Thanks for looking.  

Marie

ATC: Wild Thing!

This month's ATC Swap theme on Paper Crafting Divas was:  Wild Things...however that inspires you.  So....I instantly thought of the song, "wild thing, you make my heart sing..."  Here is what I came up with...

I used some scraps of zebra print for the background.  I then added a border of black fibers.  I freehand cut a heart out of super glittery paper and added a rhinestone studded music note to it.  After adding the heart to the card, I added a few more music notes all around.  

Hope you are enjoying your Memorial Day weekend.  Remember to take a minute to reflect on the true intention of the holiday.  Enjoy!

Marie

ATC: Going Green

Paper Crafting Divas ATC swap theme for April was "Going Green".  You had to use recyclable pieces.  This is actually my second card...I was not happy with the first and decided to give it more thought.  I remembered this box of broken costume jewelry I had...so here is what I came up with:

I used old jewelry, flowers and jewels pulled from another project, scrap card stock for the background, and a cereal box for the base.  I glued everything down and then added glitter paint over the black card stock.

This was a fun one, once my brain went outside the box!

Thanks for looking.

Marie

ATC: Recipe Challenge

Last month's ATC challenge on Paper Crafting Divas was a recipe challenge.  The recipe:  felt, twine and metal.  Here is my creation...

Felt - the background and the flowers   The flowers were a find at Michael's in their dollar area.  You get 20 flowers with the rhinestone center for $1!  Score....I bought several colors.

Twine - the bow

Metal - butterfly charm

Extras:  I used fibers to stitch the stems for the flowers and I inked the edges of the felt background to finish it.

Thanks for looking!  

                    Marie

ATC: WArm Winter Wishes

This is the ATC I made for our last swap on Paper Crafting Divas.  The theme was Warm, Winter Wishes.

I started with a base made from metallic card stock I had.  I then found a great picture of a little girl all bundled up.  To give the picture some texture I printed it in sepia tones on a very textured card stock.  I then added details to the holly with red Stickles and green Smooch.  I layered the image onto the card stock at a fun angle, and covered the edges with clear beads.  I then added a felt snowflake with a glittery brad.  To finish it off I inked around the edges with silver.

ATC: Pretty in Pink

Quick Share...this is the ATC I did for a swap.  It is so much prettier in person, but I do like the way it came out.

I used  the dress template I found here.  Of course I changed it up a little, because I wanted more of a party dress.  I took the sleeves off and made it strapless.  the base of the dress is pink glitter card stock.  The over skirt is a opalescent vellum (rather hard to fold I might add...doesn't hold creases well).  I then added a piece of rhinestone trip tap for the belt and an acrylic flower.  The base card is covered with a piece of embosses mulberry. And I added silver glitter around the edges.

Thanks for looking :)

ATC: Sweet Summer Time

This was a fun one for me.  I had so many ideas, but I knew I had to go with watermelon, ants and a red gingham cloth...that is just summer to me.  I found the ants stickers and a sheet of paper with the watermelon on it...then it all fell into place.  i use ribbon to create the table cloth.  I pop dotted the edge of the "table" to git it dimension and look like a real table cloth.  For the watermelon I cut out two images and pop dotted them together.  I then  covered the top image with Rock Candy Stickles.  I adhered the 'table' to the base card (covered with foliage printed paper) with hot glue and the pop dots.  I added the melon, a couple of ants (looking for sweet treat) and a daisy.  Fun!

Happy 4th of July and an Update

 So, I have been offline for several days....Last Friday a nasty storm came through and knocked out our power.  We did not get power back until yesterday...3 + days without power.  So, no blogging, no TV, no A/C...but it was OK, we made do.  DH & DS played golf every day, while I stayed home (to watch after my fur babies who did not like the heat) and read, colored and just relaxed. 
I read 4 books, some had been in "to read" drawer fro over a year!  I also colored almost all the digis I had printed!  Here are just a few;

Now to make cards with them :)

So, needless to say I did not get my Pick 3 done for the week, and since the  week is almost over I am just not going to bother.  Instead I want to share my latest ATC.

This is for a swap, the theme is "Star Spangled Banner".  I had a lot of ideas, but my DS actually helped me with this one.  While in the store looking for things to inspire me, he helped me pick up the flag stickers and star rhinestones.  When i got home I found a scrap of paper that was just perfect...fireworks!  So, this one went together really quick.  I pop dotted the flag onto the background.  I then added the star rhinestones.  I accented the stars with Stickles and added a silver Stickle frame on the card.  Simple, but to me it really catches the theme.



I hope you have a wonderful and safe holiday!

ATC: Noah's Ark

This is the ATC I did for the latest swap. The theme was "Noah's Ark". I had a lot of ideas flying around but this all came together when I found this image. I printed the image and mounted on heavy card stock. I then embellished the image: white Flower Soft on the clouds, silver Smooch ink on the rocks, Stickles in the water, Crystal Effects on the rainbow and then a wooden dove. I really like the way it came out.

ATC: April Showers

 Just had to share my latest ATC and the story behind it...here goes!
I was trying to come up with my ATC for the latest PCD swap.  The theme was "April Showers" and while i had many ideas none of them were working when I went to actually create them.  I was explaining all this to my BFF, Brandi, and she started describing this stamp she had.  Well, no matter how cute the stamp it really wasn't going to do me much good...we live 3+ hours apart!  Fortunately, Brandi's mind was not frazzled from trying to regain creative mojo and she had the good sense to stamp it off, scan it in, and e-mail it to me  Yeah!  As soon as I saw it I knew exactly what I wanted to do.  I wanted to keep it simple and highlight the things that were on theme...the umbrella and rain boots.   Soooo....I colored the umbrella red (it there any other color for an umbrella?) and then covered it with Crystal Effects for added dimension.  When it was dry I added a black rhinestone for the top of the umbrella.  For her boots I colored them in with Sunflower Smooch.  I finished it up by tearing around the image, inking the edges with Raven Cat's Eye Chalk Ink and adhering to black card stock.  Done...thanks to Brandi...she saved the day.


Before I go, I wanted to share this picture with you...roses from my garden.  I just love that rose bush...it is always full of blooms.   I love having fresh flowers in the house.

ATC: Bunnies & Butterflies

This month's ATC swap on Facebook had the theme of, "Bunnies & butterflies".  Well, I knew I wanted to do something different...after browsing images online I came up with this....a Playboy bunny! and a butterfly.  

Here's the details:
Image - found online, converted to black and white in Photoshop, then 'airbrushed' pink on the ears, pumps & outfit.  Printed, tore & inked edges.
Embellishments -  Queen & Co. green felt trim, punched butterfly, and gray handmade paper for background.

How's that for outside the box?

ATC: Paris in the Spring

I made this ATC for a swap I am in.  The theme was 'Flower Power"...I got a little off, but I love it.  I came across the vintage image of Paris and just knew I wanted to use it, so...I printed it out in sepia tones, mounted to chipboard, and stained the edges with black Stayz On ink.  I added:  some silver pen marks to the tower, a rhinestone on the letter "P", and a fleur de lis brad for added detail.  Finally, for the flower power, I added a handmade flower in the corner. 


On another note...my Blog was nominated for an award...
It is for Blogs with less then 200 followers, and I am honored...
I want to thank Corinne at Wish Upon a Scrap for the award. HUGS!!!

Now I have to pass this on to 5 other blogs with less then 200 followers!

The 5 blogs I have picked are:
Don't Worry- Be Scrappy
Crafty Chick Designs
Getting Hooked
Scrappin' Lizzi
Scrappin' Away 2day
Don't forget to Grab this button...and make sure you pass it along to 5 other blogs....:-)

Love is in the Air ATC

The theme for the January ATC swap was "Love is in the Air". I decided that for this swap I could not buy anything, I must use things I had on hand...I have SOOO MUCH! After gathering everything I could find that was appropriate to theme I went to work...

This is a rather simple card, but I really like it. I used a purple glitter paper for the base. I then took a piece of handmade paper and tore it into a cloud shape. To make it more interesting I used metallic rubs all over in pink, purple, blue, & silver with blue inked edges. I then pop dotted the winged heart embellishment on.

For this card I wanted to use the vintage gold foil cupid seals I had purchased...and been saving to make something ;) I used a black print card stock for the back. I used gold metallic rub around the edges to soften the look. I then layered on a fabric heart, cupid seal and silk flower.

Now on to a challenge card....

My take on the sketch...I used a digi that I found for free on the Operation Write Home site (http://operationwritehome.org/digis.html).  The little puppy was just so cute and had the saddest eyes that I knew it had to be for a belated birthday card, so...I printed the sentiment on the computer.  After coloring the image I added Crystal Effects to his eyes & nose, "fussy cut'' the image, and adhered it with pop dots to the white circle.  The papers are scraps of Basic Grey from my scrap box.  To add a little depth I embosses the striped & white papers.  I inked all edges.  I just love him!

Just for fun...

 so I had a little free crafting time this weekend and I decided I wanted to create ATC's for two of my fellow divas.    One of my divas had posted a picture of an ATC she made for me of Keith Urban...my absolute favorite artist, so  that was my inspiration.  I went to her profile on FB and read through her favorites & interests....Elvis...perfect.  Now which Elvis...I decided to do two...young and Hawaiian.  Here is what I came up with...

Now for my other girlfriend...that was easy...George!  She loves George Strait.  Here is what I came up with for her....

Now to get them in the mail to them!

ATC: Fright NIght

This month's swap theme was "Fright Night"...sooooo many ideas came to mind. It took me the most time to narrow it down to two ideas! Thank goodness I signed up for both groups!

So, my first idea was to do a whole scene...moon, creepy tree, bat, tombstones....but that really wasn't pushing me, so....I surfed around the net looking at a lot of ATC sites and then I decided I wanted to do a mixed media type of card. Initially I was going to use printed images of old horror movie posters...House on Haunted Hill, Dracula, Werewolf, etc...and then embellish them. Well, I didn't like the look so, back to the computer. I cam across an image of Jack Skully from "Nightmare...". Perfect! I printed the image on photo card stock. I then embellished the image with Smooch inks, Perfect Pearls on the moon and covered the entire image with Crystal Effects. I printed a second set of images and cut out the pumpkin and his hand. I popdotted this on the first image and then covered with a thick coat of Crystal Effects. I really like how it turned out.

Now on to my second card. I have always wanted to do the mummy card, so...I decided to use it here. First I made my mummies with tea stained gauze, google eyes and a piece of chipboard. Then I created my door...I used brown handmade paper for the door to give it the wood texture. I added the "iron" trim and doorknob. I layered everything up and added a magnet so the door will stay closed. Finally, a glittery, black spider. Love it!

On to my next swap creations...fall cards:)

Under the Sea ATC's

The theme for the ATC Swap this month on Papercrafting Divas...Under the Sea. I had so many ideas running through my mind that I decided to sign up for both groups. Here is what I came up with...

This is my literal interpretation of the theme....the background paper is Heidi Grace flocked pearlescent paper, with Jolee stickers for the sea creatures. I used just tan paper for the sand, but covered it with Burlap Distressed Stickles. I think they are pretty cute.

This is my second set of cards....a little more out of the box. This is not my original plan...I had to change it up to get the look I wanted. Originally I wanted to do another literal card with a ship wreck and treasure under the sea. Well....I just could not get it to look the way I wanted, so...I found this clip art of the pirate ship in a storm and decided to use it. So, the ship is the literal, while the treasure is what you could find under the sea. I used a beautiful mirrored card stock that I embossed in the Cuttlebug for the background, pop dotted the image of the pirate ship. I cut the treasure cheasts from "Life's a Party" Cricut cartridge...distressed them and then added jewels, sea glass, shaped buttons, mini pearls, and gold stickles for the 'treasure". The sand is again tan card stock, but this time I ran it through the Xyron and then spinkled it with a very fine craft sand. Wasn't too sure about this one....but it is growing on me.

I am so enjoying this ATC's....I can really push myself to go outside of the box. Already planning & sketching next month's...Fright Night!

Back to Reality....and a Christmas ATC

I am always amazed at all the things you have to do after taking a vacation...mail, yard work, bills, laundry, etc. You would not think 8 days would create so much pile of chores...and the e-mails, facebook, etc. are chores unto themselves. So many messages, so little time:) I think i finally weeded through my FB account messages, game requests, etc, got the two e-mail accounts all cleaned up, laundry in the washer, groceries in the fridge, mail sorted, bills paid, yard mowed, weeds pulled, plants watered....ahhhh, time for another vacation!

It was a wonderful, busy trip. We went to Key West for 8 days of sun, water and fun. We all came back a little tired and a little sunburned. We did it all...snorkeling, jet skiing, sailing, sunning, shopping, sight seeing, etc. It was a GREAT trip.

Now on to something a little craftier....my latest ATC. This month's swap on FB group was "Christmas Memories". I thought about this for several days and here is what I came up with...

A FIREPLACE! Let me explain...

When I was little we lived in an apartment...so there was always the dilemma of where to put stockings & how would Santa get in. One year, my father decided to make me a fireplace. He used colored paper & markers to turn a little bookshelf into a fireplace. So....a fireplace it was.

I used handmade paper to make the base for the fireplace. I then free handed liquid applique for the mortar. I added a mantle out of handmade papers. I free handed the stockings out of a velvet paper and added a candy cane sticker. I used a brad for the "nail" to hold the stocking on the fireplace. I used real twigs for the logs and the stickles for the flames.

ATC Exhibit in Ohio

Ok...one of the members on my FB group posted info about an ATC exhibit in Ohio (here's the link if interested: http://oxarts.org/index_files/Page638.htm ) I wanted to do it, but since I have not been doing this too long (have made 3 to be exact) I was a little hesitant, but then all these ideas came to me. You had to make three cards of the same theme....I finally settled on "Things with Wings". Here is what I came up with...
For the backgrounds on all three I used a technique I learned a long time ago...inking masking tape...it just gives it a little interest instead of flat color. I cut all the creatures with Spellbinders. I made all the wings out of thin metal paper...then added details with Smooch inks. Of course, I had to get some glitter in there so the flowers are all accented with Stickles in Diamond, as well as the bees' wings and the water by the dragonfly. So, let me know what you think....