Author: Catherine

One of my online swap friends suggested a seahorse themed swap and I went a little overboard and made 5 seahorse swaps! 

It helped that the stamps with Creative stamping magazine were nautical themed and included a seahorse. 

This started as a piece of map and a piece of brayered paper. I added the seaweed stampong and then the stamped and cut out seahorse with the circle of paper added for contrast.

This was a piece of inked paper I had added black gesso through a stencil on and then added more stencilling. I added some map pieces and then the twine and the seahorse. I then mounted it onto the green base. I added the sticker and sequins as embellishments.

This was a piece of inked background and I added distress oxide stamping to it. 

This piece of map had clear gesso and distress oxide added to it and then some sewing to finish off the edges.  I then stamped the seahorse onto it (this was the Indigo Blu one). Then added the sequins. 

Finally a piece of scratch paper onto which I heat embossed the compass in clear powder and then added the distress stain onto it. The embossing and paints resisted the blue ink. I love the finish this gave. I mounted it onto map paper and added the sequins and title sticker too. 

Such a fun time making these different themed atcs.

Happy crafting!

Catherine 

Three little ducks! Yes I’ve made it to ATC 222 and before we are half way through the year too! Whoop! 

Anyway this was a stamped image from a Hotpicks Paperartsy stamp set I had stamped as an extra for another project and it was left on my desk so I made it into an atc.  I grabbed some precut card and painted it with black gesso. I then layered some gold Angel hair to poke put from under the image. 

I took some of the spiced marmalade distress oxide ink and edged the inage and then I added versamark all over so I could heat emboss the panel. 

Whilst this might not be the most inventive use of this stamp I love how the piece looks overall with the mix if textures going on. 

Can someone also confirm to me if this is Marilyn Monroe I wonder? I think it is but could be mistaken! 

Happy crafting! 

Catherine 

Another ATC to share with you. This was a doodles background I made with spectrum noir pencils. I added some book print and stencilled the black circles. I then added my handcarved stamp girl who I coloured with inks. I then added a generous amount of sparkle and a flower embellishment and of course the title!

Finished off with a sponged edge. 

Happy crafting!

Catherine 

As with previous months I joined in the swap Lindsay Mason organises. This month’s theme was Transformation. I knew a butterfly would have to feature on my cards. 

I started with some map book paper and scraped some gesso over it. I then added distress inks. 

Once I was happy with the base colour I added distress micro glaze through a Seth Apter stencil and then added more layers of the contrasting colour over the top. This gave a fab effect for the background. 

I then stamped the finnabair butterflies onto white cardstock and added some ink lightly over the top and cut them out. I then sewed them into place and then ripped one edge of the background as I like the jagged edge when mounted onto the black. 

I then stamped the title of ‘change’ in versamark and heat embossed in white and added that to the card too. 

I then made another atc from bits left on my desk and made it into a little notecard for Lindsay. 

Loved this theme and loved trying out a new technique with the microglaze. Will have to try that one again! 

Happy crafting!

Catherine 

Another monthly swap at Artful ATCs and this time the theme is… through the window.

So I started with a die cut window from my stash that I painted with black gesso. 

I then took a panel I had stencilled and blended distress inks onto and stamped an image from Mediterranean Moments. I then added some Hickory Smoke ink to the edge which would be outside the window and left the inside brighter… I also added some light shading to the image.

I then layered it up and added heat embossing across the whole panel.  I then did a dymo label for the title.

Next I took the stamps from Creative Stamping magazine and made a scene for through the porthole.

I added gesso to a light green piece of card then added layers of distress oxide.  I then stamped the seahorses and the seaweed.

I then stamped the porthole on separate paper and cut it out.  I then added the colour using distress stains.

I once again coated it all with versamark and embossing powder.

Happy crafting!

Catherine  

Another postcard swap… and this time a choice of drink for the theme! 

I decided to go with the idea of a cafe when I spotted the stamp on Mediterranean Moments.

I started with a piece of packaging and added gesso in both white and black. I then added the Tim Holtz tissue wrap using the Matt medium. 

I then started adding the distress oxides and then used some more gesso in one patch in particular where I then stamped the image.

Around the edge of the image I added more stamping using the distress oxides. I also added some edging with the black gesso. I then stamped and heat embossed the title. 

Finally I added some clear texture paste through a stencil. Hopefully the recipient liked it.

Happy crafting!

Catherine 

This month’s postcard swap I made for the theme of Diamonds are a girls best friend. 

I chose this stamped image of Marilyn Monroe from a Paperartsy stamp (not entirely sure that it is Marilyn but it is very similar and so for me… this is her!).  I stamped it in Versamark and then heat embossed it.

Once I had heat embossed it. I then added distress oxides using the wrinkle free distress technique. I then added some splashes of mica spray.  I then stamped the sentiment and heat embossed that too. 

I mounted the panel on tissue paper in pink colours and then the bright pink cardstock. 

Hope that the recipient liked what I did! 

Happy crafting! 

Catherine 

A gifted ATC as a random act of kindness… 

… for a trade partner who had been patient when I delayed sending her atcs.  The background was a mix of an inky gelli plate play and then some bookprint. I added distress oxides on top.  I then added the sailing boat on to and then tore it down. 

The mount is a piece of cardstock I gessoed and then added more distress oxides to the whole piece.

Finally I added the sticker title and sewed a bit along the edges for more texture.  I then mounted it all on to some corrugated card.

Hopefully the recipient liked it. 

Happy crafting!

Catherine 

A nice pieced paper card to share for Craftyhazelnuts patterned paper challenge blog today. 

Magazine papers mixed with a Julie Nutting doll stamp. 

Lovely and simple to layer up. Looking forward to seeing what everyone else has made. 

Happy crafting!

Catherine 

Once again I have been asked to repeat an ATC. The original had been traded a while ago so I had to try and remember from the picture I had how I had made it. I think I came quite close.

Hopefully it is close enough for the requestor… and she likes it! 

Happy crafting !

Catherine