Going digi

I always say I am not a digital "scrapper".  But I think I have to change that.  Lately I find I am using quite a few digital images that I print and use in projects.  I just realized designed a digital layout for some of my ATC backs!!   Who would've thunk it?

I don't know about you, but when I make ATCs, I end up with some that have really neat and clean back sides and others that are, well really messy.  They typically look something like this:

Not sure what I do that some come out looking so bad, but I do it really well, don't you think? lol  I dislike seeing a mess on the back of my ATCs.  I also have issues with leaving brads (or other things) exposed on the backside of ANYTHNG.  For ATCs my solution is to make a full-sized back.  That's where my digital layout comes into play!

Since the "messy" ATCs ended up with an awesome (in my opinion) backing, it just wouldn't be right for the ones with a "clean" backs to have a plain ol' label slapped on them, right?   I had to come up with another great idea.

I was about 5 minutes from home after work today when I got a call from my FAVORITE LSS (Stamper's Corner) telling me my Tim Alteration dies were in!  Of course I HAD to detour by the store to pick them up.  I really had to.  An idea came to me and I had plans for the "Tattered Leaves" die.  It was going to become the background for the "clean" ATCs!

Here they are: my digi design background and the background using my new tattered leaf die (which just happens to fit in my small xyron)!



What do you think?  Besides the fact I need to practice centering the text in the die a little better (it was so much easier to line it up on the practice  sheets [plain copy paper], lol).  I was pretty happy with the results, until I noticed something.   Are you good at spotting differences?  First one to correctly identify the error in the above picture will win a small pack of goodies. (I will ship internationally too!)  Just leave a comment on this post  The error I am looking for is not the centering (or lack thereof).

good luck!

Linda

PS - the leaf image in the full-size back  is from Microsoft Office.


EDIT - Terry is right, the date is wrong on the full background. (Terry please send me an e-mail with your address and I will get a package out to you this weekend!)   I was not too happy with myself when I realized I put the date we are leaving instead of the date of the cruise.  On the bright side, I only mounted 8 backs on ATCs so I don't have a lot of corrections to make.  Not sure if I am going to cross off the "29" and  hand write "30" or print 30  and "patch" them.   Any ideas or sugguestions?

And to answer Lori's question, YES it is a PAIN to try to align the printing in the die hence the off centered look of the leaf.  Not sure if I am going to do a lot that way, if I do, I may switch to plain copy paper as I was able to align the practice one up easier and just use lots of ink to add some fall colors.

Cool! 2 (challenges) for 1 (ATC)

The "Spicy Supply Challenge" (GC 70) over at GingersnapCreations is "punches".  The challenge at Drunken Stampers is "cirlcles".   If you haven't checked out these cool blogs, you really need to and while you are there check out all the awesome creations for each of these challenges!

I created this cute little guy using some punched circles (see how nicely that fits into both challenges! lol) and some scraps!  I used one of Tim's texture fades for the background, then sanded the circles!  "Cool" was stamped using Chipped Sapphire Distress Ink then covered with stickles (I think "diamond" but not positive.)  And yes, this is another ATC for the cruise!

Guess I need to get busy and finish all these ATCs with the backs!  Only 2 1/2 weeks to go! 

Take care, hope your weekend is everything you want it to be!

Linda

PS - ssssshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!  I will let you in on a secret. . . when I make my 100th post (I am guestimating it will be after I get back from the cruise, but it could be sooner) I will be hosting a BIG blog giveaway.  If I have 100 followers BEFORE my 100th post it will be even a BIGGER giveaway.  

Have I mentioned I am going on a cruise with Tim (Holtz)?  Hmmmm, maybe it will include something I bring home with me.  So if you are not a follower, maybe you should be.  I will ship worldwide, so the drawing will be open to EVERYONE!  Maybe this is a secret you should spread around.

A couple of techniques (including CCC Week 12!)

This week found me trying a couple of techniques, one I have done once or twice before and a new one!  The fabulous Linda Ledbetter, aka the hostess of the Compendium of Curiosities Challenge, is on the design team at Gingersnap Creations Blogs.  Last week she posted a "Simple Image Transfer with Gesso" tutorial on the Gingersnap blog.

This week's CCC was found on page 44, Chipped Enamel. (This is the techinque I have used before.) I had fun playing with this one and created quite a few pieces. 

Charlene and I are working on a door sign for our upcoming cruise with Tim and friends.  I used the transfer technique for part of the sign (pictures will follow once we have completed the sign) and had so much fun with it, I kept right on going and created some ATC backgrounds.

I combined the chipped enamel pieces with one of the transferred image backgrounds to create this ATC:

For the "how to" on the flower and leaf you will have to check out page 44 of the Compendium of Curiosities.  In the tutorial for the image transfer, Linda used a mini canvas (board), I just used a piece canvas cloth.  When the background was completed and dried, the image was really faint.  I liked the look much better when it was wet so after I stamped it, I spread a thin layer of Glossy Accents over the entire surface of the ATC to bring out the colors!  (I used glossy accents to adhere the flower and leaf too!)

Like I said, I kept on going, in all I made 7 ATC backgrounds, but as of yet have only completed one other ATC.  I treated this canvas with a little ink, a thin layer of Glossy Accents and some stitching. 

Charlene and I experimented a bit with image transfers and are very excited about the results, but that will be for another post as the experiment was for the door sign.  We had fun experimenting and both plan on using our "discoveries" on other projects, so you may not have to wait for the door sign to see it!

Hope you are having a fabulous weekend!

Linda

PS - the "Beleive" stamp is from "Rubber Soul" and "Autumn" is from Hero Arts.

A series for another challenge

It's been awhile since I have participated in a challenge over at Collage Obession . As soon as I saw the image, an idea popped in my head! And since I am in ATC mode, I decided to make an ATC (SURPRISE!). When all was said and done I actually created  a series of 4 ATCs using the image!

The "What's New Pussy Cat" & "Nice Kitty" images were cropped using my camera's software and then inserted into MS Word.  I added a text box and used "white" text.  A couple of thing you can't tell in the photo, is the Nice Kitty's face is actually cut & popped and the leaves around him are embossed in "tinsel green" (glittery).  The leaves in the "What's New. . ." ATC were embossed, cut and glued on top of the image!  The crown is from Tim Holtz' "Distressables Elements" (Digital images).   The other 2 ATCs were pretty simple - printed, matted, add the "buttons" and bling.

Thanks for stopping by!  Hope you have a fabulous week!

Linda

With days to spare (and a special request)

With days to spare I went into overdrive for the 3rd week of  Compendium of Curiosities Challenge (CCC) at Studio L3!   Using this week's challenge -Alcohol Ink Monoprint - I created a ton of ATC backgrounds (about 30!) and 4 card backgrounds!  I have even managed to complete 6 ATCs!!!  I have other ATCs in progress and a few that are being "re-purposed" (or you could ATCs I screwed up and "saved" them by using in other projects! lol)

Now I find a fabulous way to use a fragment!  (The piece under the fragment is one of the re-purposed pieces I mentioned above!)   The tree image is a Penny Black Stamp using Staz-on Jet Black.  The sentiment is by Great Impressions. The birds in the top left corner are from one of Tim Holtz' Visual Artistry set.

Next up is an ATC that not only works for the CCC but also the Gingersnaps Challenge #57 - Wings The sentiment was stamped using Staz-on Jet Black from a Hampton Art Stamps. (The background of the main words is another re-purposed piece!) The background stamp is Hero Art's, "Sandra's Letter Background" stamp. I used Coffee Archival Ink.  The hearts and wings are grungeboard.  The hearts and small wings were inked with Distress Ink (Hearts -Barn Door; wings Vintage Photo, I think).  The large wings were covered with Distress crackle paint (Vintage Photo). 

And here is a glimpse of the "ton" of ATC backgrounds that are waiting to become masterpieces!

If you are lucky, I will show you the other ATCs later in the week, unless of course I get distracted and make something else!  Did you see Tim's (Holtz) post today? Did you know I can get distracted pretty easily? lol  And if you haven't looked at his post, you really should! Then you will understand!

Before you leave, I have a request.  My son-in-law, Tim, (not to be confused with Tim Holtz) is preparing to depart on a deployment as I type. He is in the US Army.  He will be gone for quite awhile.  My daughter is 1,000s of miles away from the rest of her family.  Please say prayers and/or send good thoughts for his safe return and for them both to looked after by angels. 

 I love you Rebecca and Tim. 

Take care,

Linda

With hours to spare

With hours to spare I completed an entry for the 2nd week of CCC at Studio L3!   Nothin' like working under a deadline!

I started a project earlier in the week, it just wouldn't come together.   In an effort to create something for the challenge this week, I created this ATC.  The background is a Kleenex box, the flower is out of grungepaper/board "leftover" from Tim's birdcage die. For the flower I misted Mustard Seed re-inker mixed with Sunflower Sparkle Perfect Pearls. For the stem and leaves I used Forest Moss  Distress Ink directly on the paper then misted with Peeled Paint mixed with Blue Smoke Perfect Pearls.  The sentiment (Great Impressions) was stamped in Staz-on Jet Black Ink.   The lady bug is from my stash.  Everything was attached  with Glossy Accents.

Hope you all a great weekend!  Have a fabulous week!

Gettin' Ready

Editorial note: I really try to keep my posts short, but did not even come close to succeeding this time! Grab a favorite beverage, sit back and enjoy. If you want to see my creations, just skip to the bottom!

We may have 100 days or so until we leave for our FABULOUS cruise, but we are getting ready, NOW! Charlene and I started looking at excursions to see what we want to do in each of our ports. . .I am pretty easy to please (although my husband might disagree with that, lol) - my one big thing I want to do while on the cruise is have lobster somewhere. . .I mean if you are in Maine, you gotta have lobster at least once, right? Other than that I am willing to do just about anything. Charlene is the planner and is very organized about trips, so I sent her a list with 2 or 3 things that looked fun in each port and now it is in her hands. She also selected activities in each port and then compared the lists. She said they were very similar, so she is going to do some research and see if we book through the ship or find something independently. It's so much fun to imagine the possibilities!

When we get back from the cruise, my friend Chris is going to pick us up at the port and then we are heading up to Sleepy Hollow area and are going to the Blaze Saturday night! Charlene was there for the first year when they had 1,000 carved Jack O'Lanterns and said it was AWESOME!!! This year there will be 4,000 carved Jack O'Lanterns! Both Charlene & Chris love Halloween and decorating their houses! I am looking forward to the seeing the Blaze too!

What I am looking forward to at least as much as the cruise is seeing Mamma Mia on Broadway in NYC!!!! That is what we are going to do on Sunday evening! I bought our tickets on Thursday! If you heard a strange noise it was probably me cuz' I was super excited about getting the tickets! Our seats are FRONT & CENTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you are planning on seeing a play in NYC I would suggest you check out Telecharge.com, prices there were almost half the price that I found at other ticket brokers.


I guess since we've been talking and planning about the cruise so much this past week, it put me in the ATC mode yesterday! The plan is to make 150 or so, we'll see how that goes. Last year I planned to make 160 for the Mexico cruise but only got around to making about 75 I think. It turned out a perfect number, I only brought home 2 or 3 of my own.

This one was the first. . .the background is one the "oops" from the water stamping experiment on Monday. I stamped a "tire track" (Art Impression) in frayed burlap, the sentiment (Hero Arts) was stamp and cut apart, the motorcycle is by Jolee's. (Unless otherwise noted, it is Tim Holtz stuff) The others are all "cheaters", the backgrounds were all leftover from last year and are alcohol inks. The butterfly ones have a 7 gypsy transparency over them. The "believe" stamp is Wendy Vechhi's. Even though you can tell in the pictures, the butterflies are both sprayed with Perfect Gold Perfect Pearls. I received the butterflies in a swap awhile back.

The butterfly on the red "Mona" is a small Sizzix flower with 2 petals cut out, don't ask what color because it was in my stash and I don't remember, but it is stamped in Rusty Hinge.  (While making roses on Scrappin' Saturday, as she cut the petals SJ said, "Hey, that looks like a butterfly!"  She's right, it does!  Thank you for the idea!!!)    FLY was stamped on some scraps of the water stamping pieces, cut out and covered with Glossy Accents.    The sentiment was stamped on yet more "oops" water stamping pieces, cut out and attached with glossy accent.  The dictionary piece  (under the "T" [misc. brad], above Mona's head) had been attached to "fragment"  I tried to put a hole in it with my crop-o-dile.  It didn't work so well, but when the fragment snapped into two pieces, it left the dictionary piece in tact with a covering of Glossy Accents, so I used it!

If you are going on the cruise and you see an ATC or two you love, let me know and I will set it aside. And if you love it as much in person, it's yours!  If you are not going on the cruise and see an ATC you love, let me know and I will send it to you!

Hope you are having a fabulous weekend!