The next two projects will continue the butterfly theme of the clay pendant and will both feature similar color schemes; brown, orange, yellow and a touch of black. Butterflies are symbolic of spring, but I wanted the colors to be soft and subtle, not the bright pastel colors usually associated with spring. So, like the pendant, these projects could work equally well for fall.
Both projects will use the same technique to stamp the butterfly, so I want to share that with you first today. We’ll be applying different colors of Smooch Accent Ink to the stamp; then blending them together so that when you stamp the image, you get a soft, shimmery watercolor effect.
First, you’ll need to ink your stamp with Top Boss Embossing Ink – clear or tinted, it doesn’t matter. This will create a layer between the stamp and the Smooch so that the Smooch won’t dry on your stamp and will blend and release easier as well…
Then you need to dab different colors of Smooch onto the stamp, being careful not to get the tip in other colors {clean off before putting applicator back in bottle if you do}. Place colors as you would if you were painting in the image, but don’t blend yet and you don’t have to cover the entire surface of the stamp...
Here is a closeup of the “smooched” stamp…
Then gently use your finger to dab – not wipe – the colors to blend them on the stamp…
Then stamp as you would with a regular inked stamp, only be careful not to apply to much pressure or your stamp could slide…
Practice the technique on some scrap paper until you are happy with how the colors blend and you get the hang of it.
Today’s project is an ATC card, which I’m sure most of you are familiar with. ATC stands for Artist Trading Card and they are a fun way to share miniature works of art…
Here’s what you need to make your own ATC:
“Remember ” ATC
Skill Level: advanced
SUPPLIES:
Clearsnap: Stylus Molding Mat: Moorish Tiles, Smooch Accent Ink: Silver Fox, Pumpkin, Gold Lame, Luscious Lime, Molasses and Tuxedo, Ancient Page Inkpad: Sandalwood, Sienna, Coal Black, Chocolate and Light Brown {full size or mini}, Top Boss: Tinted or Clear Embossing Pad, Asparagus and Dazzling Copper Embossing Powders, Design Adhesives: Sentiments and ColorBox Stylus Handle with white blender tip
Memory Box: Solid Butterfly wood mounted stamp
Hampton Art: Artsy Edges and Circle Birds clear stamps
Bazzill: Peanut cardstock
Tools: paper trimmer, scissors, black pen – fine, foam dimensional dots, adhesive and heat gun.
DIRECTIONS:
1) Use “smooch” technique described above, with Silver Fox, Luscious Lime, Pumpkin, Tuxedo and Molasses applied to circle stamp with scroll design on a piece of peanut cardstock. Set aside to dry, then cut out, leaving a thin border around the edge. Ink edges with Coal Black ink applied using ColorBox Stylus and white blender tip.
2) Use same “smooch” technique to ink butterfly stamp, using Silver Fox, Tuxedo, Pumpkin, Gold Lame and Molasses. Stamp on a piece of peanut cardstock and set aside to dry. Cut out, leaving a thin border around the image.
3) Ink hexagon section of molding mat using Sienna, Sandalwood, Coal Black and Light Brown applied and blended slightly using stylus with blender tip. Stamp on a piece of peanut cardstock. Ink the diamond section of the molding mat in the same way, using the same colors and stamp on a piece of peanut cardstock. Handcut stamped squares from cardstock; then cut each square into quarters measuring about 1”. You will only need 3 squares of each design.
4) Cut a 2 ½ X 3 ½ piece of peanut cardstock. Stamp the left and bottom edges using the narrow edge stamp from the Artsy Edges set and Coal Black ink. Use Chocolate and Coal Black ink, applied using stylus and bender tip, to ink the edges of card.
5) Use Coal Black and Chocolate ink, applied using stylus and blender tip to ink the edges of the 6 - 1” squares. Adhere the squares, in 2 vertical rows, beginning about 1/16” from the top right corner, and spacing the squares about 1/16” from each other.
6) Cut “memories” word and pronunciation from Design Adhesives sheet and adhere to a piece of peanut cardstock. Emboss using Asparagus embossing powder. Cut out design, leaving about 1/8” border around edges. Ink edges using Sandalwood and Chocolate inks.
7) Lay “memories” strip down left side of ATC just past top of border stamp. Cut “remember” from Design Adhesives sheet, and before you remove the backing, make sure it will fit along the bottom of the last row of squares. Adjust position of “memories” strip if needed, then adhere.
8) Apply “remember” Design Adhesive along the bottom row of squares, having the bottom of the letters right along the bottom edge of the squares. Emboss using Dazzling Copper embossing powder. When cool, outline the letters using black pen.
9) Adhere stamped circle from step 1) to the right side of card, about 1/8” up from the top of “remember”, having about ½ of the circle hang off the right side. Trim overhang and ink the edge using Chocolate and Coal Black ink applied with stylus and blender tip.
10) Adhere butterfly at the upper left of the circle using foam dimensional dots.
Now you are ready to trade!
---tami