ATC Antics

Morning my lovely friends and crafters, What an amazing few days I have had, A really enjoyable visit to Hochanda and a catch up with friends, meeting all of the lovely people that bring us such great shows and then the launch of  the next installment of my Craftascope Library. Today, I wanted to spend some time showing you the stamp sheets in detail. There really isn't the time on the show to do that as well as present the demo's that we all love to see. I want to show just how versatile these stamps are and show the smaller stamps that are so valuable to us crafters, whatever our style or crafting experience.

ATC Antics:

This was specially designed to coordinate with the ATC die set which sold out, I have managed to squeeze some additional stock but there wont be anymore available after that. It's a real go to collection, enabling you to make a complete card or add detail, texture and dimension to any project. I have included some feel good sentiments along with words that can be mixed with others in any of the Craftascope collection to form new sentiments or phrases. Two of the boys appear in a smaller and more natural look, giving you even more scope to coordinate a tag, gift and matching card. I have included a positive and negative bubble wrap, that gives the most amazing texture, it's a huge improvement on the real thing allowing you to do so much more, with texture, dimension as well as opening up a whole new way of crafting.

Such A Card:

I have designed some of these to layer and they look amazing in any colour combination to give a wide range of looks and feels. They work perfectly well as single stamps and dont have to be layered to give a wonderful look. Again they are great to add to any project to add texture and dimension, but as I demonstrated in my shows on Hochanda, they can be used to make a super but simple fast card and we all need one of those from Time to time. These are really different to anything else that is out there and give a unique feel to you crafting.

Textures 1:

This is the beginning of a small collection of wonderful texture stamps, sized to make it simple to extend them to suit your project. Being Thermo Plastic Rubber, they allow you to use all of your techniques, extending the use but remaining clear for positioning. There are some really interesting and unique textures here in this collection of 4, a really cost effective way of adding interest to anything.

Handy Helpers:

Oh my goodness, this was another early sell out, but I did manage to get a little ore stock on extended delivery, so I do hope you wont miss out. This is an amazing set of unique stamps and where this whole collection started. The 3 hands give you the opportunity to use on any project, I have used feel good phrases on one, Crafty words on another and included a plain to cover all bases. There are also some super and different sentiments in this set which will match all projects and occasions.

As I have said before all of the words in every launch of the Craftascope Library collection will mix and match to give 1000's of sentiments that you can create, rather than tie to you specifics, we all want to get as much value as we can from our supplies and this is an excellent way of covering every possible scenario.

I do thank you for all of your support, without it I wouldn't be able to bring you the collections that I share with you. I want to be able to give you a collection of usable, different and unique stamps that build your collection over the months and years to come. I don't want to bring the same images or things that are already available, I want to help you evolve and try something different in your crafting. I am launching another new collection on Tuesday at Hochanda with Dave, so I do hope you will join me then. For now Take care and Happy Crafting.xx

ATC Book Box

Morning Friends and Crafters. It has been amazing for me over the last few days seeing so many wonderful creations made with my collection. It's impossible for me to describe what a wonderful feeling it's given me seeing how many of you are now enjoying crafting with my designs, something I never thought would be possible. Today I have a lovely little project, made using a super MDF ATC book from Louise Withers. These are such a super design and just perfect to store all of your ATC's as well as having fun putting your own mark on them, excellent quality and design.Thank you Lou.xx

You Will Need:

Craftascope Brendan A5 Media Stencil

Craftascope Profile A5 Media Stamp set 2

Craftascope Dolphin A5 Media Stamp set 1

Indigoblu Acrylic Townhouse Teal

Indigoblu Acrylic Pantry White

Eco Paint Acrylic Pumpkin

Black Gesso

Epiphany Tool Round and Oval Including acrylic domes (can use Glossy Accents or similar)

Versafine Black Ink

Brayer

The whole collection is available as a bundle for better value (Available here).

Step 1: Prepare the surface with Black Gesso, Inside & Out. I masked the spine with masking tape or similar to keep it natural but this is optional.

Step 2: Secure a piece of narrow black ribbon to the inside bottom of your box. This will help remove the cards later without causing any damage to your little works of art. Later you can add a little bead or charm to the lose end.

Next using the Acrylics, build up layers of colour and texture until you ate happy with the result.

Step 3: To decorate use the mans profile stamp and Versafine Black ink. I used the stamps from both sets to make a couple of embellishments & added a twine bow for more interest. Before securing them to my book I used another stamp directly onto the surface. This finished the front, but have more fun, decorating the back and inside cover. On the areas that were plain black Gesso I added a little gilding wax to give an aged look to the sides.

All thats left is for you to fill the box with ATC's you have made or swapped, a wonderful little holder for all your treasured cards.

Just a little extra here: If you have not shopped with Hochanda before, here is a voucher code giving you 30% off your first purchase (FEY5JBP7) it can be used for any purchase, feel free to share it.

As you know I love writing my blog and helping as much as I can, well I would really love for you to add you support by adding me as a favourite blog. All you need to do in that section is choose other and add my blog address nickinbarnsley.blogspot It would be great to get a mention even if I dont come anywhere.

Here is the link to add your support for all of the categories. 

https://www.britishcraftawards.com/

I hope you have enjoyed the tutorial today along with the finished project. Please come by again to see what else I have to share with you. Whatever you make and Create Have fun. Take care and Happy Crafting.xxx

Spirit Soar ATC

Morning everyone, good to have your company. Today I am sharing an ATC that I made with my new collection. I love ATC's, I often make a mini version or representation of cards that I have made. Here is the Dolphin, which I predict is going to be the next Unicorn or Owl used with the funky wave stamp from Leonie. I have been lucky enough to swim with Dolphins a few time now, they really are the most amazing mammals,

You will need:

Dolphin Stamp Set 1

ATC Sized Piece of Stamping Card 2 1/2 x 3 1/2''

Pebeo Drawing Gum

Funky Wave Stamp from Leonie (or Similar)

Clarity Moon Mask

Blueprint Sketch Distress Ink

Shaded Lilac Distress Ink

Versafine Black Ink Pad

White Gel Pen

Alcohol Markers

Copier Paper Masks of the Waves and Dolphin

Step 1: Start by stamping the waves across the bottom of your card, Mask of the waves, then add the Dolphin and the moon mask. Using a fan brush, splash a a few very small drops of drawing gum across the sky, cover the rest of your stamped area with the gum as well and leave to dry.

Step 2: Blend the sky using the Shaded Lilac first. Then from the outside edges of the card start blending in the Blueprint sketch, gradually blend towards the centre, making sure the area around the moon wants to be lighter.

Step 3: Remove the moon mask.

Step 4: Removing the remaining drawing gum.

Stamp 5: Stamp your sentiment, Use the alcohol markers to colour the Dolphin and the waves. Then use the white gel en to add a highlight on the words and more texture to the waves.

Here is your finished ATC, such a great was of keeping a catalogue of your cards and projects.

Thank you for joining me today, I hope to see you again really soon, I hope you have enjoyed the tutorial today along with the finished piece. Before I go there is one more thing, here is a 30% off voucher to use on your FIRST order (anything) from Hochanda, use code FEY5JBP7. 

As you know I love writing my blog and helping as much as I can, well I would really love for you to add you support by adding me as a favourite blog. All you need to do in that section is choose other and add my blog address nickinbarnsley.blogspot It would be great to get a mention even if I dont come anywhere.

Here is the link to add your support for all of the categories. 

https://www.britishcraftawards.com/


Until Tomorrow, Take care and Happy Crafting.xx

Artist Trading Card Selection

Morning, thanks for stopping by again. Yesterday I showed the ATC holder that I made for the launch of the new stamp collection by Leonie Pujol. Today I have a selection of cards I made to go inside. I hope you enjoy.

Mrs Peypes' New Gown:

To create the background I used multiple cut outs from the 1849 Edition of 'The Illustrated London News'. When dry, I coloured the dress using 3 shades of green alcohol markers, I used distress ink around the edges of the card, Peeled Paint, Twisted Citron and Mowed Lawn. On a separate piece of  super smooth card I created the centre of the flower using a stamp from the Branching Out Set and the petals using a stamp from the Arrow to the Art set. I used a mask for both of these so I could cleanly overlap the stamps. I then coloured the flower with a selection of alcohol markers, decided on the area and stuck it to my card.

London Fireworks:

To create the foreground, I fussy cut the scene I wanted and stuck it to my card with Cosmic Shimmer Glue. I used Pebeo Drawing Gum on the areas I wanted to keep untouched, St Pauls, The River, Flags and the people watching. The i took stamps from Inky Notes set,Feathery Flourish set and Arrow to the Art set. I then stamped these in the sky using a selection of bright distress inks, over-stamped them with Versamark, covered with clear embossing powder and used a heat tool to set.

Using Chipped Sapphire, Blueprint Sketch and Weathered Wood Distress inks, I blended the night sky fading to my focal point. I also used the same to add colour around the edge of my card. inally I removed the gum and added a few highlights using Squeezed Lemonade and a watercolour brush (Hardly and Water).

Old World Map ATC:

I used the old world map decoupage papers from Craft Consortium to create the background for this piece. I tore the areas I wanted and glued them using Creative Expressions Matt Glue Seal & Glaze. To age the rest of the background I used Weathered Wood,Tattered Rose,Old Paper and a smidge of Squeezed Lemonade so it blended with the old map. An Indigo Blu stamp (from Ink Splats collection) was stamped with Archival coffee Ink.

I created the compass using a stamp from Leonie's Arrow to the Art set. The arrows I added also came from the same set. From the Feathery Flourish set I added the direction lines on the map. Finally I added the compass points using a mapping pen and Gold drawing ink.

Paint Along With Matthew Palmer

Two Posts in one day, WOWEE.

I just had to do a post about my experience with the Matthew Palmer watercolour DVD collection. I can honestly say that I never thought I could paint something that I was so proud of. Just before I moved to Bulgaria, I bought Matthew Palmers DVD collection and watercolour paints. When they arrived I didn't have time to try them as everything had to be packed up. It was only after seeing his new shows on Hochanda that I remembered that I already had them along with his paints. Seeing his demos gave me the inspiration to unpack them and get painting. I am so happy that I did, His teaching style is amazing and I would highly recommend them to anyone who would love to paint, but like me lacked the confidence to try.

I followed his demonstration on the dvd and this is what I was able to achieve with his guidance. I am filled with enthusiasm now and have the the confidence to continue. I really love ATC cards, so I decided to try and paint the same picture in the ATC size. I am over the moon with the results.

I hope you like the finished pieces and maybe you might also give it a go. I can't begin to explain how easy it was to follow him.