Our Mardi Gras Swap

Our members came up with some

great creations for our Mardi Gras swap.

by Wendy A.

by Abby L.

by Amanda E.

by Beckie H.

by Nancy S.

Alice's Mad Tea Party Swap

This swap is for Paper Traders Members only

So why don't you join us?

Click on the purple yahoo button on the right sidebar.

Alice's Mad Tea Party ATC Swap

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You're all late for tea! Said the March hare. Now don't be late for an Alice in Wonderland ATC swap. It's time for the red Queen, the mad hatter, Alice and the white rabbit to visit from wonderland. Feel free to interpret Lewis Carroll work as you like. . Please make sure your ATCs fit the 2.5" x 3.5" size and are made from firm matt or illustration board. This is a 3/3 or 6/6 swap and ATCs are due by April 31st. Please include a self-addressed mailing label and $2.00 for return postage for 6 or $1.00 for 3. For international swappers, just include an extra ATC and I will cover the return postage. I will mail all returns out in bubble envelopes. 

Don't forget to use to all your ...muchness.

Gallery: Love Notes Envelope Books

Amanda E

Beckie H

Beckie's book

Cathy C

Cathy's book

Janne R

Nancy S

Wendy A

Old West Mini Book Page Swap

This swap is for Paper Traders

Art Group Members only

Please join us. We'd love to have you!

Click on purple yahoo button in sidebar.

New Swap!! 

Old West Mini Book Page

Please join our Old West mini book page swap.

 Cowboys, cowgirls, rodeos, wild west shows, fences, the open range!! 

The art should be created on round, square, or oval coasters. 

Most restaurants have round ones available and many of you already 

have some in your personal stashes. 

They can also be  purchased at the Dollar Tree.

  If you do not have a stash of coasters 

in your art supplies you can create them from 

mat board OR 140# watercolor paper. 

Size is approximately 4” in diameter, but don't get 

caught up with the size  - just join and create some fun art!! 

Art is created on the front of the coasters with light decoration 

and your name on the back. 

7 for 7 "drink coasters" altered with western art

Sign ups by: 2-25 & Postmarked by 03/25/2012

Mini Leather Book Necklaces

One of our Paper Traders members,
Cathy Calamas from A Surcee Life
is sharing a tutorial on these
mini Leather Book Necklaces.

She got the idea from Wendy at
Art by Wendy

who got the idea from

http://www.alteredalchemy.com/

I cut 8 pieces of watercolor paper into

 1.25" by 3" strips. I then roughly tore the edges

 down to 2.5" in length.

I folded them in half. At this point you could use

some distress ink along the edges as well as

across the sheets. I did this after I had put 

my books together and it was much harder.

So do it early.

:D

I then punched three holes across the folded edge

of each piece with a large darning needle.

Don't skip this step as it makes sewing the spine

SO MUCH EASIER.

Sewed the spines.

Cut out another piece of watercolor paper

to wrap around. 1.25" x 3"

Glued the spine in. Apply glue thickly.

I use Alene's.

Let dry with clips to hold in place and keep tight.

Cut leather into 1.25"x 3". I used an old leather

belt from a leather jacket. It is pretty soft leather.

Cut some very thin strips as well for the closure.

Attach 3 eyelets in these positions. 

One at top for necklace cord 

and two at sides for closure tie.

(sorry, missed a photo at this next step)

Glue leather cover onto the book pages ,

being careful to only go half way up 

the back spine  so as not to glue 

shut the eyelet.

Wrap around and hold tight with clips til dry.

Glue embellishments with Fabri-Tac glue.

Use thins strips to tie book closed.

Use leather cording to make necklace.

You can write special verses, memories, etc.

inside like I did.

Thanks for stopping by !

Moo Card Tag Swap

For Paper Trader Members only

(so please join us, click on purple yahoo button)

by Cathy C

A Moo card is half of a business card (lengthwise) 

 1" x 2.75". 

Vintage Fashion Theme. 

Please attach ribbon, string, etc. for hanging

 and decorative paper on the back

 Pls. include $1.00 postage or ephemera in lieu of postage.

"All Things Lace" Challenge

Fabric lace, paper lace or digital lace.
We would love to see what you can create
using any of the three.

You don't have to be a member of Paper_Traders Yahoo Art group to participate but if you would like to join us and be privy to even more great paper crafting swaps and challenges plus better than ever artistic support, that would be super!

When the challenge closes, we will pick a winning piece that best showcases the theme of the challenge and/or supply requirement.

Challenge Rules

1. Make a paper craft, mixed media or digital piece of art ( any size). The theme is "Lace".
2. Post your art to your blog, Flickr, Picasa (online albums). Mention our name PaperTraders Art Blog with a link back to this post. You are more than welcome to grab our button and post it on your blog as well. The last day to post for this challenge is Feb. 29th, 2012.
3. After posting your "Lace" art on your site, come back to this post and leave us a comment with link to your post/image. You must include a direct link to your image or post, not a general link to your album or blog. All you will need to do is copy and paste the url address of your post found at the top of your browser window.
4. The winner(s) will be awarded our "Trader Treasure" blog badge which they can choose to feature on their blog. Their art will also be posted on the PaperTraders Art Blog for the month.

Free images to get you started!

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Member Inspiration

by Beckie H.

by Beckie H.

by Cathy C.

by Cathy C.

by Aimeslee W.