June Freebie - tags

This month's Freebie is an assortment of tags suitable for multiple applications... courtesy of Connie Holso, one of our moderators.  She is sharing this great collage sheet for your personal use in your art.  Credit goes to Marisa Lerin of Pixel Scrapper for the use of her CU products in some of the tags provided.  Please click on the link BELOW the image to download the full size file. Have fun!

Use link BELOW to Download...

Download Here:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/8o6volqmm2f99b7/TAGS%20COLLAGE%20SHEET.png?m?dl=1

Gallery: Moo Card Glam Stars

Amanda E

Beckie H

Cathy C

Jo M

Shelly R

Our Chirp Chirp ATC Swap

Birds and Spring seem to just go together

like peanut butter and jelly.

Here are some of the ATC's that

were created for our most recent swap this Spring.

by Pam C.

by Pam P.

by Nydia

By Shelly R.

by Joy M.

by Jo M.

by Beckie H.

by Pattie McC.

by Cathy C.

by Eileen K.

by Amanda E.

We hope you enjoyed viewing our little birds!

If you would like to join us in future awesome swaps

please click on the purple yahoo button in 

the right sidebar for more information.

Announcing Crackle ATC Swap

This swap is for Paper Traders Members only but we would love for you to become a member and join us. Click the purple yahoo button in the sidebar for more information and how-tos.

Crackle ATC Swap
4-for-4 ATCs
Skill Level: 1-4 Any level is welcome, but does require a little more than just cut and paste.
Due: Postmarked by June 15
Hosted by: Connie Holso

This is a technique swap - subject is your choice. If  you haven't played with creating crackle yet, here is your chance to give it a whirl.  I love the look of crackle.  There are lots of ways to create it.  Some very involved and requiring several steps, others so easy that all you do is paint on the product and wait for it to do its magic. You may use any crackling technique or product you like, as long as  you create a bit of crackle on your ATCs.  I only ask that you include a little description telling us how you did it and any products used so we may share our results and learn a few new tricks.  If there are any tips or pitfalls, we would love to hear about them too. :-)  Mail your ATCs along with $1 for return postage to Connie Holso. International players may send ephemera in lieu of payment for postage.

Here are some links to information on creating a crackle effect:
http://miniatures.about.com/od/paintsandpigments/gr/distresscrackle.htm
http://www.ehow.com/how_7303888_diy_-crackle-paper-finish-surface.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxdirybLsrw
http://makethebestofthings.blogspot.com/2010/05/crackle-finish-with-elmers-glue.html
http://www.vintageimagecraft.com/craft_recipes.html
http://www.greenislescrafts.com/2011/06/crackle-technique-prompt-and-page.html
http://www.squidoo.com/fragilecrackle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvReiWe6nnU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gGJzfG1vxg
http://www.michaels.com/Crackling-Techniques/ae0132,default,pg.html

~Connie

Intuitive Watercolor ATC Swap announced

This swap is for Paper Traders Members only but we would love for you to become a member and join us. Click the purple yahoo button in the sidebar for more information and how-tos.

Intuitive Watercolor ATC Swap
4-for-4 ATCs
Skill: 2 - budding
Due: Postmarked by June 25, 2013
Hosted by: Beckie Holso

A few years ago, I experimented with Bernie Berlin's intuitive watercolor technique as outlined in her book Artist Trading Card Workshop. Recently a few people asked me about this so I thought it might be fun to try it again. This is an easy process that also allows you to be really free creatively. I have shared a tutorial on the Paper Traders blog here: http://papertraders-art.blogspot.com/2013/05/intuitive-watercolor-technique.html. For this swap, we will be making 4 ATCs of any theme. Whatever images you find in your watercolor blotches is just fine (but no nudity, please). Please include a return address label and $1 for postage. International participants may send ephemera in lieu of postage.

Happy Memorial Day

Here at Paper Traders we are 

wishing you a special Memorial Day as

we remember all the great men and women 

who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

Click on image and then right click - Save as.

Have a safe weekend.

PT Mods

clipart courtesy of Cathy C

Intuitive Watercolor Technique

A few years ago, I experimented with Bernie Berlin's intuitive watercolor technique as outlined in her book Artist Trading Card Workshop.  Recently a few people asked me about this so I thought it might be fun to try it again.  This is an easy process that also allows you to be really free creatively.  Let's get started...

Step 1: On watercolor paper, start with some all over watercolor in various colors.  Don't think, just spread it around everywhere.

Step 1 - all over watercolor

Step 2: Splash some great big wet drips of watercolor paint onto your paper and use your heat gun to push the water around as it dries.  Again, no thinking!!  Just do it!

Step 2 - add large drops and push around with heat gun

Use several colors until your paper is well covered.

continue adding color until your paper is covered

Step 3: Cut your paper into ATC-sized pieces.  (Assuming you want to make ATCs.  I suppose you could start with an ATC size piece, too.)

Step 3 - cut into ATCs

Step 4: Try to visualize images in your paint blotches.  Turn your card in all directions.  I took my glasses off and held the cards away from me so they were blurry to try to see what stood out.  This is the really fun part... just clear your mind and see what you can find.

Step 4 - look for images in your color blotches

Step 5: Once you've found your image, use permanent drawing pens to outline the images.  I used my Micron pens in varying sizes for this step.

Step 5: use permanent drawing pens to accent your found images

Step 6: Show off your results!  Please do share with us your creations.
            We'd love to see them! Just add a link to your specific post in
             your blog in the linky tool below.

Step 6 - show off your result!

Have fun,
Beckie  =)

Our New Member Spotlight

Welcome to another Paper Traders Member Spotlight.

 This month we are shining the light on

Sheryl Rubio

How did you find Paper Traders?
I thank the people that I have traded ATCs with in the past, for leading me to Paper Traders.
I really enjoy Paper Traders! I sometimes get so involved in looking for ideas, color trends
and techniques that I fail to save time for actually making something. Paper Traders gives me (much needed!) focus.

How long have you been a member?
Since March of 2012

Where do you live?
In the Beautiful city of Atlantic Beach, Florida!

How have your surroundings affected your art?
I truly believe that living in a place that has a longer 'summer' season has lightened up the mood, feel and colors of my creations.(I moved to the coast from a large city in another state)
My style has definitely changed in the last few years. I used to do a lot of pen and ink
 pieces that, in the end, took on a 'tattooish' look.

Please share a little about your own art experience.
I have gone from painting in my Grandmother's studio from the time I was old enough to hold a paintbrush - to designing posters, t-shirts and CD covers for bands - to
painting murals in homes and restaurants in Atlanta - to painting large pieces of decorative furniture for interior design stores. One of my creations is in a video
production from a large music festival. It has been fun!

What are some of your favorite techniques or genres?
I love doing faux finishes. Acrylics are my favorite to paint with. I have always been a paper addict!
 So now I am into mixed media collage.

What inspires you?
Wow, that one really makes me think! Sometimes I hear some good song lyrics that I can 'literally' see in my head, and I come up with a design. Sometimes my children will say something interesting that I turn into a 'visual'.  Lately I have been working with quotes from famous people and illustrating them - I like to play around with creative lettering techniques. I guess almost anything can get me in a creative mood!

Who are some famous artists whose work you admire and what especially appeals to you about this?
In the fine art world, I have, for many years, been a fan of the Wyeth family. Their New Englad scenery and life depiction has always attracted me.
As far as commercial art, I really like Susan Branch. I WISH I could watercolor just half as well as she!
And I am currently loving Christy Tomlinson, Seth Apter, Pam Carriker and a few other collage artists.

Describe your work area... Do you have your own studio or craft room?
I do have my own room, and it's a room full! I have a cabinet for my sewing machine, supplies and fabrics. The closet has my drawing table and supplies in it. I have another large armoire that has
scrapbooking supplies. I have a bazillion rubber stamps! and inks in pretty much every color available. And there'a a corner for jewelry making supplies, beads and tools. My
paper supply is huge! 12 x 12 paper packed in pizza boxes is in a stack approximately 4 feet high. There's bins with drawers that hold glue and templates and markers and crayons...
anyone who enters that room will come out with glitter on them. It's just a fact. That stuff never goes away!

Please share a little about your family and pets...
I have been blessed. I have fabulous parents that gave me years of praise and encouragement to do the things of my dreams. I am lucky enough to have the best, sweetest most kind, considerate and loving man
in the world who shares and backs me in my interests (mostly music), and raised four beautiful daughters that keep our lives together at 'full speed'.The girls are on their own now, so Kyle and I share our beach
home with a lovely 3 year old AmStaff. Her name is Shadow.

If you'd like, please share a little about your childhood, where you grew up, and when your creativity began.
I was born and raised in Atlanta. I spent summers (and pretty much every other holiday) with my Grandparents in Florida.
That's where I really got my culture - My Grandmother was a great artist, and musician.
 My best memories are of the two of us doing something artfully productive. Among soooo many other things, she taught me to crochet when I was 8.

Do you have any other hobbies or interests?
Yep! We are a musical family.
We plan vacations around music festivals. All of the daughters love to go! I started playing classical guitar when I was 12. Years later decided I wanted to play banjo. Between the two of us, Kyle and I have 5 guitars, the banjo and half a room full of amplifiers and other 'stuff' so that we/he (mostly he) can play music loudly!

The girls surf and Kyle likes that too, but I choose stand-up paddleboarding instead. Our outdoor shed looks like a surf shop!
Our home is a very fun place :-D

Our Next "Life Mantras" Art Journal Challenge

We are on to our fifth Life Mantra

Word Prompt for our Art Journal Challenge.

We hope you are enjoying this as much as we are.

If you just stumbled upon us,

stay and play with us.

You can join at any time.

For info. on the complete challenge guide lines go here.

This month's prompt is "Give More"

and the requirement is to

use graphitti style lettering in your design.

Inspiration:

Pure love is a willingness to give without a thought of receiving anything in return.

~Peace Pilgrim

It is every man's obligation to put back into the world

 at least the equivalent of what he takes out of it.

~Albert Einstein

by Cathy C.

by Beckie H.

If you would like to play along, come back and link your blog post,

featuring your journal page, in the linky tool below.

Please link to your specific blog post.

Our Inchie Mini Accordian Book Swap

We just finished our our 

Mini Inchie Accordian Book Swap

over at our Paper Traders Art Group.

This swap was based on the technique

of creating a stamped master board

from which the inchies were cut.

by Cathy C.

by Mel D.

by Beckie H.

by Amanda E.

by Pattie M.

by Joy M.

If you would like to join us in some of

our great swaps, please click on the purple

yahoo button in the sidebar for more information.

We'd love to have you join us.

Happy Mother's Day

A little gift to you courtesy of

Cathy C. of Paper Traders.

From: The Slow Coach by E.V. Lucas,

Illustrated by M.V. Wheelhouse

copyright 1910

From: Rhymes for Kindly Children - 1916

by Fairmont Snyder

Illust. by John B. Gruelle

Gypsy Deco Books swap announced

This swap is for Paper Traders Members only but we would love for you to become a member and join us. Just click the purple Yahoo button in the sidebar to get started.

Gypsy Deco Books
6 pages for 1 deco book; Covers will be provided - please make six (6) pages, each 3.5" square, decorated on one side only in a gypsy theme.
Skill: All levels welcome
Postmarked by: June 11, 2013
Hosted by: Beckie Holso

For this project, we will each be making six (6) square pages measuring 3.5" on each side.  Please do not decorate the back of your pages because they will be glued down into the books that I will assemble.  I am planning to construct books similar to those seen here:
http://nicholeheady.typepad.com/capture_the_moment/2007/11/vsbn-coster-min.html
http://www.fabscrapsusa.com/default.aspx?PageID=382&ProjectID=1
You will receive one completed book in exchange for your 6 pages.

Paper Traders members please sign up in the database on the Yahoo site.  Don't forget to upload photos of your finished pages to the project album.  Please mail your pages to me postmarked by June 11th and include a return address label and $2 to help cover the cost of shipping. International participants may send ephemera in lieu of postage.

Our Music ATC Swap

Just sharing a bit of one of recent swaps

over at our Paper Traders Art Group,

Music ATC's.

by Jo M.

Pauline M.

by Nydia D.

by Melissa W.

by Pam P.

by Cathy C.

by Amanda E.

by Beckie H.

If you would like to join our group and

take part in some of our great swaps,

click on the purple yahoo button in the sidebar

for more information.

We'd love to have you!!

May Freebie

This month's Freebie is a fun and fresh collection courtesy of Connie Holso, one of our moderators.  She is sharing this great collage sheet for your personal use in your art.  Please click on the link BELOW the image to download the full size file.  Have fun!

Use link BELOW to download...

Download HERE: 

https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=4CC7F78541694F93&id=4CC7F78541694F93%21160