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| Download HERE: |
Sunday, August 31, 2014
September Freebie - Spooky Elements
It's time for another freebie courtesy of your Paper Traders Moderators. A great big THANK YOU to Connie Holso for preparing this terrific offering for your personal use. Please use the link BELOW the photo to download the high resolution file. Enjoy!
Tutorial: Decayed Paper Technique
This month's tutorial is an oldie-but-goodie. Several years ago, I tried this technique for an ATC background swap based on Jill Geraghty-Groves’ “Decaying Background” technique as described in the March/April 2011 issue of Somerset Studio magazine.
SUPPLIES:
canvas or chipboard base
gesso
vintage text & images
sponge brushes
gel medium (I prefer matte)
baby wipes
scissors
sanding block
acrylic paint
crackle paint
alcohol inks
spray bottle filled with water
1) Use something sturdy such as canvas or chipboard for your base. This is a very wet technique so regular paper or cardstock will not hold up to the process (I've done this with success on watercolor paper; this time I used a piece of tablet backing). Prime with gesso.
2) Tear vintage text and images to desired shapes & sizes. Apply with gel medium.
3) Once dry, I trim off the excess paper with scissors and then carefully smooth the edges with my sanding block.
4) Mix some gel medium with acrylic paint of your choice. I usually use a neutral buff color. You can use baby wipes to wipe the paint off of images that you want to show through.
5) Goop on crackle paint around the edges and let dry. I used Ranger Distress Crackle Paint in “Picket Fence” and “Antique Linen”. (Because I am using this piece to make into ATCs, I marked off the sizes for each card and put the crackle paint around those areas so that each ATC would have a crackled edge.)
6) Let your paint dry thoroughly. It will crack as it dries. The thicker the paint, the bigger the cracks.
7) After your paint has cracked, you can drip alcohol inks along the edge then spritz with water and it will run down the paper and into all the cracks. I like to tip my background up on its edge with a paper towel underneath; then I run the bottle of ink along the top edge, spraying with lots of water, and tipping the piece to help the inks run and blend. For this project, I used Adirondack’s “Eggplant” first, followed by “Latte”. This step takes quite a bit of water and is very wet and messy. Let your background dry thoroughly.
8) Now you can use your background as you want.
SUPPLIES:
canvas or chipboard base
gesso
vintage text & images
sponge brushes
gel medium (I prefer matte)
baby wipes
scissors
sanding block
acrylic paint
crackle paint
alcohol inks
spray bottle filled with water
1) Use something sturdy such as canvas or chipboard for your base. This is a very wet technique so regular paper or cardstock will not hold up to the process (I've done this with success on watercolor paper; this time I used a piece of tablet backing). Prime with gesso.
2) Tear vintage text and images to desired shapes & sizes. Apply with gel medium.
3) Once dry, I trim off the excess paper with scissors and then carefully smooth the edges with my sanding block.
4) Mix some gel medium with acrylic paint of your choice. I usually use a neutral buff color. You can use baby wipes to wipe the paint off of images that you want to show through.
5) Goop on crackle paint around the edges and let dry. I used Ranger Distress Crackle Paint in “Picket Fence” and “Antique Linen”. (Because I am using this piece to make into ATCs, I marked off the sizes for each card and put the crackle paint around those areas so that each ATC would have a crackled edge.)
6) Let your paint dry thoroughly. It will crack as it dries. The thicker the paint, the bigger the cracks.
7) After your paint has cracked, you can drip alcohol inks along the edge then spritz with water and it will run down the paper and into all the cracks. I like to tip my background up on its edge with a paper towel underneath; then I run the bottle of ink along the top edge, spraying with lots of water, and tipping the piece to help the inks run and blend. For this project, I used Adirondack’s “Eggplant” first, followed by “Latte”. This step takes quite a bit of water and is very wet and messy. Let your background dry thoroughly.
8) Now you can use your background as you want.
Friday, August 22, 2014
New Swap: Masterboards & Tags
This swap is for Paper Traders members only but we would love to have you join our fun. Please click on the purple yahoo button in the sidebar for more information on how to join.
You will be creating 2 different masterboards and 2 tags, one tag from each masterboard.
What is a masterboard? The basic idea is very simple, you make one main artwork onto cardstock and then cut it up into smaller pieces for ATCs, tags, greeting cards, etc. A lot of us already cut up artwork into ATC's so this concept should be pretty easy.
Make two 8”x10” masterboards using only paint, ink, stamps, pastels, etc. The twist here is NO layers or added papers. Make one tag out of each masterboard, #5 size manila tag (4 3/4” x 2 3/8”). Send to each partner: one embellished tag and one 4”x6” piece of the other masterboard. Each person will receive two tags and two different pieces of cardstock masterboard that they can use for their own future projects. You may embellish/decorate your tags in any theme. Confused? Hopefully not, but if so let me know .
Info on masterboards:
http://1036art.blogspot.com/2014/02/atc-masterboard.html
http://shellielewis.wordpress.com/2013/04/20/masterboard-process-for-artist-trading-cards/
*Remember you will be mailing directly to your randomly drawn partners so keep that in mind for mailing costs. The thicker and chunkier the tag the more it will cost to mail.
The Tag & Masterboard Swap
2 for 2 Swap
Theme: Any
Hostess: Cathy Calamas
Sign-up by Sept. 5th
Partners announced on Sept. 6th
Mail directly to your partners by Oct. 6th
You will be creating 2 different masterboards and 2 tags, one tag from each masterboard.
What is a masterboard? The basic idea is very simple, you make one main artwork onto cardstock and then cut it up into smaller pieces for ATCs, tags, greeting cards, etc. A lot of us already cut up artwork into ATC's so this concept should be pretty easy.
Make two 8”x10” masterboards using only paint, ink, stamps, pastels, etc. The twist here is NO layers or added papers. Make one tag out of each masterboard, #5 size manila tag (4 3/4” x 2 3/8”). Send to each partner: one embellished tag and one 4”x6” piece of the other masterboard. Each person will receive two tags and two different pieces of cardstock masterboard that they can use for their own future projects. You may embellish/decorate your tags in any theme. Confused? Hopefully not, but if so let me know .
Info on masterboards:
http://1036art.blogspot.com/2014/02/atc-masterboard.html
http://shellielewis.wordpress.com/2013/04/20/masterboard-process-for-artist-trading-cards/
*Remember you will be mailing directly to your randomly drawn partners so keep that in mind for mailing costs. The thicker and chunkier the tag the more it will cost to mail.
Sunday, August 3, 2014
Gallery: Postage Stamp Passport Books
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| Passport Book Covers by Nancy S. |
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| Beckie H. |
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| Ellen L. |
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| Nancy S. |
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| Pam C. |
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| Shelly R. |
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| Susan P. |
August Freebie: Asian Elements
It's time for another freebie courtesy of your Paper Traders Moderators. A great big THANK YOU to Connie Holso for preparing this lovely offering for your personal use. Please use the link BELOW the photo to download the high resolution file. Enjoy!
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| Download HERE: |
New Swap: Asian Adventure
by Debra C.
( World Culture Celebration, 3rd in a series of 4 swaps)
4/4 ATC Cards - All Levels - Cards due by September 12th.
More travel around the world of art!
This is the third of four swaps focusing on different continental regions.
This time let’s travel to the Far East. The possibilities are endless!
There are so many directions to go with this one!
Japanese printmaking might spark someone’s interest - or the art of Sumi-E (Ink painting).
China, Japan and all the other Asian countries have
long & rich histories related to masks, costumes, traditions,
architecture, natural settings, legends, & customs.
Try something new and have fun!
Sign Up Here if you are a Paper Traders Member
If you are not and would like to join us,
click on the purple yahoo button in the sidebar
for more info.
We'd love to have you!
Friday, August 1, 2014
New Swap :1-2-3 ATC Speed Swap #6
Yes, we are on to speed swap #6.
The year is flying by.
If you haven't joined us before,
you can jump in at any time.
Sixth month's theme: 1-2-3 ATC
In the southern US, back to school month is August, so in
honor of that we will do a 1-2-3 ATC swap. You may only
use 1 word, 2 colors and 3 ephemera/images in your design.
Sign-up dates August 1-15.
Mailing list announced August 16.
Skill level - All
Sign-up here for Paper Traders Members:
If you are not a member and would like info
on how to join us, click the purple yahoo button in
the sidebar.
Each month, on the 1st, we will announce
a theme or technique for your ATC's.
Anyone interested will have until the 15th to
sign up. The list will be randomized,
announced on the 16th,
and you will mail one ATC directly to each of
the next two people on the list.
A total of two ATC's each month for the speed swaps.
You don't have to sign up every month,
just when you feel like it or like the theme
or have the time.
New themes will be announced on the 1st of each month.