December Blog Freebie

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!

Download Hi-Res version HERE:

Blog Freebie Dec 2016

November Blog Freebie

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!

Download Hi-Res version HERE:
https://1drv.ms/i/s!ApNPaUGF98dM3Fr1hUDv7P433kd7

Wardrobe Tutorial

Wardrobe Tutorial

By Heather Maxwell

This tutorial goes with the free download from Catherine Moore which can be found HERE.  Please note her design is for personal use only.  The method used here only took about an hour, exclusive of drying time.  Try it!  It’s kind of addicting. J

Supplies needed:

•  Downloaded wardrobe design, patterned paper for the inside
• Glue 
• 8.5x11 chipboard
•  Scissors
• Hole punch, eyelets and applicator
• Ribbon
• Various images of choice for decorating the inside
• Heat gun
• Spray sealer

Once you have downloaded the wardrobe graphic, print it out on 8.5x11 paper.  I used sticker paper to make it easier to adhere in the next step but you could print it on good quality cardstock as well.  I also downloaded a design to use for the inside and printed that on sticker paper as well.

Next apply the two graphic images to either side of the chipboard.  It doesn’t have to be perfectly aligned since you will cut out the sections next.  This part reveals the beauty of using sticker paper.  No drying time, no bubbles or wet paper with sticker paper.  If you don’t have sticker paper, spray glue is the next best thing but plain glue, evenly applied, works too.  Once the glue is dry, cut out the three sections.

If you are going to alter the surface of the wardrobe, do that now.  At the very least I always smooth out and ink my edges.  For this tutorial, I stamped some faux texture to age the outsides.  I also sprayed with distress ink, then dried it with the heat gun.  When I was satisfied with the look, I sprayed it with clear sealer.  This is always a good idea if you are using images you printed yourself (keeps them from fading).

Starting with the front section, mark three hole positions down the left side, punch the holes.  With the insides together, use the holes you just punched as a template to mark the left side of the middle section.  Use same technique to mark and punch holes on the right side of the middle section inside and the left inside of the back section. You should end up with 12 holes.  Optional: insert and crimp eyelets into the holes.  This will strengthen and add a nice finish (pretty side of eyelet is on the outside of the section).

Cut six pieces of ribbon at about 6” per piece. Lay sections in order, insides down, and thread the ribbons through, uniting two sections.  Before you tie the ribbon, put a pencil or other long, skinny object between sections as a spacer, making sure you have a gap between the sections you are uniting.  Tie knots and trim ends.

dresses and shoes using Character Constructions stamps

Now you can decorate the inside!  Add shelves for shoes and accessories, birdcages, pictures of loved ones… Don’t forget to leave room for the dresses! Dresses can be attached with pop dots, glue, ribbon, tiny hangers or any other way you can figure out.  Play!

Heather

October Freebie: Girls & Butterflies

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!

Download Hi-Res Version HERE:

https://1drv.ms/i/s!ApNPaUGF98dM3FUQGFRfN_8TfZ4K

September Freebie - More Halloween Goodies

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!

Download Hi-Res Version HERE:
https://1drv.ms/i/s!ApNPaUGF98dM3DdnKpro5LCrxCNV

August Freebie - Halloween preview

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!

Download Hi-Res version HERE:

https://onedrive.live.com/?authkey=%21AIlUIVgPLS-G9Pc&cid=4CC7F78541694F93&id=4CC7F78541694F93%2111776&parId=4CC7F78541694F93%21143&o=OneUp

New Swap - Tombstone Diorama

This project is for Paper Traders members only but we would love to have you join us. Please click on the purple Yahoo button in the sidebar for more information on how to join.

Hostess: Connie Holso

Sign Up by: September 20, 2016

One for one

Mail to partner by: September 30, 2016

Skill level: 2 - Budding**

I love Halloween - the silly, whimsical, kind of spooky, stuff. When I saw these darling dioramas by Annette I just fell in love and decided we should do a swap like this.

http://annettescreativejourney.blogspot.fr/2012/09/tombstone-trio-tim-holtz-inspired.html

Each participant will make a diorama and post a picture in the album on the PT Gallery site by September 20,2016 . I will randomize the names on September 21, 2016 and only participants who have posted their images will be swapped.  Swappers will mail directly to their partners by September 30, 2016.  If you wish to swap more than one diorama, please let me know via email and post the image of each in the album.

I made a pattern for the shadowbox, including a cutting file for those who have Silhouette machines. There is even an advance copy of the August Blog Freebie in the folder as I included some alternate tombstone shapes in it. You can find it all, plus instructions at the link available in the swap email.

You can, of course. make your own tombstone shaped shadowbox. This is just to help you get started and to help those who are less experienced with making structures. Please try to keep your shadowboxes about the same size: approximately 3.5 to 4 inches x 4.5 to 5 inches when finished.

Please sign up in the database and post your pictures in the album.  See my Pinterest board for ideas.

**2) BUDDING - Participants will be open to trying new ideas and materials, without necessarily being competent yet with their applications

Speed Swap - Cubism

This project is for Paper Traders members only but we would love to have you join us. Please click on the purple Yahoo button in the sidebar for more information on how to join.

Georges Braque

2-for-2 Speed Swap

Skill: 2 - Budding

Sign up by: Aug 15th

Mail out by: Aug 31st

Swap details

This swap covers the era of Cubism which was an art movement led by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque during the early 20th century.  The definition of Cubism is as follows:

In Cubist artwork, objects are analyzed, broken up and reassembled in an abstracted form—instead of depicting objects from one viewpoint, the artist depicts the subject from a multitude of viewpoints to represent the subject in a greater context.   (Wikipedia)

For this swap, we want you to make two pieces of art

in the Cubism style.  Create a picture and cut it into pieces and rearrange the pieces to represent a Cubist creation. Here are couple of links, one is strictly Picasso’s work, the other is a Cubism board in my Pinterest account:

http://tinyurl.com/gpw6fj4

https://www.pinterest.com/magleto/cubism/

We will be swapping two pieces of art,

3.5”x5”size. Notice the size change, a half inch wider.

Sign-up in the database.

Post your Speed Swap Artwork to the swap album.

Each month, on the 1st, we will announce

a theme or technique for your art.

Anyone interested will have until the 15th to

sign up. The list will be randomized,

announced on the 16th,

and you will mail one 3'x5” piece of art directly to each of

the next two people on the list.

A total of two pieces of art 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.

We don't anticipate this costing more to mail

as a 3.5”x5” will still fit in a standard note card.

It's approximately $1.20 to mail internationally for

one ATC in a note card envelope. You must be able

to mail internationally to participate in this swap.

New themes will be announced on the 1st of each month.

Thanks!

Burned and Layered Holes Tutorial

Water colored

In this tutorial I will share with you a method for burned and layered holes.  Since the actual technique is pretty straight forward, I’m going to put my slant on what my experiments taught me, and ideas for how to make your creations more dynamic.

First things first – safety!!!  It is obvious but – this involves a soldering iron and it is HOT!  Please don’t leave it unattended while it’s turned on.  Also don’t let children or pets anywhere near it! I don’t want to be the cause of any disaster (as much as I can help it).

                                                                                    Thanks, the management

So to begin, lay out your work space.  I always do this on a heat proof mat, with some kind of metal tray to hold the iron. Don’t skip the tray.  You have tedious work ahead and you’ll need to put the thing down occasionally.  Optionally, I have a TV or computer screen in viewing distance.  As I mentioned, this is kind of tedious work and besides, it’s a good excuse to catch up on all those old Veronica Mars episodes. J The soldering iron I have is one I got at Michael’s with a coupon making it slightly more than $10.  It was meant for crafters and came with multiple screw on heads.  Two of these could work for our purposes (see fig B).  The pointier one is best since it gives you an advantage for size of hole – we want variety in the hole department.  If you are using a different kind of iron you may only have the standard tip which will also work.

Heat-proof mat, tray, soldering iron

Fig B

Size Variety

So now you have your table laid out and safety on your mind, time to pick the paper.  For this demo I’ve used cut up maps.  They don’t need to be anything special.  I just used an old RoadMaster standard road atlas that was riding around in my car for years (even after it became obsolete due to smart phones).  This is a good weight paper for hole burning (light weight, not shiny) and if you goof, which is pretty hard to do, you can toss it and start over without worrying about the expense ($0).  I also experimented with craft weight paper which I’ll talk about later.  I cut my sheets to the size of my project first because, as mentioned, it’s boring to burn holes and I don’t want to do any more than I have to.  This is also where you need to think about how many layers.  Two or three with holes and one base layer without holes is a minimum, I’d say.  If you are a maniac (or fire bug) and love burning holes, knock yourself out!  More layers will look way more cool.

Hold Paper Upright

I tried two basic methods for making holes.  The first was laying the paper on the heat-proof mat and “drawing” the holes with the tip.  This didn’t work so well for me.  The second way was better.  Holding the paper up off the mat and poking it with the iron was pretty successful for multiple sized small holes. Holding it up and “drawing” with just the pointy tip worked great for larger holes.  As I mentioned before, a good variety of sizes makes a more interesting piece overall.  I did most of the big holes first and then peppered in the smaller ones between for a good effect.  The composition of where the holes are and how you can see through them to other layers is what will make your art unique.  I personally think lots of holes on all layers makes for the most interesting completed project but it is all up to you.  Also, I found that some of my holes didn’t burn cleanly through and left some paper ‘sludge’ around the edges on the back of the sheet.  A couple of light swipes with a sanding block gets rid of those.

Contrast

A word about the artistic aspect of the project – CONTRAST.  It is the contrast of your layers that will make it interesting (isn’t that true of anything in life?).  I like to go from lighter at the base layer then darker as you go up.  Again though, depends on your personal aesthetic. Don’t be afraid to stack and re-stack the layers before you glue.  For this demo I just used Distress ink to add a bit of color to the layers.  I have also used watercolors (see photo collage at top) which works well too but then you have to let it dry and it can wrinkle and warp the paper.

Stacked

As for glue, I like to use Sookwang double sided tape because it stays stuck and won’t wear out over time.  Also, no drying time and won’t wrinkle the paper.  I’ve also used Diamond glue, though mostly for touch-ups.  Also, for this I don’t want every bit of paper glued down.  I want to leave the layers free to create shadow and give more of a sense of depth.

Tape Loosely 

So I mentioned that I tried craft weight paper.  It is thicker (this was double sided) and not as easy to burn the holes through.  It did look kind of cool though.  Also, since it was thicker, I could burn shapes other than rounded holes (sort of).

Shapes of Holes with Heavy Paper

So that’s it!  Easy and sort of relaxing in a pyromaniac sort of way (especially with Veronica solving crimes while you work).  One last word on the topic – FINISHING.  By that I mean clean up the edges, clip corners and ink around the edges.  Those are good ways to complete any project and I always do.  Not required but I think you’ll find it will lift your work to a new level with those easy additions. I also usually spray the finished piece with clear acrylic sealer to keep the colors crisp.

Finished Edges

Thanks for sticking with me all the way through!  I hope this is the first step toward some cool new projects in your craft room!

Heather

Halloween MOO Cards

This project is for Paper Traders members only but we would love to have you join us. Please click on the purple Yahoo button in the sidebar for more information on how to join.

An 8 for 8 swap of Moo Cards

Skill level: Budding

Due in hand by October 6th

Hostess: Karla Jackson

PLEASE include an address label and $2 postage.

I will cover postage for those who gift me an extra card.

This swap is for those paper lovers who like tiny bits of art.  A Moo card is 1 X 3 inches.

Although these cards are small...they can be a challenge

You will make 8 cards and must decorate BOTH sides.  There is not much room, but please sign your art!

Use your very best tiny bits of treasure that you have been saving, lace, ribbon, fiber and make an

enchanting bit of Halloween magic in vintage or retro style...nothing cutesy please.

Please make sure that your computer generated images are not distorted or pixilated.

There are lots of domino sized sheets on my Halloween Pinterestboard that you can add lace to make them the correct size.

Sign up in the database

Post pictures of your work in the album.

New Swap - Halloween Haunted House

This project is for Paper Traders members only but we would love to have you join us. Please click on the purple Yahoo button in the sidebar for more information on how to join.

Hostess: Heather Maxwell

4 for 3 (see definition)

Sign up by: August 25^th

Due in hand by: September 25th

Skill level: budding

For this swap you will be making three sections of a haunted house by following the template provided.  Please use a medium weight chip board, covered on both sides with Halloween paper.  Each section will have an ‘inside’ and an ‘outside’.  I will add the fourth section for everyone, that being the graveyard (can’t have a haunted house without that!).  When all the sections reach me I will take three sections from separate artists, add the fourth, and bind them into a stand up house you can use for Halloween decorating.  You will receive a house made up of sections created by other swap artists. On August 26^th I’ll do a random drawing of all signed up swappers.  The winner will get a prize package of Halloween themed craft goodies!

A few guidelines:

·         Please use the template so that everyone’s pieces will fit together

·         Print out on 8.5x11 sheet of paper and transfer to medium weight chip board (like heavy cereal box), decorate with colorful Halloween papers (orange, black, purple, green…)

·         Leave about ¼” on each side clear of any important design elements, to allow for binding

·         These will fold flat for shipping and storage so try to have dimensional items no taller than 1/8”

·         Sign each of your three sections

·         For each section, have one side represent the outside portion of the house while the other side is the interior

·         Please sign up by Aug 25^th to be entered in the prize drawing

·         Please have your finished work to me by September 25^th to allow time to bind and ship everything so it gets to you in time for holiday decorating

·         Include a decent sized return address label and $4 postage (US) $6 (international)

I hope everyone will join in for some Halloween fun.  I know it may seem a bit early but I wanted to leave plenty of time for everyone to do their best work and to be able to get it turned around to you before you start to decorate for the holiday.

Sign up in the database.

Add your photos to the album.

Get inspired HERE.

Freebie - July 2016

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!

Download Hi-Res version HERE:

https://1drv.ms/i/s!ApNPaUGF98dM23fuF5o0oWLl5aJr

New Swap: My Stuff/ Your Stuff

This project is for Paper Traders members only but we would love to have you join us. Please click on the purple Yahoo button in the sidebar for more information on how to join.

The 5th (annual-ish) My Stuff/Your Stuff Swap 2016

2-for-2 ATC swap

Any theme

Skill Level: 2 - Budding

Sign-up deadline is July 22nd

Partners announced July 24th

Supply mail out deadline: August 1st

ATC mail back deadline: August 22nd

It’s time for our 5th (annual-ish) My Stuff/Your Stuff Swap!!

How this swap started - an excerpt from our first one:

"One of the benefits of hosting swaps is all the wonderful ephemera that the participants send along with their art. I always get inspired because it makes me think outside of my supply world and the things I usually am drawn to. Some of my favorite pieces have been made almost entirely from someone else's supplies."

I think most of us feel the same way and since this has always been a favorite within Paper Traders, let’s do it again.

1. Sign up by July 22nd in the Database.

2. I will randomly assign everyone a partner and post it here on July 24th.

3. By August 1st, mail your partner a #9 or #10 (standard letter) envelope of supplies and ephemera. Don't buy anything special; just raid your stash of nice quality ephemera (nothing too bulky, to keep postage costs low).

4.  Make two ATCs using the supplies you receive from your partner. Yes, you can incorporate a LITTLE of your own supplies, but really try to use your partners supplies as much as possible to keep the spirit of the swap.

5. Mail back your two ATCs to your partner by August 22nd. You get to keep whatever supplies are still left over.

6. Don't forget to post photos of your ATCs in the project album here.

And please leave a comment on your photo mentioning whose supplies you used.

Hope you will all join us in this fun Paper Traders tradition!

Gluebook Swap: Autumn

This project is for Paper Traders members only but we would love to have you join us. Please click on the purple Yahoo button in the sidebar for more information on how to join.

Autumn Gluebook Swap

Hostess: Karla Jackson

AUTUMN....VINTAGE GLUE BOOK SEASONS due September 22!

Lets do something fun and easy!

Glue books may appear simple at first glance - no ink, no stamps, no embellishments, nothing but paper - but a good glue book page has balanced composition, a cohesive color scheme, and a story to tell.  (While this defines a proper Glue book page...’personally’ I do not mind using some extras like ink and stamps or flat embellishments.) Use your best vintage papers - old ledger sheets, book pages, vintage dictionary pages, sheet music, labels from old crochet threads, postage stamps to create the backgrounds first. A torn strip of text, a torn strip of map or floral wall paper, maybe some torn sheet music. Once those are dry and flat, start going through old images to select your main statements.  I try to keep my main elements to three maybe four.  You do not want the page to be so busy that your eye does not know where to come to rest.  Everything is offset slightly to the right because holes will be punched along the left margins so that they can be bound into a binder or a book.

DETAILS: A 3 for 3 swap.  Decorate THREE 4X6 Vintage Glue Book pages in each season as they arrive, Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter.  The backs need to be signed and also decorated somewhat nicely.  At the end of the year you will have 12 beautiful pages to bind into a keepsake book.

The swap will be announced in each season so you can sign up.

Mail your pages to me along with $2 and an address label, please do not forget the label as it makes swap out day so much quicker.  International swappers can include an extra page for me and I will cover return postage.

Sign up in the database.

Post your photos in the Album.

Information and lots of eye candy at these links:

MY Pinterest board:https://www.pinterest.com/mzpeach/glue-book-pages/

http://gingersnapcreations.blogspot.com/2011/10/mary-green-fun-with-vintage-gluebooks.html

https://www.flickr.com/groups/your_vintage_gluebook/pool/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/juniperberry24/page1

http://greenpaper.typepad.com/green/

http://greenpaper.typepad.com/photos/free_downloads/

http://www.gauchealchemy.com/2012/05/04/blended-paper-backgrounds-image-transfer-technique-postcards/

New Swap: Bathing Beauties

This project is for Paper Traders members only but we would love to have you join us. Please click on the purple Yahoo button in the sidebar for more information on how to join.

Vintage Bathing Beauties Tissue Tube Swap

4-for-4 Pages (Tags with Sleeves) 

Hostess:  Connie Holso 

Sign Up by:  July 15, 2016

Due In Hand by:  August 15, 2016

Skill level:  2 - Budding**

For this swap you will make 4 similar tags with sleeves. Make your tags and sleeves in a vintage beach theme with vintage bathing beauties. No restrictions on color other than to make them have a soft sepia or hand-colored look. Feel free to add soft color to old photos or use them in sepia tone.

The sleeves will be made from empty bathroom tissue tubes. Do NOT punch or bind your tags or sleeves; I will swap them, add covers, and bind them into little books for you. If you participated in one of my previous Tube Book Swaps this will be similar with just a few variations. 

INSTRUCTIONS:  

SLEEVES: Flatten the tissue tubes and crease edges. Measure the end of the flattened tube and double it. Cut a piece of cardstock about 1-1/2 inches by that doubled measurement. Fold in half so it is 1-1/2 by the width of the flattened tube. Make one of these the end cap hinges for each sleeve. Adhere to tube overlapping about 1/4 to 1/2 inch of one open end of tube. Glue the end cap together so tag will not go beyond end of tube when inserted into /sleeve. Please do not embellish end caps with any bulky items as I will need to be able to insert them into my binder for punching and binding. Do NOT punch them; I will do that when I bind them so that the holes all line up. Using a vintage beach theme, decorate the sleeves by covering with decorative paper, paint, inks, etc.

TAGS: Your tags should be a bit longer than the sleeves but with not more than about an inch beyond the sleeve. They will need to be a bit narrower than the tubes so they easily slide in and out. (You will want to check this before decorating.) Using a vintage beach theme, decorate the tags. Add a tab or ribbons to pull them out of the sleeves. Be sure to sign your work so others know who made them. 

Mail your creations along with $6.00 for return shipping to reach me by August 15, 2016.

Speed Swap #25 - Art With Maps

This project is for Paper Traders members only but we would love to have you join us. Please click on the purple Yahoo button in the sidebar for more information on how to join.

Art with Maps

Speed Swap #25

2-for-2 ATC swap

Skill: 2 - Budding

Sign up by: Jul 15th

Partners announced: Jul 16th

Mail out by: Jul 31st

Since it is summer time for lots of our members and traveling is in our plans (hope all of our Southern Hemisphere members will forgive us), our speed swap this month will be creating art with maps.  Use a map creatively for your background or challenge yourself and create something out of your map paper that can be used in your art.

Each month, on the 1st, we will announce a theme or technique for your art.  Anyone interested will have until the 15th to sign up. The list will be randomized, announced on the 16th, and you will mail one 3.5'x5” piece of art directly to each of the next two people on the list. A total of two pieces of art 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.

We don't anticipate this costing more to mail as a 3.5”x5” will still fit in a standard note card.  It's approximately $1.20 to mail internationally for one ATC in a note card envelope. You must be able to mail internationally to participate in this swap.

New themes will be announced on the 1st of each month.

June 2016 Freebie

Download Here

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!

https://1drv.ms/i/s!ApNPaUGF98dM23YjupDAa91e7IQw