TSG69: Simple ATC

This week’s challenge is brought to us by our fearless leader, Jessica! For this challenge you will need to create an ATC Card. ATC (Artist Trading Cards) have been a hot and leading trend for years now. The greatest feature about these cards is their size…you only have to make a card front that measures 2.5”X3.5”, and you can get 10 cards out of one sheet of 8X11 cardstock! You can make as many as you want, so go get creative! If you need a tutorial check out the TSG Trends Post from August 4th! We can’t wait to see what you come up with!

To be eligible for the giveaway, you are to create an ARTIST TRADING CARD (ATC), then come back to the TSG Blog to add your name and a link to your project in the InLinkz that is located at the bottom of this challenge post. This challenge is open until the winner has been announced on the following Monday (August 30th). The winner will get a $5 gift certificate to use in the TSG Web store!

By participating in this challenge, you may also find yourself in the Trendsetting Spotlight that shines on the TSG Blog every Thursday. We will be on the look out to find challenge cards that stand out and show Trendsetting qualities. TSG stamps are not required to participate in the challenges but are appreciated :)

You do not need to have a blog to be able to participate in the TSG Challenges! You can simply add the URL link from your project after it has been uploaded to your online craft gallery. If you upload your card to an online craft gallery, please use the keyword TSG69 so we can check out your beautiful work!

Need some inspiration to help you get started? Check out the TSG Blog for the complete list of Trendsetters that are participating in this week’s challenge!

That’s it for me today!  Thanks for stopping by, and I’ll see you tomorrow with another Tuesday Sketch Challenge featuring one of the soon-to-be-released TSG stamp sets!  Until then…

...Circle Piercing Tutorial and Challenge

Happy Wednesday, everyone!  Can you handle a tutorial today?  You all know how much I adore paper piercing, and I have received a plethera of emails inquiring about my Circle Piercing.  I thought I would take this opportunity to share the secret with you all.

CIRCLE PIERCING TUTORIAL

Here's what you'll need to get started:

Paper Piercer

Piercing Mat

Plastic Canvas Mesh Shape- Round 

(you can find these at your local craft store in the needlework section in several different shapes)

An Assembled Card Front

Step One: Place card front onto piercing mat.

Step Two:  Using grid on the center of the plastic mesh, line up the outside of your patterned paper circles or other circular element.  Pierce around the entire element using the mesh shape as a guide.  You can pierce the circular element, or pierce around the outside of it as I did.

Step Three:  Remove mesh shape guide to reveal your piercing.

Step Four:  Pierce around all the patterned paper circles, and attach the card front to the card base to complete your card.

STAMPS USED: Spring Fever (There She Goes)

***I also made a scrapbook layout inspired by the card above!  Aren't my fellas gorgeous?!?***

STAMPS USED: Chemistry (There She Goes)

That's it for me!  I hope you enjoyed this tutorial.  Give this technique a try, then come back here to link your project that incorporates Circle Piercing below.  Thanks for stopping by, and I can't wait to see your creations!

Supplies
Stamps:  Spring Fever, Chemistry (There She Goes)
Papers:  Bermuda Bay, Kraft, PTI White, Lil' Man DP (Cosmo Cricket)
Inks:  Bermuda Bay, Rich Cocoa, Sahara Sand
Accessories: dimensionals, circle punches, circle piercing guide, nesties, big shot, scissors, border punches, ribbon, sponge dauber, sewing machine, silver pearls

...Paper Flower Tutorial

You asked for it, so here it is! There are probably other tutorials that show the "right way" to create these paper flowers, but after a whole lot of trial-and-error...this is the way I wound up doing it. The pictures are posted below the supply list and step-by-step instructions...Enjoy!

Supplies Needed:

Patterned Paper (I used the Esther's Guest List pack by KaiserScrapbook)

Paper Piercer

Piercing Pad (optional)

Brad

Scallop Circle Punch

Step One: Punch ten (10) scalloped circles from the patterned paper of your choice.
Step Two: Crinkle each scalloped circle until they are tightly packed.

Step Three: Unfold each scalloped circle.

Step Four: Stack each circle on top of each other, then pierce the center with a paper piercer...be sure to pierce all the way through the bottom of the circle stack.

Step Five: Stick a brad through each layer, and secure the brad of the bottom.

Step Six: Fold each layer up tightly one layer at a time...be sure to get the first layer super-tight as seen below

Step Seven: Continue folding the layers until they look like this...

Step Eight: Starting with the bottom circle, unfold each layer loosely to create your flower blossom.

Optional Effects:

• Spray the completed flower with Glimmer Mist that coordinates with the patterned papers, and heat set with a heating tool. This makes the flower sparkle, and also makes it hard. This tip was past on to me by my sweet friend, Susan Liles...thanks, Susie! :)
• You can also open the flower up more to expose the inside of the the "blossom"(as seen below), but I recommend using a larger brad or a button for the centers instead of a small brad.

That's it for me today! If you decide to use this tutorial to create a flower for one of your own projects, please leave a comment here...I would love to see how yours turn out! Thanks for stopping by to see me, and I will see you back here tomorrow with another Tuesday Sketch Challenge. Until then...

...Watercoloring Tutorial

As promised, I am so excited to bring you my watercoloring tutorial! I have received so many emails and questions regarding how I color my images, how I achieve shadows and highlights, etc. Hopefully this will address any and all aspects of my certain type of coloring. Keep in mind this is how I color, and others may do things quite differently...but this has worked for me so far! LOL! Here we go...

Supplies:

• Watercolor Paper (I use 90 lb. Fabriano Watercolor Paper)
• Water-filled Painter Pen (I purchased mine from Hobby Lobby in the painting section, or you can use the Aquapainter from SU)
• Water-Based Ink Pads and Refills (I use SU's Classic Ink Pads)
• Solvent Ink Pad (I use Jet Black Staz-On Ink, or you can stamp the image in Black Craft Ink and emboss it)
• Paper Towel
• Outlined Image to Color

Step One:
I always start by checking my watercolor brush to make sure that I do not have too much water in it. I brush it across the side of my finger...if a bead of water rolls off, then there is too much in it. It should only leave a faint trail of water, but if it doesn't you can simply wipe off the excess onto a paper towel. This may have to be done several times until the right amount of water is in the brush.









Step Two:
Choose an image to be colored. I like using outlined images like these Bugga-Boos Gingersnaps from C.C. Designs.













Step Three: Stamp image onto Watercolor Paper. Normally I would stamp the image in Basic Black Craft Ink, then emboss it with Clear Embossing Powder if it has simple lines like these. For more intricate and detailed images, I would stamp them in Jet Black Staz-On Ink without embossing them. This allows you to get color into every little nook and cranny without having to worry about blank spaces.

Step Four:

Start coloring! I always start with the face...don't know why, but I do! LOL! I use SU Classic Ink Pads, because you can create a palette by simply squeezing the lid of the pad against the ink pad while it's closed. If there isn't enough ink in the lid you can also add a drop or two of ink from a refill bottle (in picture: left pad has a drop added while the right pad was just squeezed).

Step Five:

I always start with the light color...in this case Blush Blossom. I completely fill in the face with the same amount of color all over. I allow it to dry, then add more of the same color where I want the shadow to fall (you can also speed up dry time using a Heat Tool/Gun). Usually I have my light source coming in from the left, so the left side should be lighter than the right.

Step Six:

I make the shadows stand out by adding a darker color in the same color family...in this case Creamy Caramel. I only add it where the shadows would fall, though...the right side of her face, and under her hair line.

***TIP: Be sure to always clean your brush before moving on to the next color. Simply whip it on the paper towel until the brush runs clear. If I'm using a darker shade of one color, I will wait to clean it until I move on to a totally different color family.

Step Seven:

If you would like to create more highlight than is already visible, simply brush WATER ONLY over the area you wish to make lighter...

Step Eight:

...and while the area is still wet, dab it with a paper towel. This will remove the color, and it can be repeated until you get the look you want.

***TIP: Steps 7 & 8 can be used if you color outside the lines, and wish to correct it. Simple repeat until the unwanted color is gone.

Step Nine:
I add a little blush on her cheeks using Cameo Coral. If the blush needs to be lightened, repeat Steps 7 & 8 on that area.

Step Ten:
Move on to the next colors...I used So Saffron and Crushed Curry on the inner parts of the wings, and repeated Steps 5-8 starting with saffron until the desired look was achieved. Remember to pay special attention to the highlights and shadows, and remember which way the light source is directed.

Step Eleven:
Same as Step 10 using Pretty in Pink and Regal Rose starting with the lightest shade to color her bodice and tights. Remember to add highlights and shadows!

Step Twelve:

Move on to her leotard, and repeat Step 1o using Certainly Celery and Old Olive starting with celery.

Step Thirteen:
Finish her wings by repeating Step 10 with Almost Amethyst and Lavender Lace starting with amethyst.

Step Fourteen:

Her hair is the final step! Repeat Step 10 using Pumpkin Pie and Dusty Durango starting with pumpkin.

And VIOLA.....a watercolored image with highlights and shadows!!! I decided to created the ground with a Black Sharpie Pen, and watercolored it before adding the image to the completed card. You can see my Flutter By Wednesday card HERE.

Keep in mind that watercoloring is a technique that must be practiced...you may or may not get it on the first try, but don't give up! It takes a while to get the hang of moving color around and blending, but the result is just wonderful...and I honestly find watercoloring therapeutic. I love being able to sit down and zone out for a while. It takes me back to my childhood when I would pile up in the floor with all of my crayons and coloring books! LOL!

That's it for me today! I hope you enjoyed the tutorial, and I will see you back here with another Farm Fresh Friday installment. Until then...

...Treat Purse Tutorial

This purse was shown to me just this past week by my good friend, Lois Billadeau. I just had to try to make one...and I fell in love with it! I know you will, too!

Treat Purse Tutorial

Supplies
Scor-Pal (or cutter with scoring blade)
Cardstock
Patterned Papers
Ribbon {~10" long}
Medium Paper Lunch Bag {4-1/8 x 7-3/4}
Dimensionals
Adhesive or Glue
1/8" Hole Punch
Magnetic Closure or Velcro Dot
Mat Pack & Paper Piercer (optional)
Sizzlets Dies (optional)
Sizzix Big Shot (optional)
Brad (optional)
Scallop Edge Punch (optional)
Sponge Dauber (optional)

Step-By-Step:


Step 1:
Cut top off of lunch bag so that the bag height measures 4-1/4". Dispose of top portion.




Step 2:
Fold flap on the base of the bag in half and crease, so that the front and back of the bag are completely flat.





Step 3:
Cut cardstock to 5-3/4" x 4-1/4". Layer with patterned paper that has been cut to 5-1/2" x 4". Attach with adhesive. This will be the back panel for your purse.







Step 4:
Flip the back panel patterned paper side down, then score one end at 1-1/4" {I placed mine at the 3" mark on the Scor-Pal, so that I could score at 4-1/4"}.





Step 5:
Fold at the score line to create the flap that will go over the top of your bag, and attach to the front. ***You may want to use a bone folder to make a crisp fold.





Step 6:
Using a 1/8" hole punch, punch a hole {one on each side} to allow the ribbon ends to be pulled through to create the purse handle. ***Be sure to place the holes far enough down the back of the panel so the ribbon cannot be seen once the bag is in place.







Step 7:
Adjust your purse handle to the desired length, then attach the ends to the inside of the back panel with adhesive. You can also tie off the ends of you use a smaller width of ribbon.








Step 8:
Completely cover one side of the lunch bag with adhesive, and attach to the inside of the back panel making sure to hide the ribbon ends.









Step 9:
Cut another piece of cardstock to 4-1/2" x 4-1/4". Layer with a coordinating piece of patterned paper that measures 4-1/4" x 4" with adhesive. This is the front panel of the purse.




Step 10:
Completely cover the other side of the lunch bag with adhesive, and attach the front panel making sure to line it up with the bottom portion of the back panel. {I stood mine upright to line the bottoms of both panels correctly}.


You are free to stop here, and add a magnetic closure or velcro dot to the flap...the rest of the steps are optional. However, if you wish to use a stamped image or diecut image, you will need to create the additional panel.


Step 11:
Cut a piece of coordinating cardstock to 4-1/4" x 1". Center cardstock using the guidelines at the base of the Scallop Edge Punch. Punch the entire length of the cardsotck moving it as needed. This allows for the ends of the scalloped piece to match.





Step 12:
Attach the scalloped strip to the bottom side of the flap on the back panel of the purse using adhesive.






This is how the flap should look after the scalloped piece has been added.





Step 13:
Cut coordinating cardstock to create the focal panel measuring as follows, and attach with adhesive: Bottom layer = 3-1/2" x 3", Middle layer = 3-3/8" x 2-7/8", Top layer = 3-1/4" x 2-3/4"

Step 14:
Pierce the edges of the focal using a Mat Pack and Paper Piercer

Step 15:
Flip panel over, and place three Dimensionals across the very top of the back of the panel. Attach the panel to the flap.




Step 16:
Create the three varying sized flowers by using the "Birds & Blooms" Sizzlets set along with the Sizzix Big Shot.








Step 17:
Sponge the edges of the flowers using a Sponge Dauber and the same ink color as the flower cardstock.









Step 18:
Attach the flowers from largest to smallest using Dimensionals. Create a hole in the center of the smallest bloom using a Paper Piercer making sure to pierce through all layers. Place a Brad through the hole, and secure it.


Step 19:
Tie a length of ribbon around the bottom of the focal panel.

Step 20:
Attach the flower to the focal panel using Dimensionals {I used three}.
Step 21:
Attach a velcro dot to the bottom side of the focal panel so that it also attaches to the front panel of the purse base.

This is how the purse should look once completed.





This is how the purse should look from the side once the lunch bag is opened.







Now it's your turn! Please leave a comment including a link to your purse if you happen to give this tutorial a try...I would love to see what you come up with. Thanks for stopping by today, and be sure to check back here tomorrow to see my Stamp Sale items. Happy crafting!