Wednesday 26 March 2014

Encourage Inspiration ATCs by Astrid

Hello everyone and lovely to have you drop by here! I have been having loads of fun altering playing cards recently and that got me in the mood for playing with a smaller format, so today I would like to share 3 mixed media ATCs with you....
I used just two stamp sets for this project, Katie Fox Numerical and Journaling Words 3
This is how I went about it:
I cut 3 bits of card to ATC size (2.5 x 3.5") and covered them with Tissue Wrap, wrinkling it up a bit to get some texture.
Next I added some Distress Paints, Picket Fence and Frayed Burlap
This was followed by some messy background stamping with various stamps from the Numerical plate, mostly with Jet Black Archival, but on one of them also with Red Geranium.
I'll show you some close ups and talk you through some of the details:
I have a thing about hearts at the moment, all three ATCs have a heart on them, these were created with the help of one of the new Crafters Workshop Stencils, the Gothic Romance one. It has hearts in two sizes and some really cool other patterns, I just love these new stencils!! You can see one of the patterns done rather messily in Picket Fence Distress Paint. The heart itself and all the other colours were done with Distress Markers.
I used a really cool technique for this: After you have finished your stamping, cover the whole surface with a thin layer of Glue N Seal. I used Matte. Once it has dried, scribble your Distress markers where ever you want some colour and just blend with your finger. You get a lovely translucent layer of colour. On this one I used Fired Brick, Bundled Sage, Aged Mahogany, Broken China, Black Soot and Walnut Stain.
For this one I used a larger heart on the same stencil, more of the Numerical stamps, both in Black and Red Geranium. I also stamped a bit with a bottle cap and some more Picket Fence Distress Paint. Colour was added in the same way, similar colours but also Faded Jeans.
And here is the last one, more of the same. I over stamped the heart with some Picket Fence DP, I also added some marks with an old credit card. I wanted these ATCs in a messy mixed media journaling style, with lots of layers.

The Final part was to stamp the word Inspiration from the Journaling 3 plate onto old book paper.
I added it to the side of my hanger and finished it all off with some Chit chat stickers and Label Letters.
Well, there you have it, - not quite my usual style, but I had fun playing and I hope you like it.

Thanks so much for visiting, and if you are interested in becoming part of our Design Team, check out Jennie's DT call!!

37 comments:

Lori said...

These ATC's are WAY COOL!!! I love all the texture! Great job Astrid!

massofhair said...

WOW Astrid, love how you have added your word to the side, adds that store bought look. Always enjoy your tutorials and posts, your ATC's are stunning:-) xxx

Nikki said...

Beautiful little pieces of art :)

Rosie said...

Wow, this is gorgeous, Astrid

Brenda Brown said...

Fabulous little works of art xx

Wendy said...

Ooh I love these! Gorgeous texture and colour blending. Xx

May said...

Wonderful hanging Astrid... I adore the texture & colours...Love the hearts & stamping...Simply amazing...thank you for the inspiration....Hugs May x x

Unknown said...

Stunning little pieces of art!!!

Valerie-Jael said...

Just beautiful! Valerie

Dominike said...

Gorgeous. Your work is so beautiful.

Paula Whittaker said...

Fabulous project Astrid.

Unknown said...

A stunning make, a fabulous idea! Great work Astrid. Chris xxx

Maryann Laursen said...

Such amazing little masterpieces Astrid, they´re really cute and soo beautiful. You did an awesome job here once again. I just love them.

suziqu's thread works said...

Just amazing Astrid and I think I could even attempt some of it!
Love those dear hearts!
Hugs,
Suzy

Redanne said...

Each one is a gorgeous work of art Astrid - no one does mixed media quite like you! These are stunning. Thanks so much for the step by step too. Hugs, Anne x

Elaine said...

What a great project Astrid, I can see how you have been inspired and these ATCs work so well, especially with that word alongside.

Elaine x

rachel said...

these are wonderful Astrid and I love that they're all together in a hanger - they look fabulous xx

Paper Profusion said...

They are a terrific set Astrid and the addition of the fourth word element really makes it special. Gorgeous artwork. Nicola x

Words and Pictures said...

Fantastic mixed media pieces, Astrid... from the tissue wrap text via all the luscious layers to the wonderful hearts and chitchat words, they're brilliant! Love the display of the trio too... so cool.
Alison xx

Maryanne said...

I love these ATCs, Astrid! The heart carried through all of them is really a great idea and they really are wonderful!

Silvia(Barnie) said...

A wonderful creation - love all the texture and the red heart.

Jennie Atkinson said...

Every one a piece of ATC art! Fabulous Astrid and thanks for the step by step. x

Marisa Job said...

These are absolutely beautiful!! Love the texture and colors!!

Margaret Mifsud said...

You've knocked my socks off once again Astrid!! These little ATC's are absolutely delightful ... love each and every one. Gorgeous colour, fabulous texture and beautifully put together!! Love, love, love!!! ox

Sid said...

Fab trio of ATC's !

Anonymous said...

These are amazing ATC's, such works of art in such a tiny form!!

Anonymous said...

Astrid, they are gorgeous. You got so much texture onto such a small area with each one. Really stunning.

Dorthe said...

I love the effect with the tisssue wrap text, and your hearts are so beautiful, dear Astrid. Also the scribble over the glue, gives a fantastic tone . A wonderful collection of art hearts .
Hugs,Dorthe

Ros Crawford said...

Lovely work once again!

craftytrog said...

Fabulous mini artworks Astrid! xxx

Terry said...

Definitely full of beauty and inspiration! I love the hearts and the dimension in each ATC! Thank you again for the inspiration! Hugs!

Dianne said...

WOW, brilliant gorgeous, fantastic, what can I say I loooooove it.. Thanks for sharing..

lilyandthelotus.blogspot.com said...

stunning work ..gorgeous and so inspiring
susan s

Tincan Crafter said...

Well these are just awesome!!! Love all the layers and colours and arrangement. Fantastic project!

Tincan Crafter said...

Well these are just awesome!!! Love all the layers and colours and arrangement. Fantastic project!

Lucy Edmondson said...

Absolutely gorgeous, Astrid! There is some beautiful work on this blog. Am enjoying catching up,

Lucy x

Jools Robertson said...

Beautiful, I love these playing cards and such a great way to display them
Thank you for showing how you make them, love the hearts and gorgeous textures

Jools x