The Evergreen State ATCs

 A long time ago I ran across an ATC swap for USA states.  The idea was that you made 3 ATCs representing your state and then you'd get 3 different states back.  That started a whole thing for me of collecting State ATCs.  I'm still quite a ways off from having them all, but recently offered to swap state ATCs in my FB ATC group.  Here are my Washington ones; I made 8 of these bad boys!

I started by making a masterboard using blue watercolors on mixed media paper.  It looks a little rain-splattered if you use your imagination.  Other state thingies are:

• State seal
• Space Needle
• The Emerald City (Seattle)
• Famous Washingtonian: Bill Gates
• State Bird: American Goldfinch (perched atop Bill's head)
• Mt. Rainier

I've made a few of these in the past; here are some of my old ones...

It's such a beautiful state - even in spite of all the rain.  It's hard to beat the view on a beautiful, sunny day.

Cheers!

ATC Supplies Challenge

There are lots of idea-sparking swaps over on SwapBot.  One of the groups I'm in, Halloween Everyday in the USA, posted one where the host sent us supplies and we had to use them to make two ATCs; no extra supplies allowed (with the exception of basic coloring media).  I love that it pushed me by not allowing me to reach for some of tried-and-true supplies.

Spooky Spooks ATC

Starry Halloween Night ATC

I didn't think of getting a picture of the supplies before I made these but I did get a pic with the leftovers.

I didn't get them all on each card but between the two cards I used everything.  Schwoo!

Thanks for stopping by and...Happy Halloween??  

"Can We Go Play Now?" ATC

 Hello!

I recently joined an ATC group on Facebook and in an effort to awaken The Muse posted a tic-tac-toe challenge (pick 3 prompts in a row).  I opted for "metal", "stamped image", and "vintage".

The look on their faces makes me chuckle.  I almost opted for the title, "My Dad Can Beat Up Your Dad."  I remember the boy across the street and I would get into an argument while playing and run to our own driveway and yell that to each other.  LOL...kids.  I digress...

The metal bits on this are the colored metal tape (hardware store item) and gold wire behind the girls.  I put the tape on a piece of cardstock, embossed it and then dabbed alcohol inks over it.  I decided to try ripping it since I'd never tried that before.  It worked!

The stamped images are those little circly bits that I stamped on purple tissue paper.  Glued that onto a piece of corrugated cardstock I found in my stash (the lighter purple).

The girls are vintage-y and come from the Tim Holtz paper dolls pack.

Bada bing, bada boom...challenge done!  Thanks for stopping by.

Mona ATC

 Hello, friends!

The other day I started to get to work on an ATC for red-themed swap.  As the 'February Color of the Month' my brain kept returning to hearts but I really wanted to do something less obvious.  I have a box of scraps that I keep in my art space and I started rifling through them.  An old piece of alcohol-inked Yupo paper caught me eye; it had a variety of reds and a bit of metallic gold wandering across the paper.  As I looked more closely, I saw a face.  Ta-dah!  It was easy to get to work right away.

I ripped her head and neck from the main piece, glued her down and got to work.  It was a pain in the a$$ to get those eyeballs white - I can't tell you how many layers of gesso and acrylic paint are on there.  The red ink kept bleeding through (learn something new every day!).  Her hair is a torn bit of a security envelope.  Scribbles in the background are Kwik Stix and Pitt pen; her necklace is gold Liquid Pearls.

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you get to art something up!

Spreading some love with Cards

 Hello, friends!

Back in December I stumbled across a Facebook group called From The Heart that's dedicated to spreading a little love and cheer via the post.  Recipients are largely older people who just need a little pick-me-up. I remember my mom bemoaning the fact that as she got older fewer and fewer of her friends were left; it was hard on her.  I sent her a card pretty much every week and she loved receiving them.  At From The Heart we send cards for birthdays, holidays and just because.

I love to make cards but don't always have an outlet for them - perfect!

If you'd like to brighten someone's day and are interested in the group check them out HERE; cards don't have to be handmade.

Have a fabulous day!

Interactive Cards

 ...are the best!  I LOVE interactive cards.  I love giving them to other people even more.  Check out these two that I made this weekend.

This pop up box card was super easy and fun to put together.  When I showed it to my husband he thought it was pretty cool but also gave me a funny look.  You see, our kids have aged out of sports (the baby graduated from high school last June)...we don't really need coach thank you cards.  I had the idea though and just HAD to make it - haha!

My bro-in-law's birthday is coming up later this month.  I made this fun one for him.  It makes me grin.

My daughter is nicer than I am...she thought the smoke was from blowing out the candles.  I see it as the blaze from so many candles.  Either way...

Thanks for stopping by and happy creating!

Happy New Year and Christmas Thank You Cards

 When I saw the 'germ-free' stamp set I had to get it.  Cracks me up...and so appropriate for the times, yes?  I'm adding it to the Lawnfawnatics Challenge HERE.

Another card I have to share is a quick Christmas thank you card.  I LOVE this poinsettia die!

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!