Karen and Julie were missing our other ATC maker, Ginny. She will be home in only 5 weeks, from Germany and can get together with us (or we hope she will anyway) to make fun ATC's!!! Looking forward to your getting home, Ginny!!!!!

ABOVE: "Stuffed Cactus" by Karen on 6-14-09

ABOVE: "Hot Cactus Nites" by Julie on 6-14-09

EARTH DAY by Julie, made on 4-20-09.
Newest technique to prepare the playing card for painting. I sanded it lightly to rough up the surface and painted it with one coat of Gesso. The painting was much quicker this way and you don't need as many coats to get what you are looking for. I love this new way that I just learned by reading a few altered board book websites! Possibly a new thing to try as well, one day!

I use a black construction paper to cover the back of my playing card and write the details using a white Milky Pen! It works great!

I left this card bare naked (NO gloss, or sealer) so it could be as natural as possible for Earth Day!

GALAXY STRAND made by Julie on 4-14-09

Background: Enamel shimmer
Circles: Acrylics
Top coat: High Gloss Varnish

Palm Beach Paradise, by Julie on 4-12-09

Painted in acrylics, with newspaper words added and coated with several layers of sexy high gloss varnish.

Live and learn...I wish I would have separated the two words Palm and Beach! Oh well.

Five new ATC's!!!

All of these cards were made by me (Julie), and finished on 4-11-09.

SNOW ON THE MOUNTAINS
Traded to Soulbrush.


EASTER CARD


ABSTRACT FUN
Traded to Soulbrush!


WHIRLEY GIGS


CHERRY BLOSSOMS
Traded to Soulbrush!

New ATC's started!

I just had to show Soulbrush that I am indeed making a start on some ATC's (Artist Trading Cards) to trade. A modest beginning...but I have to wait 3 hours drying time with this particular paint...semi-permanent enamel shimmers!!! They were just laying around the house for years, and I decided to open and try...they are very shimmery!!! I have a high gloss coat when I get them finished as well...it should be interesting with all the shimmer and shine! Others of you are into the idea of trading...maybe we could come up with a theme, and everyone could make something of that theme (enough for everyone who wants to do the trade), and we would end up with one card from each person of the same theme! Just like on the ATC trading card swaps out there. What do you think???

Fantasy plant... made by Julie on 2-10-09 (right after walking in from work...a stress reducing activity)! Made free hand with sparkle gel pens that flowed very smoothly! A real pleasure! The photo on left was taken inside in unnatural light, and the picture on the right was taken outside in natural light! What a difference!

PARODIA CONCINNA...made by Julie a few months ago...but when??? I can't remember! So I say I did it on 2-8-09. This was done with a micron pen, using one continuous mark...not lifting the pen from the paper till done! It was fun!

You can see a photo of one of these type cactus HERE!

This ATC is on it's way to a blogger friend, Aiyana from Water When Dry. She was the first person to introduce me to ATC making! I am grateful. These have been a lot of fun. I have had a little break from them to work on other things, but I am ready to make a few more very soon!