ATC Holder - Step 1

I previously showed you this set of ATC cards I made using Ranger's Dimensional Pearls....

I also mentioned I had a matching ATC Holder to go with it and here it is!

I got the idea to make these little gems from a gift card envie I received as a gift. It was an envelope that had been folded, one end slit open (where the gift card was slid into) and a sticker to hold it closed. I figured if you can do it with one why not pile them up and used chipboard to make the whole thing a bit more sturdy...of course I couldn't leave it there so I added a few more steps; inks; stamps and some fun!

I have taught this class a couple times and it seems to go better if you work in sections so that's what I'm going to do here as well. I had to go get batteries for my camera today so I am going to cover just the initial steps w/o pics today.

Supplies:

Envelopes - for now we'll be using No. 6 3/4 Envies (3 5/8" x 6 1/2")

Adirondack Color Wash; Glimmer Mist or other Spray-able Dye Ink

Dry Adhesive (ATG; Tape Runner; Etc)

Chipboard

White Cardstock

Colored Cardstock (to match design)

Book Tape (Optional - makes for stronger joints) - Making Memories or Other

Adirondack Dimensional Pearls - Ranger

Ink Blending Tool & Foams - Ranger

Rubber Stamps (Fancy Pants used in the ex.)

Archival Ink - Ranger

Non-Stick Craft Mat - Ranger

Newsprint

Scrap or Copy Paper

Velcro Dots or other Closure Piece

Beads (optional)

Wire (optional)

Embellishments (optional) (Primas & Stickles Glitter Glue used in the example)

Instructions:

Step 1 - Creating the Pockets

1. Determine how many pockets you wish your finished holder to contain. It will need to be an even number as we will be folding each envelope in half to create each pocket. I like to include anywhere from 8-26 pockets. You may use more or less - if it's being made for a specific swap where you know there will be 20 finished ATC's for example. We're going to be making a 14 pocket holder at this time so we'll need 7 envelopes.

2. I know this is the yucky part but you will need to seal each envelope securely....let's just hope they are the minty tasting ones instead of the nasty tasting ones ;) If you're not adventurous or feel the need to lick up a bunch of glue you can moisten an Ink Blending Foam with water and swipe it across the glue.

3. Optional - If you would like you may at this time stamp on each envie using Archival or other permanent ink. I don't always stamp the envies but sometimes it's fun just to add that extra detail. It gives the finished holder a bit more dimension.

4. Spread out several layers of newsprint. Spread the sealed envies out over the newsprint so the sides aren't touching (you don't want them sticking together or layered at all).

5. Mist the envies with one or more colors of spray dye ink. If you are using more than one color it is best to apply one color at a time letting each color dry before you add the next. This will prevent the colors running together creating ink mud. Let side #1 dry.

6. Flip all of the envies over and coat the second side just as you did the first.

7. At this point I place the wet envies onto sheets of copy or scrap paper and let them dry overnight. The envies must be completely dry before you move onto the next few steps.

That's where we'll leave it for today...tomorrow we'll continue on with assembling the insides and possibly the cover.

Have a great evening everyone!!

New Poll - Please Vote

I added a new poll ~ just trying to figure out what I am going to do with all of the projects I made for the book. It was suggested I should set up an Etsy store but I wasn't sure if there would be interest or not... Anyway, if you have additional comments, please e-mail me or post. I'd love to hear what you have to say.

I can see my desktop again!

After months of just pulling goodies out to use I was finally able to see my desktop again today...it's been a while but things are finding homes after all the chaos. I still have a disaster on the kitchen table but I need to figure out where lots of things are going yet.

The good news is I believe tomorrow I'll be able to work on making some step by steps for the ATC holder I promised to share. I thought about just showing pics of it but that would be a mean tease not showing how it's made - LOL!!

Tonite I wanted to show you how nice my nails look....it's quite a change after the last few months of them being steeped in ink, paints and glue. I had them done because it's my fingers in the pics!!

And as promised pics from my trip to Indy...

this is Donna - my text editor and myself :)

Here is a pic of Pam - Photos Editor; Matt - Photographer & Jodi - Assistant. This is taken from the loft/office area.

And a few pics of Matt's new studio - the photos on the wall are all Matt's work - cool stuff huh?

So there you go...Indy in a nutshell ;)

Hope you stop back in tomorrow and check out the instructions for the ATC holder.

Till then ~ have a great night!

I'm Back from Indy!!

Hey Everyone!

Well I'm back from the photo shoot!!! Everything went so very well....we even finished up early so we arrived back home at a decent hour. I'm so glad I am anal about organizing...I think it helped a lot. I had everything bagged, tagged and in seperate boxes so we really zipped through everything. Over 500 photos plus far too many pics of me in around 16 hours total.

I took some pics but haven't downloaded them yet. I promise to get them on here soon...

And yes, you read that right I did have my pic taken so it will be in the book.... Pam (the photo editor) said I didn't HAVE to have my pic in there if I really didn't want but I knew I'd be in trouble by some of you (you know who you are!!) if I didn't ~ so, rather than deal with the wrath, I knew I better ;) Matt Bowen (the photographer) made it lots of fun. He's very easy going and way funny ~ you have to check out his site. His photos are amazing~ seriously. He is located in Zanesville which is like a sub. of Indy ~ He's got some great shots on his site of the town....of course it doesn't look like that right now since it's covered in snow but it is still beautiful with it's brick streets and cute little cottages. The first photo in the set is his old studio ~ he moved across the hall in the same building (old town hall) and it's really hip/trendy. I've got a few pics of it as well which I'll share later.

I got to meet (in person) Pam who is the acquisitions & photo editor; Jodi ~ she is an assistant for the company and Donna who is the text editor (not sure if that's her official title or not but that's what she does anyway). They were all very nice...I spent most of the time with Pam and Jodi along with Matt of course and it was a blast ~ I haven't laughed so much in a long time!!!

Trust me though, it was lots of work...you wouldn't think that just taking photos would be but it was...I was wiped out each night by the time I got back to the motel. I think part of it was stress I put on myself ~ you know is it good enough, will they like it, etc. Sharing art with others is so personal ~ it's laying a piece of yourself right out there in the open for everyone to see. In small doses it's not so bad but sharing that much at once is more than a little scary/nerve wracking if you KWIM.

I am really stoked about the whole thing though...if you've seen other TYV books you'll be surprised about this one. It's got a major difference that you should notice immediately when you see it ;) I don't want to spoil the surprise but it's very me....like my blog....hmmmm makes you wonder now doesn't it - LOL!!!

I found out more about the release date...it will be out in July sometime and I know a lot of people have asked if will be ava. outside the US.... It should be ava. everywhere other than the UK - sorry guys...there is a series over there that is called Teach Yourself or something along those lines. They fight (legally) anything that is remotely close to their name so it's a no-go. It will be ava. on Amazon though so that is an option.

Well, that's all for now...I'm wiped out but I promise I'll be around more regularly from now on. I just have a bit more work to do on the book but have to wait until I see the pics to finish it up. It's funny... Bob (youngest ds) mentioned to me shortly after we got home...."Now you'll be able to get back to bloggin' again." - LOL!!! I've been complaining I don't have time to do it how I'd like and he knows how much I've missed it :) Hopefully it was mutual!

((((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))))))

Take care peeps

and

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend in store!!

Streuter GlueFOIL & Glue Film Winner!!

Hi Everyone!

Sorry for making you wait but it's the final push for projects in my book (more about that later)

anyway....

without further delay

the winner of the

Streuter GlueFOIL & Glue Film

is....

(determined by random.org)

SUE!!!

Sue said...
I've never used it before , but it looks like wonderful stuff!!! Love how you've used it....I reckon it would look good onmy scrapbook pages of my 2 daughters. xx
January 27, 2009 7:24 AM

Sue, please send me your snail mail addy so I can forward it on to the Streuter folks. I hope you enjoy your goodies!

I've had a few people e-mail asking about the techniques used on the lo's. I haven't gotten clearance on giving the details yet so I can't post them at this time. Sorry... I can tell you that the image transfer technique is in the book though ;)

Shannon asked about the family photo on the Johnson lo... It's my adopted family ~ I found the image on one of my Tuscan Rose image cd's! If you haven't checked out their collage images you really should. They have an amazing array of images ava. on both sheet & cd forms. I used LOADS of them in the book for all sorts of projects.

Book Update: Well, I'm sure you've noticed that I haven't posted in the last week...it's the final push before I take EVERYTHING down to Indy for pics. All of the step by step pics as well as the finished projects will be photographed over a 3 day period (wed/thru/fri) of this week. I am finishing up the final project today!!! YEAH!!!!!!!!! I can't tell you what a relief this is to know I've made it on time!

I still have a few last minute things to do ~ renumber a few chapter photos - I had too much info & too many techniques so we had to do some cutting from several chapters. I think I have enough stuff for 2 or 3 books! So I need to go back and fix some numbers. I still ended up with so much info that the appendix won't fit so it's going to be ava. on their web-site - LOL!!

I counted last night and there are over 125 different techniques or variations on techniques in the book!! I think it's close to 140. I didn't even begin to count the finished projects...I may after everything is finished but right now there are over 500 photos in the book (after the cuts!!).

So, I won't be around till sometime next week but I just wanted to give you an update and let you know what's going on. I hope that you'll all still hang around as I plan on sharing projects and techniques and other fun stuff on a more regular basis again shortly!

((((((((((HUGS))))))))))

Take care everyone!!

Streuter GlueFOIL - CHA Sneek Peek & Give-A-Way!!!

Hey Everyone!

I just got the o.k. to share the lo's I made for Streuter's booth at CHA next week!!! They all feature Streuter's GlueFOIL - a sheet of metal which has their wonderful Glue Film bonded to one side. It comes in 3 finishes (at this time) - Aluminum, Stainless Steel and my favorite Copper! Mmmmmm, I just love that stuff!

Anyway, here are my lo's...

I used a variety of techniques as you can see...some of the FOIL has been embossed, painted, die-cut and hand cut. I also created a couple image transfers with it as well....

JOHNSON

You can't really tell by the photo but this lo is very dimensional. I used Ranger's Acrylic Dabbers to paint the metals, scissors to cut it and there is even a bit of Flower Soft scattered here and there as highlights :)

Summer Fun!

This is my nephew Matthew and Bob playing around this past summer....it was such fun! I embossed the side bar section with a wide variety of materials - everything from chicken wire to skeleton leaves! I also die cut the metal in my Zip-E-Mate.

Tiny Miracle

Another set of embossed tiles but this time using Cuttlebug embossing folders. The photo is an image transfer onto Stainless Steel GlueFOIL.

Close Up of Image Transfer....

Snips & Snails

And my favorite - another lo featuring Matthew is another image transfer but this time onto Copper GlueFOIL....told you I loved this stuff. It's amazing how cool they turn out. The buttons and side strip are also copper FOIL that has been embossed.

and a close up of this transfer...

Isn't that stuff just awesome!!!

Now, for the give a way....

Tell me what you like about the GlueFOIL

and

what you would like to use it for!

Post here or e-mail me by the 31st at which time I will draw out one lucky winner who will win 1 package of Copper and Aluminum GlueFOIL as well as a package of GlueFILM to try!

So, let's here it...you can't win if you don't speak up and post :)

Good Luck Friends!!

Have a wonderful day!

Keys to a Happy Life - ATC set

Happy Tuesday Guys!

I wanted to share a set of ATC cards I made which were actually published in a book last year - Paper Crafts Visually - Quick Tips . They are the same people I'm writing the altered arts book for btw :) I also had lo's in their TYV Scrapbook book as well!

Anyway, this set was made using Ranger's Dimensional Pearls. I LOVE these paints, the pearl plus the lush colors are such a perfect combination. I just don't understand why they aren't more widely used.

I've also got a matching atc container I made as well...I need to get some pics of it but it's made using the same Dimensional Pearls and Color Wash Dye Inks. It's a fun project that can be altered to fit the need and size! I will try to get the instructions written up in the next couple days to share with you. It's my own take on an gift card envelope someone sent me many years ago. I kicked it up a few notches and put my own twist on it so I hope you like it :)

Book Update...Things are still churning away. Working several hours a day (8-10+) and making progress. I found out the photo shoot dates are Feb 4th - 6th...so close, I'm starting to get nervous - LOL!! I'm very shy in person so meeting new people and hoping they like all my projects ~ it's giving me butterflies in my stomach!

As soon as I have time I'm going to sit down and count the number of techniques or variations on techniques and individual project numbers. It will be interesting to see what it all comes down to. I ended up cutting several techniques because I have way more ideas/techniques & projects than what will fit into one book. I think I could have written double the pages/techniques as what I need to! I tried to cram as much in as I could so there should be something for everyone in it :)

Well, that's all for now...hope you're all enjoyin' winter! We're having a heat wave...it was in the upper teens today and they say up to 30 by late week. After last week this is wonderful. I feel like I could go out in my shirt sleeves.

Take care and have a super week everyone!

Quick & Easy - Alcohol Inked Valentines Day Cards

Hi Friends...

I hope you've all been enjoying the new year and staying warm. It's been terribly cold here this past week. We had wind chills in the -30's and -40's ~ no fun at all!! Someone needs to tell Mother Nature that this is Indiana, not Canada! BRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!

I've been working away on the book...I have started working on the charms chapter projects ~ only 2 more chapters of projects to go after this plus writing chapter 11 and the appendix! I could probably be done by now but I am making 2-8 projects per technique which I wouldn't have to do but I want to show how the techniques can be used in more than one way. I know, I'm nuts but hey...that's me!

Since Valentines Day is less than a month away now I wanted to share a few quick and easy card ideas you can make using alcohol inks and a few ready made embellishments, fibers and a bit of stamping..... all of these cards are glossy cardstock bases btw.

Take care and have a wonderful week!

Spicy Die-Cuts!

Happy Monday Friends!

(trying to sound cheerful - lol!!)

I have some wicked Perfect Pearls projects to share with you...o.k. I think they are anyway. I am so loving my cricut cartridge - Indie Art! It has got some wildly awesome images...If you haven't seen them you really need to check em out. They are way cool.

Anyway, I recently made a couple projects pairing Perfect Pearls and die-cuts from this cartridge....

One for the girls....

Everything on here has been Perfect Pearled...from the canvas, background paper to the die-cuts. The image is Retro Cafe Art btw :) Awesome isn't she?

and one for the guys....

The background is a Perfect Pearls technique to make the cardstock look like leather or metal depending on the combination of PP used. All of the diecuts were PP'ed and Stickles were added for an extra zing. (the guitar is actually 4 different die-cuts - the guitar, 2 wings and the "flames")

Just goes to show how much fun you can have when you combine ho-hum die-cuts with some of your favorite mediums.

Have a super day everyone!!

Bamboo Tile Winners!

Hey everyone ~

Here are the winners of the bamboo tiles which have been chosen randomly by Random.org....

Darby -

Darby said...
Very cool tutorial! Enter me please! Thank you!
January 3, 2009 2:40 AM

Sid -

Sid said...
Thanks so much for your tutorial on the bamboo tiles it is so useful and inspirational, never used the tiles but would love the opportunity of doing so !
January 4, 2009 1:32 PM

Dawn Nikol -

Dawn Nikol said...
Super cool information. I really dig the alcohol inks on the tiles.
January 3, 2009 2:25 PM

fjellgeit06 -

fjellgeit06 said...
Hallo!First....I wish you and all crafters a peaceful and happy new year!This year have been sooooo cold here in NOrway so fare Yesterday it was 28 celcius degrades minus...brrrr....So I put a lot of firewood in my heater and started with my new prosject, bambootiles-handbag inspired of your great work.The biggest problem was to find some bambootiles...finaly I find two mattes at e-bay.....but I need more :-)))))) I need singel tiles to....I have to try your tecnics you show at your blog....I also planned to make a necklace and bracelet to mach my handbag..So I cross my fingers and hope I win. (Thanks so much for the chance)Your blog is one of my favorite and you give mea tons of inspiration, THANKS!!To you and all your blog-readers....HAVE A GREAT DAY!!A big hug from Trine from Norway
January 6, 2009 5:14 AM

and last but not least

Liza Yet -

Liza Yet said...
Wow Roni I love love love this tutorial!!! I love how you made the simple tiles into Gorgeous Works of Art!!! happy New Year Roni!!!
January 3, 2009 10:42 AM

Please e-mail me your snail mail addies.

If you didn't win today, no worries...I've got plenty more where these come from AND I'll be sharing some finished creations soon!!

Have a wonderful week friends!