About six weeks ago when I was on Facebook, someone had posted a cute ATC (Artist Trading Card).  I mentioned that I had never done one. Long-time artist friend, Sue Sizemore, posted a comment exclaiming over the fact that I had not done an ATC!  This subject came up again in my Stitchery Club.  One of the members mentioned that her husband used to do ATC's all the time and traded them all over the world.  At the next meeting, she brought me two large notebooks of her husband's ATC's and ones from other artists he traded with.

Well, here is my first attempt at an ATC:

I wanted to start with something simple.  Since I was embossing other cards, I decided to do this gold embossed Fish (inkadinkadoo).  The card base is brushed with Salty Ocean and Peeled Paint distressed ink (tim holtz).  The sentiment (same stamp set) is stamped in Blazing Red ink (staz-on).

Now that I have done one, I have a couple of ideas for a few more. I just need to remember to "think small"!

Now on to greeting cards!  As I said, I was embossing some cards. This set of 4 Peacock greeting cards will be donated to the United Peafowl Association for their annual convention auction coming up in early October.  I started doing this last year, and do not mind making it an annual tradition.  

I love this Roosting Peacock design (the stencil collection).  He is embossed in Silver on black cardstock. Base paper is Floral Pearl embossed vellum (k&company).  Quatrefoil black grosgrain ribbon and White Bow (both from the paper studio) complete this simple, yet elegant card design.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with embossing, there are four types of embossing:

1. Dry embossing -- Place a metal template on light colored paper over a box light, and using an embossing tool, trace the design.  Turning the paper over, you have a nice embossed design.  This is how I first embossed and still do occasionally.
2. Run a brass template through your Cuttlebug to emboss paper.  Only problem with this method is the brass template curls.  You can also use flexible (plastic) templates, but need a few more items to make it work.
3. Embossing Powder -- Stamp an image with a rubber stamp using a glue adhesive instead of ink.  Shake embossing powder over design, shake excess off.  Use a crafting heat gun to melt the powder to show your design.  I've only started using this method this past year.  This method was used on the Fish ATC above.
4. Embossing Paste -- This is my favorite way to emboss and have been doing it for years.  I use embossing paste by Dreamweaver.  Using a brass template (you can dry emboss before if you wish), apply embossing paste over the design, carefully scrape off excess, remove template and let dry overnight.  The "experts" say several hours, but I prefer overnight for better adhesion.  This method was used to emboss the Roosting Peacock above.

Note about Embossing Powders:  The more detailed the rubber stamp design, the more fine your embossing powder.  I only use Super Fine Embossing Powder -- and not all brands are the same. Often times I have to try the design in both manufacturer's powder (I have HOTP and Tim Holtz) and choose the one that looks best for the card.

Now let's look at the other Peafowl greeting cards:

This White Peacock (local king) was done with embossing powder (HOTP) on basic black stock.  Base paper is from Elegant Wedding stack (DCWV). If you look carefully, I used Green, True Blue & Gold Glitter Glue (stickles) on some of the ocelli.  Photos just do not do this card justice!  Deco washi tape and 3 Pearls (cloverleaf) complete the card.

I have had this Peacock cut out (Sizzix die cut) for quite some time and toying with various ideas on how to use him on a card.  When I found the Taj Mahal (inkadinkadoo) in my tub of Peafowl rubber stamps and templates, the plan fell into place!  What do you think?

No, your eyes are not deceiving you -- the Peacock is 3-layered in blue, lavender and light purple.  Each piece is offset just a tad for this special effect.  Base paper is from French Country paper pack (graphic 45).  The metallic green oval (Sizzix die cut) gives this a "moon" effect. The "moon" was dry embossed and die cut via my Cuttlebug.  I decided not to color it.  The Taj Mahal is stamped in Desert Sand (memento) on white paper.

The 3 greeting cards above are all 5 X 6½", blank inside and come with matching envelopes.

This last 6½ X 5" Royal Peacock greeting card was embossed (powder) in Gold (tim holtz) on stock dark green cardstock.  Base paper is from the Graduation paper pack (the paper studio).  A burgandy sheer ribbon and 3 small rhinestones complete this card.

Now I've got birthday cards to work on.  Have a good week everyone!

Dragon Day!  This is my final card before we pack up and head to SeaTac International Festival.  

I'm showing this card from three different angles so you can (hopefully) see the Green Gold Leafing better.

Weather is supposed to be warm for the show, but not warm enough to melt us, so this is good.  Hope to see you there!

Show details:

SEATAC International Festival

Angle Lake Park

19408 International Boulevard

SeaTac, WA

September 6 & 7, 2014

Saturday 10 - 8 pm and Sunday 10 - 5 pm

Happy Labor Day!  We are not taking the day off as we are getting ready for the big SeaTac International Festival this coming weekend.  This is the first time we've done this show, and it is a big one.

I completed more cards that I started earlier last week.  Most of these take two days to complete -- Day 1 to emboss and dry, and Day 2 to make into cards and/or add Gold Leafing, then turn into cards.  So, here we go....

White embossed Cranes with some glitter glue to enhance the birds.

The leaves and stems are green embossed, but the flowers are white embossed.  Green glitter glue was used to enhance the leaves, and pink, yellow and orange glitter glue were used to enhance the flowers.

Silver embossed Dolphins.

Black embossed Whale.

Silver embossed Flowers with glitter glue, smooch and copic markers to enhance flower features.

Mixed used on this card -- Copper embossed Moose, copic markers colored trees and paper for ground and sky.  Acorn brad attaches leaf to card.  Can't decide if I like this one or not....

Gold embossed Unicorn.

Silver embossed Elephant trio.  Notice the button in the lower left.

Black embossed Bison.

I've had this copper embossed Chocolat hanging around for a long time. What to do with it?  Ah, forgot I had some of these party items!

Leaves are green embossed, but the Calla Lily flower is silver embossed base with Blue Gold Leafing on top.  I do not make very many Gold Leafing cards as they are so time-consuming to do.  But they are popular with our customers, so hopefully these will sell quickly.

Copper base embossing with Green Gold Leafing on top.

Silver embossing base with Blue Gold Leafing.  You must have some kind of embossing base for the gold leafing to adhere to.

Lastly, for our Scottish/Celtic friends, red embossed base with Blue Gold Leafing.  I only embossed the Lion and left the shield red embossed.

My greeting cards are priced $4 to $7, depending on technique and how many goodies are on the card.  All the postage stamp greeting cards I've shown in the past are $4 each.

Come out to the SeaTac International Festival and purchase your favorite greeting card(s).  All cards are blank inside and come with matching envelope.

Keith has been working up new etched glassware items, so be sure to come and get your set of wine glasses, cookie jar, vase, or apothecary jars.

Morning everyone!  I finally finished some cards I started over a week ago (or was it two weeks?).  These are 3-D greeting cards.  Some of these are a little different than what you are used to seeing from me, but when I can find 3-D materials, I grab it up immediately.  So here we go....

I love Glads, so I think that is why I picked up this kit of materials.  This packet had enough materials for six 3-D floral cards.  Notice  the Bee and blue Butterfly brads.

Side view of the 3-D flowers.  All these cards have 4 layers.  I am using the tiny pop squares for the layering so they will be easier for customers to mail.

Daffodils are another favorite.  It is unfortunate they do not stay around very long in the spring.  3-D Butterfly and various bling make the card attractive.

These remind me of African Daisies I planted in one of my front flower gardens a few years ago.  They lasted so long for our enjoyment!  The ribbon is unusual in that I believe it came off a box of chocolates....

The base papers and 3-D Butterflies on the above cards were from Europe.

I grew up with Trilliums which grew in the woods behind our house.  I was always taught never to pick them as the plant dies once the flowers are picked.  They do not transplant well.  Maybe this is a wives' tale.  Either way, it was fun putting together this 4-layer 3-D card.

As you know, I love purple, so these flowers were perfect for me to "pick".  

 Daisies are always so pretty to see in gardens.  Notice how well the larger piece of lace fits this card.

Side view showing the layers of the Flower designs using larger pop squares.

In the past, I have done some Foil 3-D greeting cards.  I do not often see materials for these types of cards.  I came across these Fairies and discovered there is a Rose design for a third card.

Monarch Fairy romping through yellow roses.  I was going through my ribbons and discovered this green yarn.  I thought, why not?  When I laid it down on my design board, I loved it!  It just does something for the card.

The other Fairy greeting card with dark blue wings flitting through Red Roses.

I photographed the Fairies from the front side as they are difficult to see otherwise.

Lastly, the Roses in 3-D.


The first 6 Floral 3-D cards were easier to make.  They are made of stiffer card stock, so easier to work with.  The Foil 3-D cards were much more difficult to work with.  The foil is thin and fragile, and one has to be very careful not to tear the design.  I successfully did them all without damage.

These cards will all be available at the SEATAC International Festival in two weeks.  Come on out and see what else is available.

I had a brilliant idea earlier this week -- black and white on cards! Hmmmm...This shouldn't be a problem, or so I thought.  After only two cards, I realized I didn't have enough of anything to do more cards.  I have since been to Michael's, Joann's and Hobby Lobby several times to purchase supplies -- paper, ribbon, flowers and buttons.

Now that I am better stocked in Black & White, here is what I accomplished this week:

Peacock Frame die cut (cheery lyn designs) out of white metallic paper on Immortal Love (DCWV) paper. Modern Chic base paper (recollections).  Stock ribbon and flower pieces with white brad. Three (3) dark gray pearl bling complete the card design.

Peacock die cut (sizzix thinlets) out of white metallic card stock.  This is a very delicate piece to work with.  He is on Immortal Love (DCWV) paper with la Creme stack (DCWV) base paper.  Stock Flower pieces, Gray Pearl bling and sheer Black with Silver ribbon complete the card.

This Roosting Peacock (the stencil collection) is a little difficult to see; next photo shows a better view.  Peacock is embossed on white paper, edged in Silver ink (cat's eyes).  Base paper is basic Black embossed with Peacock Feathers (Animal Prints collection by Cuttlebug embossing folders).  Black & White decorative trim (let's hope it does not unravel!), Small Swirl (MFT) in glitter blue paper and 3 Dark Gray Pearls complete the card. 

I enjoy using the Small Swirl so much, I finally bought my own die cut so I don't have to use my sister's Jan's anymore.

This Lacey Peacock gem (ellentina cutting dies) is more difficult to work with than the Peacock Frame die cut above.  He is cut out of metallic white card stock on Black Tie (core dinations) paper.  Base is Modern Chic (recollections) paper pack. Black ribbon and 3 White brads complete the card.  The train on the Peacock is not attached.  His body is on pop squares for a 3-D effect.

Lastly, this Floral card is dry embossed on white paper. Base paper is Elegant Masquerade (american crafts); matt paper is Silver Pin Stripe (DCWV).  Stitched Black ribbon (the paper studio) and Flower & Brad (spare parts, the paper studio) completes the card.

I've been working on more 3-D greeting cards, some metallic, some not, and I will post those when they are completed.

Two weeks until our first craft show of the Fall/Holiday season! Come on out and join us at the

SEATAC International Festival

Angle Lake Park

19408 International Boulevard

SeaTac, WA

September 6 & 7, 2014

Saturday 10 - 8 pm and Sunday 10 - 5 pm

Plenty to do for the entire family!

Have a good weekend!

Summer is well into it's Craft Shows and Farmers Markets with a variety of Crafters.  Have you been to any of these events?  My husband and I have been to the local Farmers Markets a couple of times, but we have not set up a booth anywhere.  It is just too hot! I can remember being outside in the heat all day growing up and into my 20's, but not now.  There really is such a thing as "getting too old for this"!

I have done a number of greeting cards the past several weeks in preparation for fall and holiday craft shows/bazaars.  We have one show coming up in September.  This will be our first time at SEATAC International Fest on September 6 (10 - 8:00 pm) and 7 (10 - 5:00 pm). Angle Lake Park, 19408 International Boulevard, SEATAC, Washington.

Here is one of the cards available at the event:

And a close-up view:

The Starburst behind the Dragon was cut using my Cricut from 3-D card stock I received from our Belgium friends.

You will have to come out to the festival to see what new cards we've put together.

Back to the craft room; I have a lot more cards to make if I hope to make decent sales this year!

I love my new Window die cut!  This card turned out so great.  Distress ink the frame, spritz the white doily, add to colorful paper and complete the card with buttons and a ribbon.  If I could only keep all the terrific cards I make....but then, I wouldn't have any funds to support my "habit"!

I spent all day yesterday working up a bunch of (postage) stamp greeting cards for this coming weekend's show.  It is not a Craft Show, but a (postage) stamp show.  My stamp greeting cards and my husband's handmade chocolates sell reasonably well, along with stamps. Yes, we are part-time stamp dealers.

So, here is what I created to sell at the show:

Peacock painting stamp from Hungary.

Stamp of Paraguay.

Lions from Republique of Guinea.

Ras-Al-Khaima is on the Saudi Arabian Peninsula. 

Poland stamp showing wolves.  This green "ribbon" is tough to work with, but I think it works with this card.

Romania shows off these wolves.

This Penguin stamp card will be a quick sale.  Umm al Qiwain is on the Saudi Peninsula.

Russian Penguin stamp will also be a quick sale.  The red "coral" ribbon and green swirl really dress up this card without overdoing it.

My husband loves Bees, so we had to get this Tim Holtz embossing die-cut.  I'm going to have to get some more swirls cut....  Stamp is from Cuba.

Mongolian Mushroom stamp.

Stamp from Romania.

Monaco stamps. 

Viet Nam hot air balloon stamp.

Train stamp from Mozambique.  Notice the Train brad.

Anyone for Chess?  Stamp of Hungary.

Air Ship stamp from Mauritaine.

Customers frequently look for "local" greeting cards.  Since I live north of Seattle, can't get much more local than this!

And Mt. Rainier stamps just off the Seattle skyline.

I sell all my stamp greeting cards for $4.00, regardless of the bling used.  All these cards and other stamp greeting cards will be for sale at the:

Evergreen Stamp Show

Kent Commons

525 - 4th Avenue North

Kent, WA 98032

Saturday, July 19, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Sunday, July 20, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

I will again conduct a Postage Stamp Greeting Card making class. We will do this at my dealer booth, so stop in and create 5 cards for $20.00.