Keeping it Small and Simple ATC Cards & Pockets

Hello Hello :)

Louise here :) Today I would like to share with you some 'smalls'! When you love mixed media products [especially StencilGirl Stencils] and techniques, even small projects take on the form of 'little art works' LOL :) And I confess I love doing 'smalls'. I also love keeping it simple and a lil abstract style wise.

So for today I would like to share some Artist Trading Cards and 6 x 4 Project Life or Pocket Page inserts that I created using very simple but fun techniques; mono-printing, collage and heat embossing. I have done some step out photo collages to share the heat embossing part of the creative process.

Above are the two sets of Artist Trading Cards, and below The Step-By-Step are four 6"x4" Pocket Page Inserts. The Pocket Page Inserts have minimal embellishing; thats my style preference :)

To start I selected some preciously mono-printed papers that I had in my stash, two favourite [aren't they all LOL :)] StencilGirl stencils [listed below] some clear embossing ink [Versa mark] and some fine black embossing powder [American Crafts].

Sassy Spray designed by Cecilia Swatton S465

Graceful Bare Branch designed by Trish McKinney S483

I started by inking up the stencils so that I could 'stamp' the stencil image onto the printed paper. However I did this on another printed paper so that I could also use the inked stencil image. Once the stencil was inked up I flipped it over onto the printed paper, put a piece of plain paper over it, and then rubbed it all over with my hands to transfer the ink from the stencil onto the printed paper. I did this with both stencils. I then quickly covered both the inked 'stamped' image and inked stencil image with the black embossing powder.

After shaking off the excess embossing powder I heat set the embossing powder with a heat tool.

I also heat embossed selected chipboard embellishments [Imaginarium Designs]  to use on my projects. Once all of the embossing was completed, I cut up and trimmed the papers to create the artist trading cards and pocket page inserts. To add visual interest I collaged some of the off cuts on to each card/insert, and then completed by using chipboard shapes/titles and journal strips [Ranger/Tim Holtz]; that have been stapled into position. To finish of the cards/inserts I have inked around all of the edges with black ink [Memories Dye Ink].

                                                                                             

 

Well, that is it for me for the moment :) I do hope that you have enjoyed this and the rest of the Awe Inspiring creativity on the blog?!

Cheers and Happy Stencilling 

Louise :) xox