Saturday, September 28, 2013

Charming Halloween ATC's???

Hello again this week! Not only have I been busy with class kitting, but I've also been submerged in getting ready for the Artful Adventures in Tuscany with Tim trip! I've had this trip on lay-away for about 18 months, and I have finally paid it off with non-bouncing checks...PHEW!...so I am thrilled to the bone to finally be preparing for it. I've been packing, making, and doing like crazy, and one of the projects I've been working on is for a swap.
One of my besties, Paula, who is going on the trip too, is hosting a Halloween Charm Swap since we will be in route during that occasion, and she begged me to participate. ;0) I wanted to make some ATC's to go with the charms, and since the Making Art Challenge at the Everything Wendy Vecchi Yahoo Group is about 'using Embossing Paste and mixing it with something', I decided to go with that as well. Sadly, this is the last MAC for the Wendy Yahoo Group. It's closing down due to lack of participation which makes me unhappy, but I've loved being apart of this group!
 
The new Tim Distress Paint colors from Ranger were bekoning me, so I used most of them plus Mowed Lawn directly on my craft sheet followed by a good misting of water.
I laid 3 strips of 3 1/2 x 12 inch manila onto the watery color, dried it with a Heat Tool, and then laid it onto the mixture again before drying completely. I had to add the paints and water a few times so I'd have enough. I cut 2 1/2 inch pieces from each strip.
Using my favorite script stamp from Wendy Vecchi, I stamped each ATC on the top portion using Dusty Concord Distress Ink. Then I dabbed one topper full of Picket Fence Distress Paint into the corner to mimic a full moon. Another good dry and they were ready for the next step.
Wendy's new Layered Tree Stencil was an instant love for me and was hollering loudly for me to use it. I used Walnut Stain Distress Ink with it.
Wendy's Embossing Paste can be mixed with so many mediums to color it. I used the new Mustard Seed Distress Glitter and mixed it with the Translucent Paste, and then spread it over Tim's new Stars Stencil, well a few of the stars anyway. I dried it with a Heat Tool. I love the glitter in the see thru stars...twinkle twinkle!
I stamped Wendy's dots and numbers, and Tim's bats onto the cards using Distress Inks as well as the borders of each card. Then I stamped the witch's hat onto manila using Jet Black. After I cut them up, I inked them with Mowed Lawn and colored the trim and buckle up with Glaze Pens. Finally, I stamped Wendy's lovely looking lady onto each card in Jet Black again, and gussied her up with Glaze Pens and a white Distress Marker.
For the charms I used Ranger's Shrink Plastic. First, I used all the Distress Paint colors that I used on the ATC's onto a scrap of Shrink Plastic, and then misted it with water to blend them up a bit. I had to let this dry a little by itself before barely drying it with the Heat Tool, so as to not start the shrinking...a little scary. I used a paper towel to soak up some of the extra liquid as well and it made the most beautiful patterns.
Next, I die cut the Plastic with the Sizzix Mini Tickets Movers & Shapers Die ala Tim Holtz. Then I stamped Tim's Halloween Ticket image from Stamper's Anonymous using Jet Black Archival, before punching a hole...very important to do that before baking. Finally, I baked them up in the oven at 325 degrees for about 10 minutes. They curled a bit, but a shot with the Heat Tool flattened them out perfectly. I added them to an Idea-ology Jump Ring with beads, ribbon, and a candy corn brad that I took the prongs off of.
Supplies:


I hope your hands get creatively dirty soon!



38 comments:

  1. What fabulous charms and ATCs Anita, I love the wash of colour you used and the glittery stars are perfect.
    hugs {brenda} x0x

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  2. Wonderful ATCs Anita and those charms are so gorgeous!! And wow, you lucky, lucky thing to go on Tim's Italy trip..... make sure to take loads and loads of photos, I just know it will be one amazing adventure!!!

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  3. LOVE these! You know ATC's are not a fave of mine, but these are soooo cool! Hope you and Paula have a blast in Italy. I wanna go just to eat the food!! OK, maybe craft a little too!!

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  4. They look absolutely gorgeous! Have a great weekend, Suzanne x

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  5. So great that you get to go on that trip! Lovely witch here!

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  6. Lucky you- going to Italy-with Tim even-all the better. Love your tags.

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  7. Fun ATC's and charms. Great tip on cutting strips to lay down background color and the trimming to size. Lots of great people are going on that Italy trip. It's going to a blast no doubt. Looking forward to seeing everyone's pics and stories.

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  8. Have fun on your trip Anita!! These charms and ATCs are sure to be a hit they are fantastic!! Love the way you did the backgrounds. Awesome!!

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  9. Love those ATC's and charms! What a sweet witch! Oh how lucky you are and I can only imagine your excitement. Have a blast and share lots of pictures! Happy Weekend!

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  10. ATc and the chrams both are wonderful !! I loved the way you have done bg for both of them n of-course stamping !!

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  11. Oh these are fabulous ATCs Anita and I just love those charms too. How wonderful to be going on Tim's Tuscany trip, hope you have lots of fun and get to do a bit of sight-seeing too! Hugs, Anne xx

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  12. Anita -- these ... are ... sooooo ... cool!!!! I love them. These would be so great for a Halloween party or favors to send to school with the kids. Love the stencils ... so much fun. And the shrink plastic tickets are just the thing to top of these incredible ATC's.

    Wow!!! Crafting in Tuscany ... can't get much better than that! I know its nutso crazy right now with all the packing and prep, but get ready to slow down and savor every minute. We will be waiting to hear the details when you get back. Sorry my blog feed isn't getting to you. I have not idea what's going on there. I'll keep dropping by your blog to let you know I'm still alive :) -- Mary Elizabeth

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  13. Those new DPs do include some fabulous Halloween shades, don't they? Brilliant little swaps - they're so cool, Anita...

    And big WOW - lucky you going on the Tuscany trip!! I've just been reading all about it, and it sounds amazing... I'm sure you'll have a wonderful, wonderful time - hope to hear all about it when you get back!!
    Alison xx

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  14. I'm so thrilled you are going to Italy as I cannot wait to read your adventure! Love your swaps to so much fun!

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  15. Great ATCs and the Charms are so lovely! Have fun on your trip.

    Greetings, Dagmar

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  16. Very pretty! I love the retro feminine style to your atc. I love seeing your background tutorials. Always something new to learn.thanks,
    Kate

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  17. Fab ATCs! Love the charms! Now I need to get that tree stencil! How cool you're going to Italy with TH!! Aren't you the lucky dog! Can't wait to hear all about. Good luck with the huge class you're prepping for...would love to attend some day. ):

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  18. Gorgeous ATCs & the charms are terrific.

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  19. Really charming halloween atc's Anita...they look great

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  20. These are amazing Anita - you pour so many wonderful steps and details into each of your makes. I've checked out that trip - I am jealous!! How fabulous this will be - brilliant itinerary and so inspiring - ENJOY THE JOURNEY! Every minute of it my dear! Nicola x

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  21. I adore you little witch!!!! barbarayaya

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  22. Amazing tutorial! Have a wonderful trip!!

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  23. Super fun ATC's. Love the stamp and the ribbon! Wow, so cool that you're going to italy! So much fun! Hugs, Sandra

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  24. Fabulous ATC's Anita, Love the witch & the background is fantastic! Great tutorial too... Hugs May x x x

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  25. First - I am sooooooo happy for you that you're going on the Italy trip. WOW! Color me Shabby Shutters Green With Envy. Have a marvelous time, hon! Second - your ATCs and charms are fabulous and everyone will no doubt be delighted to get them. You put so many special touches and so much effort into each one - they're really lovely gifts.

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  26. She is fabulous! Not sure if you are aware, but after seeing various posts of yours, I do try new products you how. I got the WV embossing paste after you showing it and LOVE it, still looking for "white" but I am working the black one! Your witch is so cool and love that she is not scary! The background is fabulous, perfect to use with the charms. Sorry about the WV group! I am newer to her line, but it is adding up as I am adoring her new inks! Enjoy Italy, I show know you will. Tried to sign up but wasn't quick enough on the draw as it was sold out fast! Have some wine for me!

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  27. Very cool ATCs Anita. Love the backgrounds! Your use of Wendy's lady to create a witch out of her is a cute idea, too. :) <3 Candy

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  28. Wow!!! Fabulous ATC I love it:) The background is really stunning and colours are fantastic. I love this gorgerous witch. Greetings Asia:)

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  29. FABULOUS!!! Thanks for being a loyal participant in the EWV challenges Anita, much appreciated! I love the idea of mixing the paste with glitter...brilliant! And lucky you, going to Tuscany! How cool is that???

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  30. Wonderful ATC's and candy charms! Love the theme and gorgeous colours! How fabulous to be going to Tuscany you guys are going to have the BEST time!! I shall look forward to reading all about it toni x

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  31. Oh, honey...that background just makes my heart happy! I love the way you kept the colors soft, but very in tune with Halloween. And your Lady Witch looks so proper and demure. She makes me smile. As always, the details you incorporated...the ticket, the candy corn, the bats lurking in the background...just make the whole piece delightfully whimsical.

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  32. Going to Tuscany how fabulous for you and you deservite it, hoping you have a fabulous time, now these Atcs art FABULOUSSSSS, I just kept looking at them and your process, fantastic work, love the witch (LOL) you created she is lovely, the background is gorgeous, thanks for sharing all of this, I learn new things every time I visit, big hugs Miss Anita..

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  33. Anita, have a FABULOUS time!!! Your charming atcs are wonderful--gotta say, I heart the candy, too!

    :)trisha

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  34. Love these Anita. You are truly the master of mass production as every one looks as good as another! Jenny x

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  35. Wow.. these ATCs are just amazing! Anita. Love the colors and images. The trip sounds amazing. Have fun!!! :)

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