August ATC, and Tags

 Well I'm playing catch up. Month is

almost half over, and I just now finished my artist trading cards for 

August. I added distress oxides inks to the white card base first.

Next I placed the stencil over it and inked with black soot ink. 

I like the look. 

I hand wrote tea time on the pot. 

Thinking I have tea on the brain since I'm busy planning my Tea Party for my

birthday next month. 

I'm also swapping tags this month with the artist trading

card group. I bought the precut tags

at Pat Catan's way back when they were closing. Got 

them for .50 cents a pack. Used a Tim Holtz stamp set

and inks to make these. I still need to add a ribbon through the top. 

Now just to address the envelopes and get them in the mail. 

Still raining, and storming. No progress made on the living room remodel. 

This weather is getting old!!!!! Day three of the rain. 

Stamping trails

Karen 

Artist Trading Cards Paper Dolls

 Playing around with some artist trading card ideas. 

These were made with Tim Holtz paper dolls, and ephemera. 

Background is pattern paper. 

Each one has a word piece. 

I think this one is my favorite. Love the little ballerina dancing

in front of the tall mushroom. 

Painting the living room walls today with primer. Can't wait

to have all this done! Remodel has been going on since the end of May! 

Stamping trails

Karen 

Happy Father's Day Tag, ATC, and matching Envelope

 In honor of Father's day I made something a bit different.

I took a business size envelope sealed it then cut off a bit of one short end. 

Then I took out some ephemera pieces, and a Tim Holtz male paper doll. 

Everything is just layered, and collaged. 

Used hemp and wrapped it around to close. The closure is a metal gear. 

So the feel of this piece is steampunk. 

This artist trading card has a boy Tim Holtz doll sitting

on a chair. 

And I made this tag. Both pieces are going in the 

decorated envelope with additional Tim Holtz dolls, and

blank tags. Will be sent to a swap partner. 

The kids are coming over today to celebrate Father's day with their dad. 

Since we are still without a kitchen due to the remodel Sarah is bringing over lunch for

us. She is such a sweet girl! 

Happy first day of Summer. The summer solstice is here. 

And Happy Birthday wishes to my friend Kat. Hope you have a great day! 

Stamping trails

Karen 

Peep ATC

 Happy Easter to all my "peeps" out there! 

This is a artist trading card. 

Used some different dies, ink, and stamps to

create it. 

Love that little basket. Was in a set of two that I ordered 

from cozyscrapbook. 

So busy yesterday. Cleaning up the house, and prepping

for dinner. Kids, and their spouses are coming over for dinner. 

Doing non traditional this year. They wanted lasagna. Since we

couldn't celebrate Easter last year it was very hard to tell them no. 

I love lasagna too! 

Stamping trails

Karen 

April ATC Wine Themed

 My artist trading cards for April. 

Got the stamp set from cozyscrapbook.

Base was inked with different colors of distress oxides. 

Did some fun stitching around the edges using purple thread. 

Edges are also inked with purple. 

Today is April 1st, and we got an April fools joke.....SNOW.

Now I'm going to have to leave my car parked again till after it rains

and washes the salt off the road. Good Grief! 

Oh well its not like I drive the car that much anyway. 

Stamping trails

Karen 

Altered Playing Card Valentine ATC

 Since this is the last week of January I wanted

to get my February artist trading cards made. 

Used a standard size playing card for the base. 

Then I covered most of the card with vintage sheet music. 

I only left a small corner exposed to show the number, and heart of

the card. 

Next I brushed on some white gesso where I would

be stamping the heart. 

Heart was inked with black archival ink then

colored in with fired brick distress ink. 

The ticket was stamped on a piece of yellow pattern paper. 

Before adding the ticket I used the sewing machine to add the stitches. 

Alternated between straight stitch, and zig-zag. 

Edges were sponged with vintage photo ink. 

The two little hearts were made using a punch. I then added glossy accents, and dusted them with

fine glitter. 

Lots of steps making these, but I really love them! 

I also decorated the envelopes. How fun!

We got just a bit of snow yesterday. 

It was warm enough that it didn't stick.

Got Chinese food for lunch after our walk.

I'm finished re-organizing the craft room, and the annex. 

The annex that I'm referring to is the the closet in the quest 

bedroom. Yes I took over that area also. 

Now that everything is sorted, and in it's place I'll

be able to craft with wild abandon! 

Let's just hope I'll be able to remember where I put

everything. LOL!!!!! 

Krafty trails

Karen 

Snowman January Junk Journal

 This is the January junk journal I made for my friend Kathleen. 

She received it last week so I'm good to post it now. 

Love this very large snowman stamp that I used on the cover. 

The hat, scarf, and mittens were stamped then cut from pattern paper. 

Frist page. I used a cd paper holder for the inside. It was ran through

a snowflake embossing folder. 

Lots of pages that have flip outs, and tuck spots. 

I used an old Christmas card for this one. 

I used some more recycled Christmas cards for pockets. 

Side pocket with tags for journaling. 

The little snowman here started is an artist trading card. 

Center of the journal. 

I used furnace tape for the pockets after I ran them

through the snowflake embossing folder. Love the texture! 

The snowman here was colored with Prisma pencils, and

layered on silver glitter paper. 

More flip outs. 

Another recycled Christmas card. I added

a little snowflake charm on the paper clip. 

Snowman cover notebook. Love the silver paper that came in the 

paper pack I used for this journal. 

and just for something different I made a belly band

to hold the snowman notebook from a strip of star fabric. 

I backed it on a piece of light weight cardboard before I stitched around the band. 

Thought the band needed to be stronger to hold the notebook. 

Well Kathleen said this is her favorite journal that I made for her. She

always asks me to send her snow when we get it here in Ohio so I 

thought the snowman theme journal was perfect for her. 

Krafty trails

Karen 

Stitch Altered Playing Cards by Kym

 I received these in the mail the other day from my friend Kym. 

She took some playing cards, and altered them.

Love her stitch work. 

Planning on using these in my journals. 

Will make great journaling cards. 

Snowing again today. I got to walk yesterday, 

but won't be going out today. 

I'll have to rely on my recumbent bike, and my indoor

walking path I created. Not too bad as I get to 

watch tv while I'm working out. 

Making a pot of vegetable soup now. Needed something

warm on this chilly day! 

Krafty trails

Karen 

Sewing Themed Card

 a few days ago I made this dress form artist trading card. 

Well it was just on my desk, and since I didn't have a home for it

I opted to turn it into a card. 

I used a sewing theme embossing for by Tim Hotlz

for the background. Done on kraft cardstock then

edges sponged with vintage photo ink. 

Thinking I like it better as a card. 

Snowed some more yesterday. hoping it quits, and melts

off as I'd like to get back out and walk. 

Spent the day crafting, finishing up a swap. Did

a bit of much needed cleaning. Today I really have to tackle the kitchen

floor. Been putting it off, but it is time! 

Krafty trails

Karen 

Hodge Podge Artist Trading Card

 While tiding up the craft room yesterday I found

some vintage sewing stickers. The dress

form was falling off the sticker backing so I had

to use it or lose it. 

Made this shabby chic artist trading card using

some of the stickers, pattern paper, fabric washi tape, and some

beads. Haven't used beads in a very long time to decorate a

project. I was going to use some buttons, but when

looking for the smaller cream buttons I found the beads....in the 

wrong place I might add, and decided to use them instead. 

I think it turned out pretty cute! 

Krafty trails

Karen 

January ATC

I made my January artist trading cards yesterday morning. 

Background was made using a Tim Holtz sunburst stencil

with honey, and vintage photo ink. 

Last summer I found this sheet of stickers at Dollar Tree. 

Bought two packages of  them as I liked the vintage feel, and snarky 

phrases on them. 

Yup I pretend to know what I'm doing. LOL 

The only man in the group of stickers. 

Isn't this true nowadays. 

I'm not even going to talk about what went on at the capitol yesterday. 

What a disgrace. Enough said. 

We went to Costco yesterday afternoon. Thanks to our son John who 

always renews his dad's membership every year. Makes a great gift. 

Of course I was in a mood yesterday, and when I get that way I tend to

over spend. But its all good. Needed some comfort food, and comfort clothing! 

Krafty trails

Karen 

Christmas ATC is a Doll

 Well it has been awhile since I played with any

of the Julie Nutting doll stamps. 

Joined a Christmas artist trading card swap that

required the use of the dolls. This is what I whipped up. 

The doll is popped up over the base with foam strips. 

Used some Wink of Stella on the berries, hat, skirt, and background. 

Doll is colored with Prisma pencils. 

Pretty happy with how it came out. 

The weather here has been awesome since middle of last week. 

In the 70's on most of the days. Have been able to

walk in the morning, and in the evening. 

Of course it won't last, but I'm enjoying it while I can. 

Haven't been crafting much as the kitten keeps me pretty busy. 

She is my little shadow. 

I'm debating on putting up the tree or not. 

Too early to put it up as I wait till the day after Thanksgiving. 

The neighbors on our street have been going crazy with Christmas

displays. Too early, but I guess they wanted to take advantage of the 

warm temps to put them up. 

Stamping trails

Karen 

I'm Singing in the Rain

So yesterday was a bad day to go walking. 

Went out in the morning around 8:30. Halfway through

my walk it started to drizzle. I thought okay not to bad. 

Then it started to rain harder. By the time I got home I 

was soaking wet, and just a bit cold. Had to take

a shower. 

Then later in the day thought I could get in another walk.

What was I thinking? Me and hubby had to duck into one 

of the doors at the high school. Didn't last long, so we made it back to the car. 

He at least had an umbrella which I did not have on my morning walk. 

This brings me to the Artist trading card above. 

Its been raining for the last three days here. 

Thought the umbrella man from Tim Hotlz would

be perfect for my August swaps. Tells a story. 

I did have an unexpected visitor yesterday afternoon. Emily came

to visit. Made her, and hubby blueberry pancakes, and bacon. That was

a hit. She did some artwork in my book journal. I'll share that tomorrow. 

Stamping trails

Karen 

Hello, and Where is my Head?

Okay so I'm making a little gift for a friend's birthday. 

While using my cricut air 2 machine I run across this

image. 

Had to laugh when I saw it, but it does seem a little 

bit deranged. Just had to make it! What does that say about me? LOL

I sponged around the edges (at least I didn't use red ink) with brown, and

added the spots to the body. This was then mounted on a white panel that I 

stamped with red script images. 

To my friend I'm sorry in advance, but I just couldn't help making it! 

Stamping trails

Karen 

Little Lady Liberty ATC

While I was playing with the cricut air 2 machine yesterday I 

had the machine draw this adorable little lady liberty. 

She is just to cute!!!! 

Colored her in with shades of green Prisma pencils. 

Added some red stripes in the background, and defined them with a black marker. 

Added little star rhinestones to the centers of the blue stars, and added a blue border. 

Went to Tuesday Morning yesterday after me, and hubby finished our morning walk. 

A lot of the craft section was empty. Not use to seeing that! They had arrows

all over the floor so you could only walk one direction down the aisles. 

I found a few little craft things, and one larger one. Share those in another post. 

I also got 5 packs of printed napkins that I'll be using for junk journal projects. There 

are so many pretty printed napkins! The ones I picked up were in the clearance dept. 

Can't wait to create! 

Stamping trails

Karen 

Little Yellow Dress

I'm still loving my Cricut Air 2 machine. 

The machine drew this image for me onto an artist trading card. 

Colored it using Prisma pencils, and gel pens. 

Now I have to tell you this is the finished card. 

This is how plain Jane she was till I got a little help

from my favorite daughter in law Emily. 

She suggested I add some blue flowers to the hat, and little

dots to the outfit. What a difference it made! 

Thanks Em! 

I can always count on Emily to help me out. That girl is just so talented! 

Stamping trails

Karen 

Sunburst Technique on ATC

More artist trading cards using a different technique. 

This one is called sunburst. I've seen lots of cards made using 

this technique, but I haven't seen anyone scale it down to use

on a 3 1/2 x 2 1/2 card. 

Hotter than blue blazes out yesterday! Some areas hit 90. The

weather has just been crazy! At least we are not having a blizzard since

I packed all the winter clothes away last week. 

Stamping trails

Karen 

Bokeh Technique ATC

These are my Covid 19 artist trading cards for June. 

Missing everyone, so I thought I'd reflect that in the artwork. 

The background technique I used is called bokeh. It is an effect

used in photography. 

To create the look I rubbed three different colors of oxide ink

onto the cards. Next the ink was heat set. 

Using a stencil I created with different sized circles I sponged 

white pigment ink through them onto the card. 

For the smallest circles I used a clean eraser from the end of a pencil. 

Just dipped it into the ink then onto the card. 

Die cuts made using Tim Holtz Wild Flower thinlits. 

Stamping trails

Karen 

Mini 3 Pocket Letter from Beverly

My crafty friend Beverly, and I did a mini 3 pocket letter

swap. Have to say I was thrilled when her

envelope arrived. Love the vintage ladies that she used! 

Pocket letters are so much fun to make. They are 

normally a full sheet which is 9 pockets. 

Depending on how much you embellish them they

can take a lot of time to create. That is why every once

in awhile I like making the mini 3 pocket ones. 

Well yesterday was just perfect to be outside. 

Hubby started planting the garden. Can't

wait to get fresh veggies again! 

Stamping trails

Karen 

Today is a New Day ATC

Well my creativity has flown south for the Winter oh wait its not winter

yet, or is it. Woke up to snow on the ground, and 32 degrees. Come

on already!!!!! May 11th...tick-tock Spring will be over before it ever

really gets here. 

My hike with the kids got cancelled yesterday due to weather, so I didn't get to 

see them. 

Okay I'm done ranting. 

This is an artist trading card I made for a swap. Inked up the

stamps with several different colors using Memento Dew Drop inks. 

Love that they are shaped in a tear drop. Makes it easy to apply just to 

certain areas of a stamp. 

Next I inked up the entire card with VersaMark, and dipped that in 

clear embossing powder. I could have left the card

alone after that, but decided to layer up some Tim Hotlz ephemera, and

added a greeting at the top. 

Had some over hang of the flowers on the side, and 

the little bird tail. Thought to just leave them, but

decided it looked more finished trimming them even with the card. 

And about that greeting....not going to let this get me down (thank you Janet!). Today

is a new day. Moving on. 

Stamping trails

Karen