Christmas ATCs

A dear friend of mine hosts an ATC swap every few months and the girls who participate are just amazing talents. This time around is a Christmas swap and I was so excited because the ATC is the perfect size to showcase this new Inkadinkado stamp I found. My mom loved cardinals and whenever I see one such wonderful memories come flooding into my head.

I stamped the image on Neenah white cardstock and colored it with Copic markers. I couldn't find just the right sentiment that fit the small size of an ATC, so I reached for my JustRite Brayton Font set (50pt) and stamped {25} in Fired Brick Distress ink. (oh I hope they get that it means Dec 25th. Do ya think?) After I punched the date with a 1 inch circle punch, I ran a glue pen around the edge and dipped it into Fire Engine Red glitter.

The upper portion of the base of the ATC is a beautiful Christmas paper by KaiserCraft. I bought one sheet a month or so ago and had just enough to make 15 of these! (whew) The bottom strip is BoBunny. In between is a peice of red velvet ribbon over crochet lace.

So, now I have all the pieces and realize that the image is just to bright white for the Christmas paper. What to do? Easy... Tim Holtz to the rescue!

Using the sponge applicator, I smooged (technical word) Antique Linen ink around the edges. You can see what a difference it makes ===>

It's one of my very favorite, and most used tools! It does more than just leave a darker *edge* to your image. If you lay the image flat on a piece of paper or mat, and rub the sponge applicator in a circular motion towards the center of the image, you get a lovely shading that goes from darker on the outside edge, to softer/lighter in the center.

Well, that's all for tonight. Thanks for coming by!

HB

Supplies

Stamps: Inkadinkado, Brayton Font (JustRite Stamper)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Antique Linen, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany (Distress Inks by Ranger), Copic markers, Copic Red Spica pen

Paper: Neenah, KaiserCraft, BoBunny

Misc: red velvet ribbon, lace (local craft store), glitter (Taylored Expressions), Old Lace Glimmer Mist (Tattered Angels), Tim Holtz sponge applicator (StarLitStudio), circle punch (EK Success), scallop blade (Marvy cutter)