NEW STAMPS BEING ADDED TO STORE SITE!

I just thought I would put a quick note here to let you all know that I am putting on some of the NEW 2008 SUMMER RELEASE stamps. The new single Tim Holtz ATC stamps are currently on order, but I do have the set of 4 ATC stamps together. I also have new Teresa Collins Cling Mount Rubber Stamps. Great for ATCs and for the 7 Gypsies ATC Revolving Holder products. These are perfect for us ATC artists. There is another company that has ATC stamps that I ordered at the CHA Show, but I won't let that cat out of the bag until I have them in my hands. Come by and check them out. It may take me a while to get all of the stamps and things on, so just check out the "What's New" link on the left side of the homepage.

Here's a free copyright free image for you to use in your artwork. Just copy and save it. Enjoy!

Technique Challenge

Mosaic Background ATCs

Here is a new technique you can try. I call it Mosaic Background ATCs. I started with some colorful cardstock. This is a great technique to use up those paper scraps you have laying around. I cut the cardstock into 1 inch strips and then cut the strips into 1 inch squares. Now take a 2 1/2 in. x 3 1/2 in. blank ATC; this can be an old playing card or another piece of cut scrap. You will need to spread craft glue, glue stick, crafting medium etc. onto the whole card. I do it this way so I'm not gluing on one square at a time which takes a lot of time. I put my ATC into my Xyron 500 Create A Sticker (Let me know if you want me to order you one of these sticker makers; they fit a trading card perfectly.), then peel it off the paper. The sticker maker has now added sticker adhesive to one whole side. Now with glue on your whole card.......

Start at the top corner and arrange your cut 1 in. squares onto the ATC. Let the first one hang over a bit. Arrange the rest of them into the color scheme that you want, but remember this is your background, so just have fun placing them in any color order. Once you have placed your last square, turn your ATC over. Next, take your scissors and trim off the paper that is hanging over the edge of your ATC card. You can now stamp on an image, add some doodles or rub-ons. I just stamped on the words, "Live, Laugh, Love"

Now that you have an amazing mosaic background, you can now create your ATC. I added some stacked Prima Flowers and attached it with a white brad. I then cut and attached some poke-a-dot sheer green ribbon under the flower. I stamped the butterfly (stamp by Whipper Snapper) with Stazon ink, colored it with colorful markers to match my background, cut it out, and added a touch of glitter to make it sparkle. I then put a Pop-dot under the butterfly to make it stand out.



I drew my doodles on after I had attached my flower and butterfly. It was an afterthought, and it should have been done before I added the other things. Well, it shows I'm not perfect.


There you go. Give it a try. Post the ATC that you made using the Mosaic Background Technique into the store gallery, or send it to me by email (yourATCstore@comcast.net - mark the email "Mosaic Background", along with your snail mail addy. I will then send you a bunch of the mosaic 1 in. squares that I used in creating this artist trading card. I'll even post a copy of it into the blog; with your permission, of course.

Here's the last of the pictures from CHA

Here is the photo of my crafting apron signed by altered artists Tim Holtz and Claudine Hellmuth:

Here is a new product by Karen Foster. This blank calendar was altered into an Advent Calendar.



This is the new Distress Crackle Paint shades. Now available in Silver, Gold, Copper, and Pearl. I have these on order and I can't wait until they come in.

Here are some photos from the Stampers Anonymous and Ranger Booths:

ATC Acrylic Album
Now is this cool, or what?? Picture this ATC's acrylic album with the protective film taken off. Can you imagine how amazing this would be if it was clear and altered with your ATCs inside. I was a little leary to order this, since it would be a special request. If you're interested, please comment on this post or email me and let me know. If I get enough interest in this ATC acrylic album, I can see about carrying these.

Guess Who?? Tim Holtz at CHA

Here is Tim Holtz at the Ranger Booth. He created all afternoon, giving demos of all of his products. He can do this with his eye closed, he is so good! His artistic ability just shines through whenever he is creating art. Simply incredible!

Here I am talking to Tim about his new ATC stamps. I asked if he could do a monthly challenge with his ATC Stamps for us ATC addicts. He said he would see what he could do. I have my fingers crossed!Here is a picture of Tim and I at his Idea-ology booth. We created necklaces with his embellishment line. After making a few of these I placed an order for his necklaces, rings etc. Once I have them in stock I will post the photos of the necklaces I made, as well as other samples of what you can make with this product line. You will be able to make your own jewelry, or make them to give to friends and family as gifts or Christmas presents.
Here is an ATC that was made with one of Tim's new ATC stamps. And here they are......his 8 NEW ATC STAMPS!!! They are still being made, but as soon as are available I will have them in stock. I'll post the blog once I have them at the store for purchase.

More Maya Road Samples from the Summer CHA Show

Once you see these, you'll want them. Maya Road has created some beautiful chipboard albums. I can't wait for my order to be delivered! I'm not sure when they will be available, so keep checking back. Remember my prices are below retail, so you always save money when you shop at yourATCstore.

Maya Roads New Products

This is Maya Road's Journaling Scroll Coaster Chipboard Book. I purchased these because they are the perfect size for ATCs. The ATC would be glued in the center of the chipboard, so that the scroll can be see all the way around your ATC. There are 6 chipboard pages to the mini album. I thought you'd have a ball with these. And if you don't want to use them for your ATCs, then take a look at some of the other great ideas created with this book.

Rangers, Claudine Hellmuth

Here is Claudine Hellmuth. She is an alter artist, and author of my favorite collage book, Collage Discovery Workshop. She also wrote Collage Discovery Workshop Beyond the Unexpected. She is also know for her "Poppets". You can see a few of her Poppets in the background of this photo. The green lady on the left and the orange lady on the right. She also autographed my apron.

Pictures of my loot and my make & takes from the show

Here are a few photos showing what I brought back with me. I also receive many new magazines and art books, as well as company catalogs galore. The make & takes are shown in the first photo. The other two photos show the products that I received. I even won at the Making Memories Booth 2:00 daily drawing. I won the new Slice die-cut machine and a MM tabletop organizer in white just for wearing their apron!! I'll get my new Slice when they are released in August. I've never won anything like that before!! It was the highlight of my trip!



This 12 x 12 photo frame was created using Creative Imaginations papers, Asian Fusion, by Marah Johnson. She hosted this make and take and I had her sign the back of my frame. Her signature is in the center of the frame.
This 8 1/2 x 11 photo frame was created using Creative Imaginations Papers. I'm not sure what they are called. We used the foils on both frames which made them beautifully metallic.

Looks like I had fun, huh! I will post more photos tomorrow or Thursday. I ordered so many things and have some neat new products that I can't wait for you all to see. The orders should be starting to come in next week.

Photos from the Craft & Hobby Show (CHA Summer)

Here is a picture with Heidi Swapp! Yep, that's her. She's an amazing lady! She is on the left; that's me on the right.

I told her how much we all love her Chipboard Clocks and stamps. I asked her to make some smaller chipboard items for us ATC artists. (Crowns, birds, etc.) So let's hope she comes out with some when she releases her winter line.

New shaped clips are now in stock

Hey, we finally have our most popular printed twill back in stock! We also added blank Oatmeal Tan Twill for those who wanted a bit darker shade other than our usual Ivory Twill. We also added AaBbCcDdEeFf and Music notes. Here is the link for our Ribbon, Twill & Rick Rack: http://youratcstore.com/index.php?cPath=48

I've had a few requests for some spiral clips, so I just added them all to the Metal Works Catagory. This has also been mentioned on the ATC Yahoo Group ATC_World message boards. I'm a member of this wonderful group. Pictured are just a few of the new clips that just arrived. These are being used to attach Artist Trading Cards onto the Manilla Refills Tags for the 7 Gypsies Revolving ATC Holder. This is a great way to attach your ATCs onto the refill tags without needing to punch the rolodex notches out. Using these clips will add color, not to mention it's just a cool embellishment, but it will also making removing your ATCs a breeze. Now you can easily view the artists & swap information on the back of your ATC without losing that information for good. This is a super idea for those artists who don't want to glue their ATCs onto the refill tags so they can remember who and where their ATCs came from.

Here is the link for the Metal Works Catagory: http://youratcstore.com/index.php?cPath=26