Friday, November 9, 2012

What is your Favorite Google Doodle?

 
Star Trek  46th Anniversary! Published on September 8, 2012
 
 
 
Edward Lear's 200th Birthday
 
 
 
 

First Day of School 2012


 

161st Anniversary of Moby Dick's First Publishing

 
 

Morocco National Day 2012

 
 

Birthday Howard Florey's 114th Birthday

 
 
 

Hryhorii Skovoroda's 290 Birthday


 
Henson 75th Birthday
 
 

30th Anniversary of PAC-MAN - May 21st 2010

 

Pablo Neruda's Birthday - July 27, 2009

 

200th Anniversary of Grimm's Fairy Tales - Dec 20, 2012


 
 
 
 
 
 

SPORTS!

Favorite College Teams!
 

 
 
 

Friday, November 2, 2012

Saturday, September 22, 2012

How to make an ATC (Artist Trading Card) or an ATC Greeting card.

My favorite tools of the trade are Bristol Velum paper, H pencil, art eraser gum, India ink, alcohol based markers, and stamping inks. I personally buy big sheets of Bristol at my local store and cut them to size, but as you can see in the picture below, many cards come already cut in different textures, colors, and thickness.



For this particular project, I used acid free cardstock because I was going to fold the paper in half, and I wanted it to have some weight, but not be too thick. I took a piece of cardstock that measured 3.5 x 5, and folded it in half to meet the standard ATC size of 2.5 x 3.5.







I like using H pencils, because they do not leave dust behind, and when you erase your paper is clean. But any regular pencils like the ones you buy from school are probably fine. Because I was making a Halloween card, and I used a cute scrapbook Halloween paper, I decided to get my inspiration form on of the design of the paper and draw my cat to match. Unfortunately the picture is taken too close, so is hard to see.




Then I trace with India ink. I used to use only nibs and a plume, but I found these India ink pens and I love them, and they allow me to do a finer detail. Be careful which ink you buy. Not all calligraphy ink is India ink, and when you pass your eraser, or fill with color they will run. You could probably use a writer marker, but if you put a finish to your card it may also run.




India ink only takes minutes to dry, and then I erase my pencil marks and fill with color. My favorite is alcohol based markers, but whatever makes you happy! Aquarelle markers, student markers, colored pencil, water color. I have even used them with water soluble oils! I often mix techniques, and no matter what I use to fill in color, I always add finishing touches with colored pencils, and gel pens. Here is Texas some call colored pencils map pencils!






As a finishing touch I often use scrapbooking ink on my borders. I went crazy on this one with black and went all over it, and I personally think it was a mistake…. I went back on it with more colored pencil. It still looks a little dull, but is ok.




Then I cut an envelope to match the size of the ATC. You can add border and designs if you wish. I have these big scissors that are wonderful rounded edges. I am sure there are many punches that also deliver a similar effect. I made my own template, and below is a picture of it so you can use it!
















Done!





Here is the template for the envelopes!