Pretty in Pink

This project started with an ATC (artist trading card) I made for the Stamp and Dash ATC Swap on the Two Peas in a Bucket stamping message board.  If you’ve never checked out  2Peas, you really should pop over.  There is a great group of stampers there. 

The parameters of the swap was that you had to create 2 ATCS, one to keep and one to swap, and use the water stamping technique on them.  Check out the challenge blog for more details on how to do the water stamping technique.  I’ll give an abbreviated description of the technique here. 

Since this week’s Crazy4Challenges  requires a surprise element, like a pocket with an ATC, I decided to create a card with my kept ATC.  Here it is:

Let’s start with the ATC.  I started by inking watercolor paper with Distress Ink in Picked Raspberry using a dauber.  Then, per the technique directions, I inked a stamp with clear embossing ink (I used Versamark) and liberally sprayed the stamp with water.  Next, stamp on your colored paper, dab with paper towel and heat set with a heat gun.  I used a stamp by Stampendous for creating my background.  I found as I was doing this, the harder I pressed with the stamp, the better the result.  I then stamped the dress form using My Favorite Things/ Colorbox dye ink in Steel Grey.  I added glitter to the butterflies and to the edges. 

Here’s the ATC:

After posting it to my gallery at 2Peas, I made some additions to the ATC.  I stamped the flowers a second time and fussy cut them.  I used foam squares to add them to the dress form and colored over them with a Wink of Stella glitter brush pen to add some sparkle.

 

Then I started on the card base.  I repeated the water stamping technique for the base, adding some Distress Ink in Black Soot to the edges.   When I put the ATC against the background, it blended in too much. So I figured I would need to do something with the pocket so that the ATC would stand out better.  I pulled out some grey cardstock and cut it slightly larger than the ATC and a piece to make the pocket.  I then used a stencil by Memory Box and Distress Ink in Black Soot on the paper.  I added the larger piece to the center of the card and then stuck on the pocket.  I used my ATG gun to add the front of the pocket but there wasn’t enough room to easily slip the ATC in.  So I gently pulled it off, figuring that any damage to the bottom piece would get covered.  I then added foam adhesive strips.  But they were too wide and the ATC still wouldn’t fit.  I pulled the front of the pocket off again.  This time I had to redo that piece.  I cut the foam strips in half and viola, the ATC fit in the pocket.

Here's a close-up of the empty pocket:

 

Course I didn’t think this through all the way and waited until after I attached the pocket to the card to add the lace and ribbon.  I had previously taken a piece of white lace and dyed it with Distress Inks. To do this I inked my craft mat with Distress Ink in Picked Raspberry and Black Soot.  I sprayed some water down and rubbed the bottom on the lace in the pink and the top in the black.  I set is aside to dry.  When I attached it to the pocket, I used glue strip and pleated it as I went.  I added some glue dots to hold down the pleats.  Then to ensure that none of the stickiness of the glue came through the lace, I added a thin strip of black ribbon.

 

Next, I pulled out the sewing machine, which I had stamped for the April Kit in an Envelope (KIAE) Swap on the 2Peas message board.  I inked it with more of that Picked Raspberry Distress Ink, fussy cut it and added glitter with Wink of Stella glitter brush pen.  I added it to the front of the pocket.  And I thought I was done.  The sewing machine is by TPC Studio.

But it still needed something.  So when all else fails, add more glitter.  I pulled out my stickles and added black swirls in the opposing corners.  I wanted to get pictures in natural light, so the very first picture of the finished card, the stickles aren't dried yet.  Here's a picture with the stickle dry:

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you come back again.    

Challenges entered:

Crazy4Challenges: Number 229- Fooled Ya
Pumpkin Spice: Challenge #65 - Elephants or Gray and Pink
Sugar Creek Hollow: #85 - Make Your Own Background