Let's JAM

I have been introduced to something new. It's all about sharing your creativity with your friends. This is the way it works. The first person creates 3 identical backgrounds. There is no theme just something interesting. That person sends the 3 cards to the second person. This person pick a focal point. It can be anything a picture, a found item or whatever. Again it is important to keep the cards identical. This person sends the cards to a 3rd person. They will add the details and/or embellishments. The 3rd person sends a card back to the 1st and the 2nd. You now have 3 friends that have shared very unique experience.
The scan with this post has six very special cards.

I got together with Trish and our friend Bernice Rittenhouse. We each made 2 sets of backgrounds. I gave one set to Bernie and the other set to Trish. After they added the focal point, they switched the sets Trish finished the set Bernice had been working on and Bernice the the set that Trish had. By the time the evening was over, we as a group had made 18 cards. Each of us has 6 cards to keep. The first 2 cards(column) Trish made the backgrounds, the next column were by Bernice and I made the last 2. Bernice added the picture of the woman to Trish's 1st background and I finished it with the a few metal brads and the words "never be ordinary". The second background I added the cat from a vintage postcard and Bernice finished it off. Trish added the ballerina's the Bernice orange color background and I finished it with a piece of ribbon, a clip and a some shimmering highlights. I added the flower stamps to Bernice's second and Trish finished it with the metal tag brad and added each of our initials. Trish added the picture of the little girl to my black, white and red background and Bernice finished it with the bling hearts and a metal corner brad. Bernice added the stamp of a beach scene to my pink and brown background and Trish finished it with the seahorse charm and the seashell.
This week I have been part of an International JAM. A woman named Kirrily for Australia sent me 3 backgrounds, I added a vintage picture of a young woman to each and I mailed the cards the a woman named Sandra who lives in Scotland. I can't wait to see the finished product. When I get it I will be sure to post it.

The Swap

I have now participated in several swaps at a rubber stamp/craft store in Cincinnati. The store is called, "Stamp Your Art Out". Every month they post a theme on their website and anyone who wants to participate can submit cards. The theme for this swap was, "My Heart Belongs to You." What makes this swap even more special is that my best friend Trish decided to join in.
In a previous post I explained what editions are. Several cards that are either the same or based on the same style or thought. Each person makes nine cards and they are numbered 1/9, 2/9 etc. The store keeps one to display and the rest are traded to the other participants. Last month there were six of us. It's always fun to open the envelope and see how each person interprets the theme.
When I heard, "My Heart Belongs to You." all I could think of was a Valentine. The background was created on the computer using Word Art and the definition was found on Dictionary.com. The glitter heart was a plain silver brad but a little red tinsel embossing powder brought it to life. The heart is card stock and is edged with lace. The next card is Trish's. I just never thought of that and she said, "that's the first thing that popped into my head." The rest of the cards belong to Claudine, Patty, Nan & Judy. Even though I have never met any of these ladies I have become very familiar with their art and feel like I know them. This month is "Tickled Pink" and the cards are already in the making.

A Miniature Scrapbook

Now that I have have been making ATC's for awhile I'm finding it difficult going back to the 12x12 or 8.5 x 11 size format. I have found that "less is more". It's compact and will fit into your purse. It's a great way to use all of those photos that do not seem to fit in anywhere else. I managed to fit my family, my cat and even my favorite hockey player onto 9 little cards.

Alcohol Inks

This is a newer technique and my first time to use them. The ink comes in small squeeze bottles and is applied to the surface with a sponge. It can be used on glossy paper, tile, glass or acrylic. I applied the ink to High Gloss photo paper. Different colors of ink can be added to the paper or can be dabbed together on the same sponge. After the background is created an image can be applied with a stamp using permanent ink or with a permanent marker. I used a sharpie. The image is them highlighted and detailed with a gel pen. Traditionally a white gel pen is used but since I did not have one I used a silver gel pen.

More Kaleidoscopes

The cards in this scan were created from a photo taken by my brother Mike Austin. He is a freelance photographer and has had his photo of Kings Island named "Photo of the Day" on Webshots. I took his photo a step further and made a little magic of my own. If you study the colors in the cards you will be able to identify which part of the picture it is from. The card in the middle is the lower portion of the tower. It's easy to pick out the fireworks. The ninth card in the scan is one of the few that I used 12 petals for my kaleidoscope. I prefer 6 although you can use 3-22. When you use that many the image starts to loose it color and becomes muted. I enjoy working with this program so much that I could probably start another blog dedicated to kaleidoscopes.

Kaleidoscope

ka⋅lei⋅do⋅scope/kəˈlaɪdəˌskoʊp/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [kuh-lahy-duh-skohp] noun

1. an optical instrument in which bits of glass, held loosely at the end of a rotating tube, are shown in continually changing symmetrical forms by reflection in two or more mirrors set at angles to each other.
2. a continually changing pattern of shapes and colors.
3. a continually shifting pattern, scene, or the like: The 1920s were a kaleidoscope of fads and fashions.
As long as I can remember I have been in love with kaleidoscopes. When I found out that I could create my own images using Paint Shop Pro I was simply amazed. I now have over a thousand images. Some of them may have taken me 2 or 3 hours to create and others just instantly light up the monitor and scream here I am. Any picture can be used but I prefer to use my own compositions. I can pick my colors or mediums. The images here are made from a single scan of lace, ribbon and different types of fibers. They are printed out on Premium High Gloss photo paper and are the required size of 2.5 x 3.5 inches.

Zetti Valentine's

Zetti is a new art form that was created by Teesha Moore (www.zettiology.com). It's a no-holds-bared approach to making ATC's. The art is known for it's pointed hats, crazy stockings and bright colors. I recently had an opportunity to participate in a "Zetti Valentine" themed swap. This particular swap was a 5/6. This means that I send 6 cards. The host gets to keep one and 5 cards by 5 different artists are sent to me. I always write about the artistic freedom that comes with creating ATC's but doing Zetti lifted it to a new height.