I have intentionally decided not to limit my crafting to any one particular style. Maybe it’s because I can’t make up my mind, but I think it is actually because I find all styles appealing in one way or another. So depending on my mood, the inspiration, the recipient, or the materials I have to work with, my projects vary a great deal.
When working on projects for the same person, however, my crafty style doesn’t change–until now. When working on my ATCs for Myra (YT: craftyrats), I went from very vintage (inspired by a wonderful die cut image of a lady in a stylish hat that was gifted to me by Julie (YT: Thriftypapergarden)) to completely clean and simple (inspired by a children’s playing card fawn image I had picked up somewhere). Â The two styles couldn’t be further apart on the crafty style spectrum, but I like them both.
Myra’s theme was Easter or spring, so my first ATC, using the woman die cut, was called “Springtime in Paris”. Â I started with a paper napkin with a silhouette of the Eiffel Tower. I layered on a bit of Tim Holtz washi, added the woman die cut, and started embellishing with flowers (stained with vintage photo distress ink to better match the vintage look), crochet trim, and a wood veneer butterfly (also covered with a piece of the napkin). I thought the result was very vintage-springy.
The next ATC started with some grass patterned paper as a base. I popped the fussy cut fawn image up on foam adhesive, and then hand glued each and every flower sequin to make a bed of flowers. To add a little more interest, I added a couple of acrylic mushrooms and a beautifully hand-dyed bow of seam binding. “Fawn in Flowers” is fresh, cheerful, and definitely springy. 🙂
The last vintage ATC I made for another friend, started with the same die cut and napkin base. Using a different color palette, however, made this more romantic. I used small mulberry paper flowers, dotting the centers with Liquid Pearls, and layered in darker burgandy accents with buttons and a crocheted heart.
HINT: When laying down paper napkins (after de-plying them), try using gel medium (gloss or matte) to glue down the thin napkin paper. Gel medium is great for such delicate applications when you don’t want bubbling or wrinkling.
The following video is a share of the first 2 ATCs; the last one is part of a surprise “Happy Mail” package I’m working on so there is no video for that one.
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I’m really loving ur blog Kristina!!! It’s Awesome! 🙂
Thanks so much Dani! Thanks also for your beautiful birthday card! I love it and you were too sweet to also include a gift card! I’m going to have to go shopping this weekend (now that I am off the spending freeze!) woot woot! xoxo, Kristina
Lucky me! Lucky me! I feel so blessed to now own two of your wonderful creations! Thanks Miss Kristina!! Furry hugs Myra
Aww thank you so much Myra! I had so much fun creating those ATCs for you. Plus, those projects motivated me to finally invest in tweezers, which I’ve needed for a long time! LOL xoxo, Kristina
Your ATC’s are so pretty! I’ve only attempted one, and it didn’t turn out so great. Maybe I will try again one day. I guess I have trouble understanding what they really are. I’ll have to watch your video to learn more….
Aww you are so kind. I think the trick to ATCs is trying to fit a bit of “art” onto a super small format. I think my first ATCs just didn’t go far enough. Now, when I make ATCs I generally do it over a couple days. I put down what I think is a good design and then set it aside. When I come back to it the next day, I usually can add more to what I had previously thought was “done”. LOL I think I get too close to my work, and I can’t see the projects in their totality without taking a step back. If I’m in a rush, I sometimes ask my hubby what he thinks may be missing–he is not crafty, but he has a great aesthetic and can often point out what is “off” or “missing”. Hope something here helps! Most of all, though, just have fun. That’s the point, right? Enjoy the process. 🙂 Big huge hugs, Kristina
Your atc’s are very cool. I love the crocheted accents on them. tfs!
Me too! I can’t wait until I can start crocheting! thanks so much for stopping by Sarah! xoxo