Saturday 10 October 2009

Halloween ATCs

By Meagan

I am not a big fan of Halloween - maybe because I didn't grow up with it and maybe because I'm actually pretty easily spooked but over the last couple of years I have enjoyed making some Halloween themed art. I just don't go for the really macabre stuff! A group of four of us in Kalgoorlie have started monthly trades (the first round are shown here) and this month Renaye chose Halloween as our theme.

Both by Renaye

Anyway Renaye made two ATCs for each of us (bit of an indication about how much she loves Halloween) and I haven't caught up with Christine yet but I just had to share the results of our exchange so far. The first ATC at the top of the post is by Meagan and the next two are by Renaye (neither have blogs unfortunately). Renaye is even running a special kids' Halloween craft event at her shop "Keepsake Krafts" - wish I still had little kids I take!

This one is mine. It started with an experiment when we decided recently to try making Annette Husband's"Opals Paper" - vilene with various colours of Opals (thick embossing enamels) ironed onto it. I used orange and purple Opals (must have been thinking Halloween subconsciously!) - they have fancy names but I forget what they are. I added some orange Starburst Stains to cover up any white patches. This is what it looked like before I cut the vilene into ATC sized pieces.


Once it was cut up I used StazOn black ink to stamp my Oxford Impressions tree and tiny bat images onto the vilene. The image was patchy as the Opals surface is not ideal as a stamping surface (noting however, that it is ideal for stamping "into") so I used a permanent black marker to fill in the gaps. I added the checked ribbon and black German scrap sewing the vilene to a strong mat board base. I rubbed the black scrap and ATC edges with orange acrylic paint and then covered the rest of the ATC with several coats of clear UTEE as I didn't have any of the clear (Franklin) Opals. This was the least successful of the four ATCs so I kept it for myself but I forgot to take a picture of the others before trading them. The glossiness was more even on the other ones. I'd definitely try the vilene/opals technique again for a different sort of background - see here for information on the technique.

PS A couple of nights ago I happened to check my blog stat counter and the number of hits was sitting at 59999 - I thought it was pretty freaky but I guess it would have even been more so if it had been 60000 just as I looked. Have to say thanks to everyone for continuing to visit - I know I post a lot less often now that I am travelling so much with my job!

10 comments:

Jen xo said...

great atc's Debbiand im like you, not into Halloween but like making it. Unlike you however, i have dark side which ill be posting shortly.

the opals,vilene technioque looks interesting too....jenxo

Lucy said...

Great ATCs Debbi. I am just getting into the 'dark arts' and thoroughly enjoying the change.
Your Opals paper looks really interesting, seems to have great depth.
Hugs Lucy

Samantha Marshall said...

Hi Debbi,
The ATCs look wonderful and I love your technique.

Jacky said...

Hi Debbi, the Halloween ATC's look fantastic....Iots of people seem to be getting into them this year. I've just visited Jenxo's blog and loved her *scary* ATC's also (and I dont usually like the spooky/macabre theme).

I'm going to check out the opals technique you mentioned. Bought some years ago and havent touched them much....best take a look.

Jacky xox

NĂºria Madurell said...

Hi Debbi, wonderful ATC's!!!
Are you still interested in trading ATC's?
I'd love to swap with you if you are still interested.
nuria.madurell@gmail.com

Sue McGettigan said...

Lovely ATCs Debbi, your opals paper looks very cool! I like fun Halloween, not creepy scary Halloween - I'm SO not into being frightened :) At this time of year I tend to focus on Dia de los Muertos - so fun!

ANNETTE HUSBAND said...

Hi Deb
I'm not a Halloween person either but love the ATC's you and the other ladies made.Your Opals paper turned out great.Deb I find using organza or fine material on top if the Vilene gives me a better end result if I wish to stamp on the Opals paper as well.I use paint for material for stamping on it the most or I stamp on white tissue and glue it down with watered down PVA etc.The best thing is printing an image on Lazertran and adding that to the Opals paper...shame its so exy though.
hugs
Annette

sharon young said...

Lovely ATC's, Debbi, I'm not a fan of Halloween either, but I do like your take on it :-)

juliaD said...

Hi Debbi, How are things in W.A?, its very wet here in Vic, but we needed it..I'm sick of the icy temps though and cant wait for summer... unusual for me...
Love the ATC"s...yes, I don't like the halloween to be too ugly...
Your opal technique looks Velly interesting I will have to give it a whirl...xxx...Julia

Gaby Bee said...

Fabulous cards, Debbie! I love your technique.