Book Review - Origami by Anne Akers Johnson

Origami
Review By Kaitlyn R. Bayne, Paper Crafts Contributing Writer
Klutz Press; Spiral edition (2003)
ISBN: 1570549974
Hardcover; 88 pages

Anne Akers Johnson's book "Origami" teaches anyone how to creatively fold paper into animals, boxes, stars and airplanes. Each project has step-by-step instructions and illustrations for each fold. The instructions are easy to follow and very descriptive. The book is easy to use because it has a spiral binding that allows you to fold the pages out of the way.

My favorite projects include the secret letter, penguin, star box, rabbit/bunny, frame, parrot, frog, seal, and magic star. The "most challenging" folds -- the frog and the magic star -- are fairly easy. I didn’t enjoy doing the airplane because it is kind of lame.

My gripe about the projects is that they aren’t unique to this book, like I thought Klutz would be. As a teenager who does paper crafts, I have seen these origami folds in many other places because they are fairly common. Young children, and others with no paper folding experience, would enjoy this book more.

Each project has humorous background pictures corresponding to each project. The illustrations, however, are hard to see and should be a little bigger with more detail.

The book and paper set includes lots of paper, enough to do all the projects with extras. The papers are very colorful but the patterns are like wallpaper from the 70’s. I think there should be more plain colored papers and perhaps more modern patterns. In its next printing of the book, Klutz should include a bone folder for tight corners and crisper paper folds.

In summary, if you have done origami before, forget this book. But, if you need a good introduction, this is an excellent and entertaining primer.

Recommended Reading

Origami by Anne Akers Johnson

Also see

Wings and Things: Origami That Flies, by Stephen Weiss

Complete Origami: an A-Z of Facts and Folds, With Step-By-Step Instructions for over 100 Projects, by Eric Kenneway

Product Resource Guide

Origami Paper, 24 7" x 7" Sheets in 12 Colors

Large Origami Paper by Dover Publications Inc, 24 9" X 9" Sheets in 12 Colors

Pacon Origami Paper, Pack Of 55 Sheets

Article Description: A review of the spiral-bound hardcover "Origami" by Anne Akers Johnson, published by Klutz Press.

Project - Wedding Party Favors Your Guests Will Adore

Do you have small pieces of paper, snips of trim and other craft scraps left over from another project? You can make personalized wedding party favors your guests will keep forever. Even the tiniest bit of fabric can turn an ordinary item into a darling brooch, pocket treasure chest or homage to something wonderful. Try your hand at altering a matchbox with these step-by-step project instructions. ~ by Kim M. Bayne


Personalized for the Mother of the Bride

Materials & Tools List

Cardboard Matchboxes, like Strike On Box Matches 32 count by Diamond Brands

Paper Trimmer, like Fiskars 12" Portable Paper Trimmer Item #95987097

Good Pair of Comfortable, Teflon-like Coated Scissors for Cutting Tape, like Armada Velvet Touch Scissors

Tacky Double-sided Tape, like Art Accentz Terrifically Tacky Tape Roll in 1 & 1/16 inch and 1/8 inch widths, by Provo Craft

Sticker Paper for Making Glitter Lace Paper

[Related Article]

Purple Fabric Ribbon, like 5mm (3/16 inch) wide 100% Polyester Spool O' Ribbon by Offray

One Bunch of Small Artificial Flowers in Lavender, like Modern Romance Item #MR6975-79 by Hirschberg Schutz & Co.

Wire Wrapping Stick, like a Mandrel from the Wire Worker Set by Artistic Wire

White, Thick and Tacky Paper Crafting Glue, like Aleene's Tacky Glue

Metallic Acrylic Paint, like Dazzling Metallics in Purple Pearl by DecoArt

1/2-inch Wide Foam Brush for Applying Acrylic Paint

Hand Held Paper Punch, like 1/8-inch Round Punchline Punch Item #52400 by McGill

Strands of Tiny White Faux Pearls (Plastic), like 4mm White Pearls by Darice

Small White Plastic Imprinted Beads, like Alphabet and Heart Beads by Crafts Etc.

Small Wooden Purple Button for Embellishing Inside of Matchbox Tray

Small Wooden Bead for Creating a Tray Handle

Flower-shaped Sequin in White or Lavender

Jewelry Pin Backs, like 1/4-inch Nickle Plated Steel Pin Back Item #1880-61 by Darice


Some of the Supplies You'll Need

The Steps
(Click to enlarge each image. Another browser window will open.)

1. To determine the size of your decorative paper, measure the length, width and height of your matchbox. I used different matchboxes for this project but I strongly recommend Diamond Brands. Diamond's cardboard is sturdier than other matchboxes, making it the best choice for crafts applications.


2. Cut your sticker paper to the size needed for wrapping around the box. Use the sticker paper to make glitter lace paper in purple and silver.


3. Apply double-stick tacky tape around the sleeve of the matchbox, covering most of the surface.


4. Remove the backing on the tacky tape. Wrap the glitter lace paper around the matchbox, taking care to align the edges.


5. Use a small piece of tape to adhere the end of the glitter lace paper to itself.


6. Trim any paper that extends beyond the box edges.


7. Tape or glue the fabric ribbon around the box ends.


8. Select a flower and leaf from your artificial flower bunch. Hold the petal and leaf tops together and twist a few times around each other. Tightly wrap the individual stems around the shaft of a wire wrapping tool.


9. Glue the flower on the front of the matchbox sleeve.


10. Paint the matchbox tray both inside and out. Paint it twice, allowing it to dry between coats. The picture shows a sampling of colors.


11. After the paint has dried, punch two small holes in a short side of the matchbox tray. This is where you'll fashion a handle for opening your treasure box. You may have to squeeze hard to punch through the tray if the cardboard overlaps.


12. Glue the pearl strand to the inside of the matchbox tray, around all four corners.


13. Wrap the stem of another flower around the wire tool. Glue the flower inside the tray. Glue a small button, alphabet and heart beads, and/or other embellishments inside the matchbox tray.

14. Thread a flower stem or piece of wire through a wooden bead and the tray holes. Twist the wire ends loosely to avoid tearing the box holes. You now have a handle to pull open the matchbox drawer.


15. Glue a pin clasp to the back of the matchbox. After the glue has dried, you're ready to wear your miniature art creation.


Project Tips

If you're making several matchbox pocket shrines for wedding favors, simplify your design for faster assembly.

Excessive handling may cause glitter to rub off on your hands. You may wish to spray your glitter lace paper with an acrylic matte sealer before attaching the paper to the box.

Once you've applied the glitter lace paper to the tacky tape, it's on for good. Don't try to reposition it or you'll tear it and/or the matchbox.

If punching holes in the tray is too hard or frustrating, forget about it! Glue your wooden bead to the outside of the tray instead.

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Additional Reading

Artful Bride Wedding Favors & Decorations: A Stylish Brides Guide to Simple, Handmade Wedding Crafts, by April L. Paffrath, Paula Grasdal, Livia McRee.

Fabulous Favors: Favors for Parties, Weddings, and Holidays, by Beverly Clark

Creative Wedding Keepsakes You Can Make: by Terry L. Rye, Laurel Tudor

Product Resource Guide

Out of time? Find hundreds of ready-made wedding favors here!

Buy your craft supplies at MisterArt.com

Wholesale Arts & Crafts Supplies

Most project photos on this page were taken with a 5.0 MP resolution KODAK EASYSHARE DX4530 Zoom Digital Camera

Article Description: Do you have pieces of paper, snips of trim and other craft scraps left over from another project? Alter a matchbox into a personalized party favor your guests will adore.

Technique - Enhance Your Art with Glitter Lace Paper

Make beautiful glittery paper from left-over stickers or mailing labels. Imagine the possibilities!

In a recent collage swap, someone included a scrap of ecru-colored fabric lace. I was happy for this trade because I had wanted to play around with a masking technique using lace, sticker paper and glitter. I've seen this demonstrated at several crafts shows and in classes. I'll illustrate it for you here now. ~ by Kim M. Bayne

Materials & Tools List

Scrap Piece of Fabric Lace

Fine Glitter in Ruby (Red) and Silver, like Art Accentz Microfine Sparklerz Glitter, by Provo Craft

Sticky-Back Paper, like Mailing Labels or Unwanted Bumper Stickers

Paper Trimmer, like Fiskars 12" Portable Paper Trimmer Item #95987097

Sizzix Personal Die-Cutter Machine

Tag Die, like the Sizzix Die for Tags #38-0236

Some of the Supplies You'll Need

The Steps
(Click to enlarge each image. Another browser window will open.)

1. Cut your sticker paper to the desired size, depending on your project.


2. Pick a surface in an area where you can contain the glitter. A small box is helpful. I often use the top of a file folder box because it's the perfect size. I slip in a letter-sized sheet to catch glitter as needed.

3. Peel the backing off your sticker paper. Now place the scrap of lace directly on the sticky side. Push down around the lace to make sure it sticks firmly -- you don't want any glitter to creep underneath the lace and spoil your design.


4. Sprinkle ruby red glitter on top of the lace. The exposed areas of the label will pick up the micro fine glitter while protecting the covered areas.


5. Brush away the excess glitter. You're almost halfway there!


6. Slowly peel the lace from the sticker paper.


7. Sprinkle silver glitter on top of the sticker paper.


8. Brush away the excess silver glitter and take a look. You have a beautiful piece of glittery, lace-like paper.


9. Using a tag die, like the Sizzix Die for Tags, cut the glitter lace paper into a tag shape. Now you can add your beautiful tag to gift packages, greeting cards, altered books or collage creations. Cutting tags is but one idea! Send me an email and tell me what you've done with your glitter lace paper.


Project Tips

After each glittering step, use your fingers to press down on the glitter to make sure it sticks to the paper.

Use a small spoon to sprinkle just a spot of glitter in an exact place on your sticker paper.

Experiment with different colors of glitter to see what you like best. Avoid combinations of dark colors -- like dark purple and blue -- you won't be able to see the lace-like pattern.

Try using pieces of sticker paper as a border around a rubber stamped, embossed or photocopied image. After the sticker paper is in place, add the glitter around your image.

Glitter Paper Surrounds Photos

Glitter Lace Paper Covers an Altered Matchbox

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Product Resource Guide

Buy your craft supplies at MisterArt.com

Most project photos on this page were taken with a 5.0 MP resolution KODAK EASYSHARE DX4530 Zoom Digital Camera

Article Description: Make beautiful glittery paper from left-over stickers or mailing labels. Imagine the possibilities!

Project - Stamp, Glue and Glitter an Altered CD

Tired of throwing away all those CDs you get in the mail? Use your rubber stamps, glue and glitter to create an eye-catching wall decoration or suncatcher. ~ Article by Kim M. Bayne


Butterflies on CDs (click to enlarge)

Materials & Tools List
· Unwanted CD (Compact Disk), usually received as unsolicited junk snail mail from a well-known online service
· Fast Drying Solvent Ink Pad, like StazOn Jet Black by Tsukineko< · Solvent Ink Rubber Stamp Cleaner, like StazOn Cleaner by Tsukineko
· Favorite Rubber Stamps, like Brenda Walton Dragonfly Item #990H17 by All Night Media Wood-Mounted Stamps
· White (Clear-Drying) Tacky Glue, like Sobo Premium Craft & Fabric Glue by Delta Technical Coating
· Embossing Heat Gun
· Fine Glitter in Blue and Purple, like Art Accentz Microfine Sparklerz Glitter in Sapphire and Lavendar, by Provo Craft
· Transparent Paint in Blue and/or Green, like DecoArt Liquid Rainbow Transparent Paint
· Fabric Ribbon, in Purple and Green, used to hang the CD after it has been decorated

The Steps
(CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE)

1. Select a CD to alter that you'll never use for the computer. Using a permanent black ink, like StazOn Jet Black, rubber stamp an image onto the shiny side of the disc. I selected a dragonfly stamp and stamped it three times. My design leads the eye upward to give it a feeling of flight. Notice how all the dragonflies are flying in relatively the same direction.


2. Using an embossing heat gun, heat set the solvent ink for a few minutes. Make sure you move the heat tool around often to avoid melting the disc in any one spot. Now let the CD cool down.



3. Once the CD is cooled, apply dots of glue in patterns around the dragonflies. Sprinkle glitter on top of the glue. Allow the glue to dry a few minutes then lightly tap off the excess glitter.

4. Apply liquid glue inside the wings of each dragonfly.


5. Sprinkle glitter liberally on to the tacky wings.


6. Allow the glue to dry a few minutes, then lightly tap off the excess glitter.


7. Using a small paintbrush, carefully brush off any glitter that didn't tap off.


8. Apply the transparent paint to the dragonfly's body. DecoArt Liquid Rainbow Transparent Paint creates a faux stained glass look so you'll be able to see the dragonfly's image through the paint after it dries.


9. Wait a day for the glue and paint to "cure" then tie colored ribbons through the CD hole to create a loop for hanging. See photo at the top of this page.

Project Tips
· You can speed up the drying time by using the heat gun in between steps. Be extra carefully to move the gun around or you will melt the CD.
· Choose your rubber stamp design wisely. This project works best using rubber stamps that have deeply etched bold lines.
· Make sure your CD is on a solid, level, non-slippery surface. You don't want the rubber stamp to slip while you're applying the dragonfly outline. But just in case you do experience "slippage," you can clean it up immediately with StazOn Cleaner.

Additional Reading
· Stamping with Style by Katherine Duncan Aimone
· Creative Stamping With Mixed Media Techniques by Sherrill Kahn
· Rubber Stamp Extravaganza by Vesta Abel

Product Resource Guide
· Buy your craft supplies at MisterArt.com
· Most project photos on this page were taken with a 5.0 MP resolution KODAK EASYSHARE DX4530 Zoom Digital Camera

Content copyright © by Kim M. Bayne. All rights reserved. This content was written by Kim M. Bayne and originally published on BellaOnline.com on May 14, 2004. If you wish to use this content in any manner, you need written permission from Kim.

Tips and Tricks - Digging Up Free Art Supplies

Tips and Tricks - Digging Up Free Art Supplies
by Kim M. Bayne

I'm often asked about being a "pack rat." The term comes up when I talk about how I gather my art supplies. For example, I'm an avid dumpster diver. I lie in wait for my next-door neighbor to take out his trash then secretly rummage through his discards to find materials for assemblage.

Last week, while picking through broken egg shells and rotten cabbage, I came across a used toothbrush. I thought, "How could someone throw away something so incredibly valuable?" I hid the treasure in my pocket and sneaked back to my house as fast as I could.

The next thing you know, I'm listing the toothbrush on eBay under the heading "Altered Art Collage Pack." Twenty-seven people bid on it, with the final auction price ringing up a whopping $275.87. And to think my neighbor thought his discarded personal hygiene implement was mere junk.

Okay, I'm sure you're thinking I've lost it by now. Yep, gotcha! It's April Fools' Day.

Have a fun day...and don't take anything too seriously.

---

Summary: Learn how to turn stained t-shirts, broken plastic spoons and belly button lint into art findings that you can sell for millions.

Project - Altered Books - A Small Gift of Love

Never altered a book before? This is a great first timer's project, with the simplest of techniques. To start, look around for miniature gift books -- the perfect size for altering on a weekend.

While shopping a charity book sale, I found copies of "A Precious Moments Gift of Love," by Samuel J. Butcher and "Simple Wisdom," illustrated by Roxanna Villa. I snagged them for 20 cents each. I altered the first book and used quotes from the second one for collage. ~ Project and Photos by Kim M. Bayne



Materials & Tools List
· Gift-sized Hardbound Book(s), Recommended Sizes: 0.75 x 3.5 x 3 inches
· Creative Memories Custom Cutting System Tools, oval patterns plus self-healing cutting mat and blade cartridges
· Paper Pizazz Ephemera Background Papers, by Hot Off The Press
· Dark Red Paper or Cardstock
· Red Glass Beads
· Heart Charms, Brass and Pewter
· Clear Rigid Plastic or Acetate
· White (Clear-Drying) Tacky Glue, like Sobo Premium Craft & Fabric Glue by Delta Technical Coating, Inc., for non-paper items and the niche interior
· Double-Stick Tape, for plastic window
· Glue Stick, for pages and paper collage
· Vintage Photo of Woman Reading
· Scrap of Fabric Lace
· Die Cut Hearts from Dark Red Paper
· Heart Stickers
· Quotes Torn from Second Unwanted Book (noted above)
· Photo of Vintage Automobile, found in Paper Pizazz Journey Ephemera, by Hot Off The Press
· Piece of Black Paper or Cardstock
· Scrap of Black Background Paper with White Text
· Paperback Dictionary Page with Definition of the word "love"
· Paper Heart Punch
· Oval Medium Blank Page Pebbles™, by Making Memories
· Two Cancelled Postage Stamps, with Flower Images
· Fibers in Gold and Pink, for the Book Spine
· Plastic Heart Beads in Pink, Red and Purple
· White Tissue Paper Imprinted with Gold Hearts
· Pink Inkpad
· Cosmetic Sponge or Wedge
· Red Glitter

The Steps
(Click to enlarge each image. Another browser window will open.)

1. Open the book in the middle and place a cutting mat behind a single right-hand page. Cut an oval in the middle of the page. Trace the oval on the next page and cut. Repeat until you cut almost all of the right-hand pages, from the middle to the back, with the exception of the last two.

2. Cut two pieces of ephemera background paper, each the same size as a two-page book spread. Fold each paper in half vertically. Slip a piece into your book, behind a cut page and trace (with a pencil) ovals onto the paper. On the first paper, cut one oval on the right half only. On the second paper, cut two ovals, one oval on both halves of the paper (see final book layouts for clarity).

3. Cut a small piece of clear plastic to create the oval window pane. Between the second and third cut pages, tape the plastic piece over the oval. Glue pages together. You've created a small window.

4. Move the window page out of the way to the left. Glue the remaining right-hand pages together, one at a time, working to the back of the book.

5. Clip the glued pages together with bulldog or other large clips. Using your finger, apply wet glue to the inside cut edges of the oval. Add glue to the back of the oval then fill the niche with a scrap red paper oval, glass beads and a heart-shaped charm.

6. Move the window page out of the way to the right. Glue the remaining left-hand pages together, one at a time, working to the front of the book.

7. Collage the first altered book page spread.
Background:
· ephemera paper, aligned to the book ovals
Now add...
On the Left:
· different scrap of background paper (white words on black)
· paperback dictionary page with the definition for "love"
· punched paper heart with the word "passion"
· plastic page pebble
On the Right:
· die-cut red paper heart
· red heart sticker
· quote from "Simple Wisdom" gift book

9. Now you'll make a pop-up image. Trim an illustration of a vintage automobile and glue it on stiff black paper. Trim the black background paper around the image so it creates a thin border. Fold the automobile in half vertically and away from you. Fold about a half inch on each side of the automobile toward you for tabs. Glue or tape the tabs on the pages, taking care to allow spacing for the book to open and close, and for the automobile to "pop up."

10. Collage the second altered page spread.
Background:
· ephemera paper, aligned to the book ovals
Now add...
On the Left:
· scrap piece of lace, glued on an angle above window
· image of woman reading
· quote from "Simple Wisdom" gift book
On the Right:
· two cancelled flowery postage stamps

The Cover
11. Using a cosmetic wedge or sponge, apply pink inkpad color to the cover of the book. Apply liberally. Don't worry about blemishes on the book because you'll cover them with tissue paper next.

12. Tear decorative white tissue paper into pieces. Glue to the cover in a random fashion.

13. Glue heart charms to the front of the cover using the white tacky glue. Fill the cover charms with glue and add red metal sprinkles or glitter.

14. Cut three to four 12-inch strands of fiber. Thread the fibers through the spine and tie the ends together. Add beads to the ends of several fibers.

Project Tips
· Line up your background paper exactly with the sides of the book page before you trace your ovals.
· Cut ovals in your background paper before you glue together the pages and niche.
· For pages, use a glue stick for the fastest drying time and least amount of mess.
· A scrap piece of paper, slipped behind a book page, allows you to glue all the way to the page edges.
· Be generous when applying glue, to hold your pages and treasures in place.

Additional Reading
· Altered Books 101 by Beth Cote
· Altered Books 102: Beyond the Basics by Beth Cote
· Altered Books 103: Little Books, Decos, CDs & More! by Beth Cote, Keely Barham

Product Resource Guide
· Buy your craft supplies at MisterArt.com
· Most project photos on this page were taken with a 5.0 MP resolution KODAK EASYSHARE DX4530 Zoom Digital Camera

Article Description: No time? Complete this altered book project in a weekend.

Technique - Making Packing Tape Image Transfers

I'm working on some pages for a new altered book project. The theme is "time," any aspect. I'll start with an obvious image -- watches -- and see where the creative process leads me.

Recently, there was a question about how to make packing tape image transfers, posted to the alteredbooks list on Yahoo! Groups. I decided to make transfers of watch images found in magazines just to answer that question.

What are these image transfers good for? They look great glittered or gilded from behind, suspended in a greeting card window, or slipped into a slide mount tacked on a page. ~ Article by Kim M. Bayne

Materials & Tools List
· Popular Magazines or Other Publications with Glossy Paper Stock and Plenty of Photographs
· Roll of Clear Packing Tape, like Scotch 3750 Box Sealing Tape
· Aluminum Cookie Sheet
· Spoon, Bone Folder or Burnishing Tool
· Scissors, like Armada Velvet Touch Scissors
· Plastic Dish Pan
· Plain Ol' Tap Water

The Steps

1. Tear pictures out of unwanted magazines. I selected the monochromatic image of a Rolex watch, found in an ad running in Travel & Leisure magazine.

2. Trim close to and around the image you wish to transfer. I like using the Armada Velvet Touch Scissors because they're comfortable to hold.

3. Tear packing tape off the roll in strips about 8 to 12 inches long. Roll back the ends to affix to an aluminum cookie sheet, with the sticky side facing up. Now both of your hands are free to work. Sometimes I just tell my hubby to hold the tape for me so he "sticks" around to see what I'm doing (pun intended).

4. Place the image side of your clipping face down onto the sticky side of the tape.

5. Burnish the image (rub the back of a spoon or other tool over the back of the picture) to adhere it securely to the tape.

6. Here's a neat trick: fold a half inch of the tape back onto itself (to form a tab) then put the tape piece back on the tape roll. Now burnish the image without worrying about it sticking to your tools. When you're done, lift the "tab" you made and remove the tape piece from the roll easily.

7. Put a few inches of tap water into a plastic dish pan. Place your tape in the water (paper and sticky side face down). Walk away and do something else.

8. After the tape has soaked a bit, gently rub the paper off the back of the image using your finger.



9. When you've removed most of the paper, you will see that the ink has adhered to the tape.

10. Your images are now ready to use in a project of your choice. By the way, the sticky side of the tape should still work, if you want to stick the transfer directly on an altered book page or other paper project.

Project Tips
· Glossy pubs seem to work best and have the best clarity after transferring.
· You can use color or black/white images -- both work for this image transfer technique.
· Trim close around your image. If you forget to trim any of the background, it could show up in the finished transfer. I left some background around the larger watch image so now I have a bit of green surrounding the watch outline.
· Before soaking, peek at the glossy side of the tape under a strong light and at an angle to check for bubbles or gaps between the tape and the image. Burnish again until these are gone.
· Soaking Times: For thin paper, check back in about 10 minutes. For thick paper, you may need a little longer. I often let my tape soak overnight and forget about it. The paper comes off easier when I do that, but I have to admit sometimes the tape curls.
· After soaking the tape, avoid rubbing the paper too hard or you might damage your transferred image and be unhappy with the results.
· The Armada Velvet Touch Scissors have Teflon on them, so when you trim your final transferred image, the packing tape won't stick to the blades.

Product Resource Guide
· Buy Armada Velvet Touch Scissors at MisterArt.com
· Project photos taken with a 5.0 MP resolution KODAK EASYSHARE DX4530 Zoom Digital Camera

Article Description: Learn how to make quick and inexpensive image transfers with easy-to-find packing tape.

Project - Artist Trading Cards - An Arizona Sunset

One of the biggest trends in paper crafting is Artists Trading Cards. These 2.5 by 3.5 rectangular cards are the artist's equivalent of business cards. Scrapbooking conferences and similar expos often have trading sessions where attendees can swap and build a great collection of cards.

If you haven't tried your hand at making your own ATCs, I'll take you through the steps of how I built my own. Here is the first in a series of articles on creating ATCs.

The theme for an ATC can be anything you desire. I live in Tucson and creating artist trading cards with a local theme was a natural for me. First up, an Arizona sunset ATC. I used layers to create a floating three-dimensional look for the cards.


CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE

Materials & Tools List
· Picture of Arizona sunset cut from a local brochure
· Plastic or Acetate
· Cardstock for your ATC "canvas"
· Dark Brown Paper with a Leather-like Texture
· Puffy 3D Star Stickers in Colors
· White Sticker Paper or Label Stock
· Green and Beige Inkpads, Different Shades
· Medium Point Black Marker
· Scissors and/or Paper Trimmer
· Scallop Corner Punch from Armada Art 6-Pack Corner Punch Art Set
· Double Stick Tape or Scrapbooking Adhesive Tape

The Steps
(Click to enlarge each image. Another browser window will open.)

1. Cut color pictures from magazines or glossy brochures to suit your theme. Crop each image to 2.5 by 3.5 inches each. Cover up any writing on the image with matching color markers.


2. Cut clear plastic pieces to 2.5 by 3.5 inches each.


3. Cut card stock pieces to 2.5 by 3.5 inches each.


4. Freehand draw or trace the outline of a Saguaro cactus onto the back of white sticker paper.


5. Using a direct-to-paper technique, dab or rub green inkpads onto the front of the sticker paper. Use a blender pen or tissue to blend the colors to create a softer look for the cactus green.

6. Cut out the cactus shape from the sticker paper. Using a black marker, freehand draw scribbles and lines to create the shading in the cactus.


7. Peel the backing off the cactus and stick it to the plastic layer, slightly right of center.

8. Tear a 1/2-inch wide piece of brown paper. Adhere the brown piece to the front of the plastic layer at the bottom of the cactus. This becomes the "ground."


9. Assemble the ATC card layers in this order: plastic layer with cactus, Arizona sunset layer then card stock layer with any printed side hidden in the "sandwich."


10. You might not be able to fit the top left corner into the corner punch after you apply the puffy stars, so cut the top corners now. Hold, but don't glue, the three ATC layers together. Position the card sandwich into the punch, then carefully cut the top corners.


11. Apply three star stickers of different sizes to the front of the plastic layer, in the sky to the left of the cactus.

12. Apply adhesive directly behind the cactus, brown paper and stars on the back of the plastic layer. Adhesive should be hidden when you assemble the layers. Do not apply adhesive anywhere else on the plastic unless you want it to be visible from the other side. Place the plastic layer on top of the sunset layer, being careful to align the scalloped corners.


13. Apply adhesive to the back of the sunset layer and attach it to the card layer, again aligning the scalloped corners. If you didn't cut them the first time, you can now cut the bottom corners with the scallop punch.

14. Sign the back of your ATC to identify yourself. I include a sticker with my name and email address instead -- it's faster for me and easier to read at a glance. In addition, you may wish to number each ATC you create as part of a series. I number mine in batches of nine, since trading card sleeves hold nine cards. This Arizona sunset artists trading card is my first in a series of identical cards. I labeled it 1 of 9.

Project Tips
· When you go to a trade show, everyone wants to stick brochures in your hand. Take a quick glance at the images before you say "no." You might decide to take this free paper home and recycle it after you read it.
· Old plastic report covers are great for recycling into ATCs. I've used both clear and colored vinyl covers for my ATC creations. Whenever my daughter wants to throw away an old folder or report cover, I try to salvage a 2.5 by 3.5 inch piece before it hits the trash.
· Second choice for plastic: packages, packages, packages. Open something you bought at a store and you've probably got clear plastic you can recycle into an ATC.
· Discarded folders and old cardboard take-out menus are great for free, interesting card stock. I recycled a local pizza parlor menu for this ATC.
· If you use layers, decide if you want to cut your paper corners before or after the ATC is assembled. You may have to experiment to see what works best for your design.

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Product Resource Guide
Find your choice of materials online. Shop for:
· Dotto Adhesive Applicator
· Scotch Double Stick Tape
· Jo-Ann Scrap Essentials 3pc Precision Scissors
· Fluid Chalk Inkpad-Dark Moss
· ColorBox Pigment Ink Pads
· Fujifilm Photo Sticker Paper
· Avery White Inkjet Labels, Shipping, 3 1/3in. x 4in
· EK Success Corner Adorner Punch - Corner Stone
· Victorian Frame
· Dual Sided Cardstock, 12x12" - Neutral Colors
· Brown Decorative Paper at Amazon.com
· Most project photos on this page were taken with a 5.0 MP resolution KODAK EASYSHARE DX4530 Zoom Digital Camera