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Thursday, February 14, 2013

Love ATC Box Tutorial

Happy Valentine's Day!! Today we are having a special blog hop on the Sizzix blog where the DT members have used dies from Eileen Hull's brand new collection From the Heart, together with dies from her previous collections. There are prizes to be won on the Sizzix blog too and the team has done a wonderful job as always. Don't miss all the other projects, so much inspiration!

If you follow my blog, you probably already know that I love Eileen's dies and all the things you can do with them. This time, I made an Artist Trading Card Box, filled with ATCs. I also used quite a few of other dies and lots of ink and stamps.

Here's the finished project. The Artist Trading Card Box die is such a great die, I can think of lots of things to do with it. I kept changing my mind about what colours to use on this project, finally deciding on a pretty traditional love colour combo. I made a step-by-step tutorial for how I did this:
 
The Artist Trading Card Box die is a movers & shapers die, so you can place other dies inside it and cut out a window. I used the label from Eileen's Heart & Label. Die cut the box from white mat board.

Stamp the vines from the Hero Arts Friend Collage stamp set and clear emboss, on both sides of the box, just remember to turn the stamp around when you stamp the back of the box.

Ink with Distress Inks and an ink blending tool. I used Antique Linen, Tattered Rose, Victorian Velvet, Barn Door, Fired Brick and Vintage Photo. The embossed image resists the ink. Mat board inks beautifully.

Put a little bit of Picket Fence Distress Stain in a mini mister together with a small plastic bead (see this video by Tim Holtz for this fun technique). Shake and unscrew the mister. Tap the mister on your finger so that the ink splatters on your project. Dry with a heat gun, but be careful of burning the embossing powder.

When dry, stamp with a love definition stamp and Fired Brick ink. Hold the stamp in your hand instead of mounting it on a cling block, for a more random impression. I stamped it twice before inking it again.

Sentiments were stamped with Archival Jet Black ink on both sides and on the lid of the box.

I glued a piece of mica behind the label window, if you don't have mica, you can use vellum or acetate instead. For a vintage look, stain the acetate with alcohol ink. Place adhesive on both flaps. I used Wonder Tape. Assemble the box, which is very easy since the die both cuts and scores the mat board.

Time to make some flowers! Eileen has designed many flower dies, and it is fun to mix them with each other. I used the Wrapped Flower and cut a whole bunch of flowers from Core'dinations Kraft-Core, Tim Holtz tissue wrap, old book pages and dictionary page and tulle. I also die cut some flowers using the new Flower Layers w/Heart Petals die.

The Kraft-Core flowers were sanded, inked and shaped a bit, the dictionary flowers were inked and crumbled and the book page flowers were just inked. I crumbled up the tissue wrap flowers too, but didn't ink them (forgot to include them on this photo).

I used mainly Glossy Accents to assemble my flowers, starting from the flower centre and adding layer after layer, shaping the petals as I went a long. The last two layers are Heart Petal flowers and were glued to the rest with a hot glue gun, making sure some of the hot glue seeped up into the centre of the flower too.

I made two flowers and had enough to make a third one too. First I planned to use the bigger one on the ATC box, but it looked a bit too big on the box, so I picked the smaller one to the left instead. It has a flower trimmings centre.

The flowers were smeared with Distress Stickles Antique Linen.

Die cut leaves, a banner and a key from white cardstock, using the Hearts & More Sizzlits set.

Coat them with embossing ink and emboss with platinum embossing powder, melt and directly cover with a second layer of powder and heat again. Do one at a time and you'll have great little faux-metal embellishments. I did a heart too, from the same set of dies.

Glue the leaves to the box with Glossy Accents and the flower with hot glue.

I wanted the banner to just spell 'love' so I covered up everything except the heart with letter stickers. It was inked and glued over the label window.

 Here's a view of the box from the side.

The back of the box. I found different quotes about love, and used them on my ATCs.

Cut ATCs from smooth cream cardstock and stamp with Archival Jet Black ink. I used stamps from Tim Holtz, Darkroom Door and Artistic Outpost.

Ink the images with Distress Inks. I used a marker on the tiniest areas (the alphabet), a craft nib for the slightly larger areas (such as the flowers, birds and number) and an ink-blending tool everywhere else.

To add texture and bling, I applied Platinum Stickles and Crackle Accents on a few places on the cards. The quotes were printed on ledger paper and cut into strips.

You might see that there is Crackle Accents on the flowers. The crinkle ribbon was dyed with Distress Stains Victorian Velvet and Barn Door.

The lace trim was dyed with Antique Linen Distress Stain. There is Crackle Accents on the number and Platinum Stickles on the crown.

The flower trim was dyed with Antique Linen.

On this ATC I used an embossed key and a piece of twine. There is Platinum Stickles on the 'a'.

I am fond of using quotes, and this project was perfect for that.

Crackle Accents on the flowers and a pen nib pointing at the letter in the man's hand.

I am finishing the post with this lovely qoute and two happy birds.

These are the blogs you'll want to visit:

Anna-Karin Evaldsson (you are here!)

Thank you for looking at this long post!!

Happy crafting!

Anna-Karin

Supplies:
Dies: Sizzix: Artist Trading Card Box, Wrapped Flower, Flower Layers w/Heart Petals, Heart & Label, Hearts & More Sizzlits set,
Surfaces: Sizzix Little Sizzles Mat Board white 6x13; Core'dinations Tim Holtz Kraft-Core cardstock; Tim Holtz Idea-ology Melange tissue wrap; Neenah cream smooth cardstock; old book and dictionary paper; tulle
Stamps: Hero Arts: Friend Collage AC022, Be SIlly CL635; Stamper's Anonymous Tim Holtz: Stuff to Say, The Boys, Love Struck; Darkroom Door: Love Letters Vol.1, Love Letters Vol. 2 Artistic Outpost Think & Wonder, Windows & Doors, Bluebird
Ink: Distress Ink: Antique Linen, Tattered Rose, Victorian Velvet, Vintage Photo, Barn Door, Fired Brick; Archival Ink Jet Black; Ranger Emboss-It clear dabber
Stain: Distress Stain Antique Linen, Victorian Velvet, Barn Door, Picket Fence
Stickles: Platinum Stickles, Antique Linen Distress Stickles
Embossing powder: Ranger clear and platinum
Embellishments: Tim Holtz Idea-olgy trimmings ribbon; US ArtQuest Mica; lace trim; pearls
Adhesive: Ranger Glossy Accents, Crackle Accents, Wonder Tape; hot glue


56 comments:

  1. WOW! This is gorgeous!! I can think of so many ideas for this ATC box! It is now on my MUST HAVE list! Again, LOVE your project!!!

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  2. The stamping and inking on that ATC box is gorgeous! Love how your flower turned out too!

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  3. Oh Anna-Karin- what can I say? How beautiful this is- every detail, quote, color, image, technique is perfect! I love how you used the white embossing powder and inked over it on the box- such a cool effect. And the platinum powder making paper look like metal? Totally doing that too... Thank you again for your always truly outstanding work- and for making my dies look so good!

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  4. What a treasure full of delights! Each ATC is perfection enclosed in a perfect box. Gorgeous project!!!

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  5. Amazing--it's just such a beautiful creation! I love the colors and the stamped words you chose.

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  6. Love how you did the resist on the box and I love the layers on the flowers. Just beautiful!

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  7. Absolutely gorgeous, love the embossing and rich warm colours. Love the ATC's too. Beautifully executed. Tracy x x

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  8. Your box is gorgeous! I love it!
    bbiswabic@new.rr.com

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  9. OMG Anna, this is an utterly amazing project! Probably one of my all time favourites anywhere in blogland, and trust me I have traveled a lot there and for a good many years! I love everything about this, from the colour combination and beautiful stamping on the box, to all the wonderful embellishments! And the ATCs? What can I say, each and everyone of them is stunning! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! So glad I found you through this blog hop, - I will be back!!

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  10. Wow! So much inspiration. I didn't think I needed an ATC box die - but now I do.

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  11. Amazing! I have got to get this die now. Love all the detail and the window (we're twins! I did that too!), so gorgeous!

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  12. Thanks for the truly beautiful ATC box, really love your tutorial.

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  13. Your projects take my breathe away! Just love them, Anna!

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  14. What a fantastic project the biz is amazing and the cards are wonderful this is a stunning set really love it
    Ria xxxxx

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  15. Stunning! Love your project! Thank you for sharing it with us!

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  16. Your card set is gorgeous! Not only is the box amazing but the cards are each so special and unique. Beautiful work! :)

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  17. Gorgeous beyond words! I so need this die. Your box and the ATCs are just wonderful!

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  18. This is truly the most stunning project - gorgeous! I love the techniques you have shown us, the colour variations - this sure has buzzed my crafty Mojo!

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  19. This is just beautiful, thank you for sharing with us.

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  20. Stunning! I so would love to have this in my hands...just spectacular! Your flower would make a lovely corsage for a special lady!

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  21. WOW! the box is beautiful - love the combination of colors you used!
    Sandra ltb

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  22. Wow wow wow!!! This is my favorite project of fathom all!!
    I love the stamp hat you used on the box and the technique you used . ThE ATCs are phenomenal too!!!!

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  23. Absolutely awesome work here! Love your ATC box and the stamping....so lovely!

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  24. This is a work of art! It is so beautiful! The colors, the attention to detail, the quotes, every thing is perfect. What beautiful artistry!

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  25. My ATC die is my favorite die from Sizzix, so I love your idea of the ATC box to store ATC from many swaps. I love that you start with a blank white 'canvas' and create such beautiful designs on paper!

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  26. What a great project! I love it. I have not made any ATC cards but will have to start now that i've seen yours.

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  27. Oh, Anna-Karin, I am at a loss for words. The box is beyond amazing - every little element is perfect - and the ATCs are each works of art in themselves. You are SO talented!!

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  28. Wowzers!! I am just blown away with this entire project. Your attention to detail, the colors you chose, the photography. The time it took to write your wonderful tutorial shows what a talented person you are. Thank you for all the hard work, and for sharing the details with us.

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  29. Anna-Karin
    This is beyond amazing. I found you through Craft A Scene and I just admire all your creations no matter what you are sharing. I'm a huge Tim Holtz fan and a fan of vintage you seem to encompass both so beautiful.
    Thanks for all the hard work on this tutorial.

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  30. Wow... I was already speechless at the box - the embossing, inking, stamping and that sensational flower... but then the ATCs - this is utterly, utterly glorious, Anna-Karin!
    Alison x

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  31. Absolutely gorgeous, I LOVE the colors; the box is amazing and those ATC...wow so awesome...I especially liked that layered flower on the box!!

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  32. Wat weer 'n pragtige dosie het jy gemaak! Dit lyk of dit sommer 'n lang tyd gevat het, en dit het regtig wonderlik mooi geword!

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  33. Just love the colors you are using!!!

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  34. Oh AK, you put my boxes to shame ;) This is gorgeous! I love every little detail and your ATCs are phenomenal as well!

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  35. wow this is awesome. alot of work

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  36. So fabulous ... the inking on the box is stunning.

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  37. Gorgeous, Anna Karin! I think this is one of the prettiest blooms I've encountered! - Vivian

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  38. Thank you for writing such a long post. I love the box and then such lovely ATC's. I have just started making ATC's and these are amazing. Definitely want this die.

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  39. Oh my goodness - what a magnificent project. I just love your box so prettily inked with the lovely metalic embellishments and stunning flower and then seeing all the wonderful ATCs inside. WOW! Lovely! Hugs, Lesley

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  40. Wow, I just found your site through a friend's recommendation and I'm just in awe...

    I have one silly question for you - with the little quotes that you've printed out, what font do you use? I'm trying to find a (free) font that has that authentic typewriter look to it but not having much luck.

    Thanks! Love your work.

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  41. AWESOME!! I LOVE your projects!! Such AMAZING details!! THANKS for sharing and have a Fabulous Week!! =)

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  42. Both the ATC box and the ATCs are beautiful. Love the way the ATC box took the ink. Thank you for the wonderful inspiration.

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  43. Gorgeous ATC box! Beautiful, rich colors and lovely design!
    DeniseB

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  44. Beautiful ATC box! I love that Hero Arts stamp too!

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  45. oh my! Your box looks amazing, and so do the cards that go inside. The closeups of your flowers really show off all the details. Thanks so much for sharing!

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  46. These are so beautiful! Each card is a miniature work of art. And..that box is AWESOME! I love how you did that.

    Beautiful work!

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  47. Love is the word that came to mind when I saw this! Beautiful!

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  48. How absolutely gorgeous is that box? But wait there's more!........ Stunning ATCs!

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  49. Lovely. Thank you for sharing. Your generosity with your construction recipe, supplies and technique is so thoughtful.

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Thank you so much for leaving a comment! Happy Crafting!