Let's Make ATCs!

When I want to relax, I make ATCs.....Artist Trading Cards.  ATCs are 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" in size or the size of an average playing card.  They're super fun to make and a terrific way to share and trade your art with other artists from around the world.  This month I'm  hosting a SWAP and I hope you join us!  Click HERE for rules on how to enter.  Since they are due on February 10th (right before V'day) I thought it would be fun to have a LOVE theme.  Seems like we all need a little more of that these days.  Remember, make art, trade it with friends and always Make Your Mark!

A few of the new pieces I'm swapping!

Big fan of this vintage strong man image

Watch how to make them here

STUFF I USED

Playing cards

Lace

Americana Acrylic in any yellow

DecoArt Decoupage

DecoArt Dazzling Metallics in Bright Brass

DecoArt Media in Cobalt, Red and Interference in Gold

DecoArt Craft Twinkles in Gold

Therm•o•web Deco Foil (for gold leaf accents)

Stick on rhinestones

Optional:  Sewing machine

 1. 2. & 3.  Paint the card in yellow, then gold

3. & 4. Cut lace squares the size of each card and decoupage over the gold

5.  Paint over your images with a nice red

6. Cut out hearts, rip book pages and cut more images for your cards

*Try the GraphicsFairy.com for some amazing images to print out and use

7. & 8.  Decoupage the ripped pages, hearts and images over the lace

9.  For more texture I stitched around the cards with my sewing machine

*You could hand stitch with some bold thread if you wanted

10.  Add a word or phrase

11.  Paint with Interference in Gold to add a beautiful metallic shimmer to the surface

12.  Edge with a bright color

13.  Add gold leaf accents with Therm•o•web Deco Foil

14.  Glitterize with Craft Twinkles

15.  Add even more sparkle with stick on rhinestones

Download and print these out for the back of your cards

Happy #ThursDIY!

Hearts, hearts and more hearts and

lots of lovely things to get you inspired this weekend!  

Happy #ThursDIY!

Reminder!  You have until February 7th to get your ATCs to me for the swap!

I can't wait to start sending them out.  Contact me at

MarkMontanoNYC@aol.com if you need more info. 

Margot Potter stamps on hearts! I love a good Valentine's day ornament, don't you! 

  http://diydoyenne.com/metal-stamped-valentine-hearts/ 

Cathy Attix dyes a sheepskin rug....a Valentine's day gift for your bootie!  http://ilovetocreateblog.blogspot.com/2015/01/diy-dyed-sheepskins.html 

Cathie Filian makes super cute rose rings....A terrific little gift for the holiday!

http://youtu.be/i6Ek5ZS5krA 

Painted and stuffed Valentine's Day ornaments!  

See how I made them on the DecoArt site!

https://decoart.com/p/1346 

Aunt Peaches makes Yummy Yarn Hearts that look good enough to eat!

http://www.auntpeaches.com/2013/01/yarn-hearts.html 

 Dimensional Fabric Bracelets are a terrific way to use up those

leftover bits that you don't want to toss!  Embellish them with 

Allure Dimensional Design Adhesive Paint from E-6000! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3cshffdI8Q

Make colorful striped vases on an old record player!  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4q7Wj17prCA

Happy #ThursDIY!

Happy ThursDIY, everyone!  Today I'm sharing 8 fun projects to help you kick off 2015!  Margot rocks perler beads, Aunt Peaches shows you how to make beautiful tassels in minutes and I'm hosting an Artist Trading Card swap.  If you want to get involved with it, e-mail me at MarkMontanoNYC@aol.com.

I'd love for you to get involved.

Heather Mann shows us how to make simple bunting for Valentine's Day: http://dollarstorecrafts.com/2014/12/tutorial-simple-valentine-bunting/

Cathie demonstrates how to decoupage a frame with patterns and easy zipper flowers:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8aVe-XtjTU&feature=youtu.be

Cathy Attix creates a ribbon and chain bracelet. Stack a bunch of these! 

http://www.trinketsinbloom.com/diy-ribbon-and-chain-bracelet/

Margot Potter makes a super cool perler bead necklace. Love the colors!

http://diydoyenne.com/perler-bead-necklace-diy/

Aunt Peaches shows us how to make a tassel necklace in 5 minutes. Awesome!

http://www.auntpeaches.com/2014/08/five-minute-tassel-necklaces.html

Check out how I made these huge kraft paper feathers! Chic centerpiece look...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JdOXCzA4ng

Crafty Chica creates metal stamped charms... and in Spanish! Wow!

http://www.craftychica.com/2014/12/metal-stamped-charms/

I'm hosting an event to swap artist trading cards! Check out the DIY and more info here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ut_99BTn46I

Make fun bookends by spray painting old trophies!

http://www.seesawstore.com/winning-bookend/

Artist Trading Cards DIY and SWAP!

I can't stop making ATCs..... Artist Trading Cards.  For me, making them is like taking a creative cigarette break without the smell and yellow teeth.  No offense to the smokers out there!

This month I'm hosting an ATC SWAP and contest to win DecoArt's Mixed Media Starter Kit.  I'm also showing you how to make your own rubber stamps using a heat gun and kid's sticky back foam.  If you would like to participate in my swap, simply write to me for the information at: 

MarkMontanoNYC@aol.com.

I'll send you everything you need to know.

 Just a few of the hundreds I've made over the last few months

A few of my new rubber stamps

Watch the video here!

YOU'LL NEED:

Wood blocks

Sticky back craft foam

Cardboard

Americana Multi-Surface Satin Paints

Stamp pad

White glue

Hot glue gun

Items with texture (I used a beaded appliqué)

Heat gun

Clip art

Paintbrushes

 Cut and stick 3 layers of sticky back foam to a wood block

Draw a design on cardboard

Trace over the design with hot glue

Heat your sticky foam wood block until the edges begin to curl

Firmly press the heated foam block onto the raised hot glue design to make your stamp

Spread a thick layer of paint on a flat surface

"Ink" your stamp with the paint and press onto a card

You can also use an ink pad with the stamps

Cut out clip art images and glue them to your stamped cards 

Paint around the edges with metallic paint and by rubbing the edges over the ink pad

Fill in the clip art images with more color

Add more stamping

Decoupage small pieces of paper, book pages and quotes 

Be creative and experiment!

A few of the cards I'll be sending out for the swap!

Make sure to write to me for more information at 

MarkMontanoNYC@aol.com