Cleaning rubber stamps and so much more

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Meet the Absorber:

I was tooling around online and saw a product sold by a popular stamp and die cut company that looked awesome. It's an absorbent cloth that will clean the ink off of a rubber stamp in one swipe.

Their price seemed a bit high without knowing it worked so I checked out some product reviews and learned that everyone who uses it loves it.

In the process of checking around I learned that the cloth is not something invented for rubber stamping--it's been around for some time for use with car washing and other chores.

Enjoy the Absorber: 

Store your Absorber cloths in zip close bag.
Keep them moist to be ready for use. If they do
dry out, Just moisten them again. Rinse them out
occasionally--the one in my hand is clean but
stained. I love the way they wipe ink off my hands
when I am stamping. I wipe ink pads too and prevent
smears from getting on my hands then paper.

I found it on Amazon in a larger size for a smaller price. I cut mine up into smaller pieces and shared with my artsy friends and also with my Sir Henry for use in the tool shed. Everybody loves it!

Even my artsy friends like the fabulous Lynn Barwald called to find out how she could get more. She hadn't used it in studio at all but in her kitchen!

This thing picks up tons of water if there's a spill. It wipes any wet or damp surface clean and shiny--like cars, counters, ovens, faucets, etc.  I've watched it pick up surface level ink, grime, water spots and all kinds of liquid spills.

This one is currently priced at $8.79 on Amazon. If you keep the entire 27" by 17" for yourself, you won't need another one with in the next few years. My fees from Amazon never, ever effect your purchase price.

I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. 

The ATC (artist trading card) vs the ACEO (artist card editions and originals)

ATC

In 2003 I wrote an article for "RubberStampMadness" magazine about artists' trading cards. Here is the introduction:

ATC by Norma Anne Chattin 2003 uses

a stamp from the Claudine Helmuth collection

with Stampington.

The Artist Trading Card, known as ATC, is a 2.5” by 3.5” miniature work of art usually created to trade with other artists. Eager traders love these small art forms because they offer the opportunity to try out new techniques, learn from other artists, and can be used to make larger projects. The original concept and size requirements comes from baseball and other trading cards.

Everyone from fine artists to the youngest beginner have jumped on the ATC band wagon.  The appeal includes:

• Easy to create in multiples
• Great way to try new techniques/tools
• Perfect for swaps with other artists
• A social art form
• Collectible

The original guidelines for ATC are 2.5" by 3.5", handmade art, and never sold only traded.

 

The photos published with the article were ATCs created by some of my friends in Richmond, Virginia as well as participants in a mail-in swap.  





ACEO

 

ACEO by Norma Anne Chattin 2014, collage.

Photo from BBC.com

A newer phenomenon has developed with the introduction of the artist card editions and originals, known as ACEO, which are original artwork or a print of original artwork.

Like ATCs, ACEOs may be made with any media, material, or method as long as they measure 2-1/2" x 3-1/2".   ACEOs are made with the intention to sell. .

The case of the missing photos...

I adore the BBC Sherlock. Season 3 just started.

I like how the episodes run about 2 hours--like a

mini-series.

I can't seem to locate the photos on my blog posts from January 2013 all the way back to 2007. Perhaps someone with more understanding of Blogger could help me out here?

What I know is that the vast majority of my photos have always been uploaded from my computer. These seem to comprise all the missing photos.

I drew/doodled this! I'm very excited. I was inspired by a

 design on Pinterest, but still, I love it.

Only lately have I been using photos directly from my phone without editing.

Since we're talking mysteries here...I recently joined an ATC swap group that will feature a different European city as the theme every month. February was London for the theme and embossing for the technique.

Here's the mystery part---I made two of my ATCs with Sherlock Holmes images.

Now please, someone, anyone? Even Ferris Buhler--please help me solve the mystery of disappearing photos. THANKS.

Mixing it UP a bit

Sir Henry and I have taken on a new saying here at the Taj Mahal in the trailer park. "2014 is the year of....." We've filled in the blank with everything from paying off my medical bills to modest portions, to releasing clutter and remodeling the living room.

We don't think of these as resolutions as much as we consider them goals. We love it.

My small art-big impact wish for you today :)
Original artwork ATC copyright nachattin 2014

I've started some personal "2014 is the year of...." and wanted to share them here (some you have already seen, but now they are all in one place).

2014 is my year of.... (in no particular order since they all matter)

• whole life living
• value driven lifestyle (faith, family, calling)
• back to living debt free
• back to a more comfortable and healthy clothing size
• self-defense mission rolled into my calling
• spending no more than $20.00 per month on immediately consumable art supplies (like glue, ink refills, etc.) with the exception of crop fees
• smoothie making
• small art with big impact (ATCs, tiny canvas, small altered items, even tiny cards)
• my first experience with Project Life style scrapbooking ( I haven't scrapped traditional style since 2008)
• increased internet presence and (subtle yet consistent) affiliation marketing
• reminding myself that "It's that Easy" (including consistency :)
• renewed commitment to the release and receive standard
• keeping it simple and focused

Based on these goals, I commit myself to using this blog for art as well as whole life living topics. After all, I am by my own definition:

"The Artful Tourist---Norma Anne Chattin, one who moves in delightful observation living like she is on vacation in a world of colors, textures, scents, and tastes. I am not afraid to ask directions and willing to talk to strangers. I share, I create, and I make friends easily with fellow travelers."

Expect more posts and greater variety of posts which are inclusive of my goals. I look forward to your comments and subscriptions (which I've never really promoted before but I have decided to increase my internet presence).



One little $10 personal alarm can
provide a HUGE amount of noise.
Order from my web site
http://www.mydamselpro.net/LIVESAFELIVEWELL/
 

Small ideas and big results

I won't get lost in the crowd, April 2013
Check out my ATC gallery
http://www.nachattin.com/artfulspiritATCgallery.html

I've been on my ATC streak for months now and it's still not getting old for me. After reading this article from Stampington Magazine's Art Journal publication--I'm inspired to explore small scale in my journaling too.

Stampinton Magazine publishers have got it together. In a time when so many printed publications in our industry are fading, they keep changing and adapting. Their magazines have always impressed me as more artsy and "high-end" than most others.

They are also hosting three art retreats a year called Art is Life.  I enjoy drooling over the workshops available--http://www.art-is-you.com/mysitecaddy/site3/ I am seriously considering some of their online workshops this summer.

Samples of ATC books from Alpha Stamps Design Team Online

Ah, the glorious artist trading card. I can't get enough. Alpha Stamps (no affiliation) has a new challenge out to make ATC accordian books with their products. The products are gorgeous and the designs splendid. My style has gone quirkly lately so I thought I'd share something totally different and totally gorgeous. Enjoy.

 Tool around the links on their blog to see a total of three design team books and check out the gallery for even more ideas.

ATC Cards for 7 days of Holy Week

Day Seven: Flower Bunny

Happy Easter! 

This week is the holiest time in the Christian church. It’s also the Passover celebration in the Jewish faith. Jesus was in Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover and that is where our Christian communion celebration originates. It is during this week that he was crucified and rose from the dead. (Just a short little “reason for the season” note for you).

Celebrate holy week and the last week of Lent with me this week as I prepare the seven ATCs of Easter.  These cards are all assembled from the spring/Easter ATCs that I have made recently.  As you may have read, I am unable to escape the calling to create ATCs lately. I like to put the little 3.5” by 2.5” treasures to work after I make them so that’s why I mounted them all on cards. Some are removable and some are not—but they got their start as ATCs.   

Easter Sunday Bonus--A few more ATC cards:

ATC Cards for 7 days of Holy Week

Day Six: Bunny foo-foo

 

 

 

ATC Cards for 7 days of Holy Week

Day 5: Blissful Bunny

 

 

ATC Cards for 7 days of Holy Week

Day Four: Torn Paper Chickee

 

 

ATC Cards for 7 days of Holy Week

Day Three: The Curvy Chick

 

 

ATC Cards for 7 days of Holy Week

Day Two: Joy

 

 



ATC Cards for 7 Days of Holy Week

Day One--The Happy Bird

 

Tendinitis in my wrist, hand, and thumb that occurred after these were made prevents me from typing lots of detail and instructions. Post a question here if you want to know a product or technique. I invite you to just celebrate and enjoy.

ATC Cards for 7 days of Holy Week

This week is the holiest time in the Christian church. It’s also the Passover celebration in the Jewish faith. Jesus was in Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover and that is where our Christian communion celebration originates. It is during this week that he was crucified and rose from the dead. (Just a short little “reason for the season” note for you).

This is not an ATC card but one I made from
the painted paper that my grand kids made I
just doodled and cut this big eyed bunny who
rests happily on a 5" by 7" card.

Celebrate holy week and the last week of Lent with me this week as I prepare the seven ATCs of Easter.  These cards are all assembled from the spring/Easter ATCs that I have made recently.  As you may have read, I am unable to escape the calling to create ATCs lately. I like to put the little 3.5” by 2.5” treasures to work after I make them so that’s why I mounted them all on cards. Some are removable and some are not—but they got their start as ATCs.   

Tendinitis in my wrist, hand, and thumb that occurred after these were made prevents me from typing lots of detail and instructions. Post a question below any day's design if you want to know a product or technique. I invite you to just celebrate and enjoy.

 

 

 

Cubist ATC

Here’s an ATC that was cheery and fun to put together. My inspiration came from a You Tube video by Dick Blick featuring the packs of blank ATCs available now in stores and online.  The video reminded me of how much fun cubist and abstract drawings are to create. I’ve been looking for some inspiration beyond vintage collage and scrapbook style ATCs. I used a rainbow ink pad as background and solid card stock collage shapes for the figure. The shiny parts you see were done with my “way cool” gel pens from Sakura.

This card was traded away in the Easy Swap we do at all of the First Christian Church’s Scrap & Stamp FUNdraiser . Join us for the next one on July 27, 2013. Email scrapfcc@verchat.org for reservations or information.

There's still time to sign up for the FREE wreath making workshop on March 9th in West Palm. Click here for details: http://www.artfultourist.blogspot.com/2013/02/freespring-wreath-workshop-at-first.html

Give a little bit of your art away

Small things are charming. I've been making artist's trading cards for over 10 years and they still feel new. The standard marketing line is "make it miniature or put it on a stick and you've got a top seller."

I'm working on an ATC gallery for NAChattin.com and I keep getting distracted by designs I want to try again or ideas that would be fun to teach. One of my latest favorite techniques with ATCs is to adhere them to a card base and make an "instant" greeting card.

I had the pleasure of exchanging trading cards in a swap last June with some amazing artists including Pam Grant. Here are two greeting cards I made with her Artist Trading Cards.

She used collage images of photos from the 1920s and jewel embellishments to create these treasures. I added a bit of ribbon or string and a print background card base from DCWV. Oh joy.

My little visitor

This original art ATC essentially just dropped into my studio yesterday. I was moving along, minding my own business in my journal and "poof" she flew in to my head and wouldn't let go until I gave her life on an ATC.

Mixed media: watercolor, Bic Marker, Sakura Glaze Gel Pens, lace, dictionary page die cut, PSX word stamp, white Sharpie paint pen.

ATC Time Traveling---A visit to the 20's with Three Muses

Three Muses challenged me to create an Artist Trading Card with a 1920’s inspiration. Like my marvelous friend and talented artist, Annette Dragon, I often stray outside of the boundaries even when the boundaries are self imposed. The challenge was to make any type of art with a 1920’s theme and I chose the ATC as my format before I proceeded to violate one of the first rules of ATC creation by making mine 3-D and putting it on a stick.

Materials:

Paper Temptress Card Stock: Star Dream Opal and Nero
Hero Arts G2812 Woman in Profile Artprints™ series rubber stamp
Designer Paper: K & Company
Old dictionary page, tiny green scrap
Bic Mark It™ coloring pens
Ranger Alcohol blending solution
EK Success water barrel brush (filled with blending solution)
Memories Black Ink
Copper & gold sewing thread
Beaded Fringe
Wooden skewer
Sakura Gel Pens—white, pale blue, and copper
¼” black foam adhesive
Golden gloss gel medium

Process and Artistic Observations:

--I thought of this stamp immediately when I read the challenge. I love the flapper style hair on the model. Since the stamp is smaller than standard ATC size it was fun and easy to just create a backing matte from the gorgeous Nero card stock.



Better view of card stock

 -The Star Dream Opal card stock base is a real dream to work with (yes, I had to go for that pun). The Memories dye ink stamped perfectly on the card stock but I wanted a more vintage effect so I blended the alcohol markers around much of the stamped script portions.

-Speaking of alcohol markersThe Bic Mark it™ pens glided beautifully over the paper and blended perfectly with alcohol blending solution.

-Technique used on the focal image of the design is stamped paper piecing. Stamp the image on several different styles and textures of paper and then cut out portions and glue them to the base stamped image. I used designer prints for the cut portions and colored those with markers as well.

-The paper pieces were applied with gel medium to allow more time for positioning before the adhesive dried. I also covered the image in a layer of the gel medium to give it more of an artsy appearance.

-The paper rose was created during my “blooming” flower obsession and saved for this project. See more about creating paper flowers in this article and on my web site.

-My friend and accomplished artist/instructor, Lynn Barwald and I love to joke about how everything is better on a stick. I used markers and gel pens to paint the wooden skewer in coordinating colors and sandwiched between the layers of the ATC for a fresh presentation.

Learn more about other great things you can do with finished ATC on my web site.
http://www.nachattin.com/artfulspiritATC.html

New Cards, Updates on ATC and Destination Heartfelt Art

Artwork Update:
In addition to the Artist Trading Cards added to the slide show, I made some fun cards and legacy pages this week. Shown here are some of the cards I made.

The Birthday Cone: Created around a sticker set I’ve owned for several years. I ‘puffed” the ice cream to give it dimension as well as aging the sticker with sand paper and ink.

The Now Moment: Done completely with scraps from the Club Scrap™ cardstock base (I haven’t been a member for 3+ years) to the polished stone inked background and stray die cuts—all collaged into a fun card.

The Birthday ATC: I used my Colluzle™ to cut a tiny envelope for an ATC and sent it as a gift on a card. The ATC is secured with another Club Scrap™ left over-the printed twist tie.

The Floral Tri-fold Pocket: The ladies on Jean’s Art Dolls had a challenge to make these cards from instructions on Split Coast ampers. //www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/trifold_pocket_card/ Mine came out very pink and festive.

The Taj Tri-fold Pocket II: My second attempt with this template evolved into a moving card for a friend. She’s not really moving; she is merely expanding her kingdom…

Seven seems to be my stopping point

As mentioned in the last post, I decided to try the 7/30/365 ATC challenge from Flickr. I made my seven, but I’m not sure I want to go forward. The effort helped “spawn” lots of other projects—still, I’m not motivated to go on and I haven’t made an ATC in two days now.

I posted the final three to the Flickr album at right. I like them all and if you visit the album on Flickr you can see the story behind each one. I think I may add the ones I didn’t give away to a legacy art piece as a collection.

Studio Make-over and Austerity Plan

I’ve had a set back in the Austerity Plan—of course, we addicts have lots of excuses that justify our mistakes and I’m no exception. I said I wouldn’t spend over $15.00 per month on my art supplies. I spent my $15 this month on adhesives, a bit of print paper, and some envelopes I needed for spring cards. That went very well. Then I watched Home Shopping Network for a special National Craft Month celebration and totally lost my resolve. My excuse was I had a little extra money that my Daddy had slipped me when he visited.

The item that was my downfall is the We R Memory Keepers™ Ultimate Cutting Tool Kit. It was especially designed for HSN and included a 17” by 14” magnetic mat, a circle cutter (their new one) plus the paper trimmer with scallop and straight blade, ruler, ergonomic cutting knife, extra blades, and magnets to keep your work in place. It was a Today’s Special Value with them for $29.95. Here’s a link to their site, currently priced at $39.95. If you click on the video you’ll see what I just couldn’t resist.

The purchase, and the inevitable guilt that followed, inspired me to do some additional work in the studio. I moved out a bunch of empty containers that I’ve been tripping over because I wanted to use them for organizing. I sorted a 12” high stack of papers and scraps that needed to be put away. I asked Sir Henry to stabilize a shelf I’ve been using to store papers which had sagged. I really did work.

I had one of the most productively creative weeks ever in the studio as well. The seven ATCs, three legacy art pieces, and several cards all flowed out this week. I also worked on the web site and posted some new pages as well as doing clean up. One set back doesn’t mean the end of my plan, it just means I’ve had a wake up call and now I’m back on track.

Nudge in the Right Direction

Big Inspiration in a small format
Explorations and destinations this week have been fruitful this week. I visited the web site of an old friend and, as always, I was inspired anew. Aisling D’Art was one of the first Internet friends to make me feel right at home in my art while helping me realize that chaos and/or change spurs creativity. She hosted the yahoo group on art journals when very few people had ever heard of art journals and she opened her journal pages for the world to see as she experienced some significant life changes. I still think of her as the original blogger.

Her site linked me to the 7/30/365 Art Card Project and that just blew me away. I visited the Flickr group and was impressed with the work I saw there. I have been working on an ATC article for Suite101 and marveling at the number of people that are still making artist trading cards after what seems like all this time.

Give yourself a nudge
What I love about the 7/30/365 challenge is that you can just do it for a week or for a month—then you keep going from there. It’s one day at a time in a very artful direction-like a nudge instead of a big challenge. I decided to create an ATC series celebrating the scraps in my studio and the influences in my creativity over the last 15+ years.

I have created a Flickr account and posted my first four artist’s trading cards. With just four cards I have learned so much.
* I learned that making these small treasures gives me a sense of accomplishment.
* I learned that, as with legacy art, this format allows me to revisit memories and be inspired anew.
* I have learned that one small piece of artwork often leads to larger creations.

I’m not as enamored of the artwork in these first four designs (see slide show at right) as I am of the process itself. When I look at the creations of the artists that have been doing this for months, I am humbled by the primitive appearance of my own work. Yet, I love the story wrapped up in each of my designs and I look forward to the progression in style and execution.

ATC-Admit One 2001

This is one of the earliest artist trading cards I created. I don't have photos of the earlier ones which I cheerfully traded away.

This one was created with the 10 from 1 method where you decorate and then cut 10 trading cards from one sheet of paper. This topic will be featured in my upcoming Suite 101 article.

Coming soon:
Progress and setbacks in the studio
Austerity plan update
More cards from the Within Reach Doctrine and tri-fold cami cards
Stick Figures reemerge.—see preview here

http://www.nachattin.com/gallerystickfigure.html