March ATC Challenge with HLS DT: Hearts

This month's theme for the ATC Challenge at HLS is Hearts!  Yep, lol, I can work with that!  I created actual ATCs this month using a pre-created background in ...you guessed!  Red :)

I used a background that I had created using Distress Oxide Inks and added some stamps and stencils.  This stamp set from 49 and Market was the PERFECT stamp set for this project.  It has all kinds of different sized hearts in it.

After the stamping and stencil, I cut the background down to size to get 12 artist trading cards.  From here, I distressed the edges and added fun elements like gold thread, brads, and a sentiment flag!

One of the things to remember when stamping on your background for a mixed media piece, whether it's an art journal page or an ATC or whatever, is that you don't need a perfect stamped impression.  In fact it looks way better if you don't!  So don't stress out about missing a part of the image, or double stamping...this adds to the texture and character of the piece!

You can really see the gold splashes in this photo.  Another way to make sure your project has a cohesiveness to it is to only repeat colors you've used before.  Because I added the gold sparkly thread and there was no other gold on my project, I added some diluted gold paint splashes.  This makes everything tie in together perfectly! 11 of these Heart ATCs will be available for trade in the Worldwide ATC Swap Group on Facebook. Products used: Gold Thread Distress Inks in aged Mahogany Distress Oxide INks in Fired Brick, Victorian Velvet and Festive Berries Ranger Archival Ink in Shadow Grey Stazon Ink in Cloud Sky and St Valentine 49 and Market Stamp set Georgie's With All Your Heart Liquitex Acrylic Ink in Iridescent Bright Gold Echo Park Brads