-->

Welcome

I love answering your questions. If you ask them in the comment section, I have no way to answer you (if you haven't heard from me, that is why). If you use the "EMAIL ME" in the left column of this page, I will be able to respond to you. You can also use it if you want to be added to my newsletter. Laura

Thursday, March 1, 2012

French Kiss ATC Designed For Alpha Stamps

 
In addition to designing the Vintage French Painter’s Canvas Book for Alpha Stamps, I also designed this ATC using the French Kiss 6 x 6 paper pack.  I thought you might enjoy going through my design process step by step. 
I started by covering an ATC sized piece of chipboard with the burgundy paper from the collection.  Next, with a pencil, I drew an oval the size of the frame I intended to use.  This oval acts as a guide for paper placement in future steps.
Then next step involves tearing small pieces of paper from various paper patterns in the collection.  Using a small sponge I inked the edges of the torn pieces.
I glued the torn paper pieces to edges of the ATC using the oval as my guide.  Note, at the top of the ATC I glued the paper slightly over the oval line.  You’ll see why in a further step.
Next, I trimmed the excess paper along the edges of the ATC.
I used a gold German scrap frame that I painted black with Ranger Alcohol ink to frame the image.  Note how you can see the paper at the top, peeking out under the frame.  Now can see why I glued the paper over the pencil oval guide.  I next added some torn pieces on top of the frame.
I added the Eiffel Tower that came from the Paris Collage Sheet. .  To give it a more vintage feel, I tore the image rather than cutting it.  In the bottom right corner I added a piece of cheese cloth.  I first the cloth by lightly sponging it with the same ink I used to ink the edges of the paper.
To balance the black in the frame I added a few black rub-ons at various points on the ATC.  Next, I started adding dimensional embellishments.  In the bottom right corner I glued a clock button to a piece of filigree.
To the bottom right corner I added a sprig of brass leaves, fabric leaves and a beaded flower.  To balance the weight of the items in the right bottom corner, I added embellishments to the upper left corner with a silk ribbon bow and a brass fleur de lys with a burgundy Swarovski crystal.  To attach the ends of the ribbon to the ATC I used miniature glue dots.
As a final touch I added a few flowers to the bottom right corner in colors that complemented the papers.  Note how the weight of the embellishments is heaver on the bottom right than on the upper left.   Without the embellishment at the top the bottom would feel too heavy.  With equal embellishment at both ends the focal point (the image) would be overwhelmed.  Also note the vertical line the tower creates contrasted by the oval of the frame.
The paper tearing technique is a great way to use leftover scraps of paper.  You can scale this technique up and use it for a greeting card, a scrapbook page or other piece of art. 
List of Alpha Stamp Supplies I used in the ATC
Alpha Stamps has created a French Kiss ATC kit which includes some of the supplies I used for this ATC and other items that complement French Kiss paper pack.

19 comments:

Dreaming of Vintage said...

Laura, this is a really beautiful atc!

bobbie said...

Congratulations to the winners!!

Beautiful ATC!

SusanLotus said...

Beautiful ATC!
And thanks for showing us how. :)
Hugs!

Terry said...

Stunning ATC! I love your hinged canvas idea and project below. I now have to make a trip to Michael's! Love your blog!

trisha too said...

Beautiful, Laura!

:)

Art From The heart said...

Beautiful!
Hugs

maj. said...

Stunning work!!!

Sonya Badgley said...

Beautiful as always, Laura!
Hugs,
Sonya

Tarnished Rose said...

You make it look so easy! Thank you for sharing with us the steps you took to make a wonderful ATC.

Smiles~
Marilyn

Lululiz said...

I always enjoy seeing your design process. Thanks once again for showing all the steps.
Needless to say, the ATC is fantastic.

Createology said...

Your layers upon layers are what make this so lovely. Breathtaking!

debi said...

Laura, your ATC is beautiful! I love all of the wonderful elements you used. And I'm really loving the French Kissed supplies!

maska said...

Lovely ATC.
:)

Maarit at Violets Corner said...

Absolutely fabulous! Love it!

Thanks for sharing the technique, it's very inspirational.

Warm hugs
Maarit

Netty said...

Gorgeous ATC and thank you for sharing it. You always have such wonderful embellies. x

Hester said...

Laura, Great technique, and one of my new favorites...

Dorthe said...

Congratulations to the winners :)
and thankyou Laura for the tutorial-it is the sweetest ATC, so beautiful-and so filled with lovely items.
XOX,Dorthe

My name is Cindy said...

Just stunning!

smokeysmom said...

I know Alpha Stamps loves having you as a designer! Beautiful ATC, and, thanks for the tutorial:)