Northern Lights

Here's my 22nd ATC for The Craft Barn's Alpha Dictionary Challenge where the letter this fortnight is N. After a quick read of my dictionary I found a few words but decided to go for Northern Lights against a Navy Night sky.

The Aurora Borealis background is done with embossing powders - I love the technique of painting a picture with powders. I've used Versamark and Faded Jeans Distress Ink along with Golden Lime Blaze (neon green!!), Gold, China Red, Irish Spring (dk green with glitter) and Clear embossing powders in about four layers, heating as I went and blowing the loose powder about a bit. One word of warning, remember to throw the spare embossing powder away as it'll be a bit of a mixture....or save it for another project!

The background actually came out better than I envisaged in my head which makes a change!! I didn't want to cover too much up so just added a shrink plastic compass (Tim Holtz stamp) to find the north for navigation, the dictionary definition and the alcohol inked Thicker.

I can't believe we are nearly at the end and I've managed to keep up - my album is nearly finished too. Thank you once again for all your lovely comments!!

L for Lighthouse

Well I think I'd better apologise to my readers and my blog for neglecting you.....not sure where the last two weeks has gone. I've been working and watching all Tim's 102 videos but my hands have stayed clean. Terrible isn't it!! Anyway today I've had chance to create my next ATC for The Craft Barn's Alpha Dictionary Challenge where the letter is L .... but there is a twist, we have to include a WINDOW.

I found quite a few L words that fitted together so think I've managed 8 this week. I've naturally used Lilac Linen cardstock - die cut the arched window using 2 oval dies and inked an ATC sized piece with Ice Blue Chalk Ink to create a Lavender background. I've cut another piece of card for the Ledge (or sill) of the window frame and added the view - a Lamp in the Lighthouse in a Landscape with lots of other windows too. The stamp is a Michael Powell one called On the Lookout which I've watercoloured with Aquash (adding a bit of Lemon and Lime etc). My ATC is just finished with some Lace, the dictionary definition and the alcohol inked Thicker.

Not sure I like this one - the colours are a bit too pastelly for me and my lighthouse must be suffering from subsidence as it's not straight but it's a great contrast with my K and M ATCs.

I can't believe we are on fortnight 21 which means there are only 10 weeks to Christmas.....don't panic!! I'm hoping The Craft Barn have a plan for another year long challenge for 2014 as this one has been great. Anyway thanks for looking and I'm off to see what others have created - I love how everyone chooses such different words!

Jet Jewellery

Here's my 20th ATC for The Craft Barn's Alpha Dictionary Challenge where this fortnight the letter is J.  I thought I was going to struggle but actually I've been able to include lots of Js - the main one is JEWEL.

The ATC base is just dark brown card but black embossed with the spots from the Inkadinkadoo Animal Skins set to represent a Jaguar (see photo below). The Whitby Jet Jewel is Jet Black UTEE melted and then poured into the frame.  I've die cut a Jade Jigsaw piece and fastened the jewel to it with Jute.  And as ever, it's just finished with the alcohol inked Thicker and the dictionary definition.

Don't you just love this Jaguar?  We were at Edinburgh Zoo in the summer and he was just dozing in the sunshine at the front of his cage.  Whilst Jaguars look plain black, they are in fact spotted like Leopards and I managed to get this great photo.

I'm really enjoying this challenge and seeing how many words I can cram on an ATC.  It's getting more difficult to choose a design and colour scheme so that my ATCs look varied.  This one is very dark and green again but my K is light blue and we haven't done I yet!

I'm off to see what everyone else has done so thanks for visiting and leaving comments - they are always very much appreciated.