Should you decide to join in, it must be a normal sized ATC (3.5" x 2.5"), no chunkies and no ATBs (Artist Trading Blocks) are allowed. You can create one or more ATCs and they must be in the style of, or be influenced by Tim Holtz. You will find the rules of our challenges HERE.
Our wonderful sponsor is Country View Crafts who are offering a £10 voucher to spend in their store. They have a huge selection of Tim Holtz (and many other) goodies for sale, their service is first class and there is free P&P on all UK purchases.
I have been wanting to use the Phrenology head from my new Classics #11 set of stamps. I recently had an eye test (a very expensive visit too) and I was reminded that I had not inked up the optometrist glasses from the Countdown set of stamps for ages and so my two ATCs came together.
I placed the blank ATCs side by side and stamped the Phrenology head across both ATCs in black archival ink. I stamped the head again onto a post-it note, cut round it and used this to mask off the head so I could stamp my backgrounds.
For the first ATC I stamped the background, again using a stamp from the Classics #11 set and black archival ink. Once dry I lightly coloured the letters with a Tumbled Glass Distress Marker. The eye and lips were coloured with DMs too and the face had a hint of Antique Linen Distress Ink applied with a water brush. I used a black watercolour pencil to outline the head and a Black Soot DM to go around the edge of the ATC. The whole of the ATC was covered with clear embossing ink, then clear embossing powder and heat set.
To finish off I added the Idea-ology arrow so that I could hang the monocle from it and I added the words using Tim's chit chat words.
The background stamp for this ATC is from one of Tim's Visual Artistry clear sets and is just the perfect size for an ATC. I used Tea Dye Distress Ink and a blending tool to add colour to the background. The glasses are from The Countdown set of stamps (one of my first purchases). I stamped them onto white card and painstakingly cut them out with a craft knife, inked around the edges with a Black Soot DM and attached them with silicone glue to 'lift' them from the face. I completed my sentiment with chit chat stickers.
I hope you will join us over at A Vintage Journey, I for one cannot wait to see your pocket sized pieces of art! See you again next week with my CC3C entry and my August Tim Tag. Hugs, Anne xx
Fabulous mini pieces if art, adore the image and the way you have used it.
ReplyDeleteFabulous backdrop and I love he monocled . Tracy x
I love them!! You gals really did inspiring work! TFS
ReplyDeleteGorgeous - what a brilliant idea. I love seeing how how you come up with such great designs week after week. Hugs, Jacky x
ReplyDeleteThese are fab Anne....love how you have designed these so clever ! x hugs x
ReplyDeleteAnne, I love these!!! What a clever design. Have a great weekend hun ..... hugs Linda xx
ReplyDeleteHow very effective - great ATCs.
ReplyDeleteToni xx
These look fabulous Anne. I love the design/theme you have chosen and the images are wonderful. Your cutting out is fantastic too!
ReplyDeletehugs Sue xx
fabulous as always Anne...you've thrown down the gauntlet...never made an ATC...thanks for the inspiration hugs kath xxx
ReplyDeleteSo stunning Anne - excellent concept and so well executed. Nikki xx
ReplyDeleteFabulous (as always) Anne. Your theme is great (yes I sympathise!) and your choice of images, stamps and embellishments are just so perfect. A wonderful set. Have a lovely weekend x
ReplyDeleteAnne.... you have out done yourself again. These really caught my eye! Excuse the pun....they really did! They almost look as if they have a plastic coating over them. You've done such an AMAZING job. If you ever do a Atc swap please count me in. Will be back to have another look. Karen.x
ReplyDeleteJust out of this world AWESOME! I love the design for both of them and the way they fit together. I love the eyeglass and monocle on the arrow, and I love the backgrounds for both. All in all I LOVE them! Good things DO come in small packages. Jenny x
ReplyDeletebrilliant makes Anne - I love the tale of how they came together too - fantastic stamps - I don't think I have seen any of these - what have I been doing???? The eyeglass is amazing too - fabulous! Big hugs to you! Rachel x
ReplyDeleteOh, Anne, these are fantastic!! I love the way they relate to one another in style and in concept! So inspiring! Hugs :)
ReplyDeleteyour artistic talents are shining through in this set! I love the matching set and then they are both different, great contrast!! You should frame this set, really outstanding!!!!
ReplyDeleteHugs Kelly
Fantastic ATCs
ReplyDeleteAnne, you blew me away with these! Love, love, love both of your ATC's, which are incredible and so cool. Very unique and did I say I love them??? Enjoy the weekend. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteWhat a magnificent pair of ATCs, Anne - like Terry I was blown away when I saw them. Fabulous colours and such clean sharp stamping, and brilliant use of the monocle and a wow for the fussy cutting of the spectacles on the second one!! Love, love, love them!
ReplyDeleteAlison xx
Yada, yada, we all know you are super talented you are - how's the cat?
ReplyDeleteyour secret pal!
Anne, every time I open your blog I say 'wow'..absolutely stunning. I love love love your ATC's...fab use of the monocle and amazing stamping, hugs and happy weekend, Carole Z X
ReplyDeleteNice Anne! love the focus on the blue eyes - and the clean cut coloring on both of these - what fun images!
ReplyDeleteThese are impossible not to focus on, in every sense! Seriously! Stunning as always Anne. Gorgeously clean, crisp and clever. I reckon you are the most wonderful user of black in blogland, it always adds so much in your creations and that's not easy. Terrific use of Idea-ology too. I do hope you frame them. Have a terrific week. Nicola x
ReplyDeleteYour eye for detail is brilliant and framing of the pair is a must. Couldn't resist sneaking that in Anne. Fabby.
ReplyDeleteWarm crafty hugs from Shirl x x x
ShirlsCards.
Anne, the trouble with getting my email notifications a day late is that all the superlatives to describe your art work have been used by all who have gone before me !!. So just to say your mini works of art are just that and I love them both, especially the glasses, your painstaking dexterity with the scissors paid off. (And yes I do know I fibbed, as for once I am commenting on the correct day lol)
ReplyDeleteHugs lottie x
What wonderful creations Anne,love the backgrounds.
ReplyDeleteWill enter this challenge, I think I have a packet of ATC cards hiding somewhere :)
Have a great weekend
Hugs
Donna xx
OMGosh Anne, these are so, so cool!!! What a fantastic idea on how to use the phrenology head!! Oh and those monocles, how cool is that? And then I have not even started on the backgrounds, - so totally clever!! Like others have said, these need to be framed my friend!!! Hope you'll have fun with the cat sitting!! xxx
ReplyDeleteLove these ATC's Anne! The monocles look fantastic and splitting the head over both of them is brilliant! Sue C x
ReplyDeleteAn eye test is something on my To Do List along with my contact lens annual check-up!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant use of the phrenology stamp and on both ATCs, fabulous composition skills on display and the monocle is such a fun addition.
Wishes
Lynne
Great ATCs Anne. I never stopped making these even though they seem to have gone out of fashion a little so really pleased to see them in the challenge.
ReplyDeleteHappy crafting and have a great week, Angela x
I audibly gasped when I saw these, Anne. Absolutely fabulous! Loving the incorporated metal bits as well as the B&W phrenology stamp against the backgrounds.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE these VERY striking ATCs, Annie! The arrow? Please, so brilliant. As always, your skill and attention to detail just blow my mind!! I hope your eyes/sight are okay? Hugs, Darnell
ReplyDeleteAmazing ATC'S, Anne!
ReplyDeleteHugs
GREAT ATC"S... but what else would any one expect from YOU... your work is really outstanding.. .I love it ANNE... these are super... a lot of books on how to improve your eye sight... I gave up wearing my glasses last year after wearing them for over 50 years... eye doctor was surprised... look into it... I know that you sight has to be good as your work is outstanding... Love, Light and Peace...Bonnie
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful pair, I love them
ReplyDeleteRosie x
Completely Blown Away, Anne!! These are just 'spec'tacular!! :) :) WOW, I just had no idea how totally awesome creating on a small space could be. I love how you've tied these two pieces together--I'm feeling hope and inspiration! XOXO-Shari T.
ReplyDeleteTOTALLY in love Anne! Pinning! You had me at the arrow thru the looking glass...totally looks like the ancient examining specs!
ReplyDeleteWOW that is a sensationally unique creation,and the decoration tops it.
ReplyDeleteWish you a nice sunday,
hugs Anja
FAB
ReplyDeleteATC!
Love the head split in half with the optical devices!
Cool colour love the strength and the placement
Totally steampunk! Brilliant!!
Jools x
Hi Anne, Fantastic ATC's... Love how you split the heads..the elements are simply perfect... Love them....Hugs May x x
ReplyDeleteOh My! I would just love to hang over your shoulder as you do these fantastic pieces. The way you have the monocle placed just so over the eye, with that arrow...what a design element that was! It draws the eye right into the work, then you can wander around and enjoy the other delightful elements. Very appropriate theme since you just had the eye exam. They are expensive, that's for sure. Very well done, Miss Anne, but then your work always is! TFS & Hugs
ReplyDeleteThese are fabulous Anne x I love the layout and design....stunning
ReplyDeleteTFS and crafty hugs Annie x
These are so fantastic, I love Phrenology heads! Your designs are so unique - I love the monocle!
ReplyDeleteRebecca.
This is so clever- love the way you have added the monacle and your background is fantastic! Chrisxx
ReplyDeleteI just adore these Anne. They are what prompted me to start an ATC/ATB board on Pinterest. Now that I'm here on your site I can pin each separately, and they look even better side by side with a pin to themselves. Love 'em!
ReplyDeleteI just love how you made the two look as if they should be one. The stamping and details are so much fun. Love the entire thing.
ReplyDeleteI love the sharpness of these atc's Anne, they both catch your attention straight away. Perfect use of the monocle and your expert cutting skills with the glasses were so worth the effort, I can't even pick a favourite - love them both. Mo x
ReplyDeleteI got lost on Pinterest and I found you my talented friend! I love these!
ReplyDelete