Red, White and Blue. . . . . .

The challenge set by Hels at Sunday Stampers this week is Red, White and Blue. Very in keeping with the celebrations over the weekend and for an ATC swap I'm involved - luckily for me!!

I've never made an ATC before and I must say it's quite a challenge working in such a small space. I had to think hard for this one as I only have one set of stamps suitable and I needed to use something that wouldn't look out of place on the small card. I wanted to build in some texture too and did this through using fabric, embellishments and by making a 'coin'. I really enjoyed doing this and will most certainly make one of these again.

No more explanation needed as hopefully, the pictures will tell the story:

The elements used to make the ATC and a little fabric tag made to accompany it. 

The completed ATC plus front and back views of the fabric tag.

The tag was made by stamping two patriotic designs onto fabric using Stazon. A layer of vilene (fabric stiffener) was ironed on to the back and the two pieces were then stitched together. An eyelet was attached in one corner (not brilliantly unfortunately but that's another story!) and some ribbon threaded through. For those who have visited here before this stamp and the use of fabric will be familiar to you but I couldn't resist using the technique again!

The background on the piece was stamped using Distress Markers straight onto the stamp - this enabled two colours to be used. Can you spot the mistake I made on the 'flag'?! The thin strips down the sides were made by the technique previously described and then stitched on. The little crown is a silver brad embellishment which has been coloured with a little gold rub n buff paste (very smelly stuff if you ask me!). The gems were coloured with alcohol inks (the red & blue ones).

The 'coin' was made by cutting a circle of card to match the size of the stamp chosen. Three layers of gold detail powder were embossed and whilst it was still molten, the stamp was applied. The stamp was inked with embossing ink prior to use - I saw this technique on a blog ages ago but can't remember where: if it's your blog then a big thank you because it's a great little skill. A little rub n buff was applied to the coin just to even out the tone and it was then attached over a piece of ribbon - a thin strip of acetate was glued on the back of the ribbon to keep it in shape.

I made five of these two items in total and I'm glad I didn't have to make more - not sure 'mass' production is my thing! Hope you like this deviation from my normal style!