Monday 2 June 2014

A Touch Of Magic

This week the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge would like you to put a touch of magic in your design. Will you have a magician's trick, want to show us a card trick, have a magical product you cannot work without, or perhaps are inspired by a story or movie that has magical elements, we cannot wait to see how you are inspired.

When I think of magic, I always think of card tricks and I also think of the boxes they use in their magic ticks where the doves fly out or the rabbit appears! This lead me to create an Artist Trading Block using Eileen Hull's Block/Cube die, which I feel in itself holds a little magic as you never know what’s inside, all part of the suprise. Tim Holtz Valentine Blueprint stamp came to my rescue for the playing card image and the Queen of Hearts takes centre stage on my Artist Trading Block. The Queen of Hearts  inspired me to use red in my design using Fired Brick Distress Paint combined with touches of Walnut Stain. I love the hidden surprises a box can give!
I die cut the ATB from mountboard and also cut coordinated square pieces to fit.
I began by colouring my square pieces with Fired Brick and Walnut Stain Distress Paint, applying the paint to a non-stick craft sheet and spritzing with water.
Pick up the paint with the square pieces of card. At this stage I also spritzed the  paint a little more to lighten the colour and I then heat set with a heat tool.
I painted the inside with Fired Brick Distress Paint.
I used the Hearts Layering Stencil to add hearts to the inside of my block and the hearts also coordinate with the Queen of Hearts image.
I used Fired Brick Distress Ink to add the hearts for a tone on tone effect.
To add a further layer of interest I applied Black Archival Ink through the Numbered Layering Stencil. 
The Queen of Hearts image has been stamped onto each of the coloured square pieces.
Next stage was to add dimensional hearts to my design using Black Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel . I inked the background stamp from Tim Holtz Mixed Media Stamp Set with VersaMark Ink and then I placed heart cookie cutters onto the background stamp.
I poured hot Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel into each cookie cutter and then set aside to cool.
From this picture you can see the wonderful texture the background stamp gives to the UTEE hearts. I applied Treasure Gold Olive Bronze Wax to highlight the texture and dimension. I also added 'magic' using a Chitchat Sticker.
I added three playing cards to the top of my Artist Trading Block, coloured each with Fired Brick Distress Ink and flicked the background with water. Again I added UTEE hearts and a 'magic' Chitchat Sticker.
I have also added some blank playing cards to the inside which I thought a fellow crafter could decorate and I thought this would make a lovely surprise gift!
I love decorating the inside as this gives a further surprise element to the design.
Each side has been decorated with the Queen of Hearts image.
I may add some little embellishments to the inside of this gift too.
I also added two further dimensional UTEE hearts to the opposite side.
For more great ideas please pop over to the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge blog and take a look at my fellow team members artwork, they have created some inspirational projects. Remember there is also the chance to win a $50 prize from Simon Says Stamp.  I always look forward to seeing your creations each week.

Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment, much appreciated. Tracy x x



Products Used:

Tim Holtz Layering Stencils - Hearts, Numbered
Tim Holtz Idea-ology - Chitchat Stickers
Distress Paints - Fired Brick, Walnut Stain 
Distress Ink - Fired Brick


28 comments:

Brenda Brown said...

A fabulous box and a great take on the theme Tracy. I love the little textured hearts xxx

Helen said...

What a great ATB!

carol edwards said...

Hi Tracy love this aTB, the colours are so rich. I love the utee hearts and the way the stamp image has transferred so well.x

Jenny Marples said...

Truly outstanding Tracy. This is utterly superb! I love the way you've used the stencilling to fit the theme, the painty playing cards and those gorgeous UTEE hearts. You have certainly performed magic here. LOVE IT! Jenny x

Unknown said...

I love your little box! Not only that it's immaculately decorated but also the way the heart embellishments were created is so clever!! Thanks, Ingrid x

Ginger said...

This is lovely Tracy. x

rachel said...

awesome ATB Tracy - brilliant xx

gracescraps@gmail.com said...

Wow, Tracey!! This is just amazing!! I adore the UTEE hearts - so creative. I'm going to have to try some of these!! ~ ~ Blessings, Tracey

Garden of Grace

Theresa said...

I really have to get the ATB die so I can try some of the ideas I have seen. Like how you colored your box and textured your elements. thanks as always for sharing.

Claudine said...

Awesome ATB, lovely creation and I really like that you've added a deck of cards inside. Pinning!!

Dianne said...

What a brilliant creative make this is, the colors are gorgeous, and a fantastic tutorial I love your magic box, thanks for sharing ((( BIG HUGS )))...

Anna-Karin said...

Fabulous ATB Tracy! Love that you filled it with playing cards and all the red is perfect. Those UTEE hearts are wonderful too.

Meihsia Liu said...

Stunning project, Tracy. Those cards so beautiful and fabulous. :)

Mona Pendleton said...

Such a cool box Tracy! The cards are perfect for the magic theme! Love the textured hearts!

Stephanie said...

Gorgeous, what a cool design, Tracy!


*mwah*
Steph
Simon Says Stamp!

Unknown said...

Fabulous Tracy, I love the box and the Queens x

Cocofolies said...

Fabulous box, really striking Tracy!!! Love the design and the colours, and the little hearts with UTEE are utterly gorgeous. Hugs Coco xx

Sandra said...

What a fun project! Love the blueprint stamp and I want a melting pot now! Those hearts are stunning Hugs, Sandra

Redanne said...

You have certainly created some magic with this gorgeous ATB, I love the gorgeous colours and the UTEE hearts are divine! Anne xx

barbarayaya62 said...

Amazing ATB Tracy! Great tutorial as always! thanks for sharing! barbarayaya

Gráinne said...

Absolutely fabulous! Love it ... and a splendid idea. Suzanne xx

hazel said...

A wonderful ATB Tracy, I love the hearts and the colour's fab.
xxx Hazel.

hazel said...

A wonderful ATB Tracy, I love the hearts and the colour's fab.
xxx Hazel.

Suzanne C said...

Awesome design! Love the card themed ATB. The hearts are wonderful and reminded me I need to do that again! Fabulous magical art! Love the tutorial!

Emma Williams said...

Such a fun ATB and I adore your interpretation of the theme, Tracy! I love the colours, the layering and the UTEE hearts are the perfect finishing touch to this fabulous piece...love it! Emma xx

Michelle said...

This is amazing! I am in awe . I love how you made those little hearts. To me, that was magical enough! Very creative, Tracy!

Andrea Ockey Parr said...

I adore this project! I especially love how you repeated the same image multiple times, but it still looks fresh and unique. Very cool!

Words and Pictures said...

Beyond cool, especially those MeltArt hearts - must try that - thank you so much for the endless inspiration... brilliant!
Alison xx