#ATCAD2017: New ATC Background "Sixpack"

The first one in this series, entitled, "Am I Blue?" has gone all Rusty this time around.

June offers a whole new set of challenges this year for fans of Artist Trading Cards. Try making a new one every day! That is this year's challenge. While I most likely won't have enough time to follow through myself, I thought that I could at least offer a few ATC Backgrounds each week for the entire month of June. My entire current stock of ATC Backgrounds may be found by following this link HERE. 

Have fun building on those Backgrounds, all you ATCers out there!

Shoshi very sweetly is allowing me to use a photo that was taken of a renovation project that was being done on her home. For Her blog, you may follow this link HERE. 

Please respect my copyrights and hers by following the red letter Guidelines located at the foot of of this blog. Thank you.

Today is the day for Rugged Rust! Looks sort of Steampunk in flavor to me.

I'd really like to see what some of my guests here at PPS have done using any of my ATC Backgrounds. I like to think of these sets as being blank canvases or as a beginning basis upon which to start adding anything and everything imaginable!

Happy #ATCAD2017!

:)

PPS™ATC Sixpack: Rugged Rust

Download HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

You are free to:

only give, keep or trade any or all of the ATCs

given in my Set above, with or without altering.

You are not free to:

ever sell any of my designs

unless otherwise specified by me

in the Guidelines (like this one).

Thank you 

for helping me to

keep free things free!

Here is Shoshi's photo on which 
this set's design got based:

One Inch Button Alphabet in Sepia

Get out that 1 inch circle shaped paper punch! This Antique Button Alphabet is a Plush Possum Studio (or PPS™) exclusive.

I've been a collector of buttons of all sorts since my mother was first teaching me to sew. This later grew into my collecting antique needlework notions in adulthood, too. In other words (and in case you had never noticed lolz) - I am a lover of fasteners, buttons in particular.

This is a Plush Possum (or PPS™) Exclusive. Please respect my copyrights by following the red letter Guidelines listed at the foot of this post. Thank you!

I began by making 2 color coordinated Antique Button Alphabets for my Rainy Day Spring Book Arts Set, HERE. 

That was last month's biggest project. I'm going to take it easy this week by playing with changing a few colors instead of being ambitious. The first result is this one. I have to say, I think that it might do well for antique style designs using old photos, etc. - or perhaps even for Steampunk themed artistry.

This pretty, clear color way sort of reminds me of a nice, soothing cup of tea, too, or perhaps of a "clearie" antique toy gaming marble (but without any bubbles from being handblown). 

I'd love to see what some of my guests are making using the supplies I've been offering. Please let me know if you'd like to share something here. I'll be more than happy to feature any work in a new post along with any links you may provide to where you blog, etc. and then post about it at G+ for us both.

There are soon to be more color ways and even patterns using this button design, so please do keep watching for the next designs. I am playing and having more fun than a barrel full of monkeys using this button idea!
:)

Happy Creativity!

PPS™Antique button Alphabet: Sepia

Download HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

You are free to:

Use my Button Alphabet

in artwork that may be either

given or traded (as in

ATCs, etc.).

You are not free to:

ever sell anything made using

any of these letters

even if you alter them first.

(You may alter them otherwise, just not for sale)

Thank you

for helping me to

keep free things free!

ATC Background Freebies: Marvelous Marble No. 1

I take my inspiration from antique hand marbled paper for my new ATC sets. 

Below is the first set, done all in bronze, ochre, taupe and coffee brown. Others will soon appear here, but in different color ways and slightly different in design.

ATCs or Artist Trading Cards have a unique history worldwide. They arose as a form of exchange at the instigation of Swiss artist, 
M. Vänçi Stirnemann. This was in 1997. The artist called it a "Collaborative Cultural Performance."

For more on the unique and fascinating history of Artist Trading Cards, you may follow the link HERE.

For many, it is an enjoyable hobby, as nobody sells anything and all is freely traded, tiny artwork for tiny artwork. I've traded ATCs myself on and off over the years, and found it a fascinating way to see the work of my fellow artisans. Fun!
:)

Below is a unique set of 6 slightly varying ATC backgrounds. they aren't intended to be traded as they are, but rather built upon using various media. Have fun, but please remember the ATC heritage of trading without selling. These are free. Let's keep them that way. Thank you.

Happy Creative trading!

PPSATC™ Six Pack: marvelous Marble No. 1

Download HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

Digital Brush Credits:

Mask by hillaMS at www.brusheezy.com

Victorian Man's Thinking Cap

An appliqué pattern to make for a gentleman.

This item is a bit of a curiosity. We see illustrations and photos of gents wearing their smoking jackets and caps, almost as if such garb had a kind of uniform appeal. Oddly enough, such caps were sometimes also called, "Thinking caps." I think most Americans can relate to being asked to put on our imaginary "thinking caps" as children, can't we? I doubt that any one of us thought of a tassel or rich embroidery at the time, however!
:)

Often, these items of apparel were decorated in great detail, using embroidery on velvet or wool, with appliqué or couched cording or braid. Sometimes, even bead embroidery was used, although this technique was generally reserved for ladies' apparel. The addition of a tassel was according to taste, of course, yet was often considered a must in fashion for gentlemen.

A man's smoking jacket was not the same robe as his dressing gown. These two totally separate species of apparel we tend to smile over nowadays. Nobody really tends to take them very seriously anymore. 

That is, except for a number of historic reenactment hobbyists and professionals. It is for these people I have posted this straightened and somewhat refreshed pattern. After all, I once was one of them!

The sizing for such things can be a bit tricky. As a former costumer and hat designer, I highly recommend making at least one good brown paper mockup or model. I used to use clear tape, pins and pencils with a measuring tape in order to tailor most hats to fit. Nowadays, of course, we have the additional luxury of advanced copy machine technology, image enhancement software such as Photoshop or Gimp, etc., as well as incredibly complex sewing and embroidery machines that can synch up with our computers. In other words, the rest is up to the tools and the imaginations of the ones willing to take on such a project.

Thank you for stopping by with your
Costuming Creativity!

PPS™ Victorian Gentleman's Embroidered Cap

Download HERE

Display version

(lower resolution than the download)

In the Public Domain.

Thank you

for helping me to 

keep free things free!

Full Steam Ahead for the New Year!!!

Steampunk Greetings to color or to give

This newest addition to the Steampunk Category is a fun one, I think. This picture makes me yearn to be able to ride the rails behind a steam engine once again. I do love all different sorts of trains, but steam powered ones are my reigning favorites.

Displayed below are 4 different versions of this fun steam powered graphic. Two have the greeting (black and white or sepia), while the other two are plain (both colors again).

For all of the Studio's fun Steampunk Party gear, please follow the link HERE. Just skip down a few posts once you arrive there to begin to find the Steam items in the collection (masks, a game board, invitations, etc. Please follow all red letter Guidelines for each. Thanks!).

Happy Steampunk New Year, everybody!

PPSColorMe™Full Steam Ahead!

Download Plain Black & White version HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

Download Plain Sepia version HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

Download Black & White Greetings version HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

Download Sepia Greetings version HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

You are free to:

Play with the above images

to your heart's content.

This one is free and

in the Public Domain.

Thank you

for helping me to

keep free things free!

Happy New Year!

More Fun Frames for Scrappers (Digi or Print)

More of our Favorite Things

I love old post cards, old postage stamps and old ephemera in general here at PPS. In the past, I've offered the public many choices for playing around with such a theme.

It is a fun theme!
:)

Today, I offer a new Frame Set for both DigiScrapping as well as for Collage of all sorts. I do hope you'll enjoy this particular gathering of images, and find them of use to you in the creating of new works of art.

I've used mainly the Studio's own archived images in order to make this set, although a few additional things did get used this time. Notice the detailing added, all of it in Photoshop. I've spliced a lovely old record album sleeve portrait of an opera star wearing a fabulous hat to one side on two of these frames. Scanned by me, she has been waiting for a chance to star in one of my designs. She may yet find herself in some other works by me here later on as well.
:)

Also used were some old postage stamps. I do try and offer guests enough choices per set for the joy of it. The far left frame is 3 inches by 5 inches in size, while the rest do vary. The faux Photoshop generated buttons I've made from ephemera and postage stamps are all now available in a wider variety of sizes for this set exclusively. I do love accessories!

Though every image used in this particular set currently has Public Domain or copyright free status, please remember to attribute the Studio if you use any of this work.  I ask also that the sets here never be redistributed or repackaged for sale at all, ever. They are a gift from me to the public. Thank you for respecting my wishes in this matter with your
Happy Creativity!

NOTE: Set margins on printers at around 1/4 or a fourth of an inch, as margins are 1/2 or half an inch.
This will hopefully improve chances for a better print copy.

Download Digi PNG Version HERE

Download For Print JPG version HERE

Display Copy (Lower Resolution)

You are free to:

use the above images in artwork for sale or for fun.

You are not free to:

redistribute or repackage anything from this set in any way.

Please respect my gifts to the public.

Thank you.

Free Steampunk Stone and Brass Frame

Steampunk Frame!
There are varying degrees of Steampunk-ness, and likewise several sub-genres of that creative way of self expression. Though some really do go for airships and their accoutrements, others tend to enjoy trains more.

I really do love trains, so when the antique locomotive button used for this project was found over at Wikimedia Commons, I almost slipped a cog out of sheer delight!

For this frame, that antique locomotive button has been set, if you will, in a faux "brass" bezel. The faux brass inlays in each quadrant are set into tiny sprockets, also made to look a little like inlay.

This might be fun to use in an art project, such as an altered book or visual journal. We ask respectfully that our guests will not sell this item, as the very basis for it (and the reason, therefore, for its existence) has a Share-alike License over at Wikimedia. We respect the work of the artist who made that image available for our use, and have already attributed Shakko's work in two previous posts, both with similar frames. Each frame was made via the same image that Shakko has offered for free use only.

Such a person deserves Attribution for the photograph being used. Thank you for helping us to preserve the rights of others. We do not have that person's permission to sell that image or anything built upon that image, which means that this frame cannot legally be sold.

A new list of credits may be found below. We hope our guests will enjoy our new series of frames with their
Happy Creativity!

Steampunk Stone & Brass Frame

Download Digi PNG Version HERE

Download JPG (for print) Version HERE

Display Copy (lower resolution)

Credits:

Old Locomotive Button: Public Domain

Marble Paper: Public Domain

Sprockets: PPS Image Archive

Malachite photo by Shakko HERE

This person has licensed the image we've used here in specific terms. 

Please read the licenses at any free image website prior to 

choosing and using any images there.

That would include here.

Thanks so much.

You are free to:

Use the above image or its downloads 

in the making of art for your own private use.

You are not free to:

ever sell it in any way, even if you embellish or alter it.

Please respect our relations with fellow artists.

And please respect our gifts for the public's use.

Thank you.

Free Frames: Steampunk or Regular

Free Diamond Encrusted Frames

Which do you prefer here, our Steampunk version, or the Diamond Frame on its own? 

I've said it before, that we here at PPS™ really enjoy pleasing our guests. We've had some of this stuff hanging around the Studio for quite some time, and only just now are getting around to bringing it out for you. Our cache of goodies isn't vast, yet it can be fun to search the Studio's archives for new free gifts for the public.

The base for this is an 18th century miniature portrait frame. We added a few touches here and there, and removed the king's portrait from it. In the upper righthand corner of our Steampunk version, you may see a gauge from Dezinaworld's June (see her button for Dezinaworld 15 to the left of this post--it is a truly fun place to find wonderful image sets). We here have been big fans of June's for years.

The lower left corner has the face of an antique stopwatch (Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain and fixed to fit), while above that we have our own watch face from Plush Possum stock. 

Lower right is another form of face, one familiar to anyone into dirigibles, or airships. Whoever tells me first who he was will win a handshake from yours truly and top honors from this Possum affiliate.
:)

The original antique frame is all hand tooled leather, and exquisitely made, with diamonds everywhere. It already had too much decoration as it was, and so of course, one step further became even more fun. We offer it here 3 ways, one in ATC size and in PNG as well as JPG formats (ATC size in PNG format only--sorry--yet these should print for you just fine).

The center portion is an irregular shape, and far from perfectly symmetrical. Other flaws are in the way in which a few of its diamonds are now no longer as intended. It's semi irregular in shape, obviously, and even a little bit crooked. All the same, it's a fascinating slice of the past, and I love it. 

For those of you with no interest in Steampunk, included here is the frame without any gadgets.

We hope you'll enjoy these frames in either style with your
Happy Creativity!

Diamond Studded Frame (Steampunked)

Download HERE

Digi PNG Version  HERE

Diamond Encrusted Leather Frame

Download HERE

Digi PNG Version HERE

ATC Size

Download PNG HERE

You are free to:

Use our frames in artwork for fun or profit.

You are not free to:

repackage them for sale in any way.

Please respect our gifts for the public's use.

Thank you.

Steampunk Style Fan Invitation/Ornament

Today's post is all about gears and bolts and Victorian style mixed together with a fan's design.
I've taken the previously shown holiday fan and changed out its shape, narrowing it so that more sections may be joined together, creating a variety of possibilities for you.
I've also left the message frames blank, so that you can add your own hand lettering or rubber stamped letters, expressing your own choice of sentiment, such as "Happy Birthday" or "It's a Tea Party!" or, as illustrated below, "Steampunk Tea Party," even.
This has been made to accompany a brand new set of travels for our Steam Tea Travels sister blog. This time, we are heading for Cairo, Egypt where adventures abound!
Each sheet contains 18 fan sections, more than enough to create a variety of expressions.
I suppose you could also take your original down to your local copy center or extension and enlarge this one. And, as it was produced at 300dpi, it should look okay, provided you don't go overboard with the enlarging.  
There is a lot of fussy cutting involved in this project, I know, but it will have a lot of character at the end for all the work involved.
But. If you would rather keep it stylish and simpler, you could always simply cut the base gear bits away as you go, making a refined circle.
I'd like to recommend using card stock for this project, along with a fetching grommet for the holes, or a bit of thin metallic braid. A bit of metallic super fine glitter might also go over well with your guests.
The 4:00 teatime could also be covered over with a different clock face with hands set for a different time (before you head for your copy center might be best here), but I'm awfully fond of my regular teatime, and thought it would be fun to include the teatime clock in this design.
No matter where we may roam during our Steam Tea Travels, for example, there is always time for a cup of tea at around 4:00 in the afternoon (or, 16:00 for our friends in the EU).  :)
I do hope you'll enjoy the entire Steampunk Theme Party product line, which you may find more items for in the PPSPartyGear™ category.
Also, for my complete Steampunk-themed Category, you can go HERE.
Happy Steam-themed Creativity!
Rose

NOTE:

This product is never to be repackaged for sale. You may use it, for free, but you may never sell it--not even if you repackage it or alter it somehow. We have exclusive copyrights to the final design. However, the design includes certain elements and Digital Brushes (not owned by us) that we have pledged never to sell in any form, no matter how updated, re-made or altered our design team may make them.

It's simply the LAW (that is a link).

In other words, some parts of my work, my Steampunk party accessories included, are not completely mine.

While parts of them come from copyright free sources, some come with Licenses to copy and use, but never to sell for any reason, in any way, shape or form.

I am free to use them, but would not abuse that privilege.
Plush Possum Studio will uphold the copyrights of others 
wherever possible

Thank you for joining me in doing so.

Steampunk Style Fan Party Invitation/Ornament

Download Digi PNG Version HERE

Download For Print Version HERE

EXAMPLE

New! Swirly Steampunk Marble Collage Background

Steampunk is a favorite genre with this possum, and as far as I'm concerned, we can never have enough fun with such a theme. It simply begs to be played with.

We hadn't posted anything steam-themed here in such a long while, it was time, and past time, to do so.

We began with an old marble book cover liner, then added some detailing via Obsidian Dawn's lovely digital brush sets, along with some color and multiple layers. So much fun!

We hope you'll find more than enough uses for this new collage background. We've made it big enough for most applications, ready to print out in 8.5" by 11" format (U.S. standard copier size) as well as in Digi PNG format so it may be manipulated and played with even more.

We ask that users please credit us for our work, especially if it is published in the U.S. (or elsewhere, for that matter), including online.
For our complete Steampunk collection, you can go HERE.

Thank you so much for stopping by with your--

Happy Creativity!

Rose

Swirly Steampunk Marble Collage Background

Download Digi PNG Version HERE

Download For Print Version HERE

Please give attribution to Obsidian Dawn and Plush Possum Studio when using this in any item intended for sale. you'd list Tim Holz, and we and obsidian Dawn would fit into a similar category, too.
Thank you.

Plush Page Frames: Embossed Metallics & Vivid Brights

We've finally fixed the worst problems our Studio's warhorse computer is facing, and so are now at last able to offer our readers some new imagery!
Whew! It's been a long haul! For a while there, it looked like we might never be able to blog here again.
Today's offering we hope will please the viewer with its simple curves and deep hues, along with its subtle patterning.
We've had a lot of fun putting this set together for you all. And it feels good to be back in the saddle again here at PPS.
Happy Creativity!
Rose & Co.

Metallic Fancy Frames

Antique Bronze

Digi PNG Version HERE

For Print Version HERE

Rusty Rose

Digi PNG Version HERE

For Print Version HERE

Plum

Digi PNG Version HERE

For Print Version HERE

Violet

Digi PNG Version HERE

For Print Version HERE

Turquoise

Digi PNG Version HERE

For Print Version HERE

Emerald

Digi PNG Version HERE

For Print Version HERE

Plain Metallic

Digi PNG Version HERE

For Print Version HERE

You are free to:
Use these as you choose, in art that's for sale or for personal use.
The frames above are not, however, for sale, and should remain free for the public's use.
Thank you.

Steampunk Game Board: Parcheesi

This project has been long in the making--several months' worth, in fact.
But it has been a real labor of love.
:)
I created it so that it might be used as one of the games for a Steampunk themed party, taking into account it might also serve as a little conversation piece of a sort.

For the other matching items in this ongoing set, simply go to the PPSPartyGear™ category HERE.

This is work is copyrighted. 
I mean that sincerely.
Anyone who chooses to sell this one, or copy it and post it as being theirs (in other words, steal)  is liable for prosecution under the law. Within U.S. copyright, the moment it was created, it gained copyright status. Same with publishing here to PPS's line-up. So don't be fooled.
I may offer, and you may make copies enough for home use only, or for use in gift-giving, and never for sale in any way.
This is due in part to the digital brushes made by other people, as well as the various share-alike + attribute types of licenses attached to the various images used in such a collage piece. 
In other words, it cannot be legally copied for sale in any way.
I appreciate your help in this matter.
Thank You.

That being said, it is hoped that visitors with an interest in Steampunk and/or board games for home use may enjoy this little offering to its fullest extent.

Game Rules

There is an online resource for Game Rules of many kinds, where you'll find basic rules for the set being offered. That site's version of Parcheesi Rules may be found HERE. Just click on the link, and scroll down.
Be advised, theirs is a version which would assume there is a spinner to hand. It is highly recommend you use dice instead, unless a spinner can be found which can be altered. However, to start one's move using dice was how it was played initially.

Assembling the Game
For tokens, you might try using coins in lieu of having anything on hand, or try making a few of your own based on the 4 designs I offer in my separate printable. Once glued to or printed out onto card stock, they can be then backed with cardboard, then given either felt or cork footing to spare the board's surface. They measure each just 1/2" in diameter, being made to fit the spaces given, but you could always expand via copying larger and/or digitally manipulating the sizes.

Also, it is highly recommend that you head for the nearest extension or copy center where there is a toner based color copier (for better transference, without smears). There you will need to make 4 copies, one of each quadrant of your board, then join all to your chosen surface (I recommend book board or double thickness illustration board or, perhaps, an old table top) using either Dry Mount Tissue (photography studios use this a lot for mounting pictures), or good old fashioned Mod Podge, finishing up with a clear top coat by Mod Podge, and (once it's had a chance to dry completely) perhaps a good buff using either a dab of finishing wax or one of MicroGlaze to reduce moisture damage.

~A second option might be to print all 4 quadrants onto card stock paper. The stiffer paper will hold up to more handling at this point. Follow that by using clear Contact shelf liner and perhaps stiffer cardboard backing.

~Option number 3 might be to use an iron on sheet per quadrant, then position carefully and iron all four sections onto tightly woven fine grade cotton that has been laundered beforehand without any dryer sheets being used. This could be either rolled up for travel or storage, or else folded carefully and tucked into a drawer.

Each quadrant section measures only 8" by 8", not too large for the average home printer.
This means that the board should finish out at about 16" square--a nice size for a game played by 4 players.
Anyway, I do hope you'll enjoy putting this new game together. 
I intend posting a second version of the same game, only this time with a family slant.  That might make a nice family project.
Happy Creativity!
~Rose

Dital Brush Credits:

www.obsidiandawn.com

You are free to 

play with this game and may have it for your own personal use.

Due to copyright issues, however, you are 

not free to:

sell this game board or any portion of it 

for any reason 

here in the United States or worldwide.

I respect the holders of the copyrights embedded within

this work, and respect anybody else who will join me in doing so.

Thank you for cooperating in keeping free things free!

PPSCustomGames™: Steampunk 
Parcheesi Board + Tokens

Upper Right Section

Download HERE

Lower Right

Download HERE

Lower Left

Download  HERE

Upper Left

Download  HERE

Display
(lower quality than the download)

TOKENS

Download HERE

Thank you for cooperating in helping me to keep free things free!

Our Next Chapter!

Today's latest Steam Tea Travels post is now up and rolling!

Do stop by for a peek at our Links Party there, won't you?

You may find it and Downloadable Imagery HERE

Meantime, here is a display copy of only one of the offerings you'll find there (and there are 3 in today's post alone!), all for Free and for use as you choose. Just another service of our Studio's for you.

NOTE:

This set was not pre-packaged when we found it. In fact, it took weeks of searching and then processing and cleaning up to make this set a finished product.

We would never sell anything which you, our guests, had not given us permission to sell, and we ask that that same courtesy be given to us in return.

Otherwise, a theft would occur, or friends part ways. This may not seem all that valuable an item, but it does belong to our Studio, in that it was processed for months before being offered for your use.

Free of charge.

Please be mindful of others' copyrights.

Thank you.

Some Sneak Peek Images
(for Downloads at 300 dpi of the following image sets, 
please go HERE)