#ATCAD2017 ATC Treasure Box Project

I have a special fondness for useful, decorative boxes, don't you?

This year's June Artist Trading Card fest, #ATCAD2017, really got me going. Even though I am not celebrating by making any new ATCs, I have made something which can hold a whole bunch of them. This is my first ever dual blog post. Downloads are included in this blog only (see below), though. To see my other, smaller blog, you may follow the link HERE. Please respect my copyrights that are listed in the red letter Guidelines located at the foot of this post. Thank you.

Here's what my project's interior looked like once it was completed. As you can see, I'm already storing some ATCs inside my new creation. I hope you'll enjoy the process I went through for this project. The construction of this Treasure Box was a bit tricky at times, but overall it's a fairly easy project for just about anybody to make.

I used a 140 lb watercolor sheet from my  18"x24" Canson Montval Watercolor block, but even a single sheet of watercolor paper in the same weight will work once primed using gesso.  Single sheets (I recommend getting at least two) may be purchased from Art and Hobby stores.  I have often used heavier weight watercolor paper with acrylics as the results can be really interesting, sometimes almost leathery in feel. For this box, every additional coat of pigment or medium really made the paper tough and a little bit more on the leathery side.

The technique which I chose to try for the decorative part of my painting was acrylic paints + 91% Isopropyl Rubbing alcohol (surgical spirit in the UK, I think). The layers have to be applied and treated with speed, otherwise the effect will be minimized or simply won't occur at all.


On the watercolor block top sheet of paper I first added matte medium in 2 layers. I'd begun that project with the idea of creating something semi-transparent using colorful glazing techniques, but later chose not to. Overtop those few layers, I added my turquoise in at least 2 layers. Once it was dry, I next added a very runny but still thick layer of copper that I'd tinted slightly for an"antique" effect. I splashed drops of the alcohol all over the surface right away and watched the turquoise underneath begin to peer out in surprising ways. It still didn't work completely well enough, although I could see that I was headed in the right direction. So I let everything dry overnight, then tried it again from the beginning with first more turquoise and then more copper. This time, I had the right formula for the thickness of the copper paint!

As a finishing touch, I then added a dash more of the turquoise in 2 toned splatters using a loaded paintbrush which I tapped just inches above the surface. I allowed those paint layers a nice, relaxing drying time of (as I recall) several days.

As the paint layers were still drying, I began a first mock-up using graph paper. As a base or mold, I used a vitamin powder packet box that I noticed fits ATCs a bit snugly. The snug part was the clue. To build a brand new box with a totally different construction and lid became the goal.

While the paint layers were still drying, I began a first mock-up using graph paper. As a base or mold, I used that vitamin powder packet box that I noticed fits ATCs a bit snugly. The snug part was indeed my first clue - this allowed me to figure out that my new box would probably fit ATCs a bit more loosely, thereby not damaging them. You see, my building a refit from the outside would add to the size a bit on all sides. To build a brand new box with a totally different construction, look and lid became my ideal. And the fewer the seams, the better.

Once the fit to the graph paper pattern was finalized, I carefully removed my painting from the watercolor block using a smooth edged blade to separate it from the glue edging, then traced around the pattern on the back of the painting and carefully cut it out. The orange pencil marks made everything simpler with the next step. These did not show once I'd lined the inside of my Box.

A T square ruler really came in handy for scoring. This project is the wrong size and shape for a scoring board - but then, I currently don't have one anyway. Tip: if you should decide you'd like to try making my box using your own decorative skills, please be aware that to score and fold first prior to adding the lining is essential to the success of this project.

Below is how the unassembled Box looks when marked, scored and carefully folded. There is a somewhat trickier fold than usual in the Lid area. Notice how the top of the Lid is a tiny bit broader across the top? Please do pay close attention to the dotted lines of my download when scoring. The added width is there in order to allow the Lid to fit smoothly down over the top lip of the Box.

Prior to bothering with any prep work for the lining, I paper-clipped the box at its join spots to see whether I had got the fit just right. I am delighted to say that everything about this went well.

(sighing) Lovely, creamy Mulberry paper - the best thing I could think of for when a thin layer of something decorative would work best.

Prepping the Box's interior for its lining is the next step. Notice how the folds held steady for me even after the gesso had been added. I attribute this staying power to the heft and sturdiness of the paper along with all of the many layers of pigment on the outside side of it. Though I neglected to photograph it, my next layer was one in the verdigris Turquoise. Once the Mulberry Paper lining was being adhered using Liquitex Heavy Matte Gel Medium, notice how the turquoise showed through. I left this to dry lying open and unassembled overnight.

The next evening, I began gluing the box together - I did this backwards, unfortunately. It would have been simpler to have begun with the back rather than the front. Lolz My enthusiasm got the better of me!

Lastly, I glued the Lid so it would hold its shape. Already, I could see the possibilities for the decorative portion.

The following morning (this past Wednesday), I was up with the lark and working on making my very first paper tassel. Although I'm not altogether pleased with how it turned out, it can always be replaced later on. I began by coating a single sheet from an approximately 3.5"x5" tiny pad of some luxurious Italian paper. The paper is Velata by Cartiera Magnani. It's actually made for drawing, although it took the Turquoise acrylic quite well, as you can see in this photo. (BTW, I have looked it up and the Italian word, "velata" means "veiled.")

Next, it was time to play a few "dress-up" games with this box. I am still not quite satisfied with the the way in which it turned out, but I left certain areas un-glued in order to make any new changes a bit easier later on.

Next, I added a bit of embellishment to the top of the Lid, as outlined in this next photo's caption below. One bit of advice: never construct this box using 2 already decorated pieces that are joined together at the lid "hinge" fold area. Too many layers and too much stiffness would make it less usable. it really is best to make a one piece version if you choose to use my own Pattern.

For anyone who may be interested, downloads of the Pattern are in this post here at my main blog, Plush Possum Studio. Please see below. 

I'd really enjoy your feedback as to how this project works for those among you who are into making your own approach to my #ATCAD ATC Treasure Box. 

Happy ATC Creativity!

PPS™Projects: ATC Treasure Box

Download Pattern Part One HERE

Download Pattern Part Two HERE

You are free to:

Use my Pattern and instructions

for personal use ONLY.

You are not free to:

ever sell it  to anyone, even if you build on my idea.

Please give credit where credit is due.

i would surely do the same for you.

Thank you

for helping me to

keep free things free!

"Abalone" Button Alphabet

The idea came to me that I was being too limited with the design choices for my Antique Button Alphabet Sets.

This led to some new ideas that will allow for more color choices when using some of the Alphabet Button Sets I'm soon to be offering here at PPS. All the lovely colors that flow into each other I thought would make it easier for my Book Arts guests (altered books, journaling, scrapping tags, etc etc etc) to use due to color variation in this set. 

Once again, 1 inch circular punches or cutters will be useful for cutting these buttons away from their page.

Please honor my copyrights by following the red letter Guidelines located at the foot of the post. Thank you.

This time, I went for what I call "vivid pastels," if that's not a contradiction in terms. The reason such a nickname for the colors in these buttons works is owing to their initial source: a lovely mottled, blurry paua shell. The paua is a member of the abalone family, the name for which is a Maori word. For more about this beautifully shelled endangered species, please visit the article HERE.

This set might be of use when making art for this (American) Mother's Day, and this year (2017) that is only 2 days away as of today. And aren't beautiful pauas worth rescuing for the delight of future generations? The nature-conscious people of New Zealand believe that they are, and I know I do too.

As per usual, I've included one full alphabet per downloadable page along with 10 digits, 1 ampersand and 1 exclamation mark.

Happy creativity!

PPS™ One Inch Antique Button Alphabet: Abalone

Download HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

You are free to:

Use my Abalone 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, please)

Thank you

for helping me to

keep free things free!

#ATCAD2017 A Friday Freebie: New ATC Backgrounds

This set is a new color way of the previous one. 

I like how they both have turned out. This sort of thing is just plain fun. I'd like it even better if I could see some of the ATCs my guests are making using my free backgrounds. Please feel free to let me know if you'd care to show something here. I'll gladly give you credit for the work you've done.

Please respect all copyrights listed along with any digital brush credits. My red letter Guidelines are located at the foot of this post. Thank you.

The previous color way version of this set may be seen by following this link HERE.

So here's that ATC Freebie Set for Friday.
:)

Happy Creativity!

PPS™ATC Sixpack: Smudged and 

Splattered Brights No. 2

Download HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

Digital Brush Credit:

www.obsidiandawn.com

All other design ©2017RHMcGuinn

You are free to:

make art using these ATC Backgrounds

that is to be either kept by you

or else given or traded.

ATCs are not meant to be sold, anyway, 

just treasured.

You are not free to:

ever sell any of these items

for any reason.

Thank you

for helping me to 

keep free things free!

3 New Paper Doll Dinner Outfits

The mother-to-be and her cousin both have pretty new dinner dresses while Tom's outfit has been given an update.

Some of my guests here may have already noticed this fact being mentioned in a previous tea party post earlier in the season (to be found by following this link HERE).

Please respect my hard work and copyrights by following the red letter Guidelines at the foot of this post. And thank you for stopping by.

Tom and Mercy have a dinner date together with Mercy's younger cousin, Victoria. All three were invited to have dinner at Tom's parents' home near Kensington Gardens. Their plans are to include a discussion of a special charitable occasion that will include the refurbishing of a special health care facility located in London's East End. The place will benefit anybody who is in need of health care services, regardless of anyone's means.

The three young people chat excitedly in their hired carriage about the many plans they and their families have already made. The expectant mother, Mercy, is all aglow at the idea of helping other young mothers for years to come. For Victoria, too, this will be an exciting new adventure in her young adulthood. For Tom, this is a year round project. He is a very generous and kindhearted young man, one of the many reasons why his pretty young wife fell in love with him in the first place.

For this occasion, I have given Tom a second version of his first Evening Suit, this time with a more neutral background showing behind his trouser legs. Hopefully this will make the outfit fit into almost any of my Paper Doll Scenes.

The yoke of Mercy's pretty aquamarine maternity style dinner dress is lavishly adorned with lace and trimming. The dress itself is designed to flow from a shortened bodice, to accommodate her growing tummy. Personally, I like her matching fan and long gloves. Both lace and velvet of the bodice bring the focus to her lovely face, while her pretty floral patterned skirt is designed with ease of movement in mind.

As for Victoria, her lovely new dinner dress is of a different shade of blue than that worn by her cousin. Purchased using her first wages (for more about that short term position may be read at the following link HERE), this sweet dinner dress is one that she and her grandmother picked out and then had fun together hand decorating with beads from her grandmother's sewing box. I especially like the flattering shape of the skirts of that era, and this one is no exception. Just charming.

With hearts full of generous good cheer and minds full of many ideas, the three friends will soon arrive at their destination for the evening.

Happy Playtime Creativity!

Mercy's Maternity Dinner Dress

Download HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

Victoria's New Beaded Dinner Dress

Download HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

(a better version of) Tom's Evening Suit

Download HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

You are free to:

play with, trade and/or give freely

any of the dolls or their outfits or scenes

that have been made by me.

You are not free to:

ever sell any of those items

in any way or for any reason.

Otherwise, this is my work you'd be selling.

Thank you

for helping me to 

keep free things free!

Pretty Striped Paper Doll Visiting Dress

Mercy has a new dress!

And isn't it pretty? It had to be refitted by me from the original to this doll. I have also changed the coloration of it to reflect a different look, plus altered the parasol so that it can look white and fresh as a daisy instead of dull and grubby.

Please respect my copyrights on this altered paper doll outfit. They are listed below in the red letter Guidelines. Thank you!

©RHMcGuinn as are all of the rest of the Paper Dolls, outfits, rooms, Scenes and Accessories, including standards. Thanks for the courtesy.

Mercy, her young husband and Mercy's cousin, Victoria have been aboard a steamship which has brought them to another landing place. Can you guess where they might have gone since their exciting stay in Venice? I'll reveal the new stop on their tour very soon.
;)

Some tips on fitting Hat Tabs to their matching hats:
It is probably best to begin with the top edge first, with the gray colored Tab against the back of the actual hat that it's matching in both shape and size. Many times, I've included decorations near the tops of hats which make good starting points for this process.
I prefer to use a really good glue stick whenever working with such paper projects, such as Yuhu brand, although I do like to keep some 3M brand in my crafting supplies and this works just as well. Please wait for the glue to dry, even if it is from a glue stick. Once it isn't tacky enough to stick to either the paper doll's head or face, just try it on the doll and keep adding bits of glue until it won't slip and slide off. 
Lastly, trim away any excess that could spoil the looks of the doll. This I think works best as a final step and using small scissors - in my case, I'll often use manicure scissors with a sharp tip for such refined work.

Happy playtime creative fun!

PPSPlaytime™: Mercy's New Striped 

Visiting Dress

Download HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

You are free to:

play with or give or trade

this paper doll outfit.

You are not free to:

ever sell it for any reason.

Thank you

for helping me to

keep free things free!

Gem Tone Paper Doll Birthday Dresses

For Victoria the Free Paper Doll

Here is Set Number One in a series of new dress choices for the slightly more grown up dressing of Victoria the Paper Doll. The very first time that I saw the fashion illustration used for this new paper doll dress, I was not at all certain that I'd be able to make it work for this doll. However, with some work, I have redesigned it to fit the New Look version of the doll and also added new colors to suit her various hair color choices.

Please read and follow the red letter Guidelines at the foot of this post. Thank you.

Happily, after a certain amount of work, it finally fits the doll and also looks a bit better than it first did. Each one of the dresses below has its own matching gemstone brooch pinned to the bodice, just below the lacy neckline. I've made the dancing shoes to match each one as well. You'll note how it has a little more mature quality to its looks than the one which she was given for her 19th Birthday last year. It is also the very latest style for her 20th year celebration.

For each dress, there are 5 hair colors to choose from, each one with its own feathery decoration at the back in a matching color. She also has a matching dance card fan with its very own tiny pencil attached through a sleeve - like loop along one edge.

The Story:
As mentioned in a previous post, Victoria's 20th birthday will soon be occurring in the month of July. She is becoming a little more mature and a little more wise with each passing year. Just this last spring, she passed all of her exams quite readily. Her teachers have suggested that she become a teacher herself after some further study. 

She will want to travel first, of course, and to learn more about the world and all of its various cultures. She longs to teach her favorite subjects, foreign languages and geography! Her grandmother is entirely supportive of such an excellent career choice. Special arrangements have already been made for Victoria to travel this summer on her own modest and more updated version of the European Grand Tour.

Her newly married cousin, Mrs. Mercy DeHaven, will soon finally be able to take an extended honeymoon trip abroad with her spouse, Mr. Tom DeHaven. The DeHavens have offered to chaperone young Victoria, to give her a separate stateroom aboard ship, as well as rooms in the same hotels in which they are to be staying, and to take her with them along the way. Tom will be there for business purposes during part of the time that they are to be abroad, and so Mercy will have the companionship she'd lack without such a special family guest as her favorite young cousin along.

In the meantime, just prior to Victoria's birthday party, many things are to happen. She must add a few new items to her travel accessories for the journey, including walking shoes and a new steamer trunk, among other things. The steamer trunk is to be a birthday present from the family. This will truly be a journey worth remembering!

But more on her travels will be offered here during the coming weeks and months. Let's enjoy her birthday party first, shall we?

Happy Playtime Creativity!

PPSPlaytime™: Victoria's Gem Tone 

Party Dress Set #1

Download Garnet Gown HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

Download Amethyst Gown HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

Download Aquamarine Gown HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

Download Emerald Gown HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

Download Sapphire Gown HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

©RHMcGuinn as are all of the rest of the Paper Dolls, outfits, rooms, Scenes and Accessories, including standards. 

Thanks for the courtesy.

Guidelines

You are free to:

play with or trade or give

the above outfits.

You are not free to:

ever sell them in any form or 

for any reason.

Thank you

for helping me to

keep free things free!

The Spring Garden Collection Continues!

This time, there are some fun new Accessories.

Photo corners can be fun, especially if they look different or have a bold edge.

Please observe the red letter Guidelines below. Thank you.

This set is an exclusive Plush Possum Studio creation, made by me. It had to be reworked, cleared, and then refashioned significantly before it could be used.

Next, I added colors to match or to blend with at least 2, but possibly 3, of the recent Spring Garden Sets here. for a quick and easy shortcut to the rest of the Spring Garden Collection sets, etc., please follow the link HERE.

Below, you can see one Display Example first, followed by the Download, etc. I've tucked one of the antique photos from my personal collection into the corners in the Example for a better idea as to how they should look.

Half inch margins are used for this set. Also, results may vary from printer to printer.  Please choose your appropriate settings.

Thanks so much for stopping by here with your~
Happy Creativity!

PPS™ Spring Garden Accessories: Photo Corners

Display Example

Download the Set HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

You are free to:

use the Photo Corners shown above

in art and crafting projects

that may be either given or sold.

If you sell, please give credit to 

www.plushpossumstudio.blogspot.com

You are not free to:

ever sell items from this set in sets of your own.

Thank you

for helping me to

keep free things free!

Feather Your Nest with This New Spring Set

Mix and match as you play with my newest original set!

This all began as a new way to play with the alphabet. If enough people seem interested, I might end up by making a separate set of Egg numerals and punctuation marks. Please let me know what you think by leaving me a comment about it.
:)

Please note that there are 2 copyrights this time for you to consider. I will leave red letter Guidelines as a signpost for my guests here at the Studio beneath the images in this post, as per my usual habit. I ask that they please be read and observed for the sake of fairness. It would be illegal to do otherwise. Thank you.

This project all began last winter with a desire to refresh our spirits with a few spring-like things to play with during the final weeks of the winter. Some of the things shown below had to be thought about or reworked over the past two or so months. I hope my time and thought have been worth it.

My Egg Alphabet began with a few wild bird egg images, then gradually became the more cohesive, matching set shown below. It was a labor of love with learning every single step of the way. I had to change the entire thing 3 different ways before it would satisfy me LOL. But that's the way of these things, and it is more fun for me to continue learning with each new project, anyhow.

Once the Egg Alphabet was finally complete, I chose two colors to add along with a number of fun, playful accessories. The theme of birds and eggs and spring is so delightful that I may find myself inclined to play with it a second time very soon.
:)

The distressed polka dot pattern is my own, while the lacy pattern belongs to www.obsidiandawn.com. Please see the rules for use of their designs by visiting their website.

There are sure to be more fun things offered to work well enough with this new, big Bird Set in the near future. You see, I keep having new ideas! Hopefully by the weekend, there will be more.

You will note how the very fist thing to be shown below is my Egg Alphabet. Children might have fun playing with those on a card for someone special. My thoughts turn to a few themes for you to choose from, namely springtime and any special days connected with it, birthdays, or even a Mother's Day card might be nice.

I hope that you will find something here which can be used in a little gift giving or greeting card design. The pockets are perhaps a bit big for most cards, but they could work very nicely in other types of creative play, including most Book Arts projects.

Thanks for stopping over with your~
Happy Creativity!

PPS™ Spring Bird Collection

Download my Egg Alphabet HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

Download Green Accessory Set HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

Download Blue Accessory Set HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

Download Green Lacy Background HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

Download Blue Lacy Background HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

Download Green Dotted Background HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

Download Blue Dotted Background HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

You are free to:

use items from this collection of sets

for personal or professional use

provided that you will

credit both www.obsidiandawn.com

and

www.plushpossumstudio.com

whenever sales are involved.

You are not free to:

ever repackage anything 

you see here for sale in separate sets,

even if you alter it.

Please give credit where credit is due.

Thank you.

Accessories for Garden Set 5

...and a garden bench to rest upon.

I've taken the original set and played with its color ways for this additional set. The tag that I've included is sized to fit the original pocket, provided it is collaged in the flat (and not too heavily).

Please observe the red letter Guidelines at the base of this post. Thank you.

The rustic style garden bench is probably my favorite part of this Accessory Set. I've added a label from the previously posted Spring Garden Label Set. No change of color or hue was required. 

For the main matching Set, you can follow the link HERE.

For the original Label Set, you can follow the link HERE. These have been offered 2 ways, with quotes and without.

I've also added some smaller sized buttons that match the original buttons from the same set, along with another small buckle. These all come from images of some shells, but have been altered considerably by me.

For good measure, there is a new decorative frame to add to the mix. This I found in an old file on my desktop. It was already partly processed, and so I have finished it, adding color along the way. This was a fun project!

Thank you for stopping by with your~
Happy Creativity!

PPS™ Spring Garden Collection 

Accessories for Set No. 5

Download HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

This item has copyrights

that allow free use.

You are free to:

use items from this set

in artwork that is to be kept, given or sold.

You are not free to:

ever sell any one or all of the items here 

as they are now.

Thank you 

for helping me to

keep free things free!

Art Journal Cover for Book Artists

A remade cover done in 6 color choices.

This was found quite a while ago. I loved this old book cover, yet it clearly was not quite yet ready to be fully versatile for most creatives. The upshot of my adding several changes to it is as you see here. They are simply crying out to be embellished and altered, wouldn't you agree?

Please respect the time and effort which had to go into this project by playing fair with all artists, myself included. Please see the red letter Guidelines at the bottom of this post. Thank you.

Along with the Original look there are 5 more colors to be chosen from: Red, Purple, Blue, Teal, and Olive Drab (or brown). There are half inch margins for all 6.

Happy Journal and Book Art Creativity!

PPS™Book arts Art Journal Cover

Download Original HERE

Display version 

(lower quality than the download)

Download Red HERE

Display version 

(lower quality than the download)

Download Purple HERE

Display version 

(lower quality than the download)

Download Blue HERE

Display version 

(lower quality than the download)

Download Teal HERE

Display version 

(lower quality than the download)

Download Olive Drab (brown) HERE

Display version 

(lower quality than the download)

You are free to:

use any one of the above book cover images

in art

for fun or for profit.

Yu are not free to:

ever sell them as they are here.

Thank you 

for helping me to

keep free things free!