Blog Hop Time with Prizes and... ATBs !!!

It's BLOG HOP Time for StencilGirl/Sizzix Artists!

 I am so excited about the New Thing on the Block!  ATBs or Artist Trading Blocks! They are so easy to make and the sky is the limit with what you can create.

So here we were asked to use Eileen Hull's soon-to-be realeased Block/Cubes 3D die with StencilGirl Stencils. Perfect!

Of course, I had to go CRAZY with mine. It's a sickness. But I have to say, it was extremely rewarding!
 

 

So come along, I'll lead you through mine. AND make sure you leave a comment.  It will enter you into the drawings for PRIZES from StencilGirls and Eileen Hulls 3-D Scoreboard Block Die plus Matboard!.

 

This is how ATBs have been described....

 

" Unlike Tags and ATC’s Artist trading blocks allow you to create in 3-D! Why show only one side of your creativity when you can express yourself with multidimensional style? With Eileen Hull’s (soon to be released) Scoreboards Block dies you can showcase your creative side inside and out on an ATB! "

 

This is a picture of the Block/Cube 3D .... cute, eh? Check your local craft stores in February.

 

 

 I used the 9x12 Gears Stencil by Mary Beth Shaw L030

  

and the 6x6 Layered Salad S111 stencil by Terri Stegmiller.

 

 

This Block is cut from White Mat Board.

The 2 pieces of mat board are shown with the one flap under the left section. This is how you put it together using double stick tape after it's decorated.

 

When you're done decorating, you simply fold it up on the score lines, tuck in the flaps, and glue it together. Simple!

 

 

So, I started by laying down color onto white Stamping Paper with Fresco Acrylic Paints and Cut-n-Dry Foam.

 

 

I added the Gears stencil with Vintage Photo Distress Ink and a Blending Tool.

 

Then, since Distress Ink can be used as an Embossing Ink, I added Clear Embossing Powder over it and melted with a heat tool.

 

(You'll have to use your imagination here since I forget to take a picture before I glued the pieces on.)

 

I laid the Gears stencil back over the embossed area and STAMPED with Jet Black Archival Ink and an Artful Tools Stamp. The Archival Ink will dry on the embossing and the stencil will block the stamp from the non-embossed area.

 

 

Then I "roll stamped" the Steampunk stamp carefully in the non-embossed areas of the paper, and added markers. I also used white paint in the Word Bands.

 

Lay it out and see what you want to move around.

 

 

Next I wanted to raise the Box off the table, so I found wooden pedestals at Hobby Lobby. But how to decorate???

 

I used white Tissue Paper and traced the Gears with a permanent black Micro Pen.

 

 

I also wanted a Topper, so I used Fresco Paints, Foam, and the Layered Salad Stencil to create an image large enough to go around the wooden top.



 

I like to outline the stencils with black permanent pen to make the colors pop.

 

 

 

I base coat the 2 wooden pieces white first.

 

Then cut or tear pieces of the stenciled Tissue Paper and add to the top with Glue-n-Seal.

 

I added hand painted designs here and there to fill in the holes in my design.

 

The black trim covers any irregular painting of lines and just looks cool...

 

 

 I used Finnabair's Small Vintage Clock Face on the top and added some more hand painted areas.

 

 

The base is done the same way with a black pen and paints to finish it off. I added a layer of Gloss Multi-Medium to both to seal and add shine.

 

 

I've shown steps for making these numbers before, but here's a short version...

 

Push the metal Numerals into embossing ink. Carefully remove them and push into an open jar of Ultra Thick Embossing Powder. This way the UTEE stays in the jar.

 

Then on a craft sheet, heat until it's melted with a heat tool. It won't look like it's going to cover the number, but it spreads out.

 

 I used Platinum, and sprinkled on a bit of Bronze while it's still hot.

 

 

So all that is left is to add the sections to the box. Here's side Number 1....

 

...then side Number 2. Each has a Number, layered up Mini Gears, and an Observation Word Band.

 

Side 3 has a Small Brass Steampunk Charm from Retro Cafe Art.....

 

....and the Brass Watch Movement Charm is on Number 4. All the smaller gears are glued onto larger gears that I got somewhere in my travels.

 

All that's left is adding Wonder Tape to the flaps and putting it together!

 

Give it a go, or at least leave a comment for a chance to WIN A PRIZE, and HOP on to the next Blog for another take on ATBs and another chance to win!!!

  

 All comments on the hop are eligible for the giveaway. The more blogs you comment on, the more chances you have to win.

Giveaway will close on Friday, December 13th at 11:59PM Central Time.

 

Just a Note: One Winner on the last Hop I was on came from my Blog! Just sayin'.
 

Linda

StencilGirl Talk

Eileen Hull

Mary Beth Shaw

Linda Cain YOU ARE HERE

Janet Joehlin

Pam Carriker

Carolyn Dube

Johnnie Lanier

Linda Kittmer

Leslie Tucker Jenison

Kirsten Reed

Marjie Kemper

Mary C. Nasser

Amy Bowerman

Maria McGuire

And here is the link to The Artists on the Block website.

UPDATE: If you only want to cut a larger block (3 1/4x 3 1/4) then this die is in stock here.

 

 The new one that cuts all 3 sizes uses a 3x3 block as shown in the tutorial