Stamped & Watercolor Artist Trading Coins

Artist Trading Coins are a fun new twist on the Artist Trading Card.  Instead of making the shape a rectangle, it is a circle.  The side to side dimension or diameter is still the same as a regular ATC so it can still fit into an ATC holder, but really you can make then as small or large as you want!  The fun part of an ATC (the coin still has the acronym), is that you can make into anything you want, that is the freedom of the ATC.  I made 3 coins for my first try, all with the same techniques, but in different colors.

Check out the video below to see how fun these are to make!!

I used the Derwent Academy Watercolour Pencil Tin, Derwent Academy Assorted Brushes, and Derwent Academy Watercolour Pad with the Xyron 1.5 in Sticker Maker.

I first stamped the image in a black pigment ink onto the Derwent Academy Watercolour Pad and then colored the spaces in with the Derwent Academy Watercolour Pencil Tin in various colors.  The first circle was done with hues of blue and purples.

After coloring in the section I used the Derwent Academy Assorted Brushes with water to brush the color into a watercolor effect.  It was wonderful!

After coloring in the sections with the watercolor pencils I cut it out into the circle shape with a die cut and inked the edges.  This one was done in colors are in reds yellows, and oranges.  

I just love this pairing of colors, they blended wonderfully!

I then printed out the phrase "Creativity Takes Courage" on my printer in a fun script font and cut out each word and inked them.  I used the Xyron 1.5 in Sticker Maker to turn each little word into a sticker to place on to the ATC.  This last one is shades of green.

For a little added flair I added in some staples and some gem rhinestones.

Using the Xyron 1.5 in Sticker Maker made the application of each of these tiny words so much easier and they stick wonderfully!

So if you are looking for a fun new twist on a creative little project, try out doing a little Artist Trading Coin, something about making it a circle is super fun!!

Supplies Used

Interested in the supplies I used in this project?  Most are listed below and some are affiliate links, which generates a me little commission (at not extra cost to you at all) when you click on the link and make a purchase.  Affiliate and product disclosure can be found here.

Shareasale Shop at: O	Rita Barakat Products Shop at: O	Tailwind Shop at: O	Swingline Stapler, Retro Shop at: AZ
Swingline S.F. 4 Premium Staples Shop at: AZ	Fiskars Scissors Shop at: AZ | LFL (UK)	Xyron Create-a-Sticker Shop at: SB	Font Bundles Shop at: O
Paint Puck Shop at: AZ	Cuttlebug Shop at: AZ	Cuttlebug Plate C Shop at: SB | AZ	Umbrella Inks Shop at: SB
Cardstock 8.5x11 Card Paper Shop at: SB | AZ	Epson Printer Shop at: AZ	Fiskars Paper Trimmer Shop at: SB | AZ | LFL (UK)	Non Stick Craft mat Shop at: AZ
Cirlce Nested Dies Shop at: SB	Black Craft Mat Shop at: AZ	Derwent Watercolor Pencils Shop at: O	Derwent Brushes Shop at: O
Derwent Watercolor Pad Shop at: O

"Good Times" Junk Journal

I love to make junk journals.  It is a different way to play with your paper craft items, and create create without any restrictions.  You can make them any theme, color, size, and length your want!!

This book is really quite easy to assemble using craft supplies you might already have.

1. Start with a 12x12 over sized kraft envelope cut up into strips of 4x12 inches and fold in half to make the pages of the book.  
2. Take sections of plain chipboard (or you could use cereal box cardboard) and cut 2 sections that are 4x6 inches and 1 that is 1.5x4 inches for the spine.  
3. Bind it all together with washi tape.  
4. Use a twine binding system to hold the pages in place.  

Check out the video below to see how the book is assembled.

I used the theme of fun, drinks, flamingos, and inspiring quotes with bright spring colors in this junk journal.  Here is the front cover.

It really was fun to put together with all these bright fun colors.  Each page has something fun and inspiring on it to make you smile.

Here is video tutorial on how I put it all together using my Xyron Mega Runner and 3" Sticker Maker to hold all the papers in place.

I love the look of the Deep Red Stamps in this book.  I got one stamp call Butterfly Flourish and love how well it worked with the book.  Here are 2 pages where I used the stamp.   I made the pages almost identical and one is the the front of the book and one in the back, but changed with the colors just a bit to make them a little different, like books ends within the book.

I also used the Penny Farthing stamp but not as a penny farthing.  The front wheel looked like part of the lemon or lime slice, so I used it with that in mind.  The first time was on the front cover (pictures at the top of the post) and also on this page with a masking techniques you can see in the video.

I am just in love with the fun pineapples - they are just too fun!!

There are also some hidden pockets in the book where I places some fun colored sheets or flamingos!!

I love the last page of the book and the quote it gives, just take a look!

What would you put in your junk journal?

Supplies Used

Interested in the supplies I used in this project?  Most are listed below and some are affiliate links, which generates a me little commission (at not extra cost to you at all) when you click on the link and make a purchase.  Affiliate and product disclosure can be found here.

Post-It Notes Shop at: AZ	Swingline Paper Trimmer / Cutter, Guillotine Shop at: AZ	Xyron Tape Runner Refil Shop at: AZ	Xyron Mega Runner Refil Shop at: SB | AZ
Prima Pearl Swirl Shop at: AZ	Fiskars Scissors Shop at: AZ | LFL (UK)	Rinea Foilled Paper Shop at: O	CCB Mini Clothespins Shop at: AZ
Xyron tape runner Shop at: AZ	Xyron Adhesive Eraser Shop at: AZ	Xyron Mega Runner Shop at: SB	Prima Plain Flowers Shop at: SB | AZ
Black Ink Shop at: SB	Eyelet Outlet Bling Shop at: AZ	Eyelet Outlet gems Shop at: AZ	Fiskars Paper Trimmer Shop at: SB | AZ | LFL (UK)
Creative Embellishment Chipboard Shop at: AZ | O	CCB 12x12 Cardstock Shop at: AZ | O	CCB Corriguated Cardboard Shop at: O	Xyron 3" Sticker Maker Shop at: SB | AZ | LFL (UK)
Tombow Dual Brush Pens Shop at: SB	Love Lemon Crafts Shop at: O	Adornit Scrapbook Paper Shop at: SB	Adornit - Art Play Coloring Book Shop at: SB
Adornit Washi Tape Shop at: SB	Black Craft Mat Shop at: AZ	Supertite Glue Shop at: AZ | O	Deep Red Stamps Shop at: SB | AZ | O
Supertite All Purpose Univseral Glue Shop at: O	CCB 12x12 Envelope Shop at: O