Monthly ATC Swap

Decided to stop the International Swap at Swap-Bot for temporary, as I have too much commitment and too many deadlines to meet.  So I decided, for the time being, I will just concentrate on the Monthly ATC Swap with the Facebook group.

Most often, when I scrapped, the final piece goes to someone else, except for those projects that I did in classes, I hardly have anything for myself.  Reason why I love joining swaps, it is a chance for me to appreciate others' master pieces and to keep it for good.  These art pieces also serves as great reference to inspire me, especially when my mojo has gone somewhere hiding...

Also, joining swaps sometimes really squeeze me to the juice and drives me out of the box.  Due to the restriction of themes  / criteria set, I have a chance to hands on something that I've never tried before.  This allows me to learn something new after experimenting around.  So, every swap is a new lesson learnt!  I really do enjoy the monthly swap and do not hope to miss any of the months...

Here's my take for the past 3 months!

Jan's Theme: Friendship

I've used the decorative edge scissors to cut the patterned paper and inked the edges.  The image of the girls are actually full size standing tall, I have covered half of the rubber stamp with my double side tape so that only half image will be stamped / embossed.  Then I stamped / embossed the " 友 / Friend" lettering.  Last step is to color the little red flower, tadah.. so here's my completed piece!

Feb's Theme: Hearts

I first crumpled the gift wrapping tissue paper and stick it on a piece of card stock for backing.  Then I embossed  with the Autumn Leaves heart Image from the stamp set that I purchased 2nd hand from Sasha, I really love the stamp set.  As the tissue paper were crumpled, the embossing powder actually cracked and peeled off, I hope that eventually when it was passed to my swap partners, the embossed images will not fall apart.  Though different from what I originally intended, I rather like the end result...  



Mar's Theme: Yellow Color
This theme really "drives" my crazy as I hardly a "yellow" person and find it real hard, it took me a while to go through my paper stash again and again that I finally dig out this patterned paper from Graphic45 and use the Fawn Lawn "Hello Friend" stamp set to stamp the sentiments.  Finally step is to add on the butterfly punch out using my Martha Stewart Monarch butterfly punch.

As for Apr's Theme, it is my favorite theme - Distressed Technique!  And this is the first time I complete the ATCs on time and much earlier than expected (it is due 25/Apr only)!  My inspiration just come and I did it within less than 1 hour's time!  But I will not be show casing here yet as the Swap is not done yet.  Do come back and check it out next month!