Blossoms and Butterflies

I found adhesive backed canvas atc's at Michaels last week and  bought them because they are a wonderful size for greeting cards. I like the fact that I can just peel off the protective backing and stick them down, and don't have to worry about using glue (or having it seep through). The first thing I did was use a waterproof pen to do some 'stitching'~

  
 then I stamped some images using Archival waterproof ink.

The stamp in this photo is for another atc I made to include in my Gardening Journal, but the steps are the same

 I gave the canvas a minute or so to dry, then misted it with water from my Mini Mister. While it was damp, I used Distress dye ink and my Zig H2o Pen to color the sky. Just smear a bit of ink on a craft sheet --- or wax paper---, then dip the bristles into the ink and touch them onto the canvas. Dye inks bleed a bit when wet, but this gives the piece a watercolored look.

Color in the images, cleaning your brush between colors. The Zig H2O pen cleans by simply brushing it on a paper towel...so easy!

stitched and stamped

color background, then do other images

When I finished coloring all the images, I dried the atc with my heat tool but you could just let it air dry.
Next, I stamped some text on one side and added any finishing details with the black marker I used for the pen stitching. At this point you can embellish, mat and decorate. You can use white paint or a gel pen to add highlights or Stickles to add sparkle.

I mounted the atc  to an blue edge-punched matting, then to green matting before I placed it on the front of a blank card.

 As a finishing touch, I added a stick pin and button laced with bakery twine. The atc with the Viola print is nestled in my Gardening Journal. I've been keeping track of a special little project and I can't wait to show you what I've been up to in the backyard!

Happy Mother's Day....hope your day is filled with blossoms and butterflies!