2018 #1 ATC's with ESA Sneak Peek {by Dounia Large}

2018 Topic 1: ATC's

Dounia has a fascinating stick-it-remove-it technique for this post to create textured and very clever Backgrounds. To me, they almost look like a satellite map image, or perhaps a bird's eye view of nature. Swwoping over the landscape. She has cleverly secreted some new stamps from Seth Apter in the midst!

Hi everyone, it's Dounia from France. Happy New Year! All the best for 2018. Today I'd like to share with you a technique for great textured backgrounds using paper scraps. I was also lucky to be trusted with stamps from the 2018 collection of one of my favorite designers, Seth Apter... I gleefuly set to play with them so be on the look out for sneak peeks of these fabulous new stamps before their official release in a fortnight!

I'm a rather nit-picky crafter and tend to obsess over every small detail, which can make the realisation of ATC's long and stressful, especially if I want to make a bunch! I therefore love to use a technique that give me a busy and interesting motherboard, as most of the work is then done and I "only" need to worry about accents and focus images. This one also uses all your paper scraps from previous projects that you can't bear to throw away (it's not that small, I could need it!) so it's a win-win!

This way of making backgrounds is inspired by the artistique technique of décollage and particularly lacerated posters as practiced by Jacques Villegré, for example. Instead of adding layers as in collage, you take them off. For that you need base made of numerous layers. 

This is the moment to take out your paper scraps! Anything goes: cardstock, pattern paper, painted or inked pieces... Here I chose a color palette and glued layers of similar shade but you can mix random colors for crazier results! I ended up stacking 9 layers but you already get great texture with 5.

When the collage is perfectly dry, you can begin to tear off parts! It generally is very random, big pieces sometimes coming apart, or thin ribbons, one layers at a time or other times 3 together... I find the tearing very fun and satisfying, the difficulty is knowing when to stop! Most torn off pieces can also be reused, so there is little waste.

The resulting masterboard may look busy and random but when you cut it into ATC size pieces, it's another transformation! The lot is coherent but each piece has its own story to tell. You just need to listen, keep the best parts and add a few focus features to finish.

Seth's stamps are always full of versatile and inspirational words, they were easy to use to make the ATC's "speak".

I think staplers always make a statement. I love how their straight lines contrast with the more organic torn hedges while still complementing the mechanical elements from the stamps.

Clean cut shapes are another good contrast. They also help show off the dimension of the décollage layer. However you need strong punch/die to get through all these layers!

All in all a very easy technique with rewarding results. A great afternoon crafting project for a group: fun and hands on, with a tea break during drying and everybody can exchange ATC at the end. Of course, you can do bigger (or smaller) pieces and achieve very different atmospheres depending on your color palette, your layering and your tearing technique. I hope I inspired you to use your paper scraps and got you excited about Seth's new stamps! Stay curious!

Dounia x

Blog: Doudoulina

Note: New PaperArtsy stamp releases officially start here on the PA blog, Jan 18th

Our creative team love to read your comments so much, so please take time to let them know you've been inspired!  

You must complete step 1 AND 2 to be entered into the draw. 

To join our challenge:
1. Leave a comment on the Topic Introduction Post and go in the draw to win a PaperArtsy Apron. 
2. Make something arty relevant to the topic, and link your creation from any social URL (eg. Instagram, Pinterest, Blog Post etc) sharing your original make to this challenge page.

The current topic link Topic 1: ATC's will close 17:00 (London Time) Sunday, 4th February 2018, and the winner will be announced 2 hours later at 19:00. (Please note the challenge is 1 month long due to significant new Product news during January)

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