Good Charlotte - My First ATC

So this is my very first Artist Trading Card. I've titled it Good Charlotte.

Behind the Scenes: The paper is watercolor paper from my little handmade ATC journal. For the background I used my Winsor & Newton half pan watercolors. The images were copied and clipped from odds and ends I collected. I used a pewter sunshine charm that I bought at Michael's for .88. With a needle and a bit of blue thread, I did some stitching at the top and added a shinny green ribbon to the at top and bottom of the card to make it glimmer.

If you make ATCs and have a website, please leave me a comment. I'd love to visit your page! Making these little trading cards may become an new favorite pastime of mine.

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Good Charlotte,
Where do you want to go?
What do you want to do?

You glow everywhere you go,
and everyone expects sunshine from you.

Now it is time to take up your light,

carry it at your side,

and don't fritter it all away
to those who don't give at least a bit back.
Save the rest for yourself.
Because you are the one who appreciates it the most.

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Adding a Bit of Color to My Moleskine

Friday night was a quiet night at home that inspired me to get out my new watercolor set. After I set up my tray table, plugged in my trusty red Ipod into the stereo, and started the latest audiobook on my playlist, I was ready to use my half pan set. And I have to say it was quite relaxing to paint while listening to The Monsters of Templeton by Lauren Groff. (I'll write more about this book after I finish it, but I'm really enjoying this read.)

First, I made a palette on paper of the colors in my set -- just to test them out, so to speak. I didn't take any pictures of the color tests and mixes, but I do have pictures of my Watercolor Moleskine sketch after adding some color. The picture below shows my tray table full of stuff...limited space, but I made it work.

I had fun mixing the colors for the flower buds and was impressed at how the colors on the packet of seeds turned out. Below is a larger picture of the outcome.

And that was my Friday night. On Saturday my mom had the day off and we did a bit of shopping at the craft stores. And today, I still had the bargain bug and went to Office Max & Office Depot.

Here are some of my finds yesterday and today:

• A 12 color set of Prismacolor Watercolor Pencils for 40% off. This will be a great starter set for me to begin with.
  
  
• My other really great find was a mini set of 48 Crayola Colored Pencils for a whole $2.60!! It even came in a cool plastic carrying case with a mini pencil sharpener. Can't get a better deal than that!
  
  
• Fleur-de-lis doodads! I've loved fleur-de-lis for years and suddenly you can find them everywhere. I'm starting to look for dangles to decorate my journals and to decorate other projects.
  

The weekend is great for bargain shopping and now garage sales will begin! To all those who spent their weekend like I did, I hope you also found some great bargains!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend before Monday begins!