a torso...or so...

...for something completely different! this month's format is to make ATC-sized torso-shaped cards (there's a template on the SCD blog, or you can wing it) ; this week's theme is BLING! (wahey!)

here's my top tip for working in a format that requires specific dimensions: make a mortice mask! ...by which i mean... trace the exact size and shape on a piece of index stock, and cut the center out neatly with a craft knife, so you can use the negative space as a frame while you work. seriously, it takes about 3 minutes and will save you hours of heartache, because you can see before you cut exactly how much of your design is going to fit in! i keep mine in a notebook with sketches & inspirations; i have inchie, twinchie, ATC, skinni, gothic arch, etc...and now i have a torso template, too:


ok, so, the cards themselves...i had about a zillion ideas, but i settled on making three:

vintage femme fatale

dreamy indian-inspired

(this one needs a co-credit b/c that gorrrrrrgeous lotus was stamped on sticky-backed canvas and painted magnificently by my lovely friend marisol...who excels in all things inky! thanks, miss mari!)

and finally...pink-n-girlie!

i don't usually do much on the backs of my cards...but at the end of the month there is a chance to *SWAP* these with the other entrants, so i made a bit more of an effort than usual! :)

you can find all the details... (and the torso template) (and some rather FAB dt examples!) ...on the SCD blog-- enjoy! ♥

(materials femme fatale: vintage paperback cover, dictionary page & battenburg lace; marah johnson brad; grunge board flourish; mambi bling word; ranger distress ink; colorbox chalk ink; indian: vintage travel book page & a bit of hindi newspaper; anahata katkin clipart wings; recollections bling; ranger distress ink & distress stickles; girlie: vintage sewing pattern reduced & copied on to sandylion patterned paper; vintage lingerie lace; petaloo flower; prima glass pebble; velvet ribbon from a trimmings shop; heidi swapp bling; stewart superior & colorbox inks; sewing machine)

totally unrelated ps: scroll down a couple of posts to see my funky vintage blog candy...it is open until midnight on friday 8-13!