Ocean Themed ATC's with mini tutorial

This month I am hosting the Circle of Friends project, Ocean Themed ATC's. When I selected the theme I did so because I love anything and everything having to do with the Ocean, I had no idea what I was going to create.

I was perusing a friends blog when I ran across a tutorial she did for a Red and Black ATC Swap. I loved the background she created and thought it would be perfect for my ATC's but I did not have the same supplies. So I tried it with what I had on hand and I am happy with the results.

The collage image and German Scrap Fish are from Paula's Kit Club, the netting stamp is from Stampington & Co. and the sea shell (hard to see but adds great texture, clear embossed) is from Repeat Impressions.

Lenna used a watercolor crayon on her ATC's but I went with three different shades of watercolor pencil. The dark and medium I squiggled all over the watercolor paper and then the lightest shade I colored the entire ATC with.

To activate the Watercolor I spritzed it with water. The 4 ATC's on the right are the result of just letting the water land, I wanted a smoother look so I took a paint brush and spread out the water and paint. The result is on the left. Just like Lenna I found that I wanted more color on some so once it dried I added more and repeated the above process.

I thought my paper had a great texture to begin with so when I added my texture stamp, the netting I did not cover the entire ATC. I used a dark blue ink. And this is where I chose to stop with the background. Lenna goes on to add more texture using various colors, be sure to check out her tutorial. HERE

I cut the images mostly just keeping the female but on some I kept some of the scenery. Affixed one of the German Scrap fish. Edged the ATC with sand and some real sea shells and miniature pebbles. To finish if off I added the blue beaded fringe.

In truth this is a really simple design for me but somehow it looks like I spent hours and hours on them...at least I think so. I'm very pleased with them and can't wait to get all the other ATC's from this swap.