Artist Trading Block & Celebrating Independence Day!

Hello friends! I got a crafty idea in my head and I was able to make it a reality before the holiday it is meant to celebrate. Yes, I finished a 4th of July decoration before the 4th of July! Behold the ATB tower of Americana goodness (in multiple angles lol):

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Whew, there is a lot to see here. Now for two detail photos and then I can give you some info on how I put this all together.

First of all, I got all the fabulous vintage graphics from The Graphics Fairy. This is a wonderful resource for quality free graphics. You can download them and then use them in projects. It's fun to see all the different things people do with them.

Of course the structure is made with blocks cut with Eileen Hull's scoreboards dies Block and Blocks (set of 3) dies from Sizzix. I used the smallest Oval Movers & Shapers die to cut the windows in the bottom block. Distress inks let me build up some beautiful color on the surfaces, I flicked them with water to create a cool mottled effect too. The very bottom block uses clear embossing powder as a resist. Before inking the block panels, I stamped them with the Americana word stamp and embossed with clear powder. Then I went over it with blending foam and the blue inks; it makes it look enameled. I like how the blue gets in the nooks and crannies of the melted embossing powder.

The top is made with a rosette and the smallest star from the Star Bright die. I painted it silver first and then did a layer of silver embossing powder over the top of that. If you flick the back of your cardstock after you sprinkle the powder on but before you melt it, you will knock some off which ends up giving you a cool orange peel texture when you heat it. I like the rough flaky look of it.

This month Eileen's Art with Heart Challenge is Red, White & Beautiful. Link up your own project there to have a chance at winning a great prize pack. Also check out The Artists On the Block for some fabulous ATB eye candy. There is inspiration galore to be found!

Most of the supplies I used for this project can be found at Inspiration Emporium. Follow the links below and use my code JUICE to save 10% if you go shopping. I will also point out that US shipping is always $5 and international shipping is just $10! ;-) 

Tim Holtz Collection - Americana Silhouettes	Tim Holtz Collection - Mixed Media	Sizzix - Movers & Shapers - Magnetic Dies - Sized Ovals	Sizzix Bigz L Die - Star Bright, 3-D	Sizzix - Bigz Dies - Cresent Moon & Stars	Sizzix Sizzlits Decorative Strip Die - Mini Paper Rosettes (2 Sizes)
Perfect Pearls Mist - Heirloom Gold	Tim Holtz - Distress Ink Pads - Festive Berries	Tim Holtz - Distress Ink Pads - Fired Brick	Tim Holtz - Distress Ink Pads - Antique Linen	Tim Holtz - Distress Ink Pads - Faded Jeans	Tim Holtz - Distress Ink Pads - Salty Ocean
Tim Holtz - Distress Ink Pads - Chipped Sapphire	Emboss It - Dabber	Distress Embossing Ink - Pad	Ranger Embossing Powder - Silver	Ranger Super Fine Detail Embossing Powder - Clear	Tim Holtz Distress Paints - Brushed Pewter
Tim Holtz - Idea-ology - Paper Stash - Seasonal	Tim Holtz - Idea-ology - Industrious Stickers - Borders

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