Masterboards

I'm addicted to masterboards! I first learned about them from some swap friends and this link: https://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=457700.0 but there are a lot of other examples and tutorials out there. A masterboard is basically a layered mess intended to be the background for future projects. I made a bunch using paper bags, envelopes, scrapbook paper, and cardstock as the base then added paint, stamping, sharpies, torn book pages, tissue paper, and so on. I haven't been very consistent with photographing my masterboards but here are the pictures I have saved to my computer.

The inside of a security envelope (usually mailed with bills) has a nice background to start:

Tissue paper layered with stickers and paint on top of a paper bag:

Some paper bags layered with mostly paint using objects found around the house as stamps:

Sometimes I only add a little:

And sometimes I add a lot (layers of newspaper, book pages, spray ink, and more!):

And here are a few that I made with scrapbook paper as the base:

Most of them look like a great big mess but once they are cut smaller it easier to see their potential! A  lot of these have since been cut into smaller sections and sent to other people around the world to use for their projects. 

June ATCs

Usually I give away or trade all my ATCs but in June I made two that I kept for myself (at least for now). Here they are:

"ATC Address" made with masterboard background, post marked stamp, and scrapbook paper. I made this one to represent a swap I'm hosting.

"Follow Your Dreams" Made on a masterboard background with dimensional stickers, scrapbook tag, and a quote from a "pop open" card. I fell in love with this one and since I didn't have anyone in mind when I made it I decided to hold onto it. I may give it away in the future but for now I keep it on my craft table and it makes me happy. 

Now onto the cards I've sent into the world!

"Beauty in Nature" made on a masterboard background with dimensional flower sticker, tea tag, childrens book images, and metallic star brads. The quote on the tea tag is from Vincent Van Gogh "If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere." Since I can't help but think of "The Starry Night"painting when I see his name I was compelled to add some stars in a little swirl. 

"Dancing Cauliflower" made on a masterboard background with cutout from a macaroni and cheese box. Just a bit of fun. We recently started buying this kind and the picture on the box just looks like a cauliflower in a loincloth to me. 

"Grey with a 'Pop' of Color" watercolor background and dimensional letters, card bordered in silver. I claimed someone with the theme "greyscale with a pop of color" and couldn't resist sending this as an extra.

"Pathless Woods" on masterboard background with mushroom stamp, tea tag, a masterboard scrap, and sticker embellishments.

 "June" on masterboard background with dimensional stickers and letter stickers.

 "Plant Kindness" on masterboard background with masterboard hearts, tea tags, and metal embellishment (from an old earring).

"Watercolor Pumpkin" watercolor background in autumn colors, watercolor pumpkin with metallic paint, gold stickers, and bordered in ore metallic paint.

April ATCs

A little late in sharing these, but here are some of the ATCs I traded in April

Set of four seasons cards using similar methods/style. The squares came from a strip of magazine paper but I can't remember where I got them from, they have been in my stash for a few years.

"Winter" using scrapbook paper and stickers.

"Spring" using scrapbook paper, and raindrop stickers.

"Summer" using greeting card background, magazine, and metal butterfly embellishment.

"Harvest" background is from a paint inspiration book, tag is from a recipe card, and wooded leaf button.

"Seahorse Royalty" on watercolor background (another piece from the positive affirmation art) with sticker, cutout from a Spanish children's book, and dictionary definition. 

 "Yellow Paper Mystery" using a masterboard background, measuring tape, key, and a cutout from "The Hound of the Baskervilles" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

"Thorns" using a masterboard background, tea tags, nail art tape, and washi tape. 

"Time" on a masterboard background with tea tag, watch face, and gold stickers.