Well, it’s that time of the year again. I’m supposed to downscaling my projects right now, but the iHanna PCS only comes around twice a year, and I couldn’t pass it up!

Once again, I have decided to share my postcard making process, I’ve added a few new steps. This post is photo heavy, so I will try to keep the jibber-jabber to a minimum:

Step one: postcard backgrounds

I usually have a few left over pieces from my art journal makings, so I just cut them down to 6″ x 4″. These are a combination of spray dye, paint, stenciling, and stamping.

Step two: adhering tissue paper

I tear long pieces of tissue paper, then adhere it with matte medium and a soft brush. This tissue is my newest favorite.

Step three: adhere random ephemera

I have a lot of store bought ephemera I’m trying to use up, and projects like these are perfect for this!

Step four: adhere vintage image

I always have book pages left over from my journal making, I go through them once in a while and punch or cut out the images, so I usually have lots of these on hand.

Step five: postage stamps

What is mail art with out postage stamps, always one of my favorite additions.

Step six: strategically placed washi tape

There’s a lot happening on these little cards, a bit of washi can give them some much needed structure.

Step seven: a wash of “antiqued” matte medium

Just put a drop of each pigment color into some matte medium, mix, and apply to the entire surface of your project.

Here’s a before and after.

The difference is subtle, but worth the extra step in my book. I use this technique on my art journal pages quite often. It tones down the whites and calms the brighter colors, giving the page/project a more cohesive look.

Step eight:

Going around some of the features with pencil, this gives the piece depth and contrast.

Step nine: address and send with Love!

I had so much fun making these that I made 15 of them, I only needed 10 for the swap!

Once again,

Thank you for popping in,

Have a great weekend,

~Patty