Inspirational Card Deck Swap!

10/9/2012

I’m so excited to be participating in Jessica Brogan’s Inspirational Card Deck Swap!
Today, I’m sharing a tutorial of how I created my deck for the swap!
Hope that it inspires you to participate, too!

First, I used PH Neutral PVA Bookbinders Adhesive to adhere my cards to the back of a maps...of course!

Next, I sanded the glossy coating with some very rough sandpaper.

Then I put on a layer of gesso.

Then added turquoise liquid watercolors to the maps!

Then I used these amazing map stencils from Artistcellar!

Spritzed on Perfect Pearls Mists in heirloom gold and perfect pearl.

Love how they dried!

I ♥ my map stencils from Artistcellar!

Perfect Pearl misted through map stencil.

Then Matisse background colors in 2 of my favorite blues!

Then I adhered torn survey map to my cards with gel medium.

Added some of my favorite color! Cobalt Teal!

And some watered down Unbleached Titanium...

...and some Iridescent Antique Gold.

A little bit of Iridescent Copper and Bronze...

and some 18 karat gold leafing on all the edges!

Then I printed out the 52 inspirational quotes I'd gathered.

Glued the quotes on the front, then coated them in more gel medium.

I also printed out my name and website on labels...

and stuck them on the back!

Can't wait to get inspirational cards back from 51 other artists (along with 1 of mine) just in time for 2013!

Thanks so much for visiting my blog!
Hope you're having a wonderful week!

And hope to see you this Friday night at Wood Icing Gallery!

For more information on this reception, visit my News page!
Mary^

79 Comments

Ella link

10/9/2012 12:32:42 pm

Oooh, I love maps n' turquoise, so pretty~ What a fabulous idea~
I loved what you shared! I hope you take photos of the cards you receive-how fun! :D

Becca @ The Dabblist link

10/9/2012 12:36:12 pm

What a wonderful idea. I want to start this too! Thank you for sharing.

Lisa Cousineau link

10/9/2012 01:21:39 pm

Mary, these look FABULOUS! Front and back. Lucky lucky swappers!

Emma link

10/9/2012 03:02:21 pm

Great tutorial Mary!

Michele Bergh link

10/9/2012 04:39:39 pm

Love these! I keep wanting to do this swap and I keep missing it - darn!

Charly link

10/9/2012 06:31:46 pm

What an amazing idea! I wish I was so creative like you! They look amazing, can't wait to see pictures of other creativities arriving in your mail.

Charly (BYW Bootcamp)

Roberta link

10/9/2012 10:43:01 pm

Wow. What a great idea! These are wonderful. I am amazed that there are map stencils and I never knew that there was unbleached titanium white! Live and learn! Nice work!

belinda link

10/9/2012 11:09:45 pm

goodness mary! so much work has gone into these! and they look beautiful - my fave colour combos! i hope the ones you receive are as inspiring to you
belinda (BYW) x

Hot Possum link

10/10/2012 12:43:14 am

wow mary thats a great tutorial and what a great idea... it will be so exciting for you and everyone else to see what comes in the post....

Denise BYW

Sandie link

10/10/2012 02:27:05 am

How yummy!! I've used maps on the back of mine too! I love the beautiful colours you used. It is lovely to get a teaste of what is to come - I DO HOPE I get one of your cards in my pack!

DUEALBERI link

10/10/2012 02:55:26 am

Beautiful art, Mary, we are so glad too to be learning at the decor8 Boot Camp together!

Kate @ KMericks link

10/10/2012 03:13:24 am

I had been going back and forth about doing this swap, but I think I might do it now if only to get one of your cards! Those are beautiful!

Andrea link

10/10/2012 05:00:34 am

Those map stencils are so cool!! I looked at artistcellar.com and learned you re-arranged geography and mushed Paris, London & Amsterdam together. That's the power of creativity :)

Judy Shea link

10/10/2012 05:08:18 am

Extremely cool, Mary. I'm a sucker for teal.

LeAnn link

10/10/2012 06:07:13 am

What fun!! I loved seeing the step-by-step creation of your wonderful cards.

Kimberly Jones link

10/10/2012 07:11:56 am

Oops! My comment about these cards ended up on the previous post. Just wanted to say that they are so gorgeous, and I enjoyed the tutorial! Must get map stencils now!

liz

10/10/2012 07:12:26 am

Mary! These are wonderful and thank you for posting the details on how you made them!

Anne Hubben link

10/10/2012 12:21:28 pm

These are beautiful, Mary and I love seeing the step by step process too!
Anne (BYW)

Alison Gibb link

10/10/2012 04:15:15 pm

Beautiful idea!

Patchi link

10/10/2012 06:47:59 pm

Oh my goodness! You're so talented! Thanks for the tutorial :) I suddenly want that map stencil, just because! Have a fun swap meet!

Patchi (BYW)

HappyHomemakerUK link

10/10/2012 07:12:48 pm

What a great idea! I love all the effects, and I love maps! Great to 'meet' you here :)

Terrie Purkey link

10/11/2012 01:14:27 am

These are gorgeous! I'm participating as well and still working on mine - you've rejuvenated my interest in finishing them up!

Shalagh link

10/11/2012 03:52:25 am

Mary,
I love love love paper/maps/mix media/turquoise and gold. And the card swap idea as well. Even if I don't know the supplies you used, I liked the pictures showing the process. Nicely done and thanks for visiting me as well.
Love,
Shalagh

manus link

10/11/2012 04:20:38 am

Mary, those cards are breathtaking! I love maps and collages with a lot of layers and quotes! Thank you for showing how you'd made them.
Thank you also for your nice comment on my blog!
Best wishes, Manuela

Lynn Coulter link

10/11/2012 06:50:54 am

Mary, you have a fabulous blog! I love the cards and that turquoise color is gorgeous. I'm so happy to "meet" you here and will share your blog on Twitter. Thanks for your visit to my site, too.
Lynn (and Miss Paws and Molly, who <3 the picture of your pup!)

anastasia link

10/11/2012 09:07:24 am

wow!! amazing process Mary - thanks for sharing! they turned out great!!
how do you find out about such great swaps?

Lisa

10/11/2012 09:33:45 am

Amazing tutorial...love the photos...how inspiring.

Bettina link

10/11/2012 09:55:56 am

Wow, this is such a cool idea! I definitely want to do something like this, even if it's just to make for friends.

Thanks for the sweet comment on my blog! xoxo

Carolyn Dube link

10/11/2012 02:10:50 pm

This deck is stunning! I have those stencils too and absolutely love them! Thanks for sharing the step by step tutorial for your deck!

Christine link

10/11/2012 02:15:15 pm

what a great idea and nice work! I love inspiring words.

denthe link

10/11/2012 02:25:19 pm

OMG these are amazing! Love how you described the process, thanks! And those map stencils .... I'm starting a search right now on where to buy them ... ☺

Aina Crescimbeni link

10/11/2012 05:26:03 pm

Hi Mary, your Art is amazing!
Aina from BYW bootcamp

patsy link

10/11/2012 07:24:09 pm

What a wonderful swap! I really like your map cards! Love the gold! Patsy from <br /><a href="http://patsypat.blogspot.com"

rel="nofollow">HeARTworks</a>

k link

10/11/2012 08:01:27 pm

What a lovely idea! So great to be visiting your blog:)

pointypix link

10/11/2012 08:26:10 pm

Mary These look amazing but what a long process you went through from start to finish - I don't think I would have had the patience to do all that although it was totally worth it as they look fabulous!

viola link

10/11/2012 08:30:52 pm

WoW! what a great work you've done! you sure are enthusiastic! =)
Beautiful!

I love the proverbs here also :)

carlarey link

10/11/2012 08:50:47 pm

Wow, what a project. I don't know how you do it, I can barely make myself wait until one layer if watercolor has gone from wet to damp.

Susanne link

10/11/2012 08:53:47 pm

Amazing! So beautiful, Mary!

Susanne from byw bootcamp

Marji link

10/11/2012 11:01:39 pm

Wow, Mary. Your cards are great. The tutorial is fantastic. I can see why you love that map stencil! Beautiful!

Faye link

10/11/2012 11:55:58 pm

Mary, your cards are fantastic. Each is an individual piece of art and beautiful. Your tute is probably the most complete and clearest that I have ever seen. Thanks a heap.

EVA link

10/12/2012 12:03:32 am

Your cards are coming along beautifully! What a fascinating process.

Angeli link

10/12/2012 12:23:02 am

Oh I love the colors! What a very interesting project! You put so much love into the cards, they're tiny pieces of art!

Angeli from BYW

ann's art @ studiohyde link

10/12/2012 12:38:37 am

What a great idea, love how you have shown the process. These will be great swaps to receive.

gloria link

10/12/2012 01:13:34 am

Wow, what a great post. Love all the steps. So exciting. Nice swap.

Lynn Cohen

10/12/2012 01:31:08 am

Holy cow! Amazing process with fantastic outcome. Lucky those who will get your cards!

Annette Goatley

10/12/2012 02:39:02 am

wow you have been busy and with wonderful results Mary. Have never seen a stencil like the one you used. Lucky swoppers. Happy PPF, Annette x

Anne link

10/12/2012 02:49:12 am

Awesome, the cards and the whole process! HPPF!

Linda K

10/12/2012 03:57:21 am

WOW!! That was alot of picture taking and prepping for this post-bravo Mary!!! Thank you for sharing your detailed steps and beautiful cards-happy PPF!

aimee link

10/12/2012 03:58:49 am

fanTAStic! and OH, those map stencils!!

Ashley Pahl @ She Makes a Home link

10/12/2012 04:45:34 am

That is an amazing tutorial - I am totally blown away! I have never heard of a card deck swap before, but I am certainly interested now!

Nora Clemens-Gallo link

10/12/2012 05:05:54 am

WOW!!! This is an awesome tutorial. Love everything about it!

Tracey Fletcher King link

10/12/2012 06:21:22 am

I am tempted to go and take part just so I can get one of your cards... they are exisite... and thanks for the birthday wishes... you helped make it a lovely day...xx

Carol link

10/12/2012 07:54:44 am

What a delightful idea and thanks for the tutorial ~ (A Creative Harbor)

Paula

10/12/2012 12:38:10 pm

Your deck looks fab!

Belinda link

10/12/2012 01:05:57 pm

Wow Mary! What a wonderful tutorial! They came out gorgeous!! I'm just going to have to check out this swap!! Thanks so much for sharing!!

Laura Moore link

10/12/2012 05:15:42 pm

Mary these are fantastic. There will be some lucky people out there. Thanks for sharing your secrets.

lessandra grimley link

10/12/2012 07:57:15 pm

What an undertaking! Thanks for the tutorial. I love your blues and gold!

Elisa Choi link

10/12/2012 10:04:49 pm

Mary, a fantabulous well done job for ya! You are so amazing in your works. Such detailed beautiful layering of your work. Thank you for the inspiration. Kudos!

Gloria J Zucaro link

10/13/2012 01:45:52 am

These are just fantastic, Mary. I would be so lucky to get one! Thank you for actually telling exactly which mediums you used. I really need a step by step like this to get started! Just wonderful!

MissyK link

10/13/2012 02:13:12 am

These are beautiful! I loved seeing how you did them.... they are so 'you' :)

I've started on my deck ..... such a great swap to be involved with

Karenx

Valerie-Jael link

10/13/2012 03:23:48 am

Just fantatsic - thanks for sharing the tutorial! Valerie

Andrea thompson link

10/13/2012 07:12:56 am

These cards are wonderful, it so makes me want to join in too! I also love the artist you featured above, really interesting pieces.

Kirstin McCulloch link

10/13/2012 08:46:02 am

Mary these are absolutely stunning. I am amazed by your process and attention to detail. I think who ever receives your cards will treasure them x

Carola Bartz link

10/14/2012 03:18:35 am

Mary, what a gorgeous project!!! Thank you for the tutorial, you gave me some wonderful ideas! I love your colors - that turquoise and iridescent copper are beautiful!

Julie link

10/14/2012 07:22:50 am

what a great idea, I love seeing your process.

Ritu Dua link

10/14/2012 05:38:25 pm

This is awesome...totally love the combination of blues and that gold adds to the charm...stunning :)

giggles link

10/14/2012 06:37:09 pm

Wow I wanted to participate in this so much!! It's a large commitment!! You did an amazing job...love love love them!! I may still attempt it...I have a few other commitments first...we'll see!!
Thanks for the tutorial!! Love it!!

Nothing would be nicer than a deck like this to use daily!!

Hugs Giggles

JKW link

10/14/2012 09:27:11 pm

Oh My, now I know what to do with all those cards I bought at one time. Great job and thanks for the detail information. Blessings, Janet PPF

Crystalyn link

10/15/2012 05:01:24 am

oh! these are fantastic! and I want those stencils!! (and I want to participate in this swap next time) Thanks for the peek behind your creative process! (from BYW boot camp)

Create With Joy link

10/15/2012 08:21:11 am

Awesome project Mary! I LOVE altered cards!

Thanks for sharing at Inspire Me Monday at Create With Joy! :-)

Jasmin link

10/15/2012 08:24:12 am

Mary, that is such a great swap! Everyboday loves to recieve cards and I'm eager to see what kind of cards are send back to you. Hope you share them with us :)

Tracey Grgic Potter link

10/15/2012 09:53:20 am

These are beautiful, the gold leaf is a wonderful touch.

Arnoldo L. Romero link

10/15/2012 09:28:26 pm

Wow! Your ATCs are so representative of your work, and you were able to make so many of them. Blessings!

Diane link

10/16/2012 12:23:54 am

This is awesome. Thanks for the tuturial. Will definitely put this aside for a project. It has a lot of potential!
Diane
http://treasuringgrace.blogspot.com/2012/10/making-whole-healing-through-art-what.html

Eden Hensley link

10/18/2012 01:01:52 am

This is a great idea. I love the idea of swapping cards with 51 other artists/creatives and then having an inspirational quote for each week of the year. I knew mixed media had a lot of components and it was neat seeing a project go from idea to completion. Thank you for sharing.
-Eden (BYW)

Create With Joy link

10/21/2012 11:17:17 am

Love your deck and see that you discovered your "surprise" before I had a chance to e-mail you! :-)

Have an inspirational week!

Jessica Sporn link

10/21/2012 11:36:37 am

these are all so stunning. Thanks for sharing your process too. xo

Danita Fausek link

10/22/2012 04:35:06 am

WoW - what a great project - joining from Inspire Me Monday - http://allthoseartsygirls.blogspot.com/

Gloria J Zucaro link

12/4/2012 12:39:43 pm

Hi Mary. i am going to an ATC get together on Saturday and am trying to duplicate some of your steps here, as I have not done this before. I did the bookbinders to adhere them, sanded, although the sandpaper didn't seem to really penetrate, added gesso on top of that. I painted the gessoed side with green Silks acrylic glaze(which didn't cover the gesso very well), then painted the map side with red Silks. Now I am trying to decide whether to put another coat of the green to cover the gesso better. I was wondering what liquid watercolor you used. Thanks, Gloria