ATC: Free Spirit Girl

This is the second of a pair of ATCs made today, using the same stamps. The background is from Darkrrom Door, 'Arrows' ref: DDBS063, stamped with Versamark and using Stampendous White Detail embossing powder. The feather and the focal picture are from Bipasha BK's design for AALL & Create, #7, which has a Free Spirit/Boho Soul/Good Vibes theme, and an amazing image of a girl with feathers and abstract swirls, etc. It's beautiful, and will find its way into a lot of my cards, I'm sure!

For the first part of this pair, scroll back to the previous post.

ATC: Free Spirit Feather

ATC, made today. One of a pair. Using kraft card, I stamped the arrows background in Versamark and used Stampendous White Detail embossing powder. (The stamp is 'Arrows' from Darkroom Door, ref: DDBS063.)

Then I stamped the feather from Bipasha BK's stamp set for AALL & Create, #7.. the one with the Free Spirit/Boho Soul/Good Vibes theme. I can see this set getting a lot of use! The feather panel is raised up very slightly. I cut up some packaging to go underneath the panel, instead of using foam pads.

The 'Good Vibes' words are stamped onto kraft card, then cut out and mounted on dark brown cardstock, then cut again.

See the next post for 'Free Spirit Girl', the second half of the pair.

Roses Are Read

This is a hot-from-the-craft-desk ATC (Artist's Trading Card, 2½" x 3½"), Roses Are Read (not a mis-spelling!) It would have worked better, perhaps, if the left hand rose had been stamped the right way up!

I used black card and stamped distressed mini harlequins from Bee Crafty's collection of 'Backdrops' stamps, using Versafine Black Onyx and Stampendous Clear Detail embossing powder. They don't really show very well in the photo.. better up close and personal in real life. I glued a couple of old book pages to cardstock, and - once dry - I sponged Worn Lipstick Distress Ink over the top. When that was dry, I stamped and clear embossed the (now red) pages with Stamp Addicts 'Rose' stamp, ref: SA-7156. (The Distress Ink wasn't quite dry, so I ended up clear embossing the whole surface!) Lol.. I cut the roses out and inked the edges. One side of each of the roses was raised on Sticky Fixers for some dimension. I made two bows out of silver thread, folded and tucked them in. The words are computer-generated, and I've added three small clear gems to finish it.

ATC: Are we there yet?

Fresh today! The last of my current series of travel-themed ATCs. Once again, I have used the papers, stamps and dies from the Die-Cutting Essentials special edition box magazine (pictured at the bottom). For the globe, I stamped onto the blue card using Crushed Olive Distress Oxide ink. It didn't stamp very well on my first attempt, so I christened my Tim Holtz stamping platform that I acquired some months ago, and - sure enough - I was able to re-stamp in the same spot through several pressings to provide the right coverage. It also left a kind of textured finish, which was perfect for this purpose. Great colour, too.

The plane is from a pack of aircraft die-cuts, enhanced with a light outlining of pencil and raised on Sticky Fixers. The words are computer-generated, edges inked and glued directly to the card.

ATC: The Journey

Fresh today.. ATC: The Journey, using papers and stamps from a Die-Cutting Essentials magazine special edition, which came with travel-themed papers, stamps, dies and an embossing folder. I pencilled in the ring around the planes in a poor attempt to disguise my dreadful fussy-cutting skills! I raised the two planes on Sticky Fixers, and I pencilled a line around the British Isles for more definition, as it was in danger of disappearing into the North Sea! The quote and the compass are stamps. I used Versafine for both, but the compass is in Smoky Grey.

There's no edition number on the packaging, so this is the box it came in...

ATC: Travel Vibes

Fresh today! An ATC (Artist Trading Card, 2½" x 3½"), watercoloured background, stamped in Versafine Smoky Grey ink with AALL & Create's 'Tropical Vibes' stamp #141,  designed by Bipasha BK. I also took the 'travel' word from the same stamp, blacked in the letters, inked around the edge and mounted on black card. Raised it up on Sticky Fixers.

The scripty bit on the right is an Indigo Blu stamp, 'Script' - Code SB1.

I also computer-generated the other words, 'let's go!', printing onto cardstock, inked the edges and also raised on Sticky Fixers. I wanted some gulls on it, too, but couldn't find my Memory Box 'Flying Gulls' die set, so I just cut my own! Who needs dies? Lol ;-)

ATC Inspired by Cleo

This is an ATC (Artist's Trading Card, 2½" x 3½"), inspired by elements from the many creative cards by my American crafting buddy, Cleo. As you can see, I can't make up my mind which way up it should be! Lol..

The background is water-coloured, then I embossed the white card with a Darice peonies folder,  trimmed around the edges with fancy-cut scissors with a deckle-edge, and raised it on low profile 3D foam pads. (I use WH Smith's 'Sticky Fixers', because they give just the right amount of lift to give some nice shadow and dimension, and will still go through the slot at the Post Office! Unless you add more on top, as I have here!) 

The silver die-cut is from Scrapman Dies in Russia.. Geometry-9 (DR-264). On top of that are some lovely paper roses and some sequins.

Queen Bee ATC

I made this today.. yes, fresh from my craft desk! Made for a Mini Challenge on the Simply Cards & Papercraft Facebook group. I used the Fossilised Amber Distress Oxide for the background and to provide a hint of colour on the bee, which is part of a stamped image from Olga Heldwein's design #81 for AALL & Create. I slightly glittered the wings, and made a tiny crown from embossed gold card with some clear faux gems. Added some gold bradlets and computer-generated words.

Also posted on the AALL & Create Fanatics Facebook group.

Mermaid ATC

I'm not particularly happy with this ATC. It was made in the days before detail embossing powder was available, so the compass image is not very clear. The muted background image is the 'Swept Away' stamp from Stampland Chicago. If you look carefully, you may be able to make out the subtly glittered image of the mermaid in the waves, with her arms raised. Faux-stitching and a metal mermaid charm and anchor complete the picture.

Lilac ATC

This one was made for a long past challenge on the Trimcraft forum, with a choice of something in shrink plastic or with faux stitching. You can see what I went with!

The lilac blossom was fussy-cut from K & Co scrapbooking paper, highlighted with Sakura Stardust pen, decorated with dragonfly brads, and the 'lilac' is handwritten.

Easter ATC

I made this ATC for Easter. I stamped 'Hope' onto black card, embossed in white and overlaid with vellum, printed with the scripture verse. For those who may wish to know, it is John 3:16.

The cross is created with silver cord, with pictures from the internet printed onto card, cut out and edged with black ink. I think the metal embellishment was from Making Memories.

Summer Blooms ATC

This ATC was part of my entry for a summer challenge in the Trimcraft forum, some years ago, and the theme was 'Hot Pink'. Mine was inspired by a photo I'd taken of a lovely foxglove in my garden.

Basic Grey ATC

This ATC was made for the second Basic Grey challenge (now defunct, very sadly).

What is an ATC?

ATC stands for Artist's Trading Card. Originally, these were used by fine artists to produce miniature versions of their paintings to promote their work. This still happens, but their use has been expanded to cardcraft. Cardmakers use them as another avenue for their creativity, and ~ rather than selling them ~ the idea is to swap them with other enthusiasts to build a library of ATCs displaying different techniques.

Most people who produced (still produce?) ATCs swapped them through clubs, at craft events and internet forums. Personally, I found it hard to part with them. My focus has always been on card-making, but I did enjoy the few ATCs I made. They all ended up as card toppers or fridge magnets, though!

The size of an ATC is 2½ x 3½ ins (or a standard playing card size). You can purchase blanks, or make your own. (Make up a template, and use it as the ‘master’ to save you measuring out every time.)

On the back, put your name, address and/or email address, and the title of your miniature piece of art, or a reference code. If you are going to use your ATCs for swapping, it might be helpful to keep notes on how you made each one, so that if anyone contacts you for details, you will have them handy.

Any kind of artwork goes.. have fun and be expressive!

Here is my ATC for that challenge...

I used beautiful blue paper from the Basic Grey Cupcake 6"x6" pad. The main image is a cropped section of a stamped image I received in a swap. To echo the butterfly in the image, I stamped another one separately, and mounted it on the ATC, wings akimbo. The button is also BG. from the Archaic range. The 'Hope' sentiment is actually a metal embellishment for extra dimension, although that's not clear in the photo. The scroll stamp used in the corner is by Rhonna Farrer from her 'Elegant Flourishes' set in the Autumn Leaves collection.

England Blings

This is an ATC made some years ago for a challenge on the Trimcraft forum to 'bling it up', so I did. It is a take-off of Roger Miller's title lyrics in his 1965 hit 'England Swings (Like A Pendulum Do)'. I produced the wavy Union flag and the England flag, the letters were stamped individually and heat embossed, blue glitter glue in the triangles, silver glitter glue around the outside edge of the flag, little puffed fabric stars finish it off (and it needs finishing off.. I think this is awful!)

By the way, there are no political inferences to be drawn here, as this was made well before any of the current turmoil in the UK was even dreamt of.

Roses Roses

This was made for a colleague's 50th birthday, using Nestabilities label dies, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder, K & Co Madeline frame and butterfly die-cuts, PSX roses stamp, plus embellishments.

And this is a baby, ATC-size version...

Dandelion Clock ATC

This was my first attempt at an ATC, from when I was on the Funky Hand DT. The design on the paper reminded me of dandelion clocks (an image from childhood that I've always loved), and the addition of the stopwatch stamp seemed a natural fit. (The watch stamp was a freebie with a magazine.. Craft Stamper, I think. Long time ago.)

I didn't have a Dymo labelling machine, so the letters are computer-generated and glossied up with Glossy Accents. A bit of faux stitching and a smear of gliter glue around the edges completes the picture.

ATC: Beauty

I love this stamp. Wish I could tell you what it is! One day, when I find it again! This is an ATC, from the days of yore when they were popular. Have you seen the new trend for AT Coins? I haven't got around to trying them yet. Anyway, the stamps I recognise are the ubiquitous Inkadinkado flourish, and a Hero Arts script stamp. I have also used the Fiskars 'Threading Water' border punch, a Martha Stewart butterfly punch, silver thread and embellishments.

Happy Easter, everyone..

An ATC from the archives.

Wishing you all a happy and blessed Easter.

Hugs,

Chris xx

Brenda, are you watching?

You wanted to see what I would do with the images you sent me! lol.. Well, here's one.. an ATC, using the lovely 'alternative' Rubber Stampede image you generously included in the package..

Roses Roses..

More of the same, really! Sorry to be boring.. I did warn you, you would get fed up with this style before I do! ;o)

For a colleague's 50th birthday coming up soon...

Bazzill cardstock, white panel in the centre Cuttlebugged with the Swiss Dots embossing folder
Roses stamp.. PSX, I think
Butterfly and frame: K&Co Die-Cuts, 'Madeline'
Plus pearls, roses, twine and a pink dew drop

Oh! And here's the baby... an ATC on the same theme... ahhhh...