ATCs
Artist Trading Cards, usually referred to as ATCs, are 2 ½" X 3 ½" and are always traded or given away. I belong to two trading groups. We set a monthly or bi-monthly schedule of themes. I enjoy working in such a small size, creating variations on a theme — even if it is a topic that did not appeal to me upon first thought. Having a starting point is a motivator, and also gives me an excuse to go into my studio and start creating.
Whatever Strikes My Fancy
ATCs are an opportunity to try out tools, techniques and ideas that may be useful later. These include salt-crystallized watercolor washes, stamping on top of text, embossing powders, quotes and metallic Dresdens.
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Seasonal
My Valentine ATC is stitched, Halloween has become surreal and Christmas includes small tag. The lady with the fish? She is celebrating Poisson d’Avril, otherwise known as April Fool's Day
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Stitched ATCs
Fabric, lace and embroidery fibers mix with postage stamps and other paper elements. The butterfly is a metallic paper Dresden. Vintage metallic threads are wrapped around a strip of cardstock. Both are from Tinsel Trading
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Holiday ATCs
A vintage angel scrap is backed with silver netting and stamped music. The button is hand-stitched to handmade paper. I like to use copies of my vintage postcards. In France, April fool’s Day is Poisson d’Avril. The french script is a stamp from Rubber Baby Buggy Bumpers. The New Year’s ATC uses a snowflake punch from Martha Stewart.
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I belong to two groups in which we set themes for trading ATCs. Here are some favorites: "Black & White" incorporates leaves punched out of a paper strip. My choice for "All One Color" was Italian Yellow. "What’s Bugging You" has a layered background including a leaf stamp from Stamp Francisco. The "Chocolate" stamp is from Rubber Baby Buggy Bumpers.
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I like to tell a funny story in a small space. A "Chicks" theme brought the idea of "Chicklets" made from real chicks to mind. The roadside attraction is a stamp from Stampa Barbara and the sick boy is from Rubber Baby Buggy Bumpers. A theme of "Eyes" led me to ponder whether it was Eyes ir I’s.
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