Something has sure inspired the Crew this year to start making and exchanging ATC cards and we are so excited. We kick off a year of ATC’s with this great post Yasmina created for us. She owes the concept and inspiration to Janette Lane for corresponding, swapping.
For those not familiar with what an ATC card is, we looked up the Wikipedia definition:
Artist trading cards (or ATCs) are miniature works of art about the same size as modern trading cards baseball cards,[1] or 2 1⁄2 by 3 1⁄2 inches (64 mm × 89 mm),[2] small enough to fit inside standard card-collector pockets, sleeves or sheets.[3] The ATC movement developed out of the mail art movement and has its origins in Switzerland.[4] Cards are produced in various media, including dry media (pencils, pens, markers, etc.), wet media (watercolor, acrylic paints, etc.), paper media (in the form of collage, papercuts, found objects, etc.) or even metals or fiber. The cards are usually traded or exchanged.
Be on the look out for exciting ATC projects throughout the year and be inspirited to start your own ATC exchange with friends or join a group and meet new people you can exchange your cards with around the world. Here is a great list of groups and organizations to help you find the right group. How to swap Artist Trading Cards.
Materials Used
Canvas Corp:
* Lime Green and White Ribbon Stripe
* Pink and Ivory Ribbon Stripe
* Yellow and White Mini Dot Reverse
* Pink and Ivory Dot reverse
* Lime Green and White Ribbon Stripe
* Pink and Ivory Ribbon Stripe
* Yellow and White Mini Dot Reverse
* Pink and Ivory Dot reverse
* Blue and Ivory Ticking
* Tan and Ivory French Script
Tattered Angels:
* Stained Glass Hot Pink
*Chalkboard Firefly
*Glimmer Mist : Tropical Pink – French Lime
* Tan and Ivory French Script
Tattered Angels:
* Stained Glass Hot Pink
*Chalkboard Firefly
*Glimmer Mist : Tropical Pink – French Lime
*Glimmer Glaze: Saffron
Other Supplies: White gesso, Stamps, Flowers, Chipboard
Other Supplies: White gesso, Stamps, Flowers, Chipboard
Tools Used: Paper Cutter, scissors
Step 1: Cut 9 pieces of paper ATC Size (2.5×3.5 inches). Canvas Corp paper is all cardstock weight, so they make great cards just as they are. Next you can mix and match the other papers and cut or rip them to create you colorful layers. Canvas Corp has so many different paper colors and simple prints you can choose you personal style and color palette to make your ATC’s unique. Add touches of doilies, die cut pieces and other embellishments.
Step 2: Glue down all the paper pieces and add a wash of white gesso on the ATC’s (dry with heat gun). You don’t need to cover the entire ATC, but this will help the stamps stand out.
Step 3: Once dry, add random stamps to the ATC’s with a waterproof black ink (Archival for me) You can stamp on the gessoed area, on the paper or both together. Random is good here.
Step 4: After the inked parts are dry, choose your favorite mist and paint colors to add to your ATC’s.
Step 5: Apply the various mists and paints by misting, dripping or dabbing onto your ATC’s. The Mists can be misted, remove the sprayer and allow droplets to land on your ACT’s or apply in sections with a paint brush in a watercolor technique.
The Stained Glass will give you a sheer, shiny look and the Glimmer Glaze which is like crafting nail polish can be applied with the provided brush or you can flick it on by tapping the brush.
Step 6: Add flowers, words and embellishments. No two need to be alike, but they all look great together.
Step 7: If you want to make a Pocket Letter, put the 9 ATC’s in a Pocket.
Each group is different in how the swap, but making coordinating cards like there is sure bet you will find someone who would love to exchange. You can then fill the open sections with new cards or create a fun way to store your cards like this 7gypsies ATC crate that comes in 3 different colors and holds those handmade ATC’s just right.
Canvas Corp also offers a full range of ATC products from blank ATC’s, mini file folders, crates, mini bags, envelopes, fabric act’s and more. Take a look in the shop for atc products from both Canvas Corp and 7gypsies.
To see more of Yasmina’s work visit her blog Mina Scrap Blog and follow her on Instagram
Happy Creating!!!
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'Hello ATC’s (Artist Trading Cards)' have 2 comments
February 28, 2016 @ 1:40 pm Yasmina
Oh! Thank you for publishing my work! ❤️❤️
February 29, 2016 @ 8:26 am jean marmo
THese are just wonderful!