When Ellen gave us this week's challenge, ATC's (altered, or sometimes artists', trading cards), CHF stamps, and Basic Grey papers, I knew that I would have to think of a use for the ATC's. You see, I don't really collect them, nor do I stamp in mass quantities and trade them. More power to those who do! I just have this wide utilitarian streak that makes me try to think of uses for things. . . It occurred to me that they are a great size for a card focal point, and I thought I could put together a little card kit in which the parts were interchangeable.
I started with four Basic Grey Kioshi 6" x 6" papers and a couple of stamp sets, Botanical Bliss and Sweet Bee. Not pictured, but used on one of the ATC's, was Key Elements.
Next I chose some Adirondack inks that would coordinate with the papers. (Click on the pictures to see them in readable size!) I chose the Memento in case I decided to color parts of the images with Copic markers.
There really aren't a lot of rules about ATC's, except that the size is generally 3-1/2" x 2-1/2". Besides the simple stamped images below, I used some white twill tape and Memory Box cardstock in blues and greens, as well as a couple of buttons, rhinestones, and my sewing machine.
Here are the finished ATC's, matted in a dark gray cardstock. A couple of them I sewed around and mounted the image on top, and the other two I mounted using foam tape and placed the image behind a window.
And here is my next step--backgrounds made out of that Basic Grey Kioshi and matted with the same dark gray cardstock that I used to mat the ATC's.
I haven't attached the ATC's to the cards fronts yet--just laid them on for a picture. Package the card fronts, card bases, and envelopes with the four ATCs for a great little gift for a crafty friend who doesn't have much time. She'll love you for it!
