“Smile” – My First Artist Trading Card (ATC)

I know they have been around quite a while, but I just heard of them recently and they are actually perfect for me (and I would recommend making these to others) when I have design block.  They are called Artist Trading Cards or ATCs.  There are no limits, use them to try techniques out for the first time so that your results don’t go un-used.  Try out some stamps or punches for the first time and use those test pieces of paper together creatively on an ATC.  If you would like to make them, there are only two rules. They must only be traded not sold, and they must be normal trading card size which is 2 1/2 x 3 1/2.  I cut black chipboard to size to make mine. I know there are ATC gatherings that some crafting organizations hold in various large cities so it is a rather large community of people that make these and trade with other artists. 

Here is my first ATC. Called ‘Smile’.

I like the colors and the paper.  In looking at it now after a couple hours since I made it, I wish I wouldn’t have been so random with the way I layed out the paisley shapes still I’m happy enough with it to share it on my blog. Again there is no wrong way to make an ATC. Some will be better than others. I will definetly be making more.

Here are the pieces that I worked with.

Die Cuts With A View Paper (my favorite brand of paper) Mango Frost Design and Solid Paper is what I used.

I got this EK Success punch at AC Moores on Clearance. This is the first time I used it.

I liked the shape and thought I could some how fit them all together in an interesting layout either like a fan or a flower.

The Smile came from one of my cricut cartridges that I was testing cutting some of the shapes out. Luckily I cut the perfect size for an ATC.

I took from Mango Frost Solid Stack, the blue shimmering paper for the base of the card and covered my black chipboard with it.

I took the smile cut out and inked it with Antique Linen Ink to give it some dimension.

I’ll give my card a 3 out of 5 stars.  I think I could do better but here’s to learning from first tries!

Thanks for visiting!