Turquoise ATCs - Make art to swap with friends.

We are all short on time, but creating is good for the soul. It makes me feel better when I can get crafty - even if it’s just to make a little something, like Turquoise ATCs.

Artist Trading Cards Basics

Artist Trading Cards (ATCs) are a great way to get your creative juices flowing, without a huge time commitment. The canvas is smaller than a page or card: The finished size is 2.5 x 3.5″. The small size forces you to really stretch your artistic muscles. And if you “mess up”? No big deal, just grab another blank and try again.

Speaking of ATC "blanks", there are efficient ways to get a whole bundle from a single sheet of paper.

To create ten bases from one 8.5x11":

1. Trim 8.5 x 11 vertically at 6 and 3.5″.
2. Cut the 3.5 x 11″ horizontally at 10, 7.5, 5 and 2.5″.
3. Trim both 2.5 x 11″ horizontally at 10.5, 7 and 3.5″.

To cut fourteen blanks from a single 12x12:

1. Trim paper at 9.5, 7, 3.5".
2. Cut each 3.5 x 12" horizontally at 9.5, 7, 4.5, and 2.5".
3. Trim each 2.5 x 12" horizontally at 8.5, 5, 3.5".

Turquoise ATCs

Recently, I made nine Turquoise ATCs for the upcoming swap, knowing they'd be due at the end of March.

Create the background using February's Faux Turquoise technique as inspiration:

1. Stamp the stone image in watermark ink onto white plain, heat emboss using black EP.
2. Apply and blend Lagoon and Ocean hybrid ink using an ink applicator brush.
3. Lightly tap Turquoise Color Burst Pigment Powder onto the panels. Mist lightly with water.
4. Set aside to dry completely - or speed the process using a heat tool.

Trim background to 2.25 x 3.25" and mat onto 2.5 x 3.5" panels. (I love the POPs for this!) Stamp sentiment onto strip with India ink and adhere gems and settings using a needle-tip applicator and BB glue.

Here's a collage of ATCs I've made over the last five years. (At least the ones I remembered to photograph before swapping!)

Additional inspiration can be found on Club Scrap's Artist Trading Card Pinterest Board.

Club member Lynn Levy hosts a monthly ATC swap on our private Facebook group. For details on how to become involved, consult the Events section of Club Scrap Chat. The swap is always one month behind, so you'll have plenty of time to play with your monthly kit!

Happy crafting!