Winter Sparkle ATCs

The theme for our makes this week is "winter sparkle" and my brief was to make something "non card". As I organise the monthly artist trading card (ATC) swap over in the VI Facebook group I thought this might be a good opportunity both to share how I make my ATCs but also to promote our fun ATC swap group.

So I made these 3 winter sparkle ATCs.

Our swap has been running for over 3 years this is currently our 45th swap. Everyone is warmly welcomed whether or not you have ever made an ATC before. You only need to make a single ATC although I make 3 as I keep one and swap one with another friend. Also a lot of people make a card to send with their swap but this is not a requirement.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with ATCs Artist they were designed to be fun and swappable. They are tiny unique works of art to be traded never sold. They measure 3.5 by 2.5 inches. This is the “standard" for them. Many people like to write the information about the swap, products used etc. on the back and Visible Image sell a fab stamp set called Love of ATCs which is perfect to use for this. There are also some fun small stamps that can be used as envelope art.

Tutorial

This is how I made my winter sparkle ATCs;

I used an A5 size sheet of black card. I pressed some saltwater taffy and lost shadow distress OXIDES (inks won't show as they are translucent) onto my craft sheet with a spritz of water and dipped my card in, drying with a heat tool between layers. This gave me a nice wintery feeling background.

From the inked card I cut 3 ATCs each measuring 3 1/2" by 2 1/2". I stamped 2 Night owls onto white card using Versafine Clair Nocturne ink and clear embossed them.

1 of the owls I cut into 2 as shown below.

I cut the owls out and added a little colour using distress pencils.

I stamped the sentiments (just for the position) 2 in landscape orientation and 1 in portrait onto the ATCs

I randomly repeat stamped the small stars on all 3 ATCs using Versamark and then heat embossed with gold glitter embossing powder.

I glued the "whole" owl to the portrait ATC and cut off the excess wings level with the edges.

The "halves" were adhered to the 2 landscape ATCs.

I also gold heat embossed the edges of the ATCS for extra sparkle.

I then stamped the sentiments onto white card and cut them out.

I stuck them over the blue ones I had used for placement and added sequins for a finishing glittery touch.

I also rounded the corners of the ATCs using my punch.

Here they are finished

And this is the back of each. I just stamp the info plate from the Love of ATCs set onto card from the back of cereal packaging and stick in place. This gives each ATC a good "thickness"

The Visible Image ATC swap is open to everyone. Over 150 members, worldwide, have taken part since it started in May 2021. It's been such fun and it's so lovely to receive a unique piece of art from your partner in the post. The details and sign up for each swap are posted in the group on the 23rd of the month. So the next swap sign up will open on 23rd December. There is no "monthly" commitment, just join in when you have the time and if you live in the UK can you choose to post to the UK only if that suits you best. Do come over and join us, you will be most warmly welcomed.

Join Group Here