May ATC Swap Step By Step
We are revisiting the ATC Swap in the Highlight Crafts Official Facebook group. For those not yet familiar, ATCs stands for Artist Trading Card – they are miniature pieces of art that can be traded or swapped. They are a fun way to try out designs on a smaller scale sometimes with a designated theme. ATCs should measure 2.5 x 3.5 inches. Sometimes we set a theme for the swap, this months (optional!) theme was May Flowers, the colours pink, yellow, green and to add texture.
For this project you will need;
Craft Master Construction Board
ATC FREE Download
Light coloured paint, I used Cadence Hybrid Arylic Taffy
Variety of papers
Craft Master Washi Sheet, I printed and cut Two Red Robins Pansy Paradise
Die Cuts, I used Fundamental Plant Pots, Two Red Robins Floral Fusion
Die Cut Frame, I used Two Red Robins Ornately Framed
Character Die Cut, I used the Robins and Flowers from Two Red Robins magazine vol 1
Pinflair Bookbinding Glue
Pinflair 3D Glue Gel
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- Begin by creating your ATC base, printing off and filing in the FREE ATC download. I use construction board for my ATCs cut down on a guillotine to 2 1/2″ x 3 1/2″.
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- I added paint to the construction board with a palette knife as the first, textured layer.
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- Next a added strips of various papers, some patterned – some with text.
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- For my next layer I choose to add a flower printed on washi sheet and die cut – the translucent quality of the washi sheet adds dimension without overloading the design. A repurposed stamp in green picks out the theme.
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- No I begin to add die cuts, like the nested plant pot. Stuck over the edge of the design and trimmed down.
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- To create a focal point, I added a frame – triple cut and stacked to give a little height.
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- The frame I then decorated with flowers.
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- I added my character nestled in the frame amongst the flowers and decoupaged him to give him a little more prominence.
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- Adding more pink and green flowers and leaves travelling up the side of the frame to tie in the theme.
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- A few crystals add a little shine, a different texture and subtly frame the character.
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- The end result!
What I love most about making ATCs (apart from swapping them!), is trying out new ideas or compositions in a smaller and less intimidating size. They are a really great way to use up stash, or to put elements together that you might not have thought to try before! If you would like to join in with the next swap, then do join our Facebook group.
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