Monday, September 14, 2009

A-Tea-C = Artist Tea Cards


I sure hope some of you reading today know what ATC's are! A few years ago, the ATC or "Artist Trading Card" became the "it girl" of papercrafts. It seemed I could hardly pick up a crafting magazine without reading about these nifty little 2-1/2 x 3-1/2 inch pieces of art being traded like baseball cards of yesteryear by scrapbookers, quilters, cardmakers, and just about anyone with a creative bone in their body. I have never been asked to participate in an ATC swap, but I've long wanted to. As a tea lover, however, I have decided to turn my ATC's into A-Tea-C's. In other words, I'm going to make tea-themed Artist Trading Cards and call them Artist Tea Cards. The first one I made, above, uses scrapbooking papers, a stamp that came on an envelope in the mail, and a button.

And here's the second one I made, using paper scraps, rubber stamped letters spelling "TEA," and a wax seal impressed with a teapot design, all aged with tea dye distress ink.

As you can see, these are pretty simple. You just start with any blank slate piece of paper that is exactly 2-1/2 x 3-1/2 inches. That is the *only* requirement for ATC's, that it be that size. I bought a pack of 20 pre-cut cards at Hobby Lobby for $2.49, and while I could chop my own from scrapbooking papers and cardstock, I like having this little packet of cards always on hand.

If you remember that giant mug I got last week, the one I said was intended for a "crafty" purpose, well, here it is! I'm using the mug to hold the little bits of lace, paper, old dictionary page clippings, buttons, rubber stamps and other small goodies that have been culled from my supplies to be used just for the Artist Tea Cards.

I actually made a third card using the rubber stamp at left, but alas, the ink I used was almost dried out and made too faint an impression to even show up. I did, however, have success using the brass wax seal and tea dye distress ink. I'm just going to make these cards whenever the mood strikes, hopefully with greater precision and more layers of materials. If this idea appeals to you too, let me know and maybe we can swap a few of them sometime! (If the idea of the ATC, or A-Tea-C, is new to you, just google "Artist Trading Cards" and you'll find tons of how-to's and inspiration.)

13 comments:

  1. OMG! What a fabulous idea!!!! I would be interested in trading some. I just need a bit of lead time to get some made. Your cards are fabulous!!!

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  2. Awesome! I'll start working on some "good enough to trade," then!

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  3. Angela -

    All the goodies in your bottom picture (the stamp, ink, etc)... Did you get all those at Hobby Lobby too?

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  4. Nice work, Angela! I love these b/c they take the artist's format to a small (and doable) space! I've made a few and they are fun and lovely. Yours are very lovely.

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  5. Debbie, the rubber stamp came from Michaels, I believe (many moons ago!), and the tea dye ink, gold wax and brass stamp came from Rubber Stamp Fantasy in Marietta. (But I believe all these items can be found online as well!)

    And thanks for the encouragement, Steph!

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  6. Somebody had to do this, and it's good that it was you. It's the right idea. I particularly like that wax seal with the teapot image. Very impressive. --Spirituality of Tea

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  7. Love your cards. How fun to be creative.

    I keep learning more and more who had the teapot before me. Yes, wouldn't it have been fun to travel along with it. I wish there had been a log that traveled along with it. I know Nancy Reppert, Linda Jennings, Denise LeCroy, and now you that have had it. Next it goes to LaDonna of Gracious Hospitality.

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  8. I love doing ATCs! And I'd love to trade some with you.

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  9. btw: I love the wax stamp you used and the use of the postage stamp! Your cards were very elegant!

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  10. How cute and clever! Great photos. You certainly are one craft-tea gal!

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  11. I really, really love this idea. I am going to get some ATC cards ASAP!

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  12. Angela, your cards are wonderful. I will have to get in some supplies and try my hand at A-Tea-C's.

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  13. What fabulous ATCs, I came over from Frivolitea! xx

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