A little pack of cards

 

I picked up this little pack of 20 small cards with a green stripe down one side for only £1.20 and challenged myself to use them up asap!

So they became the central focus on several cards. They stamp well with either a sentiment or image

And the green stripe can be linked into the colour scheme

So I don't think it will take too long to use them all up

ATC Swaps ??

 

I love making and swapping ATC's (Artist Trading Cards), you know, those little cards that measure 3.5 x 2.5 inches. Over the years I have joined in lots of swaps with other card makers who enjoy making something a bit smaller and specific. Its lovely to received what other people have made along the same theme, colour or technique.

However, over the years, many of the swaps have closed down or faded away and now I only do 2 monthly swaps with the ladies who I met through the Trimcraft forum (now also unexpectively closed down). Do any of you crafters know of any other UK based monthly ATC swaps I could join ????

Creative Stamping Mag Issue 96

 

Loving these Crafty Individual stamps that came as a free gift with the current issue of Creative Stamping magazine. I've teamed them up with some backgrounds made from Cosmic Shimmer gilding polish....

 and the image of a couple walking with their dog is so sweet! Enjoyed colouring the lumberjack shirt on this, after watching them make them in the Great British Sewing Bee challenge earlier.

Exciting news here is that we have just sold our house and are moving into a bigger home nearby in Needham Market. One bedroom is already earmarked as the craft room!

And finally I made an ATC with some peach Opal Polish in the background

Exciting Discovery

I was carrying out some long-overdue clearing out of the cupboards and discovered tucked away at the back of one, this box full of old ATC's !

They date between 2008-2010 and were from so many different crafting friends - many of which I lost touch with when Docrafts closed down their forum a few years ago. I used to participate in 7-8 different swaps every month and there were some fab ATC's in this box. I've had a great time looking at them and remembering those talented crafters.

Bits & Pieces

I'm sure we all have a pile of odd bits and pieces left over from our craft and card making- in fact I have drawers full!

So, I challenged myself to use up some some of the smaller pieces that have been hanging around for ages and make some Artist Trading Cards (ATC's)

I manager to come up with these 7, but it really hasn't made much of an impression on my pile of stash!

A Few Christmas ATC's

Although I enjoy swapping ATC's on Docrafts and Trimcraft forums, there seem to be less people joining in over the years. 

Perhaps they are going out of fashion a bit, but I still like making the small 3.5 x 2.5" Artist Trading Cards and doing things on a smaller scale than birthday cards!

Anyway - these are the Christmas ATC's that have been sent to me from other crafters this year and are on display in the lounge

Embossed ATC's

I've joined in with the technique swap at Docrafts - this months technique is Embossing.

It made me realize that it was ages since I got out my embossing powders and hot air gun.

I enjoyed making these, so perhaps I should make the effort more often!

Birthday Thanks!

Thanks to all my crafty friends for their lovely birthday cards, ATC's and gifts. These were from Wendy, Mary, Laura, Tina, Evaline and Lyn and came from all around the world!

I've been sitting in the garden, enjoying the sunshine and am looking forward to a meal at a local Chinese restaurant with my family this evening!

Craft Stamper September 2016

This months Craft Stamper magazine includes a free quirky tower stamp. 

I added it to this blue background paper that I have had for years for an ATC - and I'm now waiting for a bit of inspiration to complete the rest of it! 
PS - the pineapple die and stamp set turned up when I was looking for something else!

White ATC's

These are my entries for another ATC swap on Trimcraft - this time it is for the colour white.

I die cut a white swan and a white dove. I edged the dove in soft pink and the swan in light grey to make them stand out slightly against the white backgrounds and mounted them on foam pads.

My Very First Easel ATC's!

 I have been making ATC's for years but had never attempted to make easel ones before.

They are for next months technique swap over at Trimcraft, hosted by Dicards, and it finishes on 25th May.

After checking out youtube, they are so easy to make, why did I wait so long???

That the good thing about joining in with swaps, it forces you out of your safe zone into something new!

I am hosting a monthly theme swap on Docrafts - Aprils theme was Music and I will be sorting out the swaps tomorrow. 

There are always loads of different styles and techniques used to interpret the theme. May's theme will be Roses. 

This months ATC Travel Swaps

I host the monthly theme ATC swap over on Docrafts - this months theme is travel!

You can use any technique or style,and as you can see, there is a wide interpretation of this theme.

I am just about to sort out the swaps and will be getting them out in the post tomorrow

I love joining in the ATC swaps on the Docraft and Trimcraft forums and try to enter as many as I can, it often means stretching yourself or trying out something a bit different on a small scale!

Christmas ATC's and Advent

I've placed all the Christmas ATC's that I've received this year on the door around my advent calendar, so that I can admire them every time I pass into the lounge. There are some lovely robins, stockings and snowmen, plus a cross stitched initial with a gingerbread man!

Day 24, March ATC Challenge - You Make Me Smile

 Think this one ought to be for my kids  - they often make me smile  (and occasionally can be little stars!)

Day 22, March ATC Challenge - A Bit of Beef!

This bull is from a vintage cigarette card and teamed with a wooden cow shaped embellishment ( where on earth did I get that from?) 

I used a scrap bit of stamping left over from a previous card. I don't think I have ever made an ATC featuring cattle before!

Day 21 Little Lion ATC - March Challenge

This little fella was heat embossed with a fine gold powder then coloured with Promarkers. 

He is propped up against my Italian Puzzle Box that I inherited from my Grandparents.

Day 20 March Challenge - Treat Yourself ATC

Everybody deserves a little treat - mine is spending a some time uninterrupted in my craft room, having a play with all my crafting goodies!  What is yours?

Day 19 Up and Away ATC - March Challenge

Today's ATC features a little girl bunny holding a bunch of balloons against some pink spotty paper.

It's been a bit windy here so I thought this was quite apt!

I'm pleased that so far, I have been able to keep up with my challenge of posting a new atc every day during March.

Day 18 A Nice Cup of Tea ATC - March Challenge - available to swap

I don't drink tea or coffee - but I do like the look of vintage china, especially cups & saucers!

Day 16 Life is a Journey ATC - March Challenge - available to swap

This lovely lady is from Aprils Making Cards Magazine - she is teamed with the apt saying 'Life is a Journey - Not a Destination'  - so true!