A Memory To Hold...

Hi everyone and welcome to the brand new Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge! This week our theme is all about ATC's (Artist Trading Cards) and we can't wait to see the tiny pieces of artwork that you will create.

Artist trading cards (ATCs) are miniature pieces of art that are traded around the world. The only official rule for ATCs is the size: 2.5″ x 3.5″.

This was my first time making an ATC and to be honest I'm used to working on a much larger surface, probably 20 times this size so it was something I was not used to at all but once I'd gathered together some tiny things to work with, I made two cards, one continual piece of artwork, that when joined together tell one story ~ the story of young children's dreams and memories, no matter where they are in the world!

 

...and here's how I created these pieces!

To begin with I cut two pieces of Heavyweight Mixed Media card to measure 2.5" x 3.5". I then applied my first layer of paint onto the surface and used a blend of Tumbled Glass, Weathered Wood and Antique Linen Distress Paint.

I then added strips of tissue tape applied randomly across the centre of each ATC before applying some gesso and adding a little more depth of colour using Distress Crayons in Pumice Stone and Black Soot.

Once I was happy with the colour, I then stitched around the outside of each card and added some paint splats and scratches to the background.

Now to move onto the globe and for this I used Tim's Mini Globe die which is just the perfect size for these. I die cut the globe from Mixed Media card and then used Distress Oxide Ink Pads to add the colour. I applied the ink, Twisted Citron, Lucky Clover and Peeled Paint, directly to my craft sheet, spritzed the ink with water and just dragged the die cut through the ink, picking up as much colour as I wanted and going back to add more colour to certain areas. Heat dry the globe and then cut in half.

I used Collage Medium to attach one half to one of the cards, placing it on the right and the second half to the second card, placing this on the left. At this stage, I also collaged some Snippets Ephemera pieces not my background, layering the pieces and attaching them with Collage Medium.

Next, I splattered some white paint over the top of the layers and dry before then adding the Paper Doll images, which I lightly coloured using Distress Marker Pens.

I attached the dolls over a bed of sisal fibres and used foam pads to secure them into place. I also added a twig to each card, so that each couple were grounded.

Finally I added some Remnant Rubs, some Clippings Stickers, an Index Clip and Star Adornment to complete my ATC's and to complete the project, some gems from Little Things From Lucy's Cards.

So, I really hope that you love the projects I created and if like me, you've never made an ATC before, this and the team's projects has given you the inspiration to join us in our ATC's challenge!

As always, if you do need any further inspiration, then look no further than our blog to see all the wonderful creations from all the very talented Design Team members and every week, one lucky random participant has the chance to win a $50 gift voucher from Simon Says Stamp. You have until Monday 8am Ohio time. 1pm UK time, 2 pm CET to join in and good luck....

At the moment, we also have a special challenge for children between the ages of 2 and 16! CLICK HERE to go directly to the challenge page

Thank you so much for stopping by today and see you again very soon!

Love Emma xxx

Recipe for project:

Tim Holtz/Sizzix Dies: Mini Globe

Distress Paints: Black Soot, Antique Linen, Weathered Wood and Tumbled Glass
Distress Oxide Inks: Twisted Citron, Peeled Paint, Lucky Clover
Tim Holtz Layering Stencil: Mini Stencil Set 20
Distress Marker Pens
Distress Crayons: Pumice Stone, Black Soot
Tim Holtz idea-ology: Snippets, Index Clips, Clippings, Paper Dolls, Special Delivery Remnant Rubs, Star Adornments
Mediums: Collage Medium, Grit Paste, Gesso
Surfaces: Heavyweight Mixed Media Card
Little Things From Lucy's Cards Ice Cube Jewels
Ranger Craft Sheet
Paper Distresser
Sanding Tool

Big Shot

Heat Gun
Sisal fibres from my own stash