What is an ATC and what we can do with ATCs

Recently I've received various emails and comments from my blog readers asking me what is an ATC (Artist Trading Card) and what we can do with it.

I might not be accurate in explaining this but these questions had actually inspired me to come up with more ideas. A big thank you to my blog readers.

My view or thoughts about ATC would be a card in the size of 2.5" by 3.5" which showcase an artist unique style and creativity. It's actually considered as a masterpiece which represents an artist. The most common use of an ATC is to create and exchange or swap with others. It's a kind of collectibles liked some baseball or sports cards.

However, these are some other ideas that I have with ATCs. Recently, I think most of us have seen some ATCs Holders (7 gypsies) or even ATCs album or book. It's a medium that you could use to showcase all your collections or even your own ATCs.

Therefore, I've came up with some ideas for using ATCs.

1. Create some ATCs for yourself from time to time.

This will be a kind of documentation of your style, progress and how you've improved throughout your years of scrapping.

2. Create ATCs based on the techniques you've learned.

You can always create a separate ATCs every time you've learned or come across a new technique and do a simple documentations behind the card. This way, you'll be making your own techniques journal or records. This is my favourite idea because I know that every time I come across a new technique that I'm interested, I can't wait to try it out but having to do a layout or any projects on it,might need more time and often we forget. So ATCs are great because they are small and easy to do.

3. Asked your young ones to create their own ATCs

Recently one of blog reader emailed me saying that she had successfully taught a small kid to scrap. I think it's fabulous. I think that if that small kid could create an ATC, how proud would they be (it's their masterpiece after all) and it's a great way for them to keep records of their own progress in scrapping. And this could definitely go to a further level if you're teaching a bunch of kids instead of one and they could even swap their ATCs.

These are some of my different ideas of creating and using ATCs. Hope it will answer most of your questions. So for all of you who had signed up for the draw to win my valentine ATCs, keep watch. I will be making the draw on the 12th Jan.

Valentine ATCs and a little surprise to all my blog readers!

These are some of the Valentine ATCs that I've created for a swap that I'm in. I've created 15 of these. As "ATC" or Artist Trading Card is a card which reflects the expression of the artist's unique style, I've incorporated most of the techniques that I've always love using in my work. (ie. masking, distressing, inking, stamping and even embossing) I know these do not looked anything liked normal Valentine ATCs but that's just me!

These are some details as to each of these ATCs:

Valentine ATC No. 1:

1. First, I've used a self created heart shape template to mask on the pattern paper (using the pine needles distress ink) and later randomly stamped some flower images on it. I've distressed the edges of the ATCs using the scissors distressing technique and inked on them using the Tim Holtz's distress ink (faded jeans and black soot)

2. I've used a paper doiley which I've inked ( using black soot and faded jeans distress ink) and embossed on the edges to layer on the lower left corner of the ATC. I've cut out the heart using some thin chipboard and later cover it with pattern paper and stamped.

Valentine ATC No. 2:

1. First, I've used a self created heart shape template to mask on the pattern paper (using the faded jeans distress ink). I've distressed the edges of the ATCs using the scissors distressing technique and inked on them using the Tim Holtz's distress ink (pine needles and black soot)



2. I've cut out a strip of transparency using a scallop decorative scissors. Then I've used some black and grey acrylic paint to paint on the edges and stamped on it before attaching it to the ATC.

3. To add more details on it, I've stamped some small flowers and doodle on the ATC. I've also created a heart out of thin chipboard and later embossed on it.

Valentine ATC No. 3:



1. First, I've used a self created heart shape template to mask on the pattern paper (using the tea dye distress ink). I've distressed the edges of the ATCs using the scissors distressing technique and inked on them using the Tim Holtz's distress ink (walnut stain and spice marmalade)

2. I've stamped a flourish and some flowers on a vellum and cut it out along the edges of the flourishes. Later, I've embossed on the edges of the vellum before attaching it to the ATC.

Valentine ATC No. 4:




1. First, I've used a self created heart shape template to mask on the pattern paper (using the black soot distress ink). I've distressed the edges of the ATCs using the scissors distressing technique and inked on them using the Tim Holtz's distress ink (frayed burlap and black soot)



2. I've used a vellum which I've distressed it using the tear-in and inking technique to layer on the lower right corner of the ATC. Then I've created a heart which I've stamped and embossed on it for this ATC.

Valentine ATC No. 5:



1. First, I've used a self created heart shape template to mask on the pattern paper (using the walnut stain distress ink). I've distressed the edges of the ATCs using the scissors distressing technique and inked on them using the Tim Holtz's distress ink (brushed corduroy and black soot)

2. I've printed out a vintage image and distressed it using the scissors, crinkled and inking technique. I've used some staples to attach it to the ATC. I've also stenciled an image on the background using some distress ink and later embossed on it.

I've had so much fun creating these ATCs and I would liked to add a little surprise to all my blog readers here.

I've been blessed with all the wonderful support from my fellow blog readers all this time and I would liked to thank each and everyone of you. I've created some extras on these ATCs and would liked to give them away to some of my blog readers. Unfortunately, i do not have enough to reward all of you. Therefore I would be making a draw. Simply post a comment here with your email and saying that you would hope to get one of these ATC. I will be making a draw from the hat with everyone names in it. The draw would be made on the 12th of January. I will be emailing the winners.

Sources: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper, Pattern paper: Basic Grey, Ink: Tim Holtz's Distress Ink, Color Box and Memories, Brads: Making Memories, Other: Uni-ball White Signo Pen, Zig, Tim Holtz Distress Embossing Powders

Fun

This is a layout on one of Ryan's favourite activity during the holidays. It has always been a "fun" moment for him when we took him to the pool.

The inspirations for this layout came to me from the moment I see him playing in the pool. Lot's of splashing and creating all those fun waves in the pool.

This is one of my favourite layout among all the layouts that I've created so far.

For this layout, I've used the "Microsoft Words" to create a wavy template. You can absolutely use a flexible ruler to create the wavy pattern too. Then, I've used the the left overs after I've cut out my wavy piece, to do my masking on the top and the bottom of the layout to further create the wavy look on the layout.

I've hand drawn and hand cut all the swirls and circles for this layout. I've also stamped on all the swirls and inked all the edges of the circles. I've used some bubble circle stickers to add some dimensions to the layout.

In this layout, I've also use the "Blending using Acrylic Paint" technique (http://scrapperlicious.blogspot.com/2008/01/blending-using-acrylic-paint.html) and "Transparency as Layers" technique (http://scrapperlicious.blogspot.com/2008/01/transparency-as-layers.html).

These two are some of my favourite techniques so far. It really gives a different effect and look to the layout. Hope you all would give these techniques a try. This layout is created for a feature in Scrappin Kids

Sources: Cardstock: Provo Craft and Bazzill Basics Paper, Pattern paper: Basic Grey and Paper Pizazz, Ink: Tim Holtz's Distress Ink, Color Box and Memories, Acrylic Paint: Making Memories, Rub-ons: Urban Lily, Brads: Making Memories, Stickers: K&Co. and Stamps: Making Memories

Transparency as Layers

I've tried using transparency as part of my layering in my latest layout titled "Fun" in my family gallery. It's a very fun technique and it really creates a very different look to the overall look of the page with it's shiny surface.

In my layout, I've cut out a circle clear transparency and painted it's edges using some black acrylic paint. Then I've used a white paint marker to doodle on it. It does actually create the effect that I wanted so bad for my layout.

Blending using Acrylic Paint

This is one of the recent technique that I've used in my latest layout titled "Fun" in my family gallery. I've tried to blend the photograph with the it's background card stock.

This technique is actually quite simple. Simply use a dry paint brush and dab it into some acrylic paint directly from the bottle and lightly swipe it on the edges of the photograph. It's also creating a distressing effect to the photograph as well. I love this effect and I will definitely use this technique again in some of my future layout.