Having Fun With Artist Trading Cards!

Hello!  Today I am sharing a few ATC (artist trading cards) projects I worked on this week using current and retiring Stampin' Up! products. Only a few days remain in the Stampin' Up! Last Chance Promotion!  Until April 30, 2024, the retiring products from both the May 2023-April 2024 Annual Catalogue, and the January-April 2024 Mini Catalogue, will be available - but only while supplies last - with many substantially discounted!  Don't miss out on the opportunity to stock up on your favourite retiring products - or to add something from your wish list to your collection!

Just a warning about working with artist trading cards (ATCs) - they are a lot of fun but can quickly become addictive!  There are very few rules to follow - only the size of the cards and the fact that they are intended to be exchanged or gifted and not sold (which makes them perfect for swaps if you are looking for an alternative to cards).  The size of the cards - 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" - make them ideal for technique samplers, and while any medium can be used to make the cards they are perfect little vehicles for paper crafters - and they can be flat or quite dimensional!  If you sometimes feel a little overwhelmed by cardmaking - like I certainly do! - the smaller size of the ATC is very appealing.  And of course, a finished ATC could become the focal point of a larger card!  Storage or presentation for ATCs also offers lots of possibilities - in this week's projects I have included a crayon box style holder, and an accordion style holder (of which there are many examples on Pinterest!) made using twelve 6" x 3 3/8" coin envelopes (trimmed).  A holder can be sized to hold any number of cards, and can be decorated in any manner you wish including decorating to reflect the theme, if applicable, of the ATCs contained in the holder. To decorate both of my holders I used black & white patterned papers from the retiring Rock & Roll 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 162695).

Other than providing information about the products used, and a few general techniques, I will not bore you with excruciating details for each of my ATCs!  ATCs also provide a great opportunity to use pieces leftover from other projects - die cuts, fussy cut images from Designer Series Papers, stamped images, and scraps of cardstock and Designer Series Papers etc.  I used watercolour paper for the main panels for each card - using Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) and/or Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for the matting panels, which were cut so as to ensure that the finished card size was 2 1/2" x 3 1/2".  Additional supplies used:

• other than the white embossed skeletons I used Stazon Jet Black Ink (item 101406) to stamp images and sentiments from the following stamp sets on watercolour paper:  retiring Dainty Delight (item 161078), retiring (and sold out) Quiet Meadow (item 155082), retiring Next Destination (item 161427); retiring (and sold out) Hey Chuck (item 161549); and Online Exclusive Queen Bee (item 160476).  I watercoloured the images, and around the images, using the following Classic Stampin' inks:  retiring Sweet Sorbet (item 159216), Old Olive (item 147090), Daffodil Delight (item 147094), Berry Burst (item 147143), Pecan Pie (item 161665), retiring Starry Sky (item 159212), Pumpkin Pie (item 147086). Basic Gray (item 149165), Pool Party (item 147107), Shaded Spruce (item 147088), and Granny Apple Green (item 147095);

• for the embossed skeletons I stamped the images from the retired Bag Of Bones stamp set (item 162216) on Basic Black card stock (item 121045) using VersaMark Ink (item 102283), embossing with white embossing powder from the retired Stampin' Emboss Powders-Basics (item 155554), and die cutting the skeletons and the watercolour paper crypt (that was coloured using Basic Gray ink, and Crumb Cake ink - item 147116) using the retired - but currently available on the Clearance Rack - Bag Of Bones dies (item 162218). *Although both the Basics and Metallics Stampin' Emboss Powders are no longer available new embossing powders will be introduced in the May 2024-April 2025 Annual Catalogue but Stampin' Up! advises that unfortunately the order availability of these new embossing powders will be delayed until after the May 1 launch date for the new Annual Catalogue*;

Bag Of Bones dies - 162218

• Basic Black watercolour pencil (Watercolour Pencils-Assortment 2 - item 149014) to draw around edges of watercolour paper panels (and the watercolour paper die cut crypt) - this was done over watercolour paper that had been used as an under paper when applying ink to other watercolour paper panels - I cut additional card base panels from this under paper watercolour paper that had additional random Basic Black watercolour pencil lines;

• I used the following dies to cut foliage from both watercolour paper and cardstock (Old Olive - item 100702; Soft Seafoam - item 146988; and Mossy Meadow - item 133676) - all die cut foliage was coloured/shaded with Old Olive ink and Mossy Meadow ink (item 147111) applied with Blending Brushes (item 153611) and Small Blending Brushes (item 160518):

Delicate Forest - 162679

Lazy Days (retiring) - 161342

Natural Prints (retiring) - 158800

Meadow (retiring) - 155852

Paper Florist (retiring) - 161284

Notes of Nature (retiring) - 163203

• I used the following dies to cut flowers and flower centers from cardstock (Very Vanilla - item 101650, and Crushed Curry - item 131199 - shaded with Pecan Pie ink; Lemon Lolly - item 161720 - shaded with Daffodil Delight ink; Basic White - item 159276 - shaded with Daffodil Delight and Pecan Pie inks; Pecan Pie - item 161717 - shaded with Early Espresso ink - item 147114; Pumpkin Pie - item 105117 - shaded with Pumpkin Pie ink; Pecan Pie shaded with Pecan Pie ink; and Daffodil Delight - item 119683 - shaded with Daffodil Delight and Pumpkin Pie inks; and Basic Black cardstock):

Paper Florist (retiring) - 161284

Dainty Delight (retiring) - 160674

Simply Zinnia - 163479

• additional dies used to cut flowers and flower centers out of watercolour paper (coloured using Pecan Pie and Basic Gray inks, Highland Heather ink refill - item 147167; and Daffodil Delight, Pecan Pie and Early Espresso inks):

Chic dies (retiring) - 158815  - clamshell detail overlay and snowflakes

Paper Florist (retiring) - 161284

Cheerful Daisies dies - 161296

• for the "gears"  I cut frames using the scalloped (sunflower) die from the Paper Florist dies and the small circle die from the Beach Day dies (item 162799);

Beach Day dies - 162799

• additional dies used:  cross-hatch die from retiring Chic dies to cut background panel die cut from Basic White Thick cardstock - also used one die cut as a stencil to create texture on Highland Heather flower card panel (I watercoloured the stencil with Pecan Pie and Basic Gray inks to create the pattern on the watercolour paper panel); circle dies from Stylish Shapes dies (item 159183); small flag die from Nested Essentials dies (item 161597); retiring Hey Chuck dies (item 161552) to cut Hey Chuck stamp set images; and long narrow banner die from Delicate Forest dies (item 162679) to cut Next Destination sentiment banner;

Stylish Shapes dies - 159183

Nested Essentials dies - 161597

Hey Chuck dies (retiring) - 161552

• additional supplies used:  fussy cut image and scraps of black & white patterned paper from the retiring Zoo Crew 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 161304); trimmed pieces from watercolour paper panel brayered with Sweet Sorbet ink (leftover from last week's projects); Highland Heather cardstock (item 146986) for additional matting panel on the 'rusty" Chic die flower card; Calypso Coral and Old Olive shaded dots from Ombre Matte Decorative Dots (item 161448); white dots from the retiring Classic Matte Dots (item 158146); Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker (item 162481) to add splatters by flicking the marker's brush tip against the marker lid; the retiring Artistic Mix Decorative Masks (item 159178); and an "almost Parakeet Party" 1/2" button from my dollar store stash.

the two designs used of the five designs included with the retiring Artistic Mix Decorative Masks - 159178 

To complete this week's projects I also used the following basic tools and supplies:

• Paper Trimmer (item 152392);
• stylus and score board (Simply Scored Scoring Tool - item 122334);
• Paper Snips Scissors (item 103579);
• Bone Folder (item 102300); 
• Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine (item 149653);
• Take Your Pick Tool (item 144107); and
• for the main adhesive, Multipurpose Liquid Glue (item 110755).

Additional supplies used to complete the crayon box style holder that measures 3 3/4" tall x 2 3/4" wide x 3/4" deep:

• a 7 1/2" x 6" piece of Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) scored on the 7 1/2" side @ 3/4", 3 1/2", 4 1/4", and 7" (1/2" tab is the glue tab); and scored on the 6" side @ 3/4" (bottom flaps), 4 1/2", and 5 1/4";

• Basic White cardstock (item 159276) for the matting panels:  2 @ 3 5/8" x 2 5/8" (front and back); 2 @ 3 5/8" x 5/8" (sides); and 1 @ 2 5/8" x 5/8" (top); and
• black & white patterned paper from the retiring Rock & Roll 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 162695) for the DSP panels:  2 @ 3 1/2" x 2 1/2" (front and back); 2 @ 3 1/2" x 1/2" (sides); and 1 @ 2 1/2" x 1/2" (top).

I glued the matting and DSP panels to the front panel and then cut the notch using the 1 1/4" diameter circle die from the Stylish Shapes dies (item 159183).  After cutting the notch I adhered the remaining matting and DSP panels and completed assembly of the box.

Additional supplies used to complete the accordion style holder that measures (closed) 4" tall (excluding handle) x 3 3/4" wide x 1" deep:

• for the holder an 11" x 3 3/4" piece of Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) scored on the 11" side @ 3 3/4" (front panel), 4 3/4" (1" bottom), 8 3/4" (4" back panel), and 9 3/4" (1" top and 1 1/4" front flap);
• Melon Mambo cardstock (item 115320) for the following:  3 5/8" square matting panel (front); 3 5/8" x 1 1/8" matting panel (front flap); 3 5/8" x 7/8" matting panel (top); two small perforated circle die cuts adhered to handle ends - cut using the retiring Paper Florist dies (item 161284); and 3 1/4" x 3 1/2" matting panel (outside back); 
• Basic Black cardstock for the following:  3 3/8" square and 2 7/8" square matting panels (front); 3 3/8" x 7/8" matting panel (front flap); 3 3/8" x 5/8" matting panel (top); 3 1/2" x 3 3/4" and 3 1/8" x 3 3/8" matting panels (outside back); 3 1/8" square sentiment matting panel; and 6" x 3/4" piece for handle - scored at 1/2" from each end on the 6" side, and scored five times along the 3/4" side @ 1/8" intervals - I used my Bone Folder to lightly curl the handle to prevent any creasing of the cardstock when the handle was adhered to the top of the holder;
• retiring Parakeet Party cardstock (item 159259) for the following:  3 1/4" square matting panel (front);  3 5/8" x 3 7/8" matting panel (outside back); 3 3/8" square sentiment matting panel; 3 1/2" x 7/8" matting panels (inside of bottom and top); 3 1/2" x 3 3/4" matting panel (inside back); and 3 1/2" x 1 1/8" matting panel (inside front flap);
• Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for the 3" square sentiment panel; and 3 1/2" sentiment matting panel;
• black & white patterned paper from retiring Rock & Roll 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 162695) for the following:  2 3/4" square panel (front); 3 1/4" x 3/4" panel (front flap); 2 7/8" x 5/8" panel (top); 3" x 3 1/4" panel (back); 3 3/8" x 3/4" panels (inside bottom and inside top); 3 3/8" x 1" panel (inside front); 3 1/2" x 3 3/4" panel (inside back) - this panel is mostly obscured by the envelopes; 3 5/8" x 3 1/4" panel for the front of the first envelope;  1 5/8" x 1/2" torn end strip for Parakeet Party cardstock tag; and 2" x 1/8" strip for sentiment panel;
• retiring Tailor Made Tags dies (item 155563) to cut three small tags from Basic Black, Melon Mambo, and Parakeet Party cardstock - and one hole re-enforcer from Basic Black cardstock;

Tailor Made Tags dies (retiring) - 155563

• Memento Tuxedo Black Ink (item 132708) to stamp sentiment from Crafting With You stamp set (item 161219);

• twelve 6" x 3 3/8" coin envelopes - each trimmed to 3 3/4" (measuring from bottom edge); and
• 1" circle punch to punch half-circle notches in all envelopes.

I adhered the envelopes together by running a line of glue down the center back of the first envelope and gluing it to the front of the next envelope - repeating until the last envelope - trying to make sure that the notches and envelope bottoms and sides were all aligned - attaching the envelopes together using just a line of glue down the center of the envelopes creates the accordion effect.  To adhere the stacked envelopes to the holder I applied glue to the entire back of the last envelope in the stack and glued it to the inside back of the holder - centering the envelope stack widthwise on the panel and aligning the bottom edges of the envelopes just a hair above the bottom fold line of the back panel.  To complete the holder I added a small white dot from the retiring Classic Matte Dots (item 158146) to the center of the die cut Melon Mambo cardstock perforated circles on each end of the handle, and used a small ball chain (purchased at my local craft store) to attach the three tags (which I glued together at the top).  I used two small magnetic discs - "+" and "-" (purchased at my local scrapbooking shop) for the closure - adhering one disc centered on the underside of the front flap - this disc covered by the matted DSP panel - and the other disc on the outside of the front panel near the top of the larger of the two Basic Black cardstock matting panels - this disc covered by the double-matted DSP panel. 

Thank you for visiting my blog!  I certainly had a lot of fun working on these ATC projects!

The following are applicable discounts (until April 30!) for retiring products I used this week:

• Dainty Delight stamp set - item 161078 - 30% ($23.80);
• Next Destination stamp set - item 161427 - 50% ($16.50);
• Classic Matte Dots - item 158146 - 40% ($5.85);
• Hey Chuck dies - item 161552 - 20% ($35.20);
• Lazy Days dies - item 161342 - 20% ($37.60);
• Chic dies - item 158815- 50% ($25.50);
• Dainty Delight dies - item 160674 - 50% ($24.50);
• Meadow dies - item 155852 - 50% ($26.00);
• Natural Prints dies - item 158800 - 50% ($25.50); 
• Paper Florist dies - item 161284 - 50% ($25.50); and
• Artistic Mix Decorative Masks - item 159178 - 10% ($12.37).

If you are interested in purchasing any of the available Stampin' Up! products I have used in my projects, and you live in Canada and do not have a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, please do not hesitate to visit my online store found on my website https://archiesatelier.stampinup.net/ at your convenience, or simply click under the "Shop With Me" tab on the right sidebar of my blog, which will take you directly to my website and online store.  I very much appreciate your business, and if you need any assistance please do not hesitate to contact me (lmccoyarchie@gmail.com) - I would be very pleased to be your demonstrator!  The digital versions of both the May 2023-April 2024 Annual Catalogue, and the January-April 2024 Mini Catalogue are available for you to access at your convenience on my website (https://archiesatelier.stampinup.net/) until April 30, 2024.  When visiting my online store don't forget to check out all the products now available as Online Exclusives, as well as some great deals on the Clearance Rack - new items, including the Bag Of Bones dies, were added this week!  Remember that all retiring products and Clearance Rack items will be available only while supplies last!  The new May 2024-April 2025 Annual Catalogue - with lots of fun new products - including five new In Colours - will launch on May 1, 2024, and the digital version of the Catalogue will be available for you to access at your convenience on my website as of that date!

Have fun creating!

Laurel

*It has come to my attention that quite often email correspondence from me is delivered to the recipient's spam or junk mail folder - if you have corresponded with me I have replied so be sure to check your spam or junk mail folder!  Thank you!! 

Reacting to a shameful display of unsportsmanlike conduct by a player on our favourite hockey team!😒