Take Joy in the Little (ATC) Things

Have you been following this month's Project Parade on the Verve blog? If not, you should really go check out all the Artist Trading Cards the design team has been posting for the last week and a half. I know I've said this before, but I love, love, LOVE making Artist Trading Cards, and today it's finally my turn to post!!

My ATC was inspired by JulieHRR's Dare to Get Dirty Challenge on Splitcoast last week, which was to make a clean, simple white card. I usually have trouble with clean+simple+white, but I really like how this ATC turned out. I made it out of watercolor paper. The embossed rectangle was done with a Nestability, and then I just did a light Soft Sky color wash inside the rectangle. I created the flower trio using stamps from Floral Whimsy, and the sentiment comes from Petals & Stems. Because the Nestability is a little narrower than the "official" ATC size, I added some paper piercing along the left. Simple and sweet.

And here's how it looks turned into a full card:



If you're reading this early enough on Thursday, you can still get in on the challenge if you haven't already. At 12:00 pm (noon) Eastern Time today (July 31st) we'll be drawing two winners, one randomly drawn from all the entries, the other our favorite project using Verve stamps. Both winners will receive $15 in Verve Bucks. To enter, link up your ATC creation HERE.

Our Project Parade may be ending today, but just WAIT until you see what's next. Tomorrow is the first day of our much-anticipated Anni-VERVE-sary, and we have loads of fun planned. It all happens in the Verve Forum! Be there or be square ;)

Happy Cupcake Day

I thought I'd share an ATC that I made for a My Favorite Things swap last month, but forgot to post here. I've said before, but I'll say again - I love making these! Small enough to make quickly, but they still pack a big punch. It's amazing how much detail you can still fit within a 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 rectangle! My swap returns were over-the-top cute!

I stamped the cupcake in Versafine Onyx Black, then colored with markers (or reinkers? can't remember) and added sparkle with a Stardust glitter pen. The stamp set is called Icing on the Cake.

Thanks for visiting!



Stamps: Icing on the Cake (My Favorite Things)
Paper: Old Olive, Tempting Turquoise, Certainly Celery, Papertrey White
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Certainly Celery, Tempting Turquoise, Rose Red
Accessories: Swiss Dots cuttlebug, classic and scalloped circle Nestabilities, word window puch, white grosgrain ribbon, Stardust glitter pen, dimensionals

My Favorite Wedding ATC

I recently signed up for an ATC swap with My Favorite Things. I forgot how much I love making these little guys. They're the perfect quick project when stamping time is in short supply. This one didn't make my cut for the swap -- I like it well enough, I just don't have enough white flowers. I was inspired by some beautiful cards Jennifer Meyer uploaded a week or two ago using this combo. She did a whole series, but this one was one of my favorites. Such a perfect color combo for weddings!



Stamps: Icing on the Cake (My Favorite Things)
Paper: Soft Sky, Whisper White, Soft Sky prints
Ink: Soft Sky
Accessories: dimensionals, pretties kit, three for you punch, Swarovski crystals, white polka dot organdy ribbon, sponge daubers

Another ATC

I've noticed that the ATCs are usually pretty "artsy." Mine are just little mini cards. Oh well, they're still just so dang cute and fun to make!

Supplies (all Stampin' Up!):
Stamps: Best Blossom (retired), Print Pattern, Itty Bitty Backgrounds
Ink: Always Artichoke, Elegant Eggplant, Very Vanilla
Paper: Whisper White, Always Artichoke, Elegant Eggplant
Accessories: celery grosgrain, rhinestone brads - ice circles, white gel pen

Oh So Lovely ATC

No, I'm not tooting my own horn. It's the name of the stamp set, silly :)

Supplies (all Stampin' Up!):
Stamps: Oh So Lovely
Ink: Jet Black Staz-On, Always Artichoke, Ruby Red, Bravo Burgundy
Paper: Ivory Naturals, Mellow Moss, So Saffon, Always Artichoke
Accessories: Cranberry Stitched Ribbon, Glassy Glaze Enamel, paper piercer, hodgepodge hardware, edge distressor, aqua painter

I've never done an ATC before (artist trading card). Very fun! If you're not familiar with them, they're just ways artists exchange their work and share tiny bits of themselves. The only "rule" is size: 2 1/2" x 3 1/2." It makes for a fun-size little canvas, yet plenty of room for all your favorite techniques and embellishments.

Try one, then post a link to yours in the comments section of this post. If you already make these, post a link too. I'd love to see what you've done.

[Updated to add: This ATC uses the Cracked Glass technique, which is this week's technique challenge on Splitcoast. There's a great tutorial here.]