Making ATC's from Scraps

I've only recently decided to try my hand at making Artist Trading Cards. Those awesome little 2 1/2 X 31/2 inch works of art that can be seen on many artists' sites. I've even found wonderful ATC articles right here on AC. I had recently been gifted a few and decided to try making them myself as part of a new goal for 2009, to be creative everyday. I was amazed at how simple and easy they are to make. I save some of my junk mail because of the pretty colors or because the paper is heavier and I think I'm bound to find a use for it. The same goes with my scrapbooking paper. I can't bear to throw away even the thinnest strips. I make no claim to being great at this but I think the ones I've made so far look pretty decent. For now I will make and save them and as time goes by I may even become courageous enough to enter an ATC swap online.

To make a junk mail ATC you will need:

Several pieces of junk mail such as subscription return cards

A ruler

Scissors or paper cutter

Glue

Rubber stamps and ink pad (optional)

Stickers

Other embellishments as desired (think scraps)

Measure your base and cut out a baseball card size piece (21/2" X 31/2"). Next think of a theme. Look at your items in front of you. Place items onto the base and move them around until you find a pleasing arrangement. Then start gluing down, stamping and embellishing. You will know when it's finished when you sit back and smile proudly while admiring your first Artist's trading Card. Next, get busy making another.

I have found this to be a great stress reliever and lots of fun. I plan to take some supplies to my Cub Scout Pack and see what they can come up with too. These ATC cards would be perfect for the individual Cub Scout Dens to make and trade with each other. Kids love pasting and stamping and coloring and such. ATC size works of art would be perfect for their little hands.

I hope you enjoy my new little artistic endeavors (see photos). If you are like me you have to be or want to be creative everyday. I think this will be just the thing to keep my creative muse flowing. Have fun with it and don't worry if it's not straight or the colors are a bit off. It's not to sell, it's for fun and to trade or just save for a family member to come across one day and ask, "What are these and where did you get them?" The fun you will share then will be wonderful. And, if you used junk mail you will be able to proudly brag that you were recycling to help save the earth.