Cherished Memories

Thursday Tip #18

2009-07-16T20:06:00.002-04:00

Go to your local scrapbook store to use their punches, tools, etc. This way you can get more information and get some hands-on experience to see what tools you really need.

Thursday Tip #17

2009-07-09T20:04:00.000-04:00

Check out the dollar stores and mass market stores (like Walmart) for inexpensive supplies.

Most pens are now archival quality so you don't need to buy a special pen.

Use every day items to help you get organized, such as baskets, flower pots, containers, binders, small buckets, etc.

You can find lots of goodies at flea markets and garage sales.

Thursday Tip #16

2009-07-02T19:56:00.001-04:00

When developing 35mm film, get duplicates. Duplicates is cheaper than getting reprints later.

Scrapbook & Cards Today - Summer Issue

2009-06-26T11:40:00.003-04:00

The summer issue is here. This issue boasts a fun assortment of seasonal layouts, fresh cards, and our 10 most wanted, as well as lots of tips, techniques, and innovative solutions.

Click here to download it for FREE!

Here is some of what you’ll find in the summer issue:

Beautiful, Bountiful Brads — You don’t want to miss our celebration of this versatile embellishment.
Celebrating Teens and Inbetweens — Check out these sure-fire solutions to creating fabulous teen layouts.
What’s Your Status? — Read one designer’s story of her journey into the vast world of Internet chatter (and see how it relates to her scrapbooking on a daily basis).
Just “Shoot” Me — Join Kathy Thompson Laffoley as she shares her secrets for great outdoor photography .
I Spy with Emily — Designer Emily Pitts shares her thoughts on the latest trend in scrapbooking this season — canvas.
It’s My Party — Designer Kim Hughes has created a fabulous kid’s birthday party set — complete with an invitation, a pop-up card, favours, a festive banner, and more.

Thursday Tip #15

2009-06-25T19:32:00.000-04:00

The best way to journal right onto your background paper is to write it lightly in pencil first. This way if you make any mistakes you can fix them before committing to pen. Use a writing pen to trace over your pencil markings, when the ink is completely dry, erase the pencil marks with a white eraser.

Thursday Tip #14

2009-06-18T19:29:00.001-04:00

A good way to use your Glue Dots without touching them, is to press the item you are adhering to the Glue Dot. You can also carefully use your craft knife to lift the glue dot and place it where you need it. If you need a smaller piece, use your craft knife to cut the Glue Dot in half -- just be careful of the blade.

Thursday Tip #13

2009-06-11T19:28:00.000-04:00

Do you have problems tearing the paper when you dry emboss? Don't push down too hard on the stylus while dry embossing and try rubbing the area you want to emboss with wax paper first. The wax paper helps to "lubricate" the cardstock so that the stylus will flow easily over it and therefore avoid tearing.

Thursday Tip #12

2009-06-04T19:25:00.000-04:00

Do you ever find that once you have placed your lumpy pages in your scrapbook, (no matter how hard you try to keep your embellishments from pressing into the other pages) the pages often get damaged? For a quick, cheap, and easy way to keep your scrapbook pages unharmed, pick up a sheet of foam paper. Available at all major crafting stores.

Cut approximately 8-16 strips (1/2 inch-1 inch) lengthwise out of an 8x10 sheet of foam paper. Punch holes in the strips and then place them in between every 5 or so pages of your scrapbook (replacing those flimsy cardboard strips that come with your page refills). This will create an extra space between all your pages and will eliminate damage due to lumpy embellishments.

Foam paper will cost you just pennies for a sheet and, will save you so much by keeping your treasured layouts dent and damage free!

Thursday Tip #11

2009-05-28T19:23:00.000-04:00

When you journal, are you at a loss for words? Do you sometimes repeat the same words over and over again? Keeping a small Thesaurus handy near your workspace is a great way to make your writing more eloquent - just look up the word you want to use, find its synonym and soon your journaling will flow like poetry.

Do It Today Challenge #2

2009-05-24T09:08:00.001-04:00

Pick up the phone and schedule specifically a cropping time during the next two weeks for you and a friend at a in-home crop or for yourself at a local store.

or

Take the time to cut ATCs from patterned paper you won't use for layouts.

or

Create some inchies.

Scrapbooking on a Budget

2009-05-23T20:39:00.001-04:00

With all the expensive scrapbook products on the market, it's easy to think that you can't scrap on a budget. However, with just a few basic tools, it is easy to create plenty of pages for under $2 each. While these layouts do use some generic tools, none of these layouts use a computer die-cut system or other expensive tools. Here are examples of layouts that use less than $2 in supplies.

Thursday Tip #10

2009-05-21T19:21:00.000-04:00

Give stickers a rustic look by pulling out your sandpaper and sanding the stickers slightly.

Do It Today Challenge

2009-05-17T09:03:00.000-04:00

Pick up 27 things off your scrapbook area and put them away.

or

Create a page layout and finish it.

or

Journal 5 pages that need finishing off by journaling.

Get Creative with Die-Cuts

2009-05-16T19:45:00.004-04:00

Spice up your scrapbook pages with fabric, metal, chipboard, and paper die-cuts used as embellishments.

Basic Die-Cut Techniques for Scrapbook Pages
Get Creative with Die-Cuts
Learn How To Die-Cut
Great Die-Cutting Ideas
Stickers and Die Cut Storage

Thursday Tip #9

2009-05-14T11:44:00.000-04:00

Has attaching wire to your pages been a problem? A few ways you can attach wired art to your pages are: (1) by sewing your wire down with clear thread, (2) by placing very tiny holes beneath your wired art and create a little "staple" with another small piece of wire--place "staple" over your wire and thread into the small hole beneath spreading the legs of the "staple" on the back apart, and (3) by using photo mounting tape to adhere the wire on the back side of your project. Whichever way you choose, you're sure to get "wired"!

Recipe Challenge #2

2009-05-13T07:12:00.003-04:00

Every two weeks we will introduce a Recipe Challenge. You have two weeks to get the challenge done and link back to us. We will give a list of three items that must be used on a card or layout. You are not limited to only the three items listed. You can use as many items on your layout or cards as you wish. But the minimum on it must be what is listed in the recipe.

Create a card or layout using the following items:
2 different pattern papers
Ribbon
Stamp

The topic/theme for your card or layout is up to you.

Projects are due by Wednesday, May 27th. Upload your card or layout to a gallery or to your own blog then sign Mr. Linky below.

WoW - Week of Webisodes

2009-05-11T08:22:00.001-04:00

Week of Webisodes Starts Monday!

Welcome to Paper Wishes’ Week of Webisodes!

Join Paper Wishes for a full week of inspiration! Each day you’ll have a brand-new Webisode, featuring the very latest tips and techniques on things like templates, stamps, Dazzles, and more. Here's a quick look at the lineup:

Monday: Easy Circles Template
Tuesday: Mix Your Messages / Whimsical Words stamp sets
Wednesday: Metal Embossed Jewelry
Thursday: Photo Carousel
Friday: Bargello Dazzles

Also available are FREE downloads, bonus projects, designer tips, plus bargains on our Deal of the Day.

There’s no need to register and it’s FREE! But, if you would a daily reminder when Paper Wishes uploads each new webisode during Week of Webisodes, click here.

Article originally written for 365 Days of Memories.

Do Things that Delight You

2009-05-09T19:38:00.004-04:00

Make a list of the things that DELIGHT you... events, activities, items, etc., but not people.

Now, go one step further, and do things to experience DELIGHT and to further find more DELGHTFUL events.

DELIGHT
n
joy, pleasure, gladness, happiness

Take pictures of things that delight you, or draw pictures, or write a poem or story.

Here are some sensory items to get you started on your list. Play close attention to colors, scents, textures, etc.

Sound

Listen to CDs or tapes of environmental sounds.
Laugh! Watch a comedy movie.
Listen to a ballet.
Sit in your backyard or in a park and listen to the birds.
Sing as loud as you can to the radio in your car.
Go to a symphony orchestra performance.
Listen to someone talk to you without worrying about what you will say.
Listen to books on tape while walking, driving, resting.
Listen to music of one instrument, such as cello or harp or piano.
Go to concerts of various music genres.
Hang up wind chimes, inside and out... it creates positive qi around you.
Invest in a tabletop fountain.

Sight

Watch tropical fish swim in a home aquarium.
Watch for a shooting star.
Walk through a garden in full bloom.
Watch a candle flame.
Watch ocean waves ebb and tide.
Gaze at the full moon.
Look for the first sign of spring; the first robin, crocus, etc.
Paint with watercolors, oils, acrylics.
Watch a sunrise.
Watch a sunset.
Go to an art museum.
Take pictures of things, not people.
Use black and white film, not color.
Look at something, really look at it for the first time.
Buy paints in the primary colors... what new shades can you make?
Put on different kinds of music and paint to the music.
Rest with cucumber slices or wet tea bags on your eyes.
Go on a whale watch in the ocean.
Watch a baby, or a kitten, or puppy move.
Lie on the grass and watch the shapes that clouds make.

Touch

Make an adult blanket, using soft fabrics in your favorite color.
Make a collage using assorted textures of paper, fabric, natural items.
Using various grades of sandpaper, sand a piece of wood smooth.
Walk barefoot on a sandy beach.
Have a snowball fight.
Get a hot paraffin wax dip treatment on hands &/or feet.
Learn American Sign Language.
Carve and whittle a walking stick.
Go ice skating, especially on a hot day.
Get a body piercing &/or a tattoo.
Learn to play an instrument; piano, harp, guitar, that uses your fingers.
Make love.
Do yoga and tai chi, see how it increases your personal chi.
Paint your toenails and fingernails with colorful nail polishes.
Run, walk, swim, move… notice how it makes you feel.
Pet a cat or a dog.
Do some hands-on crafts; clay work, ceramics, pottery.
Get an acupuncture treatment.
Plant seeds in the earth.
Cuddle up in a warm pair of flannel pajamas, under a soft blanket before a roaring fire on a cold night.
Enjoy the feel of doing needlework; hand-quilting, crocheting, cross-stitch, embroidery, beadwork, needlepoint, lace making, or weaving.
Enjoy the smooth feel of your legs just after shaving them.
Do some messy childhood tactile arts; playdough, finger paints, mudpies.
Hang wet laundry on an old-fashioned clothesline, and then folding the crisp dry clothes later.
Take a hot bath with lots of soft bubbles.
Hug a big, soft, plush teddy bear.
Dance; take classes in ballet, modern, hip hop, lyrical, tap,belly-dancing, square dancing, western line dancing, ballroom, or salsa.
Walk in the rain without an umbrella.
Smooth on a soft body lotion, on arms, legs, feet, hands.
Get a massage.Get a facial.
Experience foot reflexology.
Buy new sheets.
Play with rice. Color raw rice with a few drops of one color of food coloring and a few drops of desired essential oil. Let sit and dry. Store in a low wooden box. This rice is very relaxing to play with, sift through your fingers, fill small silver or wooden cups, pour out. Revert back to childhood.
Take a hot steamy shower.
Give and get lots of hugs.
Sit outside and feel the warmth of the sun on your face.

Scent

Invest in a good aromatherapy book and some essential oils; such as lavender and orange. Lavender relaxes you, citrus energizes.
Make aromatherapy playdough.
Smell the air just after a big rain storm.
Add essential oils to terracotta scent stones.
Use lavender essential oil spray on your pillow at night to promote sleep.
Do steam-inhalation to clear out your sinuses.
Shop for scents: walk into a bakery, Starbucks, a fish market, etc.
Light an aromatic candle.
Place essential oil into a warm, filled bath. Get in and relax.
Add 20 drops of essential oil to 4 ounces of water in a spray bottle. Spray throughout the house.
Make or buy potpourri and put around your house to gently scent the room.
Add essential oil directly to the vacuum cleaner bag before vacuuming.
Put 5 drops of your favorite fragrance in with the clothes wash. Especially nice for lingerie.
Wear your favorite essential oil in a special aromatherapy necklace.
Make a pot of hot simmering soup rich with beef broth, vegetables, and herbs.
Use Rice Healing Pillows: Use tea towels or a large wash cloth. Sew them up on three sides and fill with rice and herbs. Then sew fourth side closed.
Buy flowers for their scent.
Make citrus fruit pomanders with whole cloves.
Make scented sachets for your drawers and closets.
Plant scented geraniums around your front door.
Buy a new perfume and the bath products to go with it.
Burn some incense and meditate.
Grow a fragrant herb garden.
Make homemade scented soaps and candles.

Taste

Drink clear clean water, and think about the taste.
Do tastings. You've heard of wine, cheese, and beer tastings.
Have some hot chocolate chip cookies and ice cold milk.
Eat a pint of your favorite ice cream directly out of the carton without a shred shred of guilt.
Eat a roasted hot dog at the beach or at a baseball game.
Enjoy the taste of kissing someone after drinking a glass of wine.
Catch snowflakes on your tongue.
Get your teeth cleaned at the dentist.
Eat a cold crisp apple.

What do you DELIGHT in? DELIGHT yourself! Then create!

Monthly Round-Up

2009-05-08T21:27:00.003-04:00

Katie updated her “roundup tool.” This is an easy and great way to keep track of your memories and many scrapbookers swear by this simple exercise. Even Ali Edwards referred to this tool in one of her past newsletters. So while the month is still young, take a few moments to jot down your memories from April. You will be so glad you did!

Thursday Tip #8

2009-05-07T11:39:00.000-04:00

Use a Jar to Get Inspired

Make a list of techniques, both tried & true and new to you. Cut them into individual strips and place them in a jar. When you need inspiration, pull 2 or 3 techniques out of the jar & use them on a layout or card project.

Write a list of your supplies and tools. Again, cut them into individual strips and place them in a jar. Some items to include in this list, would be patterned paper, eyelets, brads, ribbons, die cuts, beads, and so on. It's also supposed to help use up your stash if you tend to hoard your supplies.

May Supply Challenge

2009-05-01T19:04:00.000-04:00

Use up your flowers, any kind of flowers, silk, paper, punch art, stickers, buttons, etc.

May Daily Inspirations

2009-05-01T18:52:00.000-04:00

The May 2009 edition of Daily Inspirations is now available. Download for FREE here and start scrapping! Thanks, Jill.

Thursday Tip #7

2009-04-30T11:29:00.004-04:00

Unstick the Sticky

Have you ever had the problem of sticky adhesive from tapes, photo squares and stickers "gum" up your scissors, tweezers, craft knives and punches? Undo it with UN-DU! UN-DU safely removes the sticky residue that can be left behind from these products. Just apply a few drops and wipe away with a soft cloth. Before you know it your tools will be as good as new!

Recipe Challenge

2009-04-29T17:48:00.001-04:00

Create a card or layout using the following items:

Repeating Pattern (patterned paper or a pattern you make yourself)
Numerals
Staples

The topic/theme for your card or layout is up to you.

Projects are due by Wednesday, May 13th. Upload your card or layout to a gallery or to your own blog then sign Mr. Linky below.

365 Days of Memories

2009-04-25T15:54:00.003-04:00

My personal scrapbooking blog is hosting a giveaway in honor of its blogoversary.

The giveaway is a surprise . . . there may be embellishments, fiber, ribbon, rubber stamp, pen, who knows? Also included will be two of my handmade cards.

To enter, go to 365 Days of Memories.

What Would You Do Differently?

2009-04-25T11:51:00.001-04:00

This program is a place for you to get serious feedback on your scrapbook (and other paper-craft projects). This activity concentrates on scrapbook design.

Please keep in mind that this is not the place for you if you are only looking for the “good job” type responses to your projects. We request that responses contain comments meant to help improve design capabilities. If you are not the kind of person that can handle the constructive criticism, this group may not be a good fit for you. Remember, criticism of your work is not criticism of you as a person!

We are also hoping to learn about the basics of design and how to apply them to scrapping. We are all still learning so we welcome everyone’s input on all the layouts posted. We will all learn and grow together, and we’ll all have different opinions about what works and what doesn’t. Please be respectful of other people’s opinions. We want to make sure that this is a place that you will not only learn from, but that you will be comfortable when sharing your opinion no matter what it may be.

Aside from creating special memories, scrapbooking is a craft where you also develop your artistic skill and design concepts. If you would like unbiased and positive reinforcement of your pages, then please submit your layouts under the heading "What Would You Do Differently?".

Come, share your work, get some feedback, and share your feedback. Let’s make this a great activity here at Cherished Memories.

Thursday Tip #6

2009-04-23T11:27:00.001-04:00

Inspire to Be Creative

No matter what size your work space is or where it is, put something in that inspires you to be creative. A family picture, a favorite knick-knack, a radio, whatever will get you motivated and feeling creative. Small or large, it doesn't matter, just let it be an inspiration to YOU.

Thursday Tip #5

2009-04-16T11:23:00.002-04:00

Chalks for Hand-Tinting

Have you ever tried to hand-tint your inkjet computer prints only to find that the finish rubs away with the inks? A great way to hand tint Sepia or Black and White photos printed from an inkjet printer is to print your photos on Matte Photo Paper and then color them with decorating chalks. You'll have a beautiful hand tinted photo in no time!

Color Inspiration

2009-04-09T12:52:00.004-04:00

Are you just not sure which colors would look best with your photos? These web sites are exactly what you have been looking for. You can upload a photo and then the site shows you color swatches that coordinate with each other and the photo perfectly. Very fun!

Upload a photo and a palette of colors based on the colors in the photo will be generated automatically. Use it to help with art projects, website design, scrapbooking layouts, even with decorating your home.

Palette Generator from Big Huge Labs
Colors Pallete Generator from CSS Drive
Color Explorer from Image Importer

Try one and post here to let us know what you think of this idea for scrapbook inspiration.

Thursday Tip #4

2009-04-09T11:20:00.001-04:00

Keep some of the candy wrappers from Easter, Halloween, or birthdays. You can scan them and print them onto cardstock or acid free paper. These can make the perfect embellishment to go along with your Easter Egg Hunt photos or Trick or Treating photos, or birthday celebration photos.

Thursday Tip #3

2009-04-02T11:19:00.000-04:00

A great way to use up border sticker strips is to cut them apart and make frames for your photos.

April Daily Inspirations

2009-04-01T16:45:00.000-04:00

Each month Jill from A Matter of Memories offers a free download of 30 days worth of inspirations.

Daily Inspirations is a monthly PDF document that is available for FREE through the A Matter of
Memories blog. Each month, there are 30 squares offering prompts to spark creativity in your scrapbooking
Each square, in essence, is a mini-challenge.

There are a variety of types of prompts included each month:

Color Prompts: Your challenge is to use this color combination on a layout.
Event/Holiday Prompts: Your challenge is to address the question(s) related to monthly holidays or events and use your response as the basis for a layout.
Photo Prompts: Your challenge is to take a photo of your interpretation of the word or phrase included in the square. Some can be taken literally; some are very figurative, while still others could go either way…the choice is yours. The idea behind these prompts is to help stretch your photography skills and start to think more creatively when taking photos for your layouts.
Quote Prompts: Your challenge is to use the quote on your page in some way – as the title, within your journaling, however you please.
Technique Prompts: Your challenge is to use the specified technique(s) on the layout.
Title Prompts: Your challenge is to use this word or phrase as the title for a layout.
Web Prompt: Your challenge is to follow this prompt online to spark your creativity.

Go now to get inspired and challenged to do some scrapbooking this month.

Scrapbook & Cards Today

2009-03-29T20:25:00.004-04:00

The spring issue is here. This spring issue boasts a beautiful assortment of seasonal layouts and fresh cards, as well as lots of tips, techniques, and innovative solutions.

Look at what you’ll find in this issue:

• What Goes Around, Comes Around — You don’t want to miss our celebration of the versatile, whimsical, and gender-neutral circle.
• 3 Designer Challenge — Check out what 3 designers did when given the same 5 products to work with... wow!
• Quick Photo Tips — Don’t miss photographer Melanie Godecki’s hands-on solutions for taking your outdoor photography from good to great.
• I Spy with Emily — Join trend-spotter Emily Pitts as she shares her new favourite trend — journaling spots.
• Got Scraps? — Looking for ways to purge your ever-expanding supply of scraps? Three designers share beautiful cards made with only their leftovers.
• Winged Things — Just in time for spring, our designers worked together to showcase a beautiful array of bird and butterfly inspired projects.

Click here to download the Spring issue.

Thursday Tip #2

2009-03-26T10:29:00.000-04:00

Sharpen Your Pencils

Find all your colored pencils and the pencil sharpener and sharpen up those pencil points. This will save you time later when you want to use them.

No sharpener that you like in the house? Put it on your shopping list immediately.

FREE Photo Editing Software

2009-03-23T11:55:00.003-04:00

Picasa is free photo editing software from Google that makes your pictures look great.

Beautiful Albums
Show your photos at their best. View full-screen slide shows, see your pictures arranged on a global map, enjoy video playback, and more.

Edit to Perfection
Improve almost any picture with Picasa's one-click fixes for common problems like red-eye, color, and lighting. Or, use tuning and effects to make your best photos look even better.

Search and Explore
Picasa lets you browse and search photos in public albums -- perfect for scoping out your next vacation destination. Or visit the Explore page to discover what's new, interesting, and popular.

Get Organized
Picasa automatically finds all the photos on your PC, wherever they are, and will organize them in seconds.

To get more information &/or to download your free copy of Picasa, go to Picasa.

This post was originally written for 365 Days of Memories.

Thursday Tip

2009-03-19T21:35:00.001-04:00

Journaling is an important element on any scrapbook page, but there's no right or wrong way to tell your story. There is only YOUR way! You can tell your story any way you like.

Critiquing Guidelines

2009-03-19T20:48:00.001-04:00

It is easier to elicit constructive criticism with positive rather than negative points, and specific rather than generic criteria.

Points to consider when analyzing and reviewing a layout:

1. Overall Design
• Are the page elements unified and balanced?
• Is your eye led through the layout?
• Does the layout have a strong focal point?
• What are the strengths of the composition?
• What are the weaknesses?

2. Color
• Are the colors harmonious?
• Is the color scheme appropriate for the subject?
• Does the color palette complement the photos?
• How could they be improved?
• What makes the colors work?

3. Photography
• Do the images convey an emotion or tell a story?
• Are photos cropped appropriately?
• Do the subjects in the photos look into the page?
• Does the photography add or detract from the layout design? How could it be improved?

4. Journaling
• Does the title set the mood for the page?
• Does the journaling tell the whole story?
• Is the font appropriate and easy to read?
• What would improve the journaling?
• What are the strengths of the journaling?

5. Details
• Do the page embellishments enhance the layout?
• Are the techniques well executed?
• Does the layout convey a message?
• Are there too many embellishments? Too few?
• What embellishment choices would improve the design?
• What little extras would give this layout some extra pizzazz?

Artist Trading Cards

2009-03-19T20:37:00.004-04:00

ARTIST TRADING CARDS (ATCs) are miniature works of art created on 2.5x3.5 inches (64x 89mm) of cardstock.

They are originals and self-produced. Anybody can produce them. The idea is that you trade them with other people who produce cards.

The Basics

As their name indicates, ATCs are collectibles. Artist Trading Cards are a brilliant idea born of the older sports-themed trading cards.

The most basic rule of an ATC is that the dimensions of the ATC must be 2.5"x3.5". There are also some guidelines about making and trading of ATCs. First, an ATC can not be sold; only exchanged. The whole essence of these tiny works of art is about artists meeting, by correspondence or online, and exchanging their works, thus meeting many artists and getting exposed to many personal styles. Second, on the back of each ATC the artist writes all of the following information: name, contact information (city, state, and country), title of the ATC and number (1/8, 2/8...) of an edition or series.

By definition, artist trading cards are made in limited numbers, often no more than one of a kind.
-- Unique ATCs are called originals.
-- Sets of identical ATCs are called editions and are numbered.
-- Sets of ATCs that are based on one theme but that are different are called series.

Don't be intimidated by the concept of small editions or originals. What most collectors really want are cards that are made with care.

The above is all you need to know to start making your own ATCs.

Common sense dictates that they should be sturdy enough to survive mailing and of reasonable thickness.

The Format

There are three ways to get the correct format.
1. Cut the background/cardstock/support to the right size before you start creating.
2. After you have worked on a large surface, you can cut the ATCs from it.
3. Use commercial trading cards or playing cards as ready-made canvasses.

I personally use the first method a lot, especially when I get paper scraps that have the potential for the right size. Many times after scrapbooking, I will cut my scraps and papers to the right size and save them for later.

I've also seen lovely ATCs that had been made in series by drawing the motif along a long horizontal strip that was then cut to obtain a bunch of similar but not identical cards.

The Design

Think of the scale of the card and don't go into techniques that are only suitable for larger projects. Think of what great techniques and mediums would work with the small size and what the small size allows you to do that wouldn’t otherwise be possible. An example of a subject that would be wasted on a small size is the group picture that becomes so uninteresting since it was scaled down too much that you can't even see the faces anymore.

The Techniques and Materials

Almost all traditional media can be used to create a miniature canvas of an ATC, either alone or in combination with others: calligraphy, cartoon, charcoal, collage, color pencils, crayons, dotting, inks, markers, pastels, photography, sketches, and watercolors.

Other materials and techniques that can be used... acetate, band-aids, beads, collage, crepe paper, cut-outs, drawing, fabric, feathers, foil, glitter, incense paper, melted crayons, mesh, metal, mica, negatives (two negative strips side by side is the exact width needed to make an ATC), nail polish, origami paper, painting, perfume (for scented cards), Plexiglas, poetry, polymer clay, postage stamps, punching, quotes, receipts, salt, spray paint, stamping, stitching, tickets, tissue paper, transfer, vellum, weaving, wire, wrapping paper, yarn, and the list goes on. The possibilities are endless!

A great idea is to recycle all your paper scraps and make them part of new ATCs. Since ATCs are so small, insignificant bits of paper (scraps, envelopes, greeting cards) are often just the right size.

The Extras

ATC Envelopes

A great alternative to the transparent sleeves when sending several cards is to create an ATC envelope. Check the resources below for a template.

ID Tag

Instead of the usual boring identification tag you wear around the office, slip an ATC into the plastic sleeve turning your ID tag into a one-of-a-kind tag.

Storage

A popular solution to storing ATCs is the transparent sheets with 9 pockets that are available for commercial cards. Another fun way to collect ATCs is to place the cards in picture frames to display in your home or studio. Many collectors make special handmade books to display their ATCs. The sky's the limit!

Signature Cards

Many ATC artists create a "business card" ATC that features a self-portrait on the front and a fact sheet about themselves on the back. These are sent along with your ATCs when trading. This is a great idea that allows artists to get to know each other better.

The Resources

Artist Trading Cards
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artist_trading_cards
Wikipedia provides a definition and description of ATCs.

Artist Trading Cards
http://www.artist-trading-cards.ch/stc.html
A source for international trading of ATCs. Galleries and other information are also available.

ATCards.com
http://www.atcards.com/forums/index.php?referrerid=203
Forum for Artist trading cards.

ATC Quarterly
http://www.atcquarterly.com/
A magazine dedicated solely to artist trading cards.

Autumn Sunflower’s ATC Gallery
http://www.geocities.com/autumninavalon/atcgallery.html
Autumn’s private ATC gallery.

Bella’s Paper Craft Site
http://www.bellaonline.com/subjects/3846.asp
Various links to galleries and how-to’s.

Bmuse Products
http://www.b-muse.com/artist-trading-cards-g.HTM
Galleries, message board, and a store are available at Bmuse.

Craft Ideas
http://www.craftideas.info/html/blue_travel_atc1.html
This site provides instructions so you can make your own ATCs (and other craft projects).

Denton Artist Trading Cards
http://homepage.mac.com/dentan10/PhotoAlbum11.html
Hundreds of ATCs located here to peruse.

Digital Artist Trading Cards by Roberto Luigi
http://www.geocities.com/robluigi/
Rob’s private ATC gallery.

Ed’s Artist Trading Cards
http://www.geocities.com/edsatc/index.html
Ed’s private ATC gallery. Links are also available.

HeartsART
http://www.heartsart.com/info/inarchive.asp?aid=2297
The topic of Artist Trading Cards is discussed on this radio show.

Kakupacal.com
http://www.kakupacal.com/atc.htm
Neil Sorenson’s private ATC gallery.

Mirkwood Designs
http://www.ruthannzaroff.com/mirkwooddesigns/atcenvelope.htm
Template for artist trading card envelope.

Mirkwood Designs
http://www.ruthannzaroff.com/mirkwooddesigns/tcdiag.htm
Cutting diagram for ATCs. Get 10 ATCs from one sheet of 8.5x11” sheet of cardstock.

Mirli Mirli Artworks
http://www.geocities.com/llewenanewell/artisttradingcards.html
Llewena Newell’s private art and ATC gallery.

Stray Cards
http://www.geocities.com/straycards/
You can donate your own ATC and join an ongoing collection traveling through the communities of Australia.

Artist Trading Cards are art for the sake of art. ATCs are a precious reminder to amateurs and professionals alike of what creativity is all about – the pleasure of working with beauty and the excitement of being surprised by experimental techniques.

Enjoy making your own ATCs!

Originally written April 2007.