December Artist Trading Cards

Had fun this month with some mixed media and collage cards. For the first set, I used some 4x6 file folders from a set called Canvas Corps Farmhouse Christmas. I started by cutting up and collaging on images from the folders onto ATC sized paper and when possible adding verbiage from the image. I used the plaid card pieces as filler to fully cover the ATC. I then used my Gansai Tambi red watercolor to add a little color to the image. I then antiqued the background by applying a water downed stain and lifting it off with paper towels. I went around the edges with Barn Door Oxide ink. I stamped the girl image from Unity’s Be Very Merry 9/19 SMAK kit onto scrap paper, added color to her cheeks and hat and fussy cut her out. I took Pine Needles Oxide ink and Unity’s Holly All Around Stamp and after covering some scrap Kraft paper with holly, stamped the girl image again all over it. I then fussy cut out the coat part and attached it to the girl. I stamped the sentiment from Unity’s Tags, Glorious Tags Kit onto red paper and cut that up. Finally, to complete the ATCS’s, I added red crystals to the coat and ribbon.

Had even more fun with the second ATC! I started by layering patterned Christmas paper and ephemera over mixed media paper using gel medium. I then went over everything with gesso. I stamped all over the paper with green and brown Stazon inks using a Unity script stamp and another stamp from the tags kit above. I then mixed 2 Art Anthology painted together to get the green color I wanted and used a palette knife to layer them over the paper. I then applied white gesso again using the same technique to ensure the shiny glimmers of green would show through. After drying, I cut the paper into ATCS. I then stamped and embossed, using a green Zinc powder, the forest image from Unity’s Winter Wild 10/17 SMAK KIT. I darkened one side of the trees using charcoal pencil and a black Derwent Inktense pencil. I used a glue pen and added glitter to the other side of the trees. I distressed the edges of the cards with a light stain. I then stamped the deer and white embossed the sentiment from the All Kinds of Holiday Love 9/19 SMAK kit onto Kraft paper and cut them out. I added white string and called this one done.

Must admit, ATCs offer an excellent opportunity to just play! Luckily, the group I exchange with play just as much, have fun doing so and are very supportive. Well, till next time, happy crafting.