ATCs Embellishments Tiny forests

This is the fourth and last set of ATCs (see earlier posts here). These are very simple; tiny paper trees (ordered on Etsy when daughter started scrapbooking) stitched onto the backgrounds. Do you have any idea how addictive scrapbooking shopping is? Just as bad as fabric shopping I’d say.

I love the simplicity of the solid trees against the scrappy layer upon layer backgrounds.

Hitting right in the middle of the tiny trees was the most challenging part, and I’m happy to say there were no trees wasted in the process.

I was ¼” short of squeezing 30 backgrounds out of the foundation, so there’s only 5 little forests. Same trees, different cards.

The back sides were designed in Excel including amongst other things the name & number of the cards and my logo (orange of course, shocking huh), and printed onto cardstock and cut to size using the really old and otherwise useless rotary cutter.

I added regular glue stick glue onto the felt background so that the cardstock would stay in place while stitching the backsides to the cards

which was done with zigzag stitches and the same red variegated thread as the quilting. I was in awe that the stitches would fit around the corners every time.

Who knew that this many threads to be tied off could look so good?

The finished stack of ATCs all done and ready to ship.

It’s been a while since I did these, but I do remember having lots of fun. Although surprisingly time consuming, I actually wouldn’t mind making more..

ATCs Embellishment - Little Houses

Here is the third set of ATCs made for an ATC swap back in 2012. The first set is posted here, and the second set posted yesterday. The ATCs I received in the swap are posted here, here and here.

Little houses cut from lace-y paper ribbon stitched onto the background using black thread, adding a horizontal-ish line to suggest the ground. Window satin stitched using the same thread

adding a little flower brad from the sadly unused&unloved scrapbooking stash

creating a tiny little property

adding a little moon using gold Tsukineko ink and a crescent sequin as a stamp

and on others as a mask.

 

and done. Looks like it's on fire, doesn't it.

I tested quite a few different supplies on a little scrap from the backgrounds. Both the brad and the gold ink had their test run here.

Same-ish scenery, different cards.

ATC Embellisment - Lovebirds

Going through some folders on my PC last night, I realized I had only posted one set of finished ATCs so here is the second set - lovebirds.

A few scraps of organza, tulle and angel weave

free hand drawing tiny lovebirds with the darning foot. Birds being inspired by the Superbirds from my book, Gledesspredere

cutting them out, very carefully

making tiny little nests from ink dyed cotton fibres from this post

and stitching them onto readymade ATCs from this post. You can see how small the bird is against the background which measures 2 ½”*3 ½”

Same-ish birds, different cards.

ATCs Embellishment - Flowers

Cleaning away a few things the other day I found my set of ATCs and remembered I never posted the finished ones. I made four different types and here is the first – flowers.

A paper flower from the scrapbooking isle; a bit too dull colourwise for my liking, so I added bright orange ink

and a little gold ink around the edges and some black lines

finding that there is such a thing as too much gold so easing up on the gold for the next flowers

stitching the flowers and orange binder-clip-leaves to the readymade ATC base with black thread (just take care not stitching ON the clip)

adding gel medium and a button

and the flower is done.

Same flower, different cards.

ATC swap - libbyQ

The last set of ATCs I swapped in this round was with Lynda aka libbyQ. She asked if I would prefer quilted ATCs only as she works in other media as well, and I said I would be happy with any kind of ATCs. I am so happy I did as it is that personal little touch that makes each one so special!

“Crazy quilted #1”

“Abstractions #1”

“Live in your strength”

“London”

I absolutely love all the handwork and details, and the London one was particularly perfect this summer. I have spent a lot of happy times there both for business and pleasure and lately I have missed it very much.

Thank you so much, libbyQ, they are fabulous!

I have one more set of 4 ATCs - anyone up for a swap?

ATC swap - Edny

As I made a few extra sets of ATCs, I invited a couple of other bloggers to do a private swap. One of them is Edny and this weekend her ATCs arrived in my mailbox.

Aren’t they gorgeous, I love them!

“Sorg” (Grief)

“Rosetog” (Rose parade)

“Håp” (Hope)

“Vintermorgen” (Winter morning)

I am quite sure at least the first two are inspired by the events of July 22 last year with the trial that has recently been going on and the first anniversary coming up soon.

Thank you so much, Edny, they are beautiful!

ATC Swap - Marlene

I signed up for my first swap – ever – back in April when Michele of The Quilting Gallery announced an ATC (Artist Trading Card) swap. I had never made an ATC but wanted to have a go at them, so this was the perfect opportunity – 4 ATCs to one person. Sounds doable!

I have made mine and am ready to send them to my assigned secret swapper this week, but Marlene, to whom I was assigned, beat me to it. We picked up the mail just before heading up to the cabin on Friday, and in there was my 4 ATCs from Marlene from Iowa.

I love them!

“Iowa farm”

“Crazy Flower Patch”

“Cut on the dotted line”

and last but not least “Queen Nina”. This one made my day!! So fun, she has put together pieces of images from my blog. Brilliant!

Thank you so much, Marlene, they are perfect!!