Creepin’ It Crafty With ATCs

Lindsy Cummings
Lindsy Cummings

Welcome to October, one of my favourite times of the year. Spooky season isn’t just a vibe around here – it’s a blood type.  The décor gets darker, my reading list takes a gothic twist, and even my coffee transforms into a potion steeped in the pumpkin patch. From haunting TV choices (cue the Adams Family *snap snap*) to moody playlists, I fully embrace the eerie aesthetic. Thus, are you surprised to find the mystical nature of the season creeps itself into my crafty space, too?!

In this post I’ll be featuring ATCs fit for a Monster Mash. These bite-sized creations can pack a frightful, yet playful punch…perfect for swapping or handing out to friends (like candy on Halloween). But, Artist Trading Cards can also be incorporated into scrapbook and card projects, adding just the right amount of mischief and moonlight.

If you need a little ATC ‘refresh’ before reading on, consider a little Time Warp to check out a previous post of mine: Tiny Art, Big Love: Enter the World of ATCs. Then, with a “jump to the left” and “a step to the right,” continue on…if you dare. <Mwah ha ha!!>

The Ghouls Are in the Details

One of the most popular reasons to make ATCs is for the purpose of trading. Creating ATCs for a spooky-season swap allows crafters to design miniature pieces of art (a mere 2.5×3.5 inches) to inspire and collect. It’s kind of like brewing up little potions of creativity to send out into the world. Everyone exchanges their tiny masterpieces and a bit of their imaginative spirit – no tricks, just treats (and maybe a little glitter).

I created these ATCs (set of 4) as part of a world-wide swap, organized by Creative Scrapbooker Magazine for their VIP group. I used an assembly-line style approach, pretty much keeping each ATC identical.
TIP: Consider building up your ATCs in layers. Here you can see I added stamping to the background, before adding a coloured (and fussy-cut) image & embossed sentiment. I even added gilding flakes for a metallic touch.

If trading or gifting ATCs (spooky or otherwise) you’ll want to include information on the back, which is a standard practice when it comes to Artist Trading Cards. Generally speaking, you’ll want to include:

  • The artist’s (aka your) name
  • A title for the card
  • The date of creation
  • Contact information you wish to provide (such as email, blog address or social media handle)
  • Details about the series or set the card belongs to
Other common additions might include a list of the materials or techniques used, and notes about specific swaps or events. As for presentation, this information can simply be handwritten on the back of each card. Some people also use pre-made stamps or labels, and others even decorate each backside (although that is not required).  
 
TIP: ATCs don't always need fancy techniques. Layering up patterned paper, along with spooktacular ephemera and sentiments, keeps it terrifyingly simple.
Shown here is the backside of an ATC swap project I'm getting reading for a crop this month. TIP: Printing out personally-designed templates like this onto cardstock, to glue on the back of your ATCs, provides a sturdier base. Plus it's quicker to type, easy to add colour/font styles, and you can still leave space for a handwritten touch.

Crossing Over (to Cards and Layouts!)

ATCs are also far more versatile than you might think. Aside from swaps, they can be used as wonderful additions to scrapbook pages. You can tuck them between photos, let them peek out from behind embellishments, or turn them into focal points for your haunted pages. These tiny bites of frightful fun add personality, and just the right touch of Halloween mischief, to any layout.

For something even more unique, consider creating grid designs inspired by the size of ATCs. That’s what I did for this layout, choosing to offset embellishments across a grid of 2.5×3.5 mats of patterned papers.

TIP: Some companies (like Simply Stated Design out of Canada) make patterned cards already cut to ATC size. Utilize these to cut down on time when you need a quick layout...like for LOAD!
TIP: To elevate the project to midnight madness status, distress your edges using black ink or paint. You can also add dimension for a 'floating' and ethereal effect.
When you use ATC-sized cards on a layout, adding 2x3 photos with a perfect 1/4 inch mat border is a breeze.

ATCs are perfectly suited for card projects, too. Whether layered with paper, popped up for dimension, or tucked into a pocket, these little cards bring instant charm (or perhaps monstrous impact, depending on your point of view).

TIP: The process of creating doesn't need to be complicated. For a simple A2 design layer an ATC-sized card (like this creepy cat), tag, sentiment, and piece of patterned paper onto your base. It'll be a "graveyard smash!"
TIP: Sand the edges of ATC-sized prints, and pop them up, for a distressed and shadowy appeal.

Spooky and Cutesy

 

Throughout October you might notice a recurring colour palette in a number of Team Member posts. We were challenged with using this fresh blend of soft oranges, tans, and blues while creating this month. The swatch reminds me of all the best Autumn and Halloween shades, only more muted.

When it comes to spooky-season ATCs, colour can cast just as much magic as the theme itself. Although we might normally think of moody purples, pumpkin oranges, eerie greens, and midnight blacks it can be fun to experiment with different combinations. Even pastels can spark your creativity and set a hauntingly fun (and cutesy) tone for your tiny works of art. 

TIP: When creating Halloween ATCs featuring softer hues, consider using images that are 'out of season'. That's what I did when choosing a summer treat stand & ice-cream cart to pair with this lollipop loving ghost.

Spellbound By the {ATC} Craft

I hope I’ve inspired you to concoct a frightfully boo-tiful ATC or two…or maybe even thirteen. May your glue dry faster than Slimer goop, and your glitter shimmer like pixie dust in moonlight.

Until next time…stay fun and fantabulous, scrappers. Creep it frightful!

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