My friend Stevie hosted a holiday ATC (Artist Trading Card) swap, and I created mine using one of Tim Holtz's techniques. These were created assembly-line style, meaning I did all the steps at once for all 16 ATC's. Here's the directions!
Step one: On a 1/2" strip of white cardstock stamp A Muse sentiment with Archival Jet Black ink (Ranger) , use Tim's Paper Distress Tool then ink distressed edges using a blending tool and Distress Vintage Photo and Antique Linen.
Step two: background. Using three Distress hues smear them onto a non-stick craft sheet, spritz with water using a Mini Mister, then drop each white cardstock ATC into the wet colors, spinning it around. Heat set and repeat spinning & drying until look is achieved.
Step three: Mist each ATC with a mini mister of water and about 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon of Perfect Pearls Perfect Sparkle This will make the inked cardstock sparkle like glistening snow! See how to do this on Tim's blog here. Iron flat with a craft iron.
Step four: Stamp Memory Box Bare Tree (#E1125) three times without reinking using Espresso ink, and bird (Of a Feather clear set) using Cranberry ink.
Step five: Adhere torn cranberry mulberry paper, a strip of 7gypsies paper with inked edges, and the verse strip from step one. As a fininshing touch, thread a mini-bell (Michaels) onto a 7gypsies mini paper clip and slip into place. Adhere another piece of cardstock to the back, sign, date & number.
Before I go here's another swap I did for Gloria at the All Things Tim Yahoo group, using a simplified tag from an earlier creation:
This uses Tim's Philosophy Tags and Hitch Fasteners, and a die-cut Cuttlebug butterfly using Swirl Grungeboard. Cuttlebug dies cut grungeboard easily.
Best wishes for a great weekend!!
sources: Memory Box stamps: Stampin' Treasures






















holy cannoli - these are stunningly gorgeous!
Posted by: Sue | November 15, 2008 at 10:58 AM
Cindy these are absolutely AWESOME! A yahoo group -- I must check it out!!!!
Posted by: Sherry Cheever | November 15, 2008 at 11:57 AM
I love how you used the Memory Box stamps! And the use of the cranberry color, really makes it stunning.
Posted by: KathyN | November 15, 2008 at 01:14 PM
Holy WOW! Cindy, they are both GORGEOUS! And your step by step makes it look so easy! (which I know is NOT the case! lol)
Posted by: Carol | November 15, 2008 at 02:50 PM
Your ATCs are Gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous!
Posted by: Bevie Pearl | November 15, 2008 at 04:40 PM
I always know I'm gonna see something great on your blog, but those Christmas ATCs took my breath away. They're beyond gorgeous!!
Posted by: PJBstamper | November 15, 2008 at 05:12 PM
These are absolutely gorgeous!
Posted by: Cindy | November 15, 2008 at 08:52 PM
Fabulous! Absolutely fabulous!
Posted by: Linda | November 15, 2008 at 10:01 PM
I LOVE what you have done with
the Distress Inks!! Beautiful
work! Truly enjoy your blog!
Posted by: .kat. | November 16, 2008 at 12:56 AM
These are beautiful Cindy! I just love Tim's techniques and you've done a gorgeous version! Lucky people who get one of your ATCs!
Posted by: CIndy Lietz, Polymer Clay Tutor | November 16, 2008 at 01:34 PM
YIPPEEEEEE, says the girl in the atc swap!!! Ü
I love, love, love your atc and tag Cindy!!
Posted by: pam hooten | November 20, 2008 at 01:23 PM