I was a little hesitant about how I was going to make special ATC’s (Artist Trading Cards: 2.5″ x 3.5″) for my friend, Irene (YT: Craftyirina). She has very specific tastes, and mine (as you may know) are all over the place.<\/p>\n

However, with some beautiful images I had been gifted from my crafty friend, Sherry (YT: Sherry Ramsey), and gorgeous trims and laces from MelsCraftBoutique<\/a><\/span><\/span>, I actually think I came up with some ATCs that are interesting and tell a story (my favorite extra “layer” in crafting).<\/p>\n

NOTE: This is my last Guest Design Team Project for MelsCraftBoutique so if you are interested in purchasing any items from her store, through the end of this month is your last chance to use the coupon code: CraftyPaws10 for 10% off your entire purchase of $15 or more and free U.S. shipping on orders of $40 or more.\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

The first one I made was the one with the pretty pink framed image. I covered the chipboard base with lace and then added a delicate bridal applique with beads and sequins<\/a><\/span> from MelsCraftBoutique. To add a little more depth and interest I also tucked in here and there some plastic pink flowers that I cut from rings (sorry, these seem to be currently out of stock). I titled this ATC “Femme”.<\/p>\n

For the second one, I pulled out my sewing machine and did a little sewing and spraying on a Ranger Inkssentials Sticky Backed Artist Trading Card<\/a><\/span><\/span>. I had never used this product before, but I love it (I can’t wait to try painting on it). I first sprayed the canvas with a lavender Recollections spray and then layered over the top and sewed on a little strip of cotton script patterned fabric, some gorgeous scalloped embroidered trim<\/a><\/span><\/span>\u00a0and a 3″ wide delicate pale blue lace<\/a><\/span>. To fill anchor a corner, I added a fluffy flower from this flower spray<\/a><\/span><\/span>. Lastly, I centered a beautifully regal lady image (which I painstakingly fussy cut) under the scalloped embroidered trim, which was sewn on a little wonky–kind of representing the extravagant lifestyle of the time kind of falling down around the royal court. \u00a0I titled this ATC, “Hold On” or “A Stitch in Time”.<\/p>\n

The third ATC is a little darker, this ATC base was created by decoupaging on a Parisian scene napkin in moody blues. I then used some gesso to create a painterly frame. Using Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Antique Linen<\/a><\/span><\/span>, I softened the white of the gesso. On one corner I added a very blingy sequin and pearl applique (sorry, this seems to be out of stock but MelsCraftBoutique has other similar gorgeous pieces<\/a><\/span><\/span>) and on the right side of the ATC, I placed a dainty scalloped ivory lace<\/a><\/span><\/span>, dotted with Ranger Champagne Stickles<\/a><\/span><\/span>. \u00a0In the other three corners I also tucked in background netting-type pieces that I cut apart from this stunning black Venice floral trim<\/a><\/span><\/span>. This is supposed to represent the encroaching downfall of this royal line in France. This ATC is titled, “Life Is But A Dream.”<\/p>\n

The following is a video share of the three ATCs:<\/p>\n