A Surprise From Sherry...

I was so surprised to get a beautiful Halloween artist trading card from Sherry at Createology blog!

I love all the images she put on the card. It's so much fun and made me smile just like the Jack-o-Lantern when I saw it. I will say that her use of the fuzzy yarn on the outside of the envelope was brilliant...I thought she'd tucked a hairy spider in there with the card! I jumped when I opened it until I realized what it was.

I'm going to have fun making one to send back to her. I'm going to put on my thinking cap and make something unique for her, too.

Charlene mentioned in her comment yesterday that she had never made an artist trading card before and wouldn't know what to do with them. They're to be shared, Charlene (hence, the name "trading" card).  I have a fabulous collection of all the artistic endeavors of my friends who traded their mini masterpieces with me...and I'm always willing to trade with anyone who might be interested. Just remember that your work is limited to creating on a cardstock (or actual playing card) no larger than 3 1/2" x 2 1/2".

If you ever want to trade with me, just send me an email to let me know - or like Sherry who already had my address, just send one my way and I'll reciprocate. Be sure you include your return address so I know where to send it.

You can click here to see all of the Artist Trading Cards I've created in the past. I like to utilize fabrics and fibers in my designs, but you're free to use your imagination with any craft you enjoy. Click on this link to see the cards I've received from other card artists.

Thanks, Sherry! I'll be sending a card to you early next week. I sure hope you like it as much as I like this one! I really appreciate that you thought of me and so generously shared your talents. These really are the greatest of Halloween treats to me!

The Cards Have Begun To Arrive...

Imagine my excitement when my first trading card arrived in the mail last week! I opened the envelope to find a lovely letter from the sender, Linda K.. Then, in addition to the artist trading card, she had also included two lovely gift tags and a bookmark with a verse from Psalms on it. Linda is a blogger too, and she has two sites: America The Beautiful which is beautiful and patriotic; and White Linen - Lavender Fields. Visiting WL-LF is like sitting on a porch swing on a lazy afternoon, sipping lemonade and waving hi to your neighbors. I love both sites and visit them often.

I've started an album (which you can link to through the photo button located in the left sidebar) to highlight each and every ATC I receive. You'll be able to read about the person who sent it, see what their card looks like, and what materials were used in its construction.

The second card I received last week was from my friend, Krisann. I wrote about her last week so you're already familiar with her. She needlepointed a Tumbling Blocks design for her ATC. Teeny, tiny stitches - just because she could! You can only guess how envious this ol' needleworker was to see her fine work. (What's that term you use, Krisann?)

Now, if you don't consider yourself an artist, don't be shy. Each card is special in its own way and this is not a competition. I'll mail your card from me as soon as yours arrives, so you can just imagine how busy I've been to get my cards finished, too! I can't wait to see the next one to arrive in my mailbox.

There's still time to join this swap, because the deadline was extended to July 1st. Just join my "followers" list and send me an email so I know you want to participate!

I'm In The Mood For An ATC Swap...

How would you like to trade with me? I'm in the mood for an ATC swap. They're called Artist Trading Cards. They come in all different media, but they're all the size of a playing card and you can decorate them any way you'd like. Please remember to limit your size to that of a standard playing card.

A while ago, my creative daughter-in-law, Jess, was involved in an ATC trade and included me. I worked on my card, using my printer, sewing machine, batting, batik fabric, beads and a charm. Jess used her paint brush, artist paper and oil paints (she's much more creative with fewer "ingredients"!).

I made more than a few, and the one I decided to send to her had a photograph of her husband when he was a little guy, being held by Handsome, his father. The one in the photo here was another one I created and kept for myself. I sent off the one of my two guys (which she loved, by the way) and was thrilled beyond words to receive a miniature handpainted chair image (on the upper card shown in the photo) from her.

I had so much fun with that project, that I'd like to do it again on a grander scale. I'm offering to trade with my readers! Every card I create will be a one-of-a-kind, and you can choose any medium you'd like to make the one you send me. The sky's the limit!

Here are the rules (sorry, but we need to have some guidelines):
1. You need to be a "Follower" of my blog, which means you have to sign up and sign in, please.
2. Let me know under "Comments" that you wish to participate, and then send me an email (through the email postcard link - see, it's over there on the left) to tell me we'll be trading cards, along with your name and address so I'll know where I'll be mailing your trading card so it gets to you.
3. If you have a special subject that you love or collect, share that with me so that I can incorporate it into your personal card. If you don't list a favorite subject, that's ok. I'll still come up with something special for you.
4. Once I receive a message from you, I'll give you an address to send your completed card to me.
5. Upon receipt of your card, I will send yours to you via First Class Mail, so that you won't have to wait too long to receive it. (If you live outside the U.S., I'll send it the best way to get to you asap.)
6. I'll start an album of all ATCs I receive and credit you as the artist. If you don't want your real name and city/state posted with your card, please let me know how you'd like to be identified with your card so you get all the credit for your creation.
7. Deadline to contact me with your intent to participate is June 15th. SIGN-UP DATE CHANGED TO JULY 1ST!!! There's still time for you to sign up to participate.
8. Deadline to mail your card to me is July 15th. (You don't need to wait until July 15th to mail. I will send off your personal ATC card as soon as I receive yours!)

I'm really looking forward to our swap. I hope you are, too! (I know, aren't you sitting there thinking about what your card is going to look like already?)

This is from a partial response in my "Comments" page, to give you some inspiration:
...release your muse. It could be fun. Here are a few ideas:
• knit and hand felt the base for the ATC. Embellish and voila!
• quilt a little piece of fabric and hand or machine sew on surface. Add a few beads. Yup, voila! a finished card.
• take a photograph of something you love. Hand color it. There you go...a finished ATC
OK...one more
• watercolor paper. Give it a deckle edge. Stamp beautiful images and decorate as desired.
You can use buttons, keys, stickers, old jewelry...the sky's the limit.
Come on! You can do it!