My First ATC December 3, 2007

There’s lots of things I love about ATCs:

• they’re small and quick
• you can make a one-off or a series
• it’s a great way to try out new techniques
• there’s no restrictions on what you’re allowed to do
• there are no expectations on what the finished product is supposed to look like
• you can use the finished product as part of a larger project

So it’s not surprising that one of the first things I did with my new paper trimmer was to cut up a sheet of cardstock into ATC blanks. (I used Lisa Vollrath’s tutorial on how to get 10 ATCs from one sheet of cardstock – you have to register on her site to read the article, but it’s free and well worth it.)

It’s also no surprise that when I saw the guidelines for this week’s Created By Hand Tuesday challenge, I knew I was going to make an ATC. The challenge is to make Christmas themed art using the colors burgundy and vintage browns.

I love the idea of using non-traditional Christmas colors. I think the muted look of the vintage colors is a wonderful way to evoke the spirit of the season.

My ATC was fairly simple to make. I reached for my stock of coffee-stained paper and found some text that contained words like “love,” “divine,” and “miracle” that seemed appropriate for the project. I cut out 1/2″X1/2″ squares around those words .

I then cut out squares from burgundy cardstock just slightly larger and 3/4″X3/4″ squares from coffee-stained text . I used a craft punch to make small stars from the cardstock. I made 3 layered squares – text, burgundy cardstock, text, star. I then laid them down at an angle along one side of the ATC.

I cut out a 3/4″X2 1/2″ rectangle from another text page to place along the right side of the card. I then layered a slightly smaller burgundy cardstock rectangle and a smaller blank coffee-stained paper rectangle on top of that. I used a brown marker to write the words “Christmas joy” on the inner rectangle.

I used a felt-tip marker to draw a frame around the outside 1/4″ edge of the card, and then used a fine-tip marker to draw fine lines along the outside of the right and bottom lines of the border. I really like the look this gave the card – I think it makes it look somewhat like gift wrap.

I’m really happy with what my finished card ended up looking like. I think it really comes across conveying Christmas even though I don’t use any of the traditional celebration elements in it.

I think my first ATC was a smashing success and I’m looking forward to making many more.