Christmas Themed ATCs

I had my first go at making Artist Trading Cards (ATCs) last week after talking with some fibre art friends. We are going to try to get some friends interested and start a trading group through the local Art and Craft Society.

ATCs are business card size works of art that their creators swap with fellow artists. 

Although the ATCs are limited in size they can be portrait or landscape in orientation and the can have squared off or rounded corners.

ATCs can be made in any media using any materials. They can be hand drawn or painted, digitally collaged,  embroidered, quilted or  appliqued. You can use paper, paint, thread, fabric, metal, or wood. They can be  embellished with buttons, sequins, lace, beads or words.

What you put on an ATC and how you decorate your  ATC is only limited by your imagination.

There are only a few really important rules to follow when making ATCs 

• They must be 2 1/2” x 3 1/2” (6.4 x 8.9cm. 
• They must be traded NEVER sold 
• They must have the artists information on the reverse

 I am so enthusiastic about this and I have a million ideas for designs for Christmas themed ATCs.

Here is my first set of eight cards inspired by lyrics from some Christmas carols. I made two for each lyric, one portrait and one landscape. It was interesting to try pairing the designs but making each a little different.

And here is some more detail of some of the ATCs. Firstly, "Angels Singing".

And here is "Joy to the World".

 

Christmas Hat Santa

I was inspired by these really cute Santa hats at  Thrifty Decor Chick

And so... I decided to have a go at making a small version of them. I used fabric covered heavy vilene, maribu trim, black felt, white pompom and a buckle from the hospice shop. I love the result and may make a whole set of these to sit amongst my Christmas tree forest.

Christmassy Inspiration is Here!

I LOVE Christmas time. My whole house goes 'Christmas' on the first of December. In the months leading up to the Big Month I love getting into lots of Christmas crafts. I spend days pouring over webpages and through books and magazines. I'm late getting into the creative drive this year but it has now well and truly taken hold.

Here's the quilt I did last year. Its made up from a selection of designs I created on the theme of Christmas trees. These won out as my favourite to combine in one piece.

The bad news this year is that I finally gave in and looked at Pintrest...and now I'm hooked! Soooooo much Christmas inspiration, so much craft inpiration...so much...INSPIRATION. Ah well.

I'm working on some new fun stuff for this Christmas and I'll add more posts over the next few days and weeks as we count down to December!

Something New - Hot Glass

I got the opportunity to attend a weekend workshop at the Wanganui Glass School through The Learning Connexion. The course was led by Keith Grinter and Karen Ellett, both extraordinary artists. Over the two days we got to produce three or four pieces of hot glass work. I'm thrilled with my first two pieces which I got to bring home from the weekend. I'm going back to the school tomorrow night to see my third piece and finish it off.