Friday, April 16, 2010

More Artist Trading Cards - Sewing

It was my month to choose the theme for my large ATC group in February.  We made the list when the swap started so those that wanted to could work ahead.  I don't work ahead usually - I prefer to have the time to experiment and try new techniques that I might use for a swap project.

At any rate, I did not do these early and then February turned out to be a month when I had a very hard time getting everything done due to our neighbor's house fire and illness.  For the first time, I had to ask to put this off until another month and I finally caught up and sent in my cards for February this month.  I chose the "Sewing" theme because I wanted to experiment with sewing paper in my crafting.  It was easy and fun - I don't know why I waited so long to try it!

The base of the card was the usual 3 1/2 by 2 1/2 inches and I cut a 3 by 2 inch layer to sew to the base.  I chose paper from the DCWV "Crafty" stack.  I did a simple zigzag stitch around the edges.  I need  more practice to keep everything straight and even - it is different than sewing on fabric.  I did like doing this and I think sewing will be something I'll start to do more of on my cards and layouts.


I wanted to add a sewing related cut to my card.  I chose this needle and thread from the Happily Every After cartridge.  The Disney Princess cartridges are fun to have - I don't make very many Princesses but I use them quite often for the great extras.


I used Design Studio to set up a mat with 14 of the spools and 14 of the thread layers.  I was able to conserve paper by flipping and alternating the rows.


I used the Core'dinations cardstock for both the spools and the thread.  The orange gemstone cardstock was a good match with the colors in the background "fabric" and the shine was perfect for the thread.  My mat was not very new and I have had the gemstone cardstock slip on occasion, so I used a bit of masking tape to make sure it stayed in position.


When I added the spools and thread layers I used my CM Precision Point Adhesive and let it dry to clear.  This made it easy to align the delicate thread cut.


I was happy to be able to do the backs digitally again.  I chose a gingham background paper from the Creative Memories "Recipe Book" digital kit. - Here is a LINK to the page on my CM site that shows this kit (you can click the image to see the full contents of the kit).


Here are all of the ATCs just before I got them ready to mail.  The color combination was a bit different for me but I really liked it.


It takes a while to sign and number the ATCs - it is so convenient to have most of the information printed for each back.


It was a very busy day.  We had a nice evening celebrating our neighbor's birthday and I spent a fair bit of time shopping and cooking to get ready for the party.  I have a lot to catch up with on email and questions and I hope to do that this weekend.  I noticed last week that my "follower" box has gone beyond 1,000 so I think another blog celebration is due - very soon.....

I hope you have a great weekend!

13 comments:

  1. Amazing Diane. I LOVE that you use DS so much!!

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  2. Well Diane, this ATC design is BRILLIANT! I love the crafty stack, it is adorable, and the thread, needle, and spool..how cute is that! I love the sewing you did, and very well too! This would be a cute base for a fun card as well. I never thought about that cart, but what a bunch of extras I didn't even know where on it.

    Thanks for sharing Diane!!!

    Have a great weekend.

    Lisa Sturgill :)

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  3. After bowing out of the polymer clay crowd
    I didn't think I'd be making trading cards but
    HEY! this makes me wanna try again! :)
    They are great!

    TR

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  4. really nice, I love to sew and I'm impressed at how well the thread and needle cut on the Cricut. Great job.

    Donna C.
    goCricutgo

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  5. Beautiful ATC Diane! I love the colors!

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  6. Thanks for sharing, Diane. I love this little card and I have that cart and CANNOT believe I have missed that little shape. I HAVE GOT to start exploring my carts more.

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  7. Great job on the ATC. I'm in my first swap on the MB for vintage ATC. I'd never heard of ATC's before but I've been researching and I think I understand what they are. Thanks for showing yours. Shari (cricutrookie)

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  8. I'm sure your fellow artists are going to be stunned when they receive your beautiful work. Love the colors you chose. Glad you took a break and had a party.

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  9. Very nice cards~I have found sewing on my paper easy, probably because I started out sewing before scrapbooking. And, in Junior High Home Econ, we had to sewing on paper before we were allowed on sew fabric.
    I got really good at sewing on a straight pencil line!

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  10. Can't wait to get mine. Wish I could get my stitching to look better on paper.

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  11. Great job Diane! These are one of my favorites!

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  12. Wow...sewing on paper...scarey stuff! What are ATC's? I'll have to do some research on this.

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