Artist trading cards - ATCs

There's been a lot of buzz recently about artist trading cards, or ATCs, so I thought I'd jump in and try a few.

The parameters are pretty simple, in any medium, it seems -- size is standard, at 2.5" x 3.5", with information on the back to say who you are, when it was created, contact info and whatever you want, after that. Then, you just find other willing traders and collect little expressions of creativity.

Because they are small, the cost in materials and time invested in each one is fairly modest. I used backing that was cut off a large project (which appeals to my thrifty nature), and woolly worms I had on hand. I've also collected buttons for many years, as well as being a fabricoholic, so I used some cute little buttons on the geometric ATC. Embellishments are fairly common, so you could mix felting and hooking, add bits of fancy ribbon and trim, and generally have fun!

Looking at the photo, I see my little crooked house tree should have been in a punchier green, the paisley is not immediately recognizable as such, the tree with the sunset is rather fuzzy.... but I enjoyed the process and will try some more. I'll probably do the next batch in finer cuts of wool. These tiny mats are in #6 to handcut strips of woven and knitted wool, as well as yarn. Some specialty dyed wools give an extra dimension of colour.