About six weeks ago when I was on Facebook, someone had posted a cute ATC (Artist Trading Card).  I mentioned that I had never done one. Long-time artist friend, Sue Sizemore, posted a comment exclaiming over the fact that I had not done an ATC!  This subject came up again in my Stitchery Club.  One of the members mentioned that her husband used to do ATC's all the time and traded them all over the world.  At the next meeting, she brought me two large notebooks of her husband's ATC's and ones from other artists he traded with.

Well, here is my first attempt at an ATC:

I wanted to start with something simple.  Since I was embossing other cards, I decided to do this gold embossed Fish (inkadinkadoo).  The card base is brushed with Salty Ocean and Peeled Paint distressed ink (tim holtz).  The sentiment (same stamp set) is stamped in Blazing Red ink (staz-on).

Now that I have done one, I have a couple of ideas for a few more. I just need to remember to "think small"!

Now on to greeting cards!  As I said, I was embossing some cards. This set of 4 Peacock greeting cards will be donated to the United Peafowl Association for their annual convention auction coming up in early October.  I started doing this last year, and do not mind making it an annual tradition.  

I love this Roosting Peacock design (the stencil collection).  He is embossed in Silver on black cardstock. Base paper is Floral Pearl embossed vellum (k&company).  Quatrefoil black grosgrain ribbon and White Bow (both from the paper studio) complete this simple, yet elegant card design.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with embossing, there are four types of embossing:

1. Dry embossing -- Place a metal template on light colored paper over a box light, and using an embossing tool, trace the design.  Turning the paper over, you have a nice embossed design.  This is how I first embossed and still do occasionally.
2. Run a brass template through your Cuttlebug to emboss paper.  Only problem with this method is the brass template curls.  You can also use flexible (plastic) templates, but need a few more items to make it work.
3. Embossing Powder -- Stamp an image with a rubber stamp using a glue adhesive instead of ink.  Shake embossing powder over design, shake excess off.  Use a crafting heat gun to melt the powder to show your design.  I've only started using this method this past year.  This method was used on the Fish ATC above.
4. Embossing Paste -- This is my favorite way to emboss and have been doing it for years.  I use embossing paste by Dreamweaver.  Using a brass template (you can dry emboss before if you wish), apply embossing paste over the design, carefully scrape off excess, remove template and let dry overnight.  The "experts" say several hours, but I prefer overnight for better adhesion.  This method was used to emboss the Roosting Peacock above.

Note about Embossing Powders:  The more detailed the rubber stamp design, the more fine your embossing powder.  I only use Super Fine Embossing Powder -- and not all brands are the same. Often times I have to try the design in both manufacturer's powder (I have HOTP and Tim Holtz) and choose the one that looks best for the card.

Now let's look at the other Peafowl greeting cards:

This White Peacock (local king) was done with embossing powder (HOTP) on basic black stock.  Base paper is from Elegant Wedding stack (DCWV). If you look carefully, I used Green, True Blue & Gold Glitter Glue (stickles) on some of the ocelli.  Photos just do not do this card justice!  Deco washi tape and 3 Pearls (cloverleaf) complete the card.

I have had this Peacock cut out (Sizzix die cut) for quite some time and toying with various ideas on how to use him on a card.  When I found the Taj Mahal (inkadinkadoo) in my tub of Peafowl rubber stamps and templates, the plan fell into place!  What do you think?

No, your eyes are not deceiving you -- the Peacock is 3-layered in blue, lavender and light purple.  Each piece is offset just a tad for this special effect.  Base paper is from French Country paper pack (graphic 45).  The metallic green oval (Sizzix die cut) gives this a "moon" effect. The "moon" was dry embossed and die cut via my Cuttlebug.  I decided not to color it.  The Taj Mahal is stamped in Desert Sand (memento) on white paper.

The 3 greeting cards above are all 5 X 6½", blank inside and come with matching envelopes.

This last 6½ X 5" Royal Peacock greeting card was embossed (powder) in Gold (tim holtz) on stock dark green cardstock.  Base paper is from the Graduation paper pack (the paper studio).  A burgandy sheer ribbon and 3 small rhinestones complete this card.

Now I've got birthday cards to work on.  Have a good week everyone!