More ATCs, Stones and Beads and Crane

These flowers were tatted some years ago and already mounted on acid-free cards then. I mount them onto another ATC-sized backing now and add ribbon trims. My girl says they look old-fashioned. Are they ?

I was searching for something in my stash last weekend and found some beads and stones here and there, so I gathered them and put all together. Looking at all of them, I just couldn't resist their charms; picked and matched some together, and came up with these hanging ornaments. There are rose quartz, bluestone glass, dyed fresh water pearls, carnelian, unakite, Swarovski crystals, etc.

I just love the sparkling effect of Swarovski crystals, the colourful and interesting effect of natural semi-precious stones, the alluring lustre of pearls, plus some interesting man-made beads.

And look what I have here!

Actually, it is just a normal folded crane, but it is my 10-year old girl who folded it. I think it is quite a fest for a child to fold it at this size, isn't it?

Artist Trading Cards (ATCs)

What are Artist Trading Cards (ATCs) ?

This is what I was trying to find out this past week. In gist, ATCs are miniature works of art created on 2 ½ X 3 ½ inch or 64 X 89 mm card stock. They are originals, small editions and self-produced.

Want to know more about ATCs?

Well, on the front of an ATC, an artist creates an original work to showcase their art. It can be a one-off, part of a series, or a limited edition. On the back, the artist puts their info (name, contact details, title of the ATC, number if it's a limited edition, and date it was created). ATCs can be made in any medium and using any technique, and can be traded or exchanged, but not sold.

This is really all you need to know to start making your ATCs.

ATC and tatting ?

Yes, I came across Laura's ATCs and I too think it is a wonderful idea to use small motifs of tatting to adorn these cards. A neat way to use all the small tatted motifs and you can trade them too and start a collection. So, I tried my hand at it.

Here are the first 2 of ATCs I created in duplicate, with original tatted motifs and combining with scrapbooking papers cut with QuicKutz dies; all done up with acid-free materials.

How about them ? Well, I'm hooked!

Did you read this book before ? TIAS Finished and More Periwnkles

I grow up reading Secret Seven, Famous Five, Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys; almost read every single book then. You would have gathered I love detective stories and mysteries, well, you are spot on! Now, I love Sherlock Holmes stories, and borrowing from my boy his Tin Tin books too. I still enjoy any of these books if I can get hold of any. Last weekend, I was helping my boy find books from his school reading list in the public library when I came upon a book on Trixie Belden. Somehow I didn't read more than 2 or 3 books in this series during my school days. Why am I talking about all these ? Well, I know some tatters like to list out books and paras that mentioned tatting, not sure if this has been listed before, but I'm sure happy to read this in the book:

"Trixie nodded. "Aunt Alicia. She tried to teach me how to tat when I was eight. ...."

This appeared on Chapter 10: A House Party, page 137, of Trixie Belden #3 - The Gatehouse Mystery by Julie Campbell, USA, 1951.

Back to my tatting. I have since finished Iris' TIAS, but found a mistake, so I haven't blocked it. I will most probably not finished it as a doily, but I keep seeing the motif as something else, maybe I might work further on it to turn it into something else, but that will be later.

In between the TIAS, I re-tatted this perwinkle design while trying to write down the pattern. Finished the tatting, but still trying to organise the notes. I still find it tough to write out free- form design.

And I am in this Extreme Tatters Round Robin organised by Sharon. So, I'm working hard for this now.