[Bride]

Before ScrapGirls, I never heard of ATC's, but since I've joined SG I've been hooked on them. What are ATC's you ask? Artist Trading Cards. Very similar to baseball cards but a lot more exciting (to me, at least!) I like to think of them as mini works of art!

We hold an ATC Chat/Swap once a month. Check the calendar for dates and times. We get together and your hosts will either present you with a challenge or we will brainstorm with you to get ideas and then vote on the next theme. Next, the fun continues as you let your creative juices flow to design your card. The basics are:

1. Create your ATC with your interpretation of the theme. Your original ATC file should be 3.5 inches x 2.5 inches or 1050 pixels x 750 pixels (can be portrait or landscape orientation) at 300 pixels per inch. Be sure to sign and date your. Post your ATC to the gallery here , as well, to share with all of our members.

2. Email the full resolution (300 dpi saved at high quality), flattened jpg version to me at Scrapgirl.Bride@gmail.com . I find it best to email your copy immediately when you're finished that way you won't have me bugging you down the road with reminders and no one will miss out on your beautiful work!

3. For uploading to the gallery, save a copy of your ATC at 72 dpi jpeg, then upload. Be sure to share the link in the current ATC thread so we can leave you some love.

4. Join in the next chat so we can ooo and ahhh over our creations and get all excited about the next theme.

5. The day after chat I will zip and email all copies of ATC's I have received.

I hope this helps clear up any questions you have – but if you have more questions feel free to send me a message!

[MariJ]

This is the "funnest" chat and ATC's are so great to make.
I love this chat and can't wait for the class tonight!
See ya' there.....

[Belle]

I would love to do this but I have to much on my plate at the moment and DH is still on leave. Do you have this everymonth like the Swapcrop?

[Sara Arell]

Thanks for the instructions, Lei - I've never been quite sure of the rules about ATC's - I will work on mine and get it to you asap - well, it may take me a few days, but I will get it to you - I haven't done one in so long I've forgotten how and I really appreciate you instructions. You're a sweetie!

[MariJ]

Belle, on 05 January 2011 - 11:22 PM, said:

I would love to do this but I have to much on my plate at the moment and DH is still on leave. Do you have this everymonth like the Swapcrop?

Hi Belle
I saw your question and yes -- ATC chat is held each month -- I believe the next one is feb 2.
I joined the chat in october and it's really a fun one.
If you look in the ATC gallery you will see that there sure are a lot of talented people making them -- December was especially beautiful.
There's always an interesting theme and it was decided last night that this month's is "friendship" -- any aspect of friendship. As Lei said "remember this is your atc and your interpretation"
I especially love how often people "think outside the box" on the ATC's and there are many different "takes" on the theme.
At the end of the month, Lei zips up copies of all the ATC's made and emails them to us to print or save.

(I hope it's ok to answer this, Lei and that I was accurate!)

[Smiles]

I believe ATCs are the same proportions as 5x7, so you can blow up the design if you really love it.
Check out the hybrid ATC swap sometime also - they are really fun!

[Heatheranne]

I got mine done and you can find it here. Sorry it's so late! I've sent it to you Lei, so if you don't get it, please let me know. :-)

[jenrou]

It looks like you all are having fun! I've been in postcard swaps before in artist/watercolor forums.

I have a few dumb questions!!! In making the digital ATCs, do you print out on paper, then glue to card stock? Then do you cut out with scissors or knife (which is easier?) I haven't found thse type of details anywhere. I know you can buy ATC blanks, do you use them or regular card stock?

Thanks for answering.
Jean

[teecee]

jenrou, on 23 November 2011 - 05:35 AM, said:

It looks like you all are having fun! I've been in postcard swaps before in artist/watercolor forums.

I have a few dumb questions!!! In making the digital ATCs, do you print out on paper, then glue to card stock? Then do you cut out with scissors or knife (which is easier?) I haven't found thse type of details anywhere. I know you can buy ATC blanks, do you use them or regular card stock?

Thanks for answering.
Jean

Jean, did you see these posts: post #17 and post #18

For regular digital ATCs which have no backs, I usually just print directly onto cardstock and cut them out with a paper trimmer. For hybrid ATCs which do have backs, I design the front of the card and the back of the card and place them end to end in a blank document (I can get several on a page) then I print them onto cardstock, cut them out with a paper trimmer and just fold in half (this way there is no need to line up the fronts to the backs) Then I just use double sided tape to adhere them together. Hope this is helpful to you. Don't hesitate to ask questions if you need more information

This post has been edited by teecee: 23 November 2011 - 02:09 PM

[jenrou]

Sorry, I hadn't seen the posts. Thanks. That is helpful.
Jean

[tinkerbell11]

They are so fun, you really should try them if you haven't !!!!

[Sara Arell]

I sure hate that I'm going to miss out on this one - I was looking forward to it, but now we have more medical issues and things going on with my Dad and I just can't keep everything together much less commit to doing something I'm afraid I won't be able to follow through on - can't wait to see what beautiful ATCs yall come up with!

[Amanda OutsideTheBox]

Elisha, I had to send my ATC three times, due to IP issues causing glitches in Gmail. Hope she arrived.
November; Time for Change