Monday, June 29, 2015

T Stands for It's Time


I meant to give you a heads up sooner, but I completely allowed this month to get away from me.  Three weeks from today we celebrate our SECOND T Stands For Tuesday anniversary.

After our first anniversary, when (sad to say, since I'm the host) I did nothing to commemorate the celebration,

this year I would like to propose

an exchange of ATCs.

Some of you already know what an ATC is, but others might not.  ATC stands for "Altered Trading Card," and they are always traded, NEVER sold.

I make my own backs using my word processing program.  Granted, I use WordPerfect, so I can't help those of you who use Word or some other program.  However be aware I live in America, and as such, my paper size, which is 8 1/2 inches by 11 inches is probably different from yours if you don't live in the States.  The size of the ATC will always be the same, though.

Note the size is in inches (") and is 2 1/2" by 3 1/2" or 2.5" X 3.5" as shown in this scan.  They are the same size as other trading cards, such as baseball or sci-fi cards.  You can even use a standard size playing card and cover it.

You will need to add your name, your blog address (or e-mail if you prefer), and the date somewhere on the ATC.  You may add the title, if you choose, which is optional.  Most people add these to the back of the card.

I propose IF you decide to exchange an ATC, that you add an asterisk (*) after your name on the day of the anniversary.

You don't have to be an artist to make an ATC.  This was made using an invitation I got in my junk mail for a company wanting to entice me with a lunch (and a chance to win an I-Pod) in exchange for listening to their spiel.  I added a cup I found in a magazine, along with a fortune from a fortune cookie.  I call this one "Let's Do Lunch."

For this one, I got a bit more artsy.  I started with a failed Gelli experiment for a background.  I glued it to the ATC back.  When dry, I cut a piece of oriental vellum a bit smaller and sewed it to the background.  I should have sewed the background and vellum together before I glued them in place, but that's why I'm calling this one "Prototype."  I stamped and fussy cut the tea pot, then glued it in place.  Finally, I added the stickers that are made out of plastic.

Back to the anniversary.  Once you have decided to play and have added your asterisk after your name, the next person on the list who also adds an asterisk, is the person you send your ATC to.  If you are the FIRST person whose name has an asterisk behind it, the LAST person on the list who has an asterisk behind their name will be the person who sends to you.  The circle will be filled and the Pay It Forward deed will be complete.

Don't feel obligated, especially if you have concerns about the high cost of postage.  Even though I sent extra goodies with my ATC when I joined the WOYWW anniversary swap (from which I shamelessly stole borrowed this idea), I still only used one one-ounce postage stamp.  However, please don't join IF you are worried you will get someone from another country and can't afford to send the ATC.  No one will think any less of you.  Be aware, you may play whether it will be your first week of play or 104th.

For that week ONLY, there will be no Mr. Linky.  Instead, I will use InLinkz, where I will set it up so you can remove your name in case you forgot to add your asterisk and want to replace the link.   I can't seem to remove your name through Mr. Linky.  So you will be responsible for deciding if you wish to play, and how you upload your link.

Please let me know if this sounds fun to you. 

Remember, any form of ATC is permitted.  Just like any DRINK related post is permitted during T Stands For Tuesday.  You might choose to paint, draw, doodle, sew, or create a collage on your ATC.  It really doesn't matter as long as the size is correct.

I've talked enough.  You know what to do, so link below and Bleubeard and I, along with the regular T gang will be by to visit.

And since I'm reminding, don't forget Second on the 2nd is in three days!





18 thoughtful remarks:

jinxxxygirl said...

Oh dear... i'm afraid that all sounded a little confusing to me... Don't worry i'm absolutely positive its me and not you..lol But exchanging ATC's sounds like a wonderful idea... I look forward to seeing everyones! Hugs! deb

Karla B said...

I think it's a lovely idea!

Linda Kunsman said...

Great idea! Happy anniversary dear Elizabeth. Love your ATCs- especially the backs you created. I have no clue how to do something like that. Happy T day!

Carol said...

Sharing ATC's sounds delightful ♥ I haven't done a swap in a long while nor a ATC either. Should be fun!! Two years ? WOW!!!!

froebelsternchen said...

Lovely idea Elizabeth and great ATCs- I dont't participate in any ATC Swaps anymore since I did it for a few years and I have 3 fat binders with ATCs now.(That's enough for me-lol)
But I look forward with what you all will come up!
oxo
Susi

Viktoria Berg said...

Happy T-Day! This is a very nice idea, and the card is so cute. I´ll be on the road for the next few weeks, so count me out. Will attempt to participate every Tuesday, though. Surely I can come up with tea-related posts from England! ;-)

froebelsternchen said...

Me again!
Sorry to hear that you can not see all entries if you are not registrated at Pinterest Elizabeth.
So you have to visit all the blogs.. can imagine that this is too timeconsuming as there are often so many entries ...

But it's so pretty easy for us to take a free Gallery.. all the others like Flickr etc. want to see money if you put in more than 200 photos..so we are happy to have this possibility.
Hope it is o.k. to pin your pieces futhermore !
hugs
Susi

Darla said...

What a fun way to celebrate the Tea Tuesday's second anniversary. I'm not much good at deadlines right now so I won't participate in the swap. I hope everyone posts pictures of their ATC's though. I'll bet this group comes up with some good ones.

Darla

Craftymoose Crafts said...

I still enjoy making ATCs, so I'll be joining in! Thanks for the heads up for this and 2nd on the 2nd!

Halle said...

That sounds like fun! I haven't made an ATC is a long time!

~*~Patty S said...

Another anniversary...how time flies!
It must still be early for me...I think I have the details of the ATC swap and it does sound like fun.
Happy last T Day of June E.
oxo

~*~Patty S said...

and I Love your ATC!
AND I think I need a cup of something stat ;-)

Divers and Sundry said...

Happy upcoming Anniversary! I'm grateful you continue to be willing to coordinate this gathering :) I'm too insecure about my lack of artistic ability to inflict an ATC on anybody ;) I may try my hand at it privately, though, just to see what I'm able to come up with. Maybe next year :)

Dreaming of Vintage said...

Happy anniversary!!!! I love your atc's Elizabeth!

Rita said...

Lovely idea, but with my moving and my art supplies being packed away soon I would have to pass. I have never made them, but I know a lot of people collect them.
Two years already!!??
Happy T-Day! :)

pearshapedcrafting said...

Swap sounds good but not sure where I will be - I will try to take part!! Sorry for arriving late to the tea party - things still hectic!! Hugs, Chrisx

Dianne said...

Well, the day got away from me again today....and I didn't make it to the link party. But the ATC swap in 3 weeks sounds fun. I'm in.

Love your atc's!

Krisha said...

An ATC swap sounds fun. I missed this years WOYWW swap, and I'm not sure if I will get to link up for this one. We are going to be at the beach that week. I can do a scheduled post and maybe you can link me???
I will ask the girls if they want to make ATCs.......but I know they will say yes. Any reason to get all inky and painty!!! I don't know who will want one from an 8 year old, so whom ever swaps with me just might get three. We will see what happens....eh??

Here is one link to the paint pouring video that we watch, from there you can hop around. I think they watch 3 or 4......they were so mesmerized by what they saw.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WHs74r4NVc
If that doesn't work, you can search paint pouring or fluid paint and most of them will pop up.

Now I'm off to return some more visits.....thank you for the lovely comments.....you make me blush!!