T Stands For ATC

 

Last week I asked everyone to let me know if they wanted to exchange ATCs for our 8th anniversary.  I got two "no thank yous" and two yeses.  I am going to ask all but the four who provided answers last week to give me a definitive answer this week.   How hard is it to write the words "YES, please" or "NO thanks?"

I have created six ATCs to share this year.  Last year, I made 30, but before many even received their ATCs, the cat was out of the cup (so to speak).  That isn't going to happen this year.  Everyone who links today (or tomorrow as the case may be) will be eligible to win one of these ATCs.  Tomorrow I will draw three (3) names and, if your name is chosen, you will receive one of these ATCs.  If your name wasn't chosen, you will still be eligible for one next week, when I draw three more names.  If you link both weeks, you double your chances of winning, unless your name has already been drawn.  All the ATCs are the same or very similar, so what you see is what you get.  I will NOT be joining the P.I.F. swap because I will be sending these six instead.

Iris left a comment that she understood the size, but didn't know where to go from there.  I'll show you what I do and my formula for making ATCs.  I'm sure everyone has their own way or formula, but here is mine.  Feel free in your comment to share how YOU create yours.

I begin by creating the backs that I cut to size.  My toner is almost gone in my laser printer, but I am trying to use the last of it before I change to a new cartridge.  All my relevant information is on this back that I created in WordPerfect.  Some people have stamps they use, but I'm not much of a stamper, so this is what I use.  The information can be written by hand, if you don't have a stamp, or you can create them using your favorite word processing software as I have.

I begin the front with a background.

In this case, it's a napkin I affixed to the background using a glue stick.  Other options are book pages, scrapbook paper, hand painted paper, deli paper, etc.  The idea is to completely cover the background.  You can also use two or three different papers.  The choice is yours, as long as you completely cover the background.

 

You may want to create the ATC on a separate piece of paper or cardstock, as I did last year.    If you are planning to sew on your background, you will probably choose that option.  This year, I affixed the napkin directly to the back of the ATC.  If you have complimentary ink or felt tipped markers, you could outline the edges of the background.  I may go back and do that later, too.

Now it's time to add your focal image. I stamped and fussy cut an old fashioned coffee pot that was completely different from the mid-century modern cups and pots on the napkin.  Your focal image can be anything.  It can even be more than one thing,

like the ATCs I created for a recent swap.  The paper dolls and the clock are both focal images.

All that is left are the words.  I admit I'm a geek.  When I started thinking of the number 8, the infinity symbol came to mind.  Therefore I give you Infinite drinks and infinite friends share T.  Granted, you can make your ATC as elaborate as you wish.  You can add German scrap, tiny beads, lace, or other embellishments.  You are only limited by your own imagination.  I hope that helped Iris.  BTW, the size is because it is the same as a trading card and fits inside a trading card sleeve.

PLEASE don't forget to let me know if you would like to send an ATC to someone for the anniversary.  Details next week, because I've taken enough of your time today.   It's now time to share your own drink inspired post this week.  It can be gifts you received, photos, a place you visited, movies, postcards, mail art, junk mail, catalogs, books, sketches, mixed media, drawings, paintings, tags, scrapbooking, or other art that is digital, hybrid, or traditional, as long as it in some way relates back to a drink, any drink.  Regardless, please share below and Bleubeard and I, along with the rest of the T gang will be by to visit.   Please link only your T post and not your blog in general.  Bleubeard would like to remind you that old photos are acceptable because they may be taken any time, not just on Tuesday and not just this year.