Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Day of the Dead ATC

Who better than Frida Kahlo to send greetings to all on the day of the dead?

This is the latest Artist Trading Card (ATC) series that I created in the spirit of Halloween, Segaki and the Day of the Dead. I made many to give away to my monthly trading group and friends during this time of year; when the veil is thinner between this world and spirits of the "other" world.


The background was created months ago when I was experimenting with Adirondack® Alcohol Inks on glossy white cardstock. I always keep stuff that I either play around with to get a feel for the materials or make during demonstrations for a workshop. NEVER throw anything away - it will probably be useful some day! Though this way of thinking could be the reason my studio is stuffed full of too many materials and papers...

Anyway - I cut the cardstock down to 2 1/2 by 3 1/2 inches (ATC size) and used Staz-On® Ink (solvent ink won't smear or wipe off on glossy paper) with the rubber stamp. This great stamp is from Stampa Fe Art Stamps in Santa Fe, New Mexico. I had the great pleasure of visiting them last year and came home with a suitcase full of rubber stamps (well - almost full)! A bright red gel pen was used on her lips and a white gel pen was used on the skeleton. Then Ranger's SticklesTM Glitter Glue was applied sparingly on the skeleton's hat. A little rub-on element was adhered to each ATC along with a great lace adhesive tape made by decollections. It just felt to me that Frida would have demanded some silk, lace or embroidery.

A trading card is never finished until you sign the back of your ATC with your contact info and date. I also always title my series and indicate the number of cards made. A Canson® Mi-Teines paper was used for the backside of all the cards.


There wasn't enough of the alcohol ink backgrounds for all 21 cards, so I used different paper with designs for many of them. They all turned out pretty good - or at least, everyone who received one thought they were pretty cool. And - they were so easy and fun to make!

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