Artist Trading Cards

Materials:

black glossy card stock
at least 3 colors Marvy Uchida metallic markers
Sakura metallic gel pen
spray bottle of water
Milwaukee heat tool
paper towels
patterned vellum
small paper cutter
EK Success corner rounder punch
old keys
heart charm
fibers in coordinating colors
Xyron adhesive machine
Glue Dots

1. Cut black glossy card stock into four pieces, each 4-1/4" x 5-1/2" (figure A).

2. Place several layers of paper towels on work surface to absorb excess water. Work with one piece of black card stock at a time. Generously spritz card stock with water. Scribble metallic markers in a random pattern on card stock (figure B).

3. Spritz lightly with water once again. 'Chase' watercolor around card stock with heat tool until dry (figure C). It usually takes several minutes to do this (figure D).

4. Cut two artist trading cards (ATCs) from card stock, each measuring 2-1/2" x 3-1/2" (figure E).

5. Cut a piece of patterned vellum to 2-1/2" x 3-1/2". Choose an area that has a pleasing pattern for your ATC (figure F).

6. Adhere vellum to one of the cut ATCs--we used a Xyron machine for our sample cards.

7. Cover back of ATC with coordinating decorative handmade paper.

8. Round all four corners of ATC.

9. Lightly trace around patterned vellum with metallic gel pen.

10. Paint old key with metallic marker. Let dry.

11. Run several fibers through key hole and tie a lark's head knot.

12. Attach painted key and heart charm to ATC with dots of glue (figure G).

13. Include your name and pertinent address info on the back of the ATC (figure H).