first read this:
ATC or Artist Trading Cards are miniature works of art about the same size as modern baseball cards, or 2 ½ X 3 ½ inches (63 mm X 89 mm). Cards are produced in various media, including dry media ( threads, pencils sketches, fabric cuts), wet media (watercolor, acrylic paints, etc.), paper media (in the form of collage, papercuts, found objects, etc.) or metal. On the front you create a miniture work of art and on the reverse side you give the information about the artist and the media used to create the card.

We have a few rules for our ATC

1) you sign up

2) follow the theme ...as well as you can

3) make the pattern fit on the material

4) send your card to someone else in the group

5) have lots of fun

Don't forget the gallery where you can see and post your ATC projects.

I just was looking and we are a talented bunch!

For making the card I just use regular aida and I leave the piece cut long enough so I can fold them around a piece of poster board cut to the 2.5X3 inch size. Then I use my hot glue gun and attach it. I then cut another piece of paper with all the stuff I put on the back, name , date, forum, .......and glue that over the back this makes a nice card an there you have it.

Others have stitched it like a biscourne finish and others have glued on felt and the list goes on. You decide how you want to finish it and let you imagination do the rest.

I just turn all the edges under then stick a folded piece of card to the back with all the details on, like a teeny birthday card, they stand up then

I've used felt and card stuck to the back of the ATC after folding the edges of the material under, and I've just done a biscornu finish on the third one which I've fallen in love with (that way of finishing it, I mean, not with the ATC itself ). But some designs will look just right frayed and attached to some card in a complementary colour, or finished with a beaded edge (not quite sure how you'd do that but I may try something for the next ATC!)

Here is mine!

In table form:

11ct / 22ct over two: 27 x 38 stitches
25ct over two: 31 x 43 stitches
14ct / 28ct over two: 35 x 49 stitches
16ct / 32ct over two: 40 x 56 stitches
18ct / 36ct over two: 45 x 63 stitches
20ct / 40ct over two: 50 x 70 stitches
22ct (hardanger): 55 x 77 stitches
25ct over one: 62 x 87 stitches
28ct over one: 70 x 98 stitches
32ct over one: 80 x 112 stitches
36ct over one: 90 x 126 stitches

A little demo of how I did my last ATC (I copied the idea from SusanF - thanks Susan )


1. Measure carefully, making marks on wrong side of card and cut out as follows, preferably using a craft knife :

2. Turn over so that the right side is facing you and score lightly where the fold is to be, and fold it.

3. Your maximum stitch area will be just over 2.5 inches by 1.5 inches. (on 14# Aida this will be 35 sts x 21 sts). Cut the fabric so that it is just smaller than the 3.5 inches x 2.5 inches and fray off two blocks to lessen the bulk for sticking.

4. I used a glue stick to lightly paste the fabric onto place, and then used pva glue very sparingly, so that it doesn't ooze out to stick the whole thing together. I found it better to put the glue on the inside of the window part so there is no risk of spreading it too far. Put a heavy book on top until it has stuck.

List of ATC's from the first to current.

#1 Free Choice-----March 2008

#2 Animals---April 2008

#3 Sweets----May 2008

#4 Autumn/Fall----August 2008

#5 Cows-----October 2008

#6 Stitchy Stuff----June 2009

#7 Snow/Winter----January 2010

#8 Summer------April 2010

#9 Disney-------July 2010

Thanks Linda!!!! Your a star.

#1 Free Choice-----March 2008

#2 Animals---April 2008

#3 Sweets----May 2008

#4 Autumn/Fall----August 2008

#5 Cows-----October 2008

#6 Stitchy Stuff----June 2009

#7 Snow/Winter----January 2010

#8 Summer------April 2010

#9 Disney-------July 2010

#10 Forum Names--------January 2011

#1 Free Choice-----March 2008

#2 Animals---April 2008

#3 Sweets----May 2008

#4 Autumn/Fall----August 2008

#5 Cows-----October 2008

#6 Stitchy Stuff----June 2009

#7 Snow/Winter----January 2010

#8 Summer------April 2010

#9 Disney-------July 2010

#10 Forum Names--------January 2011

#12 Olympic theme-----June 2012