Posted by ‘What is an ATC?’ I hear some of you cry.
An ATC, or Artist Trading Card is a mini work of art made onto sturdy card 2.5″x3.5″. Orginially hand drawn or painted, ATCs are never sold but are swapped with other artists. Their original aim was to enable people to collect small works by artists which they would otherwise not be able to afford.
The ATC swap idea is credited to have been initiated in 1997 by zurich artist M.Vänçi Stirnemann. Since then thousands (unbeknown to me) of people from all over the world have traded ATCs during trading events.
Having read about these swaps on other blogs, I have never participated. So When Ali from Very Berry Handmade announced she was hosting another ATC swap event I immediately applied.
There are 50 of us. We will all be allocated a fabric mad partner and given a theme. Then all we have to is produce our own little fabric masterpieces and swap them.
I have perusing Pinterest for inspiration before having ago. Who knew how many thousands Pinterest had pinned?
I have always fancied trying my hand at machine free hand embroidery so maybe this is my opportunity. BTW check out The button nest’s blog for some simply amazing free hand machine embroidery
Here are a few jems. Click the images to take you to the artists’ sites.
If mine are half as good as these, that’ll be a job well done.
Love, Lucie x
Love, Lucie 
That’s really cool! I hadn’t heard of that before.
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It’s fairly new to me too. But I like a challenge that makes me think outside my usual skill set.
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I hadn’t heard of it either but what a lovely idea. Do you think that we crochet fans could do something similar with yarn? If a few of us got together we could shout about it on our blogs and see who is interested. What do you think ladies?
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I think that’s a great idea. Either we could exchange a crocheted item (either a specified item, like a hat or perhaps any item limited to a single ball of yarn) or maybe just exchange a ball of yarn and challenge the other to make something out of it. What do you think?
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Really good idea!
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I like the challenge of something new. I’ve already some ideas in my head for the mini make.
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They all look so good! I had heard of them before but always lacked the courage to make one. Good luck!
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I hoping I can turn one out pretty quickly.
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I LOVE challenges, so count me IN. I understand Rosie’ s inability to sit and “do nothing”. I crochet at stop lights, at the Dr. office, during the 15 min. between Church and Sunday School, while my Hubby and 12 y/o daughter watch TV, I am crocheting! Life is far too short to waste time – I am 73 this month and I only have about 37 yrs.left, and I just cannot waste ONE minute of that! ( I PLAN to live an active life to age 110.) I never heard of the ATC but they are absolutely wonderful, I cannot wait to try one!
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