Create Mixed Media ATCs or ACEOs

A Distress Ink Tutorial

© Jennifer Hollowell

Oct 24, 2007

What this project will look like when finished., Jenn Hollowell

Novices, learn how to create a basic mixed-media Artist Trading Card or ACEO using distress ink. Use these ideas as a way to inspire creations of your own!

Though some might prefer using a product that specifically reads "distress ink" on the label, remember that walnut inks and watercolors work very well for distress ink projects as well. This project will focus on the use of a brown ink pad featuring the words "distress ink" right on the label.

Materials needed for this project:

  • brown distress ink
  • old book pages
  • one piece of watercolor paper
  • fortune cookie-sized pieces of paper with definitions printed on them (can be created on a PC)
  • Nostalgique typewriter key letter stickers
  • blank tags
  • brown cardstock
  • orange or rust colored glitter gel pen
  • gel medium or other reliable adhesive of choiceStep one: Determine how many cards that will be created, then cut the watercolor paper into standard card size (2.5 inches x 3.5 inches). You can find a template here, if needed. Set them aside.Step two: tear up the books pages so they have deckled edges and tear up enough so there are two pages per card (one smaller than the other). Set them aside.Step three: cut out squares (.5 inches x .5 inches) from the brown cardstock, one for each card. Set them aside.Step four: bring out the cards and the distress ink pad. Ink along the edges of the cards by rubbing the ink pad along them, the harder and more rubbing, the dareker the color. Lightly ink the rest of the card so the ink picks up the texture of the watercolor paper. Set them aside to dry.Step five: take out the smallest set of torn book pages (leave the larger ones alone) and ink only the edges. Set them aside to dry.Step six: take out the blank tags, cut off any strings present and rub ink all over them in a random and blotchy manner. Set them aside to dry.Step seven: using the adhesive, attach the clean book pages on to the card in the center. Layer the distressed book page over it and smooth out any bubbles or wrinkles.Step eight: in the upper left corner (leave a small border), affix the brown cardstock square. Layer the tag over it so it's slightly at an angle.Step nine: add the Nostalgique sticker to the tag and add the definition strip to the bottom of the card.Step ten: using the gel pen, trace around the edges of the tag and the definition strip.Additional embellishment idea: add an eyelet or a brad to the hole of the tag for some added sparkle and interest. Add some hunter green pastel to the background of the card after distressing it for a bit of extra color and punch.

    • The copyright of the article Create Mixed Media ATCs or ACEOs in Art Cards is owned by Jennifer Hollowell. Permission to republish Create Mixed Media ATCs or ACEOs must be granted by the author in writing.


    What this project will look like when finished., Jenn Hollowell
    		        


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