Easy Art Card Craft Project
Creating Mixed Media ATCs from Leftovers
Spring-cleaning does not only mean getting rid of trash, reorganizing, and having a yard sale. It also means creating new pieces of art from winter scraps. (Kid friendly)
There is not a mixed-media artist out there (unless they are just starting out) who does not have an envelope, box, drawer, or area filled with scraps from winter projects. These scraps can be anything from leftover pieces of paper from a cutting, or the remains of a box that were not used up all the way.
Whatever it is, mixed-media artists do not like to throw away anything. The main reason for this is because they could be throwing away an opportunity. Because that would be a regrettable mistake, collections of scraps and leftovers tend to pile up. Every now and then, go through these collections and create some art.
Quick, instant gratification pieces would work best if there is a particularly large amount of leftovers to sift through. Create some art cards (ATCs) from these leftovers. If there is a leftover box, cut it up into 2.5 x 3.5 inch rectangles and collage over them. If there are leftover pieces of cardstock, do the same.
There is also an opportunity to create ATC bases from these leftovers if the time to finish an ATC is not available during the sifting process. Go through everything and, whatever sturdy materials are found in the pile cut some ATC bases from them. Collect these bases and create a specialized area just for them. That way, they do not manage to shuffle their way back to the pile. Put them in their own container, file, basket, or whatever else would work for quick access.
If time to create ATCs from these leftovers is available, try creating something very random. For example:
- Take out a base and a heavy-duty glue stick.
- Grab the first piece of scrap in the pile and stick it on the base. Do not worry if it is too big or if it hangs over the edge.
- Continue this process until the entire ATC base is covered.
- Using straightedge scissors, trim along the edges of the ATC.
- Rather than tossing out the trimmings, add them as another layer to the ATC.
A quick, instant gratification piece of art has been created. If you are not happy with the way it turned out, set it aside for future alterations or to include in a mixed media painting, altered book project, or art journal page spread. What you do not like today could turn into a good opportunity tomorrow. Create a container for “unfinished” or “future work” ATCs that you plan on using for other work or future alterations.
If you have children, consider including them in this project. Is will be a nice twist to cleaning up! The will love the idea of turning trash into treasure. Encourage them to affix them to the fronts of greeting cards and using them as thank you notes, birthday cards, or special occasion greetings.
