Framed Escapes ATCs

 

Sometimes the simplest projects are exactly what we need. With the British heatwave making even the thought of crafting feel like hard work, I wanted to create something beautiful without reaching for lots of inks, stamps and embellishments. This trio of Artist Trading Cards came together using carefully chosen papers, die-cut frames and delicate sentiment tabs, proving that a few well-coordinated elements can be just as striking as a more technique-heavy project.

Creating the ATCs

For this set, I decided to let the papers do most of the storytelling. The backgrounds and focal images all came from pre-printed paper and sticker sheets that I purchased from Temu and AliExpress. Rather than adding lots of extra embellishments, I wanted the elegant illustrations to remain the stars of the show.

The beautiful decorative frames were cut from a die set I also bought from AliExpress and mounted over the scenic images to create the feeling of looking through a window into another world. I love how the warm metallic finish adds depth and draws your eye straight to each little scene.

Each ATC was mounted onto sturdy 300gsm white cardstock, giving the finished cards a lovely solid feel. To soften the bright white edges and tie everything together, I inked all the edges using Distress Ink in Tea Dye, giving them a gentle vintage finish.

For the sentiments, I wanted something that wouldn't distract from the delicate artwork. I chose the single words Peace, Love and Relax, printing them onto heavyweight vellum using my Canon TS8751. Before printing, I lightly blended the vellum with Tea Dye Distress Ink, then allowed it to dry completely before feeding it through the printer using the photo paper setting. Once printed, I trimmed the vellum into small tabs and adhered them to the bottom left corner of each ATC. The soft, tinted vellum blends beautifully into the background while still allowing the words to stand out.

Although the heatwave certainly slowed me down this week, I'm really pleased I pushed through and spent some time at my craft desk. These little ATCs have such a calm, peaceful feel about them, and they were a lovely reminder that sometimes less really is more.

Supplies Used

• 300gsm white card stock
• Decorative frame die set (AliExpress)
• Vintage background papers (AliExpress)
• Seasonal Sticker Book  (Temu)
• Tim Holtz Distress Ink – Tea Dye
• Heavyweight vellum
• Canon TS8751 printer
• Wet glue
• Die cutting machine

Final Thoughts

These little ATCs were a joy to make and were exactly the kind of gentle, relaxing project I needed this week. I love how the copper frames, soft vintage colours and simple vellum sentiments work together to create three cards that feel connected while each telling its own story. Sometimes creativity doesn't have to be complicated to be rewarding.

As always, I'd love to hear which of the three is your favourite. Are you drawn to Peace, Love, or Relax?

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Disclaimer

All products featured on this blog were purchased by me unless otherwise stated. I am not sponsored by any company, brand, or artist mentioned in this post, and all opinions shared are entirely my own.

A Vintage Floral ATC Collection

Today I'm sharing a trio of Artist Trading Cards created using a soft vintage colour palette and a selection of my favourite Distress Inks. I wanted these cards to feel delicate and feminine, with plenty of texture and layering while still allowing the backgrounds to remain the star of the show.

For this collection I used the following Ranger Distress Inks:

• • Speckled Egg
  • Cracked Pistachio
  • Bundled Sage
  • Antique Linen
  • Tattered Rose
  • Victorian Velvet
  • Hickory Smoke  

 

I began by creating the backgrounds using a simple smooching technique, pressing ink onto my craft mat, spritzing with water and repeatedly dipping the card stock into the colour until I achieved the soft distressed look I was after. Once dry, I added texture and interest by stamping a text stamp and postage stamp in Hickory Smoke Distress Ink. Using the same ink for both the background stamping and sentiments helped tie the entire collection together.

To finish the backgrounds, I added splatters of diluted white gesso, creating the appearance of aged paint flecks and giving each card a little extra character.

For the focal points, I created coordinating inked panels using the same Distress Ink colours. The flowers were cut from card stock coloured with Tattered Rose and Victorian Velvet Distress Ink, along with white lightweight card stock for contrast. After die cutting, each flower was shaped on a foam mat using a medium embossing ball tool to create natural dimension and softness.

The foliage was die cut from card stock coloured with Bundled Sage Distress Ink. To keep the arrangements light and airy, I also added several leaves cut from vellum. The translucent vellum softens the floral clusters beautifully and prevents the design from feeling too heavy.

Behind each arrangement sits an embossed vellum strip. I created these using my Sizzix Big Shot and a wood grain embossing folder before lightly swiping Memento Moonlight White ink over the raised areas to highlight the texture. This subtle detail adds interest without competing with the flowers.

 All of the dies used were already in my stash and were cut using my Baby Blue Die Cutting Machine, which is currently only available on eBay. The various elements were assembled using my usual liquid glue, while a simple Pritt Stick worked perfectly for adhering the embossed vellum pieces behind the floral arrangements.

Each ATC was finished with a Hickory Smoke die-cut sentiment, each letter individually die cut to build the words from an old Tattered Lace Alphabet set:

Bloom
Grow
Hope

Mounted onto clean white mats, these three cards became a coordinated collection celebrating growth, beauty and possibility. I love how the muted colours, distressed textures and soft vellum layers work together to create a gentle vintage feel while still keeping the overall design fresh and modern.

 

Thank you for stopping by today. I hope this project inspires you to look at your Distress Ink collection in a new way and create coordinating backgrounds, flowers and embellishments from the same colour palette. Sometimes limiting the colours can create the most harmonious results.

 

Happy crafting,

Bon

Feathered Thoughts ATCs

Today's ATC set began with a background that had been sitting in my stash waiting for the right project. Sometimes the best creative sessions start by rediscovering pieces you've already made and seeing them with fresh eyes.

For the backgrounds I blended Ranger Distress Inks in Rustic Wilderness, Cracked Pistachio, and Mowed Lawn, creating a rich mix of greens ranging from deep woodland tones to brighter spring shades. Over this I adhered some previously created tissue paper using Ranger Matte Medium, sealing it with an additional coat over the top. This not only protects the surface but also creates a lovely layered mixed-media foundation ready for further embellishment. 

The focal points are elegant feather die cuts created using a feather die purchased from Temu for just £1.99. To contrast against the green backgrounds, I coloured the feather inserts with Tumbled Glass and Peacock Feathers Distress Ink and producing a soft turquoise shimmer that immediately draws the eye.

To add a little sparkle using Ranger Stickles in Star Dust, I finished the feather inserts with glitter accents and a few white highlights. The feathers were then mounted over the textured backgrounds to create depth and dimension.

The sentiment strips came from a set purchased through AliExpress and cost only a few pence per sheet. I selected phrases that encourage reflection and personal growth:

• You can't change the past
• You have to believe in yourself
• I lose myself

Although simple, these short phrases add meaning and help transform the cards from decorative pieces into miniature reminders and reflections.

To finish the set I mounted each ATC onto black cardstock. This small change made a surprisingly big difference, framing the artwork beautifully while helping the white feather outlines stand out against the background. A few white splatters and subtle circular details complete the mixed-media look without overwhelming the focal images.

I love how this set evolved during the creative process. What started as a simple feather design gradually became a collection of uplifting little reminders layered with texture, colour, sparkle, and thought.

 

Supplies Used

Background

• Ranger Distress Ink – Rustic Wilderness
• Ranger Distress Ink – Cracked Pistachio
• Ranger Distress Ink – Mowed Lawn
• Previously created tissue paper
• Ranger Matte Medium

Feathers

• Feather die (Temu)
• Ranger Distress Ink – Tumbled Glass
• Ranger Distress Ink – Peacock Feathers
• Glitter accents - Ranger Stickle in Star Dust
• White highlights - Posca pen

Finishing

• Sentiment strips (AliExpress)
• Black cardstock matting
• White paint splatter

A trio of uplifting reminders layered with texture, shimmer, and heart.

Framed Florals & Gentle Words

 

There is something so satisfying about finally gluing all the little elements down after a creative session like this. The desk looks like a paper tornado swept through it, tiny flowers are stuck to your sleeves, and somewhere under a pile of scraps is the glue lid you just had a second ago. Crafting chaos at its finest.

For this ATC set I combined elements from Die Cutting Essentials Issue 79 and Simply Cards & Papercraft Issue 219, mixing soft layered backgrounds with bold black geometric frames for contrast. I really enjoyed the balance between the delicate florals and the sharper modern frame shapes. It gives the cards a slightly contemporary feel while still keeping that warm mixed media softness I love.

The backgrounds were created using Distress Inks blended onto smooth cardstock before adding texture with a black script stamp. I kept the stamping fairly loose and imperfect because I wanted the backgrounds to feel aged and artistic rather than overly polished. The soft peachy tones mixed with the darker script create that lovely worn-paper look that almost reminds me of old journal pages found in an attic somewhere beneath a pile of forgotten letters and dried flowers.

The black frames were die cut from plain black cardstock and layered over white decorative die cut pieces to help everything stand out more clearly. I love how the black frames anchor the design and stop the softer colours from floating away visually. They almost work like little windows into each tiny floral scene.

The flowers and leaves were stamped from the included free stamp sets and coloured before being carefully fussy cut by hand. The bright oranges and pinks against the muted background make the florals feel alive and cheerful without becoming overpowering. Tiny pops of green foliage help pull everything together and add movement across the cards.

For the sentiments, I used a sentiment strip pack from AliExpress. I will add the link below for anyone interested because these little phrase strips are incredibly useful for ATCs, journaling, tags, and collage projects. I especially liked the gentle uplifting feel of the sentiments in this set:

• collect beautiful moments
• choose to see the good
• remember to play

Small reminders tucked into tiny artworks. Like paper fortune cookies for the soul.

 Supplies Used

• Die Cutting Essentials #79
• Simply Cards & Papercraft #219
• Distress Inks
• Black script stamp
• Black cardstock for frames
• White decorative die cuts
• Free floral stamp sets
• Alcohol markers for colouring (Spectrum Noir)
• Sentiment strips from AliExpress (406pcs Phrase Word Stickers from Aliexpress)
• Detail scissors for fussy cutting
• Glue adhesive of choice (B6000 Super Glue from AliExpress)

This set felt very relaxed and therapeutic to make. No pressure for perfection, just layering pieces until the composition felt balanced and pleasing to the eye. Sometimes those are the most enjoyable projects of all. Tiny pockets of creativity stitched together with ink, glue, and a little patience. ✂️🖤

Disclaimer:
All products featured on this blog are purchased by me unless otherwise stated. I am not sponsored by any company, brand, or seller mentioned in my posts, and I do not receive commission, rewards, or any financial benefit if you choose to purchase through the links I share.

I simply enjoy sharing the products, tools, and crafty finds that I personally use and love in my own projects.

Held Together by Small Things

There is something quietly powerful about working with the same materials and letting them speak in different ways.

This set of ATCs began exactly like the previous ones — 300gsm white cardstock, cut down to size, no pressure, no expectations… just a willingness to see what would happen.

The backgrounds were built in soft layers using Distress Inks in Prize Ribbon, Wilted Violet and Picked Raspberry, blending and moving colour until it felt right rather than perfect. I used stencils to introduce pattern and movement, allowing some areas to stay light and others to build intensity. The aim was not control, but balance — something expressive, a little chaotic, but still gentle.

To add dimension, I worked with texture paste through a stencil, creating small clusters rather than covering the surface. These raised areas catch the light in a way that shifts as you move the card, adding another quiet layer of interest.

 

The Focal Point

The butterflies were stamped onto white cardstock using VersaFine Clair in Nocturne, then die cut and layered for depth. I chose to keep them monochrome, allowing the detail of the stamping to do the work rather than introducing more colour.

At first, I tried them in plain white… but something felt disconnected. The stamped detail changed everything. Suddenly, they belonged to the background instead of sitting on top of it.

Each butterfly was paired with a small metal key — simple, slightly imperfect, and completely unplanned when I started. But once placed, they stayed.

There is something about that combination that feels… right.

The Details That Hold It Together

The sentiments were created using simple black label strips:

• BEST FRIEND
• SMILE
• INSPIRE

Short. Direct. Almost understated.

They don’t overpower the design — they anchor it.

The Finished Set

 Each card shares the same foundation, but none of them feel identical. That is something I am learning to appreciate — letting variation happen instead of forcing uniformity.

A Quiet Thought

This set ended up feeling like more than just a technique exercise.

Soft backgrounds. Structured keys. Delicate wings.

Messy. Controlled. Fragile. Strong.

Held together by small things.

So far, I created a card and three different ATC sets, each with its own mood and voice. And for the first time in a while, it didn’t feel rushed or overwhelming.

Just… steady.

And that is enough.

— Bon