Vintage Clipboard Floral ATCs | Notes, Memos & Thoughts

 

There's something incredibly satisfying about turning a simple idea into a finished project. These Artist Trading Cards began with a colour palette I couldn't stop thinking about after discovering a beautiful vintage-inspired paper pack on AliExpress. The soft turquoise, aged cream and warm copper immediately reminded me of old clipboards filled with handwritten notes, sketches and little reminders. That single thought became the inspiration for this trio of floral ATCs.

How They Came Together

The starting point for these cards was one of my favourite craft purchases this year, a 100-piece vintage paper pack from AliExpress. Rather than choosing inks first, I let the papers guide the entire colour palette, which isn't something I do very often. Once I'd settled on the papers, everything else naturally fell into place.

To create the layered background, I cut two coordinating papers for each ATC, trimming the top layer slightly smaller than the base layer. Before adhering them together, I distressed the edges using a simple pair of scissors, gently scraping along the paper edge to expose the fibres and give each panel a well-loved vintage appearance.

I inked all the edges with Distress Ink in Frayed Burlap, adding warmth and definition without overpowering the delicate papers.

The floral focal point was inspired by the idea of notes clipped to an old-fashioned clipboard. That concept had been sitting in the back of my mind for quite some time, and these little ATCs finally gave me the perfect opportunity to bring it to life.

The large flower and stem were cut from separate die sets, while the clipboard tops came from another die set, all sourced from AliExpress. I loved combining them into something that looked as though a pressed flower had been clipped onto a collection of vintage memos.

For the leaves I used Distress Ink in Peeled Paint, which complements the turquoise flowers beautifully without stealing the spotlight.

To add a little softness behind the flowers, I tucked in delicate white die-cut foliage before raising the flowers on foam strips to create subtle dimension.

The finishing touch was the splatter. Instead of reaching for my usual white watercolour ink, I experimented with diluted white gesso. I'm so pleased I did because it created a much cleaner, crisper splatter that really stands out against the vintage backgrounds. I'll definitely be using this technique again.

Finally, I stamped the labels using an old typewriter-style alphabet stamp set with VersaFine Clair Nocturne, choosing the words "Memos," "Notes," and "Thoughts" to complete the clipboard theme. I deliberately distressed the labels slightly so they felt like well-used stationery rather than perfectly printed labels.

Supplies Used

Papers

• 400-piece Vintage Background Paper Pack (AliExpress)
• Turquoise cardstock
• Cream cardstock
• Book paper for flower centres

Inks & Mediums

• Distress Ink - Frayed Burlap
• Distress Ink - Peeled Paint
• VersaFine Clair - Nocturne
• Diluted White Gesso (for splatter)

Dies & Stamps

• Clipboard Top Die (AliExpress)
• Large Flower Die (AliExpress)
• Stem & Leaf Die (AliExpress)
• White foliage die
• Marianne Design ATC Die & Coordinating Stamp Set (available from Buddly Crafts)
• Old Typewriter Alphabet Stamp Set (various available on Amazon)

Adhesives & Tools

• Foam strips
• Thin Easy Tear Double-Sided Tape
• Wet glue for detailed die cuts
• Scissors (for distressing paper edges)
• Baby Blue Die-cutting machine (available on EBay)

Working with a paper collection as the starting point rather than choosing colours afterwards was a refreshing change, and I think it helped create a more cohesive collection. The soft vintage palette, layered textures and little clipboard details came together just as I'd imagined, and these have become some of my favourite Artist Trading Cards to date. Sometimes the simplest ideas are the ones that quietly wait until the right project comes along.

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.

Dragonflies, Wood grain and Forgotten Treasures

Hello everyone,

Today I am sharing a set of three dragonfly Artist Trading Cards (ATCs) created using a mixture of old favourites, recent purchases, and a little bit of creative recycling.

One of the things I have enjoyed most since returning to regular crafting is rediscovering supplies that have been quietly waiting in drawers and cupboards for years. These ATCs are a perfect example of that.

The base for each ATC was cut using a Tim Holtz Alterations Bigz die called ATC & Corners. I honestly could not tell you how old this die is, but it still works beautifully and creates the perfect foundation for Artist Trading Cards.

For the background, I recycled some brown packing paper from a recent Amazon delivery. The paper was coloured with Gathered Twigs and Frayed Burlap Distress Inks before being embossed with my trusted wood grain embossing folder. I wanted to create the look of aged timber, providing a rustic backdrop for the dragonflies and foliage.

 The embossing was done using another blast from the past, my Sizzix Texture Boutique. Although it is no longer widely available, I did spot a few for sale on eBay while researching supplies for this post. It is always satisfying to see older tools still earning their place on the craft desk. 

I tested a few options before making the final decision and glueing things down.

 

The decorative dragondlies were die cut using a selection of dies from Temu and assembled using my usual liquid glue. I layered the delicate foliage and sections of honeycomb die cuts and finished each ATC with shimmering dragonflies that add a lovely touch of colour and movement against the natural wood grain background.

Each card was completed with a black die-cut sentiment. The words were created one letter at a time using an old Tattered Lace Alphabet set. It took a little patience, but I think the finished sentiments add a lovely personalised touch to each card.

To finish the backgrounds, I added subtle white and black splatter using my Chakola paint pens. The effect is quite delicate and not immediately obvious in the photographs, but it adds an extra layer of texture and interest to the finished cards.

The sentiments I chose were:

• Transform
• Joy
• Flight

All three words felt perfectly suited to dragonflies, which are often associated with change, freedom, growth, and embracing new beginnings.

 One thing I discovered while writing this post is just how many of the products I used come from a different era of my crafting journey. Finding links and information for some of these older supplies proved to be more challenging than making the ATCs themselves! It was a lovely reminder that good tools never really go out of style.

Thank you for stopping by today. I hope these little dragonflies have inspired you to dust off some forgotten supplies and give them a new lease of life.

Until next time,

Bon

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.

Sunflower Series – Holding on to Light 🌻

 

Some days call for drama and depth…
and some days quietly ask for warmth, softness, and a little hope.

Today was the latter.

After the intensity of my recent dark romance pieces, I felt drawn to something lighter—something that still tells a story, but with sunlight instead of shadow. And so this little sunflower trio was born.

🌿 The Process

As always, I started with 300gsm white cardstock, cut down to ATC size—my favourite little canvas.

The images were stamped onto white card using VersaFine Clair in Nocturne, giving me those crisp, rich outlines I love working with using using stamps from the Papercraft Society Box 22 by Ruth Mackie-McCartan.  From there, I coloured everything using my Spectrum Noir alcohol markers:

• BG2 & BG7
• AG4 & LG4
• CT2 & CT4
• IB1

I kept the colouring fairly natural and soft, letting the yellows stay bright but not overpowering, and adding gentle depth into the greens so the leaves didn’t get lost.

🌾 Backgrounds

For the backgrounds, I stayed deliberately muted and warm:

• Antique Linen
• Tea Dye
• Old Paper

Blended softly to create that slightly vintage, sun-washed feel.

I wanted the backgrounds to feel like late afternoon light—textured, warm, but never competing with the focal images. A few stamped details were added to give interest, but always with a light hand so the sunflowers could remain the stars.

🐝 The Story in Three Cards

Each ATC carries its own little message:

• “Keep a little sunshine”
  A soft, almost nostalgic piece with bees captured inside a jar—like holding onto small moments of light.
• “In a world of roses, be a sunflower”
  The bold centrepiece. A reminder to stand out, turn towards the light, and be unapologetically yourself.
• “Still reaching for the sun”
  A quieter ending. Gentle strength. Growth, even when it’s not loud or perfect.

Together, they form a simple story:

hold onto the light, choose your own path, and keep growing.

🌻 Final Thoughts

What I loved most about this set was the balance.

Not too busy.
Not too bold.
Just enough detail to support the feeling without overwhelming it.

After working with darker tones and heavier emotion, this felt like a breath of fresh air—proof that crafting doesn’t always have to shout to be meaningful.

Sometimes… it just needs to glow quietly.

More to come soon…
Bon 🖤

Dark romance… in ink and shadow

 Some colour palettes don’t ask politely.

They pull you in.

After working with softer tones, I found myself drawn back to something deeper… richer… a little more emotional.

This set of ATCs leans into that space.

Not bright reds or obvious romance… but something quieter, more layered. The kind of feeling that sits underneath the surface.

The palette

Everything in this set was created using Distress inks on white 300gsm cardstock.

The colours:

• Tattered Rose
• Tea Dye
• Aged Mahogany
• Victorian Velvet
• Black Soot

Soft warmth first… then depth… and finally that touch of black to pull everything inward.

The backgrounds

I built each background slowly, layering colour and texture until it felt like it had a history of its own.

Subtle stamping using VersaFine Clair in Nocturne added detail without overpowering the surface. The florals, script and marks are not meant to stand alone… but to become part of the paper itself.

Once the layers were in place, I added Black Soot around the edges.

Not to darken everything… but to frame it.
To give the pieces a sense of containment.

 The hearts

For the focal elements, I used heart-shaped dies from the Papercraft Society Box 29 by Christina Griffith at Card Making Magic.

Each heart was cut from the same white cardstock and then inked to match the palette, allowing them to sit naturally within the background rather than on top of it.

To lift them slightly, I added a soft shadow using a Spectrum Noir alcohol marker (BG2).

Just enough to give dimension… without breaking the mood.

The result

Each card carries its own feeling:

• One feels guarded… intricate, almost protective
• One feels open… centred and steady
• One feels fragmented… a little more expressive, a little less controlled

Together, they form a set that feels connected, but not identical.

 

 What I’m noticing

I’m starting to trust when to stop.

Not every space needs filling.
Not every layer needs explaining.

Sometimes the most important part of a piece is what’s left unsaid.

This set feels different.

More intentional.
More restrained.
A little darker… but in a way that feels calm rather than heavy.

A reminder to myself:

Not all romance is light.

Some of it lives quietly in shadow. 🖤

A quiet moment in blue…

Some projects don’t arrive with noise or urgency.

They come softly… almost like a pause.

After the richness of my last set, I found myself wanting something lighter.
Something that felt like air rather than earth.

So this time, I reached for a gentler palette:

• Tumbled Glass
• Shaded Lilac
• Squeezed Lemonade

Soft blues, muted violet, and just a touch of yellow warmth.

The background

I used the smooth blending technique to build the base, letting the colours drift into each other rather than forcing them to meet.

No harsh edges.
No strong contrast.

Just a quiet wash of colour that felt almost like sky… or the kind of light that sits in a room on a slow afternoon.

Once that was in place, I added subtle texture using stamps from the Papercraft Society Box 8 by Bee Crafty.

Not to take over… just to give the background a little history.

 

The butterfly

I knew quite early on that this piece didn’t need more colour.

It needed space.

So instead of adding another focal image, I chose a large, intricate butterfly die from Crafter’s Companion and cut it in plain white.

No colouring.
No embellishment.

Just shape.

Placed gently off to the side, it allows the background to show through, almost as if the butterfly is made of light rather than paper.

 

The inside

I kept the inside simple.

“You are loved beyond measure.”

Nothing complicated. Nothing layered.

Just words that needed room to be felt.

The butterfly detail continues softly inside, tying everything together without overwhelming the message.

 

What this piece taught me

Not everything needs more.

More colour.
More layers.
More detail.

Sometimes the most powerful choice is to stop.

To let the paper breathe.
To let the design rest.

This card feels different to my previous work.

Quieter.
Softer.
More deliberate.

And I think that’s exactly what I needed.

A small reminder to myself:

Light has its own kind of strength. 🖤

Hello world… Bon is back

It has been a long time since I last sat down to create something with my hands.

Not because I didn’t want to… but because somewhere along the way, crafting became less about creating and more about collecting. The joy got buried under “just one more thing”, and before I knew it, I had everything I needed… and nothing to show for it.

So this time, I’m doing it differently.

No new supplies.
No chasing the next best thing.
Just me, what I already have… and a quiet decision to begin again.

The starting point

I found an old favourite in the shed: “In the Jungle” by Francoise Read.
A retired Woodware stamp set that still makes me smile.

There is something about it… playful, a little quirky, full of personality.

It felt like the right place to start. 

The process

I began with three simple ATC backgrounds using my gelli plate and Distress inks.

No pre-made papers.
No shortcuts.

Just layers of colour, texture, and small stamped details built slowly until the backgrounds felt like they had a story of their own. 

From there, I stamped and coloured the images using Caran d’Ache crayons, blending them gently with a water brush before fussy cutting each piece.

 

Each card developed in its own way:

• One became about movement and story, with the frog reaching upward.
• One settled into balance and grounding, finding its place through small adjustments.
• And the final piece… found its rhythm almost naturally, with the dragonfly floating above and the sentiment unfolding below.

 

What I learned (again)

The biggest lesson wasn’t technical.

It was this:

Sometimes less really is more.
Sometimes stopping before it feels “finished” is exactly what it needs.
And sometimes the smallest changes make the biggest difference.

Most importantly… I remembered how it feels to create something instead of just thinking about it.

Moving forward

This is not about perfection.

It’s about consistency.
About using what I have.
About letting the process lead instead of the pressure.

Three small cards might not seem like much.

But for me, they are something far bigger:

A quiet return.

Hello world…
Bon is back. 🖤