ATC's-have you ever used...

[Far North]

Yesterday Paula mentioned buying some pre-made ATC bases and then later in the day I saw some in the art section of JoAnn's ...wondering if you have used them and if so do you actually do you work on them (they look like nice watercolor paper) or do you use them as a backing? what brand do you use?

Additionally I just saw that Dick Blick sells Strathmore Artist Trading Card Frame Cards-a tri fold card and sounds like ATC slides into a window pocket. Anyone with experience using these?

[inkinupstamps]

I can't really see the value of buying pre-cut atcs. Afterall, you can get 10 atcs out of one sheet of 8 1/2 X 11 cardstock. It only takes a second to cut them. I don't know....maybe it is just me but I'd not even consider buying them when they are so inexpensive anyway.

[teabear]

I never thought there would be a point to using precut ones either, until I tried one in a make and take. I have to tell you that I'll be the first in line when EcoGreen Crafts has their recycled ATC bases for sale. It was a gorgeous heavy beyond cardstock base that had slightly rounded corners. It stamped beautifully and is so sturdy. I think it would hold up to any paint, ink, water or whatever you could throw on it. I mostly make my ATCs one at a time now, so I can see spending the money for these. There's really no comparison to it and cut your own from cardstock. It's a whole different thing, almost like the difference in painting on paper and painting on a canvas.

[directmailscrapper]

I would love to buy a package of 100 black and a package of 100 white precut bases! I feel like all I do is cut 8-1/2 x 11 sheets of paper into little rectangles! I would still cut bases out of colored stock, but it would be handy to have a stash of black and white bases all ready to go! I probably don't need the super duper artsy ones that Tami is talking about -- she does actual ARTWORK on hers!

[ccstampin12]

I have a pack of the premade ATCs that I received as a gift, but I have never opened it.
I always seem to make layers on my ATCs, so would probably not feel comfortable to just use the backing cardstock for the whole ATC. True, things can be added to add depth and texture to the flat background, but that hasn't been my style. {Maybe I should look into this as an outside the box assignment for myself!}
ANYWAY....I have not used them, but maybe I should give them a whirl???
LOL
Joanie

[inkinupstamps]

Originally Posted by teabear

I never thought there would be a point to using precut ones either, until I tried one in a make and take. I have to tell you that I'll be the first in line when EcoGreen Crafts has their recycled ATC bases for sale. It was a gorgeous heavy beyond cardstock base that had slightly rounded corners. It stamped beautifully and is so sturdy. I think it would hold up to any paint, ink, water or whatever you could throw on it. I mostly make my ATCs one at a time now, so I can see spending the money for these. There's really no comparison to it and cut your own from cardstock. It's a whole different thing, almost like the difference in painting on paper and painting on a canvas.

For the reasons you mentioned and making one atc at a time rather than in bulk of 9's or 10's I suppose it would be worthwhile. I don't really make ART cards...mine tend to be stamped and colored and usually sewn by machine which would be difficult to do on that heavy of cardstock. My atcs tend to have multiple layers and embellishments that would be too difficult to do on that type of base. I can appreciate the difference between painting on paper compared to canvas. I think what you and Jan make are more along those lines of true to word ART cards. For the purpose of mulitple swaps with embellishing they wouldn't work for my style (or lack thereof! LOL )

[Christie]

I'm not a big fan of pre-cut anything. I guess it makes me feel like I have to use that color when maybe I might want to use another one.

[mydogstinks2]

I have bought pre-cut "chunks" of paper at Hallos that I use on cards and atc's. I find it's easy to grab a few pieces from each stack of color to head out to crops with. Then I don't have the bulk of taking ALL of my card stock with.

[milmogando]

Originally Posted by teabear

I have to tell you that I'll be the first in line when EcoGreen Crafts has their recycled ATC bases for sale.

Now that sounds like something i will need!

[Paula Carden]

The Paper Cut sales many colors and varieties of ATC's. I use them as one of the layers and usually I cover the layer with pattern paper etc but it gives it a more sturdy feel. I usually don't make a single layer ATC but did for iloveflipflops for the chick swap. I like them because I have the perfect size every time without all the measuring and cutting etc and they are straight. It never occurred to me until recently that people didn't probably use the premade ATCS. I use a lot of precut cardstok for card bases to and just layer on top. I guess I am just too simple.
Also- I haven't seen the ones Tami was talking about but I would like to try them.