Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Artist trading cards & vintage postcards

I adore making artist trading cards. The small size allows you to finish one or two in an evening, yet they're big enough to offer endless creative possibilities.

Here are a couple ATC's I sent to friends recently for our monthly swap. Our theme was "hearts."

This first one has a movable part.

The photo makes it look fancier than it actually is ... it's one piece of paper printed with the heart, newsprint, scrap of torn paper, staples, etc. on it. I simply tore it off a larger sheet of scrapbooking paper, glued a button on it and added a gem and a brad.

But here is the suprise underneath ...


I like the words that came together for this one ...


* * *

When I go to flea markets and antique stores I often look for old postcards with interesting pictures, handwritten messages and postage stamps to use for collages. I especially like the ones from the early 1900's that cost a couple of cents to mail. I like to read the message on the back and think about the person who wrote it, imagining what their life might have been like.

I found some good ones last weekend at a flea market held in a high school parking lot.




The best postcard is this one with a picture of a man fishing on the bank of a river. "You look lonesome there Bill" is scrawled underneath it.



The postmark is dated 1911. The message on the back reads:

Dear Bill,

What made you think I should be angry. I could never get sore at you. Went to a dance Friday night. There were about seventy-five couples, would have preferred you to be with me.

Answer soon.
-MLB

I wonder if Bill really was lonesome and what made him think MLB was angry. I wonder if they ever saw each other again, if they danced, maybe even ended up getting married.

I don't think I'll cut this one up for a collage; it's worth saving.

15 comments:

Theresa said...

Beautiful creations and I love the note to Bill:) That is a keeper! You are so talented and gave me some ideas to look for postcards when I am out treasure looking! Have a blessed day!

Linda said...

Your artist trading cards are beautiful! I just love the post cards especially the last one, how special...

Jill said...

Your card is terrific! Hope mine will measure up! And I wish we had flea markets here in my area like you have. I will have to scout out a bit harder. Great photos on those post cards.

Dogwood said...

Hey Girly~you continue to amaze me.Cory Dogwood

Stacy said...

Thank you everyone for your comments. I'm having so much fun with the ATCs. I want to try making large collages with the postcards.

Joshy and belle said...

i collect postcards, ive got a couple vingage ones, i like your scrapbook cards they are really pretty, felicity xx

Stacy said...

Thanks, Felicity! What do you do with the postcards you collect?

PunkiePie (Jen) said...

What a find! I like Bill's postcard. Next time I won't look passed them.

Twyla and Lindsey said...

Lindsey and I love to collect old postcards. We feel they are a sweet memory in time. Your ATC's are very sweet. I agree, they are just the right size! Twyla

Stacy said...

Thanks Jen & Twyla. Bill has a special place in my heart :-) Nice to meet others who collect postcards, too.

woollywotnots said...

Oooo how intriguing. Thanks for sharing your lovely finds and sharing the messages. Your ATCs are fantastic. I love the way you've made it double layered to reveal a second message - how clever. I may have to pinch that idea from you Stacy! ;-) Did you use a paper fastener? I love the words you choose on your ATCs and the hearts are so cute.

Stacy said...

Hi Katharine,

I used a mini-brad to fasten the top layer to the ATC. Thanks for your comment and all of the compliments!


Stacy

Rachel said...

Amazing... I saw Dogwood's cards on FB, too. Wow! You two have definitely upped the ante for the ATC swap. I'll have to come up with something much better for August's card than I did for July. You've shamed me haha.

Rachel said...

Oh, and in my excitement about the ATC swap, I forgot to comment about the postcards.

Comment: awesome. What a great item to collect. I love that you are building a life around 'Bill'. I do that too - try to figure out what people are all about and what happened to them.

Stacy said...

I can't wait to see the ATC you sent me, Rachel. I'm sure it is perfect. Thanks for your comments, I'm glad to know you have that same sort of curiosity about people.