Friday 31 October 2008

How do you store your ATCs?

The other night I was tidying up my ever growing collection of ATCs into some sort of order because putting the best ones in the glass cabinet was becoming a bit of a problem - they're all good!! I also wanted them in albums so that I can take them to the meet being organised next week as I thought peeps might like to have a browse through - nothing like seeing the works of art 'in the flesh' so to speak.

Whilst I was sorting, I came across the set of ATCs that I 'won' in the New Inspirations August lottery. Basically everyone in the group who wants to play makes an ATC on a set theme (that month it was Friendship)and a 'winner' is selected at random to receive all the ATCs. As I looked at them again, I realised that I hadn't looked at them since the day they plopped on to the mat, which I thought was a great shame, and what I really needed was a way to showcase them. So here it is - Ta da!!!



I decided that the best way would be in an altered board book album. I divided them up into similar sort of colour ways and chose some papers for the pages. I was also able to use up some the 'Friendship' stickers and rub ons that I have collected but which never seem quite appropriate for cards and are usually too big to go on an ATC. One of Jan'e entries was quite thick so that had to go on the front cover (that gave me a few problems and I'm still not entirely happy with it).





I decided that I didn't want to actually stick the ATCs on so instead I have opted to stick the little ATC sleeves on to the pages and then use them to hold the ATCs. I did think about photo corners but a) didn't have any and b) some of the ATCs were quite thick and I thought they wouldn't work. (I had some really great little stickypockets made of heavy duty plastic that I 'liberated' from elsewhere, alas they are about 2mm too small for an ATC. Grrr!!) Anyway, time will tell if this works or not. I expect this piece will get handled a bit next week - if it survives it was a good idea!! Because I don't really want the ATCs to be taken in and out I have put the name of the artist on a little tag next to each one. (Margaret, sorry I had to put you down as MAMMA as I didn't have room for Margaret and I was running out of 'Y's for Maggy).




Some of the papers I chose were quite busy and I did wonder at first if the individual ATCs had got a bit lost on the page. However after handling it for a day I think it does work and these little pieces of art will get more attention in this book than they would in a 9 pocket album. Right, that's those few sorted, now what to do with the other 3,373..........? (joke, I don't have quite that many..)

13 comments:

WendyK said...

What a super idea Cindy, it looks brilliant. Would like to see it in the flesh.

Sherry said...

It's beautiful Cindy and a real pleasure to look at.

Creative Chaos said...

Wowww, what a brilliant idea , and it became a gorgeous book !!
Patti xx

Hazel said...

What a brilliant idea, and it looks so fab too! I have just made a little accordian-pocket box for mine, but this is much more decorative!

Jan said...

This is just such a great idea Cindy and you are Queen of little altered books anyway, so the result is absoloutely fantastic.

Bel said...

What a gorgeous book Cindy, and a fantastic way to store your atc's.

Jinny Holt said...

WOW this is a flipping beautiful way to display everyones atcs.....you clever ole stick you and thenew craftroom looks lush!!!!!

Sian said...

This is absolutely stunning. I love it!

Viv said...

This looks beautiful Cindy! can i send you some of my faves and you could do one for me??? LOL Seriously, this looks really good and Jan is right - Queen of the Altered Book you definitely are!

Mooneybeams said...

This is such a brilliant idea! Looks gorgeous and a great way to store the ATCs

gunnelsvensson said...

Such a great idea! The album is so beautiful! Thansk for given me an comment on flickr, so I found you and your lovely art!!!

cupcakesandcoffee schwartz said...

Such a wonderful idea! I love it. Hope you are well :)

Joey said...

This such a beautiful album cindy it looks amazing i love the cover and what you have done on each page with the atcs really clever.x

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