A Super Fast, Super Easy Last Minute Gift Idea

Who doesn't need a quick and easy way to whip up a last minute holiday gift? Here's a great present you can make in minutes and spare yourself a trip to the mall:

These are original Artist Trading Cards which, when matted, will delight anyone on your gift list. Make some up for your childrens' teachers, your neighbors, your boss, your dog walker...or that impossible-to-buy-for person who has everything. They're suitable for everyone, and creating them is easy! Here's how:

Supplies needed:

Blank Artist Trading Cards

Found papers such as sheet music or dictionary pages

Color pencils

Acrylic matte medium or acrylic soft gel medium

Stamp pad with permanent archival ink in black or dark brown (black is shown here)

Rubber stamps with leaf designs

Iridescent gold acrylic paint

Stencil brush

8x10" mats  with openings sized for Artist Trading Cards

Step 1: 

Trim the found papers to the same size as the blank Artist Trading Cards.

Step 2: 

Using the matte medium or soft gel, adhere the found papers to the blank Artist Trading Cards. The found paper will be your background.

Step 3:

Apply ink to one of the rubber stamps and stamp the image onto one of the found paper backgrounds. Repeat, using the other stamp on the other background. Let the ink dry before proceeding.

Step 4:

Add colors to the leaves using the color pencils.

Step 5:

Load the stencil brush with a small amount of the iridescent gold paint. Dab off all but a tiny amount on a paper towel. Apply the remaining gold paint to the area surrounding the leaf images in a dabbing or pouncing motion using a very light touch. Allow to dry.

Step 6:

Insert each card into a mat (I buy mine from Jerry's Artarama) and you have a fine gift all ready to give!

Text and images © 2014 Lynn Edwards