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Trading Cards
Snow Davidson - Stamping Deck CrewmemberPrior to this past year, I had heard of Trading Cards, but didn't really know what they were being used for. I've now read a lot about Trading Cards this year, and they are being trading like baseball cards. So fun to receive and send. I became very interested when I received a gorgeous one from a friend and I knew I wanted to try this.
Almost anything goes with a Trading Card, but they do need to be a specific size (2 1/2" x 3 1/2). As you start trading with friends you will receive several cards and one of the best ways to store them is in a baseball card sleeve. This is a great way to keep them all in good condition but also a fun way to display them. Your friends and family will enjoy seeing them for the art and, depending on your trading partners, they may come from all parts of the world.
We are in beautiful England this month. Lots of beautiful flowers and horses, two of my favorite things, and well suited to Trading Cards.
For the first trading card I used a masking technique. When you look at the card it has depth because of the different layers. I started by stamping the images on white cardstock and masking them. When I sponged colors on in layers it makes the images set back. As you add different layers and mask different images you will get a different look.
On the next trading card I used a polished stone technique using Adirondack alcohol inks. You can get such deep colors with them. I made a piece large enough to make the focal point and the background. When you stamp on the polished stone piece, the color shows through. I then came back in with Twinkling H2O's and deepened just the stamped image which made it stand out. Because I stamped on the polished stone for my images, I wanted to break up the background. I made a mosaic card and then layered the image on it.
On this trading card I also used a polished stone background. I stamped, colored and cut out the large flower. I tore the definition "Tulip" from an old dictionary and glued it to the left side. I had a butterfly postage stamp that was just the right color, then I layered the flower on last. But I still thought it needed something so I decided to layer the card on a dark rust cardstock piece.
I again used the inks to make a colorful background. I tore a flower packet image from tissue paper and used mod podge to glue it to the background. But tissue paper is so thin that it tore while I was brushing mod podge over the top. I started to take it off before it dried but looking at it I liked the washed out look it gave the piece. I then stamped the saying and used another flower from a collage sheet for the focal point.
I had a sheet of Shimmer Sheetz so I decided to use it for a trading card. I cut 3/4" squares from part of it and tea dyed the other piece for a contrast. Then cut it into squares. I used the squares to form a checker background. I stamped the flower bouquet on white cardstock and colored it with Twinkling H2O's. The flowers have the same shimmer as the background. I then added a row of beads to the top and the bottom of the flower images.
As you can see you can make a trading card in any style you like. There are no set rules. Go make some to share with your friends. It will be fun to see all the different ones you will receive.
Until next month - Happy Stamping!
Snow Davidson
snowdavidson@ssreflections.com
Stamping Design Team
S.S. Reflections, Inc.
***Disclaimers - While individual techniques may vary, always follow product manufacturers' directions and cautions for safety and best results.
