Tim Holtz ATC Challenge #1

For this challenge, you will make ONE Tim Holtz-inspired ATC for ONE partner. This is sender’s choice in terms of theme and color so you can start your ATC now if you wish, or you can wait to read your partner’s profile when assignments are made. Take a look at some vintage ATCs and some Tim Holtz ATCs on Pinterest to give your creativity a kick start on what you want to do with that blank ATC card. Or take a look at his tags from the past couple years on his website and use a tag idea as a jump start idea for your smaller ATC version.

Please use at least 2 items from official Tim Holtz items: paper; alcohol inks; Distress inks, paints and stains; wet or dry embossing; embellishments; die cuts; stencils; etc. Then feel free to substitute with similar items that are either genuine vintage (junk store vintage pen nibs, old photos, rusty keys, ribbon or lace stained with age, etc.) or the embellishments now available at Michaels and Hobby Lobby, etc. that look likeTim Holtz “knock-offs.” His stuff carries a pretty high price tag. I use seam binding and ink it the color I need instead of buying his crinkle ribbons, and I age new lace and light-colored ribbons, etc. by inking them to my desired color and “age.”

One partner will receive one ATC. An ATC must be exactly 2-1/2 x 3-1/2 inches (or 6cm x 9 cm). Use a strong cardboard backing, not just paper or cardstock. I like to make the back of my ATCs neat by using a piece from my paper scraps stash that matches the color, size, and style of my ATC, but that is entirely optional. Be sure to include your Swap-Bot name, the date, and the name of the swap and Swap-Bot Group so your receiving partner can easily rate your treasure. If postage budget is important, keep your embellishments as flat as possible, but be sure your tag has a genuine Tim Holtz look.

MANDATORY RULE: HAVE FUN making your ATC and make one you’d be proud to show to Tim himself! (I’m still working up the courage to submit one of my monthly tags for a prize and they aren't even chosen by quality but at random, or so they say.

That’s it---contact me if you have questions, of course. If enough people are interested, I will make this a series of 8-10 that could be put together as a booklet if you wish.