In yesterday's post I covered some eating advice from What to Eat for What Ails You for Seasonal Affective Disorder.
Now these are not on the "good food" list but I live on these babies!
Hence the gallon box. I keep one in the car and one in the house.
I even have a plushie of one on my dashboard!
I decided that "Eat" was going to be my alphabet ATC for this week and since this is what I eat it was going to be the image I was going to work with.
At first I thought about photographing a bunch of goldfish, then I thought I could find some photos on line, then the light bulb hit! The box-the image and the work surface in one!
So I went to the car box and it was almost empty, go figure.
This is what I managed to scavenged from the box image-wise.
For the top ATC I used typewriter key stamps that I had done a ton of on a plain white piece of paper and punched using a McGill punch that is the same size. I then just glued them on. For the other two I stamped and embossed in black with two of my favorite font stamps.
I think they came out pretty fun.
If you need more ATC inspiration click on the ATC link below to read previous posts or grab yourself a copy of one of my favorite ATC books:
1,000 Artist Trading Cards:
Innovative and Inspired Mixed Media ATCs
So to end the week, here is today's question:
Have you used food packaging in your ATCs or art? Leave a note or link in the comments section letting all of us know about it and as our thanks you'll be entered to win a free book!
Oh and if you're afraid of missing any of the cool crafts here at Craftside you can subscribe to this here blog (top left) and it will arrive in your inbox every day! Just a little way to make life a tad easier and who doesn't need that?
Yes! I've made ATCs out of cereal boxes, and I know I've used candy wrappers on various cards, too. Just can't quite throw away the Hershey's Kiss tabs that says "Dark" or "Cherry" or... and wine labels are always good too.
Posted by: Penny | February 06, 2009 at 01:44 PM
Yup - I recycled pasta boxes to send mail art in (especially fun when the boxes have windows), and I've received stuff in Tazo tea boxes and those clear boxes that some things come packaged in.
Posted by: wendy m. | February 06, 2009 at 02:44 PM
All the time. I've even used the same packaging as you on some ATCs..loves my goldfish! some of the items used: tea bag wrappers, candy bars,dog food bags, foil from kisses or other candies wrapped in foils, bread bags, bread closure clip, cereal boxes, pasta boxes, and the list goes one. I have a file of JUST food packaging that I will eventually use.
Posted by: BrendaLea | February 07, 2009 at 05:32 AM
These goldfish ATCs are awesome!!! I happen to have a giant box of those in my cabinet right now..... and I have to get cracking on my "E" post of the week, too!
Posted by: Tammy | February 07, 2009 at 07:32 AM
I adore your goldfish atc's. I like to recycle plastic,foils,cardboards,etc.as raw materials for diecuts. My favorite lately = using the inner foil package seals from coffee,vitamins,etc.to make diecut flowers/medalions in my bigshot and wizard diecut machines. Thanks for the other ideas everyone. Have a great weekend...we have sun & melting temps. today. Yay!
Posted by: Nancy K in WI | February 07, 2009 at 07:39 AM
As a recycling junkie, I enjoy making ATC from all kinds of recycled materials. I like to create a background using magazine images and other paper ephemera, add some paint, then either print on top or add transfers or 3-D elements.
Posted by: Janet | February 07, 2009 at 09:27 AM
Your fishy-cracker ATC's are so very fun! What a fabulous idea to use the packaging like that. It has such a 'new world' feel to it as compared to all the 'old world' ephemera there is out there! Love it!
Posted by: Cindy Lietz, Polymer Clay Tutor | February 07, 2009 at 10:40 AM
I like the Goldfish idea. The bag for the colored ones would be great for kids' cards. I have used a lot of bits and pieces of food packaging, including the crinkly foil from yogurt tops and smooth foil from chip and candy bags (both the colored side and the silver insides), all kinds of cardboard cartons, the cellophane from windows in the cartons and the net bags that fruits and veges sometimes come in.
Posted by: julie m | February 07, 2009 at 01:07 PM
Hi! I am starting to enter the world of ATC's and find this idea quite interesting. To answer your question... no, I haven't used anything like this but for sure I'd give it a try. Thanks for the opportunity to win the book and congratulations for such a great talent.
Posted by: Edelmira Rivera | February 08, 2009 at 04:47 PM
I haven't used food packaging in making ATCs but I've been thinking of using the cardboard from Puffs tissues as backgrounds - there are many beautiful colors and designs.
Posted by: Nancy Allen | February 10, 2009 at 08:18 PM