How I make ACEO/ATCs - a little (but very long) tutorial

Last week I was making ATC cards from prints of my January journal pages. I love them! I can't seem to stop playing with them, arranging them in many different ways, looking at colors and the way they interact. It seems that it's been ages ago since I created in that size and used collage as the main technique. I thought it would be fun to go back and revisit the 'old times'. I remembered to take pictures of the process, so that I can share.Gather your supplies. I found a piece of painted watercolor paper and cut it to size (2.5"x3.5"), little bird pictures from an old book, butterfly transparencies and little children pictures from a collage sheet. Would you believe that these four are the only collage little beings I have? I had tons... but they disappeared in the move. Who knows what I've done with them...Arrange them in any way that pleases you and glue with soft matte medium (or glue stick).
Now is the time to take your colored pencils, acrylics, stamps... anything that will add your mark to collage images and make them your own. I like to use my caran d'ache crayons to paint the little outfits.
I added words found in a book and used my sewing machine to add more texture to the cards.
My son used to play a game with store bought ATCs, so I have many left over from that time. I use them to back my own cards. It makes them very sturdy. I love the way they feel.
Over the years I have been asked many times how I add the 'amber colored dimensional border'. This is what I use:
I didn't know that UTEE (ultra thick embossing powder) changes color when it's overheated, but I loved the effect when I saw it. I simply take the card and dip it into the melted UTEE.
It takes only seconds to dry.
I repeat it for all sides.
And this is the result - a handful of collaged, framed artist trading cards.
I hope you enjoyed this demo. Let me know if you try it.
All my cards (original and embellished prints from my journal pages) are listed in my etsy store.