AUGUST ATC Challenge of the Month

This is the AUGUST ATC Challenge of the Month and requires you to make an ATC card (2 1/2" x 3 1/2 inches) with an AUGUST theme such as picnics; swimming at the pools, lakes, ponds, beaches, etc.; Road trips and end-of-summer vacations; --- HOTTEST weather in much of US, fitting in one last week at the lake, etc. before school begins. [This year, I think JUNE may take over for the hottest summer month this year!] Some flowers still going strong, but some are fading fast while a few uniquely fall flowers are sprouting and preparing to bloom, etc.; swimming anywhere: pool, lake, pond, streams, “Beach reading,” etc. In the Midwest, it is sweet corn and home grown tomatoes season (I used to live there.)

In some areas of the US (as here in Texas) school begins in the last weeks of August but let’s save Back to School for September.

BE SURE TO PUT THE NAME OF THE MONTH OR ABBREVIATION: August may be abbreviated if necessary.

Be certain your ATC is the exact size described above and that it has a sturdy cardboard backing and a neatly finished back of the card where you will put the group name, swap name, date, and your Swap-Bot name so that your partner can easily rate your ATC. Additionally, you need to USE at LEAST 3 OFFICIAL Tim Holtz products--paper, stamps, stencils, die cuts, Distress inks, Distress Crayons, Distress Oxide inks, metal ephemera, paper ephemera, etc. Challenge yourself here if you have some products that are new to you. Check out "how-to" videos for ways of using them on YouTube and on his blog. Avoid stickers almost completely or use only Tim Holtz ones (won’t find many!). His style doesn’t really lend itself to much use of stickers.

To receive a 5 rating, you must have: the correct size ATC, a theme that fits in AUGUST, the name of the month on the ATC, the 3 required Tim Holtz products or techniques with those products. If you receive an ATC that meets these requirements, you need to rate a 5. Adding a heart is up to you!

You may want to point out the 3 (or more) Tim Holtz items or techniques you used in your note to your partner. I like to have a short note from my sending-to-me partner--just a few lines about the swap and something that helps your partner get to know you better.

Deadline for joining swap is AUGUST 15. Sending deadline is AUGUST 31.

Most importantly, have fun making these ATCs! Experiment with new products if that's a possibility for you! Check for Tim Holtz ATC Ideas on Pinterest to jump-start your creativity and get started with what you want to do for this month. Or find some of his how-to videos on You Tube.