The artist trading card (ATC) I won from Luise Heinzl arrived last week and it’s even more beautiful than I thought it would be. It’s also tiny! While I’m familiar with the ATC format (2.5 x 3.5 inches; 6.4 x 8.9 cm), somehow I hadn’t realized it would be so small. Probably because I had only seen it close up on my computer screen (although you’d think Luise’s hand would have given me a clue as to scale).

The first thing I saw when I opened the envelope was one of the luscious decorated bags Luise made for her Depehmerember 2022 challenge. I certainly was not expecting to get one of these, so it was a lovely surprise. Now I have yet another reason to make a new journal.

Inside the bag was a hand-made card. It has a lovely little button cluster on the front and a hand-written thank note from Luise in it. If I don’t put it in my happiness journal Sunny, then it will go in the as-yet-to-be-created journal with the ATC.

Best of all is the ATC itself. It is so hard to appreciate it from images. It’s quite sturdy and not all the texture is visible. I particularly love that you can see the prompt list under the gesso on the back. It’s the very list she used back in December when making her Dephemerember videos.

I haven’t started on a journal for this yet because I’m not sure how I want to house it. I do know I won’t frame it. I want to be able to pick it up and turn it over in my hands. Maybe I’ll put it in a transparent pocket or sleeve so it has some protection, but is still easy to remove.

However I store and display it, it will continue to inspire me. I see now why she puts so much time into adding so many layers. On my to do list is to watch (again) the video showing how she made it so I can see where the various elements and effects on the card came from. And then there’s that journal I want to make…