Put some new life into old ideas!

Today we have a Mail Art Show & Tell... I'm always looking for something new to create as Mail Art. There are soooo many wonderful artists on the internet generously sharing their techniques and talents, I really do enjoy seeing their work, undoubtedly it inspires me to stretch myself a little farther to experiment more! Whether it's a postcard or an envelope I still want it to reflect my style of art and in the end, I want the recipient of what I send out to receive a little piece of me when they open their mailbox! 

I recently went through some old Janoodles that had not been traded so I removed them from my gallery pages on AFA. I thought I'd repurpose them into a mail art envelope. I started with a template of an envelope that I cut out of a sheet of 140# watercolor paper. My plan was to create a basic patchwork pattern using the cards. I used a small amount of glue to attach the cards, just enough to keep them in place as I made the pattern. 

Below is a photo of cards & how I laid them out on the envie.

 Cards laid out in a patchwork pattern on top of envie template

I'm definitely not a seamstress, this is one thing in my life that tested my patience and won hands down!! That being said, I decided to sew the pieces to the template to create the patchwork quilt look that I had envisioned. When my mother passed away, I inherited her beloved sewing machine. She would be beyond livid to know that all I've ever used it for was sewing paper or cardboard, not to mention that I've managed to mess up the tension with no knowledge of fixing the problem. (To be perfectly honest, I actually like the irregular stitch effect!)

Below are photos of the cards after being stitched down to the envie.

Cards attached with a simple Zig Zag stitch

Section close-up to show stitches

Below are photos of the assembled envie, ready for mailing!

Envie Front

Envie Back

 Send someone "a little piece of yourself" with Mail Art!!

Until next time ... Blessings to you all! 

It's never too hot for ART... who wants lemonade?

Northeast Washington State is supposed to have idyllic weather this time of the year, moving through late Spring with temperatures in the high 70's and maybe peaking at 80. I can't help but remember that I moved here from the Southwest seeking a much cooler and greener environment.... so what's happening? Can we finally agree that global warming is a "real thing" as we venture out into our record breaking heatwave. Today marks another day of 95+ degrees topping out yesterday at 101, previous records have been in place as far back as 1918. Oh well, I suppose this too will pass... until then, I will use this as an excuse to stay in and do ART ( as if I really needed an excuse!).

Today's Show & Tell  is inspired by one of America's favorite summertime pastimes, Goin' Fishing! Of course, my personal favorite pastime is ART, so what could be better than ART FISH!! 

I recently joined a swap at ATC's for All called "Art Fish Frenzy" for 3-D interpretations of any style fish... right up my alley, I love creating in 3-D and I love fish art... so, I cast out my line into creative waters and managed to reel in my fresh catch of the day!  

The fish bodies are made of papier mache using tissue paper, aluminum & wire... there heads are made from polymer clay... they are assembled with findings that encourages movement while they hang.   

Below photos: Unique "one of a kind" designs of undocumented & unknown species of fish!

 First 3 of 6 

Second 3 of 6

Hanging View

 Thanks for stopping by, Until next time...

Happy Creating!!

Drop that pen and back away from the table...

Today I decided to shake things up and give myself a creative challenge! 

In my usual style of artwork I believe that I am known to focus on my finish work using considerable detail. My favorite tool for this job is my finely tipped Rapidograph Pen which lends itself to accomplishing my goals. As you can imagine, this process can be very time consuming but to me the end results make it all worthwhile. This is where I find my artistic comfort! So, here comes the aforementioned challenge... Create two ATC sized cards using my usual medium of Jacquard Dyes & Ink but with a time limit and minimal details to bring it to life! Here's the breakdown... painting the backgrounds must be limited to 1 minute each and after they are dry enough to finish, an additional 4 minutes each is allowed for the inking... a total of 5 minutes each. To some, this may not seem creatively restricting but to me, it felt dauntingly impossible! Well, I did meet the challenge and stayed within the rules... I also managed to have some fun to boot!!

Below, you will see the end results... I must confess that I am dying to go back and continue to work on them  (especially the sun) but I have vowed to just let them go, that will actually be the real challenge!

Guster

Heatwave

Thank you for dropping in... 

Happy Creating and Blessings to All!!

Tip Toe Through the Tulips... oops, wrong blooms!

Welcome to today's Show & Tell... 

In my neck of the woods, Columbines are in bloom everywhere! They are one of my favorite springtime flowers so when I found out that a fellow postcard trader requested them on a postcard, I was happy to oblige!! In the end I made two different postcards featuring a few of my favorite color combos... I hope their recipients like my choices... we'll see, they are on their way?!

Purple & Fuschia w/White

Fuschia w/Yellow

It's been quite some time since I have traded any ATC's (I have been focused on mail art projects of late)... so, today after admiring some wonderful cards that were posted Available for Trade, I decided that I'd better get to work in hopes of coming up with some Janoodles that might tempt someone into a trade with me! I have my fingers crossed that someone will see something that they just gotta have!

"Branch Out"

"Dinner for Two"

"Dream Garden"

"Wine Fruit"

 

I'm sooooooo glad that you stopped by... thank you!!

Until next time, Happy Creating!!

Come Out , Come Out, Wherever You Are...

I'm not going to waste your time with excuses and I'm not going to blabber on with boring details and updates on this ongoing drama of my knee injury... it has taken far too much attention from what I want to be doing, ART!! It seems that my Muse got so sick and tired of all of the hullabaloo that she retreated into exile... I have managed to coax her back just enough to get started on a few new projects with the promise that I'll stop whining!!

We recently had a fund raising live auction at our local Historical Center where I am a volunteer. I'm usually far too busy working to participate with bidding on any items but when an item came up that wasn't getting any takers I decided it must come home with me... of course, once I showed interest others started to bid against me... undaunted, I managed to win out in the end, trying to remember that it was for a good cause! My prize was a "Bundle of Art Supplies" for sketching. (Pictured below)

All of the items in the bundle will definitely be put to good use but I quickly became enamored by the wooden "mini" mannequin. Once he was removed from the box, I couldn't keep my hands off of him, just too cute & fun... even my cat, Blossom tried to kidnap him!!

 

Naked Manny

I decided that if he was going to live in my artspace that he needed some color, he was far too pale for my liking, so I broke out the paints... now, he is Stylin'!!

Mr. Manny Mannequin

As always, Thanks for stopping by... 

(I promise to not be gone for so long next time!!)

Something OLD, Something NEW...

Today's Show & Tell... a couple of my latest creative endeavors!

One of the newest swap sensations at AFA is all about Pocket Letters... it is created using a 9 pocket clear plastic page protector, the ones used for trading card collections. The idea is to fill each pocket with creative and fun items that your selected swap partner would enjoy receiving... the possibilities are endless, a perfect showcase for your style and imagination to shine through! Since the page is made of clear plastic, a separate work of art can be created to be viewed from the back side of the individual pockets.

Below are photos of the one and only Pocket Letter that I have created. It was a challenging project to do and I'm glad that I joined in the fun but I'm not so sure it's something I want to do on a regular basis... well, for now anyway! (We all do have our favorites , don't we?!) 

Sorry that the photos aren't better... the plastic surface & the 

lighting just weren't working for me...Oh well, you get the idea !

Front - Handmade Goodies for My Partner

Back - Number "Janoodles" for each Pocket

I have been a bit limited on my "creative time" since my knee injury but I have discovered that I enjoy making Postcards the most... it takes me a few different sessions between "ice-packs" but I have found starting & stopping is easily accomplished and in this larger format I can actually do some of the finish work with my leg elevated... Where there's a will, there's a way! 

Below are a couple 4" X 6" Postcards that I have recently sent out!

Thanks for taking the time to check things out...

Until next time, Ciao!!

You should have seen the one that got away?

Well it's official , I am sick and tired of putting up with my current knee injury!! My doctors are really testing my patience, appointment after appointment..."let's just wait to see...?" this test, that test & test some more... consultation here and referrals there... insurance company bureaucracy (Oh, don't get me started on them!!) Don't they all know that I've got things to do? This is cramping my style... just fix me and send me on my merry way!! Whew...Thanks, I needed that, venting is at times the best medicine there is!! 

Now that's over, let's move on to a little fun stuff...  Today's Show & Tell is an update on one of my favorite trading threads on the ATC's For All website. In my neck of the wood, the fishing season has just begun but at AFA you can hook the "fresh catch of the day" year around by joining the PIF Funky Fish Swap. We are always looking for more anglers... get hooked, cast your line and grab your net, there's no limit on the fun!!

Below are a couple examples of unique species of fish that recently surfaced from my creative waters!!

Clown Fish

Skittle Fish

Until next time ... Blessings for Good Health & Joy!!

ART is the best presciption for whatever ails you!!

Just a quick Show & Tell to share today... I'm still nursing my injured knee and have had a bit of a setback that requires me to spend most of my day with my leg elevated. This is not a position I enjoy, needless to say I have been ignoring doctors orders so that I can sit up to do my artwork, hence the aforementioned setback! What's a gal to do??? 

I had been contemplating venturing out into the World of Rolos... for those who don't know, they are small works of art created directly on a Rolodex card and then displayed in a Rolodex file just as one would collect addresses or business info in their offices. Artists are so ingenious, they can be inspired and see potential art supplies everywhere they go!! Well, I finally jumped in and joined my first Rolo Swap on AFA. I quickly realized I opened myself up for yet another addiction!!

Below are photos of my first ever Rolos... the theme for this swap was artist's choice so I decided to go with one of my favorite subjects, Ocean Life! 

Sea Turtle

Ocean Fish

 

Sea Anemone

Ocean Reef

Well, back to my icepack... Thanks for stopping by!!

Until next time, Ciao!!

Old memories leading the way to new creations!

One of my fondest childhood memories was spending time with my mother while watching one of her favorite Horror Movies (by today's standards, they would be more like comedies than considered to be scarey)... She loved them all; Dracula, Werewolf, Mummy, Invisible Man and of course, Frankenstein!! As we watched Dr. Frankenstein working in his laboratory, carefully assembling various bits & pieces of body parts for his creation, we sat on the edge of our seats waiting to see if he would really come to life and of course we weren't disappointed... the Monster was born!! He may not have been handsome or very popular in the village but he became a movie star with many sequels to his credits!! This was my first exposure to the Art of Assemblage and creating something from miscellaneous supplies on hand!

This flashback into my past sets the groundwork for today's Show & Tell... I recently joined a swap on AFA called Domino Dolls... the challenge here is to create dolls using Domino game pieces for their bodies and any other supplies needed to bring them to life! Just call me Dr. Janinastein... Below are photos of my creations (I won't call them Monsters... I may be bias, but I think they are too darn cute!) All of my dolls have a one-of-a-kind sculpted porcelain face, giving each one a unique personality!!

Brrrrrr - Bundle Up!!

Prom Date

Ballet Dancer

Jack-in-the-Box

As always, I thank you for stopping by!

Until next time, Happy Creating!!

Spring has finally sprung!!

Tulips - Jacquard Dyes w/Ink on 140lb Watercolor Paper

Happy Spring!!

 For many, this marks the end of a very long and cold winter season. Spring always seems to come just in the nick of time. Almost instantly we start to see beautiful blooms as they pop their heads out of the recently frozen ground to fill our world with color and hope for new beginnings! 

As an artist, these seasonal lovelies cannot be overlooked...
pull out those pencils and paints, let your muse loose and enjoy your creative self!!

Spring Flowers - Jacquard Dyes w/Ink on 140lb Watercolor Paper

Thanks for stopping by once again...

 I am "on the mend" and I will be back to "Arting" full time very soon!

Blessings to You All!!

No Ballroom Dancing for a while!!

I definitely have gotten behind in my planned schedule of posting at least one Show & Tell each week but I guess plans change when you least expect it! "Help... I've fallen and I can't get up to do my ART!!!" I will leave out all of the clumsy & gory details but I did have a small accident last week that has left me battered & bruised, thankfully I have been blessed and I have no broken bones other than one small toe (the little piggy having roast beef!)  The ugliest and most obvious sign of injury is a knee the size & color of a bowling ball, along with several other irritating contusions in various locations! I may not be a pretty sight with my scraped up nose and blackened eyes but trust me when I say it could have been worse, for that reason I am very grateful that it wasn't! My main inconvenience while being "down for the count" is having to keep my leg elevated... don't these doctors realize I can't draw or paint if I can't sit up?! Oh well, any day now I'll be back in action...at least I've been able to follow all of the happenings at AFA and add my two cents worth on occasion... my creative lifeline!!

Before this little happening, I was on a roll making Mail Art Postcards... soooo, today's Show & Tell will feature a few of them...just a little eye candy since I forced my tale of woe upon you!!

Marbled Paper w/Additions in Spectrum Noir Markers & Ink

Corrugated Cardboard w/ Acrylics & Hand Carved Stamps

Jacquard Dyes w/ Ink

Jacquard Dyes w/ Ink

Thank you for stopping by... I'll see you again soon!!

Until then, Blessings to All!!

Inspiration is blowing in the wind!

I thought we'd start this month off with a quickie Show & Tell... 

The month of March is most commonly associated with St. Patrick's Day... a day when everyone claims to have even a small percentage of an Irish heritage that requires them to celebrate with green beer as well as corned beef and cabbage... it's all about the green! 

For me, I have a different fondness for March... it's all about March Winds! Without them we wouldn't have April Showers or May Flowers!! After all, they wouldn't have written a song about them if they weren't extremely important?!  I also believe that Kahlil Gibran was probably thinking about the month of March in his famous quote... "Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair!" 

In honor of the March Winds, I was inspired to create a trio of lovelies with their wind friendly (or not) hairdo's!!

Scarlet 

Penny

Iris

Until next time... Ciao!!

Come Out, Come Out, Wherever you are!!

I realize that Valentine's Day has come and gone but I hope you'll bear with me as I present today's Show and Tell... For the month of February I set out to create a special piece of mail art that I would send to my partner on the Envie Addicts Unite! thread at ATC's for All. This special mailing was affectionately dubbed Weirdy Mail, it was created to be a fun way to shake things up by setting aside our usual envelope swap and instead sending an unusual work of art or object through the mail. These items were intended to be sent naked, which means without packaging or boxes for all to see and enjoy the ART as it traveled to it's final destination!! The first hurdle was getting past our local postal workers, many of us had encountered some raised eyebrows and a multitude of questions but in the end I believe everyone has been successful with the post office accepting our items. Before I even created my project I talked to my local post master to find out if I would have any problems and was assured that I could go ahead with no restrictions! When my project was completed and the time had come to mail my Weirdy Mail to my partner I excitedly went to the post office to send it off. Everything went without a hitch, the appropriate amount of stamps were applied and it's journey had begun... I was told that it would probably take 3 or 4 days to arrive since we are both on the west coast. I anxiously awaited a response from my partner but the days keep ticking away... it is nowhere in sight... 14 days and counting!! No ransom notes or phone calls... my Weirdy is MIA!!! My post office friends just smile and say "hmmm, that's odd, it should be there...have a nice day."  It's obvious that they are not artists or they would be calling for an investigation!! 

Sooo, since I couldn't figure out who to contact to get my missing child's photo on the side of a milk carton or to report an official amber alert, I've decided to go ahead and share it's photos with you!! If anyone recognizes it or knows the whereabouts of my Weirdy, there is a reward for it's safe return!! (No questions asked!!)

Weirdy Heart - front view - paper mache, tissue paper, acrylics & markers

Weirdy Heart - back view - w/ built in envelope & card

Accordion Flag Card - open view ( I shared this in a previous post)

 Thanks for stopping by...until next time, Ciao!!

I haven't "lost my marbles"... this is really fun!!

I'm always looking for background designs to build upon for my various projects. The more colors and shapes the better in my opinion. Looking back at some tried and true methods from my past endeavors, I came up with a renewed urge to do some paper marbling. I really haven't done any in years, it was a favorite project when teaching my art classes for kids. They marveled at the works of art that they were able to create. I really loved seeing their enthusiasm & the fun they were having with it!!  So, what better thing to do on a deary winter day than to have some of that simply wonderful fun for myself!!

I have used a few different methods of marbling but I find the one I'm using today to be the easiest I've found while giving great results and being very economical to acquire all the supplies needed!

Below are a couple photos and a list of your needed supplies.

1. Liquid Starch - I got this jug at Wal-Mart (or local grocery stores)
2. Craft Acrylic Paint -  an assortment of colors - a little dab'll do ya!! 
3. Sheets of paper - I've had great luck with card stock (very affordable, too!!)
4. 2 Shallow Baking Pans -  One for marbling & One for rinsing
5. Plastic containers - any style you wish, for thinning paint in
6. Eye droppers (optional) - I like to use these for paint dropping (or brushes) 
7. Combs, skewers  - used to run through paint to create your patterns
8. Newspapers - for cleaning paint residue & drying papers on 
9. Liquid Dish Soap - just enough to add only 1 drop to each color you use

Let's get started creating some wonderful art... 

Don't forget to have FUN!!

First things first... set up your work area with all of your supplies!

• Take 1 Baking Pan & fill with water for rinsing your paper sheets
• Fill the 2nd Baking Pan with Liquid Starch - (approx. 1 inch deep)
• Prepare your Acrylic Paint in containers - thin with water to a consistency like milk (if it is too thick, it will sink to bottom of starch - too thin, it will spread out too much & color won't be as bright) Add 1 drop of dish soap & mix
• Set out some newspapers where you have room for drying your marbled papers after rinsing - do not stack - (or you can also hang papers from a line if you prefer)

Alright, we are ready to rumble... uhmm, I mean marble!!

At this point it would be ideal for you to see a video of me actually creating but I am not up on all that newfangled stuff... I'm somewhat electronically challenged!! However; you are in luck, there are some wonderfully talented artists with You Tube videos on marble paper techniques... it would be worth your while to check them out and actually see what I would have a hard time explaining effectively!! Several of them easily show step by step how to create the various styles of patterns by using the combs and skewers. They also show you how to skim the paint residue between printings with the newspaper strips that you've gathered. Seeing is believing... It really is quite easy to get going once you just jump in and try!! 

Below are some examples of marble sheets that I created. I always use half sheets of paper when marbling, they are a perfect size to easily use in many of my projects... postcards, ATC's, greetings cards, journal covers or even to cover other objects!!

Thanks for stopping by... 

Hopefully you've been inspired enough to give paper marbling a try!! 

 Until next time... Blessings to you all!!

Spread the LOVE around!!

Just a quickie Valentine's Day Show & Tell... No matter what society says or thinks, I believe that Valentine's Day is not reserved solely for Sweethearts! Yes, LOVE is what it's all about, but Love comes in all shapes & sizes from all kinds of relationships!!  Valentine cards are the perfect way to reach out to those around us, to let them know that we're thinking of them and wishing them a life filled with LOVE!! 

As an artist, I really love to make my own Valentines. Whether you think of yourself as creative or not, it doesn't take too much expertise to make a handmade card. However, it does takes time... what better way in this busy world of ours is there to show how much you care!!  Cards can be made from using just about any supplies that you may already have laying around the house... construction paper, card stock, paper doilies, markers, colored pencils, rubber stamps and ink, photos, magazine pages, glue, scissors, hole punches, tape... let your imagination run wild and above all else, have FUN!!

Below is a photo of some postcard style Valentines that I have made for this year. If you are interested in trying out your hand with this style card, I have posted some instructions in a previous post! (Scroll down through my last few posts to help you get started on some ideas of your own) 

Mixed media "Valentine" Postcards on 140lb watercolor paper 

Happy Valentine's Day and Blessings of Love to All!!