a real fight {postcard}

i wasn't sure if it was the lack of studio time, or if my muse had just completely left me, but i was recently in a postcard swap and i was thinking- this should be easy..... (not!)

this postcard fought me tooth and nail the whole way. my initial concept seemed easy enough- i was using a used file folder cut down to size. i used both the front and back to provide a little more stability and thickness then simply taped the edges together and gesso'd the front, but, this is where the card took a turn for the worse....

i had started with collage and originally had been working in a girl/ princess into the piece and had sewn on wings and she had a crown with jewels.

the jewels didn't last long and i began to paint over the face. and paint over the face....and paint over the face- yes, by this time the face and the rest of her were a disaster....the the small triangle just above the number strip was part of her "dress." but, you know what....if you add enough paint and layers of paper, tape and fabric- you can paint over anything; and sprinkle enough gold ink on anything....and somehow it becomes magical.

and to be honest.....i stitched this postcard almost to death. but, the best part came when i switched from the grey thread to the magenta thread- that really popped on the postcard and pulled it together.

i was happy with what i ended up with....but, let me tell you.....this a fight.

happy friday!

I was able to fix my postcard transformation video (with a little help from our youngest son.....)!! Take a peek to watch my process of transforming the Artpops card into the above mixed media postcard.

happy thursday!

twitter postcard

are you on twitter? do you tweet (especially about art or things you make?) i want to see what you are making......are you following me? i love sharing my work and random things....my twitter link is in the side bar.

if you are on twitter- you could participate in the twitter art exhibit. i stumbled upon the tweet with the information and signed up; but, if you still want to participate- you will need to hurry as the deadline is March 1.

here is my postcard i made....

i started with a vintage postcard and gesso. picked a few of my favorite colors and worked from there- adding a little collage, some sari ribbon and angelina fibers.

mailing off my postcard this morning as the exhibit is in Norway this year. have a little time? you could still participate.....and be sure to tweet what you make!

have you heard the buzz about Art Pops?....

well let me tell you about it......Art Pops was created and designed by Roben-Marie Smith. Now, if you are into mixed media, art journaling and just creating......boy, do i have a treat for you! Roben-Marie has made these super cool postcard-like cards.

Check these out.....

 

these cards can be used for whatever your creative imagination can think up! i was so blessed to have been asked to help create items with these cards, so yesterday i was in the studio working hard. ;)

here is a sneak peak at what i have up my sleeve.....

stop back this week- i will show the whole piece of work and do a little explaining of how i used Roben-Marie's cards into each of these pieces! if you would like to see other examples from other very talented women be sure to click on Roben-Marie's name at the top of this post- there are some great ideas.

the moments {a series} no 19: great big stitched postacard swap

today's moment in my life is being brought to you by the Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap. what is this you ask?

it is:

• postcard swap. visit here to see other postcards on their FB page
• from all over the world- 300 participants this year
• created and organized by Do What You Love

 my postcard was made with the help of my gelli plate, stencil, stamping, and washi tape.....

 i put down a base print first from my gelli plate. then added the pink scallop along the left edge and the blue polka dots with my stencil. i had left the bottom edge open and used a strip of washi tape. i cut the edge to fit my scallop. my favorite is the sunburst....i used a homemade stencil and my gelli plate. i am loving this shape right now....visit me on instagram to see my homemade stencil.

 this is the front side of my postcard...a little stamping and some collage. i scored a roll of vintage Montgomery Ward price stickers at a rummage sale! love those....

added my postcard partner's address and my return address.....drop into mail. mine is off to the UK- hope she enjoys this homemade postcard cutie!

the moments {a series} no 9: postcard with the gelli plate

 i am participating in the "great big stitched postcard swap." this project was created by Do What You Love and my due date is the end of next week. my "partner" lives in London and we will each make a postcard for each other and send. i worked on mine yesterday. i started with a gelli plate print on a file folder, cut it down to size, and layered on another couple of layers which included the hot pink topper and the yellow sunburst. hope she likes it!!

mailart- thank you

a short time ago i did a give away and sent postcards and envelopes to blog friends that left me a message. when i sent their postcards, i included an extra postcard and envelope so they could mail-it-forward and send one on to a friend.

i received a postcard thank you back and was so excited- thank you Connie! i loved her stamp that she used on the postcard. i am a recovering stampaholic and am not sure that i have seen this stamp before. i love getting mailart!

birthday wishes

yesterday was my husband's birthday and no one (in this household anyway....) can have a birthday without a homemade card. or more a postcard- i used circle scraps, and i had used the diamond stencil and laid it onto another paper, and allowed to dry. using the book paper is somewhat flimsy- so, i glued it onto a piece of black cardstock for support and then, sewed the whole thing...love sewing circles and the little zig-zag off the page. top off with a stamp (mixed media essentials found at Paperbag Studio), and some washi tape.

 and what present doesn't want homemade wrapping paper?!....well, this one did! so, i painted up some newspaper with acrylic paint, stencils and again- some stamping. birthday done!