Sunday, January 31, 2010

Unidentified Footprints in the Snow!

So, I stepped out on my front porch this morning and there were two sets of footprints.  The first set was recognizable as bird prints, however, the second set I couldn't quite identify.  They were bigger than a cat, but smaller than a dog.  Hmmm!  On the right side of the porch, looking at the street, they were intermingled like something had chased the bird.  On the left side of the porch, again looking at the street, there were just the bird prints.

I saw this as a photo opportunity and went into the house and got my camera.  Here are pictures of the two sides of the house.  Anyone care to venture as to what the second set of prints is?


This is what I saw on the right side of the porch!

 

This is what I saw on the left side of the porch!

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Day 31 - Healing

A member of Mixed Media Workshops is going through some rough times with an illness she is being treated for.  So, they created a group for her for people to send her art while she is healing.  What a wonderful idea and I agonized over what to send her as I am only creating ATCs at this point in time.  Even though it is only 2.5" x 3.5" I really wanted it to be special. 

I watercolored the background and then did some Zentangle on a heart and adhered it to the card.  Then I printed out words that all mean "heal" and glued those on as well.  I was satisfied with the end result and this card will be on its merry way on Monday.

This is Day 31's ATC that I submitted in the 2010 Project ATC 365.

All Pink Girl's Inkadinks Mega Blog Candy Contest

Here is another contest for winning some fabulous prizes.  Sue from imaginagtion crafts has offered up this amazing FULL SET of the new fabulous INKADINKS to give away as fabulous candy plus a few extras for those that want to play.

The rules are pretty simple:
1)you must be a follower
2)you must show a picture of the candy on your blog or side bar and a link back to All Pink Girl's blog.
3) candy runs for two weeks as from today and finishes on 11/2/2010.  I'm not sure if the date is reading right.  I think it is supposed to be 02/11/2010, but not sure.

Good luck to those that enter.

C.C Designs Sugarplum Spring *CANDY* Kit….

 

I love contests; not that I ever win.  But, I do like supporting other blogs and entering to win.  This contest has the cutest Lil' prizes. 

Christine from All That Scraps has given the go ahead to offer this Spring Kit as a candy.  So, Kellie Winnell is having a contest until THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18TH, 2010.  The kit includes 9 Sugarplum kids, 2 accessory stamps, and one set of Spring Sentiments.  

In order to WIN you have to follow the rules, which are located on Kellie's blog.

The winner will be announced on FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2010.  You still have time, so what are you waiting for?  Head on over and see how easy it is to enter.

Friday, January 29, 2010

Day 30 - In Sync ATC

I spent a ton of time yesterday cutting up magazines for collaging.  Not only is that time consuming, but after awhile everything starts looking the same.  By this I mean I sat there cutting up everything in exactly an artist trading card (ATC) size and then I would snap out of it and maybe cut some odd things.  Toward the end I was looking at stuff that I probably could have kept but just kept saying "nope", "no", "nope".  That is when it is time to stop cutting up anything!!  This card is another mixed media collage and I actually broke out the borders I had from when I used to scrapbook.

This is Day 30's ATC that I submitted in the 2010 Project ATC 365.

Day 29 - Sign of the Times ATC

I guess I needed to catch up as I was 2 days behind posting anything about the 2010 Project 365 Artist Trading Cards (ATC).  This particular card was done using the image transfer technique.  A friend of mine that came over for a playdate this week showed me exactly how to do it.  I had seen it done, however, I thought that it looked rather intimidating.  Guess what? It isn't scary at all.  It is actually simple.  The only part I hate about it is the running it under water as you rub the "paper" away.

This is Day 29's ATC that I submitted in the 2010 Project ATC 365.

Day 28 - Ilustrious Pink ATC


Another mixed media collage.  I am really starting to like these and they are much easier than actually drawing or painting anything.  Although I'm not ready to give up doing that.  This particular card has a watercolor background, so technically I'm still doing that.

This is Day 28's ATC that I submitted in the 2010 Project ATC 365.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Amazon's Wish List Widget & Link

You might notice in the right column I have added, not only an Amazon Associate widget, but a link to my "Starving Artist Wish List".  I love the fact that I can add, from any page on the web, a product or item to my wish list and I don't have to try and remember where i saw it when I am finally able to purchase it.  The awesome thing is if someone if on a site like Etsy and they see something that they really want, but for whatever reason, aren't sure if they want to buy it right now; they can add it to their wishlist by simply clicking the "Add To Wish List" button located in their bookmark toolbar!


I used this for the "Secret Santa" swap I had in my Military Brats group and I could also use that list to send to whomever.  I'm even thinking of creating a list to send to my husband so when he wants or needs to get me something he can refer to the list and come out the winner every time!


Now, Amazon also has this program for those of us who blog called the "Amazon Associates" program.  This program allows you to make money just like Google Adsense by just adding a widget.  I added this widget today and I'll let you know how it turns out after I have time to test it.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Day 27 - Direction ATC

Ever wonder where your going or why you did what you did? That is what I was thinking as I made this card. I love clocks, watches, and compasses, so when I received the compass mask from Tim Holtz I couldn't wait to work with it. I had to carefully hold down the mask on the back of the gold metal sheeting and then used my embossing tool to outline it. Sometimes I will stamp the back and then trace the image with the embossing tool as well. I love the look and the texture of these when they are done and this one happen to make a wonderful card. This is Day 27's ATC that I submitted in the 2010 Project ATC 365.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Day 26 - Garden Silhouette ATC


Wow, I just noticed the time, but I had to get this posting done. I am like totally behind in posting my card for today's 2010 Project 365. I spent the day with a wonderful new friend cutting out stuff for our ATC collages. I met her in my ATC online community and she only lives like 20 minutes away. We had a blast at the local thrift stores too. I finally picked up an old atlas, some music books, and old vintage books, which I am really excited to start using.

I love getting 5 books for a $1.00 and I just wonder how much some of the copyright books that go back to the 1920's, 1930's, and etc. might really be worth. My husband was livid that I was going to be cutting up these books, but I reminded him that it was all in the name of art!

This is Day 26's ATC that I submitted in the 2010 Project ATC 365.

Monday, January 25, 2010

Direction ACEO


In light of not knowing where I am going most of the time; I did this ACEO, which is a compass. We have decided to give up our car as we can no longer afford the payments or registration fees. This was an agonizing decision and one that was not made lightly. This is an ORIGINAL piece of art done by me. I used vintage book paper and then outlined a Tim Holtz mask on gold metal sheeting.

This particular card is being sold in my Etsy shop and I may make another one for trading.

ATC stands for "Artist Trading Card". These cards have one main rule - they are the size of a regular trading card, which is 3.5" x 2.5". ATCs can only be traded NOT sold.

ACEO stands for "Art Cards, Editions and Originals". While these cards have the same main rule as an ATC, 3.5" x 2.5", these can actually be sold.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Day 25 - East to West ATC

I love to watercolor, which is what I did for the background on this "Silhouette" card. This is an ORIGINAL ATC done by me. I used watercolors and a permanent black marker on 300 series watercolor paper cut down to size.

I think I am going to be producing silhouette type cards for a little while along with collaging. I find these fun and I wait with anticipation to see the end result. I am also considering selling some of my cards as ACEOs in my Etsy shop with the jewelry I currently sell.

ATC stands for "Artist Trading Card". These cards have one main rule - they are the size of a regular trading card, which is 3.5" x 2.5". ATCs can only be traded NOT sold.

ACEO stands for "Art Cards, Editions and Originals". While these cards have the same main rule as an ATC, 3.5" x 2.5", these can actually be sold.

This is Day 25's ATC that I submitted in the 2010 Project ATC 365.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Day 24 - Reflection In Mirror ATC

This is an ORIGINAL ATC made by me. I used a Fae stamp, Tim Holtz masks, stamp, stamp ink, gold metallic marker on vintage book paper. I am really starting to like the collage concept. Gives my hands a break from drawing and painting.

This is Day 24's ATC that I submitted in the 2010 Project ATC 365.

Friday, January 22, 2010

Day 23 - I Had A Dream ATC


I have been struggling with a nauseating migraine and really wanted to go to bed. However, I had a scare with my mom as I was talking with her on the phone and she passed out. I had to think fast since we are like 15 hours away from each other, so I called the operator and had her call 911 where my mom lives. Can you believe we had to sit on hold due to "high call volumes"? Ugh! The operator was really nice and when we finally got through the 911 dispatcher was really nice as well.

My mom was taken to the hospital where they did an EKG, CAT Scan, and X-Rays. She hit the wall with her head, so she has a concussion and she has a large hematoma on her arm. I am so glad she is ok and I am really thankful that I happen to be on the phone with her when she did this. I love my mom and absolutely hate being so far away.

This is Day 23's ATC that I submitted in the 2010 Project ATC 365.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Day 22 - Folk Art Bird ATC


I love all things vintage, folk art, Native American, etc. This card is part of a set of 2 cards both having folk art birds. The colors are somewhat earth tone, which happens to be another one of my favorites. I used a gold metallic marker to add some pizazz and I am really happy with how they turned out.

This is Day 22's ATC that I submitted in the 2010 Project ATC 365.

Day 21 - Tweet Birdy ATC


I have gone crazy with the acrylic spray bottle technique and here is another card to prove it! I spray acrylic paint over lace and it makes the coolest designs to work with. I bought some lace curtains at the thrift store so I didn't have to worry about cost!


This is Day 21's ATC that I submitted in the 2010 Project ATC 365.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Day 20 - Angelic Wings ATC


I purchased some very cool film strip from Tim Holtz who is known for his amazing talent with just about everything he does! In my opinion, Tim is one of the most talented "Men" crafters I have run across in a long time. He has his own site and a blog. What I enjoy about his blog is that I can go there and find helpful demos using the products that he sells.

I had to e-mail him yesterday and find out where the demo was for using the film strip because I hadn't viewed it since December. I knew it was on the blog; I just couldn't remember where on the blog. He was kind enough to e-mail me back and tell me.

While waiting for his response I went ahead and used Modge Podge to secure the film strip to the card and it worked out wonderfully.

This is Day 20's ATC that I submitted in the 2010 Project ATC 365.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

What is my birth flower?

Facebook has some applications I like including this one on "what is your birth flower?". Here are my results:

"With their lush texture, rich hues and wildflower beauty, it`s easy to see why asters have had a long association with magical powers. In ancient times, it was believed that when aster leaves burned, their perfume could drive away evil. Today, this autumn birth flower is known as a talisman of love and an enduring symbol of elegance."

I am going to have to find some aster leaves so I can burn the evil away!!

Day 19 - Love For Sale ATC

As much as I am against Valentines Day, I still love hearts and love. I believe that love and affection should be shown all year not just one day a year! With that said I decided to try out some different ways of putting my ATCs together and this is one of them.

This ATC was done by watercoloring a 300 Series watercolor ATC size (2.5" x 3.5") card. I then drew the bottle and hearts on drawing paper and then colored them in with permanent markers. Next, I used my handy blade knife to carefully cut out the jar of hearts. Finally I adhered the jar to the card using Modge Podge and then I finished it off with some permanent markers.

This is Day 19's ATC that I submitted in the 2010 Project ATC 365.

Monday, January 18, 2010

Day 18 - Whimsy 1 ATC


This is Day 18's ATC that I submitted in the 2010 Project ATC 365 I actually made 2 of them, but this is the one I wanted to submit for the project.

I have always wanted to try my hand at sewing an ATC card and this is my first of what I hope to be many. I sprayed the card with Acrylic paint, sewed material and rick rack to the card using a #16 needle, and then finished with permanent markers.

I have this thing about my cards having a border hence the permanent markers!

Clay Pot Collage ATC


To continue on the path of learning the card for today is all about "texture". Not real texture, but rather "implied" texture. Today's Artist Trading Card is titled "Clay Pots Collage" and was once inspired after taking a class with a local social network called The Art Studio.

I am still working on some real texture ATCs. I am currently trying to locate stuff with "real" texture in my arts and crafts stuff!

This is Day 18's ATC that I submitted in the 2010 Project ATC 365

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Day 17 - Pearls & Fern Collage ATC

Today's Artist Trading Card is titled "Pearls & Fern Collage" and was inspired after taking a class with a local social network called The Art Studio from a wonderful teacher. I am learning about the Principles and Elements of art so that I can further expand my artistic talents.

This particular ATC was done to represent shape, which the opposite of form in that it is flat and 2D rather than 3D..

This is Day 17's ATC that I submitted in the 2010 Project ATC 365.

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Day 16 - Undersea Creatures


Today is day 16 in the 2010 365 Days ATC Project and I usually do between 2 and 3 a day. I have chosen the Whale ATC to be featured for the actual project and just thought I would share both of them here on my blog.

2010 Project ATC 365


Well, they say that you can create a habit by doing something everyday for 21 days. So, I have decided to try this new concept from my fellow ATCs For All group member RobbyGirl. She has a blog called "Naked Heart Art", which is where she will be showcasing the ATCs that everyone in this project is doing.

I envy her as I don't have the energy to post something to my blog everyday like I should! :0) Simply put all that needs to be done for this wonderful project is to create 365 Artist Trading Cards (ATCs) in 365 days. Yep, that's it, I told you it was simple.

Along with this comes some free marketing too. Naked Heart Art Blog will include contests and a blog button showing who the project participants are. How cool is this? Plus, at the end of the year there will be a gallery showing of the pieces submitted.

I am headed off to get started as I don't want to be too far behind.

Friday, January 15, 2010

Rainbow Colors Swap


I have found something that I really enjoy doing and it is making Artist Trading Cards. These cards are 2.5" x 3.5" and are used for trading between artists. I really enjoy making these cards due to their size being small and so my hands don't suffer terribly when I make them. I tried doing bigger artwork, however, it really hurts my hands and I just am not able to at this point.

I found this great group of ATC artists and I am now on my 4th swap and I have traded with 2 other artist on a one-on-one basis. This particular swap was titled "Rainbow Colors" and the 3 cards I did are titled "Never Ending Rainbow", "Rainbow Tree", and "Rainbowville".

You can find more of my ATC cards on ATCs for All.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Cosmo Cricket Contest



If you love paper or just scrapbooking supplies and a good contest then Cosmo Cricket Blog is the place to be. If you are interested, you can visit their blog to enter the Cosmo Cricket CHAW 2010 Sneak Peek! contest. You only have to leave a comment about your favorite stamping store! That is it and the winner gets

If you are ready; here are the contest rules:

1. You can nominate your favorite independent retailer (online stores are included) to win one of their new lines (store quantities). If your store is chosen, then you will win one of each item in the line (individual quantities) for yourself!

2. Your comment can be as simple as "I love..." to listing what it is that makes this retailer so special to you.

3. Winners will be picked Monday, January 18th in the morning.

Good luck to all and thanks for taking the time to nominate your online retailer.

Monday, January 4, 2010

NO New Year's Resolutions Here - Only Lists


I do NOT believe in New Year's Resolutions as resolving to change ourselves should, forever, be an ongoing process. I do believe, whole heartedly, in making lists such as bucket lists, to-do lists, where I want to be in 5 years, and what I want to do in my next life! LOL

With 2009 out of the way and now being smack dab in the beginning of 2010, I have yet to take off, add to, or create any type of list. 2009 was, in fact, the hardest for me and my husband as far as financially and all that has spilled over into this new year. Ugh!

It seems as though when we are financially strapped and in debt our lives end up being affected on a large scale. I hope to do what I can in this area and get back on board with being able to make jewelry and continue doing my art. I truly believe that art is therapy, free therapy, and I just have to pick myself up, dust myself off, and keep going.

So, without further ado, I am off to jot down some ideas and maybe start a few lists or just revamp the old ones. I wish everyone a wonderful new year and may your lists be manageable and doable in this economic stressed world we currently live in.

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