Thursday, December 29, 2011

Metal Embossing

Well, I joined another swap, but this one has to do with Metal Manipulation.  I remember making some Christmas cards one year using a similar technique and decided I would try to free hand some art on the metal and make some ATCs for the Metal Manipulation Swap over at ATCs for All!

I first used the tools I had, which equated to a sculpture tool, thin end paint brush without the end, a 2/2.25MM crochet needle, and a stylus.  While you can see what looks like scratch marks up close on the scan, it doesn't look like this when you just look at the card.

I ordered some actual metal embossing tools tonight from Dick Blick and should get them around the 15th of January with their super saver shipping and then I plan on getting serious with this new found fun thing to do!

This first one is called Water Lily and is based off of a piece of art that I hand drew last year.  When I was done with the embossing I used alcohol ink to color it in.  I think it's pretty, but the jury is still out on the alcohol ink.

Water Lily
These other two are simply embossed drawings on the metal.  Both of these were done based on drawings I did last year.

Mermaid Head

Sunflower

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

LADYBUG Swap

I recently joined a swap over at ATCs for All! that I thought would be a lot of fun and get me over my fear of LADYBUGS!  The swap is called LADYBUGS!! and is Due Date January 10 2012. 

I finished two of them and still need to draw and color two more. 

So, without further ado here are the two that I finished;

Ballerina Ladybug

Mr. Bo Bug

Monday, December 19, 2011

Birdie Birdie Couplets

One night my husband says, out of the blue, "Birdie Birdie in the sky; why'd you do that in my eye?".  I can't remember the reason for him saying that and knowing him there really wasn't one.  So, then I say "Birdie Birdie on the pole; about to put you in a hole" and we were off and running for like three nights coming up with what I later found out were called "couplets".

So, I posted a game on FaceBook asking others to post some of their own.  Not a whole lot of luck with this, so I decided to host an ATC Swap over at ATCs For All! (AFA).  My swap is called "Birdie Birdie Couplet Swap".  So far I have four players and am very impressed that one player came up with 16 of these couplets in like five minutes.


I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with.  I am hoping that once the holidays are over the number of participants in the swap will pick up.  Actually, I'm sure it will, because I private messaged over 50 people on AFA asking if they'd like to join my swap!

Sunday, December 18, 2011

The Art of Wrapping Gifts!

These last two weeks have been filled with lots of wrapping of presents.  While, I loath this part of Christmas, it did bring up some very interesting questions for me.  What exactly is the art of wrapping paper and who started this?  

I read on the do-it-yourself website that "...according to the Japanese, who are masters at gift wrapping, it is a ritual with great meaning."  Really, what is the meaning?  I guess I will have to go look this up, as it has peaked my interest.

Japanese gift wrapping is called tsutsumi.  They use both paper and cloth for creating these simple and elegant wrapped gifts. The large piece of cloth that is used is referred to as Furoshiki.  This type of gift wrapping is used by the Japanese for birthday, holiday, and wedding gifts.  They even use this type of wrapping when shopping.    You can even support and promote recycling by using this specific type of wrapping technique.  So, all you conservationists looking for a new idea for wrapping presents this year should definitely look into this.


Read more about Japanese Gift Wrapping here.

Also, don't forget to always have at your side the relevant tools necessary to wrap a present including scissors, one-sided and double-sided tape, paper cutter, wrapping paper, ribbon, and bows. 

Here is an awesome article on the history of wrapping gifts

Off to read the article and maybe get enlightened on this strange tradition!



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