Art Journal Book Swap/Hop

Another page done along the NEVERENDING journey of the Art Journals.  This is my page in Kitty's book using one of her prompts.."colors came alive for her".  It was just the right prompt, too, because I was ready to play in color out of doors.

Couldn't resist adding one of my new paper flowers...

hula~la la la la la...I'm just sayin'...

This is Kitty's intro to the book...love that hair!!!

The swap should be winding down soon...at least I hope so, it's been over a year that we have been swapping journals.  Hope you enjoy! 

Pay It Forward...with Art

Yesterday at the lovely gardens of Happy Herbs Soap at Two Crow Cottage, the Arty Tea Party gang dabbled in Water Color Batik on Unryu Paper.  This lovely paper is light weight and translucent with fibers, and is quite strong. 

Under the instruction of our Dear Rosebud Sandy, we took the watercolor to the paper, brushed on spots of melted soy wax, more watercolor layers...and while hanging to dry, we eat, drink and become quite merry...(Sangria helped with the merry part).  

This is my first layer of watercolor.

My next layer after I brushed and blotted abit of wax.

This was such a fun project because I am not a painter.  I also cannot draw.  I am missing the part of the brain that sees with depth and detail.  I am more abstract with my art, and this was perfect because you really can't mess this up.  Just splash some paint around, splash some wax around...more paint...WAX ON...WAX OFF!  The final step after all the paint layers is to iron the wax off between layers of newspaper.  You are left with a very soft see-thru work of art.  I'm going to make a card out of mine.  Easy peasy! 

These are the two I made.  I like them!

For more of the Water Color Batik, visit the ARTY TEA PARTY blog!

And now, because I am in such a happy state, I wanted to share a new project I have signed onto!

PAY IT FORWARD ART MAKING PROJECT 2014.

I promise to make a small work of art for the first five people who comment on this post and say “YES, I want in”. A ‘like’ alone is not enough of a commitment, nor is a comment about thinking Pay It Forward is a great idea. You must in turn post this as your status update and make something for the first five who comment on your status. The rules are simple: – It has to be your work, made by you, and the recipient must receive it before 2014 ends. – It can be anything art-based: a drawing/illustration or a conceptual work of art, a photograph, a knitted item, cross-stitch, paper maché – or anything in between. I’m paying this forward thanks to Deborah Weber.  

Perhaps a Water Color Batik card is in your future...ALOHA!!!

Scrap Paper Flowers

These are my new fave paper projects.  All from scrap papers that I had lying around.  Found this tutorial on Jennibellie, and I just couldn't stop. 

This one is now in Rosebud Sandy's possession. My fave!

And really, the paper possibilities are endless!!!

I plan to use them on some of my altered book projects.  I think they would be great on cards and give a special touch to gift wrapping.  

Enjoy!

 

Neverending Book Swap

Finally, a page in Kay's book for the book swap that never ends, even though it was supposed to be completed by last Christmas.  Oh well.  Whose bright idea was this anyway????  Oh wait, it was mine!  And I am the one holding everyone up!!!

It's a 2 page spread in a book that has mirrors and chains and talismans.  (You can see more of Kay's book on the Arty Tea Party blog.)  This book, the largest in the swap, is a real treat because of all the calligraphy, which I just had to use.

Hope you enjoy!  

Time Flies...wait, what???

Well, sometime last year I encouraged my gal pals to join me in an Altered Book Art Journal Swap.  It should have been completed by now, except that some of my very talented friends can crank out pages in their sleep, leaving me with way too many books at once.  NO EXCUSE, I KNOW!
I don't even know what day it is half the damn time, I'm so busy, busy, busy with the day job!

I KNOW, NO EXCUSE...

Andrea made a paper bag book with pockets for lots of tags and goodies!

Some stained glass treasures from Judie!

Some lovely smelling petals from Nina!

 Nonetheless, the project is coming to a close and Andrea is the lucky one to have had hers completed and returned first.  Here are just some of the pages from some of the books.  When all is done and everyone has their own books returned to them, I will post them on the Arty Tea Party blog for all to enjoy.

Until then, here's a sneak peak...ENJOY!

A bit of Kitty's charm with her matchbook style messages.

   

 

OK, so when I get some sense of order and manage to get some ME time in, I will continue the posting of the many books and pages. It's a great project, and so much fun to see the individual styles and talents.   Aloha for now!

 

Snail Mail

Nothing is more fun than receiving mail art the old fashioned way...the good old USPS! 
And to help with that, I have included some of my photo postcards in my ETSY shop.

And because I am so excited to put these out there, to help brighten someone's day, 

I will include a postcard stamp that you can use to mail it out!

    

Inspirational messages on my own photographs will give your recipient and the postal workers a smile:)

Aloha and thanks for stopping by!

Spring...Glorious Spring

1.  I wish I had finished all of the indoor projects, because the great outdoors is screaming my name!!!  And I live in the sticks, man!  So much to see, hear, smell, do in the great outdoors.  No signs of massive humanity (unless I turn on the news, which I rarely do anymore) to distract me from enjoying the simple abundance that surrounds me in the big woods.

2.  So, I will take this day to forget all about the unfinished projects.  I'm heading out and about!

3.  I had a nice surprise on my desk this Saturday morning when I forgot I ordered Gertrude Hawk Almond Butter Crunch from a young friend for their church fundraiser. 

4.  My dog is goofy.  Yellow lab.  Beautiful.  And just plain goofy.  What a gem!

5.   I mixed a new batch of incense at Two Crow Cottage last week.  Should be dry enough to burn today.  I can hardly wait to try it!

Been awhile since I partied with Nancy for Random Five Friday...even though it's Saturday...here you go!  I missed the link up, but you can still visit the others here.

HAPPY SPRING WEEKEND!

Journals

Some more journals...

Just finished 3 more journals from the book ends that I saved from the dreaded recycling stack.  I have jazzed them up abit using some of the end papers as well.  With 50+ pages, with pockets and tags and other paper ephemera to help tell a fantastic new tale.  Might even make a cool new art journal.  Lots of surprises within...  I have many more on the work table; some headed for my etsy shop, and some headed for the local Spring Fair.  That is if Spring actually shows up! 

This one is decked out in knit with a vintage pin.

Burlap flowers for this baby.

More burlap and a denim flower...yep, more upcycling!

And a great BIG shout out to Kelly for her awesome monarch photo postcard, and to my Dear Friend Nina of Happy Herbs Soap for the AB FAB stones she gave me for my newly fired clay meditation plate.   The tall point is Phantom Citrine and it is beautiful right next to the perfect specimen of Black Tourmaline, both grounding and protective stones that transmute negative energy. 

These are beautiful...thank you Nina!!!

Mail Art

Support the USPS... crank out some awesome Mail Art 

and your postal workers will love you!!!

Had some paint leftover from a kid's craft project today, so I thought it was the perfect opportunity to use up the leftover paint and deck out an envie for an upcoming swap!  

This is the envie all painted up and ready to go to Kat, 

the wonderful hostess of the 

LIBERATE YOUR ART POSTCARD SWAP!!!

My postcards are being printed now.  I will share mine here along with the ones that I receive in the swap when they all arrive.  In the meantime, I have just completed two more journals from my salvaged book covers, similar to the one I gave away for the Grow Your Blog Party event, in previous post.  The party participants are still up, if you would like to see what everyone is up to!

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!  
 

And The GYBP Winner Is...

The Grow Your Blog Party hosted by Vicki at 2 Bags Full was a huge success.  The list is still up for anyone who wants to hop around and visit some very wonderfully, talented folks in blogland.

The winner of my Altered Book Journal is....

Lesley Ann from Plum Hollow!  Pulled the old fashioned way from the depths of my monster purple beach hat!  Yes, I'm gonna prance around with my hat on and, strum my ukulele, and pretend I'm at the beach today while the snow continues to fall!

Congratulations Lesley Ann! Thanks for stopping by along the blog party route!  I hope you enjoy your new journal.   

Aloha and thanks to Vicki for hosting another terrific party, and to everyone who is now following and those who stopped by to enter my giveaway.  I'll be posting more of the journals as I finish them for my etsy store.

Are We Having Fun Yet???

And it just keeps on snowing...  I love it!

Perfect weather for watching the Winter Olympic Games.  Though my whole body aches after watching some of those thrill seekers!  I think I cracked a few ribs just watching the moguls....and oh my aching back...and knees...  Time to hit the hot tub!

This is the kind of snow storm I remember as a kid.  Of course, when you're all of 7 years old, 2 feet of snow is a mountain.  And now, outside with some snow drifts and piles well over 15 feet, well, I just have to go out and giggle in it!  It's great fun!

  

I feel sad for those who have never experienced snow!  I mean this is just beautiful!

Of course, I didn't have to go out and drive in it or plow.  But I don't mind shoveling...for a few minutes anyway.  It's good exercise, and the air is clean and very crisp, for sure!

I just love my little fine feathered friends!

Linking up with Nancy and friends at A Rural Journal for Random 5 Friday! 

And don't forget to check back tomorrow for the winner of my GYBP journal giveaway!