IT'S A BLOG HOP!

Hello Friends!!

Today the"My Artistic Adventures Challenge Design Team" is Blog Hopping with Gloria Stengel's 
"Craft Hoarders Anonymous" Design Team!!

Challenge #19 For all that You do, Thank You!

Create a "thank you" gift for this challenge. It can be a Thanksgiving hostess gift or a simple thank you card. It can be a "thanks for helping me out of a jam" present, or a "thanks for being you" scrapbook layout. As long as your project says, "THANKS," enter the challenge! We want to see you de-hoard some of your stash and say thanks to someone! (Your project does not have to be Thanksgiving-themed!)

One Talented Participant that Links up their "Thanks" project to the

Craft Hoarders #19 Thanks Challenge 

will receive a $25 Gift Certificate to the

 My Artistic Adventures Etsy Shop!!

Below is my inspiration project.  I am thankful for my online friends, the many connections I have made over the years and all that I have learned in our online art community.  I have received so much more than I have given, it is quite a lesson.

I have enjoyed creating mail art over the last few months and what a perfect way to send a (in real life) "thanks for being you" to some of my online friends.  Heather's  Vintage Autumn digital images work wonderfully with the autumn papers (K & CO) I have in my stash.

This will take you no time at all to whip up, get a production line happening and build up your own stash of "thank you" mail art pieces.  Here I have used 7x10 inch kraft envelopes which I have folded in half, making the envelope 7x5 inches.  Use a bonefolder on your crease, it will be much easier to crease again after the next step. Cut your patterned paper to fit including the envelope flap, cover the envelope with your paper (use a glue stick) and smooth it out.  You can now trim any extra paper from the flap.  I use double sided tape to adhere the sides.  Take a look inside, you now have mini divided storage folder.  A sweet little treasure to send/store bits and bobs.

We will be starting the Hop at the

Craft Hoarders Challenge Blog

You can see her Design Teams Inspiration Pieces there and on

their individual blogs.  Here is a list below.

Amber Milone

Christy Butters

Debbie Seyer

Donna Idlet

Gloria Stengel

Glenda Brooks

Kathy
Jan
Karen
Pam
Wendi

My Artistic Adventures Design Team

My Artistic Adventures Challenge Blog
Helene

Shawn

Carol

Lisette

Sandi

Candy

Heather

How would you like a SECOND chance to win a 

$25 Gift Certificate to the My Artistic Adventures Etsy Shop?

Hop on over to the 
My Artistic Adventures Challenge Blog
to get all the details!!

Thank you for Hopping!!  I am going to be unable to join you but looking forward to catching up.  Have a great time and good luck!
Hugs,
Sandi

YOU'VE GOT MAIL..ART! (FALL THEMED)

I'm busily working my way through a pad of K&Co fall themed paper that I bought last year.  Pumpkins, apples, gourds and mums..all just around the corner!

I'm using many of the tips and techniques offered by Roben-Marie Smith in this class and beginning to feel that I am building up a solid base for myself in this new venture.  My vintage photo of a young boy in overalls and holding a rake is the perfect finishing touch, I'm tickled to share him this way.  I have enclosed him in a glassine envelope so that his image can be reused by the recipients.

I used large expandable mailers for the larger two, creating a divided storage file the recipient could use. After doing four, I used those scraps to do a block/quilt look on the 5th one.  That makes me feel clever, reducing the scraps as I go.

Thanks for having a look!

YOU'VE GOT MAIL...ART

One of the modules in Roben-Marie Smith's workshop "You've Got Mail....Art" is about creating mail art using a catalogue as the base.  Truthfully the idea didn't grab me but I had some garden catalogues and thought I would give it a go.  I really like the result!

The base or substrate is a Vesey Fall Bulbs catalogue, I have used white gesso, a Hero Arts paint dauber in Neon Yellow, fine black and pink Montana Acrylic markers and created the mailing labels with underpapers from another project.  I also created a large tag to write on when I send this piece off.  I will fill the envelope when I know who it is going to and stitch around the sides of both the envelope and tag.

THE ROAD HOME - SWAP ALBUM

A group of us enrolled in Christie Tomlinson's "The Art Society" have joined together and had several swaps.  One of our earlier swaps was sharing information about where we live through post cards, maps etc. From the beginning I thought this was perfect for putting together a a paper bag album.

I have put together a simple album; allowing two "pages" for each "hometown".  The first is covered with plain card stock featuring a postcard, the second is covered with a piece of the map.  I have put any extra brochures card etc into the paper bag for creating additional embellishment later.

The front and back covers I have done "art journal" style i.e. lots of layering with paint, stencils, paint pens and my (now) stock white and black doodle pens.  I have created the background on canvas paper, I love the additional texture it provides and the feel of it...more like a real bound book.  The title sits atop a label made from the underpaper I worked on.  Tip:  I have learnt to scan my original artwork backgrounds for printing out and using on projects later, making the most of my efforts.

YOU'VE GOT MAIL ART

This is a workshop offered by Roben-Marie Smith at Every Life Has A Story.

This piece is created from a plain gift bag and has been folded and covered so that the recipient can unfold and use the gift bag.  Clever!  I adore the "reuseability".


Folded, sealed and ready to be covered and addressed.

The altered gift bag.  The handles are folded down to be enclosed in the final steps.  This is a scan so you don't see the dimension.

CREATE IT, MAIL IT, ALTER IT

I'm still head over heels for creating a stash of mail art!  The "Create It, Mail It, Alter It" workshop from the artists at "Art to the 5th" are so talented!  I am finding the creation of mail art pieces is a productive and useful way of learning new techniques to use in my art journaling.  This is stretching me in ways that I never thought I would be interested in.

A second take for me on Lorraine Bell's project from the workshop, created from a piece left over from the first one.  Gotta love that!

My take on Roben-Marie Smith's project.  Back actually.

Front.  I will wrap this in clear covering and address that as I didn't want to cover anything up.  The piece on the end is a small envelope that has been added and does open to a small compartment.

SUMMER'S ENCHANTED GARDEN DOMINO BOOK SWAP

I posted here what I created for my swap partner Luna Lilly for this Vintage Dragonfly Swap, this is the beautiful creation I received.  Isn't it sweet!

MIXED MEDIA CANVAS - THE ART SOCIETY

My first take on our July 2014 projects from Christy Tomlinson's "The Art Society"  I created this with my 8 year old grandson in mind, McLean lives on a small island north of us.  He and his siblings have lived at the beach since school was out and he loves music, I think he will enjoy this.   I wrote the lyrics of  "When You Wish Upon A Star" all around the outside of the canvas to create a border.  I know he and his mumma will sit and turn the canvas as they sing.

I have used a 6x6" canvas, a lot of different sprays, stencils, mostly Pitt pens for shading, a variety of sparkly products and a white pen for highlights.  I used "Goose Bumps" from Tsukineko  (a clear texture spray) as the final finish.  I am going to be working with the same elements to create a more sophisticated version.

Thanks for looking :)

MIXED MEDIA FILE FOLDER/MAIL ART

Inspired by Lizzy Wurmann's tutorial "Mixed Media File Folder - Scraps of Darkness" which you can find on Youtube.

I'm lovin' the bright cheery summerness of this one!  I pulled the file folder, scrapbook paper for the scalloped border, stencils, stamps, ink, paint, gold and black pens and washi tape out of my stash...that felt so great!  See what I can do with this stuff I collect/store/hoard LOL

My plan at the moment is to use this folder for storing the mixed media sticker labels I have done following Leike Michelow's label tutorial which you can also find on Youtube.   That is one of my labels in the envelope window.

SCALLOPED FLAP MAIL ART

I know that I will discover my own style of creating mail art but in the meantime I am having some wonderful creative time following along with some "masters of mail art".  This piece was created by following Roben-Marie Smith's tutorial "Scalloped Flap Mail Art".

and the back!

So out of the box for me but I can hardly wait to put it into the "mailbox" and surprise someone!

HEART THEMED MAIL ART

Another piece of mail art to add to my stash!  Here I applied Christine's techniques and theme to create my own heart themed mail art.  Don't be afraid to take what you learn in one project and make it your own. I encourage you to check out her class "Hearts and Family Canvas".  Incredible opportunity to add to your technique tool box for $6!

and the back

CHRISTINE'S MIXED MEDIA ONLINE CLASS

This is a deal you just can't find elsewhere!  $6 and you have lifetime access to Christine's complete class.  I think this is the perfect opportunity for those of you who have been wanting to try some mixed media and haven't quite made the leap and this is still a great canvas for those of us who have been working in this medium for awhile.

Do check it out!

MAIL ART

Having so much fun playing with new ideas from the 4 incredibly talented mixed media artists who put together the "Create It, Mail It, Alter It" workshop!

My 2nd piece in an underwater theme from Lorraine Bell's module.  LOVE it!

I mailed both pieces today, my "postmistress" hand stamped and enjoyed!

SUMMER'S ENCHANTED GARDEN DOMINO BOOK SWAP

I have been a member of The Vintage Dragonfly Swap group for several years, Joanne does the most creative swaps!  This latest one is for a domino book, here is what I created for my swap partner.

The front (I forgot to take a photo of the back).  The Garden Fairy image is from Retro Cafe Art.

The inside.  These images are from "Gallery Cat".

MAIL ART

I am often amazed when I think about the paths I have taken and crossed in my art journey and where they have led.  And the friends I have met!  Journey is a bit of a buzz word in our community but it "oh so fits".  In the new year I was looking to change things up and joined Christy Tomlinson's "The Art Society".  Christy had  set up a Facebook group for the members, from there a swap group started.  Most of the swap group members were also members of the "Documented Life Project" facilitated by the "Art to the 5th" group which also had a Facebook group.  In that group I found a Mail Art swap group.  Now I am spending a good deal of my art time on a completely different path.   The latest leg of this journey is the course "Create It, Mail It, Alter It" offered by "Art to the 5th".

The front of my first piece from Sandi Keene's module in the workshop

and the back

I'm sending this one off to a crafty friend here in Victoria, I am anxious to hear what condition it might arrive in.  Thanks for having a look.

MIXED MEDIA CANVAS

In February I signed up for Christy Tomlinson's monthly mixed media video club "The Art Society".  (Blog button on left)  I so loved the February project that I purchased January also, which was when this club started.  Now I can hardly wait for the project to come each month!

This project was done on an 8x8 inch canvas.  I am pleased with the texture I managed to create in the background, you don't realize how tricky that can be until you make your own attempts.

Thanks for having a look!

JULY THE 4TH TAGS

The images were in my July 4th stash, sorry I can't attribute the source.  Patterned papers are from Farmhouse Paper Company, embellishments are from K&Co.  Stickles and bits of trim from my stash finish them up.

Tim Holtz patterned papers and K&Co embellishments.

JULY THE 4TH MIXED MEDIA CANVAS

It's been all about the 4th of July this past week!  Though I have lived in Canada since 1972, I get all nostalgic for the 4th of July.  Not to say we don't do a great July 1st but it isn't the same.  Americana seems to be "current" once again, great excuse for me to send some pieces off to my friends.

This one was done on an 8x6 inch canvas using a piece of paper napkin for the blue/stars, vintage music sheet for the white "stripes" and red patterned paper scraps for the red "stripes".   A sparkly white chipboard heart in the lower right, ringed with a bit of red Stickles is adhered in the bottom right corner.  Finishing touches include red and silver Stickles, faux stitching with a white pen and a bit of stamped text which I smudged.  I used a sepia toned decoupage finish to give it the vintage "Americana" look.

I have used fabric scraps on this one with three different patterned fabric to create the "flag" and a bit of silver ric rac to set off the blue field of stars.  I used a clear decoupage finish, red and silver Stickles, the white pen for faux stitches and another sparkly chipboard heart.  This one is going to a quilter so fabric works well.

OVER STAMPING TECHNIQUE (ROUND 2)

Practice, practice, practice!  Working on finding the look that suits me and making the steps second nature. I have mixed some Momento inks in with using Distress Markers, tried a few different stamps, backed each with glitter paper and dug through my box of "metal" to find the right embellishments.  The glossy paper doesn't scan particularly well, some thing I didn't know so I have chosen just these three to post.

Thanks for having a look!

OVER STAMPING TECHNIQUE USING DISTRESS MARKERS

A number of my crafty friends are expert stampers and card makers, Caroline shared a new (to me) technique and I have spent some time working at it.  I am all thumbs when it comes to stamping but having fun with this one and I am using my Distress Markers..which have seen little use from me.

The central stamp is from Stampendous, the ruler River City Rubber, background stamps are from Memory Box and Great Impressions.

1.  Stamp central image onto glossy card stock using StazOn black ink.  You want to have a strong central image which shows after you add on the other colours.  Re-ink your pad if needed.

2.  Mask if want something left white e.g. a face.

3.  Choose your colours, not too many e.g. two that blend well plus a contrast.  I have used Distress Markers.  I used Broken China and Tumbled Glass, will try for more contrast between the blues next time.

4.  Choose your stamps, mix up your images including some with text, solid and lines.  I needed more variety here.

5.  Colour the stamps with the markers.  You don't need to be precise, stamp 3 times before re-inking.

6.  Keep colouring and stamping.  Don't worry if it looks messy. (I like that part)

7.  After you are finished stamping, see where you might want more colour.  Scribble directly on the paper with markers and rub with fingers.  Do only small areas at a time as you don't have much time until this drys.  Add a bit of another colour for punch, maybe yellow.

8.  When done, pick a couple of elements to use as stamps around the border.  Do this with the black.  (I will use more images on my next effort, I didn't think there was room here for a border but seeing it posted I may use a black marker to do faux stitch marks.)

9.  You may also want to use a white pen to go over a few lines or lighten up an area.  Forgot that part, I am going to go back and try this.

Yep, improved!  Thanks for having a look!

MIXED MEDIA CANVASES - CHRISTY TOMLINSON'S "THE ART SOCIETY"

This month's project is all about creating a base image with scraps from magazine pages and then using washi tapes, medium or heavy body acrylic paints mostly to define your creation.  (click here to check out "The Art Society") .

I joined this group to learn new skills, discover what I could do to hone what skills I might have and generally stretch.  This one was a stretch for me.  Of course no practise project first!  And I could have chosen a single bloom as my start but no I decided on a bouquet :)  My daughter has already claimed this one so I will likely give it another go.

This was my inspiration picture.

I loved all the texture in this one.

MIXED MEDIA CANVASES -

I look so forward to the monthly project videos I receive from Christy Tomlinson's "The Art Society", do check it out!

The March techniques were all about "saving" canvases that didn't make the grade.  I adore both of these  8x8 canvases now, the first is hanging in my dining room and the second is going to a DIL who fell in love with it.

April!!!  I am still creating different versions of the April project.   8x10 canvas

VINTAGE PHOTOS - CHILDREN

Remember to right click and save the larger image for the best resolution.

VINTAGE PHOTOS - WOMEN

Don't forget to right click and save the larger image for the best resolution.