When I Need An Art Fix...

ATCs are perfect for that quick art fix when you need to get into something but you don't want to spend too much time in the studio or you just don't have your head around how you want to start the next big art piece.  I've been really enjoying using collage and paint in my ATCs lately.  This one is for a swap I'm participating in.

An ATC Develops...

I'm participating in an ATC swap via Facebook, and yesterday I got the art supplies out for a bit of play time.  The August theme is 'Things With Wings".

I started with a scrap bit of cardboard which I roughed up a bit with sandpaper and then applied a thin coat of gesso to both sides.  The text that shows through just gives a bit of extra texture.

 Next I used spray inks and distress stain to add colour.  I used a couple of my StencilGirl stencils too.

This is Terri Stegmiller's 'Blades' stencil.  I flip the stencil over onto a page of text to use up the excess ink.

I also used Jane LeFazio's 'Eucalyptus'. 

I added various elements by tearing pieces of previously embellished papers I had lying around. I tore a branch from the text page used to 'clean' my stencils and then I cut out and coloured a bird that was lightly stamped on scrap paper one da when I was cleaning that stamp.  I spritzed it with the blue spray ink, but if you srr it in person, you can see the black ink from the original ink show through.

 Using the tube in the spray ink bottle, I 'draw' a thin border around the edge on both front and back.

I then added some finishing touches with black and white pens, some letters cut out of the newspaper, and a few stickers and it was done.

And here's the finished ATC...

front

back

The Snail Came Through!

Dee and I were starting to worry because her June ATC from our Joanne Sharpe Facebook alumni swap group, The Queen's Sharpies, had not arrived (via snail mail) and it was nearing the end of July.  Well, I was thrilled when I found this treasure in my mailbox yesterday!

I guess that poor little snail was struggling under the added weight of that wonderful crown charm.   I so glad the little guy persevered!  The photo just doesn't do it justice...the wonderful texture and all of the meaningful layers.  Awesome job Dee!

July ATC Swap

My Friend Kathie came up with a wonderful idea for an ATC swap group on Facebook for the many of us who have become friends over the last couple of years while participating in Joanne Sharpe's many fun online classes.  We've just gotten started, and yesterday I received a wonderful package in the mail.

I've been going through a couple of really rough, stressful weeks, and Heidi's timing, stunning art and fabulous message couldn't have been timed better!  Thank you Heidi, I love them all.

If you look closely, even the address label matches the wonderful ATCs!

This is the back of all of the ATCs...a work of art in itself!

Marbled ATCs

I've been cutting some of the new marbled fabric for a piece I've been working on, and I decided to use a few of the cut offs to make a couple of ATCs.  One was swapped at our GOE meeting last night and I'll keep one for myself.  

Pink Passion...

This beautiful ATC, called "Pink Passion", arrived in my mailbox today.  It was made by Robbin Neff.  If you want to see more of her ATCs, click on her name to see her blog.  I've actually linked to the post about this particular ATC, but you'll be able to explore further from there.

Robbin and I participated in an ATC swap organized by Lisa Fulmer, but sadly Lisa has decided that she's got too many other things going on so she won't be doing any more of these swaps.  Thanks for doing it while you could Lisa.  It was fun and I appreciate all of your time and organization.  

Maybe I'll have to think about picking up the ball...???