"Framing" Complete!

On this week's WIWO Wednesday, I showed you two postcards that I've received. I've been trying to figure out how to display them in my home. Since they are textiles, I want to be able to touch them, so putting them behind glass was not an option.

I decieded to flip over a couple of canvasses that I had one hand and paint the BACKS of them black.

I then put a block into the recess in the middle and put on a few dabs of glue (glue gun glue is fairly easy to remove in case I change my mind)

The result is a 3D "frame" which sets off the pieces, allows me (and visitors!) to touch them, and cost me nothing since I had the canvasses and paint on hand!

I LOVE how they turned out!

WIWO Wednesday - It's What I'm Working On

I received some incredible cards in the mail this week. They are made completely out of fabric, felt, threads and yarns.

Today I'm trying to figure out the best way to show them in my home. I had to photograph them though, to show you.

I am so in love with them both.

"Enchantment" by Kathy McElroy 

A close-up of "Enchantment." I love fiber arts.

This one appears to be hand-stitched (aside from the edges) by Joan Flynn in Australia. 

The details here are amazing! It must have taken her hours to make this. I feel so fortunate to have received this.

Postcards Are Rolling In!

Are you getting some great postcards? I can't beLIEVE some of the art that I'm getting.

In honour of Valentine's Day, I'm sharing some "link love" with all of you.

I've taken some photos of my favourites so far... have a look.

This card is from Carlene Taylor Simmons.
I was so tickled to get this because of the texture that she has created using fabric and her sewing machine along with the paper and paint...
I LOVE your work, Carlene!

This one is from the talented Pippa Gore. Have you checked out Pippa's blog?
She updates it about three times a day - you wouldn't believe how much art this woman makes.
She is truly an inspiration!

This is another card that really blew me away. It's from Pam Parker in Australia.
Get this: the leaves on her tree are made from APPLE STICKERS! Cute and clever.
Pam is just starting out her journey into mixed media and I'd say she's doing a splendid job!

Mark Montano has to be my number one idol in so many ways. I love what he pulls together.
He is like the MacGyver of Art, craft, and DIY.
Who else would put Mary, skulls, butterflies and glitter all in the same place?

I've never seen my name look so beautiful. I dream about being able to write in such a pretty way.
This is how Mark Montano addressed his (butterfly) envelope to me. 

WIWO Wednesday - It's What I'm Working On

Today I want to show you the finishing touches that I put on my postcards for the International Mixed Media Postcard Swap.

They went in the mail on Friday of last week... you may already have one in your mailbox! :)

My materials:
- watercolour paper
- watercolour paints
- tissue paper and acrylic medium for texture in the background
- magazine clippings for the hearts
- fabric for the flowers
- alphabet stamps and black Stazon ink
- sewing machine stitching for the embellishments and border
- black Micron marker for doodles

I also printed out a cute vintage postcard back to fasten onto the backs of my cards. You can see it in the picture here:

Here is a close-up of the stamping, stitching and magazine heart. I doodled around the heart with a black Micron marker. 

Although all of the cards are different, each one has the same elements and follows the same theme of finding "bliss"

How did your postcards turn out?
Post a link to your postcards in the comments of this blog post so that we can see them! :)

What to Put On The BACK of Your Postcards

So we've all been busy making beautiful mixed media postcards.

Any ideas what you're going to put on the BACKS of them?

Fear not, lovelies. I have some suggestions for you!

Aren't these vintage postcards beautiful?

This one was made when postage only cost a penny!

Of course the first thing on the the list will be the recipient's mailing address. This should be the easiest thing to see on the back since a lot of the postal services now have scanners that read the address instead of having an actual person read it. Keep this in mind when you are decorating the backs...

Here are some other ideas for what you might want to put on the BACKS of your postcards:
1. The recipient's mailing address
2. Your own name
3. Where you're from
4. Your blog/website address (if you have one!)
5. Your email address (if you want encourage further contact)
6. A little message (similar to what you would write on any "vacation-style" postcard)
7. A favourite quote or saying
8. A description of how you created your art postcard and/or what materials you used
9. Paste on a moo card or your artsy business card
10. Words of encouragement - remember, another real live artist will be receiving this, so what would YOU want to read on a card?
11. Leave room for stamps!

Most importantly of all, perhaps, is to leave room for postage. Remember that if you are sending internationally, you might have to put more than one stamp on the card. Make sure the stamp(s) won't cover over any of your message!

My Fake Romance With Teesha Moore

*Just a reminder that today is the

LAST DAY to sign up for the

International Mixed Media Postcard Swap!

In the meantime, here's a little eye candy for you.

By Teesha Moore



By Teesha Moore



By Teesha Moore

Have you been wondering where to start when working on your postcards?

I have recently watched the entire series from Teesha Moore on how she assembles her amazing journal pages and I thought that a lot of the ideas are so postcard-friendly

I decided to post the video below on here since she is a major inspiration for my own work. All of her videos can be found at http://www.teeshamoore.com/.

She takes these two pages from start to finish in her overall series, so they're really interesting to watch. I really thought that watching her go step-by-step was great, since I am in awe of some of her other pages.

I love how she fills her pages right up and makes them look energetic without being overcrowded.

Sit back and enjoy the process, Lovelies :)

WIWO Wednesday - Postcard Swap Prep - MY Postcards

I'm getting my groove on to make 10 postcards!

This is my inspiration - blue, green, white and purple fabric. 

I love watching watercolours move and bleed as they dry... Isn't this pretty?

Even though I used watercolour paper, the cards still curled up when I applied the paint to them.

I've decided to make 12 cards so that I can send the two extras to some special international friends :)

How's your process going?? Post links to your postcards in the comments section so that we can all see!

The International Mixed Media Postcard Swap - In Full Swing!

Have you signed up? Well what are you waiting for???

Send me an email (address on the upper left of my blog) and get creating!

The basic idea:

- You will make 10 postcards in a mixed media format (don't be afraid - mixed media is a cinch! Keep reading...)
- You will receive 10 mailing address from me for other creative people just like you from around the world!
- You will send each of those ten people one of your handmade postcards.
- Then you will receive a handmade postcard from 10 other people from around the world!
Sound like fun? Then join us!

The rules:

The rules are easy, but make sure that you read through them and follow them! Remember, you have to follow through if you sign up! A real live person will be waiting for each of your postcards!!

1. Join the swap by sending me your information (full name, home address (including country!), email, and blog or website address if you have one). If you are missing ANY of this information or if I cannot contact you using the email address that you provided, I will consider you as not participating.

2. Last day to sign up day is January 20th, 2012!

3. Make 10 handmade postcards in a mixed-media style. Remember, "Mixed media, in visual art, refers to an artwork in the making of which more than one medium has been employed." That means that you can combine ANY types of art into your postcards! (Oh what fun!!!!! :D)

Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Photography and Ink
- Fabric and Watercolours
- Paint and Crayons (I *love* crayons!)
- Pencil Crayons and Ink
- Fabric and Photography
- Collage and Paint
- Scrapbook Style and Paint
- Embroidery and Ink
Use any or ALL of these combinations, or think of your own! The possibilities truly are endless!!!

4. After January 20th, I will email you 10 mailing addresses to send your cards to. They might be from across the city, across the country, or on the other side of the world because this swap is open for everyone!

5. Make sure that you fix the appropriate amount of postage, write a nice message, and then send your postcards "plain" or "hidden" in an envelope for protection depending on what you've made. (It’s up to you)! The deadline for sending your postcards is February 20th, 2012.

6. Tell your friends or grab this badge to put onto your blog, linking to this post! The more people we have participating, the more fun it will be! Spread the word; share a link to this page on Facebook or Twitter, write about the swap in your next blog post. Thanks for helping make this swap AWESOME!

7. Wait patiently for the snail mail to do its thing! You will be getting postcards from 10 different people around the world! How exciting!

Happy Holidays!

As I depart for a much-needed 12 days off, I'll leave you with a nudge and a a sigh.

Nudge: Have you signed up for the International Mixed Media Postcard Swap yet?

Sigh: Look at this CRAZY CLEARANCE-PRICED Mandala duvet cover. Buy it. Now.

Happy Holidays, Lovelies.

WIWO Wednesday (on Thursday) - preparing my cards for the postcard swap

Have you registered for the International Mixed Media Postcard Swap yet? So far there are 6 countries participating. Is your country represented? Send me an email to enquire!

Here is a sneak peek of some experimenting that I'm doing in preparation for my cards. By using watercolor paints, black pen and my sewing machine, I'm pushing the term mixed media over the edge!

International Mixed Media Postcard Swap

Hello all you fine creative folk!

Today marks the launch for the 2012 International Mixed Media Postcard Swap!!!!

The basic idea:
- You will make 10 postcards in a mixed media format (don't be afraid - mixed media is a cinch! Keep reading...)
- You will receive 10 mailing address from me for other creative people just like you from around the world!
- You will send each of those ten people one of your handmade postcards.
- Then you will receive a handmade postcard from 10 other people from around the world!

Sound like fun? Then join us!


The rules:
The rules are easy, but make sure that you read through them and follow them! Remember, you have to follow through if you sign up! A real live person will be waiting for each of your postcards!!

1. Join the swap by sending me your information (full name, home address (including country!), email, and blog or website address if you have one). If you are missing ANY of this information or if I cannot contact you using the email address that you provided, I will consider you as not participating.

2. Last day to sign up day is January 20th, 2012!

3. Make 10 handmade postcards in a mixed-media style. Remember, "Mixed media, in visual art, refers to an artwork in the making of which more than one medium has been employed." That means that you can combine ANY types of art into your postcards! (Oh what fun!!!!! :D)

Here are some ideas to get you started:

- Photography and Ink
- Fabric and Watercolours
- Paint and Crayons (I *love* crayons!)
- Pencil Crayons and Ink
- Fabric and Photography
- Collage and Paint
- Scrapbook Style and Paint
- Embroidery and Ink
Use any or ALL of these combinations, or think of your own! The possibilities truly are endless!!!


4. After January 20th, I will email you 10 mailing addresses to send your cards to. They might be from across the city, across the country, or on the other side of the world because this swap is open for everyone!

5. Make sure that you fix the appropriate amount of postage, write a nice message, and then send your postcards "plain" or "hidden" in an envelope for protection depending on what you've made. (It’s up to you)! The deadline for sending your postcards is February 20th, 2012.

6. Tell your friends or grab this badge to put onto your blog, linking to this post! The more people we have participating, the more fun it will be! Spread the word; share a link to this page on Facebook or Twitter, write about the swap in your next blog post. Thanks for helping make this swap AWESOME!

7. Wait patiently for the snail mail to do its thing! You will be getting postcards from 10 different people around the world! How exciting!

Inspired yet? I sure am! I'm going to go start making my postcards right now!
 
*I'm taking a short break from blogging for Christmas, but I will still be glued to my email!

Send me your full name, mailing address, and email address to participate in the swap!

Our Big International Mixed Media Postcard Swap Starts TOMORROW!!

Wanna get a head start? Start making postcards using mixed media!

Wait a minute...what is mixed media? Simply put: any combination of art supplies used on the same piece of art.

Mixed Media: "A technique involving the use of two or more artistic media, such as ink and pastel or painting and collage, that are combined in a single composition."

Ink and Pastel. Painting and Collage. Photography and Ink. Crochet and Ink. Embroidery and Watercolour. Pastel and Felt Markers. Or get crazy and mix 3, 4, 5 of these together! The possibilites are endless!

Here is an example that I made today in my art journal using crayons and origami paper.

I absolutely love my Crayola Twistable Crayons!!

And here is another example using paint, old book pages (collaged together in the background), a felt marker and a feather:

Get the idea? If you have ANY questions, let me know in the comments section or email me!