The International Mixed Media Postcard Swap Version SIX is now open for registration!

(Need a crash course on Mixed Media or some inspiration to get started? Examples and ideas below!)

Past participants, please note that you will have to fill out this form to be in this Swap, even if I already have your address!

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 10 postcards!!

Note: Last day to sign up is January 11th, 2015!

1. Join the swap by filling out this form.

2. Click www.paypal.com to submit your $5.00 to participate (click on Send Money). Send your $5 to shannonganshorn at gmail.com ($5 = a cup of coffee, a vending machine sandwich, a deck of cards, a couple of chocolate bars, or TEN original art postcards!!!! Easy choice! ) 

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!!!!!)

4. Tell your friends about the Swap! 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!

5. During the following week (January 12-18), 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!

6. 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 January 31st, 2015. 

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!

Again, the steps are:

     1  - register using this form before January 11th

     2  - $5 via Paypal to shannonganshorn at gmail.com

     3  - make 10 postcards

     4  - share the Swap info with other artsy friends

     5  - get 10 addresses from me by January 18th

     6  - send out your postcards by January 31st

     7  - wait on your doorstep for cards to roll in!

________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

What is Mixed Media?

Mixed Media is an art form that encompasses every other art medium – truly every single one! Mixed Media combines two or more different art mediums (media) into each art piece. Here are some examples of some of the combinations that I love:

- Photography and Ink
- Magazine Images, Washi Tape and Felt Pen Doodles

- 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

- Sewing and Origami

- Zentangle and Painting

- Collage and Stencils

Use any or ALL of these combinations, and then add your own! The possibilities truly are endless!!! Do a Google image search for mixed media, or better yet, have a look on Pinterest for Mixed Media!

Don’t forget! Fill out this form and pay your $5 entry fee to participate! Last day to sign up is January 11th!

Join us Swappers in our Facebook Group, and share your cards as you make them and/or receive them: 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/506769812714702/

"Like" Musings on Realities on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Musings-On-Realities/144749542303202 

International Mixed Media Postcard Swap Version 5.0!

The International Mixed Media Postcard Swap Version 5.0 is ON!

(Need a crash course on Mixed Media or some inspiration to get started? Examples and ideas below!)

Past participants, please note that you will have to fill out this form to be in this Swap, even if I already have your address!

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 10 postcards!!

Note: Last day to sign up is January 12th, 2014!

1. Join the swap by filling out this form.

2. Click on the go to www.paypal.com to submit your $5.00 to participate (click on Send Money). Send your $5 to shannonganshorn at gmail.com ($5 = a cup of coffee, a vending machine sandwich, a deck of cards, a couple of chocolate bars, or TEN original art postcards!!!! Easy choice! ) 

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!!!!!)

4. Tell your friends about the Swap 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!

5. During the following week (January 19-25), 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!

6. 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 January 31st, 2014. 

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!

Again, the steps are:

     1  - register using this form before January 12th

     2  - $5 via Paypal to shannonganshorn at gmail.com

     3  - make 10 postcards

     4  - share the Swap info with other artsy friends

     5  - get 10 addresses from me by January 25th

     6  - send out your postcards by January 31st

     7  - wait on your doorstep for cards to roll in!

________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

What is Mixed Media?

Mixed Media is an art form that encompasses every other art medium – truly every single one! Mixed Media combines two or more different art mediums (media) into each art piece. Here are some examples of some of the combinations that I love:

- 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

- Sewing and Origami

- Zentangle and Painting

- Collage and Stencils

Use any or ALL of these combinations, and then add your own! The possibilities truly are endless!!! Do a Google image search for mixed media, or better yet, have a look on Pinterest for Mixed Media!

Don’t forget! Fill out this form and pay your $5 entry fee to participate! Last day to sign up is January 12th!

Join us Swappers in our Facebook Group, and share your cards as you make them and/or receive them: 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/506769812714702/

"Like" Musings on Realities on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Musings-On-Realities/144749542303202 

A Long-Awaited Wreath

Last Christmas, the mother of a friend of mine asked if I could make her a wreath for her door using some old sweaters.

The sweaters had belonged to her parents, and had been knit by a family member. Pretty special.

There were three sweaters, and I felted them all with a hot water/hot dryer process. 

I was initially worried  because the wool didn't felt like I had seen in other sweaters. The sweaters were definitely much smaller, but I could still see the knit stitches very easily. 

I called my "client" and asked her what she wanted me to do.

"Just use them up. Do your best, and don't worry if they unravel a bit." Perfect!

I cut one sweater up first, snipping out squares about 3"x 3".

The sweater was really thick, and although I have good, sharp scissors, my hands were aching!

Once I had all of my squares (I didn't measure, by the way, I just eyeballed the size), I grabbed a metal coat hanger. 

I bent it so that it formed a circle, 

...and then snipped it at the base on one side. 

Then I started poking the middles of my squares. You can see just under my left hand the number of squares that I had already "threaded" onto the wire when I took this photo. 

Once I had all of my squares on (you'll know this when there is barely room to see the wire between squares, even with a little effort), I snipped off the hook part of the coat hanger and made my own hook. 

I made a hook on the original end as well, and looped them together. 

I then pushed the squares around the join together, over the hooks so that the join was essentially hidden. (You can slide the square back on itself AND thread it over the looped end....)

The finish product is (in my opinion) a very striking wreath that could really be used any time of year. 

I love the oat-y colour of the sweater squares, and I love the messy-yet-organized look of the wreath itself. 

Go ahead and make one of these for your own door this year! It took me all of about 30 minutes (after the initial washing and drying), and didn't require any special tools. 

Make one for your neighbour, too! ;)

I'm Still Making Art!

Phew! Now that the postcard swap is in the sending and receiving stage, I've had a chance to relax a little.

I'm still making art. Below is a collage that I did with images and machine stitching for the cover of next (school) year's day plans. 

You might not hear from me for a while. I'm busy growing a person in my belly. It certainly takes up a lot of my mind, thinking about those little toes, little eyelashes and tiny lips - not to mention the growing list of things to buy for the October arrival. Thank goodness for Craigslist! 

I'm always available for chats and questions. You can find me checking in fairly regularly on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Musings-On-Realities/144749542303202

Lets talk soon. 

In Case You're Wondering...

...what has become of our Postcard Swap, you need to come and join us on Facebook!

Swappers are posting photos of their cards before they are sent, and recipients are posting photos of cards once they are received!! It's a VERY exciting group!

Come and have a look! https://www.facebook.com/groups/506769812714702/

xo
Shannon

The Swap Registration Deadline

Just a reminder that the deadline to sign up for V.4.0 of the Swap is fast approaching (May 10). Click on the Swap button to the right for details on how to be a part of this fun, worldwide swap!

Grammatical Errors that Make Me Twitch

If you follow me on Facebook, you'll know that I am a COMPLETE stickler for proper grammar.

I simply despise the misuse of the English language, and often (subconsciously?) lose respect for those who use the language poorly.

Facebook is a great example of a venue where our traditional grammar rules are used less and less efficiently.

Today alone, I've seen the following: (text altered to protect the guilty parties)

1. Commas used as ellipsis - "My husband came home,,,finally!"

2. The word "awe" instead of "aw" as a reaction to something - "Awe! So cute!"

3. Unnecessary extensions of words that end up weakening their meaning - "Awwweeeeee! So cute!"
(who says "ah - wee"?)

4. The famous misuses of "your" and "you're" - "Your right! I DO love this game!" (Is that my right or your right?)

4b - "Hey Kevin! I have you're French textbook! Call me!" (Poor Kevin never knew that he was a French textbook.)

5. The improper use of apostrophes (remember, apostrophes ONLY show ownership or a contraction) - "I saw Shannons Facebook status" (how many Shannons are there in this sentence?)

5b - "I scored three goal's last night!" (Apparently the last night belongs to those lucky goals!)


I truly LOVE the English language. In fact, I earned an English degree in University.

I'm an avid reader and constant corrector of grammar. I DO judge people on their incorrect use of grammar - I just can't help it! Is that really so bad?

Do you have any grammatical pet peeves? Any opinions on this post? Please comment below!