International Mixed Media Postcard Swap Version 2.0

The International Mixed Media Postcard Swap Version 2.0 is ON!

(Need a crash course on Mixed Media or some inspiration to get started? Read on!)

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!!

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). My email address is on the top left of this blog. Please note: 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 May 27th, 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!!!!!)

* There are some examples of Mixed Media styles and techniques further down in this post:

4. After May 27th, 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 June 25th, 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!

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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!!!

Here are some examples of some combinations that I love.

Maybe they will inspire you to make some mixed media postcards and participate in the Swap!


Here is a piece that I did using a heart-shaped paper doily, napkins for the background, and ink (pen) highlights. Then I used a stamp to put the word dream into the middle. See the whole piece here.

Here is another piece that I did using magazine images and chalk pastel. I combined a whole bunch of magazine images to create my own kooky character.



Here is a portion of a collage that I did using fabrics, ribbon and different types of threads - so fun!



Are you inspired yet?

Don’t forget! Send me your full name, mailing address, and email address to participate in the swap! My email address is on the top left of this blog!

"Like" Musings on Realities on Facebook for progress and Swap updates.
https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Musings-On-Realities/144749542303202

Tomorrow!!! The New Swap Begins!!!

The International Mixed Media Postcard Swap Version 2.0 starts tomorrow! Tune in Wednesday for all of the details!

Send and receive art postcards from all over the world - how great is that?!

It's Coming...

The International Mixed Media Swap Version 2.0 is just around the corner...

Stay tuned for the launch this week!

I Might Be A Social Media Junkie

I love Facebook. I'm sorry. I really do.

I love seeing what friends are up to - which ones are getting married, which ones have started small businesses that I can help by supporting, which restaurants some are trying, what kinds of travel they do.

I like learning about people and discovering different preferences, tastes, hobbies, habits...

I don't think that my love for Facebook makes me shallow; I think that it makes me a supportive friend. I am happy to give engcouragement when a friend admits they're under the weather. I love looking at baby pictures and wondering how a new mother chose the name for her child. I love seeing friends embark upon new endeavours.

That being said, I've encorporated my own blog and hobby into a Facebook Page.

If you click here, you can see it.

I didn't do it for fame or fortune; I did it so that people with similar interests (things that I discuss on my blog) can enjoy my musings when they're on Facebook instead of having to click through to 43 different sites every day.

Is that so wrong?

Our Yard Reno

We're making an oasis for ourselves - away from the hustle and bustle of life.

A place of calm, serenity, and comfort.

I talked last week about how I want to build an outdoor lounging space (read bed) in our yard...

Here are some pics of the work that we've been doing:

A new garden that I've put in - the plants went in on the weekend: Sedum, rhododendron, Japanese maple, hydrangea, rose, and some redhot pokers :)
The concrete lantern on the left side was a garage sale score! only $6!

Our new retaining wall. We took down an old rotten one and put this up in an afternoon. It sure helps having a partner with big jobs like this one!
Shrubs are getting delivered on Friday for complete privacy from the main road!!

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

I think I told you that I'm learning to crochet...

I was inspired by this blanket that my friend Sue made a few years ago:

Colours, Patterns, Stripes - what's not to love??

I've decided that, since I can never find my slippers when I need them, that I need to have a pair for every room in my house. What better way to achieve this than to make them myself, right?

Today I'm trying to wrap my head around making some mary jane slippers for myself. And maybe for some friends and family if all goes well!

I've been on YouTube looking for the easiest-to-follow tutorials on this project.

Here is the one that I think is the best and easiest to follow.

(There are loads of them, but some are not as good as others.)

Click HERE for the video and you will be directed to YouTube.

Any chance you've made some slippers?

Post photos and send me the links!

Wildflowers - A Themed Art Journal Page

I'm working on a series of wildflower-themed pages in my friend Pam Holladay's altered book.

A group of us local artists are going an altered book swap - 12 people, 12 journals, 12 themes, 12 months = CRAZY awesome fun!

"The Thing About Wildflowers" features various facts and inspirations about wildflowers.



Same page, but a close-up. I used spray ink over a doily to get the mandala-style effect.