tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1577971448950303482024-03-05T14:18:05.023-06:00Chez Boo RaeMixed Media and Art Journals. Crazy Quilting. Fiber Art. Ramblings. Maybe Some Gardening.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05566535756563798050noreply@blogger.comBlogger146125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-157797144895030348.post-73295130780846855362014-04-26T15:37:00.004-05:002014-04-28T11:00:25.195-05:00Studies in collage with walnut inks and cereal box journal update<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I've had these <a href="http://www.tsukineko.com/store/cart.php?m=product_list&c=21" target="_blank">walnut inks</a> sitting around for a long time. I <b>had</b> to have them but I've never been sure what to do with them. (I know I am not the only person out there who is compelled to buy art supplies before having a use for them!) They can't be used on non-porous surfaces (or they will never dry), so I had limited use for them. After being inspired by <a href="http://janedaviesstudios.com/" target="_blank">Jane Davies</a> to stamp, paint, and mark on tissue paper for use in collage it finally occurred to me to spray the inks on the tissue. I love the result. It's easy to do. Spray ink on tissue paper. Tear up paper. Stick it down.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tsukineko Walnut Ink Sprays</td></tr>
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The colors in this set are Terra Cotta, Eucalyptus, Java, and Walnut. I think they are meant to be used for aging or antiquing papers. <a href="http://www.tsukineko.com/craft.php" target="_blank">Tsukineko</a> calls them "craft inks" on their website.<br>
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I started with opaque papers, mostly ones with words, adhered to some drawing paper about 9"x12". Of course I forgot to photograph that part.<br>
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I ripped up the tissue paper and started sticking it down, paying very little attention to what went where. I added the translucent tissue paper over the opaque papers and I like the look very much. It knocks back the white and leaves the text visible. </div>
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The tissue paper on the left, in the image above, was stamped using a wooden stamp with Golden Iridescent Copper Light (Fine). I am adding it into the collage because it it's curvy, and because I love the copper color. You can see a bit of it in Collage detail (1) below. Not Collage (1), Collage detail (1).<br>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Collage (1)</td></tr>
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The tissue paper I used had a strong grain in one direction and I ended up with lots of pieces with straight-ish edges. I positioned the most extreme ones against the edges of the paper.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Collage detail (1)</td></tr>
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I love the transparency, well, technically I guess it's translucency, of the tissue paper. Because the inks do not spray uniformly, I was able to choose from very dark to very light coverage.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Collage detail (2)</td></tr>
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There is no rhyme, reason, or composition here. Just randomly placed paper. It's not necessary because I will paint over much of this. It takes great courage, but I am learning to paint over collage, using the collage to inform my painting decisions. (Don't you love that? Informed. Me?) The class that I took from <a href="http://janedaviesstudios.com/" target="_blank">Jane</a> last month at <a href="http://www.artandsoulretreat.com/" target="_blank">Art & Soul</a> in Kansas City was filled with instruction that has made me much more confident about painting over my exceptionally wonderful precious collages.</div>
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<b>Cereal Box Journal </b></div>
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The cereal box journal slowly marches on. When I add to the pages, I use paint left over after a "real" painting session and collaged junk. I experiment with things I might want to do in a project: techniques, stamps, all kinds of stuff.<br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jgbpKC-Dbzg/U1wFwxiMDjI/AAAAAAAAC1Q/3d020IAEAwI/s1600/IMG_5526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jgbpKC-Dbzg/U1wFwxiMDjI/AAAAAAAAC1Q/3d020IAEAwI/s1600/IMG_5526.jpg" height="320" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cereal box journal detail (1)</td></tr>
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This is a label torn off a beer carton. There was lots of nice narrowly corrugated cardboard left for use as a texturing tool. My son was nice enough to give the carton to me as I do not buy beer by the case.<br>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cereal box journal detail (2)</td></tr>
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I sprayed over a hare mask with <a href="http://rangerink.com/?product=dylusions-ink-sprays" target="_blank">Dylusions</a> ink spray. I am still a little leery about using Dylusions because they are water-activated and they smear in the kind of work I do. Love the colors, though. I think my choices are to seal it with a fixative spray or switch to acrylic inks and settle for a different look.<br>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cereal box journal spread</td></tr>
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I have been sick for a week, but I think I am on the mend now. It will be great to get back in the studio instead of sitting in a chair and watching netflix while reading the interwebs. I can only take so much of that stuff and I reached my limit last Monday.<br>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05566535756563798050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-157797144895030348.post-27339474652297747512014-04-01T12:21:00.001-05:002014-04-01T12:26:34.443-05:00Cereal Box Journal<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I have learned so much from other people, too many to remember to list them here. I do want to mention <a href="http://janelafazio.com/" target="_blank">Jane LaFazio</a>, who introduced me to cereal box journals, and <a href="http://janedaviesstudios.com/" target="_blank">Jane Davies</a>, who taught me about lifting paint. I have learned a great deal more than that from Jane and Jane. They are both brilliant artists and excellent teachers, and their classes are fun and filled with new ideas. Check out their workshops and online classes on their websites!<br />
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Okay, my cereal box journal. I save cereal and cracker boxes and cut off the sides and ends to make pages. I punch holes in them so that I can hold them together with rings.<br />
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<img alt="Art journal made from cereal boxes." border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZlGoMDuArmc/UuKtCP6rK0I/AAAAAAAACt8/Z3t0qUpzb0I/s1600/IMG_5137.JPG" height="320" title="Cereal box journal" width="320" /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-51WWJzrGlbc/UzrrNmcbykI/AAAAAAAACw8/GcJLmtD3VCA/s1600/IMG_5405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Art journal made from cereal boxes." border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-51WWJzrGlbc/UzrrNmcbykI/AAAAAAAACw8/GcJLmtD3VCA/s1600/IMG_5405.jpg" height="320" title="Cereal box journal" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As you can see, we eat lots of cereal <br />
and crackers around my house.</td></tr>
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I am working on collage and paint pieces (not in the journal, on printmaking paper), and sometimes I want to remove paint that I have applied. I grab a cereal box page or a piece of drawing paper and blot to lift the paint. I love the interesting effect of this. The cereal box by-product is just a bonus! When I have blotted enough that the CB page is covered, I make marks on it and sometimes I add more paint.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fXhpgBMBlM0/UzrrPNPlw0I/AAAAAAAACxE/jzlXLk-cvPs/s1600/IMG_5406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Art journal pages" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fXhpgBMBlM0/UzrrPNPlw0I/AAAAAAAACxE/jzlXLk-cvPs/s1600/IMG_5406.jpg" height="320" title="Art journal pages" width="320" /></a></div>
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These finished pages are fun to play with. I have no stake in how they look. They do not have to be perfect! If I end up with something I hate (it happened once) I can either paint or gesso over it or throw it in the trash.</div>
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Sometimes I use <a href="http://www.utrechtart.com/Utrecht-Drawing-Paper--70lb--Pack-of-100-sheets-MP-10271-001-i1010039.utrecht" target="_blank">cheap drawing paper</a> to lift paint. I learned about this paper from <a href="http://janedaviesstudios.com/" target="_blank">Jane Davies</a>. It is on her <a href="http://janedaviesstudios.com/favorite-materials/" target="_blank">Favorite Materials</a> web page.</div>
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I love to write on these pages. I overlap the writing so no one can read it (really, I say things I would never want anyone to read!), and I love the blocky squiggly effect.</div>
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Rather than punch holes in this paper, which I think would soon be destroyed by flipping through the heavy cardboard, I stick it on the CB pages with acrylic medium. I am sure PVA glue would be just fine, I just haven't had a bottle near me when I have been doing this. In this photo I have folded the drawing paper in half and wrapped it around the cardboard page.</div>
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I'll add some paint and some writing certainly, and maybe more. Whatever I do, I will enjoy doing it, and maybe learn some things that will help me be a better artist.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05566535756563798050noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-157797144895030348.post-41568135253675372102014-02-06T14:40:00.004-06:002014-02-06T14:40:50.773-06:00Winter grays and browns<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It's no secret that I have a rough time emotionally in the winter. My personality is not suited to viewing grays and browns relentlessly. I think that's why my art leans toward screaming bright colors. I feel like a parched plant drinking in water when I work in big bright colors. Sometimes it's hard to get myself to my studio to work when it's cold and brown and gray outside. On those days, I take it easy on myself. Sometimes just sitting in my studio helps. Sometimes just sitting leads to working, which helps a bunch. I haven't felt like taking on anything difficult or big, so I have been working in my art journals and making Gelli prints.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gelli prints on card stock and deli paper</td></tr>
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<br />As I printed on the Gelli plate, I used the journal page below to clean my brayer and print off stamps and rubbing plates that still had paint on them. I am very pleased with how it turned out, especially considering that it was a no-brainer. Come to think of it, most of my backgrounds are no-brainers.<div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Journal page from cleaning brayer<br />and stamps</td></tr>
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Wishing you all the color you want in your life.<br /><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05566535756563798050noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-157797144895030348.post-39992477698433474252014-01-25T09:19:00.000-06:002014-01-25T09:19:40.692-06:00Cereal box journal<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I have been saving cereal and cracker boxes to make a journal. I love the idea of the rough look of it, and I can smugly pat myself on the back for repurposing something that would otherwise be wasted.<br />
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These pages are calling to me that I can do any old messy thing I like and not give a hoot about what it looks like. In other words, it is truly an expressive art journal. I need something like this to work on a few minutes a day, maybe right after I write my <a href="http://juliacameronlive.com/basic-tools/morning-pages/" target="_blank">Morning Pages</a>.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Repurposing cereal boxes -- I am so green. </td></tr>
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I intend for the "binding" to be a couple of metal rings, as you can see in the image. I started making holes in the cardboard pieces as I cut up the boxes, but soon grew weary of that because it was boring and made my hand hurt. I will add holes as I finish each page.<br />
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This is as far as I have made it with this thing. The next step is to apply gesso, and I have no doubt that the non-printed pages will be fine, but I am concerned about getting gesso to stick to the shiny, printed side. I will probably be spending some time with a sanding block. I don't like sanding, but it is for art so I will sacrifice myself. Or I will just make art on one side. It's my journal and I can do whatever I like. So there.</div>
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I'll post my progress with this project. Maybe. It might contain many expletives.</div>
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Have you ever made a cardboard art journal? I'd love to read about your experiences!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05566535756563798050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-157797144895030348.post-3694300700036488752014-01-24T12:07:00.000-06:002014-01-24T12:07:10.382-06:00Moongazing Hares<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I don't know what it is about hares and the moon that lures me in. Something just does. On a trip to London a lifetime ago, I found a little moongazing hare sculptural figure in a gift shop, I think it was the V&A. I have had it around at the edges of my awareness, tucked in a drawer or at the back of a shelf, for many years. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The other day, while trying to read the entire internet in one sitting, I ran across an image of one of these creatures and have felt myself drawn back in. The hare represents regrowth and the fertility of spring, which seemed apt for the time of year and my age. At 67, I consider myself in the springtime of my old age, and am finding a growing energy in artistic creativity. If you want more information on these critters, here's what wikipedia has to </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moon_gazing_hare" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;" target="_blank">say</a><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">.</span><br />
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I googled for images and was not disappointed. Eventually, I chose my favorite and with PhotoShop and Illustrator managed to make a file that I could use with my Silhouette Cameo to cut a stencil.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-EYHCiPbBGek/UuA3_9BcgQI/AAAAAAAACsQ/SpFONp5dkeQ/s640/blogger-image--371798007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-EYHCiPbBGek/UuA3_9BcgQI/AAAAAAAACsQ/SpFONp5dkeQ/s640/blogger-image--371798007.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is not the stencil, it's the mask that came from the stencil.</td></tr>
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This is the mask (the part that came away to make the stencil), and I think I am going to have lots of fun with this and my Gelli plate. (Note the textured papers beneath the mask. I am using them to remove paint from the Gelli and eventually they will wind up in a piece of art somewhere. Someone gave them to me but I believe they are anaglypta wallpaper and I might be able to get more from the paint store!)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HCClNdoU9As/UuKnNv-KBgI/AAAAAAAACtY/3oFi0GWLwdk/s1600/IMG_5119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HCClNdoU9As/UuKnNv-KBgI/AAAAAAAACtY/3oFi0GWLwdk/s1600/IMG_5119.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was made using the stencil.</td></tr>
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Here's what my hare looks like stenciled on to an art journal page. I outlined it with a .35mm Energel pen, and I like that look, but the hare does not seem finished to me. I think I will gradually add paint to it until it is less translucent and stands out on its own more.</div>
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A few more pictures of the hare …</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QWrH-Jz7Ks0/UuKp7Kmvg4I/AAAAAAAACtg/4eT86U25pHw/s1600/IMG_1981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QWrH-Jz7Ks0/UuKp7Kmvg4I/AAAAAAAACtg/4eT86U25pHw/s1600/IMG_1981.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gelli print on card stock using stencil and <a href="http://donnascrazyart.blogspot.com/2014/01/stamp-carving.html" target="_blank">hand carved stamp</a>.</td></tr>
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It amuses me to make these hares in non-hare colors. I didn't realize that the spiral on the hare was layered over a spiral design on the background image until I made the print. Happy accident.<br /><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-spoO4maVhoo/UuKp76elsxI/AAAAAAAACto/gO2cNMtWi9Y/s1600/IMG_1999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-spoO4maVhoo/UuKp76elsxI/AAAAAAAACto/gO2cNMtWi9Y/s1600/IMG_1999.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gelli print on deli paper cut out and placed on existing collage.</td></tr>
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This pink hare was stenciled on a piece of deli paper using the Gelli, then cut out and placed over an existing collage art journal page.<br /><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05566535756563798050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-157797144895030348.post-1319696886970154922014-01-20T13:58:00.001-06:002014-01-20T14:00:16.104-06:00Stamp carving<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I carved a few stamps this weekend. Carving is so relaxing to me!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tqvUXMWo7p4/Ut1zqk2t1GI/AAAAAAAACos/XanoUcqv8QY/s1600/IMG_5104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tqvUXMWo7p4/Ut1zqk2t1GI/AAAAAAAACos/XanoUcqv8QY/s1600/IMG_5104.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large pattern stamp</td></tr>
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Somehow I thought I could turn this stamp so that all the patterns would match. Either it can't be done or I can't figure it out. I am spatially impaired so it's not surprising! This was easy to carve. I freehand drew the pattern on a piece of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Speedball-6-Inch-12-Inch-Speedy-Carve-Block/dp/B001DNCFJ2" target="_blank">pink carving material</a> that I had around. It carved beautifully, so I need to head out with my Michaels coupon and see if I can find it there.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smaller stamps</td></tr>
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These smaller stamps were a pain in the neck to carve. Not because they were small but because the material crumbled as I worked, leaving irregular edges. It is a creamy color, but I don't know what kind it is. I especially like the spiral and the second one in the right column.<br />
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<a href="http://balzerdesigns.typepad.com/balzer_designs/" target="_blank">Julie Fei Fan Balzer</a> has a new book out, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Carve-Stamp-Play-Designing-Creating/dp/1596688866" target="_blank">Carve Stamp Play: Designing and Creating Custom Stamps</a>, and I have added it to <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/2UPXTUYGGLFJI/ref=cm_wl_huc_title" target="_blank">my book wish list</a>. (I linked my wish list on amazon, just in case anyone is searching for the right gift for me. Just saying')<br />
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My next projects are another <a href="http://donnascrazyart.blogspot.com/2014/01/carving-luna-moth-stamp.html" target="_blank">luna moth</a> stamp, about half the size of the first one, and a <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/534450680750584394/" target="_blank">moon gazing hares</a>. There seems to be a moon theme emerging here. Hmmmm.<br />
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I love comments! Feel free ...</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05566535756563798050noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-157797144895030348.post-25605187441325900562014-01-19T14:12:00.000-06:002014-01-19T14:12:14.162-06:00Fried Egg Art<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This was my breakfast a few days ago. A fried egg. I liked its looks so I photographed it. And put some makeup on it, via Procreate, an iPhone and iPad app*.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UDei4ueGPiw/UtwpQVZU0iI/AAAAAAAACoI/FscQpELHRPQ/s1600/IMG_1947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UDei4ueGPiw/UtwpQVZU0iI/AAAAAAAACoI/FscQpELHRPQ/s1600/IMG_1947.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After</td></tr>
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*Procreate is the best photo editing app I have run across, except for one tiny flaw: it crashes constantly. I can't recommend it because of that, but I like to play with it occasionally when I have some time.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05566535756563798050noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-157797144895030348.post-63515911781175769402014-01-19T13:46:00.000-06:002014-01-19T13:46:48.640-06:00Painting the Gelli plate cover<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
See that Gelli plate below? It is not loaded with paint. The plastic cover sheet is loaded with paint.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Eu_fk-5oP_s/UtwpO0XObaI/AAAAAAAACoA/x3LkBNATaZA/s1600/IMG_5093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Eu_fk-5oP_s/UtwpO0XObaI/AAAAAAAACoA/x3LkBNATaZA/s1600/IMG_5093.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">8x10" Gelli plate with painted cover sheet</td></tr>
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Please tell me that I am not the only Gelli plate owner who, in her zeal to get started, put paint on the sheet covering the plate. I've done it to both sides. A multiple offender.<br />
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BTW, it's not very clear in this photo, but this is where my Gelli plate lives: on a glass sheet recycled from my (old) refrigerator. The glass is tempered, which makes it safe, not that it ever moves. The Gelli sticks right down and does not slide around when I am printing. It stays on my worktable most of the time, but if I want to move it, I turn the glass on its side and stow it vertically my with cutting mats. I have noticed no difference in my Gelli over time. I have been doing this for over a year, and as far as I can tell, nothing bad has happened to the plate. It's not dried out or stiff, it seems to be just like it was when it was new. Even this sides, which are constantly exposed to air, are unchanged. I am not recommending that you disregard the manufacturer's storage directions. I am just telling you that I did and so far no ill effects.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05566535756563798050noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-157797144895030348.post-27433411297422183292014-01-13T14:23:00.001-06:002014-01-13T14:23:39.097-06:00Stencil on Images journal page, made with Silhouette Cameo<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I love <a href="http://www.stencilgirlproducts.com/" target="_blank">Stencil Girl</a> and <a href="http://www.thecraftersworkshop.com/The_Crafters_Workshop/Home.html" target="_blank">The Crafters' Workshop</a>, and making my own stencils won't replace their wonderful products; however, I wanted to try making stencils from my own designs so I bought a <a href="http://www.silhouetteamerica.com/" target="_blank">Silhouette Cameo</a>. For those of you who have never heard of a Silhouette Cameo, it'a small machine that cuts shapes out of paper, vinyl film, card stock, fabric, and some other things, including plastic stencil material. I tried three or four different kinds of stencil materials, none of which worked with the machine, until I found this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvDpSw3HLsU" target="_blank">video on YouTube by Jamie Tardif</a>. She recommended Show Offs stencil blanks, which can be purchased only at Hobby Lobby, and that is what I am using.</div>
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I still haven't made a stencil from my own design -- I need some remedial training on Adobe Illustrator or the software that comes with the machine. I did make the beautiful stencil pictured below, though. It's a design that I purchased from Silhouette called Echo Park Doily. The stencil material is not a lovely shade of lavender, that's from the Dylusions spray that I used. Read on ...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silhouette Echo Park Doily</td></tr>
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I used the chipboard setting on the Silhouette to cut this out. You have to do a lot of fiddling to get the machine set so that it will cut properly. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gelli printed collaged deli papers with stencil applied in purple</td></tr>
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I put my <a href="http://www.pamelaunderwood.com/offerings/image-as-companion-womens-mixed-media-journaling-retreat/" target="_blank">Images journal</a> in my non-OSHA approved paint booth (cardboard box) and got out the Dylusions Crushed Grape spray ink. You can see the stencil design at the bottom left corner of the top right quadrant. I deliberately sprayed only a part of the stencil. I did not want the doily to be the focal point on the page. I wiped some of it off after I sprayed it.<br />
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The page I sprayed on was coated with either Liquitex Liquid Matte Medium or ModPodge, I can't remember. The Dylusions beaded up a bit but I rolled a roll of paper towels over it to pick up the excess.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This design is on the paper towel that I put underneath.</td></tr>
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I usually put a paper towel or piece of paper under the object to be sprayed. I have some beautiful papers that started life as a humble drip-catcher. I think I'll try tissue paper the next time I spray.<br />
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So there's today's quickie peek into the Silhouette Cameo and stenciling. If you want to learn more, watch Jamie's video (link in first paragraph). You can always leave a comment if you have a question and I'll try to answer it.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Now go make something daring. It doesn't count unless you make a mess.</span></h4>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05566535756563798050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-157797144895030348.post-11905850011001030602014-01-12T13:10:00.000-06:002014-01-12T13:14:46.087-06:00Luna moth ghost prints<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
After I stamped my newly-handcarved luna moth stamp in my <a href="http://www.pamelaunderwood.com/offerings/image-as-companion-womens-mixed-media-journaling-retreat/" target="_blank">Images</a> art journal, there was still plenty of ink left on the stamp. I made a ghost print on a piece of scrapbook paper ...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_FgW-EcKG4k/UtLfosRT8gI/AAAAAAAACmo/zGQgxxcljC4/s1600/IMG_5069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_FgW-EcKG4k/UtLfosRT8gI/AAAAAAAACmo/zGQgxxcljC4/s1600/IMG_5069.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First ghost print -- scrapbook paper</td></tr>
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And I made another ghost print on the back page of the journal …</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Second ghost print -- journal page</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: left;">I was using a brand new ink pad (<a href="http://www.joggles.com/store/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=473_475_1155&products_id=24442" target="_blank">Stazon Teal Blue</a>) and I really smacked in on the stamp, otherwise I would not have got two such clear images.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.dreamingcolor.com/" target="_blank">Luminarte</a> has a new color in their <a href="http://www.dreamingcolor.com/silks-acrylic-glaze.html" target="_blank">Silks Acrylics Glazes</a> line called <a href="http://www.dreamingcolor.com/silks-acrylic-glaze/slk-164-moss-green-new-color-2013.html" target="_blank">"Moss Green"</a>. It looks pretty close to a luna moth color, but it's a glaze. Still looking for an opaque option.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Find some time today to do a little something creative and nourish your spirit; you deserve it.</span></h4>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05566535756563798050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-157797144895030348.post-62658236808461294552014-01-10T11:01:00.000-06:002014-01-10T11:06:19.625-06:00Embracing 2014<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The internet is buzzing with talk about choosing a word for the coming year instead of making resolutions. Choosing one word seems more practical than making a list of things I will never do. Here are some photos to verify that I have actually chosen a word, and not just fantasized about it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cj9geUi5LQI/UtAfmbDGOmI/AAAAAAAACkQ/j2bDjxHLOCk/s1600/IMG_5054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cj9geUi5LQI/UtAfmbDGOmI/AAAAAAAACkQ/j2bDjxHLOCk/s1600/IMG_5054.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">An act of holding close with the arms,<br />an enclosure or encirclement,<br />eager acceptance. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8iNzX9ui7l0/UtAfnXL1EeI/AAAAAAAACkU/olR19dr41RI/s1600/IMG_5057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8iNzX9ui7l0/UtAfnXL1EeI/AAAAAAAACkU/olR19dr41RI/s1600/IMG_5057.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's the whole page.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tN9j5L0rQIg/UtAfogLiCBI/AAAAAAAACkc/pJtVN4v2GZw/s1600/IMG_5059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tN9j5L0rQIg/UtAfogLiCBI/AAAAAAAACkc/pJtVN4v2GZw/s1600/IMG_5059.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the facing page. It's not finished.</td></tr>
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Some technical stuff: The page backgrounds are <a href="http://donnascrazyart.blogspot.com/2013/07/gelli-print-collage-backgrounds.html" target="_blank">Gelli-printed deli paper collages</a>. The flowers and leaves are stencils, the peacock feather was cut out of scrapbook paper on a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=silhouette+cameo+bundle&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=30902962101&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2117162166982190544&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_7k7cj3fwgd_b" target="_blank">Silhouette Cameo</a> cutting machine, the "mind body spirit" is from a <a href="http://www.stencilgirlproducts.com/category-s/1850.htm" target="_blank">Stencil Girls Stencil Club</a> stencil designed by <a href="http://jessicasporn.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Jessica Sporn</a>. The three round swirly patterns in dark pink, to the left of the peacock feather, were made by heating a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/DARICE-MARSHMALLOW-SHAPE-25X30MM-1035-80/dp/B002JPY9V0" target="_blank">foam "marshmallow"</a> from Michaels with a heat gun, then pressing into a carved pipe bowl to make a stamp. In person, the pages have a fair amount of shimmer from a <a href="http://www.jetpens.com/Kuretake-Zig-Wink-of-Stella-Glitter-Brush-Pen-Clear/pd/10291" target="_blank">Wink of Stella brush pen</a> and <a href="http://www.dickblick.com/items/21107-3009/" target="_blank">Daler & Rowney FW Acrylic Inks</a>. I did all the lettering by hand, except for "mind body spirit", with <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Uni-posca-PC-5M-Paint-Marker-Pen/dp/B001ANVDMU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1389372771&sr=8-1&keywords=uni+posca+paint+marker" target="_blank">Posca Paint Pens</a> and a <a href="http://www.jetpens.com/Pentel-EnerGel-Euro-Needle-Point-Gel-Ink-Pen-0.35-mm-Black/pd/6511" target="_blank">Pentel EnerGel .35mm pen</a>. If you are new to art journaling, don't worry about acquiring all this stuff at first. It's expensive. I did not get all these supplies overnight. I've used Michaels 40% off coupons, Jo-Ann's online sales, and special offers wherever I can find them. Just use what you have and enjoy yourself!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05566535756563798050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-157797144895030348.post-4456749186108108932014-01-09T11:40:00.002-06:002014-01-09T11:43:47.217-06:00A tiny envelope template<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CmO3-yJ9Oao/Us7bz0IvKxI/AAAAAAAACj8/RzQP2TzDgzk/s1600/IMG_5044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="tiny envelope template" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CmO3-yJ9Oao/Us7bz0IvKxI/AAAAAAAACj8/RzQP2TzDgzk/s1600/IMG_5044.jpg" height="320" title="Tiny Envelope Template" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiny Envelope Template</td></tr>
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This is the template I use as a guide to make tiny envelopes. I pick up a piece of paper, usually <a href="http://donnascrazyart.blogspot.com/2013/07/monoprint-collage.html" target="_blank">Gelli printed deli paper</a>, and I whack it out in the general shape shown in the image. I vary the size, the proportions, and I don't try to make it neat. I know this will drive some of you nuts, but it's just how I roll.<br />
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When I have the envelope cut out, I fold it down the center line. Then I fold the flaps (top left and far left) over and glue them down. The top flap is left sticking up (yes, I know the photo is upside down) until I decide how I am going to use the envelope. Sometimes I chop off the top flap and sometimes I make it a different shape.<br />
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I have found that a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Xyron-3301-12-32-Runner-Forty-Adhesive/dp/B004QM94KU/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1389288742&sr=8-3&keywords=xyron+tape" target="_blank">Xyron tape runner</a> works well on the wider flaps, but for the tiny ones I like Jet Pens' <a href="http://www.jetpens.com/Kuretake-Craft-Glue-Pen/pd/4946" target="_blank">Kuretake Craft Glue Pen</a> because it puts down a very fine line of glue.<br />
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Sometimes I put several sheets of paper on a tray with a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0013JNERS/?tag=googhydr-20&hvadid=36202308998&hvpos=1t3&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=18027720871191847608&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_9lv6wa9jlk_b" target="_blank">pair of scissors</a> and cut these out while I am sitting around in the evening. It doesn't take much effort or thinking, which is my idea of a good evening activity while I binge watch <a href="http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/70221085?gclid=CKqQiJDR8bsCFTJo7AodE2YA-g&titleVideoId=70221085&awdevice=c&mqso=81198655&awcampaignid=121071908&locale=en-US&awmatchtype=p&awadgroupid=5836085948&awcreative=34988483948&awposition=1t1&awkeyword=land+girls&awnetwork=g&noredir=true" target="_blank">The Land Girls</a> or <a href="http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/70143872?locale=en-US&mqso=81198655&titleVideoId=70143872&awadgroupid=5836558268&awcampaignid=121071908&awcreative=34988566988&awdevice=c&awexpid=&awkeyword=%2Bgeorge%20%2Bgently%20%2Bnetflix&awmatchtype=b&awnetwork=g&awposition=1t1&gclid=CKr6wqHR8bsCFYZi7AodFkAAXA" target="_blank">George Gently</a>.<br />
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PS The background in the image is a paper towel I used to line my "paint booth" (a deep box turned on its side) when I spray inks. I save the paper towels and use them in art journal backgrounds).<br />
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Disclaimer: The links to products were put there for your convenience. I am not paid in any way to promote anything.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05566535756563798050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-157797144895030348.post-12435869235982341792014-01-08T12:24:00.002-06:002014-01-09T11:02:37.207-06:00Carving a luna moth stamp<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I have had this stamp material with a luna moth drawn on it since April, when I attended <a href="http://www.pamelaunderwood.com/" target="_blank">Pamela Underwood</a>'s <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIzXIFkKlf8" target="_blank">"Living with Images as Companions"</a> workshop at her beautiful <a href="http://www.pamelaunderwood.com/studios/austin/" target="_blank">Turtle Crow Studio</a> in Austin. I finally decided to tackle carving, and learned two (probably more) things.</div>
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1 -- It's not that hard and it does not take very long. I spent a total of 45 minutes carving it.</div>
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2 -- It's going to take some practice to develop this skill.</div>
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3 -- I could get into this! Carving is relaxing and meditative. I listened to Ray Montagne on Pandora and got into my zone.</div>
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I am satisfied with the stamp, but it has lots of warts that don't show up well in the photo. Curves are tricky. Removing stamp material cleanly from the edges of the image takes concentration and practice.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_MtnKE4SiJg/Us2UUlsswqI/AAAAAAAACjI/9ZJY7El_xHI/s1600/IMG_5034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_MtnKE4SiJg/Us2UUlsswqI/AAAAAAAACjI/9ZJY7El_xHI/s1600/IMG_5034.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mostly finished</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fO0dqDi-HXE/Us2UW7kPL8I/AAAAAAAACjo/BwEOSl1ubuk/s1600/IMG_5036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fO0dqDi-HXE/Us2UW7kPL8I/AAAAAAAACjo/BwEOSl1ubuk/s1600/IMG_5036.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished stamp with a few pen details -- stamp pad was a bit dried out.<br />
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Now to figure out where to get a luna-moth-green stamp pad. Any ideas?<br />
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<b>Update</b>: Someone asked me how I will stabilize this stamp. I don't plan to stabilize it -- I place it flat on a table and ink it, then place the paper on the stamp. It's about 6" tall, and storing a block of wood or piece of foam core that large would take lots of space.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05566535756563798050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-157797144895030348.post-36092504072293322232014-01-07T14:20:00.000-06:002014-01-07T14:21:10.867-06:00Tiny envelopes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I have been bitten by the expressive art journaling, <a href="http://donnascrazyart.blogspot.com/2013/07/gelli-print-collage-backgrounds.html" target="_blank">Gelli mono printing</a>, stenciling, stamping, lettering bug. I am working on four art journals, a bit at a time. YouTube is full of video tutorials made by journalers who actually finish spreads. I wander through my books, adding a bit here and there, and finishing a spread is slow going. I haven't written about this because I thought I should present finished projects, not works in progress. I have changed my mind. The photos below are unfinished pages with lots of tiny envelopes. Each envelope contains, or will contain, an insert with words on it. Since this spread is dedicated to gratitude, the words are to be phrases of thanks.</div>
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I have a general shape I use to cut out the envelopes freehand. It's one of those mindless tasks that can be done while watching tv (did I mention mindless?). Usually I cut a pile of them from Gelli printed deli paper, and glue the tabs down later. (I did a google search for "gelli printed deli paper" so that I could post a link here, but for some reason google is not showing the link in the address line in Safari, so you'll have to do your own search if you want to learn more.)</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TCVAKz8TU_M/UstpaFW4peI/AAAAAAAACf8/4CKUvR6FY2o/s1600/IMG_5010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TCVAKz8TU_M/UstpaFW4peI/AAAAAAAACf8/4CKUvR6FY2o/s1600/IMG_5010.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiny envelope spread in art journal</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BTvF2xdRcdg/UstpT3oSigI/AAAAAAAACfc/qTlpj52XXcc/s1600/IMG_5014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BTvF2xdRcdg/UstpT3oSigI/AAAAAAAACfc/qTlpj52XXcc/s1600/IMG_5014.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up of tiny envelopes</td></tr>
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If you have the urge to play with art supplies in your very own journal, I say go for it. Be warned, it is addictive!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05566535756563798050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-157797144895030348.post-26485245074819792192013-07-27T10:41:00.001-05:002013-07-27T10:41:39.864-05:00Gelli print collage backgroundsI am having so much fun with this!<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-l2rLhX73t2s/UfPqMpF-K5I/AAAAAAAACVE/MQ6g32KuhYs/s640/blogger-image--1633478371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-l2rLhX73t2s/UfPqMpF-K5I/AAAAAAAACVE/MQ6g32KuhYs/s640/blogger-image--1633478371.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Yxq2tuotWJ0/UfPqJJSEXRI/AAAAAAAACU0/YrNUP6zdXBA/s640/blogger-image--1806674523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Yxq2tuotWJ0/UfPqJJSEXRI/AAAAAAAACU0/YrNUP6zdXBA/s640/blogger-image--1806674523.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ksHvhM9StIs/UfPqLP_MObI/AAAAAAAACU8/zhMBXLDaDS0/s640/blogger-image-1042842905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ksHvhM9StIs/UfPqLP_MObI/AAAAAAAACU8/zhMBXLDaDS0/s640/blogger-image-1042842905.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-j_Sc47C9AvY/UfPqF1ghSgI/AAAAAAAACUk/V743yIk9Dj0/s640/blogger-image-198125336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-j_Sc47C9AvY/UfPqF1ghSgI/AAAAAAAACUk/V743yIk9Dj0/s640/blogger-image-198125336.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-kNxxWpm4vI0/UfPqHXnRWfI/AAAAAAAACUs/pUK9zkfXXTY/s640/blogger-image-276665284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-kNxxWpm4vI0/UfPqHXnRWfI/AAAAAAAACUs/pUK9zkfXXTY/s640/blogger-image-276665284.jpg"></a></div><br></div>So there they are, a few of the backgrounds I've made. Next comes more detail and some writing. I sort of want to leave them as is. </div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05566535756563798050noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-157797144895030348.post-48467856229005795082013-07-19T10:24:00.001-05:002013-07-19T10:24:35.267-05:00Monoprint collage<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">If anyone had told me that I would all but abandon crazy quilting for mono printing and collage, I would have said, "No way!". That was before I found the Gelli plate, a nifty device that makes creating very cool prints easy peasy. Here are a few of the prints I am working with.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-nN2sazSD_VI/UelaI8GrlpI/AAAAAAAACUA/3qOl_Ip7jfQ/s640/blogger-image--1843091626.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-nN2sazSD_VI/UelaI8GrlpI/AAAAAAAACUA/3qOl_Ip7jfQ/s640/blogger-image--1843091626.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here is my Gelli printing workstation. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-x9dRxMPDU28/UelaCHRl3GI/AAAAAAAACTo/FLBqzH7n4-4/s640/blogger-image--1217968182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-x9dRxMPDU28/UelaCHRl3GI/AAAAAAAACTo/FLBqzH7n4-4/s640/blogger-image--1217968182.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And this is a collaged page in my art journal. I intended to use this as a background, but I might just leave it as is. I quite like it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-L9dBBQTQ4Do/UelaKR2ek0I/AAAAAAAACUI/-BHc0LOHB4Q/s640/blogger-image-188800345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-L9dBBQTQ4Do/UelaKR2ek0I/AAAAAAAACUI/-BHc0LOHB4Q/s640/blogger-image-188800345.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Lastly, here are a few images of other pages in my journal.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-wper-T0pQS0/UelaEH4w_7I/AAAAAAAACTw/yEnxLTnVyxU/s640/blogger-image-1827394097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-wper-T0pQS0/UelaEH4w_7I/AAAAAAAACTw/yEnxLTnVyxU/s640/blogger-image-1827394097.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-EUguTr2kLXs/UelaA2S4WyI/AAAAAAAACTg/pqpVjuAqheg/s640/blogger-image-1674650567.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-EUguTr2kLXs/UelaA2S4WyI/AAAAAAAACTg/pqpVjuAqheg/s640/blogger-image-1674650567.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BRIPGIDWt4A/UelaML1lyDI/AAAAAAAACUQ/n7CEC_J8J3c/s640/blogger-image-809139721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BRIPGIDWt4A/UelaML1lyDI/AAAAAAAACUQ/n7CEC_J8J3c/s640/blogger-image-809139721.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-mgHANkYW0M8/UelaHDxYWdI/AAAAAAAACT4/xPbXzBd78CA/s640/blogger-image--1861068289.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-mgHANkYW0M8/UelaHDxYWdI/AAAAAAAACT4/xPbXzBd78CA/s640/blogger-image--1861068289.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Now you go make some art!</div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05566535756563798050noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-157797144895030348.post-25270558154746193202013-07-16T14:41:00.001-05:002013-07-16T14:47:22.830-05:00Time keeps slipping into the future<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
My goodness, I am <strike>a lazy</strike> an inconsistent blogger. I have good intentions, I really do. When I start a new art project I vow to photograph it every step of the way. I dream of creating a blog post that will inspire others to take my idea and run with it, having fun every step of the way. Somehow it gets away from me and before I know it I have cruised through crucial steps with no images. I don't think I am going to change. I don't even want to change. I love making art. Blogging about it, not so much. For now -- and isn't that what everything is, just for now -- when I get around to it, I will post photos of what I am working on. I encourage you to write to me, or post a comment if you would like to know how I did it. I hope you will. Even though I am <strike>lazy</strike> inconsistent, I would love to connect with you.<br>
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Here are a couple of journal pages I am working on. They are not finished. I don't know when or if they will be. I do them purely for pleasure as the whim strikes me. I hope you enjoy them.<br></div>
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I have a new friend and we have had a fine time together during this holiday time. I have not experienced one bit of stress, not one, tiny bit, thanks to his help. From choosing gifts to sending cards to cookie exchanges to gifts for needy community members, Jack has helped me cope calmly and gracefully. You may know Jack -- his last name is Shit. Jack Shit. As in "I am not doing Jack Shit for the holidays."<br />
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When the urge to bake hits, Jack says, "Still your mind! You do not want to go to the store to buy supplies, spend the evening baking, and run around tomorrow delivering them to your fat friends who don't need to eat them. Put on your flannel jammies, flip on the tv and watch a movie. Maybe someone will drop by with some cookies for you."<br />
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When I was asked to contribute clothing for needy babies, Jack said, "They'll take cash, you know." So that's what they got. Those babies won't know or care. They'd rather have candy anyway.<br />
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Purchasing gifts for friends and family? I was contemplating shopping trips, trekking through malls, driving long distances to get just the right thing. That smarty Jack said, "Wait around for a last minute deal to come in your email and order online." Brilliant! Took me about 30 minutes and that included typing in their names and addresses for delivery.<br />
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Christmas cards? Jack advised that I would be killing trees in the interest of sending meaningless greetings to people I talk to on the phone anyway. Everyone else would be thrilled with a lovely digital card from Jacquie Lawson. Jack knows his stuff!<br />
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Jack's wisdom includes, "All this so-called seasonal kindness is claptrap. Be good to everyone all the time and relax with a clear conscience in December while everyone else runs around like maniacs going in debt."<br />
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He has urged, "Girl, there is no Santa Claus, hell, even Jesus would not approve of Corporate Christmases. Don't do it for them, don't do it at all. That's called not doing Jack Shit!"<br />
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Jack has been a good and true friend. To show him my gratitude I am going to do something extra special. Just as he recommends, I am not doing Jack Shit for him.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05566535756563798050noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-157797144895030348.post-66565878672467491822012-12-18T18:51:00.001-06:002012-12-18T19:05:31.821-06:00Carving a Background Stamp<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W4y3G31eKHg/UND3ErBsR0I/AAAAAAAACN4/gzBn7Bl6o_M/s1600/Handcarved+Stamps+%25285+of+11%2529+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W4y3G31eKHg/UND3ErBsR0I/AAAAAAAACN4/gzBn7Bl6o_M/s400/Handcarved+Stamps+%25285+of+11%2529+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">While <strike>shoving</strike> strolling through the 2011 International Quilt Festival shopping are, I ran across the <a href="http://colourlicious.com/">colouricious.com</a> exhibit and found this lovely <a href="http://www.colouricious.com/shop/wooden-printing-blocks" target="_blank">Indian Printing Block</a>. I was delighted to take it home with me, where it sat unused for about a year.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">I had an idea that a solid background stamp would add some interest to the original design, and that I should carve this stamp. I was fortunate to attend, also in 2011, <a href="http://janelafazio.com/" target="_blank">Jane LaFazio</a> and <a href="http://www.pamelaunderwood.com/" target="_blank">Pamela Underwood's</a> <a href="http://lavendersageartretreats.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Lavender Sage Art Retreat</a> in Austin, TX, where we carved stamps that we designed. Armed with these skills, I jumped right in.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Here's is what I used:</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Speedball Carving Set (carving tool and </span><span style="text-align: left;">stamp block blank)</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">tissue paper</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">oil pastel in light brown color</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">stylus for tracing</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Stayz-on stamp pads in several contrasting colors</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Muslin and paper</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Original stamp on tissue paper, outlined with oil pastel</td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9uuDqk5RL3c/UNDl_r5e80I/AAAAAAAACKE/BzibnN0t9hQ/s1600/IMG_1074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9uuDqk5RL3c/UNDl_r5e80I/AAAAAAAACKE/BzibnN0t9hQ/s320/IMG_1074.JPG" width="320" /></a>First, I stamped the original stamp on tissue paper. (above) I outlined the shape in oil pastel, which is soft and smeary, just what I wanted for this job. I flipped the design over on to a stamp carving blank block and used a stylus to go over the outline. The smeary oil pastel design was transferred to the block. (left) Using my basic little Speedball stamp carving tool, I began removing the portions of the block that I did not want to include in the image. (left)</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aPWdw9I8qpE/UNDy4nGeXbI/AAAAAAAACNY/ohOdpZQ8tHg/s1600/Handcarved+Stamps+%25286+of+11%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aPWdw9I8qpE/UNDy4nGeXbI/AAAAAAAACNY/ohOdpZQ8tHg/s320/Handcarved+Stamps+%25286+of+11%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a>Here's what it looked like when I finished carving it and slapped a purple stamp pad on it. It was not difficult to carve because I kept the shape simple, and the image stamped beautifully.</div>
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What I have learned about the original stamp is that it does not work well on paper (at least not index cards) because the detail is lost, but that it works much better on fabric, although not as well as I would like. I think this might have had do do with the surface upon which I was stamping. I used a dropcloth over a cutting board and it may have been too hard. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">Stamps on index cards, much of the detail stamp is lost.</td></tr>
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Background and original stamps on fabric;</div>
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better but not as detailed as I would like.</div>
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In conclusion, I think I can get the image that I want by stamping on fabric on a padded surface, yet to be determined. If you give this a try, please comment and let us know what worked best for you.</div>
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Update: After all my experimentation, I discovered a video on the <a href="http://colouricious.com/">colouricious.com</a> site that helped immensely: <a href="http://youtu.be/xSXmTNOc0GQ" target="_blank">Inspired Block Printing with Jamie Malden</a>.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05566535756563798050noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-157797144895030348.post-72198050199799667882012-09-17T19:34:00.001-05:002012-09-17T20:47:18.191-05:00Colorado Days<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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For the last two weeks I have been enjoying southern Colorado. I have family here and I have picked apples, worked in a permaculture garden, built a compost bin, shoveled bear poop (!) out of the back yard, attended a fabulous concert at <a href="http://www.stevesguitars.net/" target="_blank">Steve's Guitars</a> in Carbondale, and generally enjoyed the beautiful weather.<br />
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My aunt has a big apple tree in the backyard and for the last several nights a bear has climbed the tree to eat apples. He or she shakes the tree, chomps, grunts, and causes apples to fall. This all takes place right outside my second floor bedroom window, but I have never seen the bear. It's too dark, even with a flashlight shined from the window. This morning we shoveled up a 5 gallon bucket of bear poop. (I debated whether to post a picture of the poop, which is quite interesting, and have decided to spare you.)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My son Henry's girlfriend Shannon</td></tr>
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My son has launched a <a href="http://custom-permaculture-gardens.blogspot.com/#" target="_blank">business of installing permaculture gardens</a> in Durango and thereabouts, and I have been assisting him with marketing, setting up a blog, and so on. I visited a garden he installed in Carbondale, and was amazed at the continuing yield of a small garden. (If you'd like to contact him about a garden for your backyard, it's henryellisjohnson (at) gmail (dot) com.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05566535756563798050noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-157797144895030348.post-8403418426207318422012-09-01T17:03:00.003-05:002012-09-17T19:18:10.243-05:00Prayer flags for all beings<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I have been enjoying <a href="http://theprayerflagproject.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Prayer Flag Project</a>, and I finally got organized enough to jump in with a few of my own. Instead of overplanning, overthinking, and generally acting perfectionistic, I just did it.<br />
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A 50 cent garage sale sheet yielded 72 - 5x7" rectangles to play with. Having so many inexpensive pieces of fabric made me reckless -- if I did them wrong, it wouldn't matter because they were so cheap and there were so many of them. (The obstacles we make for ourselves!)<br />
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<span style="text-align: left;">I dug around in my art supplies and found some fat tubes of Crayola finger paints, </span><a href="http://www.creativeimaginations.us/store/CI_LuminartePaints_Collection_RadiantRainShimmeringMist_3x.php" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Radiant Rain</a><span style="text-align: left;">, and big bottles of </span><a href="http://www.discountschoolsupply.com/product/productdetail.aspx?product=16821" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Colorations liquid watercolors from Discount School Supply</a><span style="text-align: left;">. These materials, like the cotton fabric, will deteriorate rapidly. I think that prayer flags, like prayers, are meant to be transient and vanish into the universe.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FrhNmgMtZcM/UEJ8SzXOZUI/AAAAAAAACEE/v2Fxwl6YDwA/s1600/IMG_0053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FrhNmgMtZcM/UEJ8SzXOZUI/AAAAAAAACEE/v2Fxwl6YDwA/s320/IMG_0053.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I grabbed a few tools for making patterns and textures. One of my favorites is the <a href="http://shop.flylady.net/pages/FlyShop_rubba_scrubba.asp" target="_blank">purple rubber brush</a> thing. It is soft and I can use it on my <a href="http://www.gelliarts.com/collections/gel-printing-plates" target="_blank">Gelli printing plate</a> safely.I grabbed a few tools for making patterns and textures. One of my favorites is the <a href="http://shop.flylady.net/pages/FlyShop_rubba_scrubba.asp" target="_blank">purple rubber brush</a> thing. It is soft and I can use it on my <a href="http://www.gelliarts.com/collections/gel-printing-plates" target="_blank">Gelli printing plate</a> safely.</div>
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I placed the fabric on waxed paper on my worktable. I don't have a photo of this part, but I rolled out some blue fingerpaint on the Gelli and scribbled in it with the purple brush. I mashed each flag into the paint, adding more as needed.</div>
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And I painted. I globbed yellow finger paint on the fabric, then brushed it around and let it dry. I sprayed on some green Radiant Rain and when that was dry, added some orange. I like the Radiant Rain because it is sparkly, always a good thing in a prayer flag, I believe. I dropped the watercolors on the fabric to make blogs. When I decided that the colors were what I wanted, I had to decide how to add the lettering. After considering handwriting, image transfer, and printing on tissue paper, I decided on the latter. Easy and quick and more predictable than handwriting.<br />
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I stuck down the tissue paper captions with gloss lustre Mod Podge, then later wished I had used matte medium. Too shiny.<br />
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In order to hang the flags I added 2 machine made buttonholes to the top of each flag and then strung them on some orange twine I had around.<br />
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The flags read as follows:<br />
May all beings be safe.<br />
May all beings be well.<br />
May all beings be happy.<br />
May all beings be loved.<br />
May all beings love themselves.<br />
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These flags are intended as a housewarming gift for my son and his partner, Shannon. I want them to always be safe, well, happy, and loved.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05566535756563798050noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-157797144895030348.post-11232755978469093282012-09-01T16:06:00.002-05:002012-09-01T16:07:35.887-05:00The gig is up<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The emma & abby gig is over. It was fun while it lasted -- going to <strike>garage</strike> estate sales, arranging the finds in the shop, and eagerly watching what was selling (or not). It began to be less than fun when I realized that I was barely working in my studio, I was spending more time scrounging through other people's castoffs that I was spending cleaning out my own closets, and, well, the glamour was gone. Worst of all, I was not making a profit. It would have been fun for longer if I had been making money, I think. I gave Colleen notice, and packed up my remaining "treasures" on Friday. The boxes, thankfully there are only a few, are in my studio waiting for me to decide the fate of the contents. My son has just rented a house in Durango, and I am going for a visit next week. Gee, I wonder if he needs me to help decorate?</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05566535756563798050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-157797144895030348.post-18525407004415477932012-06-10T16:32:00.003-05:002012-06-10T16:32:57.041-05:00Patience, nature, and addiction<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clouds over my house</td></tr>
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No internet connection. No netflix, books, Instagram, syncing 2Do across devices, syncing calendars, uploading and downloading photos, Pinterest, no nothin'. We have had only the most sporadic connection for the last two months. (It's a long story and the ending has not come yet.) We have paid AT&T an obscene amount of money so that we can limp along with an air card and an account for my iPad. I used my iPhone so much that, even though I have an unlimited data plan, they retaliated by slowing down the connection. I depend upon the mercy of my friends and local coffee shops. <div>
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For reasons unknown, I have a connection right now. It could go away at any second. I don't like living in this risk zone.<br /><div>
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I tell myself, "Well, buck up, girl. You lived without the internet for most of your life." Problem is, I have come to depend on these devices and apps to keep me organized, focused, and of course, entertained. </div>
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I believe that there are important lessons in this experience and that I had best pay attention: patience, nature, and addiction. Without dragging you through the depths of it, I have realized that I need to cultivate patience. It's not natural in my family. When I am holed up in the air conditioned house, I am not outside working in the garden or just being with Mother Nature. When I am on the internet, as we say, it's like being on a drug. I am enthralled and I can't Just Say No. I have to look at one more blog, one more Pinterest item, upload one more photo to Instagram. I think this interruption of my addiction is a good thing. I am learning how to survive on my own without my drug of choice. As any addict will tell you, this ain't easy but it's worth it.</div>
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05566535756563798050noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-157797144895030348.post-62749309865407005682012-05-16T15:35:00.001-05:002012-06-03T22:26:42.175-05:00emma & abbyIt started out as, "We need to sell all the cool stuff cluttering up our houses." Then we added, "Hey, we could sell stuff that we make, too." And it went on like that for a while. All talk and no action. Left up to me the idea would have remained only in my head. My friend Colleen, however, is more of an action person. (Granted, she is younger and has more energy than I.) One day she simply found a location for us to sell our stuff and the next day we were moving in. emma & abby was born, named after our dogs, so creative. That's how I got into the "antiques" business. It's not really an antiques shop, but it is located in the back room at Bruce's Vintage Guitars & Antiques. <br />For the last several weeks Colleen and I have decluttered our houses, stuck price tags on our belongings, and hauled them to our shop as we grandly call our corner of the back room. And that should have been that. Like the rest of my life the situation quickly developed a complication. Colleen suggested that we go to some garage sales and estate sales to pick up a few things to sell. Sounds good, right? Get some great bargains and move 'em quickly through the shop. Wrong. So wrong. Those bargains have trickled into my house faster than the original clutter has gone. A blue and white Portuguese tray with adorable animals painted on it? Wow! Let's put it in the dining room! Hand crocheted pillowcases for $5? Good Lord, I'll never find a deal like that again. Those things are becoming scarce as hen's teeth and this color would look so great in the guest room. And that cherry bookcase? Back the truck in here and let's see if that guy over there will help load it!<br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/102543805160221349391/BloggerPhotostream#5750014299205838290'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yqIvRX4zmhQ/T8wnik2UpdI/AAAAAAAACCQ/nUZHLfevYfA/s288/2.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a><br />My patient husband has refinished a simply darling vanity, a large 5 drawer chest, and has a dining room table and a bed frame stacked in his workshop. My studio is stacked with items that need to be priced. I've lost track of how much I've spent and I am so tired from schlepping stuff home from estate sales on weekends that I need a vacation to recover.<br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/102543805160221349391/BloggerPhotostream#5750014326298003778'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-f4DvORPNqeY/T8wnkJxmSUI/AAAAAAAACCY/jHPRRqADFfw/s288/1.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a><br />Okay, it's still all pretty good, you're thinking. Have I mentioned that I have sold virtually nothing? Or that Bruce, from whom we rent, has put up the only identifying sign behind some trees? So this is retail. And the contract for the space runs through July. I have an awful feeling that we will be having one big garage sale in early August. See anything you want?<br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/102543805160221349391/BloggerPhotostream#5750014437902073618'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-RxScnnHlKjE/T8wnqpiFPxI/AAAAAAAACCg/EqvQyBoyO7M/s288/0.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05566535756563798050noreply@blogger.com0Gray Owl Coffee 223 East Gray Street, Norman35.222936 -97.441393tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-157797144895030348.post-1700438143911823172012-04-01T20:19:00.002-05:002012-04-01T20:24:16.027-05:00What, me watercolor?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Curves & intersections</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I've discovered a meditative experience in slowly drawing intersecting curving lines without lifting the pen, then painting the openings with watercolors. No planning, no stress. I just swirl lines and then paint with my kid's box of watercolors. I've used one of these as a tiny journal by writing (in tiny letters) in the openings. It takes about 15 minutes to do one of these, if I dawdle, and when I am finished I have a little abstract painting and more peace than when I started. Give it a try, it's very calming.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">It just occurred to me that the seed for this process was planted at a retreat I attended last fall in Austin, TX at Turtle Crow Studio. Jane LaFazio and Pamela Underwood are wonderful teachers, and one of our exercises was a continuous line drawing of a rock cairn near the studio. Thanks, Jane & Pamela!</span></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05566535756563798050noreply@blogger.com2