Making and Making do

I have always been a make-do kind of gal. That was what originally drew me to altered art--the making do with what I had, the making of something out of nothing.

In some ways, my art has gotten away from that principle in that I have collected a lot of 'store-bought' materials, but I still like taking a scrap of this 'n that and turning it into something pretty.

My materials and supplies tend to be more of the bare essentials variety, basic pantry staples, as it were, that can be used as creative tools. I purchase few embellishments, preferring to make my own.

When I see something I like, my first question is, "How can I make this myself?" I like the challenge. To me, it's all a part of my creative process. And more original. And it's just more fun.

These little pieces are fun to do when nothing else comes to mind, but the fingers want to create. Then I add them to my stash until I'm searching for the perfect detail.

Ann Kroeker ascribes to this same make-do principle. While my contribution may not be that practical for the other participants, I am joining in on Make-Do Monday just to applaud those who find alternative, clever and frugal ways to solve everyday problems.

The post card quest

This is Postcard #2, in my continuing endeavor to build a collection of what is a new medium for me.  

I also used the background technique of layering paper/rubberstamping with glue and then a gesso wash--also new to me.  There are a lot of things that can be achieved with this technique, I am discovering.

I like the fact that there is a boundless supply of new ideas, techniques and mediums yet to be discovered and explored.

Truly honored

I have followed Artiphy the Heart since my early blogging days. I truly admire Barbara's work--because it is just straight-out awesome. A few months ago, I was delighted to have Barbara join one of my pennant swaps.  We had a great time with that--and I got to enjoy Barbara's artistry firsthand.  Then I had an idea for a round robin, and once again, Barbara joined in.  

So imagine my delight and surprise when I learned that along with posting the page she did in my round robin book, she also gave me this award:

........and said some very nice things that I'm too modest to post here.  Promise me you will go here and read them for yourself.   :)

Thanks, Barbara!  I am truly honored.

But you won't find a clock

Backgrounds fascinate me.  I love to study them.  I love to practice them.  

Sometimes I just make backgrounds--they can be a work of art all to themselves.

The thing I love about blogging is getting to know other artists and learning from them.   There are a lot of creative people out there sharing a lot of great ideas and new techniques.  Lisa at studio rose inspired the background technique for the altered book page above, who got her idea from Lucy.  I learned the secret is in the layer of glue over the background pieces.  You can go here to learn the secret.  

Hopefully, I have passed the inspiration forward.

Happy Spring!!!

Reunited

Do you know how long it's been since I posted an altered book page?  Neither did I until I looked.  And let me tell you, I was shocked!  January 21.  Yes, you read that right--almost two months!

There have been postcards and valentines, tags and frames, ATC-this and Gothic arch-that......

Altered book pages used to be my art du jour, my bloggity bread and butter, my main squeeze. And now I've gone these many weeks mixing with other mediums, cavorting with cards,  flirting with sassy little art pieces!  

To my altered books:   I still *heart* you.  You will always be Numero Uno with me.  But now that I've had a taste of variety, I may step out every now and then.  Forgive me.

Playing with Purple

I recently did a swap with Donna.  I learned from her that when she swaps postcard art they travel through the mail like a regular postcard with no envelope.  I found that fascinating.  She also challenged me to make some.  And now I've done just that!   I want to make more and trade them!!
While I was at it, I whipped out this ATC.  I like the simplicity of it.

What's Cookin'

I visited Rein's blog today and discovered a fun little challenge that I just had to join.

A dare in the form of a recipe:

I'll tell you the ingredients you have to use, then all you have to do is make the card.

Here are your ingredients:
3 different papers
At least one piece of chipboard
At least 1 button
At least 1 piece of ribbon
optional: 1 extra item/element of your choice

This challenge caught my attention because a couple of  summers ago, my girls and I would create altered book pages with 'recipes' we concocted.  I even blogged about them here and here.

Recipes are a good way to work through a creative block.  Just pull out the ingredients, put them together and see what happens!

Try the one above or try one of ours:

-Create a collage that represent each of the five senses.

-Create a collage using items/pictures/colors for each letter of your first name.

-Create a collage representing the season in which you were born or married.

Let me know if you 'cook up' anything!!

Bits and pieces

To my Round Robin friends:  In the true spirit of passing the fun around (or commiseration) (or just inhaling a bad germ), I came down with a little something last week that sucked the life right out of me. Not only did I not feel like going to work or church, but I didn't have the strength to even sit at my craft table.

That is, until yesterday.  

While wasting away in my recliner, I found a Flickr pool showcasing these:

These little pretties,  which the pool called Bits and Pieces, are good for a recuperating artist since they can be constructed bit by bit, five minutes at a time.  I want to try another one when I am feeling better--I think I can improve upon it.

The piece above is on 8 1/2" x 11"  heavy cardstock. The 'bits' are 2 1/2" square.  

If you spend anytime at all browsing the Flickr pool, you will be inspired to make one too!

Round Robin, Round 3

Cindy asked us to depict what we considered the most beautiful part of the world in her book "It's a Wonderful World". One of the most beautiful places to me, especially this time of year, is the world I see everyday: my own backyard.

I love trees and lots of them. I drink in the beauty of these flowering trees every spring:

"I think that I shall never see a poem as lovely as a tree."

Left page

Right page

This is an interactive page with many pockets and tags.

Here is a peek at one of them.

I will leave the others for you Round Robin ladies to see in person.


I see trees of green........ red roses too

I see 'em bloom..... for me and for you

And I think to myself.... what a wonderful world.


Now, if I can Just. Get. This. Song. Out. Of. My. Head!

The goddess and the fairy

An ATC in cool shades of blue and green,

warmed with a touch of orange.

A Gothic arch featuring a sweet little fairy.

Can you tell I got a new flower punch?