Cleaned up and working again…
Finally, I think I have my space in the basement cleaned out and organized enough to actually get some work done. Imagine that! Currently I’m working on a storage box for some of my ATC’s. While I work on that I’m thinking of themes for my next altered book. I have the book that I want and I know the sort of format I want to use, as far as cubbies and alcoves within the frame of the book. Now I just need some inspiration for a theme. I’m also in the middle of another altered art piece that is beginning on the base of a frame. I am in need of another foraging trip to the scrap store for some more supplies, plus I always like to visit their art gallery for a little inspiration. AHHHHH, next week the kids go to summer camp all day, so I’m free to browse with another artistic friend of mine. Can’t wait!
I’m trying to get active again and keep this blog up to date and provide fun and interesting new information. So stay tuned, more is on the horizon!
Swappable Charms, the new ATC?
In the latest edition of Cloth, Paper, Scissors magazine (digital edition), there was a small article about an artist named June Pfaff Daley (junepfaffdaley.blogspot.com) that started making charms to swap at different art retreats, etc. I thought, “What a great idea?! Not the making charms part (although that’s awesome too)… but mainly the swapping part” How many of you have made and traded ATC’s? (Artist Trading Cards, for those of you who are not in the know) However, with ATC’s you have to keep your little collected creations in boxes, binders, perhaps framed? Well, the thought that came to me as being so cool in creating charms to swap is… how great would it be to get to wear a charm bracelet or necklace adorned with the charms you have collected from other artists, as well as your own creations? You can wear them for the whole world to see and admire. So, a small artform (the charm), creates another artform. (the bracelet/necklace) I like the idea of one thing evolving into another. Which I guess is what really attracts me to altered art in the first place! I love junk and transforming one thing (primarily known to non-artists, as trash) into something incredibly attractive, artsy and unique. I hear it now being referred to as Upcycling. Since you are turning the object, not back into itself, but into something entirely new and different.
So, if you think this is a cool idea like I do, get busy, get charming and start swapping!
Scrapbooking, Altered Art Techniques
We were doing some massive cleaning yesterday. I was working on the basement and I was moving all my photos from boxes that were falling apart to large shoe boxes and plastic storage containers to put on the shelf in my little craft area when I decided that there are a lot of scrapbooks waiting to be made. I will have no problem with scrapbook material for the next couple years! lol. After dinner time, something bit the heck out of me! I have at least 12 bites on each arm and leg and I am so itchy I can barely stand it! I wanted to get some altered art or some trading cards done today, but I may spend the day scratching. The really bad thing is, I don’t know where or what got me so I don’t know how to avoid getting more.
The stamping books that I picked up at the library have some really good ideas in them, not only for stamping but for creating backgrounds. I also need to get back to work on my altered books. I’ve just had too many projects going to get anything finished. I still am a little stumped for inspiration. However, in one of the books I checked out, not one of the stamping books, they had some ideas on how to incorporate a photograph into your altered book without it looking like a scrapbook page. As they collaged/painted the background of the photo to match up with the pages of the book, so only the subject is left. I bought some clear credit card sleeves to use as little show pockets for small fragile items like pressed flowers/leaves in scrapbooks and altered books. In cleaning the large room in the basement, my small craft space got a bit torn asunder, so I need to pick up the pieces so I can create in there. I can’t create when stuff is heaped all around me and under my feet, I’m a bit anal that way.
Here are some more techniques for you to try: (Some of these are definitely things you’ve heard of before, but it is always helpful to get a reminder every now and then)
1. Sprinkle salt on your wet watercolors.
2. Place crinkled saran wrap on your wet paint and let dry.
3. Draw with designs with wax crayon and then paint over with watercolors.
4. Use non-permanent felt markers and then wet to blend together.
5. Tear paper and use as a mask to create interesting white space to stamp or draw in.
More Nature Journals, Altering Techniques, Fishing…
Boy, time is flying! I liked the nature journal that I made so much that I picked up some supplies to make a few more. I want to put some small ones into some nature themed Geocaches. Almost done with two walking sticks, just need to seal two and then I can start on mine. We are getting up early in the morning to go out fishing at our favorite catfishing hole. Ok, it’s a lake, not a hole, but it’s our spot. I think I’ll take my new nature journal to start filling it up. Hopefully I won’t have too much down time while we are fishing, I’m hoping to catch the “big one.”
I went back to the scrap exchange to try and get some photo slides and they were all gone! DANG! They sold a couple boxes full! Oh, well, that’s what I get for being slow at choosing. I still found a basket full of stuff to buy though, and that didn’t include the stuff I wanted but didn’t buy, can’t go too far over budget. I found some stuff for my altered art, but also for my scrapbooking.
I took the kids to the library today and was looking for a certain book when I happened upon about 6 books about stamping techniques that were really cool! I am still looking through them, I was disrupted by going out to eat Mexican food for dinner, then coming home and getting all the fishing gear ready. I need to get inspired to make some more ATC’s. In the meantime, here are some more altered art techniques:
1. Use unusual things as stamps/stencils, bubble wrap, plastic mesh or screen.
2. Embellish with gel pens, sparkly and other metallic inks.
3. Glue on texturing materials such as used dryer sheets, crumbled tissue paper, old mesh or net material
4. Spray paint comes in many interesting textures like stone, metal, rust, etc.
5. Make copies on transparencies for cool layering or window effects.
Have a great weekend, thanks for reading.
ATC, Altered Art, India Journal Pictures
Here are some pictures of some of the ATCs, Artist Trading Cards that I’ve made recently:
And… here are some picture updates for the Altered Geocaching Book that I’ve been working on:
And last but not least, here are a couple pictures of the handmade paper journal that my husband brought back for me from India. It is so cool, it will take me a while to figure out what to put into it!
Crafts, Shopping & Organizing
I have been taking a slight break on my altered books, so that I can build up some crafts to sell on ebay. I am trying to start earning some extra income and still be able to stay at home with the kids full time. I hate the thought of having to go out to get a job and have to spend half of my paycheck on daycare. I have a degree in graphic design and have always done art my whole life, so trying to make a living off artistic endeavors is not that great a leap. I bought some bamboo tiles quite some time back to make some necklaces but never got inspired enough to start them. I worked on organizing my craft space so that I could work in there without going crazy! I have to have a neat organized place to work, or I keep getting distracted by the mess.
A couple days ago I took the kids to The Scrap Exchange, in Durham, North Carolina to look around. (www.scrapexchange.org) I found a great bag of beads for only $1! I bought a number of other things there as well… things that are really not entirely describable, but very cool looking! So, today, since I had a coupon, I went to A.C. Moore to get some jewelry making tools to start working on my bamboo tile pendants. My husband comes home with the camera tomorrow, so I hope to have a number of items to try listing. I’ve seen some things that I thought were pretty ugly sell on there, why not my stuff? LOL. Isn’t that what everyone thinks probably? I’ve finished a couple milk jug toy totes and I’m almost done with three pendants, just waiting for them to dry so I can finish assembling them.
Unfortunately, after I take the kids to bible school this evening I have to try and mow the grass. Bummer. It is rather like a jungle out there though. I have to take the our bulldog, Gordo, out to the bathroom a number of times a day and I’m getting tired of wading through knee high weeds. Here’s a picture of him.
That’s about all we have in the yard, weeds. Weeds and dirt. There are only a few small patches of actual grass. We hate it, but it is a rental so we aren’t going to pay money to fix up a yard that doesn’t belong to us.
Beginning soon, I’m going to start listing some technique ideas on a daily basis. I was spending my time at the library while the kids were playing on the computers brainstorming for some starter ideas for my ATC’s (Artist Trading Cards). I figured I’d pass these along to others who may be struggling for some inspiration. Especially since the techniques will work for many other things besides ATC’s.
Until next time!
Geocaching Project and Artist Trading Cards
I sometimes have problems naming my posts because I’m never entirely sure what the main theme of what I’m going to say is to be. I tend to ramble in my thoughts, so what I write about each time I post can vary pretty wildly. Like I’ve said before I’m really into any kind of altered art, mainly because I can’t stand to throw anything even slightly cool, but still what most people consider junk, away. I really like being able to remake things. While I have been working on these books, I’ve still been thinking about other projects that I want to work on as well.
Since the kids and I have been enjoying Geocaching, I thought it might be a good idea to start a ATC Cache of my own. Bring together two things I find exciting… actually I guess it really counts as more than two things that are exciting because you have Geocaching, making art, trading art. I have some ATC’s started, just need to finish some. I think I should add those to my drying time list. All the things I can work on while one project dries. As they say, “it’s better than watching paint dry.”
I am making good progress working on my journal for our Geocaching adventures! I am taking pictures of the caches themselves and where specifically we found them. Then, I am also taking notes about finding it, what was in it, what we took and what we left, as well as keeping track of the coordinates and the names of the cache. I plan on making the pages look like old parchment with various map-like designs and then collage elements like the pictures and notes written on separate paper, then ripped around the edges and then collage them on as well. The cover is looking great so far. I think I’ll save the details for when I post the pictures. Again, when my husband gets back from his business trip to India on Friday, I’ll be able to update my pictures… can’t wait! While he is gone, I’ve been having to use the camera on my phone to take pictures of our cache finds and anything else interesting we come across. Lately that has been various turtles and lizards. It takes ok pictures, it’s a 2 megapixel, but no flash. I guess it will have to do until he comes back with our nice camera. Then I’ll have to start his business travel scrapbook that I’m going to make for him. He’s been to about 6 different countries this year for business.
