2012 Postcard Challenge

Hey Arty Bloggers, while I was in my studio this morning, working on some ATCs, I caught Dede (inkwell) doing a live Ustream broadcast.  Awesome, she is so inspiring and lots of fun!  CHECK HER OUT HERE!.  Dede was talking about a postcard challenge Darcy from Art and Sole will be hosting in 2012. Sounded like a lot of fun so I had to look into it!!!  What and intersting challenge!!!  The concept is based on a group of BOOKS by NICK BANTOCK .  The idea is to create two ficticious people who will correspond by postcards from across the globe.  You will create 52 postcards and a book to put them in.  This interests me for a number of reasons.  First, I will be creating a book, which I love to do. Second, I will be creating 52 postcards, fun, fun, fun and third, I will be writing tid bits of a story (of sorts), which I used to do but haven't done in many years. I will also learn more about this world we live in by getting to know a bit more about all the countries the characters will be traveling too.  The coolest part will be blog hoping to see and read all of the participants postcards/stories.  This is just a great idea!!!  Check out Darcy's BLOG and hopefully you'll join in too, I would love to see you along the way in our world travels!!!  Off to get started on one of Dede's FILE FOLDER POSTCARD ORGANIZERS

Celebrating the Snow Storm!

Last night we were having a snow storm so what did I do...I got out some cardstock and a blue gel pen of coarse!!! This morning we got up to about 12 inches of snow and it is just gorgeous outside!!!

Here are five ATCs I drew in celebration!!!  I love the first big snow of the season and I love to doodle!  These are my first attempts at snowflakes. I think I need some practice!  LOL

 And here is how Mother Nature does it!!!!  Much better!!!

New addiction!

I spent the weekend making Dotee Dolls.  I'd never heard of them until last week when my friend Sherry invited me to join her new yahoo group and now I'm hooked.  I looked for some instruction and inspiration online and found that I'm a little late to the game.  The creator of the concept doesn't even have her tutorial posted on her blog anymore. From what I learned, the bodies are anywhere from 3 to 7 inches long. They usually have a felt face and they should have something to hang them from, either ribbon, cording or a beaded wire. They have no arms and you can add beads across the bottom or a beaded tail.  Dotee Dolls are fun, fast and can be funky!  I like that!  They take very few supplies and anyone can make them.  The dolls are not meant to be sold, they are meant to be traded or given as gifts.  If you would like to trade Dotee Dolls, come join us in the new group! http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DazzlingDoteesDolls/  

Christmas Mini Albums

For the past couple of weeks I've been working on making some Christmas gifts and I wanted to share these cute little mini albums I came up with. 

The books measure 3 3/4" by 3 1/4" and are made with 5 envelopes folded in half.  The envelopes were 6 1/2" long by 3 5/8" wide. After folding the envies, I cut off just a sliver of the outer edges (to make pockets) and  inked the edges and folded centers with antique linen distress ink (just on one side of the envelopes. the other sides are glued back to back or to the covers.

I made an accordion style binding with a piece of designer paper. 2" wide  by 3 3/4" long.  I then scored it every 1/4" and folded it using my bone folder for nice crisp edges.  I then glued each of the envelopes to the binding (one envelope per valley) and glued the inner pages back to back.

After gluing all the envelopes together I created the covers with chip board and designer papers.  I then attached the ribbon to the inside of the back cover with double sided tape and attached the back page of the envelopes with double sided tape. I wrapped the ribbon around the left side, over the binding and front page, and attached the front cover with double sided tape.

For the inside of the book I covered each page with a different designer paper leaving about 1/8" boarder showing all around the edges.  These pieces measured 3 3/8" by 2 7/8".  When all the papers were glued on, I used a 1" circle punch to punch the half circles on all of the pages. The half circles will make it easier to get the tags out.  The album will hold 10 tags.

I think I will leave the  little books without embellishments and let the recipients embellish them and add the tags.  That way they can add whatever they like and make them into photo albums, add inspirational quotes or even holiday recipes.

Welcome to my Studio!

I am often inspired by the many talented people sharing their art on the internet.  My hope is that you too will be inspired to get to know your inner Artist and create something beautiful for yourself or to share with someone you love.    In this busy, cluttered world, the art and the time spent creating it are  blessings  and can sooth the soul and bring people together from across the globe! 

As a little introdution and a glimse into my studio I offer a few photos of some of my creations. I enjoy mixed media and making dollhouse miniatures but you never know what I'll be up to next. You can see more of my work on my flickr site http://www.flickr.com/photos/36522840@N08/ , my Etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/StudioT42or my other blog http://www.weewhimsyway.com/ In the future  I will be sharing tutorials, more of my creations, inspirationsal posts of fellow bloggers and now and then a giveaway.  Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy your visit!

9" x 12" Zetti Journal.

6" x 6" Junk Journal

ATC- Closed and Open

ATC

Altered Matchbox

ATC Holder - Holds 8 Artist Trading Cards

Altered Altoids Tin

Altered Altoids Tin

Altered Altoids Tin Lid