I've got mail!

Hello, Friends--

Is there anything better than getting snail mail? Why, yes, there is--getting mail art!

Recently, I took part in Lenna Young Andrews' "A Summer's Day" postcard swap. I have been collecting postcards for about 40 years now (OK, I'm definitely giving away my age now) and am always happy to add more to my rather large collection. I've taken part in Lenna's swaps before and have been more than pleased with what I have received. The challenge was to make three postcards using the medium of our choice, and complete the phrase "A Summer's Day Is..." on the reverse side. I decided to hold my nose and jump into the water!

I received my three postcards yesterday and today. First into the mailbox was  Cynthia Zdanzukas' fun and flowery card, titled "A Summer's Day is cooled by shady trees."

Cynthia's card incorporates vintage sheet music, fabric flowers, and an image of that good, old-fashioned American pastime for kids in summer: bicycle riding! Cynthia, thank you so much for sharing your vision of a summer's day with me!

 Next, I received a swimming-themed card from Val Cowan in Scotland. Complete with stitched edges, a metal fish and some very cool watery images, Val says, "A summer day is a day for swimming!" I couldn't agree more. Thank you, Val! I'm pleased to add your card to my collection.

And finally, Marion Bockelman of Munster, Germany, has made a postcard to be remembered, just like her summer's day! Two Victorian ladies and three large seashells adorn the front of her card, along with nostalgic rubber stamping. To see more of Marion's artwork, visit her blog at www.bockel24.blogspot.com. Marion, thank you very much for your card!

Thank you again, ladies, and thank you, Lenna, for hosting this swap!

Until next time, stay well, and stay dry!

New month, new ICADs

Hello, Friends!

Seems like the past week just flew by! I've been busy with a few things here and there. There's something about September that says "busy," isn't there? Pretty soon we'll be seeing the squirrels all over the place, gathering up acorns and nuts for their winter stash.

In addition to doing my own artwork, I signed up for a class in graphic design at our local community college. I've done some design in my past jobs, but I really feel I could use a brush-up and some real, formal training, which I have never had. So far, I am enjoying the class and I like the teacher. And, the woman who sat next to me in class turned out to be the daughter of longtime friends of my husband's! How's that for "a small world"?

I also took part in Lenna Andrews' Summer's Day Postcard Swap, the deadline for which was yesterday. If you'd like a peek at my cards, as well as all the other beautiful postcards that are going to be exchanged, visit Lenna's swap blog here.

Tammy Garcia's ICAD project was originally going to end as of August 30. However, Tammy decided to continue with it into September, and so did I. This time around, I am using 4" x 6" index cards. I'm rather used to working in a smaller format, whether it's 3.5" x 5" index cards, or artist trading cards, and it's definitely a challenge to work larger. I am enjoying it immensely. And I'm finally using those supplies I was saving for a "really special project." You know what? Today is the day for that really special project! Grab those supplies and make something!

And so, without further adieu, here are some of my larger ICADs.

ICAD for Sept. 5. Materials used:  Various art papers, Starbucks stickers (thank you, Barbara!), washi tape, old dictionary text. 

Faux Quilt.  Materials used:  Leftover scraps of fabric on batting from Conversation Hearts, lovely fabric collages I learned to do from Tammy Gilley last year. I just glued them down onto the card. 

Sept. 7 Card (a/k/a the Pear Bird). Materials used: 7 Gypsies paper, waterproof pen, Caran d'ache Neocolor crayons, colored pencil. 

ICAD for Sept. 11. Materials used:  Found image, faux postage from Artchix Studio, paper tape, background papers, gold faux pearls.

ICAD for Sept. 12. Materials used:  Gouache. I don't use gouache much, but I find I love its deep opacity. It's also easy to write over, unlike some acrylics. 

ICAD for Sept. 14. Materials used: Transparency and egg image from Artchix Studio, faux postage, mulberry paper, paste papers, painted papers, Faber-Castell Gelatos.

ICAD for Sept. 15. Materials used:  Rub-ons, flower image from mail-order catalog, butterfly and background papers from collage box set featuring Maryjo Koch's artwork.

 What I've learned about myself thus far in this project:

• I am surprised to find myself working with colors I thought I didn't like, such as brown, orange, and red. 
• Everything doesn't have to be a "great work of art."  Sometimes I just stick things together and see what happens, and I'm surprised that the result isn't repugnant!
• I really can commit to doing some art every day, something I have not been successful with earlier. Somehow, doing just one little card isn't too daunting. 
• Having something to show everyone inspires me to blog more often. And it doesn't have to be something wonderful (see second bullet point above).
• I found that I missed the project when it was ended. Kind of like missing having a daily walk (I am working on that one). 

I wish you a Happy Rest-of-the-Weekend! We will meet here again, soon, I hope.

The remains of the week

Dear Friends,

Remember this?

Post Hurricane Irene, Labor Day weekend 2011.

And this?

October 2009

Well, this is what it looked like on Sept. 8:

Hurricane Lee, 2011

Hurricane Lee came through our area, and while the little creek near my house caused some flooding downstream, the big news was the big river, the Susquehanna.

It rose to new heights and flooded many parts of Northeastern Pennsylvania, including nearby West Pittston and Duryea, and Bloomsburg, where hubby and I attend the wonderful fair every year.  Many people lost their belongings, and their homes were severely damaged.  I even saw a video of a cottage floating downstream in Wyoming County, bobbing along until it smashed into a bridge.  The historic Dietrich Theater is closed until further notice.  They had planned their fall film festival for next week.

In the midst of all this, we are remembering those lost on September 11, 2001.  Like the day JFK was shot, many of us know exactly where we were when the planes hit the Twin Towers.  I know we are all thinking of those who suffered terrible losses that day.  Please take this opportunity to pray for world peace, and peace in our country.

Here are some ways to promote peace, or help in a small way if you can:

• Katherine Dunn at Apifera Farm introduces Healing Creatures. 
• The Wyoming Valley chapter of The American Red Cross is seeking donations to help those affected by the flood. 
• I Am Enough may help you bring peace to yourself.

Until next time, be safe, my friends.

Farewell to summer

Photo courtesy of morguefile

Dear Friends,

Just a quick post to mark the "official" end of summer.  The weather may stay warm for a few more weeks, but I can see fall foliage colors popping up here and there.  The birds no longer sing at 4 a.m.  The sunrise is changing, and sunset comes earlier.

I've even needed a light jacket on evening walks.

As long as I can remember, Labor Day has marked the return to school.  Kids go back to school earlier nowadays (I believe it has something to do with snow days).  Do you remember watching the Jerry Lewis telethon?  I would slump in front of the television, as Jerry, exhausted and growing more disheveled in his tux as the hours slipped by and the money poured in.  The closer we got to the end of the telethon, the closer I was to the dreaded start of school, which I viewed as a condemned person would view their execution at dawn.

I wasn't a popular child, though I longed to be, and tried to be.  I was bullied right up until the day I graduated from high school.  But every year, I hoped it would be different.

I'll never forget my sophomore year, when I got contact lenses to replace my Coke-bottle glasses.  I worked all summer babysitting to earn the money for them.  I got a new haircut for the first day of school.  On that fateful day, I walked up to a girl in the class ahead of me, one of the popular, in-crowd girls, and said, "Hi!"  She turned and said, "Oh, hi, Sandi," then turned away indifferently.  I was crushed.  Somehow, I thought that I looked totally different--unrecognizable--possibly even pretty--without my glasses. 

No dice.  Oh well oh well oh well, as Jack White once said.

Anyway, that's all water under the proverbial bridge.  Here I am, more than three decades later, trying to make a new start again.  The job search goes on.  I am trying to sign up for a class at our local community college to sharpen my skills.  I've been working on art for my proposed Etsy shop.

I hope this autumn holds some hope and fresh starts for you, too.

And if you're feeling down, just remember:  At least you don't have to go back to high school in the morning.

Blessings to you--

Goodbye, Willow

Willow, 2009-2011.

 Dear Friends,

Our little rat, Willoughby (Willow for short), passed away today.

I suspect he was about two and a half years old, which is very old indeed for a rat.

When we got him for my birthday in July 2009, he was already full grown and being sold as a "jumbo rat."  I was just so happy that he made it to my birthday again.

In the past month, however, his health began to decline.  He began refusing his favorite treats, and never finished his bowl of food.  His breathing seemed labored.  He lay about listlessly.

Today, he left us and we are sad, but relieved that he will suffer no more.


I like to think of Ratty in Kenneth Grahame's The Wind in the Willows, and how he told the Mole, "Believe me, my young friend, there is NOTHING--absolutely nothing--half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats."

I like to think Willow is off somewhere messing about in a boat.

Godspeed, my little friend.

You shall be missed.

Goodnight, Irene

Dear Friends,

I am happy, and grateful, to report that we were relatively unaffected by Hurricane Irene, though many friends and family were not so lucky.  Certain areas nearby were without power for hours, and my brother and his family were unreachable by telephone till today.

My prayers and good wishes go out to those who experienced damage or worse.

This evening, I took a walk to one of my favorite neighborhood spots.  The creek leads to a local swimming hole, through a tunnel under a highway--but I wouldn't want to have to walk through the tunnel, or even take a swim at this point.

Here's a link to a photo I took in October 2009.  This is usually what the creek looks like.

I tried to capture the same view today, plus I took a few more shots of the rushing water. You can see it's a bit higher than usual--as well as rougher!

Another angle. 

And another.

I also saw some late-summer zinnias...

...and this old, weather-worn chair with vines...I thought I would try a special effect in Photoshop Elements. Do you like it?

Speaking of vines, I found this one, already turning red for the fall.  The nights have gotten much cooler.  I am looking forward to my favorite season.

What is your favorite season?  What do you enjoy most about it? 

Until next time, stay well, my friends.

A Little Late Posting

Dear Friends,

I've gotten a little behind in posting my ICADs for the past week.  I finally finished up the seaside paper bag books I was making for my mother and a friend, and am trying to take photos (or rather, get my husband to take photos) of some Somerset Studio back issues that I will be selling in one of my Etsy shops.   I'll be sure to let you know when they are ready to be sold, in case you are interested.

Also had to deal with a dead mouse in the kitchen and sadly, a dead egg in my front yard, which was the inspiration for the August 16 ICAD.  I always cry when I find dead animals and I feel sorry for road kill.  What can I say?  I am a true softie.

The poor little egg was cracked, and I could see the dead baby bird inside.  We've been having some storms lately, and it must have blown out of a nearby nest.  Hubby and I buried it in the front yard.

Numbers.  Materials used:  vintage text pages, Tim Holtz stickers, Heidi Swapp decorative tape. 

Butterfly.  Materials used:  Vintage text page, Ranger Distress Stain, transparencies. 

Black Background.  Materials used:  Black ink pad, Sakura Gelly Roll glitter pens, Sakura Glaze pens. 

ICAD for Aug. 14.  Materials used:  Scrapbooking paper, Faber-Castell Gelatos, transparency.

ICAD for Aug. 16.  Materials used:  Watercolor with salt effect , ephemera, Glaze pen.
The text on this reads: "These birds are very sad. Their egg fell out of the nest and broke.
And their baby died." 

We are expecting another big storm (Irene) and I hope all the little creatures out there are safe!

Till next time--have an artful day!

The Newest ICADS

Hi, Friends,

This will be a quick post, with my latest bunch of  ICADs.  I confess that I have not kept up with them every day.  I do try to make up for the days I've missed.

I've had some rough times these past few weeks, mostly about my struggle to find a job.  I've had a few interviews, but nothing has worked out.  I try not to complain on this blog about my personal life.  I want to keep it focused on my art.  But at times, I am very, very afraid about the future.  I don't qualify for any further unemployment compensation benefits, and I do not qualify for public assistance.  I'm overqualified for most clerical jobs (I was a secretary for 13 years) yet I don't seem to be qualified for a "better" class of jobs.  I can't lie about the fact that I earned a bachelor's degree--in fact, I'm damned proud of working through night school to earn one.  So, I feel rather stuck at the moment.  There have been many tears and hopeless thoughts.

But I keep trying.

Art is one of the only things that is getting me through it all.  That, and my pets, friends, and family.

So, without further adieu, here are my cards.

Le Lapin.  Materials used:  Pencil

Bubbles.  Materials used:  Rubber stamp, Faber-Castell Gelatos and Big Brush Pens.

Green.  Materials used:  Stickers, mulberry paper, paper leaves, sewn scrapbook paper.

Map.  Materials used:  Scrapbooking paper, transparency, image from my collection, postage stamps.

Stripes.  Materials used:  Images of Jack and Meg White (a/k/a The White Stripes), UPC code, various ephemera, PaperMate Permanent Markers. 

Owls 2.  Materials used:  Scrapbooking paper, ephemera, image from Alphastamps, faux postage from Artchix Studio, tissue pattern paper. 

Patriotic.  Materials used:  Vintage postage stamps, Faber-Castell Gelatos, vintage text from atlas. 

Postage Stamps.  Materials used: Vintage postage stamps, Faber-Castell Gelatos.

Pear.  Materials used:  Colored pencils.  This is a freshly picked pear, one of a bunch my husband picked.  Our pets have really been enjoying slices of these fruits of summer (as well as the branches and leaves from the tree). 

You'll notice I've been using a lot of postage stamps in my ICADs.  I plan to do a post on postoids, or faux postage, very shortly.  I've been creating some of these stamps in Photoshop Elements, and having a lot of fun.

Until next time, take care and stay cool--

On Art Journaling

"When my daughter was about seven years old, she asked me one day what I did at work. I told her I worked at the college-that my job was to teach people how to draw. She stared back at me, incredulous, and said, "You mean they forget?"                                                                                                  ~ Howard Ikemoto

Hello, Friends,

Welcome to a wet August! It's been raining here for a couple of days, but you won't hear me complaining about that. Just about every summer around this area, there's a prolonged dry spell and the news media starts screaming "drought!" My friend Tom calls them the Weather Nazis. They're the same people who declare every blizzard the "Storm of the Century."

Anyway...I'm still working on my ICADs every day, and finding an interest in drawing/sketching some of them, such as Owl and Linen. I've been drawing on and off all my life (see the above quote), and did quite a few sketches in my teens of various rock stars and other celebrities. As time went by, I abandoned my sketchbook for the written word (I've always kept a written diary) and eventually, art journaling.

But sometimes I missed drawing.

I don't feel that I draw very well. About 5 years ago, I tried doing Danny Gregory's Everyday Matters challenges.  Alas, I didn't stick with it for very long.  ICAD is the first art daily art challenge I've been keeping up with, even though it has been difficult lately.

Now, I'm thinking of keeping a sketchbook journal again.  I've started to draw every now and then, and am seriously considering some online classes in sketchbook journaling.  In a way, however, it feels strangely like a betrayal to collage and mixed-media.  I can't quite figure out why. 

Do you keep a journal?  If so, is it a written one, an art journal, a sketchbook, or a combination of all three?


Here are some artists I find inspiring.  Give them a visit--and if you know of anyone else whose work I should check out, please let me know.  I love finding inspiration out there, whether in Bloglandia or in real life.

• Laure Ferlita offers "Imaginary Trips" to places like Italy, Paris and NOLA, plus basic art journaling classes.  
• Jane LaFazio's next class starts on August 11!
• Visit Watercolor Journaling for all kinds of fun.  These two ladies also offer a DVD for purchase if you're not in their region for a live class. 
• I like Gwen Diehn's books, "The Decorated Journal" and "The Decorated Page," but sometimes I feel she looks down on the kind of mixed-media art I enjoy doing.  In one of her books, she talks about purchasing images of, say, Victorian children, and how one should avoid those types of packaged ephemera because they are not original and are somewhat meaningless in our lives and art.  I tend to disagree, because if it were not for my love of vintage photos, I probably would not have become a mixed-media artist. Maybe this is what is contributing to my above-expressed feelings.

Till next time--

ICAD, you cad, we all cad

Dear Friends,

OK, I will be the first to admit that is a really, really bad title. But it's late at night, and I can't think of anything more clever to call this post.

I'm noticing I'm using the same colors in my ICADs lately.  I started out using some colors that I never use (such as orange and red), but am now drifting back to blues and greens, with a little hint of pink.  Perhaps this is because I've been working on some ocean-themed paper bag books.  Or maybe I'm just a creature of habit.

How about you?  Do you branch out into new colors, only to find yourself returning to the old favorites?

I'll start with a photo of my mom.  This index card is titled "Glamour."  I found this photo in my grandma's photo album when I was about 12, and have been enamored of it ever since.  We call it Mom's Glam Shot.  (Mom, if you're reading this, I hope you don't mind that I am making you famous!)

Glamour.  Materials used:  Vintage photo from my collection, various Ranger paints, Golden Fluid Acrylic Interference Blue paint, Liquitex acrylic ink. 

Clouds.  Materials used:  Golden Glazes (aquamarine), Faber-Castell Gelatos. 

ICAD for July 23.  Materials used:  Transparencies, Faber-Castell Gelatos, Faber-Castell Big Brush Pens, sticker, Japanese paper sprayed with watercolor inks. 

Stars.  Materials used:  Transparency, vintage image, colored pencils, text, Ranger Alcohol Inks.

Luck.  Materials used:  Mrs. Grossman's mulberry paper stickers, fortunes from fortune cookies, Faber-Castell Gelatos in red and copper. 

Quote.  Materials used:  Vintage image of luna moth, scrapbooking paper, gel pen, quote from Edna St. Vincent Millay. Did you know luna moths only live about one week?  That is what inspired the quote.

Ivy.  Materials used:  Postage stamp, gel pen, scrapbooking paper. 

Envelope.  Materials used:  Handmade envelope from scrapbooking paper, Faber-Castell Gelatos. Below is the envelope with one of my artist trading cards peeking out.

 

Frame.  Materials used:  Vintage image of woman, acetate frame (K & Company), vintage text.

In other news, the weather has temporarily cooled off.  But I understand it's going to hit 90 again this weekend.  I guess I'll have to hit the state park, if that's the case.  I'll also be hitting 47 this Saturday.  (My, that's a lot of hitting going on in this post).  Not exactly thrilled about it, but it is unavoidable.

Until next time, stay well, my friends!