Twirling Swirling Whirling - Art Journal Page

I created this art journal page using a bunch of paper scraps left over from previous projects and a variety of wet media including acrylic paint, Gelatos, and artist pens.  I didn't know where I was going with this page when I started, so I just played it fast and loose.  That's always a challenge for me.  I really like how the background swirls turned out.  I layered red Gelatos with white acrylic paint, added some doodles in black, and finished with wild swirls of shiny gold.

Thank goodness this cold, snowy February is almost over.  Come on spring!
 
Supplies:
Strathmore 5.5 x 8 inch Visual Journal with 140 lb watercolor paper; patterned papers by My Mind's Eye; floral notecard of handmade paper; Liquitex white, raw umber, and naples yellow hue acrylic paint; Sharpie red and black paint pens; Faber-Castell black and gold Pitt artist pens; Gelatos, Niji waterbrushes.

I'd Rather Have Cash

I created this snarky Valentine's Day card to send to one of my sassy girl friends.  The focal image, which was in a package of ephemera by My Mind's Eye, reminded me of the photos Anne Taintor uses in her artwork.  So I wrote my own Anne Taintor-style caption for a fun card that thumbs its nose at traditional Valentine's Day gifts.  "Forget the candy and flowers.  I'd rather have cash." 

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a great day.

Supplies:
Black cardstock by Bazzill; naturals ivory cardstock from Stampin' Up; patterned papers and paper ephemera by My Mind's Eye (Lost and Found "record it!" line); small paper doily; vintage sheet music; small circle punch; EK Success border punch; scalloped square Nestabilities by Spellbinders; corner rounder punch; antique linen and vintage photo distress ink; charcoal pencil.

My Heart is Like a Singing Bird - Altered Envelope Mail Art

I decided it was time to try something new, so I signed up to participate in an altered envelope mail art swap. I need to get my creative juices flowing again, and I like the fact that we swap directly with only one person each month.

I started with a real envelope and wanted to give a nod to Valentine's Day without being obvious.  I covered the envelope with torn vintage text and patterned papers, then layered on colored inks and acrylic paints using a dry brush technique, stencils, punchinella, and stamping. For the front of the envelope, I die-cut a heart from sheet music and then added one of my favorite bird images from Artistic Outpost, colored with Prismacolor Premier pencils.  The sentiment is from Red Lead Paperworks.

On the back of the envelope, I added a bird and sentiment from Oxford Impressions. Once the envelope had dried and been pressed, I applied two coats of glossy sealant.  Our envelopes are to be mailed "bare," meaning not inserted into another envelope, so I'm anxious to see how it holds up in the post.  It has to go all the way to California, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it arrives unscathed.

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a great day.

Supplies:
Envelope (4.75 x 6.5); vintage Czech book text; patterned papers by Authentique; Golden soft gel medium; white acrylic paint; Adirondack white and silver acrylic paint dabber; Adirondack frayed burlap and espresso acrylic paint dabber; heart die Nestabilities by Spellbinders; bird on twig image from Artistic Outpost; heart sentiment from Red Lead Paperworks; small bird image and flying sentiment from Oxford Impressions; very vanilla cardstock; Ranger Archival black ink; Prismacolor Premier pencils; odorless mineral spirits; punchinella (sequin waste); hexagon and heart stencils by Heidi Swapp; festive berries, vintage photo and pumice stone distress ink; plastic lids and rings for stamping circles; charcoal pencil; Plaid gloss acrylic spray sealant.