If You Won't Sing in the Car with Me - Postcard

Every year I buy a large wall calendar for my home office.  My first choice is a calendar that features corgis; I think they're just adorable and looking at their happy faces makes ME happy.  But sometimes a corgi calendar is hard to find and I have to select something else.  Last year I ended up buying a calendar that featured classic automobiles, for the sole reason that I knew the car images would make great collage fodder!

With 2016 behind us, I started to cut up the car calendar and then didn't waste any time using one of the images, a 1955 Ford Thunderbird.  After trimming the car closely, I went in search of a driver and found this serious gent in an 1890s magazine.  Doesn't he look like the kind of guy who buys himself a convertible during a midlife crisis?  In reality, he just happened to be the right size and orientation to sit in my car.  I made a horizontal slit along the dash board and inserted my driver so it looks like he's driving the car (use your imagination).

For the background, I started by gluing an old road map to a 5x7 piece of watercolor paper.  I swiped the map with white gesso, then added stenciling and the yellow border using distress inks. The illegible text and gray "blobby" images are rubber stamps from Artistic Outpost.  The double circle image was made using an empty roll of scotch tape.  Because distress inks are water soluble, I sprayed everything with a workable fixative before proceeding.

I computer generated the text on my computer and printed it on cardstock.  I also computer-generated a new personalized license plate for my gent (the recipient will understand).  After adhering the car, I added some outlining using a black Stabilo All-Pencil.  Because the All-Pencil is also water soluble, I sprayed the completed postcard with acrylic sealer once I was finished.

I kept the address side very simple.  And because of all the wet weather we've been having across the country, I popped this postcard into a clear cellophane envelope for mailing.  My real postage stamp, which was adhered to the outside of the envelope, was large enough to cover up the faux Abe Lincoln stamp on the postcard.

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a great day.

Supplies:
Strathmore 5x7 140 lb watercolor postcard; old road map; Golden white gesso; calendar and vintage magazine images; harlequin and bubble stencils by Tim Holtz; text and blob stamps by Artistic Outpost; spiced marmalade, ripe persimmon, mustard seed and peacock feathers distress inks; Ranger Wendy Vecchi watering can ink; black Stabilo All-Pencil; postcard header stamp from Artistic Outpost; Abe Lincoln stamp by Deep Red Stamps; authentic mail art sentiment by Red Lead; hand stamp by Tim Holtz; Ranger Archival jet black ink; Stazon blazing red ink.

Saguaro Sunset Painted Box - Mail Art

To shake things up this month, the Envie Addicts had the option of sending "weirdy mail" rather than just a standard altered envelope or postcard.  And if the weirdy mail is mailed "naked" (without wrapping or packaging), even better!  At first I wasn't sure how weird I wanted to go, but after some thought I decided to try something completely different from my usual.

I started with a small, sturdy box that used to hold a home decor item.  It's about 6 x 3.5 x 3.25 inches.  After gluing the box shut, I gave it a coat of gesso and covered it with tissue paper, which I also coated with gesso.  I then went in search of inspiration and found it in the form of a poem in a 1940s school book (more on that below).  The poem set my subject matter: a saguaro cactus at sunset.

After finding a sunset photo on the internet to use as a color reference, I measured the three sides of the box that I planned to paint and created a template.  I loosely sketched my design on the template and used transfer paper to trace it onto the box.  Next came the moment of bravery:  actually painting the box!  I haven't used acrylics much in this way so it took me a while to get the sky the way I wanted it, but eventually I was happy with it.

I also painted and decorated the front (address side) and ends of the box.  The final step was to add the poem using a Pitt artist pen.

Based on the size and final weight of the box, I adhered sufficient postage and sent it on its way.  It actually reached its destination fairly quickly (quicker than some altered envies I've sent) and I am told it arrived mostly unscathed.

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a fabulous day.

The poem I used was found in Choice Poems for Elementary Grades, compiled by Matilda Mahaffey Elsea and published in 1943.  I bought the book at an antique store and it includes works by both well-known poets as well as relative unknowns.  This poem is allegedly a Pima Indian medicine song, translated by Natalie Curtis.

Wind Song

Far on the desert ridges

Stands the cactus;

Lo, the blossoms swaying

To and fro,

The blossoms swaying,

Swaying. 

Supplies:
Used, small heavy cardboard box; Golden gesso; Golden matte gel medium; Tim Holtz tissue paper; Saral Transfer tracing paper; Liquitex Basics acrylic paints; Golden Retarder; Faber Castell black Pitt artist pen; Sharpie black marker.

From the Heart - Altered Pocket Watch

Several months ago I made this moo-sized bookmark for my cousin.  She liked it so much, she said she wished she could wear it against her body!  That made me laugh, and it also made me want to make her something else that she could potentially wear, or at least hold or display.  The result was this altered pocket watch.

The contents of the watch started with an old bingo card that I distressed and whitewashed with acrylic paint.  My girl from Artistic Outpost was stamped on vanilla cardstock, colored with pencils, then cut out and adhered to the background.  After adding the rub-on sentiment, I adhered the rhinestone ribbon around the outer edge.  To dress up the outer part of the watch, I added some charms and a tulle bow.

There's no greater pleasure for me than knowing that something I made will bring joy to someone else.  My hope is that Lisa will love this watch as much as the bookmark, and keep it close to her heart.

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:
Pocket watch and ball chain (Tim Holtz); old bingo card from my stash; sandpaper; white acrylic paint; focal image from Artistic Outpost; Ranger Archival black ink; very vanilla cardstock from Stampin' Up; Prismacolor Premier pencils; odorless mineral spirits; peat charcoal pencil; rhinestone ribbon from Alpha Stamps; typewriter key charm, pear-shaped pearl, and jump rings (Tim Holtz); mini key charm (unknown); red glass bead and head pin from my stash; pink rhinestone by Bo Bunny; black tulle.

Altered Bingo Card Nametag

I created this collage nametag (using my online nickname) for the upcoming art weekend that I'm participating in.  I am super pleased with how it turned out.

I started with a vintage bingo card and knew that I wanted to use the Scrabble tiles and old game card letters for my name.  I die-cut the letters using Nestabilities, added eyelets, and attached them to the bingo card with jump rings.  I played around with a bunch of different ephemera before settling on the following:  vintage kid's Valentine, bingo marker (I-22), a well-loved 1940s wallet photo, old milk bottle lid, the letter K (another game piece), red paper flower, and a couple of buttons.  Most of the items received a touch of acrylic gold paint around the edges before being glued on with heavy gel medium.  I mounted the bingo card on some floral patterned paper and then on black cardstock for added strength.

The final step was to add the garter belt clips on the top and a sheer black ribbon long enough to hang the nametag around my neck.  I knotted the ribbon in a couple of places and added another charcoal paper flower, so it's almost like a necklace and nametag combined.

This collage uses one of my favorite color combinations (black, red, and ivory) and represents my artistic style 100%.  I can't wait to wear it!
  
Have a great Monday!  Thanks for stopping by.

Scrabble Tile Magnet

Since I still had my bag of Scrabble tiles out, I decided to make a magnet with one.

I adhered a scrap of sheet music to the tile, then transferred a rose image using gel medium.  The word was cut from an old novel.  Some gold paint around the edges and a top coat of Glossy Accents finished the tile.

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:
Scrabble tile; vintage sheet music; rose clipart from ArtChix Studio; word from a 1920s novel; Adirondack gold acrylic paint dabber; Golden soft gloss gel medium; Glossy Accents; small magnet from the craft store.

Scrabble Tile Pendant

The guys had "man plans" yesterday, so my mom and I decided to drive to a neighboring town to cruise the antique shops.  I hit the jackpot at three different places and purchased a variety of vintage ephemera that will eventually find their way into a collage, gluebook or mixed media project of some kind. 

But in the meantime, I made this Scrabble tile pendant for a friend whose birthday is coming up.  I layered my lady (German scrap), on top of some sheet music.  I heat-embossed the edges of the tile in gold to go with the gold headpin and beads (they look silver in the scan but are actually gold).  The final step is a coat of Glossy Accents to seal everything.

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:
Scrabble tile; vintage sheet music; German scrap image; Marvy yellow market; Versamark ink; gold embossing powder; gold headpin; gold spacer beads; blue glass bead; Glossy Accents.

Altered Matchbox "Fire"

Here's a fun little project that doesn't take long at all, as long as you like to work in small spaces!

I covered a small match box (purchased at Target), with some vintage sheet music and topped it with an interesting photo.  I added some Dresden trim borders and a word from an old novel.   Of course, everything was appropriately aged with ink and paint.

The inside drawer was colored with fired brick distress ink and then lined with sheet music.  This box will hold some small trinkets for a fellow artist.

We are finally getting some warmer weather here; it may even get above freezing this weekend.  Yee-haw!

Supplies:
Small matchbox; vintage sheet music; white acrylic paint; Adirondack gold paint dabber; fired brick distress ink; reduced copy of old photograph; black Dresden trim; dark charcoal pencil; Golden gel medium.

Altered Jello Box

I see projects like this in the Stampington magazines and think they are just adorable.  I finally decided to try my hand at one and use it as a gift box for Valentine's Day.

I started by wrapping a small Jello box with old sheet music that was dry-brushed with white acrylic paint.  I free-formed the heart out of black craft wire and also dry-brushed it to give it that shabby chic look.


I am sending this to my mom.  The box is just large enough to hold a bracelet of freshwater pearls in Valentine colors.

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:
Empty Jello box with top flaps cut off; vintage sheet music; white acrylic paint; pumice stone distress ink; burlap and lace trim from the fabric store; black craft wire; red embroidery floss; vintage button from my stash; Golden gel medium.

Altered Dominoes: Holiday

Before I leave Christmas 2010 completely behind, I wanted to post a photo of the altered dominoes I made for my mom and dad.

I die-cut the letters (my parents have the same first initial) on the Cuttlebug out of Grungepaper and decorative paper.  The poinsettia and reindeer are buttons from Michaels. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:
Old wooden domino; decorative paper by Memory Box; Grungepaper by Tim Holtz; die-cut alphabet by Provocraft; Cuttlebug; Adirondack Metallic gold paint dabber; buttons from Michaels; brass eye screw from the hardware store; smallest drill bit for my Craftsman drill; gold ribbon from Ellen Hutson; gold elastic cord from Michaels; Liquitex matte gel medium; Glossy Accents.

Altered Domino: Sandy Striper

This festive altered domino is for my friend Sandy.  Isn't the red striped ribbon super sweet?  I've had it in my stash for several years.

The poinsettia is actually a button from Michaels, brushed lightly with gold paint.  The initial is made from Grunge Paper covered with a decorative paper, die-cut on the Cuttlebug. 

It's officially Christmas Eve now and it's snowing here. The snow looks beautiful as it falls and everyone always hopes for a white Christmas.  But this type of weather can wreak havoc on the roads so if you're out driving today, please be extra careful! 

Thanks for stopping by today. 

Supplies: 
Wooden domino; decorative papers from Memory Box; Grunge Paper (Tim Holtz); poinsettia button from Michaels; Adirondack gold paint dapper; brass eye screw from the hardware store; Craftsman drill and smallest drill bit; striped ribbon (unknown); Liquitex matte gel medium; Glossy Accents; stretchy gold cording from Michaels.

Altered Domino: Soar

Last spring I bought two sets of old wooden dominoes at a garage sale, with the notion of somehow altering them.  I finally got around to it last weekend during the Bird-a-thon and am really pleased with my first effort!

I painted the sides of the domino with gold acrylic paint and added an eye-screw to the top so the domino can be hung (it's hidden by the ribbon).  The German scrap bird is from ArtChix Studio.



Can you believe it's December 1 already?!  Where has the year gone?

Supplies: 
Halsam wooden domino from the 1950s; decorative paper by The Paper Studio; German scrap bird from ArtChix Studio; black cardstock from Stampin' Up; Adirondack Metallics gold acrylic paint dabber; computer-generated text; barn door distress ink; mini copper brads; gold ribbon; metal eye-screw (hidden in photo); Adirondack metallics gold alcohol ink.

Altered Travel Journal

I had so much fun creating this travel journal to give to a friend for her birthday. The idea is courtesy of Mystic Paper, an adorable scrapbooking and altered art store in downtown Mesa, Arizona. I was there on vacation last winter and saw a sample on display for one of their upcoming classes.

The spiral journal is from 7 gypsies and the "pages" are actually envelopes made of sturdy cardstock. I embellished the envelopes with papers by Deja Views (a collection called Global Views, which I bought ages ago at Michaels), and a variety of stamped images.


This project was a snap and I like it so much, I'm thinking I need to make one for myself.

Thanks for dropping in and have a great weekend!

Supplies:
7 gypsies envelope journal; patterned papers by Deja Views; very vanilla cardstock from Stampin' Up; a variety of distress inks including frayed burlap, crushed corduroy, peeled paint, rusty hinge, black soot, and wild honey; Colorbox rhubarb stalk and cocoa ink; Archival jet black ink; a whole lotta stamps including images from Stampabilities, Tim Holtz, Studio 490, Inkadinkado, PrintWorks, Uptown Design Company, and Hampton Art.

Altered Ansco Box Camera

I am not a big fan of going to garage sales. If I'm looking for something in particular, it's just a wild goose chase that usually ends in frustration. And if I'm not looking for something in particular, why would I go in the first place? But last spring I spent an afternoon going to garage sales with my mom and not only did we have fun, but we actually found the items we were looking for! I don't think I'm hooked on garage sales yet, but I now understand the appeal a little better (especially since I'm getting hooked on vintage collage!).

One of the items I bought that afternoon was a small box camera. It was only a buck and it was missing its guts, but I thought it was cute and I saw great potential for it as an art piece. This weekend I finally sat down and created a collage for one of its sides, and I'm really happy with how it turned out. I used a variety of old and new papers, and two of the items in the collage have a photography theme (the advertising logo on the left and the Tim Holtz film strip ribbon along the bottom). The fancy cast iron latch at the top was purchased at a garage sale on the same day.

The collage ended up being 3-3/4 inches square, which qualifies this piece for the Theme Thursday challenge: square art.

Thanks for popping in. Have a relaxing Labor Day!


Supplies:
Ansco Shur-Flash camera; vintage German text, Flinch card, and sheet music; Hugo Leman photography studio advertisement courtesy of Digital Collage Sheets on Flickr; Crafty Secrets patterned paper; postmark clipart from ArtChix Studio; gentleman clipart from Alpha Stamps; Tim Holtz film strip ribbon; Tim Holtz Idea-ology clock face and hands; Tim Holtz grungeboard letter "L"; round metal alphabet embellishment; white acrylic paint; brushed corduroy distress ink.

Altered Wooden Frame

The inspiration for this project came from an in-store flier I picked up at a craft store. Because I didn't have some of the tools and products they used in the sample, I came up with some substitutions that I like even better.

This frame holds a 4x6 photo. The girls in the photo are my mom (on the right) and her older sister Mary. Both "girls" still have the same sweet smiles today.

Supplies:
Plain oval wooden frame; Americana brand bleached sand acrylic paint; Ranger vintage photo crackle paint; Studio 490 leaf and flower stamps; Grungepaper; Grungeboard flourishes; distress inks: black soot, broken china, fired brick, scattered straw, peeled paint, brushed corduroy, and antique linen; small black buttons; embroidery floss.

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you're having a fabulous weekend.