The Fisher Kings - Moo Houses

For these two moo houses, I combined two of the optional themes set for the Mini House-athon:  Monopoly and All Things Green.

I started with the Pacific and Pennsylvania Avenue deed cards from my $3.00 Craigslist Monopoly game.  The Pacific reference reminded me that I have some German scrap fish and seashell images in my stash.  Most of the images were simply too large for a moo house, but I was able to make these two fish work by adhering them at a sharp angle.  I first doctored up the backgrounds with some grungy (distressed style) rub-ons.  The roofs were cut from the same Monopoly cards and doctored up with rub-ons that I colored with a yellow ochre marker.  The small crowns were on the same sheet of rub-ons and I thought they would be rather whimsical, so I added them.  The scan doesn't show this well, but the jewels on the crowns were colored red with a marker.  The red was just the small amount of complimentary color that these houses needed.

These mini houses look super cool in real life and have so much detail, it's almost mind-boggling!  I'm happy to say that they will be staying together

Have a fabulous day!

Take Flight - Altered Envelope Mail Art

I'm late in getting several things mailed out this month thanks to issues with the new computer, time spent on the bathroom project, severe storms and lack of electricity (more on that another day), and just life in general.  But I'm plugging away at several projects now and finally finished this month's mail art envelope.

I started by covering a watercolor envelope with various leftovers from my paper scraps file.  I toned them down by applying a layer of gesso using an old credit card, then applied some Tim Holtz rub-ons.

Since my partner likes bright colors, I sponged on some ripe persimmon distress ink and then finished the edges with gold acrylic paint.

Have a fabulous day!  Thanks for stopping by.

Supplies:
Strathmore 140 lb watercolor paper; matte gel medium; miscellaneous paper scraps; Golden gesso; Tim Holtz rub-ons; ripe persimmon distress ink; Adirondack gold acrylic paint dabber; Plaid matte acrylic spray sealant.

25 26 Penny Farthing - ATC

I created this card for an ATC swap.  The theme is still life and I considered doing something more traditional (a group of pears, a vase on a table, etc.), but I just wasn't feeling it.  So I dug through my stamps and supplies looking for other inanimate objects to inspire me, and eventually settled on this vintage bicycle. 

The background started with a faux vintage postcard from a DCWV paper stack.  I added the red patterned paper and stamped on the handwriting before using an old credit card to swipe on some white acrylic paint.

The vintage bicycle (called a penny farthing, I just learned tonight) and the yard stick images are rub-ons.  I used distress inks and black acrylic paint around the edges for additional color and aging.

Thanks for dropping by!  Have a  wonderful day.

Supplies:
Cardstock ATC base; faux vintage postcard from DCWV Timeless Type Stack; red patterned paper from my scrap bin; French Post stamp by Hero Arts; splatter pattern stamp by All Night Media; Ranger Archival black ink; frayed burlap and crushed olive distress ink; bicycle rub-on from Michaels; yard stick rub-on by 7 Gypsies; Adirondack black acrylic paint dabber.

The Key to Tennessee Avenue - Moo House

The background for this mini house started with a Monopoly deed card (for Tennessee Avenue) that was in my goodie bag at ARTzona 2013.  I sanded it lightly so it would take some distress ink, then added the white rub-ons.  The large key and number 4 are also rub-ons.    I felt like the card still needed something, so I went digging for the miniature metal key which was the perfect size.

Guess who now plans to hit the local Goodwill stores in search of a Monopoly game?  hee hee

Thanks for dropping by.

Supplies:
140 lb watercolor paper; Monopoly game card; rusty hinge and pumice stone distress ink; distress rub-on by My Mind's Eye; key rub-on by Recollections (Michaels); number 4 rub-on and mini metal key by 7 Gypsies; Adirondack black acrylic paint dabber; waxed linen thread by Books by Hand (available through Dick Blick).