Monday, May 31, 2021

Postcard Crazed!

I’ve been a crazed postcard paper crafter lately.

All of these postcards have been mailed for Postcrossing .
  Although I don’t get to create a handmade postcard for most postcrossers, I do get pretty lucky sometimes and get to make several to send across the world and across my own country.

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Many of them have been to try out a technique.  This one is watercolors painted using a brick stencil as a guide.  Once I removed the stencil I gave the bricks a bit more fine tuning of color.

    

Then gave the brick wall a collage.  The flowers are die cut from white and painted with watercolors.
Adding a bit of number ephemera, washi tape and die cut numbers.


These city buildings die cuts are always a favorite the way others use them.  I painted them with watercolors...oh, so many times!  A strip of washi tape along the bottom.


I’ve made this typewriter postcard before with a different background.  I love this stamp.  The background is Distress Oxide Spray.  I then added Washi Tape bits.


Sometimes a Postcrosser requests a private swap.  She requested a fabric postcard.


This next card started with Distress Oxide Spray.  I then ran it through my BIGkick inside an embossing folder for texture.  I used a steam roller (brayer) to flatten the texture a bit.  Then I blended over the surface with an Oxide ink pad and blending tool.

    

I used glossy clear texture paste mixed with a red acrylic paint.  Then applied it pressed through a stencil.
I used a graphite pencil to give the letters shadow and depth.  Using a water brush to fine tune the shadowing.

    

White modeling paste was pressed through a chevron stencil.  Water based inks usually will tint the white modeling paste.



The stencil used on this next card is a very thin flimsy one.  I wanted to know how it would work trying to press modeling paste through it.  It worked well enough with care, but I prefer to stick with the sturdier plastic stencils.  


I used modeling paste through stencils on this next card.  I then used a cutting die to cut the circles.  I stamped words on the yellow backing paper before adhering the top card to it.  The flower is a die cut painted with watercolors.



If you’ve stuck with me this far, then you can have a chance of receiving this next postcard in your mail.

This postcard was made with rejected and extra pieces of bits and bobs.  Some art might be rejected for its original purpose, but it can soon become a perfect part for another art piece.  I love this postcard.  I wasn’t able to let it go for awhile.  But it is time now for it to travel to a new home.
Simply let me know in a comment if you’d like to received it.



HAPPY MAIL DAY!

17 comments:

Valerie-Jael said...

Fabulous cards, love them all! Great techniques, too. Have a great week, hugs, Valerie

Turid said...

I'm always so inspired when I read your blog posts. And I'm always looking forward to look in my mail box to find one of your postcards. I just returned home today, and haven't found my sewing machine yet. The weather is like staying outside for the moment.

quiltingbydawn said...

What lovely postcards, Annie! Your techniques are so amazing! I marvel at all the different stencils, stamps and supplies you have to create with! I would love to receive your cute postcard!

jenclair said...

Wonderful postcards! Techniques and style...fantastic! Isn't it fun to find a new use for those rejected bits? So satisfying when they are exactly what is needed. :)

My name is Erika. said...

Wow Annie. All of these postcards are amazing. They are all great, but I did notice a stitched ice cream cone one. What a great collection. Happy June to you. Hugs-Erika

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I'm in awe of all the products you have to work with. They make your cards for you, I think. I am so low tech, I would LOVE to visit you someday and soak up your knowledge of mixed media and all the tools and supplies you have. Like Erika, I noticed the fabric ice cream cone. I love that one the best, I think, but they are all stunning. And so is the one you are giving away. It would be great to fly my way, but I think others may be more in need of it, so I will pass.

Annie said...

You’re right, Elizabeth. I don’t know why I sit at my craft table. I should just go for a walk and when I return, the postcards are made and I just need to write the message and mail them.

Patti said...

I save all your posts thinking someday I will give it a try, with all your step by step directions I would like I could at least make one, we will see until then I would love any you send my way!!

The Joyful Quilter said...

What fabulous cards and an interesting group Postcrossing is!! I had never heard of this. Thanks for the link!

Lin said...

So enjoying seeing all your beautiful cards. I had not heard of postcrossers - what a great idea. xx

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

They are all beautiful. The depth of creativity is amazing.

melissa said...

I really enjoy your work. Always something new.

Annie said...

Thank you Melissa. Always something new keeps ME from getting bored with crafting and sewing.

sheila 77 said...

You might have all the art materials in the world but it takes the skill of an artist to use the materials to make something unusual and/or beautiful. Lots of your art here is unusual to me (unusual in the best possible way, i.e very different and creative) and I love all of it.
The blue die-cut flower on the brick wall is pretty, and then the added numbers and washi tape added takes the card from something pretty to something quite remarkable. I like the way you are using watercolours in an unconventional way.
The little girl waiting patiently on the card at the end is another example with the soft, soft lilac and green colours and the butterfly. And I have to give a shout-out to the water-coloured flower above standing proudly above its modern patterned background.

Tera Callihan said...

Oh wow these are all so beautiful ♡ my favorites are probably the flower ones and the buildings but it's tough to really say!!! And who wouldn't love to receive that beautiful postcard at the end🥰🥰

West Michigan Quilter said...

You are amazing. I love flowers and am always thrilled to see yours. Now I can't get over that lovely brick in the background. Wonderful! And what an interesting stamp of the typewriter! Great job!

Carla said...

I love your postcards and creations. I have been lucky enough to receive one of your postcards a few years back but I'll always take another.