Mail Art

While every envelope begins as mail art with every intention of mailing it to someone, I sometimes can't let it go.  That only happens when I completely surprise myself with some art that I really love how it turns out.  I have to keep the piece around awhile to convince myself "I did that".

 

This is one of those times.

 

A couple of background stamps stamped on the envelope behind the man image.  A collage photocopied to tracing paper then torn in strips that are sized and spray glued to the envelope.  Ranger distress ink daubed over the design and framing where the address would go.

 

I can't part with this original right now, but I did make a photocopy to send to a stamping artist who is very inspiring for me.  She also appreciates the "men" stamps.

 

While I don't know if that particular original envelope will ever become real "mail" art, this next one did get mailed. 

 

 

This envelope was mailed to and inspired by a piece of mail art done by Miss Iowa.  I love so much of her art.  I hope she found it worthy.  You've already seen this butterfly lady on some other pieces of mine.  Those other pieces came about after this envelope was done.  I'm big on getting mileage out of an idea that I like. 

 

And, I've made only one Post-It pad cover between envelopes.  I really like this crazy collage stamp.  I imagine it will by creepy looking to some, but not to me.

 

 Have a wonderfully artsy craftsy time!

xx

Annie



Journaling 2014

My days of bits of pleasure and some rubber stamping art to decorate them.

And a little Washi Tape too.

 

 

Yep, I'm lovin' this journal.  I like the idea of keeping it all compact and tidy.  It's such a cool book design that is so easy and delightful to work in.

 

Have a happy day!

xx

Annie



More Post-It Pads

I can't seem to get enough of making these little gems yet, so I see no reason to stop. 

 

 

 

 

 It's incredibly disappointing to have Gesso as my new friend.  I invested so much previous time avoiding it.  LOL  Now I can't seem to stop using it!  It's awesome to use some of these papers that have sat around here for so long and weren't likely to ever be used.

 

The backsides.

 

They're still calling to me.  I must make more.

 

xoxo

Annie



Pretty Post-Its Pads

About three posts earlier, I said I thought I wanted to make some fun Post-It note pad jackets...and lookie here.  I've actually made a few.  These are the fronts.

 

 

And these are the backs.

 

 

 

 I have also become the newest member of the Gesso Club.  I didn't want to join, but I saw no alternative.  I have lots of paper that is dark and not very usable for me.  The magic of Gesso lightens the paper design considerably to accommodate my love of stamping.

 

What I don't like about water based paints is the dry dusty feel of it.  I did sand lightly to make sure I had a smooth surface.  I thought it might also take away some of the "dry feel".  Nope.  So, when I was done, I sprayed the jacket with a matte sealer.  It turned out smooth and most importantly, flexible.  Happy camper here!

 

I know a few people who are going to love these as hostess thank you gifts!

 

xxx

Annie

Quaint Tag

This time the tag recipe at Dragons Dream Tag It On is a word for the letter Q and the color gold.

 

Quaint

 

 

I had the best time making this tag and having it surprise me at every step. 

 

The gold, of course, is not very visible here.  The butterfly wings have been highlighted with a gold metallic pen.

 

Thanks for the inspiration at TIO!

 

xoxo

Annie



Journaling 2014

So here is the rest of April and the beginning of May.  Time is just flying by!

 

 

I like to think that man might be my long lost rich uncle who thinks of me as his favorite niece.  Imagination is a wonderful thing.

 

This is my Journal closed.  I love the neat and tidy look of it and I didn't even have to gussy it up as it comes this way.  I found this style at Barnes and Noble.  It says StudioOh! on the back.

 

 

Wishing all a happy day!

Annie



Note Pad Jacket

 I've had the best opportunity to decorate this cute notepad jacket.  Ingeborg (flickr) has made lots of these notebooks and invited me to swap art with her.  She sent me the orange painted base paper sheet and the notepad for inside.

 

 

When I got some new rubber stamps in the mail, I knew right away I wanted them on my new notepad.  So, a little bit of stamping, some washi tape (on the binding fold), a bit of purple ink, a length of Perle cotton, a brad and some evening play time and DONE!  So FUN! 

 

I don't know if I'll ever actually use it for notes, but I LOVE having it decorate my desk! 

 

Ingeborg's art package to me included this notepad she made for me.  (The colors are much more vivid in real)

photo from Ingeborg's flickr photostream

 

I was thrilled!  And so excited to have the basic beginnings to make my own.  I think these pads are so awesome.  Being the recipient of one, I can say first hand it's a great little gift idea.

 

I love having both these pads to decorate my desk!  I think my post-it note pad needs a jacket too.  I also think the tri-fold with the cord wrap would make a great unique greeting card.  hmmm, I might try that next.  Oh, the joy of inspiration!

 

xoxo

Annie

 

 



Journaling

April 2014

I'm now journaling in this journal book.  I love how the pages lie flat together without spiral binding.  Very nice indeed.

 

 

The top of the page is not cut off.  I stamped April so that it would be partly off the edge.

 

I've started out ok and with some art...even though it isn't my own art, but then the next two pages turned out more like a diary look with smattering attempts to spruce it up for interest...which didn't work and is not what I'm after.

 

It seems that scanning these pages leaves them looking dark and blotchy...which they are not in real. 

I'm rectifying the "art" part of this journal beginning May 1st.  The struggle I have is with ink coming through to the opposite side.  The pages are not thin, but it still comes through. 

 

  So, while I finish filling in the next two-page spread, I'll leave you with most of April to snoop through.  It reads like a lullaby to put you to sleep.  I'm looking forward to doing some snooping myself with fellow bloggers who also play with an art calendar journal.

 

xoxoxo

 Annie



Bicycle Tag

This fortnight's challenge at Dragons Dream, Tag It On is the letter B and to include a flower(s).

 

I miss my bicycle terribly.

 

It didn't turn out quite as planned and I made attempts to fix it up, but not quite to my satisfaction.  I can live with it though.  (I couldn't face cutting out another bicycle to start over)

 

This is the back.

 

I'm especially enjoying making tags from mat board.

 

Thanks for the challenge Dragons Dream!

xoxoxo

Annie



Music Postcard

The theme this week at Sunday Postcard Art is

 

Music

 

 

I've had some postcard backgrounds started that have not found their direction yet.  When I saw the postcard challenge theme of music for this week, this background suddenly found direction.

 

xoxoxo

Annie