Fractured Quilt

I had these bright, colorful fat quarters that needed to be a quilt for my daughter.

 

As soon as I made this Fractured Pillow design,

 

 

I knew I wanted to make a whole quilt with the design.  I didn't have colors enough to duplicate the design, so it took on a look of it's own.  That was close enough for me.

 

So I began laying out the 3.5" squares.

 

 

And pretty soon it was a flimsy.

 

And then quilting began.

 

Soon I was stitching the binding.

 

Before I knew it, I had a completed quilt.

 

With a very worthy orange backing.

 

Measuring in at 59" X 77".  A very nice throw quilt size I think.  My daughter approved the fabric stack in a hot second.  I hope she likes it made up.  (Of course she will!) 

 





 

 I really got a bug when I started this one and kept at it continually (when I had the time) and within 5 weeks it was a quilt.  That's the fastest I've gone start to finish on a quilt. I  have in mind two more quilts I want to make, so sewing is not done yet.

xxx
Annie



 



follow your dream

A new envelope has traveled through our kindly postal system, and safely arrived in the UK.

 

 

I very much can see my own progress with my mail art and am surprised and thrilled that it is going in a direction that I'm very much enjoying the process of.

 

When I have success with these envelopes where I swipe ink onto the envelope with a plastic card, it is pure luck.   l love the effect of this inking technique, but I have thrown away more than I save.   Throwing the envelopes away doesn't make me a very happy mail artists.  I think I'm going to have to leave this technique behind and work on other ways to get more successes than failures.  Always a good plan...right?

 

 

Happy Mail Day!

xx

Annie



Altered Jars

I gave my storage jars a simple Washi Tape makeover.  It's incredibly simple and fun to look at.

 

 

The green jar on the right holds a few of my sewing machine's presser feet.  Before I put on the Washi Tape, I swiped the glass with a green Staz-On ink pad.

 

I think I saw this done on a tin can, but I'm a clear glass jar girl.  The tape sticks wonderfully to the glass.

 

Happy recycling!

Annie

 



CAREFUL!

Don't fall off your chair.....

 

.....I'm sewing!
 

I'm making a new quilt...

 

 

 

I'm actually only still cutting and laying out, but I'll be sewing soon!

 

xxx

Annie



Some June Days

A few of my days in June went like this...

 

I could not be more pleased to have discovered printing on tracing paper.  I can add anything printed I want to this non-expanding journal without adding any measurable bulk.

 

I love the spray adhesive I use as well, because it leaves the pages flexible rather than stiff and warped.  That would be ... 3M Super 77 Spray Adhesive, High Coverage, High Tack, Multipurpose.  (The can I have is rather old, but I'm pretty sure I have still seen it on the craft store shelves...at least I dearly hope so for when I want more.)

 

Happy Days,

Annie



New Mail Art

But is it fun or a slam?

 

I got this new Renaissance Girl stamp.  After stamping her a quick glance told me she looked bored.  (Probably because she lives in my boring life now. lol)  And since she was on an envelope, the phrase quickly came to mind.

 

I thought of several people I could mail this envelope to and began to decide which one.  Then it hit me that they might not see it as funny.  It could be taken as an insult to their life or where they live. 

 

So here it sits languishing among the envelopes I couldn't part with.  I love how it turned out and don't at all mind having it around.  Personally I would have died laughing finding it in my mail from someone.  But I've been reprimanded too many times for trying to be lighthearted and silly.  So here it sits because I just don't want to chance the possibility of insulting someone.

This next envelope, however, with no questionable wording, has gone on about its business of being mail art.

 

Tina was curious about this torn tracing paper technique, so I sent her a real life envelope altered that way.
 

A Good Mail Day to you!

xxx

Annie



Envelope Art and Journaling

Another torn tracing paper envelope that I can't part with.  But I did make another one to send out into the world. (Sending photocopies has left me feeling like a cheesy schmuck.  No more photocopied mail art!)

 

 

 

I tried to make the layout exact, (so that I wouldn't have to admit that I couldn't part with this one) but if the first stamping doesn't land in the right place, exact can't happen.  So it turned out to be a slight variation of this original.

 

And here are my most recent journal pages with bits of stamping art added to break up the boringness of my life.

 

 

Creative time is at a minimum around here.  But that's better than nil and I will take what I can get.

 

xxx

Annie

 



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

 



Still Life Postcard

The challenge theme for Sunday Postcard Art (SPA) is

 

Still Life

 

 

I wanted to use this bottle stamp and I wanted to use postage as the bottle labels.  Marei has shared with me generously some stamps from her collection.  Among them were these awful bug stamps.  I don't like bugs on anything.  With the exception of cute artsy bugs like dragonflies and butterflies.  I wanted to remove them from the pile...without actually throwing them away.  Bug Juice came to mind.  Which made working with them more humorous than creepy.

 

Now I need to make this bug infested postcard go away.  Let me know if your are a bug lover and would like to find it in your mailbox?

 

Hugs,

Annie



Bird Song Tag

Still wanting to play with tags, I once again took on the challenge at DragonsDream, Tag It On.  The challenge theme is the letter S (sing and song) and the color blue.

 

 

I stamped the harlequin diamonds on the tag.  I would have liked them to be a bit lighter.  I photocopied a piece of Artists' Paper onto tracing paper then cut out the area with the trees to fit my tag.  The alphabet at the top is Washi Tape and I stamped the music at the bottom.  The bird is stamped separate, cut out and glued on.

 

The back is another section of the tracing paper copy then the harlequin design stenciled and the bird and branch are also stencils.  The words and graphic are a piece of Washi Tape.

 

All very easily done and makes me look like an artist, don't you think?  LOL

 

xoxo

Annie



Art Journal 2014 - March

March 2014

Art Journal

 

 

I'm feeling incredibly flighty with this project.  Although I like best how March turned out, in April I am once again taking a new direction with this daily journaling thing.

 

Thank you Chris for another great art journal page!

An update on my Paint Tin envelope....I've added a paint brush.  It felt unfinished or incomplete to me and now it feels complete.

 

Now if only I could paint for real!... **sigh** ...oh well, I can do other things well instead.  Variety in people and talents is the spice of life.

 

xoxoxo

Annie



Luggage Tags

She recognized her own luggage immediately.

 

 

I have those two suitcases and have been wanting to make decorative tags for them.

 

I love that face stamp but never know how to use it.  I decided to try and figure a way with it.  When I saw the challenge at Dragonsdream Tag It On, I decided to take on the challenge...make a tag illustrating a word beginning with the letter Z and include a face.

 

My word is ZANY

 

I was after a bit of a steampunk look for her.  I think zany fits steampunk.  As there are two suitcases I needed a sister tag for the other one.

 

 

 

I always do something with tag backs too.

 

 

These were a challenge as well as fun to create.  Not to mention making it easy to spot your luggage.

 

 

.. 

Now I'll have to think of more ways to use this face stamp.  But not right now.



 

xoxoxo

Annie



Water Colors Envelope Art

I felt like a real artist. 

I don't normally call or categorize myself as any type of artist.  I just play is all.

 

But while I worked on this piece of envelope art, I actually felt like an artist.  Maybe that is only because I was recreating an artist's paint tin.

 

I am going to say it out loud.  I'm pretty pleased with myself.  This is SO not me.  And although there are several things about this envelope that I would change, I'm surprised I got this far with it.

 

I saw some altered paint tins in the magazine, Artists' Café, made by Connie Govea Stuart.  I LOVE them!  And I thought I could maybe make an envelope art.  I started with just dividing the envelope in half.  Then I drew lines and rounded corners.  The lines are not precise.  Shocking for me!

 

Anyway, the paint pats are too big, the words are too high and I'd like to find a paintbrush ephemera or clip art to add to it, but other than that, I'm so surprised I did this!

 

I want to mail this envelope, but not for awhile.  I have to enjoy it, as I still don't feel like I made it.  I'd like to try another, but I'm not very good at making some things more than once, and the second usually doesn't turn out better.

 

Thanks for indulging me with this post and sharing my moment with me.

 

xoxoxo

Annie