Trying something new

I've been working this week on a project that is a bit bigger than what I normally do.  Its a gift for a sweet friend who recently had her first baby.  Its a 12x24 in canvas...the largest I've worked on and it incorporates a lot of different techniques, some layered collage, acrylics, watercolor drawings and some quilling.  I'm really happy with the way it turned out and really hope that my friend likes it too.

I took pictures at various stages of the process to show some of the steps that got me to the finished product.

I really need to find a way to take better pictures of my art.  Anything I can scan comes out fine but I cant seem to take any decent pictures of the things that I cant scan.  Hopefully you get the idea anyway.

On a roll...

Here are a couple more ATCs I finished and the cards for the swap due next week.  Now on to the baby gift...a really big project for me so stay tuned.  Then its on to a birthday surprise for my darling granddaughter, Trinity.

and for the Open Theme: Mixed Media Swap...

More Altered Playing Cards

Here are some more APCs I've made this week for various personal trades.  I'm currently working on a swap that is due soon and a gift for a friend with a new baby.  I'll post those as they are completed. 

I also recently completed a swap that I was hosting at ATCsforall.com.  The theme...of course...Altered Playing Cards!  So many fabulous cards were sent in and I'm so thrilled that so many artists there are catching the APC addiction!

Here is a shot of all the cards sent to me for the swap. 

Back to my art table!

Did I mention how much I love Altered Playing Cards?

Cant remember the last ATC I made.  Okay...I can because its on here but I am totally hooked on making APCs!  I love them.  So many possibilities and I just love the look of the playing card as a backdrop for the art.  Here are some I've been working on for some private trades.  I'm really excited about them and feel like they are some of the best work I've done so far.  Certainly some of the most fun I've had!

A Few More Swaps

I've been working on completing some upcoming swaps I am playing in. 

For the Gothic Arch: Mixed Media Birds Swap...

For the Book Page Backgrounds Swap...

For the Brown Paper Bag Swap...

 

Moleskine Journal

Here is the back pocket on the moley journal I've been working on as well as one of the little gifts that I will include for each of the artists that add to my journal.  My portion of my journal is done now and I will be mailing it off to the first person on my travel list.  I've already received the first journal that I will add to.  One each month for 8 months until they all make their way back home, fully decorated.

Starting the New Year Off Right!

This is the year I'm going to discover my style, find my direction and live my art!!  My first project of the year, which I'm so excited about is called a Moley or Moleskine swap.  There are 8 people in the group.  Each one starts with a moleskine journal http://www.moleskineus.com/japanesebook.html .  You decorate the cover, the first pages, and a 3 page spread as well as the pocket in the back and usually you also include gifts for the other artists to take from the pocket when they get your book.  A rotation schedule is decided on by the host.  Over a period of 8 months each journal will make its way to each artist who will create a 4 page spread and then mail it on to the next person.  In the end, your journal comes back to you fully decorated with the work of 8 wonderful artists!  I've been dying to do one of these.  I am in love with art journalling and I'm really looking forward to learning more from the talented artists in my group.

Here is the cover I created on mine.

and this is the travel log (the order in which it will travel to the other artists)

Here is my 3 page spread...

I'm currently working on the little gifts for the artists and then I'll decorate the back pocket and it will be ready to be on its way to the next artist.  I've already received the first journal that I will get to add to.  Its so exciting!  I'll be posting as the project goes along. 

Let me know what you think!  I love to hear your feedback!