More ATCs … made for Random Acts of Kindness mailings

By on 8-21-2013 in Art For The Creative Mind Yahoo Group, Mixed Media, Original Pattern

These were made with leftover bits of everything I had in my stash …. it was a lot of fun to see these come together one little bit at a time, no two alike

first set of two ATCs

The top card was made with a piece of leftover embossed card as the base. Little tangles of threads along with an extra ‘A’ and flower from previous swaps and lots of leftover glitter in the corner are glued on and held in place by a piece of acrylic held on with brads. The lower card’s background was created with leftover roses from the napkins I used for my journal pages. The word ‘friends’ was in my stash as well and although it’s colour was close to the roses it didn’t stand out so I outlined in silver and of course a little bling on the corner.

second set of ATCs

Here is the second set, made in the same way as the first two but with different little bit and pieces. These little cards can become addictive.

Sisters ….. vintage photos of my sister and I

By on 8-21-2013 in Art For The Creative Mind Yahoo Group, Digital Images + Collage, Mixed Media, Original photos, Vintage

When the ATC theme of sisters came up on the Art For the Creative Mind Yahoo group, I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I had these two great photos of my sister and I when we were very young in Toronto. I’m the little blonde. One was taken with us dressed in our ballet tutus and the other in dresses made by my grandmother. She was one of the best artists with a needle I know. She could take a bit of this and a bit of that and make wonderful outfits for us. The little kitten in that photo just did not want to be there….I can still remember the scratches even now.

sisters
I gave us both new outfits in Photoshop Elements along with Princess crowns…lots of glimmer and bits of threads as well.

sisters

These dresses had bright red trim and buttons … I loved this dress and wore my sister’s hand-me-down as well. The front bib bodice was pleated as well…where the bruises were I added band aids and another pair of Princess crowns of course. These were so much fun to do as they brought me back to the early years.

sisters,backs
sisters, backs
These are the backs of the ATCs … I create a back that is interesting and holds all the information as well. The front of a piece is not the only canvas to cover and it is always important to sign your work.

Journals …. this is my first mixed media journal page

By on 8-16-2013 in Art For The Creative Mind Yahoo Group, Backgrounds for mixed media, Mixed Media, Original Pattern

journal

This is my first attempt at a mixed media journal page created for the Art For the Creative Mind yahoo group. The only criteria for it was that we had to use a stencil. My stencil was the waste from a little flower die. Never throw those out until you have used them somewhere. There are several layers of bits and pieces of almanac pages, lace, gold striped and dotted tissue paper as well as a couple of dollar store napkins with roses. I also used some threads to create more texture in the piece. Creating more pages is now a priority in my little art cave.

Paris in Summer …. digital 4×4 with tags

By on 8-06-2013 in Art For The Creative Mind Yahoo Group, Digital Images + Collage, Mixed Media, Vintage

This little 4 square inch square was done completely in Photoshop Elements 11. A swap piece for the Art for the Creative Minds Yahoo group, it was so much fun to do. Lots of effects and styles were used to create the piece.
Paris 4x4

The back of a piece for a swap should always have your information; who made it, title of the swap piece and your blog. Be proud of what you have done and sign all that you create that is sent to someone else. Take ownership of your art.

Paris 4x4 back

When I had finished the piece I felt it still needed ‘something else’ … you know that little feeling at the back of your brain that tells you that the piece is not quite finished. I created two tags and tied them onto the 4×4, attaching a tag to each end of the tie.

Paris tag

Paris tag

Asian Coffee Filter Book and Geisha Paper Dolls

By on 7-31-2013 in Art For The Creative Mind Yahoo Group, Digital Images + Collage, Mixed Media, Paper Dolls

coffee filter book

My first coffee filter book, done for the Art For the Creative Mind Yahoo Group. I created an understated book in colours from the old Japanese wood cuts. Bangles and metallic threads are at the end of each tag. The tags are Geisha dolls and one extra kimono for each doll. Each pocket holds one of the dolls and has her name in English on one side and Japanese on the other. Prisma colours gently coloured some of the images on each covering page. I am sharing my Geisha paper dolls. The image is one I gleaned from colouring pages on line. It was listed at several different sites. Paper flowers, a peacock dangle and some soutache braid around the blue rings finish the simple Japanese look of the book.

geisha dolls

Here are the dolls and the kimonos. Each doll has a name of a Japanese flower. In order they are: top left is Lotus, top middle is Sunflower, top right is Plum, bottom left is Cherry, bottom middle is Willow and bottom right is Iris. Have fun with these little dolls.

geisha dolls

Marzie Mermaid and Bubbles have come to play with you this summer

By on 7-17-2013 in Art For The Creative Mind Yahoo Group, Mixed Media, Original Pattern, Paper Dolls

Marzie and Bubbles were created for a swap with the Art For the Creative Mind Mixed Media Yahoo Group. She whispered in my ear that she wanted to be both a Mixed Media doll and a paper doll so here she is. This is the mixed media doll. Her little fin on the end of her tail has a brad so she can swim just about anywhere she wants to go and Bubbles, her trusted side kick goes with her.

Marzie

Marzie and Bubbles would love to play with your young daughter or granddaughter. She needs her story finished with summer fun. She would love to swim your way.

Marzie Doll

If your young girl is an artist she can create her own little Mermaid and Bubbles. Imagine the adventures they could have during those rainy days with nothing to do.

Marzie make your own