tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39914737457216432592024-03-05T21:44:40.105-05:00Handmade By JessicaArt is my therapy, my addiction and my cure.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12767976043988733602noreply@blogger.comBlogger170125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3991473745721643259.post-50317942438363828792014-10-27T08:50:00.001-04:002014-10-27T08:50:25.950-04:00Mokume Gane Christmas Ornaments<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Autumn has arrived here in Virginia, and I couldn't be happier about it. It's my favorite time of year. The onset of cooler weather and the vibrant colors of the changing leaves often makes me feel inspired, and cooler weather also means I usually pull out my polymer clay and try out new ideas, as well as old favorites.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This year was no exception, and my first order of business was to play around with the mokume gane technique. If you're unfamiliar with mokume gane, <a href="http://www.sculpey.com/project/mokume-gane/">here's a link</a> to a little tutorial on Sculpey's site. This technique has been around in the polymer clay world for years, and yet this was the first time I've ever tried my hand at it. I have no idea why I waited so long, because it's so much fun, fairly easy, and the results can be complex and stunning. I'm sold!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To get a jump on creating for the holiday season, I made these Christmas ornaments. If you're interested in purchasing any of these, they're available for sale in my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/BlueMonkeyMarket?section_id=10821838&ref=shopsection_leftnav_6">Etsy shop</a>.</span><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3991473745721643259.post-73667697849697854452014-09-18T06:30:00.000-04:002014-09-18T06:30:00.366-04:00The Studio Table <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just a quick post today as I play along with Seth Apter's (the creative voice behind <a href="http://thealteredpage.blogspot.com.au/">The Altered Page</a>) Studio Table project. Seth asked artists to join him in sharing a photo of their messy tables mid-project. My table is often much, MUCH messier than this when I'm working on something, but time constraints during the last week have left me without many opportunities to really get down and dirty. I did have a couple hours the other day in which I was able to pull out my Gelli plate and work on some monochromatic prints, so I snapped a photo then.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm almost embarrassed that it's not messier! Ha! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pop on over to <a href="http://thealteredpage.blogspot.com.au/">Seth's blog</a> today to see all the other contributing artists and their own wonderfully messy tables. </span><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3991473745721643259.post-49567306597929782412014-08-11T09:39:00.000-04:002014-08-11T09:40:00.825-04:00Colorful fern notecards<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I tend to always have on hand a very large amount of stamped, painted, or inked papers that I've created but not used for any particular project. These papers are mostly the results of me playing around with ideas with no set project in mind. The other day I decided to go through the HUGE stack of these papers, hoping to make use of some of them. I pulled out a few colorful, rubber stamped ferns I'd completely forgotten about and decided to use them for handmade cards. I only had a small amount of the images, so I sat down to create more in the same vein. Nothing like trying to use up a seemingly endless supply of paper, and then creating more! At least I had fun, right?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The fern images were stamped onto 140 lb. watercolor paper using spray inks. I spritzed the inks onto deli paper, then stamped the fern into them, and then stamped onto the watercolor paper. On some of them I also added a bit of pearlescent spray. These images were then adhered onto a stamped background using adhesive foam. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had so much fun creating these cards that I made several, some to keep for myself, and some to sell in my <a href="http://www.bluemonkeymarket.etsy.com/">Etsy shop</a>. For a few of them, I used an aspen tree stencil and white spray ink to create the background.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I just love the bright colors and the watercolor effect of these ferns, and the almost ghostly aspen tree background really makes me happy. I liked that background so much that I created several of them...which of course means that pile of papers grows ever larger. Some things never change...</span></div>
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<br />Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12767976043988733602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3991473745721643259.post-53101375504034555452014-07-25T07:00:00.000-04:002014-07-25T07:00:03.233-04:00Repeating patterns<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I just love when I stumble on a design I can adapt to fit more than one creation. All of the following projects were inspired by one of my cards for the <a href="http://daisyyellowart.com/icad/icad-faq.html">ICAD Challenge</a>. That's happened for me a few times over the course of the challenge, and I'm loving the flow of ideas and inspiration such a simple thing as ICAD has yielded.<br /><br />First up is the ICAD that spurred all the ensuing projects. It started with a Gelli print background that I added some stenciling to using sequin waste. I then inked up a script stamp in black ink and stamped it randomly on the surface of the card. I finished it off by stamping one of my newest hand carved stamps using acrylic paints in cadmium red and vermilion. Aqua is my favorite of all colors, and for awhile now I can't seem to get enough of it when paired with red.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next up I pulled out yet another Gelli print, this time one I'd created on textured kraft cardstock. I followed the same steps to create this handmade postcard. I also added some punched Gelli print circles on the side and a bit of doodling with a micron pen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why stop there, right? Here is a set of 4 handmade notecards done the same way. I just love bright, vivid, and citrus colors! And aqua always comes out to play in my studio.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLwFmfrk2PdzJJ6fvGLCSSFdrjDDopeuu6aWocpjPWObaBtLrJfaEzfSsYrH2EJrw0KGN0mcIRzO3LiPyLTe58UeTsbysrvx_lk11uJpeyeJ0H8H9DEH8-6gkE9PLFm86d9vVSm1b_sgKC/s1600/gelli+cards+2+detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLwFmfrk2PdzJJ6fvGLCSSFdrjDDopeuu6aWocpjPWObaBtLrJfaEzfSsYrH2EJrw0KGN0mcIRzO3LiPyLTe58UeTsbysrvx_lk11uJpeyeJ0H8H9DEH8-6gkE9PLFm86d9vVSm1b_sgKC/s1600/gelli+cards+2+detail.jpg" height="306" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfzUitdy9X-zRYIao-zImlOIzW22ILJV3BBAGp2jr0zNv7wYGCmqR3dRrXzBd6EdcvoVJdeZLh2zqxtlOteBbIWHsjNAcJbqdVOee2UyQdyqSg3lnuKRtOVg63wtKf8_4JyRQqC0pvcKUs/s1600/gelli+cards+2+envelopes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfzUitdy9X-zRYIao-zImlOIzW22ILJV3BBAGp2jr0zNv7wYGCmqR3dRrXzBd6EdcvoVJdeZLh2zqxtlOteBbIWHsjNAcJbqdVOee2UyQdyqSg3lnuKRtOVg63wtKf8_4JyRQqC0pvcKUs/s1600/gelli+cards+2+envelopes.jpg" height="305" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's another set of 4 notecards. I was having so much fun with this theme I just couldn't stop. In fact, I'm also now working on a couple ATCs in the same vein. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtIY0VYeqPja6iS5DsU6DoWqC9q0EBlBsBbL_pubKFGIErtl84LNkQSKnVy0mCXEhS0BmqHvtPxqFHU6lLeCI-ZvkYr1p9c0kavq1vRvKoPOrAtWl5o70dxyMO2rTZ4SvQG6eU_X9qmYyO/s1600/gelli+cards+main.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtIY0VYeqPja6iS5DsU6DoWqC9q0EBlBsBbL_pubKFGIErtl84LNkQSKnVy0mCXEhS0BmqHvtPxqFHU6lLeCI-ZvkYr1p9c0kavq1vRvKoPOrAtWl5o70dxyMO2rTZ4SvQG6eU_X9qmYyO/s1600/gelli+cards+main.jpg" height="400" width="345" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2DLqLpA2EeQkj9IdupdhUPiA8vobAf1kFQ45yXD9M4UCHN-bKcLm6z0cIf9TY6O6hKp3jqY4L0VzKqAA7rJV2QTfK4vAb36-PCkmcrE9fg0cQonxnBkSQYJWSuDMK1616z_x_p2X3rG_L/s1600/gelli+cards+detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2DLqLpA2EeQkj9IdupdhUPiA8vobAf1kFQ45yXD9M4UCHN-bKcLm6z0cIf9TY6O6hKp3jqY4L0VzKqAA7rJV2QTfK4vAb36-PCkmcrE9fg0cQonxnBkSQYJWSuDMK1616z_x_p2X3rG_L/s1600/gelli+cards+detail.jpg" height="293" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As an aside, if anyone is interested in purchasing these colorful and cheerful notecard sets, they are available for sale right now in my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/BlueMonkeyMarket?ref=hdr">Etsy shop</a>.</span>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12767976043988733602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3991473745721643259.post-26203320873357515592014-07-18T11:48:00.001-04:002014-07-18T11:48:35.210-04:00Exploding Dinosaur<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just a quick post to share a link with my readers. I am not the only creative person in my family; my mom and brothers are very creative as well. My brother Josh has been drawing for as long as I can remember, and he recently started a weekly web comic. Maybe I'm a bit biased, but I think with enough exposure, it's really going to take off. It's pretty awesome, in my humble opinion. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can find his web page here: <a href="http://www.explodingdinosaur.com/">Exploding Dinosaur</a>, and there's a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ExplodingDinosaurComic?ref=br_tf">Facebook</a> page, too. </span>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12767976043988733602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3991473745721643259.post-9915082508179947072014-07-07T12:52:00.001-04:002014-07-07T12:52:06.752-04:00More ICAD 2014<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Although I'm a bit behind, I'm still playing along when I can with the <a href="http://daisyyellowart.com/icad/icad-faq.html">ICAD challenge</a>. I'm still very much enjoying it, and learning a lot about my own process as an artist, not to mention getting lots of fresh ideas.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are a few of my favorites from my recent ICADs:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX0Ryv5KgE_LICfvVxjt0hMYP5TNKtfE9w9a2aImrP2B3JuH4drjJCmIe9W5KHYlH9_nZ13RcZAFJyxvwyzcskqlOqZ0Sqfz0VomYnjox14Vy1P-PkGutqRYmBkAQFCnrNsZvcEHb-N8Ll/s1600/icad+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX0Ryv5KgE_LICfvVxjt0hMYP5TNKtfE9w9a2aImrP2B3JuH4drjJCmIe9W5KHYlH9_nZ13RcZAFJyxvwyzcskqlOqZ0Sqfz0VomYnjox14Vy1P-PkGutqRYmBkAQFCnrNsZvcEHb-N8Ll/s1600/icad+14.jpg" height="240" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> ICAD #14</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This one was from a Gelli print I'd made.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfyC_Iv_Fg2dYfHhp7YJKO8IvVLFTQ2K5fqdpKS5Yhxx8pb76NqBUpUcuShLqMo83P-tRz-BHf9o78JZDgVqqRs2hHc4ZvvhRpD7cq47PgEg8L779ZA8XIf4hjFO0LGjUPv8SOhyphenhyphenR1fp8C/s1600/icad+15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfyC_Iv_Fg2dYfHhp7YJKO8IvVLFTQ2K5fqdpKS5Yhxx8pb76NqBUpUcuShLqMo83P-tRz-BHf9o78JZDgVqqRs2hHc4ZvvhRpD7cq47PgEg8L779ZA8XIf4hjFO0LGjUPv8SOhyphenhyphenR1fp8C/s1600/icad+15.jpg" height="312" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> ICAD #15</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">A simple one to test out a newly carved stamp.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> ICAD #16</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Testing another hand carved stamp.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPMQIF1tT_LkRzpCdn5kiSz5-8yHTSTXGNfoDX2EPyXm52yX9KYBRhTUbqeFwLzpdZrbv5OPg5Z6nmKv3dtGQGVCz5_etqqFipoqNRvwywfPjmTyF0chiZHsNdgKVZw2o-7DIDfX7Mg1Tg/s1600/icad+18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPMQIF1tT_LkRzpCdn5kiSz5-8yHTSTXGNfoDX2EPyXm52yX9KYBRhTUbqeFwLzpdZrbv5OPg5Z6nmKv3dtGQGVCz5_etqqFipoqNRvwywfPjmTyF0chiZHsNdgKVZw2o-7DIDfX7Mg1Tg/s1600/icad+18.jpg" height="235" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">ICAD #18</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Playing with acrylic paint and flexible molding paste.</span></div>
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Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12767976043988733602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3991473745721643259.post-9730187663522927882014-06-23T06:30:00.000-04:002014-06-23T06:30:01.009-04:00ICAD 2014<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'd been seeing the <a href="http://daisyyellowart.com/icad/icad-faq.html">Index-Card-A-Day challenge </a> (aka ICAD) going on over the past few years and thought it interesting, but I never jumped on board. After seeing a friend post one of her index cards on Flickr, I decided to give it a go this time around.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg59RItrbwlDytlbbzD0yoYAlS9JbszqEqushDkTiFNYOvCorXjU65zVWQZ4EENwn9LR8A0DVWlswGk8Llec-ugDp8UsupPF_Zj-i10L5F16pxBxngcLQokYDLvDRBnQbKx7oH_uDLOWqMC/s1600/icad+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg59RItrbwlDytlbbzD0yoYAlS9JbszqEqushDkTiFNYOvCorXjU65zVWQZ4EENwn9LR8A0DVWlswGk8Llec-ugDp8UsupPF_Zj-i10L5F16pxBxngcLQokYDLvDRBnQbKx7oH_uDLOWqMC/s1600/icad+1.jpg" height="243" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">ICAD #1</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I usually don't have a problem getting some creative time in most every day, so for me the challenge wasn't really about carving out a bit of art time every single day. I'm really not sure exactly what prompted me to join, or what I'd hoped to gain, but I am so glad I decided to play along!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxFQ_DFRYu76QZnaQ-x9IlEwrDuQEpZYESM6reQUDycpVPqsKQCrzk9sKHjyCIbUDEmCPh99YNuSYnHrn6BXjB19r1iCCy1dJzJjOPzYbwAq526rev2dbVMLavTwu2qagtRMLA2itr62qI/s1600/icad+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxFQ_DFRYu76QZnaQ-x9IlEwrDuQEpZYESM6reQUDycpVPqsKQCrzk9sKHjyCIbUDEmCPh99YNuSYnHrn6BXjB19r1iCCy1dJzJjOPzYbwAq526rev2dbVMLavTwu2qagtRMLA2itr62qI/s1600/icad+2.jpg" height="242" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">ICAD #2</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I knew from the beginning that my own personal goal would be to incorporate some of my lesser-used art supplies. Other than that, I decided to just go in whatever direction I wanted on any given day. I have rarely used the prompts and themes, although those can be helpful to give you a jumping off point or something to work towards.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmVEqpGHOiVK5Pr0OZPRZaQo6lSJ1Tgk7tJE4bW7VPxEzMRwBh11VJDMMlhZ0XC2lfDvDtB5thvefUUwV1rbw3eJkJsOkfCvppZhTU-bp2wCbIWjsUUsSM2UGFS1U6dhfQQI31aYFvB6Gm/s1600/icad+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmVEqpGHOiVK5Pr0OZPRZaQo6lSJ1Tgk7tJE4bW7VPxEzMRwBh11VJDMMlhZ0XC2lfDvDtB5thvefUUwV1rbw3eJkJsOkfCvppZhTU-bp2wCbIWjsUUsSM2UGFS1U6dhfQQI31aYFvB6Gm/s1600/icad+3.jpg" height="400" width="270" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">ICAD #3</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By the time I'd gotten to my 4th ICAD, I noticed a wonderful thing starting to happen. I had a flurry of ideas and things just seemed to flow. For me, this is what I always call being "in the zone". All too often when I sit down to create, the zone eludes me, but getting to that point feels <i>amazing</i>, and it's there that I do my best, most authentic work.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWmrn6jAz-Q1ohHhkVi8bT6GVximi-fVq1dw7aOK3b0SEPmV70Jq-omxAYjyvLG_5oQqAmMyKgIPunGk9RTj9GTkWmtP_5htp73avRbBHIVibFo88Le3mzlm16rsL_ci7EtQJW782gcX1l/s1600/icad+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWmrn6jAz-Q1ohHhkVi8bT6GVximi-fVq1dw7aOK3b0SEPmV70Jq-omxAYjyvLG_5oQqAmMyKgIPunGk9RTj9GTkWmtP_5htp73avRbBHIVibFo88Le3mzlm16rsL_ci7EtQJW782gcX1l/s1600/icad+4.jpg" height="250" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">ICAD #4</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">A revelation!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After working on this challenge for a few weeks, I'm finding almost no end to the rush of inspiration. These little index card creations have given me a ticket straight into the zone, and it happens almost effortlessly. I can't really explain why; maybe it's the small size (although I do make ATCs and other small creations as well), maybe it's the fact that I've been using some of my forgotten art supplies, or maybe it's the freeing feeling of using something as common as an index card. Perhaps it pushes aside that inner voice that nags at you to make a masterpiece when you sit down with a canvas or expensive papers and paints. I don't fully understand it, but that's ok, I don't need to have all the answers. I just know that this fun little challenge has allowed me to break out of a bit of a rut I was in and make some authentic creations. Not only that, but the ideas that have come about on the index cards I have then transferred to other pieces, like handmade postcards and other mail art, ATCs, and more. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPpA5b7zbeI8ItkHbbFrzkV_XDeHikslREyvcTa1VGq5DR7A_brEXvgovATZehk9eGo7dlVEpHjf97aE_7Ou8puINNyDmQCRO7csHcGYHvt2VzOehQUWeh1FlylSyyopONSEbSfELswRge/s1600/icad+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPpA5b7zbeI8ItkHbbFrzkV_XDeHikslREyvcTa1VGq5DR7A_brEXvgovATZehk9eGo7dlVEpHjf97aE_7Ou8puINNyDmQCRO7csHcGYHvt2VzOehQUWeh1FlylSyyopONSEbSfELswRge/s1600/icad+5.jpg" height="256" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">ICAD #5</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I would encourage anyone to give this a try. The main idea is just to be creative, just to get something onto the index card. It allows for a small bit of art time every day, and can be done nearly anywhere depending on your chosen medium. You don't even have to consider yourself an artist to give it a try, but trying is what's important. Give it a shot, and I'm pretty sure you'll find it to be as much fun as I have. And you just might be surprised by what ideas you're able to unleash, and the resulting creations.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">ICAD #6</span></div>
Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12767976043988733602noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3991473745721643259.post-19015407413560464082014-06-12T06:30:00.000-04:002014-06-12T10:51:13.122-04:00New-found love: Gelli PrintingI can't remember when I first heard about the <a href="http://www.gelliarts.com/">Gelli Arts</a> printing plate, but I knew right away I wanted one. I've been interested in gelatin monoprinting for awhile, but was uncertain whether I wanted to try my hand at creating my own homemade gelatin plate, a plate that breaks down over time and so is temporary. The Gelli Arts plate makes monoprinting so easy and hassle-free, as it is a <i>permanent</i>, gelatin-like printing plate, so it's always ready to go whenever you are. I know I sound like a Gelli Arts spokesperson, but I can't help it. I just <b>LOVE</b> this thing!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK1UKijMx3eCg5Z1YfRW4ahY-fGuJ25HWknQL28OanavH2BVifs_Hr3ctH9ou6-dB0ZRp3bV3fxZ0j86QD8ZLH3xrLfPm2BNCfhFOofPNjWgONtIUTu-2FvPuOo2VMZQWURwLY-gsf57VQ/s1600/plate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK1UKijMx3eCg5Z1YfRW4ahY-fGuJ25HWknQL28OanavH2BVifs_Hr3ctH9ou6-dB0ZRp3bV3fxZ0j86QD8ZLH3xrLfPm2BNCfhFOofPNjWgONtIUTu-2FvPuOo2VMZQWURwLY-gsf57VQ/s1600/plate.jpg" height="313" width="400" /></a></div>
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I received the 8"x10" plate for Christmas, and I can sincerely say it is one of the greatest creative gifts I've ever been given. From the first moment I rolled paint onto it with my brayer, I was hooked. I took every available opportunity to sit down and make prints, and in short order I had accumulated quite a substantial stack of painted papers. Some of my prints were a success, with interesting patterns and textures, and some weren't so amazing, but I have come to realize even "failed" prints can be used in numerous ways in various other projects.<br />
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Here are just a few of the multitude of prints I've made:</div>
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It's always exciting to peel your paper off the plate and discover what you've managed to create. I haven't been this inspired by a new art tool in awhile. If you have been thinking of jumping into monoprinting, you simply cannot go wrong with the Gelli plate. I must warn you, though - it's <b>completely</b> addictive. </div>
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In a future post, I'll share some of the projects I've created using my prints. </div>
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Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12767976043988733602noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3991473745721643259.post-38566959386908540482014-06-11T06:30:00.000-04:002014-06-12T00:41:53.884-04:00I return with mail art goodness!<span style="font-family: inherit;">Wow, it has been well over a year since I have posted here. So much can happen in a year, and as with most of us, life has been hectic and busy, which makes it very difficult to find the time for blogging. I am, however, still creating (as I have been for most of my life), and the desire to share my creations and network with other artists brings me back here yet again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">As per my usual, I'm all over the map as far as mediums, but my main love has always been paper, paint, and ink. In that vein, I find myself regularly making a lot of handmade postcards; mail art is near and dear to my heart. So, I'm jumping back into the blogosphere to share a bit of that. For those interested, I'm sharing a bit about techniques and/or supplies, too. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOKYHVqssHJfRu_urJ8NLi3EUfgKfMOdLb76fHdsOpcH5KoaP1ghTupQei_CGTvEDZ-yMxX0xVluI0iO1qDRTyPo10o4cr5QhEPZI2w1CPnlOw6xLQ01XetRPMP5VvH1K80ICL1JNL8TfY/s1600/c+p+calendar+recycling+pc+swap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOKYHVqssHJfRu_urJ8NLi3EUfgKfMOdLb76fHdsOpcH5KoaP1ghTupQei_CGTvEDZ-yMxX0xVluI0iO1qDRTyPo10o4cr5QhEPZI2w1CPnlOw6xLQ01XetRPMP5VvH1K80ICL1JNL8TfY/s1600/c+p+calendar+recycling+pc+swap.jpg" height="285" width="400" /></a></div>
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The above postcard was made from calendars for a calendar recycling/reusing swap. I added a bit of rubber stamping, because everything's better with a stamp!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHRYesdnTxszXTQWHttu6KkUHmUbPamYk7uuOEzuUqjpLWA8W-LZ84G3DqeO893vVWx1ejq7x5IbfJlhOjh_szLaXxfSWMQ0O-udOwH5NdMr9esyqhck8tFLOWiSNSukH8fdz3CvZEpHwm/s1600/green+pc+swap+c+p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHRYesdnTxszXTQWHttu6KkUHmUbPamYk7uuOEzuUqjpLWA8W-LZ84G3DqeO893vVWx1ejq7x5IbfJlhOjh_szLaXxfSWMQ0O-udOwH5NdMr9esyqhck8tFLOWiSNSukH8fdz3CvZEpHwm/s1600/green+pc+swap+c+p.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
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This guy makes me smile. Made for a green collaged postcard swap. The robot image is from a vintage children's book. I added sequin waste, embossed circles punched from metal tape, scrapbook paper, and rubber stamping.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT47OycpY0vWdrNm5yosjXlCAswgRhljkZlk3Y6Pu3axkZEa0kgDSuZ6WREi0_6kj7TP-DhZwcgvjdch-mVJS8PGUS72XgsJIs41DHCEQh1gaYhp6pWMWBi-CMtUekOu2C3BsjJUcS1OGq/s1600/puffin+mail+art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT47OycpY0vWdrNm5yosjXlCAswgRhljkZlk3Y6Pu3axkZEa0kgDSuZ6WREi0_6kj7TP-DhZwcgvjdch-mVJS8PGUS72XgsJIs41DHCEQh1gaYhp6pWMWBi-CMtUekOu2C3BsjJUcS1OGq/s1600/puffin+mail+art.jpg" height="291" width="400" /></a></div>
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I have a dear friend in England who loves puffins as much as I do. This was made just for her. The puffin image is from a National Geographic magazine. I placed textured items underneath (stencil, rubber stamp, ceramic tile), and then rubbed over the surface of the paper with Nevr-Dull. Love that technique! And I know you're shocked, but rubber stamps were used here, too. </div>
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Made for a Year of the Snake swap. Nevr-Dull again makes an appearance, and stamps, and ink, and stencils, and paint, and...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYPW6Kn6NVM3lSo3w__9qUuCD6Hc9Skit-Gz1eM5weMMUuGrzFZahZOtSThkeNlD5_w3WotN-mkedDUH3Ck6lLwRrfWqD_rsSPm9IOeKaQIggt_rmp_srv0T-j0k84cZg8jNBwyixtQlEg/s1600/trashy+pc+swap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYPW6Kn6NVM3lSo3w__9qUuCD6Hc9Skit-Gz1eM5weMMUuGrzFZahZOtSThkeNlD5_w3WotN-mkedDUH3Ck6lLwRrfWqD_rsSPm9IOeKaQIggt_rmp_srv0T-j0k84cZg8jNBwyixtQlEg/s1600/trashy+pc+swap.jpg" height="400" width="308" /></a></div>
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Made for a swap where we could only use trash *ahem* (read: ephemera!) to create our postcard. </div>
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Oh rubber stamps, how I love thee, even after all these years. Color was added with Inktense pencils. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6bLYUaXt_PVv5OeT4pB1LH0QvuTZJx7RDbIYuGnxucW8m7AQ2KhtHDlQuN1Cnkb-P2ThZxBqdFCxfjGVTaL4No06dek3UR4y_BSVJ1D6-7Zl6G-Y4VJD0HqYmVwWwe7B1AgWgkhJlkTg4/s1600/radio+controlled+stickleback.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6bLYUaXt_PVv5OeT4pB1LH0QvuTZJx7RDbIYuGnxucW8m7AQ2KhtHDlQuN1Cnkb-P2ThZxBqdFCxfjGVTaL4No06dek3UR4y_BSVJ1D6-7Zl6G-Y4VJD0HqYmVwWwe7B1AgWgkhJlkTg4/s1600/radio+controlled+stickleback.jpg" height="400" width="276" /></a></div>
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"Thrust you can trust". Ha! National Geographic image, Nevr-Dull, fish from old library book, Gelli-printed papers. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRTulfXanC_tkYU9KEQzoHmC2XcjkOShXn1BIZWY7kZfvPaFWCeDxlVWvK33647nuNDax73kmU1WP-yIukXoXbpuaSziTBvKgyodB9Ew9xq4We4A20fbWTVKCRWQv6psjSdZPnwjKEwY0Y/s1600/rubber+stamped+pc+swap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRTulfXanC_tkYU9KEQzoHmC2XcjkOShXn1BIZWY7kZfvPaFWCeDxlVWvK33647nuNDax73kmU1WP-yIukXoXbpuaSziTBvKgyodB9Ew9xq4We4A20fbWTVKCRWQv6psjSdZPnwjKEwY0Y/s1600/rubber+stamped+pc+swap.jpg" height="400" width="306" /></a></div>
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Made for a very recent swap that I'm hosting; rubber stamped and inked and such.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAnxXXNKbJwunpvsmuJL0rKkI_9DvbwWDCjxWaB382Hq51BUFpG-epSUaEtp2PXxUeWpcqEYKp3wpjZG0Y2fBkaHVL7LQUSjJZhoKzqu7k7vFoklN__sbQ82_pdZJ-SZY_IyvrvCIDLmVh/s1600/bubble+wrap+swap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAnxXXNKbJwunpvsmuJL0rKkI_9DvbwWDCjxWaB382Hq51BUFpG-epSUaEtp2PXxUeWpcqEYKp3wpjZG0Y2fBkaHVL7LQUSjJZhoKzqu7k7vFoklN__sbQ82_pdZJ-SZY_IyvrvCIDLmVh/s1600/bubble+wrap+swap.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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Another swap, this time one using the Gelli Arts printing plate and bubble wrap. </div>
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I offer my thanks to those of you who decide to stop by and visit my little, neglected piece of the web (bad blogger that I am...). It means a lot to me.</div>
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<br />Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12767976043988733602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3991473745721643259.post-34301867761835932822012-12-29T06:00:00.000-05:002012-12-29T10:01:25.651-05:00Fearless Art Journaling, Part 6: Creation of a PageI have been blown away by the number of hits my <a href="http://handmadebyjessica.blogspot.com/search/label/Fearless%20Art%20Journaling">Fearless Art Journaling </a>series has received, especially considering I haven't added a new post in the series in over a year. What this tells me is that a lot of folks out there are very interested in art journaling, with making backgrounds being at the top of the list, at least as far as my own page views are concerned. <br />
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For this part in the Fearless Art Journaling series, I thought I'd show
you the construction of one of my own pages from start to finish. I hope
it gives you some ideas of your own as I show how an art journal page
goes from blank paper to completed page.<br />
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In the past year, I haven't been as prolific in my own journaling. In fact, until the other day, I hadn't even opened my art journal since last summer. I wanted to change that, so a couple days ago I decided to do a quick page and just play around. No pressure, no stress, just play, which is how I always encourage anyone to work in their journal. <br />
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I knew I wanted to make use of my new aspen trees template, but other than that, I had no real goal or outcome in mind. I started the page by sponging on Antique Linen Distress Ink, then I stamped this nifty newspaper background using Frayed Burlap DI.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQHGtesR4YOi8gfxStrGrUKZYalF2WMiNFfjB7YcD3kZoP87BqCP5AbrYvENC5PwMLW_4aukQDbARlTnv0ZCZWFX7D78ju7-yQZDwm1k6Eh-UtnN6a-uArcl35HzbJRHwohHfEsk7Qr3Pr/s1600/blog+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQHGtesR4YOi8gfxStrGrUKZYalF2WMiNFfjB7YcD3kZoP87BqCP5AbrYvENC5PwMLW_4aukQDbARlTnv0ZCZWFX7D78ju7-yQZDwm1k6Eh-UtnN6a-uArcl35HzbJRHwohHfEsk7Qr3Pr/s400/blog+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Next, I pulled out the template. I used blue painter's tape to keep it in place, and using a Ranger ink blending tool, I rubbed on some Rusty Hinge DI. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDhK73mMPhpY92SsvzkPbFdnBg7B4be7-iMsYo2mb0QBDf4zWCvDEbknSbIvB_kzn9KoMwxzJ19PA-F46p4uIq2vF1yYsLsO48gx30joa2ykLJH0jmQ84KyIQrGCYxZa8GbmKR_0Y0Mo7F/s1600/blog+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDhK73mMPhpY92SsvzkPbFdnBg7B4be7-iMsYo2mb0QBDf4zWCvDEbknSbIvB_kzn9KoMwxzJ19PA-F46p4uIq2vF1yYsLsO48gx30joa2ykLJH0jmQ84KyIQrGCYxZa8GbmKR_0Y0Mo7F/s400/blog+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Working in the same way, I rubbed on Wild Honey, Crushed Olive, and Broken China. After removing the template, I used a toothbrush to splatter Transparent Raw Umber acrylic ink. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4HFAUYeHKHBSGVwB-nS4rwgw5tsN7fsMU_OFMco4TJRMKzXxNuRb4k1o623ziIJ8b7GSephcGijGdanDY_DTwVMGYptqxjvyPOyQo4JhzLInHRM10GQHOMqxdnr03OAZGgAq_j5B51tVv/s1600/blog+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4HFAUYeHKHBSGVwB-nS4rwgw5tsN7fsMU_OFMco4TJRMKzXxNuRb4k1o623ziIJ8b7GSephcGijGdanDY_DTwVMGYptqxjvyPOyQo4JhzLInHRM10GQHOMqxdnr03OAZGgAq_j5B51tVv/s400/blog+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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At this point, I felt the area where I'd used the template needed to be framed out more, so I grabbed some paper scraps (I have a plethora of scraps and am thrilled anytime I can find a use for them) and glued them down to create a frame. I also added some washi tape in a couple spots. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFAGnRsYVn3lTI-btCEDYQu2vVdrS6DG7eQYv__nAqr75nko0Uj_fo6fVfERlqHdDbtVnjDIY4tnnHNOgMMECuzUs_OGSv0D4k4j1VM9l5xCI3Rcz7hlblmmR2LNpiP9-zQwSUFgwgHhaP/s1600/blog+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFAGnRsYVn3lTI-btCEDYQu2vVdrS6DG7eQYv__nAqr75nko0Uj_fo6fVfERlqHdDbtVnjDIY4tnnHNOgMMECuzUs_OGSv0D4k4j1VM9l5xCI3Rcz7hlblmmR2LNpiP9-zQwSUFgwgHhaP/s400/blog+4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This is the point where I sat back and looked at the page, trying to decide where to go next. I felt like I wanted to add the image of a woman's face in the trees, so I picked out one of my rubber stamps for that purpose. I wanted some focus on the woman's face and felt that just stamping directly onto the trees would be too busy, so I brushed on off-white acrylic paint where I wanted to stamp the face. I also dry brushed this same paint in different areas all over the page, and then rubbed on some Broken China where I planned to stamp the face. It was then I remembered I'd wanted to flick water onto the page to make use of the water-reactive properties of Distress Inks. I love how the water droplets look with the ink and paint together. </div>
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Once everything was dry, I stamped the woman's face in Ranger's Archival Ink in Sepia. This is a permanent ink that works pretty well on glossy surfaces, but it does need time to dry on any glossy or painted surface, so at this point, I walked away to have a cup of coffee as I let the ink dry. Once the ink had dried, I stamped the tassels and outlined the face in Broken China using a blender marker. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh93EEtb7dCRmKf12xjdS5blyP4bwwNk2OBiAMhlZwlBdTH5seYhuNqPUeH9ScadWE-FXxEnaEW8x8XLb_shcw5QCYlkH-RMpcDNDlclsa9JV1aHKDJLC8QQ4Cfl8mMUN5G257z1rICrQ-z/s1600/blog+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh93EEtb7dCRmKf12xjdS5blyP4bwwNk2OBiAMhlZwlBdTH5seYhuNqPUeH9ScadWE-FXxEnaEW8x8XLb_shcw5QCYlkH-RMpcDNDlclsa9JV1aHKDJLC8QQ4Cfl8mMUN5G257z1rICrQ-z/s400/blog+5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I like how this page turned out and feel it's pretty much complete and ready for my writing. I might add something later, as it seems usually I tweak pages some here and there if I feel later it needs something more. </div>
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I hope showing the steps involved in creating this simple page gives the beginners out there a little insight into how a page can be constructed. </div>
Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12767976043988733602noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3991473745721643259.post-18888849312298997812012-12-27T21:03:00.000-05:002012-12-27T21:03:01.820-05:00Eggshell Mosaics, My Newest Addiction.Hello, all! No, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth, just finding a lot less time in life for blogging. I won't make promises to blog more (even though I'm going to attempt exactly that), as we all know life ebbs and flows and we often find ourselves putting something on the back burner. For me, it's my blog. Luckily, my desire to create and the actual creation process never gets put on the back burner, so while I rarely blog about it anymore, I am, in fact, creating all the time.<br />
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My newest obsession is eggshell mosaics. I'm a member of the site <a href="http://swap-bot.com/">swap-bot.com</a> and another member there is a big fan of this medium. I kept seeing these beautiful pieces she'd made, and when she set up a swap, complete with a wonderful, detailed tutorial, I knew I had to try my hand at it. Since then, I've decorated magnets, wooden picture frames, and Christmas ornaments using eggshells. For a time, it seemed anything not nailed down in my home got a covering of eggshells.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHJcjPOfX45xtbE7iJDvcTmCmAzWlwZiuhebkmjkwrB_4o4b-3XMiEAtmzo08bHB4MnXD6JdHTCZf6d0DJG0BKkpYFw16mXXKIF3tRVqk3skp13W7jqR5edLMB7_EgFH6Refjykxk1WGPu/s1600/autumn+leaves+bright+colors+detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHJcjPOfX45xtbE7iJDvcTmCmAzWlwZiuhebkmjkwrB_4o4b-3XMiEAtmzo08bHB4MnXD6JdHTCZf6d0DJG0BKkpYFw16mXXKIF3tRVqk3skp13W7jqR5edLMB7_EgFH6Refjykxk1WGPu/s400/autumn+leaves+bright+colors+detail.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhxo0RI3xCd8L-kVNrgJdhQJx-mscyALU8wkBg3P1OYT749vqJNBJC8DYIIp30r0ieNE-Pq0J8pB0NJ-XTyZTq5w0iIgRuY8R8owOtRBC9giZ8JcdSmOc_KH08RUa-7HvPOKu9uXfGYZQl/s1600/autumn+leaves+bright+colors+main.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhxo0RI3xCd8L-kVNrgJdhQJx-mscyALU8wkBg3P1OYT749vqJNBJC8DYIIp30r0ieNE-Pq0J8pB0NJ-XTyZTq5w0iIgRuY8R8owOtRBC9giZ8JcdSmOc_KH08RUa-7HvPOKu9uXfGYZQl/s400/autumn+leaves+bright+colors+main.jpg" width="382" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIf1CieDo0nLlVuALCQz_oR6ZnpgV1k3n1iUPCRYDHb3eLjDGE7sHPsTVbpWHBRq-Er11Ji-jPQ7uuhSU9VrxOfhecwb6szNtCMzFJFKBGh6wERA8v9sxfKFxkWSsN8BR0F4x_sMwXvNVY/s1600/autumn+leaves+deep+colors+detail1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIf1CieDo0nLlVuALCQz_oR6ZnpgV1k3n1iUPCRYDHb3eLjDGE7sHPsTVbpWHBRq-Er11Ji-jPQ7uuhSU9VrxOfhecwb6szNtCMzFJFKBGh6wERA8v9sxfKFxkWSsN8BR0F4x_sMwXvNVY/s400/autumn+leaves+deep+colors+detail1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmbqUrM11dZmuOgxcvr4J8p2kB9rDWmZEpztmIJL4zqatGI3mNrp7QmNpQ4B9S_ggsqnowYNzlVeqHkWzC7Pbjm8GRV0LbAeg3_4rFNoaPeERn4zXaWVYRrdIVqLl2IFCo7FASpk8Xp4oZ/s1600/flower+magnet+set+detail+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmbqUrM11dZmuOgxcvr4J8p2kB9rDWmZEpztmIJL4zqatGI3mNrp7QmNpQ4B9S_ggsqnowYNzlVeqHkWzC7Pbjm8GRV0LbAeg3_4rFNoaPeERn4zXaWVYRrdIVqLl2IFCo7FASpk8Xp4oZ/s400/flower+magnet+set+detail+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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These are just a few of the magnet sets I made. The Autumn leaves sets are still available for sale in my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/BlueMonkeyMarket?ref=si_shop">Etsy </a>shop. <br />
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So, still creating, and after over a year of not working in my art journal, I am starting to dabble again there. Maybe I will even find the time to add to my Fearless Art Journaling series, who knows?<br />
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As always, thanks for stopping by, and have an artful day!Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12767976043988733602noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3991473745721643259.post-8563125712787481572012-08-23T14:48:00.000-04:002012-08-23T14:48:10.484-04:00These are a few of my favorite things...I absolutely love thrift stores, and when I found a box of vintage wooden dominoes for sale at a little shop in a nearby town, I snatched them up. Dominoes can be used in so many creative ways, but after participating in an altered domino swap recently where my contribution was a necklace, that's where I decided to start.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmykmkD51PAnZvMjPnddyDK5CI6m_19xHKYiuHZ-QFNLAC15C3r9Lc4AfXpq_l9fCHSPUgV-gq4oFqnzSShG0MEfryAfLnn5gcMLEeurRSujvEEsFMbKC0MHcRAxhuLCNPNKnut-SmazX4/s1600/metal+embossed+domino+necklace+detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmykmkD51PAnZvMjPnddyDK5CI6m_19xHKYiuHZ-QFNLAC15C3r9Lc4AfXpq_l9fCHSPUgV-gq4oFqnzSShG0MEfryAfLnn5gcMLEeurRSujvEEsFMbKC0MHcRAxhuLCNPNKnut-SmazX4/s400/metal+embossed+domino+necklace+detail.jpg" width="217" /></a></div>
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I began by sanding the edges of the dominoes to add to their vintage and rustic appeal. The above domino features embossed foil tape that I colored with alcohol ink. Foil tape seems to be my <i>new</i> favorite thing as far as creative endeavors go.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5fNPF9dGHd5oG42fGymuMUFWRYeI4N_dsrY4J85IGbaGA0yaxbsJP7QuVDjFlSrafIHX5PlB_qxQ_LqYJ4iu2dhyphenhyphenDdJF1E-Lt-Z9oO-YCGa7pgP6Y_FPDswkRMNKm5MtoXbri5cLrb8ma/s1600/pen+nib+domino+necklace+detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5fNPF9dGHd5oG42fGymuMUFWRYeI4N_dsrY4J85IGbaGA0yaxbsJP7QuVDjFlSrafIHX5PlB_qxQ_LqYJ4iu2dhyphenhyphenDdJF1E-Lt-Z9oO-YCGa7pgP6Y_FPDswkRMNKm5MtoXbri5cLrb8ma/s400/pen+nib+domino+necklace+detail.jpg" width="243" /></a></div>
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I am often drawn to this pen nib stamp; it's definitely a favorite. This is actually a section cut out from the stamped image. I think this calls to the writer in me, as well as the lover of nearly all things vintage. The color on this piece was provided via watercolor pencils, specifically Inktense pencils. They're amazing! I wish they'd let me be their spokesperson. Once you brush them with water, they become as vibrant as ink. So much fun, and the best watercolor pencils ever, in my humble opinion. I finished this necklace with a coat of dimensional glaze (also on my list of favorite things) to give a glossy, glass-like appearance.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGlhTqIlSzF2fwnrmRTVwgzbgLJsVF24hTo3hyphenhyphenLB8JiRF8Bd89Bn1xOrtlyx4Xaue3-lY7dvYbkVerr3j3-Zlq4SDpegqClvrAUnjP7p2lEnpkWpNBNf6jkM0IFomS5Pk2SFm4eA1o6PSf/s1600/tulip+domino+necklace+detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGlhTqIlSzF2fwnrmRTVwgzbgLJsVF24hTo3hyphenhyphenLB8JiRF8Bd89Bn1xOrtlyx4Xaue3-lY7dvYbkVerr3j3-Zlq4SDpegqClvrAUnjP7p2lEnpkWpNBNf6jkM0IFomS5Pk2SFm4eA1o6PSf/s400/tulip+domino+necklace+detail.jpg" width="230" /></a></div>
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I believe the above necklace may be my favorite of the three. I liked it so much, I actually made another pendant just like it to keep for myself. This one was colored with Distress Inks (yep, you guessed it, favorite stamping ink) and also finished with dimensional glaze.<br />
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All three of these necklaces are available for sale in my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/BlueMonkeyMarket?section_id=12055547">Etsy shop</a> right now. In the works is a bracelet made from some of the dominoes and also featuring the pen nib stamp. I haven't decided yet whether to part with it or keep it for myself...<br />
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Thanks so much for stopping by, and I wish you all an artful and glorious day filled with some of your favorite things. Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12767976043988733602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3991473745721643259.post-55704361277910054642012-08-17T07:00:00.000-04:002012-08-17T15:50:36.437-04:00Another round of Seth Apter's The Pulse<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello, readers! Just a quick post to let you know that another segment of <a href="http://thealteredpage.blogspot.com/">Seth Apter's</a> wonderful series The Pulse is happening this Sunday, August 19. Yours truly will be one of the artists featured. For this portion, Seth asked us to provide a photo of a favorite piece of art we'd created, and its meaning to us. Please go have a look at all the inspiration that Seth works so hard to bring together!<br />
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Thank you!Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12767976043988733602noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3991473745721643259.post-50067683497039868892012-08-06T14:53:00.002-04:002012-08-06T15:46:14.165-04:00Ancient Woman Mini Book<br />
Hello, readers! For those of you still with me despite my infrequent posting over the last year, I'd like to share a new project I just finished up.<br />
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I'd been wanting to take part in a <a href="http://blockheadstamps.blogspot.com/2012/07/2-simple-mini-books.html">Blockheads Technique Challenge</a>, and when they issued the call this month to work with simple bookbinding techniques, I just knew it was the perfect time to join. I've been making handmade books for years now, and even though I find myself drawn to more complicated binding techniques nowadays, it's always nice to get back to your roots. This little book was a blast to work on, and the added motivation of winning something fun from <a href="http://www.blockheadstamps.com/">Blockheads</a> kept me in the zone and focused.<br />
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I made the front cover by sticking some foil tape onto cardstock and running it through my Sizzix using a Tim Holtz Texture Fade. Alcohol inks provided the color. I cut out a window for viewing the <a href="http://www.blockheadstamps.com/catalog/Rubber-Stamps/Lost-Coast/Ancients/LCS-148">ancient woman</a> I had stamped onto the first inside page. A sheet of acetate was attached to add some stability and keep the cover from flopping around all willy-nilly.<br />
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I embossed a piece of acetate using my Sizzix as well, then used alcohol inks once again. I love embossing acetate!<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Detail of the acetate page.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Back cover.</span></i></div>
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<i>Stamps used in this project: <a href="http://www.blockheadstamps.com/catalog/Rubber-Stamps/Lost-Coast/Ancients/LCS-148">Ancient Woman 3</a>, <a href="http://www.blockheadstamps.com/catalog/Rubber-Stamps/Lost-Coast/People/LCS-105">Cosmos Collage</a>, <a href="http://www.blockheadstamps.com/catalog/Rubber-Stamps/Blockheads/Quarter-Sheets/BHS-SG251">Stargazer Set</a>.</i></div>
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I had so much fun creating this, and it's got me wanting to make a few more books. I already have a rough idea in my head of the next one I might make. </div>
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Thanks so much for stopping by! Be sure to check out the other players via the blog hop!</div>
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<script src="http://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=175959" type="text/javascript"></script>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12767976043988733602noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3991473745721643259.post-7650933358356695782012-06-16T11:27:00.001-04:002012-06-16T11:27:43.347-04:00Another edition of The Pulse<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello, readers! I'm still here, and hope to have a real post up before too long. For now, just popping in to say that I'm in tomorrow's edition of <a href="http://www.thealteredpage.blogspot.com/">The Pulse</a>.<br />
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Thanks for stopping by!<br />
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<br />Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12767976043988733602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3991473745721643259.post-43767550456220533432012-03-10T09:18:00.000-05:002012-03-10T09:18:07.179-05:00Sale in my Etsy shop.Happy Saturday, everyone!<br />
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As I'm busy creating new items for my Etsy shop, I'm also trying to clear some old stock. I currently have a sale going, so if you see something you like, grab it now while the price is right!<br />
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/BlueMonkeyMarket?ref=si_shop">Blue Monkey Market</a> Just use the coupon code SPRINGCLEANING to receive 25% off of anything in my store. Out with the old, in with the new!<br />
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Hope everyone has a beautiful day!Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12767976043988733602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3991473745721643259.post-50046150122064325462012-03-08T06:00:00.002-05:002012-03-08T06:00:09.877-05:00Changes, and yay, I've been published!Hello, readers! I know I've been silent for awhile. Thanks to those who still pop by and visit my blog; it means a lot to me!<br />
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I'm not one to share a lot in the arena of the personal here, but I do want to say that my life is transitioning in a big way right now. These changes are not ones I expected or could foresee, and even though they come with untold amounts of hurt attached, in the end, it is for the best. I am finding I am so much stronger than I ever imagined, and so is my amazing son. Everyday we grow closer, and for that, I am grateful. I'm also reminded, through this upheaval, just how many unbelievably awesome and supportive friends I have, as well as a loving and close family. I know that my son and I will get through this, and though the road to healing may be a long journey, we have each other, and our family, and I look forward to the journey.<br />
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And now for some very welcome exciting news! For the first time ever, a bit of my artwork has been published in a magazine, and not just any magazine, but my very favorite magazine, Cloth Paper Scissors! Can you hear me squealing?<br />
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You'll find an image from my handcarved bird stamp on the letters to the editor page in the current (March/April 2012) issue!<br />
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Here's a less-than-stellar photo just to prove it (after a recent move, I don't yet have a good photo spot set up, so bear with me, please):<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy3KV1dd82a1ZeXc5t21Ilx9BHR69DI0gD5CiPuUznGcUpZ_7_QOlUi320psbtOvgIpuL-oGkwKLGZjrxTjfWC-oDUmRmdowgFHrP1TaGHZm5i13qyG4J3lFF_DeoNmupH_exeG8VkJ27W/s1600/bird+carving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy3KV1dd82a1ZeXc5t21Ilx9BHR69DI0gD5CiPuUznGcUpZ_7_QOlUi320psbtOvgIpuL-oGkwKLGZjrxTjfWC-oDUmRmdowgFHrP1TaGHZm5i13qyG4J3lFF_DeoNmupH_exeG8VkJ27W/s400/bird+carving.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Hope everyone has an artful day!Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12767976043988733602noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3991473745721643259.post-13929438281481357512012-01-17T15:13:00.000-05:002012-01-17T15:13:33.140-05:00Nachooo!I'm right in the middle of packing for yet another move. This makes the third time my family and I have moved in 3 years, so I've become a pro at this gig. I'm not, however, looking forward to the logistical nightmare that is moving a family where one member is an artist (moi) and one is a computer hobbyist (my better half). Oh, and we're both collectors (*cough* not hoarders! *cough*). We're staying in the same area, so it won't be as difficult as our last move when we found a place 2 hours away. Suffice it to say, this blog will be taking a back seat until we're settled into the new place.<br />
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Amidst this chaos, I'm still creating. I was in a swap with a woman whose son is a big fan of the movie Nacho Libre. My son and I are, too, so she asked me to create some artwork based on the movie. She gave me free reign. I'm not the world's greatest illustrator, so I knew drawing Nacho himself was out. I decided to explore the food themes in the movie, and came up with the 2 following mixed media pieces. Both works are done on 5"x7" canvas board.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqhepkBEk1Ol3UyzuSdimcS4AomSgpAHQ3HlRbvYVMYeG4HS834BM98HzfcsTcOPx_PSKNA8n3QHb3IWw72KUs3qnfCUBBeFfpbjE6c9-0PfqeWYrDL15kXwS2yGI9XnEF0YuY6w6pfyzl/s1600/nacho+libre+both+pieces.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqhepkBEk1Ol3UyzuSdimcS4AomSgpAHQ3HlRbvYVMYeG4HS834BM98HzfcsTcOPx_PSKNA8n3QHb3IWw72KUs3qnfCUBBeFfpbjE6c9-0PfqeWYrDL15kXwS2yGI9XnEF0YuY6w6pfyzl/s400/nacho+libre+both+pieces.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdYI3hNbijWLEi8APFDnZdAG2Ky7m00Gt-X3nuj7ON9ppnZGHNk7VXVQJJ0JITtbDzHDwy_ytFZuzBVpakSzQjPmCvSKqyL2UN-TIhI2IKytrlrBVUt06g5DcD2Y0RELl5v2DMzarY5OI7/s1600/nacho+libre+corn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdYI3hNbijWLEi8APFDnZdAG2Ky7m00Gt-X3nuj7ON9ppnZGHNk7VXVQJJ0JITtbDzHDwy_ytFZuzBVpakSzQjPmCvSKqyL2UN-TIhI2IKytrlrBVUt06g5DcD2Y0RELl5v2DMzarY5OI7/s400/nacho+libre+corn.jpg" width="295" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">"Get that corn outta' my face!"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHMm-g5Bcp4KTawKaE6E_Y9YHAWxTWoP-P9FwdaRVIKmf9UP-bJIZ5Dj3MOxWvgj7SGc5XLBxWLI-qQrz1iaBqPBbLXJNJG09-RdmlN_acBXS6I_O1Wi2r8dRvF81bEcE-L0PU0HIJaSL6/s1600/nacho+libre+corn+detail2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHMm-g5Bcp4KTawKaE6E_Y9YHAWxTWoP-P9FwdaRVIKmf9UP-bJIZ5Dj3MOxWvgj7SGc5XLBxWLI-qQrz1iaBqPBbLXJNJG09-RdmlN_acBXS6I_O1Wi2r8dRvF81bEcE-L0PU0HIJaSL6/s400/nacho+libre+corn+detail2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNJJ4AZJomeu69M1lafGiH_Q2b76WeDaH1MDI3kdq-jQtcBC6ivaPjRVzr4V6_dqB6pxdJo8kipaYbChAZLEdaPrjAwfg15mkI4kFwa_qGRgsFKGRxCcosi6TWbodatk9LO1Ydw0tplxEY/s1600/nacho+libre+corn+detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNJJ4AZJomeu69M1lafGiH_Q2b76WeDaH1MDI3kdq-jQtcBC6ivaPjRVzr4V6_dqB6pxdJo8kipaYbChAZLEdaPrjAwfg15mkI4kFwa_qGRgsFKGRxCcosi6TWbodatk9LO1Ydw0tplxEY/s400/nacho+libre+corn+detail.jpg" width="316" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNGzd6d1mXsN9POpKjeaiDRX5QXD2eE3pT3EaFFeM-NcO-54mGknLLCCi5nrQzwnbR3oV099q-MQLHiRhnY9tAcbPVRUqGzP9bFc_UXCyhvNDCu9B6a39tAR7q0CvhmIiIoSu-aGvN1yZT/s1600/nacho+libre+egg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNGzd6d1mXsN9POpKjeaiDRX5QXD2eE3pT3EaFFeM-NcO-54mGknLLCCi5nrQzwnbR3oV099q-MQLHiRhnY9tAcbPVRUqGzP9bFc_UXCyhvNDCu9B6a39tAR7q0CvhmIiIoSu-aGvN1yZT/s400/nacho+libre+egg.jpg" width="292" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> "Eagle eggs?! I'm not listenin' to you, you're crazy!"</span></div><br />
I'm really happy with how they turned out, and after my initial panic of not knowing exactly what I was going to come up with, I was pleasantly surprised with the direction, and grateful for her helping me to think outside the box a bit. After all was said and done, I realized I should have had the egg opened with the yolk spilling out to add more visual interest, but c'est la vie. Art is like life sometimes, as it can be a learning experience.<br />
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I really hope she likes these! They were mailed today, so I've got a few days of nervous waiting to hear back from her.<br />
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Thank you, as always, for stopping by! Hope you all have an artful day!Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12767976043988733602noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3991473745721643259.post-84217229910619411002012-01-08T16:28:00.000-05:002012-01-08T16:28:04.951-05:00Just a bit o' mail art.Life takes many new turns, and for us, it means another move. We're staying in the same area, but want to find a smaller place in the country. I really miss seeing trees out my window instead of a busy road, and being able to have a camp fire at night, and seeing deer in my yard. Suffice it to say, with a move coming up, I'll be posting here less in the next couple of months, but I promise I shall return!<br />
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In between the packing up, I have been creative, mostly making mail art. I find that handmade postcards are a nice way to squeeze a little art into a day. Here's a couple recent ones:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5FBtrbr-xaD58DU6n3V-f7hSThNj-N-M-MOwqgWNeRpH529WJNDeuZHaQKVR3DjYfRJ59RF4k5DLORoFFRv-DoTxhqX9F8FoBcM3xiabkqqEZ83IEW_a1l95CK16LxKloqMLt8xvB8xin/s1600/mail+art+pc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5FBtrbr-xaD58DU6n3V-f7hSThNj-N-M-MOwqgWNeRpH529WJNDeuZHaQKVR3DjYfRJ59RF4k5DLORoFFRv-DoTxhqX9F8FoBcM3xiabkqqEZ83IEW_a1l95CK16LxKloqMLt8xvB8xin/s400/mail+art+pc.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlLn5iekJ3CwGmHmP0N3F_wy72p0bghcoFEu3MqMzcdNChJXo3lA_8u8-KCn7ftsHqZ6k6wh9orAx5rKZRUREL4ehJfmpHDMEzOPg6EAUYBLO5AoGySVwrdrTe6-W8FVrAyIJwGqjh41yD/s1600/mail+art+pc+control.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlLn5iekJ3CwGmHmP0N3F_wy72p0bghcoFEu3MqMzcdNChJXo3lA_8u8-KCn7ftsHqZ6k6wh9orAx5rKZRUREL4ehJfmpHDMEzOPg6EAUYBLO5AoGySVwrdrTe6-W8FVrAyIJwGqjh41yD/s400/mail+art+pc+control.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Hope all of you are doing well and enjoying a great start to the New Year!Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12767976043988733602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3991473745721643259.post-68997791208738439562012-01-07T17:31:00.000-05:002012-01-07T17:31:39.741-05:00The Pulse!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgINYrmklnDF9HCdgU88CeXb3yIufR3kz8E28qjyxp9vmy5YzabKX1AnlTKY3Gyzbsv99K5gvwxVkZWGGluyFSMtMWIpj-eP-p5XXIy8Iawrx6Cwnmv_td9Y6OKpHdQVl3zfphb1gKGYPXW/s1600/Master+Class+Final+Icon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgINYrmklnDF9HCdgU88CeXb3yIufR3kz8E28qjyxp9vmy5YzabKX1AnlTKY3Gyzbsv99K5gvwxVkZWGGluyFSMtMWIpj-eP-p5XXIy8Iawrx6Cwnmv_td9Y6OKpHdQVl3zfphb1gKGYPXW/s400/Master+Class+Final+Icon.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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Tomorrow is Sunday, which means a new installment of <a href="http://www.thealteredpage.blogspot.com/">Seth Apter's <i>The Pulse</i></a>. Yours truly will be among the artists featured. Seth puts a lot of time and work into this, so pop over and have a look, please and thank you!Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12767976043988733602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3991473745721643259.post-28259528460318207672011-12-17T15:00:00.000-05:002011-12-17T15:00:41.460-05:00My Etsy!Well, I finally did it. I'm very late in posting about this, but back in the summer I finally opened my own Etsy shop. It's a humble little spot on the web I've named <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/BlueMonkeyMarket?ref=si_shop">Blue Monkey Market</a>. Currently, there are cards listed and some polymer clay ornaments, all made by yours truly, of course. In the future, I hope to offer more, like hand carved rubber stamps, possibly some crocheted items, paper craft kits, other polymer clay doo-dads and what-nots, and more.<br />
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I'm running a sale right now. Just enter the coupon code BLUEWINTER to get 15% off your order. I provide fast shipping, too! Many thanks to those that have already placed an order. <br />
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Here's a few of the things up for sale right now:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioomuE1QebPzi8lBa7kpmrQnSse_by2p8HiOJaTVFVGNL-1BkhCO23nBD_Eh3kmqK2eXUURapRevXxut_DapILepK4NVzALD4kZ-hGhyphenhyphen60vJqg5N4SoFp3jb8uUgZfHKkzJ4O-Q93dj6VX/s1600/burgundy+and+bronze+oval+2+detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="341" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioomuE1QebPzi8lBa7kpmrQnSse_by2p8HiOJaTVFVGNL-1BkhCO23nBD_Eh3kmqK2eXUURapRevXxut_DapILepK4NVzALD4kZ-hGhyphenhyphen60vJqg5N4SoFp3jb8uUgZfHKkzJ4O-Q93dj6VX/s400/burgundy+and+bronze+oval+2+detail.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7uQfLfpOm8sKB3k6xCAY61HlDFZToP6Wf_MNzRfErjGb1cIOh_OMb7fC8A62q0j7oxloVwmYTepEM47-tO_XPyLfFTeXPig84JfcEUmNLYHYnFOLuDGdyRZRwVg3K2DXru1KrgUb-zZTP/s1600/gold+swirls+set+detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7uQfLfpOm8sKB3k6xCAY61HlDFZToP6Wf_MNzRfErjGb1cIOh_OMb7fC8A62q0j7oxloVwmYTepEM47-tO_XPyLfFTeXPig84JfcEUmNLYHYnFOLuDGdyRZRwVg3K2DXru1KrgUb-zZTP/s400/gold+swirls+set+detail.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyA_tvW_ZeSTCp72l19gwGXsY0cQdG9TQLY5WXtKvx-lLrxI_JFdGR53pb_Y97b2RLVsE0D8cLpeUwH6OfYPnxE8Lwsk1vf9LzHbB7PFBk_JZnq2f08iEux6V3U5ssr5HbVWf1492DGBuA/s1600/pink+and+green+snowflake+detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyA_tvW_ZeSTCp72l19gwGXsY0cQdG9TQLY5WXtKvx-lLrxI_JFdGR53pb_Y97b2RLVsE0D8cLpeUwH6OfYPnxE8Lwsk1vf9LzHbB7PFBk_JZnq2f08iEux6V3U5ssr5HbVWf1492DGBuA/s400/pink+and+green+snowflake+detail.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Handmade polymer clay Christmas ornaments.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiXlul8fuSyemHL8nqxSAaOk7uUG3OdKAVDo_d_Jw_gBd3OWyGBkFMViMIGQ_IQkrAqw0aAKu9lE1IHzJ5eSMtcXXDDDs8yY_XRZPS-JI5p-Qaic8QWUQl-9asx6BjbuJnhCdrKGADrFe9/s1600/circus+main.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiXlul8fuSyemHL8nqxSAaOk7uUG3OdKAVDo_d_Jw_gBd3OWyGBkFMViMIGQ_IQkrAqw0aAKu9lE1IHzJ5eSMtcXXDDDs8yY_XRZPS-JI5p-Qaic8QWUQl-9asx6BjbuJnhCdrKGADrFe9/s400/circus+main.JPG" width="311" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkuzXRJZTr07OrAcrh3kkT4tuUADFdldG45SltTOgKvm_yJsFvGpHm1T5M3Rn8YrAZ7Q7YX6ZEgM_4BQqevFIN3MZzlBDC7r3KAHaT4gb5J72nBCW3r-frIlmukHtRnGl3XDQAdIjLgBIa/s1600/big+joy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkuzXRJZTr07OrAcrh3kkT4tuUADFdldG45SltTOgKvm_yJsFvGpHm1T5M3Rn8YrAZ7Q7YX6ZEgM_4BQqevFIN3MZzlBDC7r3KAHaT4gb5J72nBCW3r-frIlmukHtRnGl3XDQAdIjLgBIa/s400/big+joy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Handmade cards.</div>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12767976043988733602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3991473745721643259.post-65798062215919995862011-11-20T14:06:00.000-05:002011-11-20T14:06:49.863-05:00The Pulse: Technique and Tool<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWEWscFhOOO_6bOtwfI9LddY5Rw-0Ksq2Bvwf_fyco3XJy30_LfqF5kfLVDxG5sSJZQ3pGnTvwfdaue3wJeSuJkiA8beA5xiM4c96YDuyLIfcSlhysAc3ee6aWcYbrgidDpzihsIEpFJwN/s1600/Pulse+V+technique+tool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWEWscFhOOO_6bOtwfI9LddY5Rw-0Ksq2Bvwf_fyco3XJy30_LfqF5kfLVDxG5sSJZQ3pGnTvwfdaue3wJeSuJkiA8beA5xiM4c96YDuyLIfcSlhysAc3ee6aWcYbrgidDpzihsIEpFJwN/s400/Pulse+V+technique+tool.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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I'm happy to report that I'm one of the featured artists on today's chapter of <a href="http://thealteredpage.blogspot.com/2011/11/technique-tool-chapter-10.html">The Pulse</a>. This time around, Seth asked the participating artists what technique or tool they can't live without. Head on over to read my response, as well as the other artists' responses.<br />
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Have an artful day!Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12767976043988733602noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3991473745721643259.post-4033991642554942932011-10-13T06:00:00.001-04:002011-10-13T06:00:11.477-04:00My blog on Be@HomeJust a quick post to share some exciting news. My humble little blog was featured on Be@Home's <a href="http://pocketchange.become.com/2011/10/best-of-the-web-be-home-44.html">Best of the Web</a> series yesterday! I was excited to be noticed among all the wonderful and prolific bloggers out there. Go check out their site and see the other bloggers who inspire and entertain!Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12767976043988733602noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3991473745721643259.post-91051752661579158252011-10-08T06:00:00.002-04:002011-10-08T06:00:09.212-04:00Why not Halloween?Those who know me know that my love to create means I'm always working on some kind of project, and usually several at once. I've found that I feel most inspired and creative during the colder months of the year. Autumn and winter suit me just fine; I'd take cold over hot any day.<br />
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Considering this, it's odd that I almost never create anything with a Halloween theme. I enjoy makings things for other holidays, so why not Halloween? This year, a dear online friend mentioned that she loved Halloween and the ensuing crafty endeavours, and for some reason, it sparked something in me to make some Halloween-inspired items. Looking back, I realize it had me thinking outside the box, and getting out of my comfort zone. So I had some fun with traditional Halloween colors and images. These little creations helped me break through the wall that is artist's block, and got me back on track, artistically-speaking.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXkl_Bkv_j4gTisTPcRVBDrMLGt1iCRcPIl_uhN9so5FWEbvH8RIKXONQ0xFtp3GiIRNZaT0zawyGU3MSdiV07wTXfLHcjIV8Q_Gk2Ly_Z0u4ZqtkhdnOXvCxJSRP2Xff7Pc4J0vIq5tYx/s1600/halloween+atc+swap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXkl_Bkv_j4gTisTPcRVBDrMLGt1iCRcPIl_uhN9so5FWEbvH8RIKXONQ0xFtp3GiIRNZaT0zawyGU3MSdiV07wTXfLHcjIV8Q_Gk2Ly_Z0u4ZqtkhdnOXvCxJSRP2Xff7Pc4J0vIq5tYx/s400/halloween+atc+swap.jpg" width="338" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <i>Witchy Woman</i> ATC</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVVP7cpfBELOTYv_je0W_db0ir36pU3ED0UbxALlaAaIKzTEB-yycJVFgGLJ6isxdwE8n1W4CoRYYsESnzR2P-Ncst3DKn7ZfVwk7b1xSl61v4ofcI5cMUEVbcR3hYZ5OaXXw8Qy-csyqV/s1600/halloween+atc+swap2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVVP7cpfBELOTYv_je0W_db0ir36pU3ED0UbxALlaAaIKzTEB-yycJVFgGLJ6isxdwE8n1W4CoRYYsESnzR2P-Ncst3DKn7ZfVwk7b1xSl61v4ofcI5cMUEVbcR3hYZ5OaXXw8Qy-csyqV/s400/halloween+atc+swap2.jpg" width="346" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Witchy Woman ATC #2 </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>These artist trading cards may not be masterpieces or artwork on a grand scale, but they're fun to make and trade, and there's not much I let get in the way of my fun.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12767976043988733602noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3991473745721643259.post-19806139377212095982011-09-20T15:40:00.000-04:002011-09-20T15:40:09.078-04:00I'm still right here, giving blood, keeping faith.My apologies to my readers for my silence. I am making art, which is always a good thing. It appears the slump has passed, or at least just faded away. There was no big bang, or major revelation that spurred my recent creativity, it just crept back in, silently, as it's done many times in the past. I'm grateful, but wish I had more insight to the workings of my own artistic mind. I'd love a guidebook on how to not fall into a rut again, but I know at some point, I'll feel less than inspired, and the cycle will repeat. For now, though, I am creating. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1DPA6UJdocPbp_gZzz38X8WNvuyn92gBZZPbflb-prIqqBjz0zlcWyrf66KF_PXXf1Ht2ptAnkTHsut7TpRrxLLvQhoyzo5PuGJcEz0G_TH3yOPCRrV5F_H9ZYWiMMJGJ5gp79ROCXk3_/s1600/tentacle+detail2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1DPA6UJdocPbp_gZzz38X8WNvuyn92gBZZPbflb-prIqqBjz0zlcWyrf66KF_PXXf1Ht2ptAnkTHsut7TpRrxLLvQhoyzo5PuGJcEz0G_TH3yOPCRrV5F_H9ZYWiMMJGJ5gp79ROCXk3_/s400/tentacle+detail2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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Lately, my mind is all over the place. Many days, my mind, as well as my heart, is in a secluded spot by Rush Creek, off of Highway 395 in the Eastern Sierra Nevada mountains of California. It's a familiar place that I've been many times. Nearby, several aspen trees bear the carvings my brothers and I made on past visits. Behind me is a flat-topped hill with 360 degree views of the surrounding mountains. It's so quiet there you can hear the earth breathing.<br />
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Other days, I find myself thinking of the high desert of the American southwest. Red rock country. Another home for my heart.<br />
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The traveler in me is restless, and has been for a very long time. I yearn for the ocean, canyons, sagebrush, mountains the scope of which Virginia can't touch, endless night skies where the stars burn brighter than you could ever imagine and roads that lead to new, magnificent discoveries that take your breath away. Forever the dreamer, that's me. <br />
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I seek to pour this longing into my artwork. Not sure if I'm succeeding yet, but that's never stopped me before.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpE_CM9lqQaWE_IJavse5JaDIOZMhEzzkc3lSedyUtytcUm4a3ICj_UtN25UB4VNrCIYxh5CFlrPhTLpTGhvA3nJDe160vqBnIhuDJvRgWDlFrAqHkhjJsyR5Z7bYFll-VJrivGeN-4zwL/s1600/tentacle+tryptich.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpE_CM9lqQaWE_IJavse5JaDIOZMhEzzkc3lSedyUtytcUm4a3ICj_UtN25UB4VNrCIYxh5CFlrPhTLpTGhvA3nJDe160vqBnIhuDJvRgWDlFrAqHkhjJsyR5Z7bYFll-VJrivGeN-4zwL/s400/tentacle+tryptich.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Mixed media tentacle triptych made for a swap with an online friend and fellow artist.</i></div>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12767976043988733602noreply@blogger.com1