ATCs

The other day I was inspired to draw some more ATCs (artist trading cards).

This one is called "The Last Burst of Light."

Watercolor paint & black ink.

This one is not my usual style, but it needed to be drawn.

It is called "Clinging Chameleon."

Watercolor paint & black ink.

I recently did an ATC trade with knityoga (ravelry name) who lives in England.  This is the ATC that I received from her.  Isn't is cool?  I love that she did embroidery / string art on an ATC.

She also sent me 2 fabric postcard that she had made.  I sent her 3 ATC's, 2 originals and 1 photo copy of one.  Some of mine are hard to give up/trade, so I made copies of them on card stock.

ATC Swap & other Summer pictures

The other day I received my ATC (artist trading card) swap.  These 12 cards came from 4 different people.  Each row of 3 is from a different person.  They are all so different and unique, and I love them.

I accidentally sent out extras and these are the ones that I had made that were returned to me.  I'll save them for another swap.

I've been working on a secret amigurumi project for a friend's birthday.  I'll let you wonder what I'm making ;)

Here are some pictures that I took at the beach the other day.

I took this picture tonight.  My family was waiting for pizza (I can't have any due to my diet), and I took a picture of the umbrella that we were sitting under.

Then I took a picture of one of my son's bike.  We took the kids out for a bike ride tonight and discovered a new pizza place.

Sorry that I haven't been posting much.  My husband recently installed a new hard drive in my computer.  I really needed the space.  Plus the amigurumi project is taking a little while to make.  I hope all of you are having a great summer.

More Artist Trading Cards

Here are the 5 artist trading cards that I made today.  I had watercolor painted them a few weeks ago.  Today I drew on them with a black pen.  My favorites from this set are "Rocky Mountain High" and "Pondering."

Rocky Mountain High

Wilting in the Heat

Pondering

Radiating Heat

Growing Towards the Sun

Ocean Haiku Artist Trading Cards

Using the pre-cut cards that a friend of mine sent to me, I made the following artist trading cards.  I had bought some cute stickers that I placed to one side of the cards.  I then went online and found some ocean haikus and a haiku about buttons (for the last card), then wrote them on torn pieces of papers.  Next I watercolor painted the papers to match the cards that they were going to be placed on.  When dry, I glued them in the empty space next to the stickers.  They seemed a little to plain though, so I added some glitter glue to spice them up a bit.  I like them.  They are simple, but they are still nice to look at.  Sometimes simple is best.  I wanted to include a link to the page where I found the ocean haikus, but I can't seem to find it again.  They also did not have any author's name attached to them.

Flowers, ATCs, and Gifts

Yesterday it occurred to me that I haven't even started making end of the year teacher gifts.  My kids have 2 weeks left of school.  Yes I know its late, but they say that its because of the snow that we get here.  I need to make 3 in total, one for a male teacher and 2 for female teachers.  The male teacher's wife is having a baby soon, so I'll be making an amigurumi item for him for the baby.

For the 2 female teachers I made flowers pens that go in a terra-cotta pot.  Six pens each.  To make them you need fake flowers, scissors, pens, and floral tape.  Next I want to make some egg carton tulip flowers with a lollipop center, and then I'll tie a nice bow around the pot.  This is something that they can keep on their desk.

I've been working on these artist trading cards recently.  I found some super cute fish stickers that look like playing cards.  I put them on the pre-cut cards that a friend sent to me.  Then I found some ocean themed haikus and watercolor painted over them.  The picture above is of me adding some glitter glue to them to spice them up a bit.

I have the best online friends.  Yesterday I received 2 packages from 2 people in my ravelry group.  This was from my friend Gekko who lives in Australia.  Gekko and I were Christmas swap partners, and we are Doctor Who lovers.  

It is AWESOME!!!  She did not make it, but she thought that I could use it as a template.  You bet I can!  She also packed it full of tea and buttons.  I am floored by this gift.  Thank you so much Gekko!

My 2nd package was from LadyKatka who lives in Canada.  She was another angel who sent me blue items for the Crayon swap.  Angel = someone who sends something out of the goodness in their heart and wanting nothing (but maybe a thank you) in return. 

She went through my ravelry queue and found the pattern for a knitted globe that I had wanted to make but was to intimidated to make.  It is fantastic!  Then she made me some blue paper bead stitch markers and a crochet beaded bracelet.  Just lovely!

Then she took the first artist trading card that I had made and made a needle felted version of it.  OMG!  I literally had tears in my eyes when I saw it.  This image, unknown to her, is the wallpaper on my cell phone.  I can't believe she did this for me.  It is AMAZING!  I want to frame them together.  It is incredible!  Thank you soooooooooooo much LadyKatka!  I am just blown away by your package and kindness.

I just wanted to share some pictures that I took yesterday from my back yard.  This spider just would not get out of my seat.

Here is the roadrunner sculpture that my uncle made for me out of railroad spikes.  He camouflages well in my flower garden.

I did finish a crochet projects yesterday that I LOVE, however it is for a swap so I can't show it off just yet.  I can't wait to share it with all of you.  I consider it a work of art and not a crafty item.

My iPhone Case

My husband's and my iPhone cases arrived today!  We were able to order personalized ones through getuncommon.com.  We ordered capsules.  The bottom of the case separates so that you can easily slide your iPhone in and out of it.  The look GREAT!  I've been using mine all day with no problems.  The picture above is a scan of them (from my printer) which is why there seems to be a small mess up here and there with the image quality.  They look way better than they do in this picture.  

For mine I choice to use the artist trading card that I had made called "fetal elephant."  The background is watercolor on watercolor paper (blue and pink), and then I drew on it with a fine tip black pen.  

My husband choice to use this one.  It really does suit him well.  The image above is doubled so that if you cross your eyes a certain way the image becomes 3D.  This is one of his doodles that he scanned into the computer and then colored it in photoshop.

It is pretty cool that we can carry our artwork around like that.  We might be ordering a 2nd set at some point in the future.  Maybe for Christmas.