Valentine Postcards

...How Do I Love Thee...

   Our Valentine swap over at E.A.U. was a big one this year! The last couple of years we only had 10-12 trader's. This year we had 19! I thought that if I just do some Gelli printed posties, it would be easy peasy. However, it got all complicated! ('Cause that's the only way I know how to do things!!) Recently my camera on my phone went kaput, but I think I can still explain how I made my postcards. Here's what a couple of them looked like...

I used 140lb watercolor paper. The first step was to Gelli print a few different shades of red. Once it was dried on some of the cards, I used some distress ink and stencils to add a red pattern. (tone on tone.) 

Next, I took my Vintage Remington Rand typewriter and typed out sonnet #43 by Elizabeth Barrett Browning. "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways..."

So, on top of all of that I did another Gelli printing. First roll out your paint. For me, it was contrasting colors. Then, I placed paper heart cut outs on top of the paint. This will block some of the color, letting the first layer show through. Once it all dried, I took a white Uniball Signo pen to draw in the web like designs. I wish I could show you more examples, but my camera just wouldn't cooperate. They were all very different. I tried a few different colors throughout. :)

Gee, It's Been A While!

What have I got myself into?

      I thought for sure by mid January, things would slow down for me. So, now here I am at the end of February, trying to get at least one post in! The holidays were a whirlwind of family, working, and art. Yes, even some art! ...Which, by the way, I think had suffered a bit because I had to rush most of it. Most of my friends already know of one the thing that I have gotten into, but I would like to, someday, revisit this moment. Sorta like a journal entry. 

I sent in an entry to a call for mail art, from Somerset Studio magazine. It's a small spot, but I'm delighted to have been chosen! Perhaps I will give some of their bigger spots a try. I wanna thank, aka Miss Iowa, for telling me of this contest.  

Another new thing I tried, was domino books. I was in a gift swap and one of the requests was for one of these thangs. Here's what I came up with...

I included a beaded crocheted necklace, for displaying on a hook...or to simply wear. 

Inside is an excerpt of Shakespeare's Song of the Witches...also known from Harry Potter. Double Double, Toil and Trouble. 

I also had the chance to make a postage stamp/domino pendant for a friend of mine. 

The above was, again, for a gift swap. I made the beaded necklace. They have gypsy bells too. It makes a cheerful little sound. :) I also gifted an accordion book. I painted the front cover to look like the night sky. On the inside I painted what looks like a morning sky on one side. On the opposite side, is a stormy sky. Here's a peek inside...

It's a finish me book. I did the background, the recipient finishes the rest of it. So anyways, that was the beginning of the year for me. At least where art is concerned. :)