Portland Wonderland Part Two

...Zine Scene & Books...

     Every time I come to Portland, I vow to buy some Zines. I've never gotten to them, until this trip. They are little pamphlet booklets, usually made with a page or two. Zerox copied and stapled together. Sold for just a few bucks, without a publisher. ...Their subjects are varied and really...anything goes. During my visit, we went to three different book stores. The biggest and most famous is Powell's Book Store. It's Gianormous! 

They actually hand out a map, just so that you can navigate it's many floors and rooms! It's like shopping a warehouse. Do ya need a work out? 'Cause they have many stairways to get you to the next room full of books. 

A few days later, the hubster and I did the complete opposite. We went to a teeny tiny book store that houses Microcosm Publishers. It's a two room house, packed with Zines and small books. If you want to check them out online, they're over here: Microcosmpublishing.com 

I adore their sign! I shoulda took a pic of the actual store. It's bright green with purple trim. :)

Here are a few Zines and books that I bought. The book above, "This Is Portland," so funny. It's about a dude's move to Portland and the places that he thinks you should visit. The places that you might not think of and for cheap! I haven't gotten to the others yet, but yeah, I mostly chose books about Portland. The tree finder will come in handy. My dad does woodworking and we're constantly say'in, what's that?! 

I'm set for Portland guides! I went over board. ;)

The person who rang up my books, threw in extras! Stickers, a button and catalogs to share. EAU/AFA peeps, let me know if you want one. 

Another small shop, but a bit fancier...Reading Frenzy. They have a lot of art related books too!

I bought a small art Zine from here. It has what looks like real block/screen printing and Zerox prints. 

This Zine also came with a link for free music to go with the art. :)

Last, but not least, Uwajimaya. It's a Japanese grocery store, but it also has a bookstore inside. I've bought craft books from them before, but not this trip. 

Their books and mag's are pure eye candy! ;)

Portland Wonderland Part One

...dig'in the weirdness...

   I just got back home yesterday, from a fab little trip to my parent's place. (Okay, so they live in Washington state, but Portland's right on the other side of the Columbia River.) So yeah, Portland Oregon, a weird sorta place. It's a good weird though. Especially if you are into art, food and tree hugging! 

   This time around it was just my youngest small fry and I. With a small cooler and a bag full of junk food, Jeryn and I took our 10ish hour trip from our place in North California to Washington State. 

Anyhoot, a big part of our trips have to do with food. Personally, I want to go to all of the places with weird names, but mom was with us, so I tried to pick something she would look forward to. This excursion was into the East Side Industrial District. I chose this little noodle shop called Boke Bowl. Not sure how you pronounce it, but...well...whatev's right?!

Their fare can be described as hip/infusion. We went with the more traditional stuff though...we were HUNGRY! Hard to think in that state of being. ;) The Ramen, which we call Saimin...it's the same thing, was good. Not ah-mazing.....but I've eaten SO much Ramen in my life, I can't tell you if you would dig it or not. However, their steamed buns....totally fab! They had one with a traditional filling of pork belly, but they had some unusual offerings too. Besides the pork belly, we also tried the fried chicken bun and the brisket bun. (They had a pb&J bun and tofu succotash w/ avacado too!)

You can watch the dude making all of the steam buns as you stuff your face! :)

After chowing down...we realized that there were a ton of fabulous antique shops and boutiques. Mind you, all hidden in industrial warehouses. Passing by on the highway...you woulda never suspected. 

We wandered into this warehouse called Cargo. They mostly had Asian items, but you can find many different thangs from many different places. They had SO much stuff....it's hard to figure out what to look at first!

Should I check out the gazillion Kokeshi dolls?....or maybe the Day of the Dead stuff?

They had a great section of blue textiles. Reminded me of Shibori dying. The best part though, was having my small fry photo bombing some of my pics. :)

Pocket Letter!

...It's a new thang...

   So, there's this new thing going on. It's called a Pocket Letter. It's a new way to send a letter to your pen pal. It was created by Janet Lane and seems to have exploded on to the crafter's scene.  Check out her website to see how it all got started. I was introduced to this by my arty friend Sara Pirc. Thanks Sara! 

   A pocket letter is constructed with the use of a 9 pocket baseball card page holder. Some of the basic things to include is an About Me pocket, A letter, Tea, Stickers, Washi Tape, Quotes...etc. I think that's cool, but I like to sketch and receive sketched work too. When I did mine, I did an art side and a commercial side. (The backside) Here's what I did...

   My pal Voula Vitzilaiou and I share a birthday month....hence the birthday theme I've got going on. :)

When I did my sketches, I kept the paper whole while painting. It started off as three strips of paper going across. I did, however, try to consider the transitions going length wise as well. I made the colors go from warm to cool. Then each strip was cut to fit the pockets. 

A birthday quote I found on Pinterest. :)

Here's the backside. I used all of my commercial stuff and that's fun too! There's a pocket with a few stickers, a Washi tape sampler and my mom's favorite Jasmine tea. When it's steeped, I love the smell. On Voula's profile wish list she asked for US postage for swaps. I add a few for her.

I came across some of my Smashbook tags. I thought this one would be fun to include. It's all the things I can be caught saying on AFA posts. :)

Last but not least I added a Fortune Fish...it...well...tell's your fortune. :P It doesn't fit in the pockets so I just added it between the folds...

Yep, this thing can fold up and be shipped in a standard business envelope. This one is going to Greece. 

Artful Upcycling

...not bored with cardboard...

    A friend of mine that I lovingly call Nan Glam...(it's too long of a name for me to remember how to spell it!) Anyways, she's hosting a 4x6 cardboard swap. You can paint, sketch, or pretty much do anything on it...as long as it's artful and done on a 4x6 piece. I promised to do a walk through for it...so yep...it starts with a simple sketch...always does.

The top pic is my pencil sketch and the bottom is the sketch lined with a Micron pen. Also, I purposely chose a printed card board. I like that it gives a little bit of interest. 

This time around, I'm using water soluble wax pastels. The pastels are large and difficult to get into narrow spaces. I add a little in the general area I'm trying to color, then go in with a blending stump. It's just rolled up paper. Sometimes called a Tortillon. I did not use water. 

I added a little bit of magenta and blended those in. Then, yet again, with the slightest bit of light green. To finish the blooms, I used an Acrylic paint pen to stipple in the yellow stamens.

No secret here...I just added a dark blue around the blooms and blended it in. Next, I took a light blue and butt that up next to the darker color. Blended those two together. 

Alrighty, I did a big no no. I re-lined my blooms with out sealing it first. Don't forget, that stuff is all water soluble. It'll jack up your pen. So, seal it first with clear coat spray...then line. :)

This is the finished work. I used a Pentel Color brush pen to write out, "Spring Is." I tried to date stamp it, but the stamp didn't make complete contact...but I left it alone. In the corner is an old stamp that I thought looked like the ones in the drawing. I smudged some pastels on that so that it wouldn't be blinding white. To finish it up I scribbled around the flowers with a white Recollection pen.

Rolo Walk Thru

...Holla Back Bird...

   I've been joining as many Rolo swaps as I can get into. It takes a while to fill up a Rolodex with art, but mine is coming along nicely. This time around I am doing an Artist Choice Swap, that is hosted by Will De Boer. Upon Will's request, I will walk you through one of my cards. Below is my completed card.

I always start my work with a focal point. In this case it's the chirping bird. 

I went on Pinterest to look at birds to sketch. I found one that looked like it was "hollering," Which is why I added the slang word, "Holla," at the top. Once I have my sketch down, I line it with a Micron pen. A kneaded eraser was used to remove the pencil sketch. (Just be sure that it's completely dry, or you'll get a smudge like me!) 

I'm using Derwent Inktense and watercolor pencils. I chose colors that are close in color. Rarely do I ever use one color on a subject. I started with a light color all over and the darker colors where I wanted to call attention to. The lighter areas look like they are pushed out, while the darker parts look like shadow and a receding of an area. 

With a paint brush full of water, I start to activate the water soluble pencils. You can see that I did this at the top of the bird. The bottom is still dry.

I wanted the bird to look like it was belting out a loud holler. So, I added two colors to the, "Holla," side. I held the card side ways while I brushed a water loaded brush over the area. I let the colors mix and flow off the card. 

I did the same technique, but with only one color, on the opposite side. With a stencil, I added, "Holla." Most times I like to make it appear behind the art, instead of floating by it's self. I also added a number. (It's just a space filler.) Sometimes the numbers mean something and sometimes they are random. This time, it's the date. To finish the card off, I stippled some silver dots coming out of the bird's mouth and I colored in the number and "Holla." (Done with Gelly Roll Stardust pens.) 

Here are my other trades...

Pom Poms!

...sent naked through the mail...

   This month on Envie Addict's Unite, we did a weirdy mail exchange. Every so often the Addicts get restless and we need to insert a bit of extra fun. So, instead of our usual Envie or postcard, we sent out objects. At first I was in a bit of a panic...had no idea what object I should send through. I also wanted it to be something that I had to craft with my hands. I bought a pom pom maker just for giggles and then an idea popped up! 

   I ended up sending tomatoes and blueberries to my mail partners!

I had just finished off some grape tomatoes. The plastic packaging was perfect for my faked fellas. :)

I had a couple of different blue colored yarns. ...but this time I had no basket! Yes, I'm eating blue berries in everything these past few days. 

I wanted to send out these strawberries, but I was worried the box would get smashed. Also, I couldn't figure out how to cover the top. I will save it for another time.

Most peeps will take a pic of them dropping their mail art in the mail box, but I feel too foolish to do it my self. Anyhoot, here they are with their stamps and addresses. 

If you wanna make your own pom poms, I used this gadget by Clover...

I found it in the sewing section of Hobby Lobby. This pack came with two of the smallest sizes. The larger of the two make about a golf ball size pom pom. If you aren't keen on buying these, you can always make a cardboard version. :) 

Canvas Board Postcards!

...5x7's travelling naked...

    It's been a great while since I' have posted anything. For the most part, it's because I am waiting for some of these projects to make it to their receivers. Anyhoot, this month a friend of mine, Trish Lovato, has started a swap for 5x7 canvas boards. We are sending them through the mail naked. Which means, they are not wrapped or boxed. We simply address the back and slap on the appropriate amount of postage. I gifted Trish a canvas for hosting the swap. Here's what I sent...

I know that the back isn't art'ed up, but for some reason, I find it just as appealing as the front! 

This is what I sent my partner. (Not sure if she received it yet.) The colors are actually a lot darker, but my photography skills are lacking, thus the faded shot. 

Here's how I started this canvas...

First, I adhered an old McCall's dress pattern to the canvas, with Matte Gel Medium. Just thought that it would add interest.

Next, I used a scrap piece of card stock to smear green acrylic paint across the canvas. 

Finally, a simple sketch....I colored it in with color pencils and water soluble wax pastels. To protect it on it's journey through the mail, I coated it with a clear coat spray.

One more to show you. This is my first try at a, Day Of The Dead, theme. 

I also painted the back...