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The Day Six Challenge, for 30 Marketing Ideas in 30 Days, is to create a photo badge for your website and blog. I created the badge for my Etsy Shop.
I made the badge with the intention of publishing it on my Facebook page and linking it to my Shop. Somehow, things didn't work out. I need to work on my Facebook page some more.
Hanna, host of the iHanna Blog, has set a goal to do 365 collages this year. She is calling her challenge 365 in 2013.
Hanna plans to create seven finished art works each week instead of a collage each day. She says, "In that way I can do more on the days when I have the time."
I like Hanna's idea. There are days when I cannot commit to a daily challenge. However, at other times I'm on a roll and can produce many art pieces in one day.
Instead of making collage art pieces, Hanna suggests trying "doodles, sketches, photography, journaling, writing a page or a paragraph, blogging, knitting, composing, doing lyrics, poetry, postcards, origami birds or what every you want to make a lot of!"
I am going to attempt her 365 in 2013 challenge and commit to creating 365 Collage Pieces or Sketches this year. My first collage is posted above.
The quote came from my stash of phrases cut out from old magazines and brochures. The collage background is actually printed tissue paper that was the wrapping for a past purchase that I made. I covered the tissue paper in various shades of oil pastels.
Check out Hanna's post for more details and join the Challenge!
Today is Brag Monday #95 on The Graphics Fairy Blog.
Here's the back story on my mixed-media, Shadow Box art. I borrowed the French Frame Engraving to create an image on muslin cloth, using the Citra Solv Transfer technique. I then cut the fabric to make a cloth envelope.
I was inspired by another Graphics Fairy image that portrayed a paper envelope surrounded by birds. (I'm still looking for that image so I can link to it here.)
I glued vintage papers to the back of the shadow box, added a gessoed, large silk flower, a glittered blue spray and bird. I filled my envelope with silk flowers. I didn't glue these flowers in so that I can change the look of my art piece with a variety of ephemera.
Make sure you visit the other creative entries.
There's a Summer of Color event taking place on the Twinkle Twinkle blog. You can find out all the details about this event here.
This week the featured color is Blue. From Monday, June 13 through Sunday, June 19, you are to post your artwork based on the color Blue. Get more information on Blue week here.
Here's my entry:
Double Take is this week's challenge on Sunday Postcard Art (SPA). For my interpretation of the theme, I added a flurry of stamped flowers to my postcard's background. Check out the other artists' postcards on SPA.
Hearts is this week's theme on Sunday Postcard Art. I decided to go with a Fifties vintage theme.
Take a few minutes to check out the other Valentine entries on SPA.
Steampunk Inspired is this week's theme on Sunday Postcard Art (SPA). My postcard background is actually a book cover. The book was published in 1879. I love the distressed look of the blue cover.
Take some time to check out the wonderful entries on SPA.
On Sunday Postcard Art (SPA), this week's theme is Home Sweet Home. When I create art, Homes and Hearts are two of my favorite images. My Home image is St. John in the Wilderness Church (in North Carolina) which was originally built in 1833.
The original photo was taken at night. I substituted a background of blossoming trees - and highlighted the blossoms and bushes with oil pastels. I framed the picture with decorative paper and then added a paper heart to the door.
Take a few minutes to view the other entries on SPA.
On Sunday Postcard Art (SPA), this week's theme is Pens & Pencils. I found this image of pencils in my stash. After last week's Mona Mishap, I decided to go with a simple idea.
Please visit SPA to view all the wonderful entries.
On Sunday Postcard Art (SPA), this week's theme is Altered Mona. Dear Mona proved to be a real challenge for me. Her body, necklace, bracelets and headdress came from four different sources.
Be sure to check out the other Altered Mona Ladies on SPA.
This week, Santa is the theme on Sunday Postcard Art (SPA). I used a bunch of images from my stash to create my postcard
Don't forget to check out the other Santas on the SPA blog.
On Sunday Post Card Art (SPA), this week's theme is: Robins. I took a little artistic license and used a Blue Bird instead. I couldn't find an appropriate Robin image. And the Blue Bird's coloring just seemed to work better in my post card. I did it all for the sake of Art.
My post card background includes a variety of collage scraps. I highlighted both the scraps and the bird with a purple oil pastel.
Be sure to check out the other post cards on SPA to see if the participants used a Robin image - or stretched the rules a bit like me.
TOYS is this week's theme on Sunday Postcard Art (SPA). I began by drawing a simple, stuffed toy. Then I added collage elements and paint. I finished up with stylized snowflakes. I think I was influenced by the scant, quarter-inch of snow that appeared on our lawn this morning. Snow is an unusual occurence in our region of North Carolina.
Visit SPA and see more varieties of the TOYS theme.
This week on Sunday Postcard Art (SPA), the theme is: Thanksgiving.
I have warm memories of my Grandmother baking treats for this holiday. So when Thanksgiving approaches, I think of my Grandmother and I bake treats for my family.
Visit SPA to see the other Thanksgiving postcards.
Today, the UK is celebrating Remembrance Sunday. It is a time to reflect and remember times past. Sunday Postcard Art (SPA) is also celebrating the day with postcards to reflect this theme.
I found this image of a tree in my stash. It reminded me of the soft warmth of Spring. Ironically, today the weather in North Carolina is in the sixties. But when you take a walk outside, it feels more like the eighties.
Check out the SPA blog and see what the other artists are remembering.
We're back from our vacation in New York City. We shopped, visited our favorite spots and ate too much - but we had a great time.
I just finished my entry for Sunday Postcard Art (SPA). This week, the theme is Hats and Crowns. The female image, in my postcard, is actually a ticket stub from out visit to the Vatican a few years back. Yes, I do save too much ephemera.
Don't forget to visit SPA to see the other entries.
Witches is this week's theme on Sunday Postcard Art (SPA). I decided to go the humor route with this challenge. I apologize for the color. The yellow background, of my main image, distorted the overall color, in my postcard, when I tried to manipulate it in Phtoshop Elements.
Head on over to SPA to see all the other Witches. Good Witches? or Bad Witches? I'll let you decide.
On Sunday Postcard Art (SPA), the theme is Scary Fairies. My fairy comes from Paper Whimsy. Her wings were actually heart stencils which I created for one of Michelle Ward's GPP Street Team Crusades. Last, I added in some Halloween images.
Check out the other Scary Fairies on SPA.
We were given a fun theme, for this week's challenge, on Sunday Postcard Art (SPA). Our first theme, in our month long celebration of Halloween, is: Dark Marie.
I decided to focus on Marie's dark sensual side. It took me hours to create the postcard. What gave me the most trouble? Finding the right arms for Marie. I guess my Marie has a little bit of Frankenstein in her since her torso comes from one body and her arms from another body. All she contributed was the head.
Check out the other dark entries on SPA.
Autumn Glory is this week's theme on Sunday Postcard Art (SPA). Take a few minutes to check out the other Autumn postcards on SPA.
On Sunday Postcard Art (SPA), this week's theme is 1950's Pin-Ups. Here is my postcard. I used a combination of Beauty and Home catalogs.
Visit SPA to see some wonderful and creative postcards. And check out Gil Elvgren Images for more Pin-Up girls.
On Sunday Postcard Art (SPA), this week's theme is BLUE.
I began my postcard collage with a beautiful, blue background image of the ocean and sky. You may not clearly see the background because I did a lot of shading with pigment inks and oil pastels. Then, I incorporated some stamped butterflies.
As I've mentioned, in earlier posts, I like to collect uplifting phrases that I find in brochures, catalogs, magazines - and even junk mail. The phrase, Reimagine You, came from an ad in a Women's magazine. The original phrase actually was, Reimagine Yourself but I cut off the final few letters.
Check out the other blue postcards on SPA.
Fruit is our theme this week on Sunday Postcard Art (SPA).
From my stash, I pulled out an old promotional booklet (from a Paper Company) that featured vintage produce ads. My postcard's background paper is actually a picture of an apple crate. I then chose three fruit labels and decorative papers for my card. Last, I added highlighting with oil pastels.
This was an interesting challenge for me because I picked two colors (orange and green) that I normally don't like to work with. Be sure to check out the other creative entries on SPA. (My post is late due to Typepad issues which have been resolved.)
On Sunday Postcard Art (SPA), this week's theme is: On the Darkside. Originally, I was going to create a Punk Rock-type postcard but I couldn't find the appropriate images.
Instead, I used a background from an old travel brochure, possibly from Pennsylvania. Then, I found another old brochure from an Art museum. The brochure was so tattered, and cut up, that I'm not sure what the name of the museum is - or the title of the painting that this lady (below) appears in.
Let's just say that this female walked off the painting and onto the dark side of my postcard. Please check out the other postcards on SPA.
My goal was Odd but I guess I ended up with Whimsical. I used pen & ink, watercolor pencils - and added a strip of stripes to the top of the postcard. Check out the other wonderful and wacky characters on SPA.
For this week's Sunday Postcard Art (SPA) challenge, Fatma has chosen the theme of Mushrooms. I love the shape of mushrooms, especially botanicals.
I also love all types of vintage Alice in Wonderland illustrations. This Alice illustration is the work of Mabel Lucie Attwell (1910). I combined the mushroom, Attwell's Mad Tea Party illustration, text from an old Alice book, sheet music and stamped flowers to create my postcard.
Take a few minutes to look at the lovely postcards of the other artists at SPA.
This week on Sunday Postcard Art (SPA), the theme is houses.
I wanted to create a symbol of a house with only a few pieces of paper. I used paint chips from the hardware store, sheet music (from the 1920s) and foam hearts.
Check out the other artists' postcards on SPA.
Patchwork is this week's theme on Sunday Postcard Art (SPA). Instead of fabric, I worked with scraps of paper. I actually save most of my paper scraps from mixed-media art projects.
Many times, I create art work using only these small pieces of paper that I have saved in envelopes. Somehow, I find it relaxing to arrange these scraps on card stock, or canvas, to create a complete, and new, background for my art.
To unify the many papers that I used, I shaded the paper edges with different colors of oil pastels.
Check out what the other artists did on SPA. This week's host, Anne, made a beautiful postcard by stitching her scraps together on a sewing machine.
On Sunday Postcard Art (SPA), this week's theme is Owls. The theme was a real challenge for me! I finally came up with a collaged owl, with a little Zetti added in. Check out the other creative postcards on SPA.
This week, we are entering the enchanted land of Magic on Sunday Postcard Art (SPA).
Initially, this challenge had me stumped. I first thought of witches and magicians. Then I decided to illustrate the Magic of Dreamland. A place we all go to every night.
I checked my image stash and found a mystical page of clocks arranged on a wall. I added a few more clocks and the phrase below. In the end, I was satisfied that my postcard displayed a positive message - and that I took on this challenge. Now go see what the other participants have done on SPA.
I've been absent from blog land due to work. The situation should improve by next week. I'm behind on everything but I'm still making art. Remember to make room in your life for Art.
Femmy chose a fun theme for this week's Sunday Postcard Art (SPA) challenge: STREET ART.
I found some vintage posters and store signs in my stash of old catalogs. I finished the postcard off by including a "walking" female into the mix. Check out the other SPA entries for more ideas.
I hope you're all having a Happy July 4th Holiday!!!
This week, everything is coming up Roses on Sunday Postcard Art (SPA).
I created my postcard with a background of rose trees and bushes. I then added an urn and assortment of architectural elements. The female image comes from Paper Whimsy. Last, I incorporated some torn, vintage sheet music
To see more postcards with the theme of roses, check out SPA.
Art Nouveau is this week's theme on Sunday Postcard Art (SPA). I decided to use contemporary images to create an Art Nouveau look.
My background consists of balloons and a view of the Eiffel Tower and its surroundings. I transformed the female image with a new bodice, wings, eyes and then tinted her blouse with a colored pencil. Last, I stamped some swirls on the postcard corners.
Visit SPA to see the other wonderful entries.
I'm posting my entry for Sunday Postcard Art (SPA), a few days early, because we are going away for the holiday weekend. This week's theme is Insects. I chose butterflies.
Although my postcard looks simple, I spent over an hour distressing, and torturing, the paper with all kinds of ink and oil pastels. On Sunday, stop by to view the other SPA entries.
Have a Happy and Safe Memorial Day Weekend!
Yes, Ladies and Gentlemen....Show Business is the theme on Sunday Postcard Art this week. This topic was a challenge.
I decided to go with a Rock Fashion theme. I knew I needed spotlights - and there had to be a top hat involved. The black & white print (that is partly hidden) shouts out the names of current rock stars. Thanks for choosing a great theme, Marie.
Take a few minutes to look at the other entries.
This week's theme, on Sunday Postcard Art (SPA), is Mirrors.
I cut out a frame and inserted some silver tape to simulate a mirror. This idea worked on the postcard but when I tried to manipulate it with Photoshop Elements, the shine in the mirror disappeared. At least, I learned what not to do the next time.
Check out the other mixed-media artists' work on SPA.
Sewing is this week's theme on Sunday Postcard Art (SPA). I couldn't find any sewing images in my art files so I again dug into my vintage patterns that I purchased from thrift stores.
The postcard background is a combination of actual pattern pieces and pattern directions. The female had been featured on the front of one of the patterns.
Since I had so much brown and sepia colors in my postcard, I changed the female's white hat and blouse to pink - through the magic of a pink oil pastel. Well, you know I just had to choose pink!
This week's challenge is Oriental on the Sunday Postcard Art (SPA) blog. At first, I didn't know what to do with this theme. But then I began sorting through some Taiwan tourist brochures that I had saved from our trip years ago - and I came up with this postcard.
This is the second time that these brochures helped me with a SPA challenge. Still, DH thinks I save too much ephemera.
My short-term job position, in the outside world, is finally over. Good-bye to long work hours! Now, I can get back to blogging regularly and working on my neglected Etsy Shop. I really missed blogging, visiting other blogs and making more art.
Check out the other Oriental postcards on SPA.
Wendy has chosen the theme of April in Paris for this week's Sunday Postcard Art (SPA).
The first ideas that I thought of were flowers and the Eiffel Tower. So I searched my stash and found the column and flowers in a Rose catalog. The Eiffel Tower is a rubber stamp. And the female image came from a vintage pattern that I purchased in a thrift store. Ironically, the pattern is called a Vogue Paris Original.
Visit SPA to view some more Paris postcards.
This week's theme on Sunday Postcard Art (SPA) is Bunny People. At first, I was stumped and then I put together a sketch, some paint chips, collage papers, a little Zetti and a rubber stamp to create my postcard.
Check out all the creative entries at at SPA. Have a Happy Easter - I hope you received a good amount of chocolate bunnies.
It's TIME FOR TEA at Sunday Postcard Art (SPA). I originally had a Victorian theme in mind. But I couldn't find the right images in my stash. So I created an Oriental postcard instead.
The Chinese script, and tea pot, in the background came from a catalog I picked up while we were in Taiwan a few years ago. I used a combination of red and yellow oil pastels on the background.
The doors were part of a travel brochure. The female image comes courtesy of a collage sheet from Gaby Braun. You must visit her blog. She generously offers beautiful, freebie collage sheets. Thank you Gaby!
Check out the other artists' contributions at SPA.
This week Martina, from Stempel-Gewerkel, came up with a fun theme for Sunday Postcard Art: STEAMPUNK. I really had fun with this challenge.
I used silver tape, from the hardware store, for the female's dress and crown. The tape is brighter than what you see on your monitor. My scanner took away some of the shine.
The challenge ends on Sunday so you still have time to create a postcard. Or, you can just sit back and enjoy all the STEAMPUNK art on SPA.
Goddess is this week's theme on Sunday Postcard Art (SPA).
As I sorted through my images, I first found the chair. I have always admired the picture of this chair. I knew it had to be part of my postcard.The postcard's background came from a travel catalog. I created the female using three different body images found in fashion magazines. The chair came from a lifestyle magazine. I think the chair is what a Goddess might chose to sit in. Check out the other Goddess images on SPA.
This week, Mermaids are the theme at Sunday Postcard Art (SPA). The theme was literally a challenge for me but I finally did create a postcard.
Check out the other participants' work at SPA. They are a talented and creative group.
Twins is this week's theme on Sunday Postcard Card. Julia chose our theme and created such a lovely and colorful postcard.
I usually use people in my art. This time I used an image from the bird kingdom. Notice the matching party hats. Can Spring be far behind?
The border of my postcard is sheet music from the late 1920's. I covered it with a wash of turquoise ink. The paper is so brittle from age that I had to carefully paste it on, in pieces, with a glue stick.
Visit SPA and see what the other artists created for this theme.
Cupid is this week's theme on Sunday Postcard Art (SPA). My postcard background is actually fabric from my stash.
Initially, I chose an image of three women who seemed to be waiting for their Valentines to arrive. I cut the detailed image out and then tinted it with colored pencils. Well, after all that work, the image did not look good at all. So I ended up with the simple idea that you see below.
Be sure to visit all the other Cupid postcards displayed on SPA. Happy Valentine's Day.
On Sunday Postcard Art (SPA), the theme is CATS. To create my postcard, I chose a vintage valentine card featuring a kitty. To see how the other artists interpreted the theme, visit SPA.
What do you think of when you hear the word CATS?
On Sunday Postcard Art (SPA), this week's theme is time. I always admired this painting by William McGregor Paxton (American, 1877-1915). It's entitled, The Breakfast.
According to the description by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Paxton's painting reveals "his sense of humor. The canvas shows a beautifully attired young woman sulking while her husband reads the newspaper, signifying his engagement with the outside world. She is excluded from that world not only by the inaccessibility of the morning news but also physically, by the multilayered window treatments that include visually confining venetian blinds."
For my postcard, I used a portion of the painting. I added the clock to signify the passage of the woman's time. It looks like I created the postcard quickly. However, it took me forever to find the letters, for the word waiting, as I thumbed through my stack of magazines, brochures and catalogs.
Check out the gorgeous Time postcards on SPA.
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