AEDM Day 11 - ATC Catch Up

Happy Monday!

This morning I worked on a couple of Artist Trading Cards for my friend Janice.

We've been trading for a few years, but I'm always behind in doing one every month.

This is a collage with a magazine photo, cut paper and painting.

This one is also done with cut paper and painting (and marker).

Something that makes me smile these days is the annual blooming of my mother's Christmas cactus.

I miss her a lot, but have plenty of wonderful memories and physical reminders 

of her that keep her here in my heart.

Love you, Mum.

Have a great day, everyone!

Art Every Day Month - Day 18 - Arty Gifts

I've received some terrific ATCs from friends lately (lucky me!), and I thought I'd share them with you!

These are from Karen at Sew and Sow Life - beautiful day and night images with careful stitching. Lovely! (The colors look better if you click to enlarge.)

Then Karen's mom, Elaine, gave me several ATCs, and they came in a pink cardstock box which she made herself!

But my favorite card from Elaine was this wonderful image which looks a lot like my cat Angus!

Elaine uses colored papers and clippings from magazines and catalogs for her cards. So clever!

And my friend Janice sent me these lovelies, made with watercolor markers, stamps and mixed media!

Just beautiful!

All of these will go in my ATC album, which I enjoy so much and look through often.

Thank you so much, my dear friends!!

Recent ATCs

Last week I received these beautiful ATCs in the mail from my friend Janice.

They are just lovely and are now in my collector's album!

And, to Janice, I sent these three.

My theme for the year is "Blessings".

I'm usually behind schedule, but, for once, I am a month ahead of Janice -

a rarity!!

I will be back in two weeks.
Happy May, everyone!!

Recent ATCs

I received this card awhile ago from my friend Janice,

 but haven't posted it, although it is one of my favorites!
There are metal elements which make this card unique!

At our recent creative get - together, I received these great cards from Karen...

and these from Elaine! Title: "But teacher, I lost my homework!"

And these were the cards I gave to Karen and Elaine!

I plan to make more cards along this line, inspired by the work

of one of my favorite quilt artists.

I will link to her blog and show more of the cards when they are completed.

Hope everyone has had a great weekend!!

New Year's Eve

It's New Year's Eve, the moon is full, and I'm starting to think about resolutions for 2010! Some I have already started on, having undertaken a healthy eating and exercise program in November. Already I am feeling so much better!

There are so many things I want to manifest in the new year, including a renewed energy in my artwork.

To me, there is nothing more blissful than spending several hours immersed in a project, unmindful of time going by. I truly love to create pictures and bits of needleart that bring a smile to a viewer's face. That is my bliss.

I hope that the New Year is full of such moments for each and every person who reads this. May you find real happiness in whatever it is that you love to do!

Have a lovely and safe New Year's Eve!

Warmly,

Judy

Here are three more cards created by Janice, also known as "Summer Girl", from Reyn's Nest.

I'm a bit behind in posting them, but the collection, celebrating the 25 days leading up to Christmas,

is beautiful. Thank you so much for these treasures, Janice. I know that everyone who reads

 my blog is enjoying them.

Right now I feel like I'm way behind on my "to do" list!

For one thing, I owe Janice several ATCs!

I did just finish the pet portrait I've been working on, and I

 will photograph it in the morning and post about it.

I have a few little gifts to finish, cards to get out in the morning,

preparations to make for our trip next week, etc., etc.

It's a busy time, but I'm trying to enjoy the season

while buzzing around doing a million errands!!

Carmelina

I finally finished this fabric picture, and I named the lady Carmelina, after my paternal grandmother who came over to this country from Italy in the early 1900's. It is made almost entirely from fabric painted with transparent Setacolor paints, then stitched by machine.
This picture was part of my display at the Holiday Stroll put on by my hometown today. Despite the blustery weather and a bit of rain, there was a good turnout and it was wonderful to see local artists coming together to show their work. There were performing artists, dancers and terrific band groups from our local high school. Businesses along the main street gave out hot cider and treats for passersby. A group of artists displayed work in a temporary gallery, a space lent to us by a generous landlord with an unrented store. We painted the walls, which were then hung with beautiful paintings and quilts.
My fabric pieces were hung in the window of a restaurant attached to a wonderful salon and spa, and other artists were likewise represented in other shop windows.
A great day, and I hope it will become an annual event!

Here is the 5th card in the Advent series by my friend Janice. Beautiful!

Another Advent ATC

Here is my friend Janice's ATC for December 3rd! I love the little pocket for the number 3!
Every card Janice makes has different techniques, and they all look fabulous together in my album!

AED Day 5 - Enjoying Art

Today, instead of making art, I appreciated art! I went to A Quilter's Gathering, a quilt show in Nashua, NH with friends Andrea, Pam and SooKhim. In addition to looking at all the beautiful quilts, we hit the vendors mall and I couldn't resist picking up a few pieces of fabric, some beads and an embroidery kit!

                                

I also want to show some atcs exchanged at the recent craft days I shared with Elaine and Karen. These are the cards Karen made for Elaine and me (click to enlarge). She used cotton and silk fabrics, ribbon trim and beading. Such rich colors!

Elaine made a whole batch of atcs, which Karen and I took turns choosing. All are made from cut paper, with Elaine's special touch! Below are more of Elaine's paper cuttings.

So, even though I didn't get to make art today, I feel like I soaked up some arty vibes from other people!

I'm hoping that tomorrow will be a productive day!

Recent ATCs

Here are two ATCs exchanged between my friend Janice and me. Janice's (top) has a real starfish on it, making it a bit difficult to scan, but I love the cut-outs, the fish stamps and the whole effect of it being "Underwater", the title.

Mine is made with fused, hand painted fabric scraps, and after scanning it I added the word "joyful" to it.

This is Janice's birthday weekend coming up, and I made a cut paper card for her which she has already received, so I've posted it on my other blog, Paper Perks.

Here's wishing everyone a lovely weekend!

Warmly,

Judy

In My Mailbox

I recently received in the mail some lovely blank note cards I had ordered from Nancy Cooper Funk at Maine Memories. These are only two out of the six I ordered. I scanned them to show off the beautiful watercolor scenes defined by pretty borders. I truly enjoy Nan's work -

there are many more scenes, florals and birds to choose from. It's wonderful to see work by fellow bloggers up close. Nan's cards are available here, along with many other lovely prints and gift items.

The mailman also brought me some treasures from  my good friend Janice - two ATCs which I'm crazy about. It's always a pleasure to open an envelope from Janice because I feel like I'm about to discover a small masterpiece inside the envelope! 

The first card is called"Red, White and Bloom" and the other card, my personal favorite, is called "Mosaic". I love the colors, the design, everything about it!

I'm still working on organizing my studio, but did take some time out to paint fabric the other day. I'll post about that, along with some photos, in the days to come.

Meanwhile, I hope that everyone who reads this enjoys the last day of July

The summer seems to be flying by!

Enjoy the rest of your week!

Judy

Paper Pretties

My sister-in-law, Tracy, makes beautiful stamped cards and gave a couple of them to me. I love the texture that can be achieved with different shades of the same color, and the way that cut-out shapes and embellishments add so much to the design. These cards are so pretty I have them standing up on my desk and haven't yet been able to bring myself to part with them!

Here are two ATCs exchanged recently between my friend Janice and me. I love the beachy, vacationy feel of Janice's "stamps", and also the blue and brown color combination.
Mine is a typical "Judy" design: A crazy spray of flowers in cut paper! Fun to make!

New ATCs

 I needed to make some ATCs 

and thought it would be fun to hand stitch them,

 using silky fabrics from my "fancy " stash. 

I added a little lace for frothy waves, 

some beading for flowers 

and a bit of fiber and cording for outlining, 

and mounted everything on some stiffened felt.

Later, when I went into my sewing room, 

I realized that I had left the drawer 

containing my silky stash open, 

and.... 

Someone has very elegant taste in bedding!

She looked so comfy I let her stay

there for the morning!

Recent ATCs

Here are some lovely artist trading cards I have received from friends.

Recently my friend Elaine sent me these two very sweet ATCs. With a few pieces of paper and

some snips of the scissors, Elaine creates pictures of children that remind me of comforting,

old fashioned children's book illustrations. I just love these!

My friend Janice made this one, using a variety of techniques, and I just think it is so pretty!

I love this quotation, the layering effect and, of course, the beautiful bird!

I made this card for Janice. She is a real beachcomber and ocean lover - in fact, her blog profile name is 'Summer Girl', and I know she is anxiously awaiting her return to Cape Cod where she spends the summer months. Thus, this card, called 'Looking Ahead'!

I need to get busy making more cards for friends. It's a wonderful way to collect and share 'little masterpieces'!

Recent ATCs

Here Are some ATCs I've sent out in the past month. I'm especially fond of  this cut paper cat, which was the simplest to make. The second and third are painted and stitched, and the fourth is painted on a paper towel (for texture), then glued to a backing.

Here are some cards I've been fortunate enough to receive! The first two are from my friend

Janice. I just love the detail of the 'wings to fly' card which is both intricate and elegant. The 'journey' card has a clever pull-out tab which is whimsical and fun.

This next card is from Karen. She has used real birchbark (from downed branches)and some stitching to create a very simple and elegant card.
And, finally, from Terri, a cheerful and beautifully finished piece of art which is full of texture, color and whimsy! My ATC collection is small. but I love each and every card!