T Stands For ATCs

 

 It's time for T and I have

two gifted envelopes I'm about to open. 

The tea bag package hides Erika's return address.

Lisca loves to see postage stamps.  The one in front is from Jo.  This must be new because I couldn't find one with that specific amount of postage.  I know Charles was first added in 2023.  I went to Stamps of the World to find this, with no luck.  I'm sure it's the one designed for International postage.

I had marginal better luck at USPS.  The kitty is Love 2023, which is paired with a puppy that also holds a heart.  At Stamps of the World, I found the two lower stamps, both from the same sheet.  They are Historic Railway Stations of the US and are both Forever stamps first issued in March, 2023.  Unfortunately, I couldn't find the flower and hummingbird.

Erika and Jo both sent ATCs for me.  I knew they are both sharing their ATCs today, and I wasn't sure I should show mine in case they were the same as they sent each other.  I worried because mine would be and is posted first.

Look at the card Erika made for me.  Isn't it charming and lovely?  I want to know how she created the background.  I love the flower and the dots she added all the way around the focal image.

This is what I found when I opened the inside.

I definitely didn't have to worry about repeat ATCs.  Looks like these were all made just for me.

Each focuses on a different drink.  First there's a hug in a mug of something decadent, then there is coffee (check out the "steam"), and finally champagne with lots of bubbles.

I was hoping you could see the dimension on these.  I simply can't thank you enough, dear Erika.

Next up was the adorable ATC wrapped in love that Jo sent.  She explained her reason behind the focal image was because she was thinking of both Bleubeard and Squiggles.  I knew then that this ATC had been created for me (and the boys).

I love how she also made her own limited edition background.

I actually gasped when I first saw this.  What amazing fussy cutting around those wings.

Then I noticed the stamping and what looks like stenciling, too.

I took 28 photos of this beauty and never got a complete ATC in a single one!  Regardless, I love it from the bottom of my grateful heart, Jo.

Now I'm off to drink my Tetley Royal Blend tea.  These two friends have certainly made me feel like Queen for a day!

Although you probably already know the drill, please share a drink related post.  It can be gifts you received, photos, a place you visited, movies, postcards, mail art, junk mail, catalogs, books, sketches, mixed media, drawings, paintings, handmade cards, tags, scrapbooking, or other art that is digital, hybrid, or traditional, a favorite mug, cup and saucer, teapot, coffee pot, or even a wine glass. Regardless, please join us by linking below.  Bleubeard and I will gladly visit, as will other T participants.  Please link only your T post and not your blog in general.  Bleubeard would like to remind you that old photos are acceptable because they may be taken any time, not just on Tuesday and not just this year.  Please remember to visit your fellow T participants. 

 

ICADs Week 7

 

Each index card will contain paint, book pages or sliver of a page (including sheet music), some form of mark making, a postage stamp, and the word of the day.  

Last week I realized I choose the postage stamp each day because I'm driven by color and I like my stamp to match the color (or predominant color) of the day.  I hope you enjoy these next seven ICADs.

Day 43: Whisper

Day 44: Shout

Day 45: Values

 

Day 46: Document

Day 47: Party (Our birthday boy, Squiggles)

Day 48: Copy

Day 49: Ancient

  As I mentioned before, I'm playing along, but I'm not on the sites where Tammy (Daisy Yellow) posts.  However, as I have said in the past, this is the ONLY place you will find Bleubeard's and my ICADs.

 

Thank you beyond belief for your visit today.  I hope you will continue to join me every Sunday as Bleubeard and I continue this annual journey. 

 

 

Bee Feed Flower Mix

 

Today I have an offering for Halle of Halle's Hobbies at Art Journal Journey.  Halle is challenging us to think about Botanicals, which is her theme for July.  Because I have multiple media, I am also joining Creative Artiste's 117th challenge, where the theme is always Anything Mixed Media Goes.   Additionally, Try it on Tuesday's theme this fortnight is Summer Blooms, so I will join them, too.  After all, summer is when these bee feed flowers bloom.

I think you see where I got the title of this latest post.  Details are below.

This entry began when I found the unopened flower mix in my stash.  I decided to color a partial page the same colors as the mix using water soluble crayons.  I wish I had thought to color the bottom of the page, too, but didn't think of it until after the page had been assembled.

Once the page was dry, I began the assembly.  I first layered pages of various foreign texts in place depending on size, beginning with the crumbling vintage sheet music.  Once each had been glued in place, I added three labels from my stash.  I tried to get two pages captured under each label.  Finally, I added a row of what I have always been told is called German scrap to the bottom of one of the pages.

 

Thank you so very much for your visit. I hope you will join Bleubeard and me at Art Journal Journey, Creative Artiste, and Try it on Tuesday. 

 

 

Friday Smiles: Squiggles and friends

 

Yesterday was my sweet boy Squiggles birthday.

   Sandra Cox put her weekly word up for us to use in a sentence.  The word was Fubsy.  It means fat or overweight, flabby, etc.  I told her that Squiggles was a good example unless I kept him on a diet.  I told her I even had photos to prove it.

  Here he is in his "fubsy" stage.

Since I spent so much time getting his birthday post together, and then spent his birthday snuggling with him, I really didn't prepare anything to share for Friday Smiles, hosted by Annie (at A Stitch in Time) and the other wonderful ladies who also share their smiles each Friday.

Therefore, I'm sharing a few of Squiggles' fat or overweight friends.

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope you found something to smile about whether you have a cat (fat or fit) or not. Thanks for spending part of your Friday with us.  Bleubeard, Squiggles, and I would love to see you at Friday Smiles, too.