Finally! A tag!

 

Had I realized how much of this tag would be recycled, I would have created it sooner.

I've never been a big fan of tags.  I don't know how to store them, or what to do with them after I create them.

However, I felt I owed my dear friend Valerie, the administrator of Tag Tuesday, the courtesy of joining her theme this fortnight, which is Anything Goes.  I also wanted to thank many people properly, too.

Thank you one and all.

Thanks again.

A million thanks aren't enough.

This tag is at least 80% recycled. Valerie has always said a tag could be any shape, so I'm taking her word for it.  Let's start with the only part that isn't recycled.  The top layer began as a piece of new cardstock that I colored with watercolors after I stamped the gifted (by Erika) Thank You words on it.  

The next layer was corrugated cardboard that I removed from a box that had been lingering in my recycle bin for far too long.  It took awhile to separate the two sides, but it was worth it.  

The bottom layer was a gift from my neighbor across the street.  When her daughter was planning to get married, my neighbor got samples of wedding invitations and announcements from several companies.  Upon her decision, she asked if I wanted the samples.  Never one to refuse collage fodder, but not knowing how I would use the announcement in my art, I gave a resounding yes I would gladly take the samples.  I began by deconstructing the outer layer of the card face.  I had to find a way to hide the sample announcement and the corrugated cardboard was the perfect size to hide everything.  Everything was sewn together using variegated thread.

The final thing to be recycled was a tiny bit of fabric I tore from a piece I originally dyed using turmeric.  

So who am I thanking, you ask? Why YOU, of course.  If you visited even once during my 22 days of recycling, this tag is for you.  I made it in your honor to show how grateful I am that you dropped by to follow my recycling projects.  I can't possibly show how grateful I am, but maybe I can share it in my recycled art! Thanks again dear friends, readers, followers, and lurkers.  Now it's time to visit Tag Tuesday.

 

Finally,  I have an update on a previous post. 

Recently I showed this piece I created using toilet paper and paper towel holders.  When I lamented I messed up trying to remove a pencil circle I created, one of my new internet friends, Annie at Annie's Musings, commented, and I quote: "I have found only one eraser to be my best friend in art and everything else. A Pentel Clic Eraser. It very rarely fails me."  I decided I would look for one the next time I went out.

 

My old keyboard sat on top of a drawer on the keyboard tray.  It was the only place I could get it to work properly, and only if I didn't move it (it being the old keyboard).  When I placed my new keyboard in the tray where it belonged, the drawer was exposed.  Once I looked inside, imagine my surprise and happiness at what I found.

 

My Pentel Clic Eraser of course.  Annie was right.  I was able to remove the pencil marks in no time at all.  That pencil circle is definitely gone.  Thank you, Annie.

 

Abstraction

 

It's been awhile since I've created abstract art.  Of course, I'm also joining Erika, aka BioArtGal and Chris, aka Pearshapedcrafting our hosts this month at Art Journal Journey.  Our theme this month, as I'm sure you know by now, is Inspired By (Eileen).

It actually started out a bit more abstract, but once I saw a face, I couldn't "unsee" it.

I see Blogger is playing games with my alignment again, as well as my font size, which NEVER changes.  To avoid frustration, I'll share some close ups and leave you to interpret them.

I created this using 110 lb card stock.  The bottom colors were watercolors I tested on the page.  I liked them there because it looked like a shirt once the face was finished.

Thank you so very much for visiting today.  I appreciate your stopping by and checking out this pseudo abstract I created.  I also hope to see you at Art Journal Journey where I was inspired by Eileen and my love of abstract art.

 

 

T Stands For bEARTHday Thanks

 

Today we're starting in my living room.

When I got home from my bEARTHday brunch, which turned into a nightmare, because I got food poisoning, these two boxes from Amazon were on my porch.  It seems my friend Scott ordered a keyboard and mouse for me, then was told it wouldn't arrive in time for my birthday.  Therefore, he ordered one from a different seller.  I got two at the same time.  

It's called a Jelly Comb and apparently has really great reviews.  Yes, they are green.  I actually LOVE it.

 

This came around the first of the month from

my dear friend Cindy in Canada.

She is the collage queen.

She wanted to make sure it made it in time for my bEARTHday.

She sent both rocking and rolling horses.  Even an extra stamp.  That was SO sweet of you, Cindy.  I love, love, love it.  Thank you so much.

Next came this beauty

and a special Earth Day cancellation.

Inside was this amazing birthday card hand made by Linda.  I wish you could see all the sparkle and shine it has.

Imagine my surprise when I saw this incredible gift.  

I can't wait to start using some of these.  Thank you SO much Linda.  I suspect I'll be using a few of them when I make ICADs this summer, too.

This next envelope was bursting at the seams.  I hope nothing was lost, because it looked really full.  Even the stamps were wonderful.

I loved how my dear friend Erika recycled a postage stamp that had an Earth Day cancellation on it.  SO clever, too.

I LOVE the punched circle and the sewing she did on the ribbon.

When I opened the card, all these goodies tumbled out.  I plan to use the stamp soon, but I believe you will see bits of these in ICADs this summer.  Thank you so much, dear Erika.  You always spoil me on my bEARTHday and at Christmas, too.

Next was the LARGE envelope from I bet we all know who.  Squiggles always loves being included.  Note the cup of goodness on the envelope, too.

Sadly, there was no postage to show, Lisca.  Just metered mail. 

Who do we know is famous for a black cat?  Yes, of course.  CJ.  She sent all these goodies wrapped in ribbon.

Inside this envelope was a handmade book.  Can you see the cat ears protruding?

Open it up and much of it has to do with Earth Day.  I love it already.   Note the re and up with cycle.

Inside the large white envelope were these cardinals.

The are from Current and are circular stickers.

Lots and lots of incredible collage fodder and adorable tags

along with one of the most unusual privacy envelope designs I've seen.  From the looks of things it's rather old and I LOVE IT.  You are far too kind, CJ and I am incredibly grateful.

My final gift takes us to T day.

This is from my dear, dear friend RO!

 

It reads I am a cat, not a tiger, although it's very hard to read in this light.

 

I got a bit carried away taking photos from every side.

 

As I was preparing to put everything away and wash this,  I found that it is actually TWO cups, one large, one smaller.  I can't thank my dear friend RO! enough for this incredible gift.

It's now your turn to share your 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, tags, scrapbooking, or other art that is digital, hybrid, or traditional, as long as it in some way relates back to a drink, any drink.  Yes, teabags count!  Please share below and Bleubeard and I, along with the rest of the T gang will be by to visit.   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.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I would also be remiss if I didn't remind you to dig up your Second on the 2nd post. It can be any post you have shared before. The only rule is, it must have been published sometime in the past.