A Two-fer

 

Today I have created a tip-in.  This is the first or front side. 

I made this side of the tip-in for Jo, our host this month at Art Journal Journey.  As some of you might know, her theme is Nature.  I even have some detail shots.

 

 

As you can see, there are three cats and a mouse, all of which qualify for Jo's nature theme.

 

This side, however does NOT qualify for Jo's theme.  I have two detail shots, though.

It's obvious the yarn is human made, as is the pot and the teddy bear.

Bleubeard and I are delighted you joined us and hope to see you at Art Journal Journey as you share your own interpretation of Nature.

 

 

WOYWW 737: Short and to the point

 

It's Wednesday, which means it's time to join my dear friend and head desker Julia at Stamping Ground for the latest edition of What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday, or as most know, WOYWW for short.  

Several weeks ago, I removed about half the pages from an old book I had planned to use as an altered book.  Turns out, I was not fond of the book for creating art or for painting.  The pages just didn't feel right.  Instead, I decided to use it as a tip-in book for my second annual Art Journal Advent I participated in last December.  Year One was created in this gorgeous bird inspired book handmade for me by my dear friend Valerie.  

 

Each art journal advent has 24 pages, plus the front and back covers I created the second year.  Note Wendy trying to photo bomb in the background.

Note the rocking horse (I know it's what you really came to see).  I picked mine up in a second hand store (or charity shop as they are called across the pond). 

  Once again, I must give credit to Angela from Crafting with Jack who found something similar to the above horse I own.  The one she found is supposed to hold a doll or even a floral arrangement.  Mine appears to be missing a tail, but I prefer the legs on mine.

 

As promised, I am keeping this short this week.  I hope to see what each of you has on your desk, floor, or even in your garden this week.  Please join me at Julia's, where you will meet the kindest, most generous bloggers in the world. 

 

BTW, if you are sharing ICADs, I post mine on Monday.  Here are my latest.  These are the ones I created last week, and these are from Days 20 to 32.

 

 

Friday Smiles 493: Last of the Autumn Art Fair photos

 

It's Friday, which means it's time to join Friday Smiles, hosted by Annie (at A Stitch in Time). Let's visit Annie and the other wonderful ladies who also share their smiles each Friday. 

I want to apologize to Kate and Angela for not visiting last week.  Before I could visit, I lost my internet (and phone, too) from the storm that raged through my area beginning last Friday.  I do apologize because when I got back online, I saw the lovely comments you had left for me.  I didn't get back online until mid Monday afternoon.  I was even late preparing my post for T Stands For Tuesday.

 I thought I would begin with my tip-ins I made this year.  I believe everyone has received theirs now.  Everything was sewn.  That's why I was freaking out when my sewing machine took on a mind of its own.  Although I had intended to make more tip-ins and handmade Christmas cards, I only created eight tip-ins.   

If you got a tip-in, it's because I have sent you one every year for as long as I have "known" you.  Several have received all 20!

 

Everyone else got purchased Christmas cards with postcards as gifts.  I tried to chose vintage postcards I thought the person would like.  It was NOT willy nilly!

 

Now let's return to the final booths I visited at the Autumn Art Fair.  

Yes, it is juried.

 

I was blown away by these assemblages.

If it hadn't been so hot and in full sun, I would have stayed longer.  

Instead, I allowed my camera to keep the memories alive.

 

Another jewelry booth.  Not sure why I took so many photos of jewelry, since I am unable to wear it.  Perhaps the flowers were what drew me in.

When I first looked, I thought these were African designs.  Upon closer inspection, I believe they (the designs) are from the Southwest U.S..

I was impressed by these whirlygigs (a word Sandra Cox might use in her Writerly Wednesday synonym questions).  Some were stationary,

while others twirled in the breeze.  Except there was no breeze.  Just hot sun and heat.

I know!  More jewelry.

But the real reason I stopped 

was because of the sunflower and the Keeper of the Plains (in the very back).

I know I showed this guy before with his bird,

but he was part of this incredible rusty display.

Be still my heart!

I think I have showed this before, but it definitely deserves showing again:

Buy art from a living artist.  The dead ones don't need the money.

Then it was time to get out of the heat and into a cool shower.

Now for a few funnies.

 

 

 

 

 

That's  enough cat humor for this week.  I want to wish each and every person a very happy, safe, and joyous New Year.  I also hope you have good health and find peace in 2023.   Now PLEASE visit Annie and don't forget to start your weekend with a smile.  

 

 

Halloween

 

I'm celebrating Halloween a bit early, but it appears I'm not alone.  Seems Try it on Tuesday is also celebrating early.  Then of course, there is our own Elle from Empire of the Cat, our host this month at Art Journal Journey, whose theme is  Fairytales, Folklore, and Fables - Tell Me A Story.    The story today is Trick or Treat, a Halloween favorite.

I created this tip-in for a friend from the colored and stamped images I showed last week.  It appears there are other sites choosing Halloween, too.  Country View Challenges wants us to share a harvest or Halloween entry.  Further, Creative Artiste is holding their 87th challenge where anything goes as long as there are multiple media (multiple means a minimum of three). 

I actually created two of these.  Instead of reinventing the wheel, I chose to make both quite similar.

I used fluid acrylic paint to create the witch and pumpkin using chunky stamps.  Because the witch and pumpkin both have faces, I'm also joining Nicole's Friday Face Off which will go live tomorrow.  I hope you join her by sharing a face, ANY face. 

There are a lot of challenges, so I will also show my Halloween cards I made.  I know two of the four I created have been received.

I realize it was not a good photo, but it was early morning and I was trying to get these ready to go in the mail.

Here they are up close:

In case you are as interested as Creative Artiste is, I first colored either orange or lavender paper using orange glaze paint.  Some were painted on copier paper, while others were colored on book pages.  I used black dye ink on the stamps.  The cross was one I hand carved using a paring knife.  The hands were computer generated on my laser printer, making it easy to color over them.  

For the back side of the tip-ins, I used fluid acrylics to create the witch and pumpkin.  I used variegated thread on the tip-ins and the tip-in images.

 

Please join Bleubeard and me (in alphabetical order) at Art Journal Journey, Country View Challenges, Creative Artiste, Friday Face Off, and Try it on Tuesday.  And have a super spooky day filled with all treats and no tricks!