Hellooooooo...... March has brought me back

Life is a funny thing. I seem to loose focus on the basic things that are important to me. Simply, ART makes me happy. To create it, to pin it (haha.. yes I am addicted  to Pinterest), to see others artist creations or to go to a class and learn new techniques makes my heart soar! However, somehow I forget and get stuck in the day to day thick of life. However, when you listen God leads you to where you need to be. I have come back to it and feel so wonderful. I hope there are still people out there and thank you if you are!



 

Here is what I have been up to lately... three current trades over at my Paper Traders group.

 

 



 

In this swap we are to create ATCs that are harmony colors on the color wheel. I chose blue and green. It is an interesting process to create in monotone. Even though they are basic colors, it still a blending process. For the bottom, I used a square pattern stencil and then used a white pen to add the dimension.

The group also does a Winner Take All monthly ATC swap. This is my entry this month.

 



 

And here is my work in progress. This swap is a Mixed Media Postcard. I used modeling paste for the first time with my stencil. I learned how at the Art is You retreat I went to last year but this was my first try on my own. For the background, I used old book pages and paint. Then I added gesso, paper flowers with paint. The bees are stamped with StazOn Ink so they would not blend or bleed into the background. I outlined the flowers and thought I was done... but it seemed to need something more. I wanted to add some depth to the sun so have started to add more ink lines. Need to get this done soon, mail out is next weekend. Wish me luck.. haha
How do you finish your projects? Know exactly and mail out early, work until you feel done, or some other way? Love to know how people end their creativity.


And as I do believe in structure and do know that I am truly blessed, here is my Sunday top 5 things I am thankful for.

1. The calendar said that the first day of Spring was on the 20th and it feels like it today

2. My fingers have had ink or paint on them all weekend

3. I am excited to be starting a new job in two weeks

4. Love of my family

5. My beloved Grandmother's birthday is Thursday and I know that there will be some good cake  and ice cream in heaven this week!!

Have a wonderful week, Amanda

Back to the drawing board

UPDATE!!

My original envelope came back (took a picture but lost it in my camera.. ugr!) I had put the wrong address. That is an easy fix. So after that I sent it right back out!!  Yeah.. not that I wouldn' t mind making some more, I just have some other projects I would like to work on.. so let's hope this time I did it right.

Literally, starting over on my post cards. I am participating in my first swap and am very excited. I worked on them a lot and finished early. Again being so eager, I sent them in early. But maybe because of this eagerness, I did something wrong and they have not arrived yet. I am very lucky that I had sent a note and Lenna emailed yesterday to say they still have not gotten there. Not sure what I did but there is still time to make more and meet the deadline! So I get to play some more and create 3 new cards and this time be very careful how I send them..  So my question is.. do I create the same designs again? Well I guess I really can't because some items were one of a kind. So I think I will use some ideas from before but change a little. And then when I am done, I will be very careful as I won't have enough time to do again. Wish me luck.