new goodies, mail art--What's on Your Workdesk? Wednesday, #216

 (WOYWWers, I put in the wrong link 
for week 218--
find that desk HERE!)

I am in the midst of a serious art room clean out.  So why then is there a
new stash of goodies on my desk?

Well, it was all on sale.  That's my only defense.  The pompoms and colored lace
in the middle, bought that at an Amish fabric store in Jamesport, MO (largest
colony of Amish west of the Mississippi River.)

The mail art is from Krisha--THANK YOU, Krisha!  I've said this before, and
I'm gonna say it again--that stamp right there in the middle, every time I see it,
it makes me think "Downton Abbey."

Do you see it?

Thank you Julia for hosting yet another What's on Your Workdesk, Wednesday.
I think I visited everyone who dropped in last week--if not, I plan on at least
stopping by to say hi to all my bloggy friends from last week, and anyone who
comes by this week, as well.  Sometimes I can't find links for google plus people?
What's up with that?

Happy WOYWW!

:)
(WOYWWers, I put in the wrong link for week 218--
find that desk HERE!

beach babes

No, not the scantily clad bikini kind!  These are for a Beach Baby (featuring children)
ATC swap: 

 I used my hand carved ocean waves stamped on glittery cardstock for the waves.

You can see the glitter in this shot!

 (This little swimmer is also on the cover of my beach book.)

The backgrounds are pieced collages, with a wash of color--Splash Inks are perfect

for this, and such vibrant colors, a little goes a long way.

This one, poor thing, I'm just not sure about, but it's still some summer fun, yes?
You can find the images on the Let's Go Wading sheet at Altered Pages.  If you're
not into saltwater and sand, check out the Dreamy Nights Challenge.  Fortunately,
the challenge is open to artistic interpretation--I can't get past thinking of only
A Midsummer Night's Dream!  Oh that's it--I have to go find a donkey head . . .

More summer challenges:
Amusing Challenges:  Summer 
Frilly and Funkie:  Summertime 
Stampin' With The Dragon:  On The Beach
It's All About the Vintage:  Feelings of Summer and Sparkle
crafts 4 eternity:  Inky Fingers

using my scraps for some more mail art

Oddly enough for me, I finished a card, using pieces from a paper that had been laid
out to keep spray inks from getting all over my table--but I did add some of
my favorite backgroundstamps on three panels before gluing them down to the
front of the card.

Spritzy paper, with the sequins waste/punchinella stamp

Three separate panels

Sentiment added to center

The backgrounds and sentiment are all from Rogue Redhead Designs, and the
design goes along with the current sketch challenge. (Hey, a chance at $15 of
new stamps?  Sounds like a deal to me!)

A few more challenges sound like fun this fine day, let's see who else wants to play:
Cards for men--Bingo:  paper piecing, stamped images, sentiment
Make My Monday--use a non-inked stamp--first go for the YOLO! 
Paper Pretties Wednesday Challenge--sentiment as focal point

more mail art--What's on Your Workdesk? Wednesday 215

More mail art--the card-in-progress in the center is for the Rogue Redhead 
Challenge, and the stack of postcards at the side need to be addressed.  They're
all similar, but still different.  Here's one:

The text is from Word Art Wednesday

(If you'd like one, at this writing, there are three more up for the asking of, but not
here.  You will find the details in my latest Unruly Paper Arts column, Mail Art en Masse.)

This WAS on my workdesk--she thinks it's her nap table.

Thank you, Julia, for the weekly WOYWW fun--see you soon, WOYWWers!!

:)

mail art!

I REALLY like mail art.  Years ago, before e-mail and blogs and facebook, all the
envelopes I mailed were enhanced with a little (okay, yes, it was a LOT) highlighter.
While that may not have been mail art in the strictest sense, it was fun.

Nowadays my favorite mail art is postcards, and this month at Unruly Paper Arts,
the blogozine theme is Postcard Parade.  Here is just one of the postcards I created
for my latest Unruly column,  Mail Art en Masse:

 text from Word Art Wednesday

Would you like to create some mail art?  Would you like to receive some mail art?
Check out my article, I'd be delighted to hear what you think.There are two Reader's
Art Quests happening, as well;  Postcards From the Edge and Vacation Postcard 
Art.  Everyone is welcome to join in the challenge, and what better way to try
something new?

Coincidentally--at least I think it's a coincidence, but there could be some
conspiracy happening, unbeknownst to me--one of the themes for the upcoming
issue of AlteredArts Magazine is, in fact, mail art.  (The issue should be out any
time now.  Seriously, it may be out at this very moment.  UPDATE--It's out!) 
Anyway, here is just a sneak peek at an oversized postcard I created for
the magazine:

tell me that seahorse looks like he's flying outta that ocean wave!

You can almost see the sparkle on this one--I used my hand carved ocean wave 
stamp on Gelli Plate monotype prints.  The seahorses were stamped on monoprints, as well.

Have a great week, everyone--I hope to see you in the Postcard Parade this month.

little handbound books--What's on Your Workdesk? Wednesday, #214

One of my favorite arty friends, Julie, was in town, and fortunately she had
time to get together for a visit.  She knows how to hand bind books, whereas
I just try to hand bind books.  Therefore, when she offers help, I say,
"Yes, thank you!"

Enough chatting, especially for those of you on your WOYWW tour--
here are the books, finished except for closures and content:

suede cover, about 3 inches by 2 1/2 inches

six individual signatures

the cover is a vintage flashcard--heavy cardstock--tab opening

I need to add a closure of some sort

lots of fun signatures

Gelli print tissue papers, courtesy of Julie--again, "yes, thank you!"

Maybe some of you would like to see the 4th of July stuff at work?  We ended
up with over 50 people there--and I thought no one would come, how funny!

4th of July bunting, in its natural habitat

the aforeposted canning jar centerpiece

  Happy What's on Your Workdesk?  Wednesday, to you!

is there such a thing as altered, altered art?

For the second son's wedding, I altered some large canning jars in that Rustic
Elegant style which is so popular right now--these were used for candle holders
at the rehearsal dinner and reception.  You would think I'd be sharing those with
you for my Altered Arts show today, but hey, why not alter the altered?? 

I wanted some centerpieces for our 4th of  July Independence Day celebration--
it was so simple to stamp up some tags:

background stamps from Rogue Redhead Designs

And then dig in my stash for some red/white/blue trims and laces, adding some
great collage images (NO fussy cutting, going for fast and simple here):

You can see where I tied the trim right over the already-there burlap, jute, and key.

collage images from Altered Pages

Once again, just tied that blue midi braid and tag right over the first go-round of
trim and embellishments.  I won't bore you with all nine jars, but how 'bout one more?

Took the burlap off for this one, but kept the heart and blingy button embellishment.

In their altered-altered state, these are going to hold wildflowers and a flag.  A very
Happy 4th of July to all my stateside friends, and, well, a happy fourth of July to
everyone else, too!

Count me in for these patriotic themed challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Challenge:  Patriotic
Cuttin and Stampin Challenges:  4th of July
Our Daily Bread Designs:  Patriotic or Red, White, And Blue
Party Time Tuesdays:  Patriotic
Ribbon Carousel: (use spooled item) heritage, country pride, celebrations
Shopping Our Stash:  Red, White, and Blue