This is my first collage (4″ x 4″) and I hope to make 356 of this size, which is a fun size as you can use longer wording or images. The children are from a 1957 kids’ music book. I’m happy I had the green and red that all went together well.
Aug27
Category Archives: craftiness
Aug26
Happy 6th Blog Anniversary to me!
Well it was actually a few days ago! August 23, 2004, I wrote my first blog entry. I did it mainly for myself, but I also wanted to make some friends along the way, which I have. I don’t have people leaving tons of comments, but the ones that I do get are special, and most are from people I’ve known many years now. I would love to hear if you grown the same flowers as me or maybe have been to Pennsylvania or have helpful hints, those kinds of things. Many times I feel like I am talking to myself. I was so sure people would love my McCartney post since it was a bit personal for me (seeing the lady who was my maid of honor in our wedding), but thank goodness for Zoey for leaving the one comment. Face*Book is definitely taking readers away from blogs.
So, to liven things up, I am going to start a challenge for myself here. Besides my ‘rambling’ stuff and photos, I thought I’d do one art collage a day on a 4″x4″ square like an artist did in the recent version of Somerset Studios magazine. I will share what I make. At the end of the year, I will pick 12 collages and make them into a piece of art and that will be the prize for next year. I may go to Longwood Gardens tomorrow, so the first share may be over the weekend. If you have any theme challenges- I would love for you to help me out!
Wish me luck!
Jul29
Shaving Cream Paint Technique
Shaving Cream Paint Technique, originally uploaded by DianthusMoon.
A few weeks ago, a lady sent me a piece of paper that she said she had used ‘the shaving cream technique’ on. It was pretty and I wondered what she meant. Last week during a Live craft share on Facebook, one of the crafters showed us how to do it-so easy! You take some shaving cream, spread it either on a paper plate or in an aluminum pan (like an inch) and then add acrylic paint to. You squirt the paint on and swirl it around to make it interesting. I took some card stock and pressed it in the mixture. You then take an old credit card and scrap off the residue. I had some white spots, so I used the cc to add some more mixture and scrap it off again. I got some interesting designs and some looked like certain things to me-like the ‘mountain range’ the eagle is flying over and the island mountain. The triangle mountain shape was there and I colored it in with pastels and added a palm tree sticker. I plan to do this often-fun and relaxing! I cut mine to ATC size, but you could make greeting card backgrounds, etc.
Here’s a detailed step-by-step here.
Jul21
Having fun paper collaging
During these definite ‘dog days of summer’, I stay where the air is cool, since we are paying heaps of $$$ for it lately. Best thing we ever did to this house. I am in a few Flickr and Swap-bot groups and I trade with people every week. This little wooden plaque was a challenge I don’t have to trade at all! Every week on Flickr, the group coordinator offers up a sheet of photos/designs. We are to use at least 3 from the sheet. On this one I used the pink blossomed tree and stream, the moth fairy, Hummingbird, fairy sign and red leaves. I added a row of butterflies and a skeleton leaf I added glitter to. I think this turned out cute.
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Our garden is giving us mostly Cucumbers! The Zucchini are all flowers and the Green Beans are just giving us a few beans. The tomatoes are good but a bit on the small side. I swear something is tunneling under the garden as a Green Pepper and Tomato are wilting-they are near each other. All that dry and now all this wet! Mother Nature is playing a game with us. I shouldn’t complain as I have had some nice Roses and Daylilies, but you can’t eat them!
Jul16
Photo Hunt-Triangle
Last September, I went to a stitch-along at the Chadds Ford Historic Society and got to meet some online pals. I haven’t been back yet, but I also haven’t stitched a whole lot this past year.
This is a birdhouse crafted to look like the building I was in! Look at all the triangles along the roof line. Beautiful craftsmanship!
Update
Today I received my letter that I was excused from the jury selection people-two women-perhaps they understood my dilemma at this time. I have a feeling I’ll be called again in the future.
Jul13
Cross stitch African Violet Sampler
I did finish up the white violet and did more of the little purple squares. Also started working on the one opposite the white one. There are 4 more to do. Facebook had a stitch-along this past weekend and we were asked to show our progress…
The spots were from the iron-trying to make it presentable. : )
Feeling somewhat better, still needed a Claritin late this afternoon. I was doing more stuff around the house which included stuffing another bag full of books for the Goodwill. There is a light at the end of the tunnel…
Jul5
One of my favorite hobbies
When I was a teenager, I loved to get mail. I think this stemmed from a couple of different events in my young life. Once my mom wrote to Whitman Publishing Company saying their coloring books, cards and stuff were the cat’s pajamas. Well didn’t they send us a nice big box full of products corresponding with the new movie at the time- ‘Chitty, Chitty , Bang, Bang’.
Another time was when my paternal Grandmom sent me a box of Ginny dolls with oodles of little clothes and accessories. I still have them, but not all the clothes.
I also sent letters to pen-pals. I got published in a magazine once too.
Mom has this really long stone driveway and I remember going every day to check for a letter from a pal from across the country or in the next town (really!)
This is leading up to my grown up enjoyment of receiving little pieces of art in the mail from all over the world. I’ve gotten ‘art trading cards’ and other hand made goodies from places as far away as Israel. This is an example of some of the cards, though the blue one and the tag were a gift from Sherry in England for my last birthday. I believe this binder has 10 pages with 9 spaces each, so I have 90 cards (plus) just in it! The artist’s personality really reflects in their pieces.
Some of my Flickr swaps…a dress, paper doll, flower and bird.
The most recent swaps or ‘gifts’ from my pals in England. I sent them teapot ribbon holders.
My little work space-yep-very untidy with some works in progress.
May12
What I’ve been stitching on
Not many stitchers work on Aida anymore. I had this pretty mossy green piece and decided it was definitely fine for samplers. I want to alter this a bit-after the numbers there they have the wording-‘to grow them is to love them’. Ugh. I think I will put the Latin word for them ‘Santapaula’ there instead. I’m losing the little hearts it calls for in the corners too. The violets themselves are really detailed and pretty.
Everyone is home today-Bri went to the doctor (he continues to not feel well) and Sean had off. Sean is itchy to go get some Trader*Joes goodies. I had a little nap as the kitty got me up at the crack of dawn as he heard Bri get a drink and I was pretty much awake after that.
May4
Stitching Blogger Question for May
Lovely Lee, over at Lake Stitcher is doing a month meme for cross stitchers. Here is May’s question:
There are those who enjoy the “process” of stitching. They stitch for stitching’s sake and if something gets finished, so much the better, but it’s not necessarily the end goal. Primarily, it’s the application of needle and thread to cloth that makes them happiest.
Then there are those who are “project” stitchers. They move steadily through their projects, certainly enjoying their stitching time, but finding their greatest joy in the completed stitching.
If you had to pick one to describe yourself, which type of stitcher would you be? I imagine that we could all say that we fall somewhere in between, but really think hard about this and try to pick just one. And once you’ve decided whether you’re a Process or Project stitcher, tell us if your recognize that approach in other parts of your life.
At first I thought I was a mixture of both kinds of stitchers. But after I did really think about it, I think I am a process stitcher. I say this as I can take breaks from stitching and not worry about getting something complete, unless it’s for a gift or is charity stitching. Although I love to finish something, I found it’s the last few stitches in a piece at are the most satisfying.
That being said, I will take a few photos of what I’ve been working on.
Another love in my life-collage is all about getting the pieces together to create that special piece of one-of-a-kind art. Tell me that isn’t process work?
Apr23
Photo Hunt-Addiction
Treasure ATC, originally uploaded by DianthusMoon.
I am addicted to cutting up photos (copies) and papers, using rubber stamps and stickers to make them fit on a 2.5″x3.5″ card called and artist trading card. I’ve made tons of them and I have traded tons of them. The one showed here was given to my niece. I just bought a ton of new papers, so I’ll be busy on my cards again. I was in a bit of a slump, but I’m raring to go again. I think trading them with people around the world is one of the best things about making ATCs. I have great pals on Flickr-many from England. I have also traded on Swapbot.com and have gotten a card from Israel. : )
Here’s a link to my set on Flickr (almost 600!)
Collages & Creative Goodness 