Don't you love getting good mail?

postcard front

As a big fan of ArtHouse Co-op in Brooklyn, I'm always excited when they post a new project. Many of which are free, such as The 4 x 6 Exchange 2. It was easy-peasy - just create a 4 x 6 card and mail it along with a SASE and wait for a postcard from another artist to show up in the mail. I love sending and receiving good mail, don't you?

detail, front - lots of stitching and colored pencil

postcard back - "there is always time to play"

original artwork

The original artwork is 6 x 8 and is composed of scraps and packing material from an earlier project. Rubber stamping, hand-coloring, stitching and a portion of a postcard from Artist and Craftsman Supply (the wooden hand with pencil) complete the collage. I scanned it at 600dpi and printed with my Canon printer on 65 lb. white cover stock. The Bernina B330 is a work horse; sewing paper and cardboard is no problem. It's fun to make stuff from studio flotsam and jetsam.

detail of original collage

Going on vacation tomorrow - to warm and sunny climes. No computer, but a camera will be in my suitcase for sure!

ready for sandals and sun

Participation projects . . . do you like them?

Green

29 days of Instagram photos - a challenge by Chantelle

What do you think about online participation projects? Right now I've joined several that caught my attention from either a friend's FB entry or a blog post. Don't know exactly what it is that 'speaks' to me about these particular challenges. Is it because it's fun to be part of someone else's artistic vision? Or maybe because I get to feel like I'm part of a community - all working toward the same goal but with very different results. Not really sure . . .

Day 16 - Something new (I'd really like to buy this blouse)

29 day Instagram challenge

Here's a bit of info from the 52 Photos project created by Bella Cirovic. Doesn't it sound cool? Don't you want to be a part of this? Click here to find out about year 2 that begins on April 22, 2012.

"Welcome to 52 Photos Project, a community for photographers to display their work

and a place to meet people with a shared passion for photography.

The idea for this space began on an ordinary day while I was out on a photo walk

with my camera, capturing nature for fun - with no agenda, not for a client,

no merchandise to sell - just a feeling of sheer enjoyment in the freedom

I had to point and click at whatever caught my in that moment.

These are the photos I most cherish while looking through my archives. It may not be a spectacular photo, but it holds onto and relays the affection I have for my craft."

Day 15 - Phone

29 day Instagram challenge

Day 2 - Words

29 day Instagram challenge

Famine, now feast, fun times ahead!

wrapped votive candles - reminded me of shipping containers

Famine then feast - the story of my studio life lately. No work in January, a tad in February and slamming in March. Have just finished up some great projects - for Surface Design Association - WA symposium Surface Matters and Seattle Children's Hospital. Now the studio's quiet – I'm getting ready for a big job (Microsoft) and also preparing for my class at LOJ (Letters of Joy) in early May. Sign up for LOJ starts March 19th - would love to have you in my class!

samples of from the LOJ class - accordion-fold booklets

folded and ribboned

booklets unfolded - like waterfalls

these look complicated, but are so easy to create

finished gifts for NPs and PAs at Children's

lots of materials

bags chock-full of "lovely parting gifts" for Surface Matters attendees

generous vendors really came through with great swag