IA tag swap

I participated in the Inspiration Avenue (IA) tag swap a few weeks ago.  I received 3 absolutely different and lovely tags.  IA is hosting a blog hop so we can all see the range of talented folks who swapped all these cool tags.  It was my first tag swap and I really enjoyed it.

Here are the tags I received.

On the left with all the party ribbon, the tag also sports a row of pearls, a feather and a dimensional heart - this lovely is from Kim P.  In the center, the blue tag has a beautifully drawn image hiding in the layers of paint - on the other side (also decorated) is the quote "A light heart lives long", and is from Maggie N.  On the right is a card of stamped goodness in a bright deep red (not the orangey red shown) with "Always follow your heart" on the back and it's from Nancy G.

Thanks so much ladies for making my first tag exchange such a rousing success - I love each and every one!

february hearts

One of the ways I thought of to help me focus (word of the year for me this year) my direction is to select a personal motif for each month.  Whether I work in my journal, mail art, or an external challenge, I'm going to try to incorporate my personal motif - this month HEARTS (big surprise, right?)  I'm hoping that by limiting my focus on the MANY directions I can go, it will help me really explore a topic/motif in all the media I enjoy.

I started a little early and used hearts for my International P/C Swap sponsored by Shannon.

Stitching, practice my lettering, stencils and stamps, heart cut from cardboard.  - I had one extra so it's going to Featuring Magazine in their call for mail art (read more here). You have a few days longer to get one in the mail if you'd like to participate.

Three heart tags for the IA swap using foil on the background, paint, washi, cardboard hearts.

a swap & mail art news

A quick FYI - I just read over at Inspiration Avenue that they're planning the first swap of the year - Tags with Hearts.  Any kind of tag -gift, luggage, hang tags or even bookmarks - with a heart in the design....in honor of heart month and Valentines.  The early notification gives you a heads up - if you're ready to jump in and flex those creative muscles this early in the year, this is an easy one to get started on.  Details will be posted next week so check their site....

More good news - Karen has posted two new MMSA prompts for January so it's time to get your mail art mojo working...... I'm busily working in blue!  We'd love to expand the number of participants so if you've ever thought about exchanging a little mail art, this is the perfect time to start.  Karen is quick to encourage everyone, beginners or long-time artists, to participate.  Join in, your mail box will thank you.

I got my ATC cards for Sandy Hook in the mail to Jessica (In Search of Dessert) - she provided each participant with a quote to use, so while each card is different, front and back, the sentiment is the same.  I used some of my own photography on some of the cards.

Here's one more tidbit to share - I've decided to join Hanna in the 365 challenge (commit/try to make/do/create 365 of something of your choice - collages for me) and so has Michelle at Lost Coast Post. She's going to make 365 character drawings!  Anyway, she posted a great reflection on tackling a project like this and how to make it more workable.  It's worth a read if you're considering a year long commitment to anything.