second alphabet

An ongoing project is my ALAW (a letter a week) so at the end of the year I'll have two alphabets completed - I made the first alphabet into an accordion book (you can see it here).  This time I wanted to incorporate my photography as well as make a little more complicated book.

I decided on flowers as my theme since I have tons of flower pictures I've taken over the years.  My idea is to make a pocket featuring the letter of the alphabet (in the prescribed 3x3" format) and then tuck my photos of flowers starting with that letter inside the pocket.  The lettering in the background is computer generated and is a list of flowers beginning with the letter drawn.  I did a ton of research trying to find as many for each letter as I could.  (for example, the background text for the A is agapanthus, anthurium, aster, astilbe, acacia, alstromeria, acanthus, amaranthus, anemone, allium, amaryllis.  I won't have photos of all those, but of more than one!

lettering done with a parallel pen - still learning how to use it evenly

Then came the hard part of selecting which flower starting with "D" I was going to use.  I decided not to limit myself so redesigned the pockets with gussets so they could hold multiple photos.  I found this bit of leftover paper that is perfect but I don't have a lot of it so if I mess up writing a letter I don't have room for many corrections so I think I'll wait til I draw them all then go back and redo my least favorites.  Or, maybe I'll just go look for another paper :)

agapanthus and astilbe, photo size 2.5" x 5" to fit inside the 3" pockets

bird of paradise

clematis

dahlia and daffodils

Now that I've settled on a plan, I'm off and running - I've made a list of the letters I don't have a flower to go with and so now I'll be on the hunt as we go on vacation next week.  I need to fill in those holes!

They'll look something like this .....

I'm also sharing this post with Artists in Blogland.  It's a great site to share what you've been up to creatively....I usually forget to add my post, but lots of people participate so it's worth a visit.

THIS SOUNDS LIKE FUN

I came across this in my blog reading today and thought I'd share in case any of you want to join in.  Donna Downey (Simply Me) put out an international call to help her decorate her new studio space and it sounds like SO much fun!  She wants any and all takers to decorate a paintbrush that will then adorn the walls of her public restrooms.  Simple or elaborate, the style is up to you.  You can read more here.

    

These images are from her site - one on the left done by Julie Fei Fen Balzer and on right by Donna. (she could have put it in Jenn's turquoise and lime challenge this week!).  So if the idea of having an embellished paintbrush along with a card proclaiming your info hanging in the restroom gallery of Donna's studio appeals to you, visit her site for all the details.  Fun!

put the lime in the coconut

Well, I can't quite manage drawing a coconut, but I can use the color lime and pair it with turquoise to make Jenn happy.  Her favorite color combo, turquoise/lime, is the theme for this week's challenge at APR#21.

My first attempts were to make some mail art - I'll use it someday soon since I have much to return.  The first is a recycled oversize ad postcard and the second a recycled greeting card with paint and collage (the butterfly shape was cut from a quilt book I have).

Somehow these didn't feel like 'enough' but I was struggling for a topic.  Then I realized that Jenn also was the host over at Inspiration Avenue and set this week's challenge as something using Zentangle.  Inspiration struck and I combined the two challenges:

My scanner doesn't scan full bed so clipped the right edge about an inch, but you get the idea.  Watercolor background with sprays, drips and splashes then doodled following the shapes that showed up.  The sentiment seemed appropriate for summer - something I know many of us wish we had more time for.

beach time

This weekend was high summer here in Seattle - over 85 both days! :)  D and I took advantage and spent the afternoon at the beach. (you know I just realized how much effort I was expending to not mention his name - I see other folks who have charming names for their significant others so as not to refer to them by name.....but, honestly, I'm all over the web with blogs, flickr, FB, etc and mention his name all the time, so there's really no expectation of privacy and I have no secrets...so I give up on that - hubby's name is Dan. There, I said it. In the future, I'll refer to him as ..... Dan.)

Anyway....a few beach photos from summer in Seattle!

Here's my obligatory foot photo - and that's as much as I got in the water....it's freakin' cold!

Don't these rocky Washington beaches look appealing?  He actually has a lounger cushion under his towel...not laying directly on rocks!

Occurred naturally, didn't help mother nature along.  Looks like kelp salad doesn't it?

Beautiful colors in this wood, huh?

Rocks on driftwood log with iron bar.....

Hope you all had a relaxing, pleasant summery weekend as well.

I can't believe I forgot this.....

I'm a winner!  By leaving a comment on the fabulous blog of Diana Trout, I was eligible to win a set of stencils.  And by some miracle, I won! :)  I've been following Diana's blog for some time and love her style - she works in art journals, fabric, and does some bookmaking. She shares lots of info so if you're not familiar with her, be sure and visit.

This was all during my blackout period (no, not as in drinking, as in no blogging...) and while I did take a few minutes to try them all (how could I not!!), I totally spaced about sharing them.  When I went up to the art room to fling some glue and paint just now, there they are, sitting on my desk. Patiently. Enticingly. Encouragingly.

I did remember to thank Diana (and co-sponsor Sue Bleiweiss and Artist Cellar Stencils) for the 28, yes 28!, stencils (retail value $120) and here they are....used on my ICAD index cards because that's what was handy and I figured I could put them on a ring to remember what each one looked like.  They are packed 4 themed stencils to a set which I tried to scan together....

This last one actually made it onto a journal page....I love the start of this page.

It's almost too much of a good thing - which one do I try first?  How do I keep them accessible and remember to that I have this wealth of background-making, pattern-making goodies waiting?  I should have more such problems, right?  :)

Again, thanks to Diana and Sue - I see a big flurry of arty activity in my future!  :)

APR series

Artist Playroom has a theme this week that I've been meaning to explore for .... well, forever. Series.  Work something in a series.  I've done it here and there, but today I sat down specifically with an idea to explore and got started on a series.

So I started with watercolor backgrounds (I miss using my watercolors - they've been pushed aside in my eagerness to try all sorts of new things).  My thought with the top drawing was to use the watercolor shapes to dictate where birds would go.  Made a couple of early goofs so it became my trial-error-sketch page.....

I had fun playing with my bird and dandelion motifs.....there's LOTS more room to work with this and I'll be doing it because I love birds and I can almost draw a couple of generic shapes.....at least well enough that they're recognizable as birds! :)

Last year I made a mini series of palm trees using different media - collage, paint, etc.

Also, watercolors painting trees:

The thing is....there's no way I'm done exploring any of these themes so the series will continue. Does it count if there's a year between pieces?

Visit Jenn at Just Add Water Silly to see even more great examples of working in a series.  Or maybe someone will paint/draw something about a baseball 'world series', or a television series or a ......

delicious mail art

I'm SO behind, but gradually catching up.  One happy day recently I checked the mail and had a STACK of incoming mail art.  STACK!  I can't believe how uplifted and smiley I felt after looking through all that artistic goodness.  Some were from a MMSA swap, some from IUOMA, some from blogging buddies.  What a haul!  It'll take me a little time to catch up, but I will get some art out soon!

The mail art joy continued throughout the week with a birthday packet or two and more postcards. You guys are the BEST!

Here goes:
Four great 'trashpo' cards (made entirely from recycled stuff that would otherwise be in the trash) from the MMSA swap (you get one in return for each one you send).

The top one is from Sherry H. who lives in AK and her card is filled with AK info; the lower starry card  is from Nydia in CT.  She recycled a dental p/c and added stars everywhere, even on the back. 

The top card is from Connie T. in NY and is all about snack food wrappers - what an excellent idea! The bottom card is from the always creative Corrine at Dosfishes.  Where did she find that cow stamp?

Above, a beautiful piece of digital art on a card from Michelle at Brain Angles - if you haven't seen her work yet, it's worth a visit to her blog. She combines digital effects with mixed media pieces for some stunning pieces.

These two cards are of each sender's personal art on a glossy printed card!  Sherry's intricate zentangled piece has so much movement and the little bits of color really add a lot.  Lorinda's (Everyday Endeavors) postcard features a close up of one of her mixed media pieces (just look at all those layers). I love them both!  Thanks ladies.

The garden notes card is thickly covered in paint and papers making this impressionistic floral card - stunning! It's from Lee K. in Alberta Canada - her blog is Defining Me (though she's taking a break this summer).  The lower card is from Barbara D in NC and she wants to join the mail art fun - something will be going her way soon!

This dimensional postcard didn't scan well - that sunshine is actually bright yellow and made of fimo clay (?), a butterfly sticker, ribbon and layered cutouts for the design at the bottom. What a beautiful card from Debbie at Craftymoose!  The handmade envelope actually goes with Gina's card below (got 'em mixed up).

The top stunning botanical drawing is from my Aussie buddy Tracey Fletcher King - it arrived in a packed filled with lovely goodies that I just love. The bottom card is from Gina V. - check out her flickr account.  Gina has an ongoing call for mail art that you can read about here.

Karen at I am Rushmore sent me a delightful packet of goodies including this postcard and just amazing bookmark.  I am gathering an embarrassing wealth of gorgeous handmade bookmarks.  Never fear, they are used with great pleasure!

Then, I received my first ever zine!  What a welcome surprise! April at April Cole Studio draws the most amazing faces and her little 8 page zine is filled with bits of them. I'm so inspired, I want to try it too.  I'll add it to the list!  Thanks so much April - I just love it!

Last, but not least, cards received just today - from Corrine and from an IUOMA member in OR.

Top one, IUOMA, bottom one - a stylish one from Corrine.....I can always recognize her cards...doesn't she have some great washi tape?

Thanks to every one of you for making my last couple of weeks so filled with yummy art even when I haven't been able to make any myself.  You all inspire me.  Now, I'll be getting my creative hat on and making some return mail!  I tried to give links to everyone that I could....hopefully I didn't forget anyone.

Outgoing - just a small mailing for now to make sure Karen gets it in time for the swap:

it was a great party

Without really intending to, I've had a little summer break from blogging.  And, discovered that I miss it.  I miss the connection, the sharing of ideas, techniques, and art. I really miss it.  So, I'm back.....finally.

I gave myself a birthday party two weekends ago. I turn 60 this year (though not til Dec., but who wants to add another party to attend during the holidays?!).  I decided I wanted to celebrate in the summer with a BBQ so friends and family could be outside and that way I could invite more people.  I picked a date and crossed my fingers that the weather gods would cooperate.  They did.  (Coincidentally it was also our 33rd wedding anniversary though we didn't announce it, just enjoyed it as a fun bonus celebration.)

I had a perfect Seattle summer day - sunny and 75.  We played with bubbles, played badminton, croquet, and ping pong.  We ate delicious BBQ and salads.  Instead of a cake, Dan covered an apple pie with 60 candles (that's a LOT of flame!).  Even though a few friends couldn't make it, those that did really helped make it a special day.  Hooray for friends and family!

I was given a bubble wand to play with - bubbles everywhere!

Using an idea I found on Pinterest, I made this mobile of photos of me at different ages. The game was to guess my age on the back of each photo. There were 30 photos, the winner guessed 9 correctly.

We're compiling the answers to the age game (I'd made a cheat sheet for the answers!) and that's my hubby to the left and my broken jawed son on the right. He was so sweet to come!

Blowing out 60 candles is work!  No cake for me, it's apple pie.

Lots of family, friends and food. What a perfect day!

A couple of you wonderful people out there even sent me little packets for which I'm so grateful. Really! Totally a surprise and just made me and my mailbox smile!

So in December when I mention that I've gone out for my birthday dinner, don't freak out and wonder where a year went since it seems like I just had a birthday!  I'm just enjoying my 60th for as long as I can. :)