Stamp Carving: Leaf

Yesterday (or rather, the day before yesterday, as I’m sure any moment I’ll see the tinges of daylight) I had the privilege of watching Samantha Kira’s tuesday vlog. This week, she focused on stamp carving, by request of one of her fans. It really got me inspired. I was supposed to meet up with a friend for artistic stuff tonight, but I completely flaked out and forgot AND left my phone downstairs. Thankfully, we didn’t have a specific time set even, just a general plan. And we’ve known each other long enough not to be offended. However, I was still bummed that I missed out, because I’ve been wanting to do art, but rather unmotivated beyond very basic background prep.  So (after being lazy for a few more hours) I plunked myself down, and decided I was doing a stamp.

Unlike miss Samantha Kira, I don’t have that cool rubber stuff. Nor did I buy the rubber erasers at the dollar store (this time…). What I have is this odd cork looking stuff. My carving did not go so smoothly as hers. And I still made mistakes (especially since I was  free-handing it and kinda changed things as I went). Nonetheless, here is the end result.

Yes. that is an envelope I tested it on. To be specific, an unopened envelope containing the pay stubs I never look at until months later due to the modern marvels of direct deposit and online banking. It was the nearest thing I had handy.

Also, I worked on a journal page, which is nearly done. I will post that later/tomorrow.

Card: My Love is a Tree

I know I haven’t posted for a week now. I have reasons. Partially, it was just being busy. I kid you not, every day for the past week I’ve had some non-work (meaning social!) outing, including a painting group I joined.  The other reason is the project I’ve been working on, which is the reason for today’s post.

This is the first time I’ve done a card, and by far the most complicated work I have undertaken. I was never too interested in cards, but the challenge at Cardvaarks was too much to pass up. I’m obsessed with trees. What can I say? What more, I had an idea, and a recipient. It ended up being much much more work than I anticipated, but the result was worth it.

Tonight, I greet my boyfriend as he returns from Thailand. He has been gone for four months, and sometimes we couldn’t talk for weeks. During his stay, he was even hospitalized with Dengue Fever, and I couldn’t be at his side. He is a constant source of encouragement, of comfort, and of delight. He is my best friend. And for four months, he’s been waaaay over there. The Pacific Ocean is much too big. Even though it is an “I miss you” card, and he will receive it upon his return rather than while actually away I think he will understand.  I can’t even express how excited I am to see him tonight. I am counting the hours.

ATC: Grow

This was what I had in mind for Wednesday Stamper’s Green Challenge, but I didn’t get to it in time. But, good for me, it also fits a few other challenges. Even if not, I would have posted it anyhow. I finished it last night, but my computer was apparently sleepy and didn’t want to work, so I decided to let it nap and try again today.

This was made with watercolors, newspaper, ink pads, letter stamps, and fine tip felt pens. I initially wanted it to say “Growth” but it wouldn’t fit, haha. Anyhow, I’m entering this into Rosie and Linda’s Awfully Big Art Challenge, for the Newsprint theme. It probably would fit a score of spring themes too, haha. This will be up for trade on ATCs for All.

See my other ATCs.

A New, Artsy Look

This should have been done a month ago, but finally, my page has a decent header. I didn’t plan on changing the theme, but I found after I made the header that I had envisioned, it didn’t fit quite as well as I planned, so I chose something that would mesh better. I still have plans, but I can be satisfied with the overall look (should those plans never come to fruition). Even so, I am open to suggestions, if anyone has any.

I am especially satisfied with the artwork that went into the header. As is the usual case, it looks better in person.  I enjoyed painting the newpaper and bookpages that went into this, and although my tweezers got a good work-out inking the edges of those teeny-tiny leaves, I enjoyed the collage part as well.

Now the question is, what do I do with the physical artwork? Don’t be surprised if it at some point makes its home in a journal…

An Expedition on foot into the Wine Country…

True to my resolution to add adventure into my life, I have embarked on a little journey. This morning, I woke up at a reasonable hour (which, for me, is noon…) packed a journal, my camera, and a lunch, and headed out. Temecula is famous for two things: hot air balloons, and the wineries. My house is about a mile away from the beginning of the wine country, and so, I set out.

The day was windy and warm (Southern California is not known to comprehend the concept of winter) and without a cloud. The wind blew towards me, pushing my hair out of my face and streaming it out behind me. It was peaceful, aside from the cars driving by (it is a major road in town, after all). Unfortunately, the grapes were not in season,but there was a beauty to the deadness. The dried and brown vines possessed a dignity neither better nor worse than green, but simply present, even in barrenness. I stopped frequently to take pictures, many of which are posted here. After a few hours, I found a shady spot of grass in the courtyard of a church building and stopped for a snack before trekking the 3 miles back into the sun. I was tired and just a bit sun-toasted when I returned home, but it was nice to get out, and nice to take some pictures.

See more pictures