Twinchies!

My creativity is coming back to me... and I have made the time to indulge it.

Earlier this year I was participating in the Awfully Big Art Adventure Challenges every week. Then life got busy and that was one of the first things to go.

I have learned since then that I need art to maintain my balance and well-being.

Back to the Challenge I go!

The challenges are now monthly, giving one much more time to contemplate how to interpret the theme. November's theme is Twinchies.

(Twinchies are two-inch by two-inch pieces of art. The challenge, of course, is the size restriction)

Here are mine:

I was inspired by Linda's use of postage stamps... also a favorite item of mine to use.

The top one and bottom one I am going to make into Christmas Cards. As for the lovely lady in the middle... She's just going to hang around being dramatic for a while until I can find a job for her!

ABAA - Newsprint

I missed last weeks challenge - I have been working on my photography and before I knew it the week was gone!

So I made a point to get this week's done early.  ABAA has given us yet another inspiring challenge:  Newsprint.  

Not only is it unusual, it's free!

Here's mine:

I used chipboard for the base of everything covered in newsprint.  I had some vintage sheets from a kit I received months ago.  I stuck it all to a sheet of acetate printed with alphabet, and added some rub ons and ribbon to embellish.  (and a silk flower!)

And if you want to check out what I've been doing with the camera you can check it out on flickr - you can use the link on the right!

Again, GREAT CHALLENGE!

ABAA - Rocks

So, over at the Awfully Big Art Adventure they offered up a very interesting challenge:  to alter a rock.  Any old rock.  

Living practically on the Eastern Shore, I found it quite difficult to locate a rock!  

As luck would have it I found a good specimen while walking the dogs.  

This is what it became:

First I painted it with Gesso to get a good working surface.  Next I leafed it in Variegated Gold Leaf:  That is what gives it the mottled appearance.

Next I applied the flower rub on and accented it with a little flower and rhine stone brad.  

Then I made the curly-que.  It says "You can find inspiration in anything"

I made the butterfly out of stickers and a little plastic butterfly I had.

Lastly, I adhered the entire thing to a felt flower.  

A very enjoyable project!  (and a beautiful paperweight!) 

ABAA - Doors

This week over at the Awfully Big Art Adventure the theme is Doors.  I was inspired by Rosie's Door Hanger that she created, and decided to create my own version. {Thanks Rosie!!}

As you can see I haven't yet made it a "hanger" as there isn't anything to hang it from! I'm still deciding what type of fibers to use.

A peek inside the door...

The inside of the door says "Never hesitate to open the door to opportunity."  

I used some mesh I had to create a kind of screen door.  

I really like the way this turned out.  Thanks again for the fantastic challenge.  My walls are filling up with beautiful artwork thanks to you guys!  

ABAA - Milagros Heart

Mi Corazón

Loved, Loved, Loved this challenge! This week at Awfully Big Art Adventure the challenge was to create a Milagros Heart.  It is a religious icon of sorts, popular in Latin America.  (You can get more information here.)

I was inspired almost immediately!  I have to admit that I am enthralled with the Latin American culture.  But could a gringa like me do justice to this theme?

I created the ATC you see above.  I love the way it turned out.  For once it matched exactly what was in my head!  

I used chipboard hearts and covered the bottom one with red and gold glass glitter.  For the top one I first covered it with patterned paper, used a rub on from Hambly, and then a vintage button I had in my stash.

I used the hot glue gun to adhere the mini pearl garland around the edge and cut out the flames from chipboard covered in gold paper.  Stuck it all on a card and here it is!

I added the picture below to show the different layers.

Linda, Rosie:  Gracias por el fantastico desafio!

ABAA - Something to Crow About

This week's challenge at the Awfully Big Art Adventure is crows.   The ATC above is the one I created for this challenge.  I am not entirely sure that it's done.  It seems a bit too simplistic to me.  Like it needs to be sophisticated up a bit.  I just don't know what exactly it's lacking.  I'll mull it over a bit and maybe it will come to me.

ABAA - Altered Canvas

I must confess, this is not the first time I have altered a canvas. In fact I have done many, including two that I hinged together and made a letter keeper for my grandmother. 

When I read the challenge, my first instinct was to just use a photo of one of those.  

But I thought twice and decided that I would be cheating myself out of a potentially (Awfully) Big Art Adventure!  So off to the craft store I went and purchased my canvas.

Above you will see the finished product.  

It is deceivingly small.

In fact, I have never done anything so tiny.  (Save for that blasted bottle cap last week!)

To make this little gem I used several vintage stamps I had on hand, and collaged them with patterned paper, a die cut, some glitter and paint, to make the background.  Then I cut out the image of the deer from an old photograph I had.  And to finish it off I used the bird from another stamp, some paper, a metal plate, and a rub-on.

Below is a  picture from an angle that I think shows the 3-D-ed-ness a little better.



And lastly is this image that will give you a better perspective of the tininess.  

A great challenge, I must say!

ABAA - Bottle Cap

I had so much fun making the pendant a couple of weeks ago, that I decided to revisit it!  I used a bottlecap I had, and squished it in my Sizzix.  Then I used some memory wire and wrapped the marble and added the little bird.  

I must admit that this is where I ran into some technical difficulties (read: impatience!):  I had already adhered the paper to the front, and filled it in with some diamond glaze.  I even let it sit for a few hours. 

But that's when my patience ran out. 

So I turned the cap over to adhere the wire, and set it under the lights to dry.  Of course the Diamond Glaze was dry to the touch, but when upside down under the lights on top of a crayon box.... not so much.  When I picked it up the glaze stuck to the box, and ripped the paper as I pulled it away.  

So take two is what you see above!  I remade the paper portion, using rub-ons and some glitter and a bitty flower. 

Stick a feather in it... and call it done!

ABAA - Here's your sign

So, this week for the Awfully Big Art Adventure, the challenge was to create a sign with your word of the year.  I chose a phrase rather than a single word.  I have been struggling with the concept of what makes an "artist."   Where is the line between a craft and art?  Between a "photo-taker" and a "photographer"?   Perhaps it is only a person's perception.  This year I want to cross that line and embrace my artistry.  The goal is to be comfortable with myself and what I do, to be confident enough to share it with others, and to have others relate to it.  That, I think, is what makes one an "artist."

For this sign I used chipboard and patterned paper I had, mounted on cardstock.  Added in some ink and distressing, some flowers and ribbon,  and "wa-la!" The DH is how I sign any of the pieces I give to others.  Kind of my trademark, I suppose.