Art Therapy #12

I wrote this post and then lost it. So here goes again. This is where Nancy and I make postcards and send them to each other.

This is a piece of art that I did for a Minted Challenge. I seem to do things 3 times before I get what I want. I did submit another one that I liked better. But still like this piece.

I took this picture and then altered it on my iPad. I wish I could remember the app. I like the creepy Halloween look.

I love Nancy's more complex cards. She said: "Just making up stories in my head and then thought I would try the blackout poetry that Austin Kleon does. Nice.

In closing plz send someone a piece of real mail. You have no idea how it can brighten their day. Just do it, it takes less time than you think.

Minted Holiday Gift Giving voting has started...

Thanks for all who are following me on Minted. I won with my New Year's card! All very exciting for this newbie. Below are my latest entries. Take a peek and vote if you would like.

Lots in this challenge because it included note cards, notebooks and wrapping paper. I like this note card because it uses my Rae's Monogram font.

My note cards are simple because I like to write on simple cards. I guess I design for myself.

I like these one sided note cards because it is so easy to just drop a short note to someone. Great for thank you notes.

Personalized notebooks are in this challenge. This one would be great as a gardening journal or everyday use.

 Fresh, fun and floral. These notebooks are all personalized.

For your favorite cook.

And coffee lover.

Love these nail polish bottles and want those colors...

Last, but not least, wrapping paper. A little bit of pine.

This is my personal favorite, an all occasion paper in soft colors.

If you feel like voting that would be great. If you do plz vote for some others too. As usual, lots of great work there.

Art Therapy #11

This postcard happened because I want the new iPad. But I haven't really used the very, very old one all that much. So I thought I should apply myself. Plus the poor old iPad does not have much storage so I was also trying to delete apps. PhotoTropedelic is a keeper. You just open a photo you have taken and play with settings to add this kind of color and detail.

I spent a week drawing cacti for a client and for a Minted fabric challenge. So that was my postcard for that week. I enjoyed drawing these a lot. I really like black and white. But I will also do something with these in soft dirty pastels too.

Nancy has once again outdone herself. Her comment on this card was, "I don't know where this card came from... I can't even explain it." I am very taken with it. I love the bird and all the repeating circles. And the texture. Really love the texture.

Nancy says, "Continuing my efforts to motivate myself to write Get Lost through art. This little goddess is exactly the way I pictured her in my imagination (this rarely happens!).

From Get Lost: Chapter 13:    I opened another drawer. Inside was a tiny beautiful angel. Or maybe a goddess with wings. I picked it up carefully. The features were delicately carved: the colors painted in delicate strokes. I could see feathers on the wings. It fit perfectly in the palm of my hand.

The crow got added because it seemed right somehow for Lost Things and Wisdom.

Nancy said I could keep this card. I am going to post it somewhere in my office with space to write underneath. I am in lost mode. All kinds of things I cannot find. And our place is not that big! The first thing on the list will be my Youth. I lost that when the boy who bought the Miata drove off.

Festive Holiday Party Invitation voting...

Another week, another Challenge just opened up and voting on Party Invitations. For any of you who missed it I WON for the first time with 3 Christmas cards. Wilderness Christmas, Merry, Merry Christmas...Tree and Contemporary Ornaments! I am delighted and just uploaded my finished art for those.

Here are my entries into the Party Invitation Challenge.  I did 2 New Year's Eve designs. Here is this one.

And an Annual Party. Copy can be changed for whatever kind of party you want.

Holiday Open House, again copy can be changed for your event.

I think this one is my favorite... Ring in 2018! If you are so inclined, you can vote until noon on August 30th. If you do I truly appreciate it. And also plz spread a little voting love around. They are many good ones in this challenge.

Fabric Frenzy Minted voting...

Here is what I have been up to. Creating fabric. Carrying out last week's bear theme is a repeat fabric pattern using that same sweet little bear. It is for all things baby... clothes, bedding, curtains, etc.

If you have already signed up on minted.com you can just go to this link and vote https://www.minted.com/design-rating/838383. If you are a first time voter sign up first on Minted and then come back and use this link to find me. I think there are over 4,000 entries. Plz vote for others too. So much talent in this challenge.

Minted asked for some Man Cave fabric. I used some animals from my Wilderness Doodles font. https://www.minted.com/design-rating/853551?filter=all&sort=designer

https://www.minted.com/design-rating/853557?filter=all&sort=designer And here is a coordinating print. This would be great man cave or cabin fabrics. Pillow, curtains, sheets, dish towels. Endless uses.

https://www.minted.com/design-rating/854051?filter=all&sort=designer I'd love a pair of flannel pjs or sheets in this pattern.

Just to mix it up a bit here is a black and white pattern. I really like B&W. This contemporary print would make great dishtowels or tablecloths or pillows. https://www.minted.com/design-rating/856061?filter=all&sort=designer

Once again huge thanks for any of you who can take the time to do this. I truly appreciate it. And spread some of that voting love around too.

Art Therapy #10

I think I am out of order here on postcards. But I've done some desk cleaning and these have surfaced. These baby bears are a fabric design for Minted's fabric contest that ends today. Couldn't you see sweet bedding with these little bears on it?

In the same Fabric Frenzy Challenge I did 3 Man Cave fabric designs. This one comes with a coordinating check fabric.

A place I feel like I have been to, but know I have not. The sepia photo makes me think of my grandparent's day... of rustic cabins 'up north'. Lakes without vacation homes. Quiet. Where men went to hunt, and maybe some women too.

Background shot is the modern day lake front in sunny bright color. not far down our shore.

It appears Nancy and I are both trying to get back to watercolor again. Such a difficult medium. I am really looking forward to my watercolor class next month.

Yes... more voting...

Yes more voting, more of me asking for your votes. Minted is one fast paced machine. I am always running to catch up.

That said, I do like my baby bear nursery art. This is for the Pottery Barn Kids challenge. How cute would this be as the art on a nursery wall? Unisex colors and art means you can do the nursery whether you know the sex or not.

If you could manage I would, once again, greatly appreciate your vote. A 5 would be great!

You will need to sign up if you haven't voted before. This is important, then come back and click on the link below again. That will take you to my entry. While you are there feel free to vote for some others if you want.

https://www.minted.com/design-rating/842673?filter=all&sort=designer

I am grateful to each of you who can take the time to vote. I know how busy we all are.

Art Therapy #9.

Nancy's cards just keep getting better. And it is such a delight to open an envelope and get this. Love her colored pencil work to extend the photo. Not to mention the "Ballad of the Sad Cafe" on the back.

Nancy's note with this card... "Hi, Found this 'R' in a pile of vintage fabric scraps and couldn't resist using it. I cut out and colored the leaves and flowers. If you like it, it is yours. N" That is a resounding YES I like it and want it. It has a nice texture in that vintage y type of way. Thank you!

My collage is less exciting as Nancy's fabric piece. I was trying to figure out the color of the new TV room sofa. I've always wanted a red piece of furniture. The swatch second from the bottom is it. It will look less orange in the basement where there is no natural light. It is a Room and Board custom piece. We spent an hour there sitting on and rating sofa after sofa. It will arrive in Fall. A good time to tackle the man cave.

I spent the better part of one day trying to paint some soft pretty backgrounds for Minted.com projects. This snippet is the only bit worth salvaging. But that days lackluster work had me signing up for a watercolor class with Helen Klebesadel on September 19! I am looking forward to that. Check out her work. Join me for the class if you are in the area. Trust me I will be the worst one in the class. Can't wait.