ATCs with Jay (Artist Trading Cards from Playing Cards)

Taught my mini me granddaughter to make ATCs this weekend. We used playing cards, paint, stamps, Mod Podge, and a baby Godfather meme.

Behold the results:

Too much fun I say.

Check out her blog at

jaelynncela.blogspot.com

Monkey See Monkey Do or How I Trained my Grandkids to Art

I apologize ahead of time for the quality of these pictures. I need a new camera (hint hint).

The past couple of weeks I have had the pleasure to teach my Granddaughters the fine art of mixed media journaling. They picked it up really quickly although they all had different learning styles. The youngest watched me and copied my movements like a pro. Gramma is so proud. I even convinced them it is okay to be a little weird.

I am making an art kit to take with me when I babysit Gabe's girls later this month. We made the girls each a journal when they spent the night this week. FUN FUN!!!

The Mysterious Drawing or How to Freak Yourself Out Without Even Trying

You may or may not know that I love books. I love to read books, hoard books and alter books. To satisfy all of those things I went shopping at my favorite thrift store we commonly refer to as "The FREE Store". Can you say low low prices?

I hadn't been there for awhile so the gal behind the counter gave me a really good deal on five books I picked up- a whopping 45¢ for all five. One was a collected works of Hemingway I selected for the big H on the cover.

When I opened it up I saw this drawing:

I thought "Oh goody a bonus!" I snapped a shot of the sketch and shared it to Instagram and Facebook where my friends proceeded to convince me that Hemingway himself might have drawn this while in Key West!!! Hence I got freaked out without even trying. Had I almost ruined a priceless piece of American ephemera? I had to find out.

Google searches revealed nothing so I felt a little better. However, Dr Donut sent me his findings, which once again had me worried. I asked an artist down the hall at work what she thought and she told me about a used book store near where I work and I set out to get their advice.

I entered the unassuming store and was blown away by the sheer number of books facing me. The lady at the front desk listened to my story and looked at the book. She said since there was no signature, no providence of the book being owned by Hemingway and the fact that these little Viking Books are so common that I could go ahead and alter to my heart's content. Then she told me about a special room up on the third floor for people like me who re-purpose books (WHAT... THERE IS MORE TO THIS WONDERLAND??!!??) I plunged ahead and was again blown away by sky high book shelves and so many books calling my name.

I found a couple of things I could afford (blog about that soon) and declared the Jane Addams Bookstore to now be my favorite place in downtown Champaign.

Here are a few more pics of the Hemingway book. I tried to read it but, uh...how do I say this? I don't care for his writing, sorry old man.

Grungy Reclaimed Art Journal Project

Behold some pages in my new art journal.

I had a leftover wine journal from last year which was in the Xmas stuff at work. I offered it to the building manager first and when he declined I decided it was mine for the make over.

I glued about half the pages together and ended up with 22 full page spreads. It started out that I was only going to do the right hand sides  using Shannon Green's Journaling by Fives method. But that didn't last long and before I knew it I was going full blast on both sides. 

I did roughly follow her steps though.

1. Background with paint or inks

2. Add Texture with collage or recycling

3. Add Pattern with stamps or stencils

4. Focal point with words or images

5. Details with pen and pencil

 

This page is in reference to The Phases of The Moon Festival which I did not get to attend (obviously). They held it at Kennecuck Cove and it poured down rain for the first few days. Government Mule was there and I really would have liked to have seen them, but at least I did get to watch a live stream,

 I've had a horrible time with my new local library. I dedicate this page to the gals behind the desk (you know who you are)

 He is tacky but he's not really my boyfriend

First person ho "gets" this spread wins a domino necklace (for real). Leave a comment explaining what you think it means. I even hope for more than one winner.

I hope to get pictures of all my quilts tomorrow and all the quilts I have lined up to do after that.

You Are Worth More Than Many Sparrows

Second in my Word Of God is Alive and Exerts Power series.

I used a cardboard box, pages from the King James Bible, a branch from the park, clip art, Mod Podge, glitter glue and candy eggs. I really like how it turned out!

I know it's not technically a sparrow but I needed the color lol.