My first go at making homemade postcards and farther exploring the use of mixed media and different elements to make up a whole. I made the first one and then realized that the prompt specified altered book birds, so I continued in that vein.

Z...

I had a couple of swaps...An art journal page "Z is for...." and a few more book art birds. :)

Doing this page, I learned how to do rub on letters--they're great fun! ^_^

I'm not as proud of these ATCs, but they are worth noting as the first I've used washi tape as part of their creation.

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Smashbook pages

So I joined a smashbook page swap. I've never made any sort of smashbook. Though, one could argue that my wall of emphemera is it's own sort of smashwall.

Once I wrapped my head around the concept....I came up with the idea that empty smashbook pages are a lot like empty journal art pages. You set up the
theme and the person can add whatever.

The theme of the swap was "This is the time for...." and then we had to come up with four different words/themes for each of the pages. I think I did pretty well considering I'd never tried anything like this before.

These first four are back/front on two separate pages.

While these last four are done with one larger page folded in half to create a folio.

Funny. I accidentally put all the pictures of the interactive pages on the right.

Art Journal Pages-Bird

 So I attempted to create some art journal pages with the prompt "Bird or Birds".....

On the top left was my first attempt. I like the sentiment, but it's execution was too poor. I should not have wasted the colored stock paper.

I then turned to my favored standard for ATCs and took out a book page. This shape became the basis for my next three pages.

 The basic theme is the wide open possibilities granted by unfettered flight, as I've only just begun realizing that I do not have to tie myself to any one place, thing, or person.

Disappointment, Success, and Cute

 
     So I've been attempting more of the art of the envelope. With the prompt of "flowers," I created this pretty but vaguely uncreative thing. I shall endeavor to be more creative in my next attempts. Though I have decided I do enjoy the combined look of the drawn-over picture. It adds a bit of the illustrator's style, perhaps. I have a few more mail-art prompts coming up. Birds, a colored theme, and one of my choosing.

     Perhaps for the freebies I should start what I once wished to do: pick an artist whose art I enjoy and copy either their style or subject matter. Of course, altering it so that it is my own creation and not merely a copy. This could be a good exercise, if remembered. On the bird theme, I could copy my past success. However, while the receiver may well enjoy it, where is the art in creating a stale copy? Hence a motive for this blog: to keep my art honest, and effort displayed to be judged alongside others of my work.

Fly

Escape

     And here are more ATCs. For this prompt, I had to have some part of the card brunt. I decided to burn the edges and remount it upon another backing.

     I went outside my normal style of things for a mixed media mash-up kind of look. I'm not sure I like what I've made, but I've always wished I 

could create such types of art and these two ATCs are the closest I feel I've gotten yet. 

Therefore, considered a success. :)

     And then, of course, I can't forget about my steampunked sea turtle. At first, I was excited by the prompt "steampunk sea creature." All sorts of ideas flitted around my head of creatures of the deep. However, when it came time to actually create, all ideas fled. Then I found this little guy. I immediately know he needed a monocle and top hat. though how to make him steampunk and not just Victorian....I decided he could be a little machine. Though how steam or smoke billows out underwater, I couldn't tell you. He is cute though, is he not?  ^_^

Clothing

I went through one of my drawers, determined to get rid of the things I don't need/don't fit/wont wear. I did do a little of that. I also ended up resizing, combining, and cutting up clothing! I made a couple of tanktops out of too small or too big shirts and I also completely revamped this beautiful long-sleeved shirt. The sleeves were too tight/small, so I cut them off--instant tank top. But the shirt still didn't fit quite right, so I ripped out the back, put in a few grommits for lacing the top, and tied the rest together in strips. It looks amazing and I'm so proud of it! ^^

Cut off the sleeves, and added the black.