ART FROM THE MAIN HOUSE: Sunday Postcard Art Challenge (01-03-16)

Linda is our host this week at the Sunday Postcard Art challenge and she has chosen the fun theme of Men in Hats.  This was a fun challenge for me because I recently purchased the stamp set from Stampers Anonymous (Tim Holtz) called Time Travelers and it was ready to be inked up for the first time!

My postcard (4x6") was cut from a new piece of patterned paper by Marion Smith called Timekeeper.  The map was cut from the reverse side of the same paper.  The number stamp is from Stampotique Originals and the title from Tim Holtz idea-ology "chitchat" sticker book. The washi tape (top right) is from my stash. To add a bit of interest to the background, I used a design cube, also from Stampotique Originals.  I used my Copic Markers to color the focal image.

I hope you will find some time this week to play along with this great challenge.  You can find the details here.  

Thanks for stopping by and for taking a moment to leave a comment.  Both are appreciated!

Cheers!

ART FROM THE MAIN HOUSE: Sunday Postcard Art Challenge (12-20-15)

The Sunday Postcard Art challenge has been posted and Constance has chosen the holiday theme of nutcracker.  This was indeed a challenge for me, but Google images saved the day with a perfect nutcracker image for an artist!

I cut a scrap of patterned paper to 4x6" for my postcard.  I "altered" the image somewhat by using PSE, but remained true to the basic image.  The wording at the top was created using fonts available in Word; the bottom wording was leftover from a Christmas kit long ago dismantled.

Glad you took a moment to stop by today.  If you have not already done so, I hope you will join as a follower and then follow by e-mail so that you don't miss an update!

I hope you can find some time this busy week to get crafty and create a postcard for this challenge.  

Merry Christmas to each and every one of you!

ART FROM THE MAIN HOUSE: Sunday Postcard Art Challenge (12-13-15)

Hazel is the host this week at Sunday Postcard Art, and she has chosen the theme of Holly and/or Ivy for our challenge. The submissions for this challenge are amazing, and you can find them here.  

For my postcard, I began with a scrap of patterned paper cut to 4x6" for my background.  I used one of Dyan Reaveley's stamps for my ivy element and used Copic Markers to color it.  Copics were also used to add color to one of my favorite Stampotique stamps, Moth Fab!  The text stamp is from Tim Holtz.

I hope you will take some time this week to create a bit of postcard  art (4x6") for Hazel's challenge.  Anything goes as long as it has to do with holly and/or ivy!  

Thanks for stopping by for a visit and for taking a moment to leave a comment.  Both are important to me!

ART FROM THE MAIN HOUSE: Sunday Postcard Art Challenge (12-06-15)

Running a bit late this week for the Sunday Postcard Art challenge, but it's only Friday so am in time!  Our host this week is Marion, an avid reader, who is challenging us to use Books/Reading in our postcard art.  

I just received a new stamp from the NAYS WORLD collection called "Funky Girl."  This gem is named Nikki and she has been designed by the up-and-coming artist and stamp designer Carol Porter! You can find Nikki and her funky sisters in Carol Porters Etsy Shop.  You can also visit Carol and watch her inspiring videos on her blog, Daily Art Tantrums.  

I purchased and downloaded the background photo of the books from FotoSearch. It was printed on my computer printer onto 4x6 glossy photo paper.  My focal image was colored with Copic markers, then adhered on top of the photo. The title was created using Mrs. Grossman's alpha stickers and is inspired by my husband's daily commute into Boston--a long one that allows plenty of time for him to listen to his BOOKS on  TAPE!

Thanks for visiting today and for taking a moment to leave a comment. Please take a moment also to join as a follower if you have not already done so. You can then "follow by e-mail" so that you get a notice when I have published a new blog post.

Cheers!

ART FROM THE MAIN HOUSE: Sunday Postcard Art Challenge (11-29-15)

The Sunday Postcard Art challenge this week is hosted by Linda, who has chosen "trees" as our theme. Other than palm trees, of course, I am thinking that pine trees are my favorite at this time of year.

I used my Cricut to cut out different sizes and shapes of trees, then adhered them to my Kraft postcard (4"x6") after stenciling on some watered-down gesso for some background interest. At the bottom, I used full-strength gesso to add the appearance of a bit of snow. The sentiment was created with a Stampin' Up! stamp that I have had for years!  Hope you like it...

I hope you will find some time this week to join in on the fun and create a postcard for this challenge.  Thanks for visiting today and for taking a moment to leave a comment.  Both are important to me!

ART FROM THE MAIN HOUSE: Sunday Postcard Art Challenge (11-22-15)

Hazel is our host this week at the Sunday Postcard Art site and the challenge is to use fruit in the creation of our postcards. Her inspirational art for this week is wonderful and I would encourage you to visit her site to check it out.

My postcard for this week is a bit "off season" if you live in the Northern Hemisphere, but I had fun making it just the same. One of the items on my Bucket List is to visit the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C. That was the inspiration for this piece.  

Both the background and quote are from an internet search. The image is called "Friends" and is by Stampotique Originals.

I hope you will find some time this week to play along with this challenge.  You can find the rules here.

I appreciate both your visit and your comment today.

ART FROM THE MAIN HOUSE: "Take It Make It" November Challenge

Craft Stamper Magazine's "Take It Make It" challenge for November is to use a stamp and the theme is Anything Goes. It is possible to submit three pieces of art (each entered separately), so decided to make my third submission today.  

I recently found a new stamp designer by the name of Carol Porter.  I am lucky to have two of her stamps; the one I am using today being my favorite! You can see everything that Carol sells (including cards) at NAYS WORLD in her Etsy Shop. You can also follow her blog here.  

I made this journal page today using a scrap of patterned paper. I added some interest in the background before adhering my focal image (stamped on book text) and stamping my sentiment onto the paper. I think the two pair nicely!

Thanks for stopping by today and for taking a moment to leave a comment.  That way I'll know you were here.  I would love it if you also joined as a "follower" if you have not already done so.  Once you have done that, you can subscribe by e-mail and get notified each time I update my blog.

Cheers!

ART FROM THE MAIN HOUSE: "Take It Make It" November Challenge

Craft Stamper Magazine's "Take It Make It" challenge for November is to use a stamp and the theme is Anything Goes. With such freedom, it was fun to create this fall-flavored tag:

Thanks for coming by today and for taking a moment to leave a comment.  Both are important to me!

ART FROM THE MAIN HOUSE: Sunday Postcard Art Challenge (11-07-15)

Deann is the host for the Sunday Postcard Art challenge this week, and she has sent us back to dig up our favorite fairy tale!  Few things last past childhood, but Snow White and those seven delightful dwarfs have endured the past seven decades for me!  Dopey was always my favorite dwarf.  Amazingly, he never spoke, yet one could always imagine what he was thinking!

For my background, I cut two pieces of heavy cardstock to 4" x 6".  I applied gesso to the surface of one, then pressed the two together and "massaged" the outside a bit to push around the gesso between the two.  When I pulled them apart, there was texture and pattern everywhere!  I allowed the cardstock to dry and then, using a citrus color palette, applied Dylusions spray inks and spritzes of water to blend them.

The pre-colored image of Dopey was from an internet search, and the text stamp is from Stampotique Originals.  

Thanks so much for stopping by today and for taking a moment to leave a comment!  Both are appreciated.

ART FROM THE MAIN HOUSE: Sunday Postcard Art Challenge

Linda is our host at Sunday Postcard Art this week, and she is sending us off to Paris to create art!  I hope you will take some time this week to join us in creating something for this challenge.

My postcard this week was a simple one to create as I used a Sizzix "texture fade" die folder to create dry embossing on my paper (cut to 6" x 4").  I then used a sanding block to rub off most of the raised surfaces, revealing the white core of the paper.

Thanks for stopping by today and for taking a moment to leave a comment.  I appreciate both!