Gay is OK

A recent ATC swap was called 'Gay is OK'... I was excited about it because I love my friends Jeff & Alex and felt this was another way to honor them and all that they mean to me and all that they bring to my life.  We had 3 partners and so I chose to do a series of the same card.

For those of you who don't know, I actually had the honor of officiating their wedding just over a year ago... I love the color and texture and am excited about the progress of my art...  and I do believe that love IS the answer...

Who do you love?  Who loves you back?

...scatter joy...

lindy

Spread your wings...

and fly... my other 'Insprirational Words' ATC swap.... This one happened almost entirely on its own... I didn't have a focus or idea going in.... but somehow it 'took flight'....

What gives you your wings? and RED BULL is not an acceptable answer...! ; )

...scatter joy...

lindy

Believe

You will because you can.  A very simple sentence that has seen me through the good and the bad... the great and the greater. 

I don't often doubt that I can do something... confidence is not a thing that I lack... however, even I, on occasion think that perhaps I cannot do what needs doing... or what I want to do... or what I wish I could do.... and it is on these occasions that I remind myself that everything I need, I have within myself.

This ATC was for the 'Inspirational Words' ATC... I hope there are more cuz you all know how I love me some inspirational words.... lol...

What words inspire you?

...scatter joy...
lindy

ride, run, walk, jump, etc etc etc LIKE A GIRL!!!!

The theme of this delicious ATC swap was 'Make a Statement'.  For those of you who know me, you know how passionate I am about women having and listening to their own powerful voice.                                                                   

One of my beautiful friends, Devin, ran in the SanFran marathon, and was sweet enough to send me the best postcard on the planet.  I used this postcard as the base... it turns the usual negative ....'like a girl' connotation on its head by proclaiming it as a positive.  We should ALL remember to run (or read or walk or ride or laugh or cry or talk.....) LIKE A GIRL... and that doing so is definitely a good thing... hell it's a GREAT Thing! 

Give your art a voice... build a community of women.

Who is in your community of women?  Who listens to the voice of your soul?

...scatter joy...

lindy

Postage Stamp ATC

I promise that I'll try and start mixing it up a bit between showing my art and sharing more craft ideas, links and instructions... it's just I'm sooooooooo enamored with these right now... AND it's all I'm doing.... lol....

For this swap we had to take a postage stamp and build a theme around it.  I like the way it turned out!  It is difficult to tell but it is 3 dimensional.  It was my first time using a layering technique and having things pop off the page...

Do you believe?

...scatter joy...
lindy

Favorite Theme ATCs

One of the ATC swaps I recently took part in was called 'Favorite Theme'... we had 2 partners and creatively interpreted their favorite theme.... one of my partners loves the Paris Carnival so I did some research and interpreted this year's poster onto an ATC.  My other partner loves desserts and glitter... after reading her profile I decided to incorporate her love of eating healthy into the mix and chose cherries as the 'dessert'.... and, as I called out, YUM!!!!

Is it possible to be an artist and not have a distinctive style?  Does this make you less of an artist???

...scatter joy...
lindy

Where in the world is...

Marinette Wisconsin???? That was the question I was asking a couple weeks ago when I found out I'd be working on a project here. 


The Good:  The time I have in the evenings to basically be creative and artistic .... no excuses ... I AM awakening the Artist....

The Bad: I'm away from home sweet home, friends and BAX... and you KNOW how I'm lovin' my space these days... AND I'm only part way finished with the re-do....

The Ugly: Everything is so uber-dry.... I am looking a bit like a hag......  ; P

It IS the waterfall capital of Wisconsin (it has to be true, the internet says so...) AND I'm sure that summer and fall will be simply delightful here.... I may even bring up a bike!

What would you do if you suddenly found that you had no obligations every evening?

...scatter joy...
lindy

Christmas Ephemera ATCs

I can't help it.  I'm hooked... so look at it this way... you will be able to watch me grow into my art.... ; ) 

These two were for 'Christmas Emphemera' ATCs in which we were to take old cards, wrapping, etc and use bits and pieces for our ATCs... I liked the surprise of using lime green versus a traditional 'christmas green' and really likes how some of the word images on the red actually look as though they are frosted with snow....

confession:  As I went to add the pics to this post I was already hesitant as I've made 'better' ones since I made these... which, then, gives me pause about why must I even judge... I can simply love them for what they are.

what does the word 'believe' conjure up for you?
...scatter joy...
lindy

FAST & FABULOUS... crafts for even the BUSIEST of souls

'Awaken the Artist' is my 2010 mantra and so far, so good, good, good.... !!! And, given the new assignment I've been given for work it's going to be very easy for me to dedicate time to this endeavor... however, for some of you who are a little more time-challenged I found this GREAT website FasterCraft... here is how they describe their site: About FasterCraft

Our goal here at Fastercraft is to help you fit crafting into your life. We bring you projects you can do quickly, and help you find ways to make those things fun and as affordable as possible. If you have questions or suggestions please send them to fastercraft (at) gmail (dot) com.
 
Check out all their fast and fabulous ideas!

Pointillism Part II

And the Pointillism ATC(s) I received in return...

we only needed to create one, however my partner gifted me with all 3 attempts... I'm having fun adding to my blossoming collection.

Pointillism ATC

I tried my hand at Pointillism back in college ... and recently had the chance to do it once again... it was more difficult than I remembered or thought it would be.... but what is really capturing my interest is the number of different ways to create ATCs and the multitude of themes...

The basic premise of Pointillism is that you create your art by making 'points' on a page without blending them all and without drawing other lines... it can be in color or black and white...

I chose to go with a primitive winter theme... What would your art point to?

...scatter joy...
lindy

Felting Fun and the Ugly I Received

I signed up for the Ugly Swap because I wanted to make one... wasn't all that interested in receiving one... especially because I'm trying to streamline and simplify.... but my partner really worked some magic... she created an Ugly in Green (I don't think she actually named it... hmmmm do you notice a trend here and my obsession with the naming of things???)  but... adorable it IS.... (Bax thinks it belongs to him but I've not given in (yet)! 

What would you name this little guy???

...scatter joy...

lindy

Radical Reading Nook Phase I

I have a funny space in my living area... it isn't its own room, nor is it really part of the living room.  Over the years it has served multiple purposes and most recently it was where the computer cupboard lived... but none of those uses were ever really the right fit...well, I finally decided how to design the awkward space.  It will be my new reading nook.... so here is phase 1 unveiled....

- new color on the wall ... it is called 'drenched in dew' (and I would really really really love the job of coming up with names for paint colors... ! Wouldn't that just be a fun job???
- new espresso floating shelves (expertly hung by my handy-woman)
- books newly housed and sorted a brand new way... by COLOR!!! this of course brings a whole new criteria when I'm deciding whether or not to purchase a book.... I definitely need more books in the blue and green color scheme.... *grin*

Keep watching as I unveil the next few phases....!

How do you organize your books?

...scatter joy...
lindy

Alphabet of Life ATCs

So the other part of Swap-Bot is the receiving of items....  Here are the first ATCs I've received... these begin my collection and are for the Alphabet of Life Swap.... Part of the interesting thing is in seeing how different people interpret the theme and create their miniature works of art....

What are some ways you've experienced different interpretations?

...scatter joy...

lindy

the ABCs of ATCs....!

Yes. Yet another Swap-Bot post.  Can't help it.  ; P   So.... I have long been intrigued by ATC (Artist Trading Cards)... think baseball cards but for the art*full inclined.  You can read more here or simply do a search for Artist Trading Cards... you'll be amazed at what comes up.

But I've been somewhat intimidated by the thought of actually creating something termed 'Art'... I seem to do fine with the 'craft' side of Arts & Crafts .... but I was letting ART intimidate me....

well NO LONGER!  Last year (2009) was Reclamation Lindy and this year (2010) I have decided is 'Awakening the Artist'....   I chose a relatively safe forum for my first foray into the world of trading art... This swap is called the Alphabet of Life.  The coordinator had this great alphabet of life from a friend and thought it would be a wonderful theme for a swap.... and she was right.  Our first two were 'Always Pray' and 'Be Kind'.  I read my partner's profile and saw that she liked primitives so tried to create mine with a nod towards that....

I'm hooked.  There will be more posts coming your way revealing the ATCs I create and even, perhaps receive.....

How would you depict the Always Pray and Be Kind for your ATCs?
...scatter joy...
lindy