Anything Goes

It was Friday Night on Main here in Mesa and also the night of the live ATC Swap!

The Theme this month was Anything Goes, the Cole Porter Musical.

The heat must have been too much, as the group was really small, however the art is really great!

This is the mini collection that I have in my gallery.

Very vintage cards, a sweet collection!

Red,White and Blue Fever

The 4th of July is one of my favorite holiday's. I missed it very much while I lived in England. Since then, I have always enjoyed the wonderful BBQ's with friends and family members. The fireworks at night have also been a highlight for years.
This year I would like to celebrate with art, and I hope to share the holiday with all my art friends with a Patriotic Pin Up Girl, ATC swap. Swap 3 Cards for 3 or 5 for 5. The cards should be all Red, White and Blue and add your favorite Pin up girl with a 4th of July greeting.
Leave a comment to let me know if you would like to join, I would like to have the cards returned for the holiday!

Sunny Days

It's a rare day here in Arizona, that the sun doesn't shine. Sunnier Days is not really on a wish list here. I can honestly say I love living here and don't very often wish for much. However, I had wished to participate in this fun art swap, Sunnier Days Post Cards and my wish came true. The previous post shows the post cards that I created for the two talented artist who created these fun cards! The art that came by way of Mail, did bring Sunnier Days and a lot of happiness. The artist who created these pieces Cindy McMath (Here Comes the Sun) and Lyn Avedikian (Arty Pants). The cards are bright and cheerful. A big thank you for such gorgeous work.

Live Trades

What a trading whirlwind this weekend has been.......The art swappers in this town had been busy creating the most fabulous art!
A group of the Art Chixies have also been busy getting their art in the mail, too. The art challenge
for this particular swap was postcards with the theme of Sunnier Days. So...... I treated myself to work on 80# Classic Crest to produce these colorful collages which are actually postcards. They have both been created with dye ink markers, distress inks, which are so wonderful to work with, they seem float onto the Classic Crest paper. Several images from Artchix Studio were then added, afterward hand lettering was added to finish the designs. They were really fun and addictive to make! If you have never created a postcard collage. Give it a try, it is so much fun!

Art Challenges

I just adore an art challenge. Helga at Artchix is always inspiring and hosting challenges that are just too much fun to resist. This challenge was altered clothespins! I have wanted to make an altered clothespin for so long, I had all the materials at my fingertips.

Several weeks ago I had purchased a package of clip style clothespins at the dollar store, and the other day happened to see a box of Animal Crackers with a designer packaging for the Year of the Tiger...it was just the right colors (Helga's favorite...Pink & Green.... so I snatched it up and took it home cut it apart and began to cut, glue, paint and glitter. It was such a blast...I made another one. I took the materials to the girl scout meeting so the girls could have an opportunity to create one! If you try one you will have to create more....they are very addicting!

I Love Animals

I haven't been able to find my way to the computer for days, as I have been overwhelmed by deadlines for altered book round robins and swap deadlines. However, I had received some fun art in the mail recently and I am thrilled to share it.

The Artchix Swaps are always so much fun. The "I Love Animals" cards that have been sent to me are the greatest additions to my ATC gallery. The collages are so colorful I am always so amazed with the detail and embellishment on these sweet little cards! Helga's new art papers featured in this swap are just delightful to work with and they bring some wonderful color to the cards! It's always so fun to see the new collage sheets that Helga puts together from these swaps, you can find them on http://www.artchixstudio.com/shop/digitalcatalog/ , along with a lot more fun and playful art! Do check it out!

Target Swap

The Target Artist Trading Cards have arrived! (ATC's 2.5 x 3.5 works of art which are traded with wonderfully talented artists throughout the world.) This fun collection had participation from across the United States and also Australia. It was so much fun to host this swap! The criteria of this ATC swap was to use a target as part of the art work. This is such a wonderful little gallery!

I would like to thank all the wonderful talented artists for taking the time to play in this swap and I am delighted to share their art!

Fairies in the Future

There were so many great costumes this week end at the Con. In fact, as you can see in the last post, Vic is wearing the costume for his next project, Vampire Night.
I had the pleasure to have met the Blue fairy in this photo, it was at the first Comi Con that I attended. In fact, I attended her panel where she taught the method she uses to create these gorgeous wings. Yes, her fairy gowns are breathtaking-as is all of her costumes.
Today, at the Girl Scout meeting we learned to take measurements so we can sew from a pattern. These stunning costumes can be created after lots of practice and thoughtful preparation. They almost look like they are in a dream!

A creative Fanime weekend!

How great is this? Vic has a part in the upcoming production Vampire Night! I am so excited about it. I admit it. I love Japanese animation....And I love also the live action versions of the Mangas, also. I really did not plan to go to the convention in Tucson, however I jumped in the car on Saturday morning and spent the afternoon in the pictured tent attending Panels. I went by myself and saw tons of teenagers in gorgeous costumes.
I was also one of the last people to meet Crispin Freeman during his session, and he sang to me!
It was a great day! I can't wait for the next Con!

Lucky

On this most beautiful St. Patrick's Day, I thought I would spend a little time sharing the luck with lots of freebies and free instructions for fun projects. (Especially if you have a few days off for spring break)
Find background papers and other images, they are always helpful if you get stuck for an picture for a card or an ATC.... like the one posted here at momsbreak.com.
For another really cute free dolly pattern, like the one posted at dolly donations, which you will love because it is sooooo cute, from the talented Jhoanna Monte fabric and softies designer.
If you love the trendy look of crocheted flowers for pins, barrettes or scrapbooking because they are so colorful and cute, find them at craftpalooza! These are super fun and very addicting, if you make one you will probably have to make a dozen because they are so darling!
How lucky are you top have a spring break and lots of free things to do to keep busy!

Mesa Live on Friday Night

Alice is all the rage at the moment....and the Live swap at Mystic Paper for Mesa's Friday Night on Main is no exception.
I walked into Mystic Paper during lunch and Jennifer was smiling at me and telling me- "I had to come" so I raced home after work and created a set of cards so that I could swap.
Just over an hour later I returned to the shop with half a dozen Twiddle Dee and Twiddle Dum cards, and have now added to my Alice collection.
And speaking of a trade, the Target Swap is due on March 21st and I am so thrilled with the cards all the talented artists are sending in. I know that all will be happy with what the postman delivers to their mailboxes!

Americana Art in Mesa

I was out and about during lunch the other day and was completely awestruck at the installation of the new art on Main Street. The statue has very realistic detail and is identical to the painting, except the background is missing! Along with the American Gothic couple, is a larger than life suitcase!
The statue is only on loan, previously on display in Chicago, perhaps on a journey across The United States.
If you have the time, take an afternoon to view it and the entire statue collection featured in the downtown area.
You can download an informational guide for the Statue collection on the DMA website, which is packed with details about the art! It's always a great day to take an art walk!