Saturday, April 28, 2007

I decided to start my own collection of ATC's, with subjects of things that are from My History. That should give me lots of subject matter!! lol!
This first one is of... My Mom & Me.

If you're new to Altered Art, you'll be happy to know that it won't require much of an investment. If you scrapbook, you may already have everything you need! Start small … a tiny notebook or tag. Better still, how about creating your first Artist Trading Card? ATCs are often the most rewarding of my projects, mainly because I love working in miniature and they can be completed in no time.

Friday, April 27, 2007

Cool Blog

"Wreck This Journal"
Stumbled across this yesterday. Keri Smith, author of 'Living Out Loud' has a blog companion to her new journaling book, both titled 'Wreck This Journal' If you need a shove to work in your journal, or if you are intimidated by its preciousness, then this is the site for you. Lots of excellent, non-precious inspiration.

FREEBIES!!

I don't know about you, but I am nutso about Dover Clipart, specifically the old wood engravings. I nearly fell off my chair when Jacquie told me that you can sign up with Dover and they will send you FREE images once a week via email. I ran home to my computer and signed myself right up. Sign yourself up here....
http://www.doverpublications.com/sampler4/

Another source for free vintage images is The Vintage Workshop. She sells image packages geared toward fabric crafting, but nothing says you can't use them on paper. Sign up for her email freebies here....
http://www.thevintageworkshop.com/store/information.php?info_id=18

Don't be afraid to poke around both sites, they have a bunch of cool stuff to help you melt the old Mastercard, too.
If you are working on writing your artist statement, Jean sent me the link for this fun (smart-aleck) little utility to give you a hand with the verbage."
http://www.playdamage.org/market-o-matic/

ETSY


ETSY: "Great place to buy (and sell) handmade items!!

If you haven't already discovered it, I urge you to check out etsy.com. It's kind of like ebay for handcrafted items and supplies, though it doesn't work as an auction format. And everything is HANDMADE!

Each seller gets his/her own shop and can update things (put things up for sale) as they like. Financial transactions are most likely conducted through Paypal. But its a delightful place to browse: jewelry, journals, purses, artwork, and supplies (those are some of my favorite categories). You can even browse stuff by color. Go ahead give it a try.
Tip...if you see it...like it...then you better get it quick. Things on Etsy are there one moment and gone the next!!

My Etsy is http://www.alteredroute.etsy.com

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Americana

Been getting a jump on Summer...I'm in the mood for Americana things!! It's probably way too soon, but you never know, so I am going to test the waters.

I have a couple new auctions on eBay. I have been debating on doing patterns on these two...

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Band-Aid Altered Albums

I spent all day Tues going through my new stash....I feel like I have a store at my finger tips!!

Today I listed a few auctions on eBAy. Seems like it took forever. I haven't listed in a while and I forgot some of the quick-steps. The trick is to list all the time...lol

I also added to ETSY...
I listed a couple Band-aid tin Albums for Mothers Day. ...or Grandma...or anyone special. Fun projects for sure!


Tuesday, April 10, 2007

7th Heaven!!

Ebay tip 500+..... as a buyer, don't be afraid to get to know your sellers! Why?

About a week ago I bought some wonderful designer papers for a good deal! Was thrilled with the transaction and let the seller know! She let me know she had a few new auctions listed and had tons more to go.... and shot me a deal on a grand LOT of the balance of her entire inventory of Papers, Adhesives, Stickers & Diecuts, Ribbons, Brads and doodads...and more. The shipping was close to 60 lbs!! Well...the box just arrived!!
She said the value was about $500....but after going through the box, she was being extremely conservative. Then she added her patterns with finshed projects for samples, and paper groups that had a few snips, which she didn't consider new. Then she topped off the box with samples of her new passion...candlemaking...yumm, wonderful good smells! Ok...your wondering, but I'm not going to tell you what I had to spend to get such a Wonderful good DEAL...let's just say, "It feels just like Christmas!!!" And gives me 'faith' that there are wonderful people out there that share the same good will to other crafters that I feel I have shown the ones I have gotten to know over the years on the internet!! I feel blessed.
Thank-you Thank-you Brigitte!! You are such a sweetheart!!

Monday, April 9, 2007

Easter/Spring Break

Easter weekend, as well as Spring break, is over...everyone had a great time and now we are knee deep in deviled eggs. We had the indoor egg hunt this year because of the recent snow, but kids don't care...as long as there are goodies involved. As far as the Spring Break which was a 4 day weekend, James and John got caught up on playing with old toys that they haven't had out in a while and taking turns spending nights here with Grandma and Papa. Gotta love grandkids!!!

Wednesday, April 4, 2007

ACEO ~ YOUTUBE!

I am a member of
ACEO ~ Art Cards Editions and Originals
A place where Artists - gather together to learn the process of creating your own collectible trading cards. We may do exchanges, but this group is primarily for those who wish to create commercial trading cards for the saleable market.

I need for you to take a peek at our new ACEO YOUTUBE video! Thanks so much to Debcoart for putting this together for everyone! Whoooohooooooo!

Here's the link: Pets and Animals
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPFGwCgtBMI

Tuesday, April 3, 2007

The ATC " How-To "

Artist Trading Cards are a quick and fun way to do small art pieces that are cheap and less time-consuming, thus can be traded or given away. They say you should never sell them or they just wouldn't be ATC's and I get that....so to be politically correct when taking them to eBay to sell the name gets changed to ACEO's. That stands for Art Card Editions and Originals. They are also 2.5 x 3.5 inches, but since they aren't trading cards, they can be sold...does that make since?? Gotta love how women solve problems, huh!?!
Below are some simple instructions on how to do what I call cut&paste cards like the ones in my pictures at the bottom of my blog page. They are great for using neat ephemera, old vintage photos and using distressing inks and embossing powders!

The ATC " How-To "
1. Cut a piece of thick cardstock, chipboard, or watercolor paper to 2.5" x 3.5". This is the standard size for trading cards, and the thicker material will give you a sturdier base.
2. Choose your theme. What you would like for a focal point. This could be a picture or phrase … whatever catches your fancy.
3. Decide what sort of background you'd like to create. Go through your folder of paper scraps for inspiration, or consider paints, crayons, fabric or inks!
4. Next... cut, tear or outline cut the items that go on top of the background. Choose an adhesive that you use the same throughout your project. Using the same glue on both sides of media, as in decoupage, will reduce the frequency of wrinkling. Allow thorough drying between layers. You'll thank me later.
5. You'll know when your ATC is finished, much the same way you know when to stop with a scrapbook layout. Sign it, Date it and Name it! When complete, your ATC can be traded, saved or even incorporated into a tag, card or layout. Or don't forget...call it an ACEO and sell it!

Aprils Fools!!!

This is my first time to ever to Blog...maybe I am the April Fool!!

Do I really have time for this? I thought it might be fun...a good place to write things down about what is going on and or maybe to keep things I have organized. This new fancy smacy computor I have and paid way tooooo much for, didn't come with WORD.....so maybe this is a place that I can cut and paste from when working on articles & stories for my other websites. I really don't know what direction this Blog will take me....maybe down an Altered Route!