Challenges!

Do you like to take on challenges? Sometimes I do and sometimes I don't. Usually I note the contest and write it on a list of possibilities. I review the list frequently to see if there is something that sparks an idea. I think the ideas germinate in the back of my brain and suddenly one will pop out as something I need to do. Here is a challenge that I immediately knew I wanted to complete. It's a small challenge and I thought I would tell you about it too. You might be inspired by this idea.

A friend from learning fiber arts yahoo group and the Valerie Hearder Landscape yahoo group is holding an International Postcard Exhibition at the Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin. So, all you need to make is a postcard. That's 4" by 6", not too big. It needs to be in Ireland by May. Plenty of time to make one, or even two. The best part about this exhibition is that when the show is over the cards will be sold to benefit breast cancer research. I think pretty much all of us know someone who has been affected by cancer. The money will go to the Marie Keating Foundation which is a breast cancer charity in Ireland. My mother in law had cancer three times, no one deserves this horrible disease once let alone three times. My card will be in her honor. Let's work together and raise some money to help stop this horrible disease.

Miriam the person who is hosting the exhibition is doing this in honor of her daughter Emma who found out she had breast cancer while she was pregnant. Emma opted not to have treatment until her baby was born. Emma left two beautiful children who would love to grow up in a cancer free world.

Here are the details of the exchange in Miriam's words:

"While I am Chairperson of the Irish Patchwork Society I am organising an International Fabric Postcard Exhibition at the Botanic Gardens here in Glasnevin. It will be held at the same time as our 30th Birthday Exhibition.

We are inviting postcards from all around the world. The theme is BRANCHING OUT and should be Floral, Horticultural, Landscape, Nature, Environmental. They should be sent without an envelope as we want to hang them so that everyone can see both front and back of the cards, to see the stamps and where they have come from.

Please send cards to

The Irish Patchwork Society
PO Box 45,
Blackrock,
Co. Dublin,
IRELAND

before the end of May.

These postcards will also be exhibited at our Knitting and Stitching Show in November (Which is the only big show here in Ireland) and they will be sold and the proceeds will go to the Marie Keating Foundation.....Which is a Breast Cancer Charity here in Ireland

I hope many of you will make a postcard for this event to support a good cause. Emma was involved with this foundation before she died, so it is close to my heart."

The link for the International Postcard Exchange takes you to a tutorial on how to make a fabric postcard for the show. You can also google fabric postcard and find many tutorials on how to make these little pieces of art. If you click on either of my slideshows of postcards you will be taken to my picasa album where you can have a closer look. Have fun!
Janet

Creative Day!

Yesterday I had a creative day with my small quilt group, the Rosie quilters. We met at a middle school where one of the members of my group teaches. It's a wonderful space since there are lot's of sinks and counter tops and outlets and tables...We could really spread out. She also had a few DVD's that we could watch on the drop down screen. Thank you Kathy!

Some of the members were trying silk screen printing for the first time. They had a DVD by Jane Dunnewald to learn how. Loved the results and want to try that sometime too. I didn't have time to gather what I would need to do the printing for this time.


I made some fabric paper for an exchange. I need to send 5 half sheets of paper and will get 5 half sheets in return. I'm not sure this is my strong suit. If I understand the exchange right we are creating just the base paper fabric for someone else to use how they see fit. I kept wanting to add more, but I tried to keep it basic. I think it may have been better if I stuck to one color per sheet. I don't know, really. I've never done this before. I may add a little more ink to them yet. So far I'm not impressed with myself and I hope whoever gets them won't be too disappointed.


Soy wax batik was something else we tried. We did this once before and I really liked the results. My sister found a couple of old kitchen tools at a garage sale last summer and gave them to me. Thanks Jo! We all loved using these.

I pressed them down with the flat surface but others were rolling along the edge creating a series of dots.

All in all it was a fun day filled with laughter and friendship.
Have a creative day
Janet

Tiny art kit for a tiny purse

I didn't want to show what I put inside my tiny tin purse until the recipient had it in her hands. It traveled to Arizona so now I can show what I added. First I decoupaged metallic tissue paper on the inside of the tin.


Next I made a tiny sketchbook that just fits inside the tin. I tried to find one while I was shopping but couldn't find anything small enough.

I did find these little gel pens that fit perfectly inside. Who knew they made them this small.

I went to the Minneapolis Institute of Art with a couple of friends one day for some inspiration. Love walking around the museum, it's a good way to alleviate all that cold winter confinement. Stephanie found this cute little water paint kit in the museum store. I had mentioned I was looking for little things related to art. So, of course I had to buy that.

I'm going to try to update my blog this next week and will be changing some of the links to other blogs. Rotating some of the people I link to seems like it will be a good idea. I have some more I want to add. I also need to add to my postcards sent and received and some of my finished quilts. Look for more photos in the slideshows.

Have a creative day
Janet

Tiny Tin Purse

I have had so much fun making this altered altoid tin! Very much out of my element but just what I needed to re-gain that creative spark. It's not perfect and I made some goofy mistakes along the way but it looks good. I had it almost finished last night when I realized the face would be upside down once I reattached the lid. Oops! Luckily I had another tin so I made a new back for it with the handle on the opposite side. I got this from a tutorial I found while searching altered altoid tins. You would be amazed at the inventive things people do with their tins when they are empty. The site I found with a tiny purse is called Craftster Community and someone named Faith submitted this tutorial. I fell in love with the idea.

In case you aren't familiar with altoids, they are little mints that come in a little tin case. Here is a photo of the case after I separated the lid from the base. I just thought it would be easier to work with them as two pieces.

The older tins were flat on the top. The newer tins have raised lettering. I used a hammer and tried to flatten mine out a little so the word would not show through my picture. I think you can see how it is flattened a little in this photo. (Remember you can click the photo to see a larger version)

I used an old deconstructed necklace or two to make the handle. I cut my wire too short the first time and had to make it a little longer in order to twist the two ends together inside.

I drilled two tiny holes in the tin for the wire on the handles to go into the tin. Blue spray paint seemed like it would go the best with the photo I found. Besides I already had a can of blue spray paint that could be used on metal. This photo shows the spray painted bottom of the tin with two holes for the handle. I had to reverse the side I drilled my holes later when I realized I had put the photo on the top going the wrong way.

I wish I had taken a picture of the photo on the can before I added the microbeads. Huge difference! I am super excited about these microbeads and can't wait to find some more uses for them. Really fun to use. Here is a photo with the microbeads applied. I found this photo at the Graphics Fairy blogspot. I immediately became a follower of her blog. She has lot's of photos that you can use for free.

This is when I discovered my goof with the picture!

I wanted to cover the edges of the photo and add a little more bling to my purse.

Here it is this morning, right side up, top and bottom reattached. It's a little snug to open and shut. I shouldn't have painted the edge of the bottom piece. I think next time I would mask that before I paint. Isn't it cute!

Now I plan to add some fabric lining and I need to decide what to put in my tiny purse before I send it off in the mail. Any suggestions?
Have a creative day
Janet

Arrrrr! I received some pirates treasure!

I have been missing for sometime now. I guess I needed to take some time off for myself. I spent the month of November in therapy 3-4 days per week. With the driving included it was about 3-4 hours per day. Seemed like a full time job at the time. It helped me tremendously though and am very glad I was able to take the time to do it. Since it was so helpful I have been able to walk without as much pain. So, I have been walking and now have started using the "ellipti-kill" too. I made some great friends through the Biggest Loser website who are very encouraging and keep me going in the right direction.

I haven't been doing too much creatively the past few months. So I needed something to nudge me back into adding a little more balance into my life. I joined a yahoo group of Mixed media artists and have signed up for two exchanges. The first exchange is an altered tin, like the altoid tins. I have never done this before but have wanted to for awhile, so like the Nike add "Just do it" came into my head and I signed up. The second is for fabric paper. I tried making this before but wasn't very happy with my results. They have generously given, those of us who are new to this technique, some instructions. I can't wait to make both of these.

I received my altered tin in the mail yesterday and I am thrilled. You are supposed to fill the tin with little odds and ends of things and have a theme for your tin and items. Sue Cox sent me the tin I received and it is amazing. I can't believe how much she managed to fit in such a little tin. Her's has a pirates theme and I received quite a treasure! Here are the pictures. The whole thing was wrapped in the large scarf.

The baggie of items was on the bottom, probably to protect the legs she added to the bottom of the tin. The baggie and the tin were inside the burlap bag tied with twine. Everything else was in the tin itself. I know I will be able to use the items she sent in future projects. Very fun exchange!

I have two different ideas for my tin and may make them both. I'll keep you informed. I have also started to make some zentangles lately. They are kind of like potato chips. You can't make just one. Fun to do when I need a little time to sit and relax. My pad for this is very tiny only about 3.5" x 5" so they are quick to make.
Have a Creative Day
Janet