Mixed Media Monday - By The Sea

I couldn't resist posting something (even if rather late in the week!) for the latest Mixed Media Monday theme of "By the Sea". Living so far inland for the last nearly 15 years has made me appreciate the sea even more than I already did!

The one at the top is nearly A4 size and incorporates a page from an atlas, a shell patterned napkins, lots of ocean/ship themed cancelled postage, an old button, an anchor charm and a coil of twine and of course inks and stamping. The Passporto image is one of my favourite Oxford Impressions stamps. I don't know why really but I am drawn to it a lot!! Maybe because it makes me think of the possibilities that come from travel. I really like the male image that goes with it and I'm thrilled that Suzanne has used it as a separate image on the latest plate of stamps. It is a perfect size for ATCs etc.


And this one was originally made for a Stamping & Papercraft (now called Cardmaking, Stamping & Papercraft - presumably to strengthen the current crossover/growth of cardmaking by scrapbookers?) challenge to use the small little silver tin with clear lid in an innovative way. I had a lot of fun with this one and used faux verdigris paint, copper mesh, wire, beads etc as well as a heat transfer onto the lid (of a black and white photocopy of an old-fashioned compass. The tin has a thick layer of beeswax inside to anchor the little shells etc. The second picture is very dark unfortunately - I just couldn't get it right!

I'm making ok (meaning ok but not fabulous) progress with my "inspiration" banner triangles - they are taking a long time to make but that is because I am dithering about finding perfect pieces of paper, paint, ink, images and embellishments for each person's preferred colour schemes! I'll be getting a whole lot more decisive today!!

Yesterday I also finished reading a great book - it was called "if nobody speaks of remarkable things" by Jon McGregor. It was his first novel and really is remarkable - the attention to detail and the beautiful way of capturing people's self-talk. When I borrowed this one from the library last week I also took out the only other one that had by him so I am looking forward to starting that one now (but after the banners are finished)...