Back to work today after the lovely long weekend - and I am trying to adopt the homespun philosophy that goes something along the line that it is the thorns that make you really (truly) appreciate the beauty of a rose.
Anyway this is my prototype for the fibre postcards I am making at the moment for an Aussie exchange on the theme "Patterns" - they were supposed to be finished and in the mail by today but I underestimated how long it would take the Shiva oil sticks to set or dry or cure or whatever it is they do before they can be heat set, so it was yesterday before I could add the Misty Fuse and blue organza, do some silver free motion stitching and start the beading. I have finished the prototype and the rest will be finished over the next two evenings if I give up eating and sleeping.
These postcards are something completely different for me and I am quite happy with their simplicity. I am also now in love with Shiva sticks - I am doing rubbings next!
Today, in amongst all the bills and envelopes for our local government elections, I received a lovely fibre/mixed media ATC from Diana Bahler in New Zealand. I sent her one as a RAK (Random Act of Kindness for anyone that isn't familiar with the acronym) but she is a purist about the trading bit, so has blessed me with a return ATC - a beautiful collage on calico. I love the stamps that come from New Zealand - they always seem to be beautiful and there was a card in there too (the ATC is scanned on top of the envelope and card). Thank you so much Diana - my ATC collection is growing and looks spectacular!
So that's it for tonight - I'm off to do some beading on postcards!
I love stamping with images of leaves and usually use chalk inks as I love their softness and blend-ability so for this week's Wednesday Stamper theme of "Leaves" I have dug out my Burnt Sienna and Charcoal Chalk Ink-pads. The leaf is by Amazing Creations, the tiny text by Collections and the crackle is one of four images on an "aging block" by Lucy's Stamps. Scrap of scrapbook paper (very appropriate, hey?), some gold sticker strips and a recycled op shop button to finish.
And while I am writing a post I thought I'd load a scan of a piece of fabric I have decorated with Shiva Sticks (green, black and gold). I think it will make interesting backgrounds for some fabric postcards and ATCs. I used the swirl and circle rubbing boards that I posted about a few weeks back. They worked a treat so I am going to make up some more with different shapes. It is a great way to use up old dimensional paint and I have heaps of it left from my T Shirt decorating days.
