Beachy Postcards

Here are some beach themed postcards I made for Alpha Stamps. I love vintage beach images, so this was lots of fun for me. We were given craft colored postcards, some great collage sheets, a set of rubber stamps, and various beachy charms.

Card #1:

Back:

Card #2:

Back:

 

I also did a larger project using some chipboard houses from 7Gypsies, but I have to keep that one under wraps until the June 10 Alpha Stamps newsletter.  I'm really happy with the way it came out.

Wicked Forest Altered Matchbox

I'm hosting a Wicked Forest Altered Matchbox Swap on Craftster with my good buddy cackle, and my partner is none other than the amazing microjivvy. I had to step up my game! I made her this little wicked forest shrine. She's a better photographer than I am, and was gracious enough to let me steal her photo. Here's an enlarged picture to show detail:

 I had a great time making this. I cut the front piece out of cardboard, and glued down the leaf motifs and the half-round metal pieces. Then, I glued wrinkled and then flattened tissue paper on, making sure that the paper clung to those pieces in hopes that it would look like they were carved out. I'm not sure that was 100% successful, but I like the effect. I then covered the drawer of the matchbox with the same paper and inked everything with both black and tan-colored ink to make the texture show.

Then it was time to make the tiny forest. I used some branches from a dogwood tree to make the tiny trees. There's a moon way back in the background, but it did get covered by all the woods! And then there's the little strange man in a suit. He came from Tiny Things Are Cute and is a little less than one inch tall. Here's a lighter pic of the interior so you can see him better. There he is, standing near the right of the box. I put a little moss on the ground, and hung some in the branches to mimic Spanish moss, which is Nature's spooky decor.

I put some Dresden trim around the edge of the arch for a little more texture, and then put glued everything up with a cardboard stand. 

When cackle first suggested "Wicked Forest" as our next theme, I was a bit apprehensive, but it's good to have a bit of a challenge every now and then, so I'm glad we went with it.

Swaps with Friends

My friend Cynthia has started doing pet portraits. When I saw the first ones she did posted on her blog, I shamelessly hinted that she should make one for me. She generously offered to make me one in exchange for some Halloween artwork. So here's what I sent her. An 8" by 8" wooden plaque:

I know Cynthia, so I knew that wasn't going to be nearly enough to pay her back for what she would be sending me, so I also made her one of my Halloween cats:

And an altoid tin. She told me that for Halloween, she loves witches and the moon, and her husband loves the devil, so I altered an image from Alpha Stamps to represent her and the hubby. He's not really a devil...he's got a mask on!

And here's the wonderful portrait of Stella she sent me in return. This is painted on fabric, and then quilted and embellished with sequins and beads. I absolutely love it. I immediately framed it and hung it up.

Cynthia sells her pet portraits. She's also an amazing fabric designer, and all around artist in general. Go visit her blog!

Thanks so much, Cynthia! It's always a pleasure swapping with you!