Irish Landscape ATCs

I was going through old pics of my trip to England and Ireland from a couple of years ago. I was looking for lush green images of the English countryside... but instead, a handful of Irish landscapes jumped out at me.

While Ireland IS lush and green, it is also a wonder of grey and black.

It is blue grey water.

Mountains and hills and near black rocks.

It is rocky seasides and beaches.

And ragged brambles and jumbles of plants jetting out from stony roadsides.

While I was dreaming of green English countrysides... these Irish landscapes yelled "NO! Paint me!"

And so, I did.

Hope you're well and dandy! I'm having a huge issue with spam comments at the moment so comments are being moderated (boo!). I WILL see your comments, it's just going to take a longer than usual. If you have a pressing question please feel free to email me directly. Cheerio, lovelies!

Marketing, Mushrooms and Blooms

Whenever I order biz cards, postcards and other promo material I am certain that I'll never ever get through it all. Then, one day, I'll be looking for a business card and realize I've burned through them all. This was me two weeks ago. Shockingly low on business bits I created some new work for marketing thing-a-ma-bobs.

My new bits arrived just in time! The graphic designer in me is absolutely miffed that the business cards have the wrong coating on them (I SAID MATTE NOT GLOSS YOU NINNY!) but I'll make due for now.

Two different collages to go out with different orders. The one above will mostly go out with orders for Tiny Tarot Cards. The one below will mostly pair with fairy things and wings.

Felt like ages since I've done any collage work, and doing these was a pleasure. I used old sheet music and paint for the backdrops. Some snips of scrapbook paper, a stamp or two and loads of bits from various collage sheets (see the bottom of post for specifics).

I also created two new collage sheets for these pieces.

BLOOMS is packed with old fashioned vintage flowers. The mess of colour and texture is really fun and packed with life.

I also made up a sheet called TOADSTOOLS, bursting with red spotted Fly Agaric and loads of other mushroom goodness.

Here are the bits I used which might be helpful if you're looking for pics to snip and paste.

Saints and Sinners Collage Sheet

Matchbox Fairy Download
English Fairy Garden Download

Wee Wings Transparency
Bee Wings Transparency
Toadstools Digital Download

Blooms Digital Download

Cottage Garden ATCs

Experimenting with colour and pattern, I made a bunch of ATCs with a cottage garden theme. I like them, but they definately felt like experimentation or works in progress. So I whipped up a second batch and added some bumblebees (and one cabbage moth).

I'm pretty happy with where these are headed. Definitely not there yet, but I like the sweetness and day-dreamyness of them.

These make me want better paint. I've always been pretty comfortable with shitty quality acrylic paints... but perhaps it's time for an upgrade.

But I do like the looseness of them. The splotchy smooshy-ness of the flowers and fuzziness of the bumblebutts.

These fellows are not for sale. I'm probably going to trade them, making them true ATC's.

What have you been working on? Have you been keeping busy? Hope you're safe and well!

xoxo

Bird ATC's

I've been plugging away on this and that for a while but haven't really had anything 'finished' to show off. Mostly I've been keeping house (don't be fooled, it's still a mess) but in those moments I've been in the studio, I've been working on old dollhouse furniture kits sent to me over the years. There is a literal stack of little furnishings on my worktable. It looks like a fairy sized storage facility.

But yesterday... well yesterday it rained and the weather cooled and I hid away in the studio with the windows flung open. Paint was opened and before I knew it the whole day had passed and these fellows had appeared.

The backing is thick card covered with sheets from vintage hymnals. They each measure 2.5" x 3.5", yer standard ATC size. The paint is acrylic.

Blackbird - Original available here

I tried to stick with birds that have been visiting my yard. This year I've had a couple of red-winged blackbirds. They aren't uncommon but they usually stick to the marsh that's not far from us so seeing them around lately has been a treat. I just love that shock of red and yellow, like a badge of honor.

Chickadee - Original available here

Chickadee's, of course, who are just so plucky and fun. I love their fearlessness (perhaps only matched by hummingbirds, but I'm convinced their courage comes from being a little mad.)

Yellow Finch - Unavailable

Yellow finches which just make me happy to look at. They're like flying feathered sunshine. 

American Robin - Original available here

Robin's are one of my absolute favorites. I believe with my whole heart that they are in cahoots with the faeries.

Sparrow - Original available here

An unusual number of sparrows have taken up residence here this year. Normally it's all robins, woodpeckers and chickadees, but these guys have snuck in and made themselves comfortable.

Wren - Original available here

Finally, a wee wren. I was looking for a sweet looking wren as a reference pic but almost everything I came across was a cross looking. While I think something cute and sweet would match it's song (which is beautiful!) they are ALWAYS complaining at me when I'm near so the grumpy face is pretty perfect.

Watching and taking note of the birds in the garden feels like such an old lady thing to do. Don't care. Call me an oldie. It's a joyous thing.


"Be like the bird who, pausing in her flight awhile on boughs too slight, feels them give way beneath her, and yet sings, knowing she hath wings." ~ Victor Hugo

A simple thing-a-ma-bob

Last month when I made this Mermaid Silhouette Luminary, I had an extra frosted vase that demanded a little attention.

I grabbed a few supplies and ended up creating something very pretty and elegant in no time at all.

I simply painted pieces from the Mini Birds & Nests Shape Set, Scribble Frame Leaves, and a sentiment from the Word Tags Travel set, with a healthy layer of white acrylic paint. Then I added three white paper flowers.

Self adhesive foam squares provide a bit of depth to the layering of the different elements.

Now, I've called this a 'something-or-other' because you could use this as a candle holder, vase, center piece, and I'm sure a slew of other things. I think they'd be super pretty for weddings or showers, christenings, or even as a hostess gift. And while I love the all-white look, you could totally change this up to match your colour scheme.

Here's what you'll need to recreate this look:
• Mini Birds & Nests Shape Set
• Scribble Frame Leaves
• Word Tags Travel (coming soon)
• prepared glass vase
• paper flowers
• self adhesive foam squares
• glue

Note: if you'd like to see the vase being frosted, pop over to HERE to see last months tutorial

Free Photo Friday

Once a week I share an old timey photo from my personal collection. Feel free to use them in your mess making, art and crafting.

The images are not polished and left in their grungy, smudged and speckled glory. Just how I like 'em! Without further ado... 

Do NOT sell, give, or distribute the images as your own, digitally or printed, alone or as part of a collection, collage sheet or group. BUT DO absolutely make stuff with them and sell the stuff you make. If you share your project, a link is appreciated.

Violators will be turned into toads, given warts, all the bad stuff... I mean it... It won't be pretty. 

Mermaid Silhouette Luminary

The weather has been absolutely glorious here and my pool is all glistening ripples. I'm going to be taking advantage and become a total mermaid this summer. I created a little something to encourage my sea maiden ambitions for this months Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts project.

I've used an simple, straight sided vase as a base for my luminary. You could absolutely use a jar for but this was inexpensive ($2) and the was no mucking around to fit your hand inside. 

I've used a spray to frost the glass and tinted it with washes of acrylic paint. You can see my process by visiting THIS video walkthrough.

I've placed two figures from the Mermaids Shape Set inside my vase. The figures in this set are quite sizable, so if you're working with small jars I'd recommend considering the Mermaids Miniatures instead.

I've added shells. cheesecloth, and unraveled twine at the base of my luminary, as well as a Word Tag. There's some wired glass baubles that poke out here and there and look wonderfully like bubbles.

For a seaweed effect, I've used snips of the Leafy Swirl cutouts.

You could add an led candle inside the vase, or a string of lights, but I think it looks rather pretty just sitting in front of a bright window... especially one that overlooks the pool and reminds me to jump in, make a splash and mermaid my heart out!

Here are all the bits I've used for this project:

Mermaids Shape Set

Word Tag - Travel (coming soon)

Leafy Swirl Cutouts
• Rustoleum Frosted Glass spray

• glass vase

• acrylic paint

• sea shells

• cheesecloth

• twine

• wired glass baubles
• glue

And HERE is where you can find out how to put all the bits together.