I finally finished making the 2 butterfly ATCs. All along I thought I was to send one card and keep one card. To my surprise, I found out I was to send out both of them! At that very moment I felt a sense of panic- obviously, I developed a strong attachment to my little creation, and I wasn’t willing to let both of my babies go. I knew I could take photos, but it just wouldn’t be the same. Some of my friends suggest that I make duplicates. Well, I’m not good at that. Once my idea is materialized, I don’t want to go back and make more of the exact same things. Okay, so photo it is. This is probably a phase that I’m going through, being new at making arts and all. I’m confident that one day I can send out my creation happily without the sense of loss. If by sending these little cards out make others happy, then I actually GAIN something- it maybe intangible, but definitely has a place in my heart. Well, after double-checking the address for the 20th time, I dropped off my little butterflies to my swap partner. Twyla, here they come!
P.S. photos will be posted after my partner receive the cards
Friday, November 19, 2010
separation anxiety
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
personal card
On the back of the ATC card, one needs to include contact information. I thought the simplest way is to use my email address. Well, I could just write it by hand, but I like things tidy and consistent- so I decided to print it out. Since I would be using the computer for printing anyway, then why not add some colors and backgrounds to make it pretty? So, I designed my own “personal” card. It’s 2.5” x 3.5”- same as the ATC card. This is what it looks like.
Monday, November 15, 2010
atc - november
My attention shifted from finishing my blank journal to starting my ATC project. I need to make 2 and have 1 sent out by the end of November. The theme for November’s swap is Butterfly. Being very non-lady like, I like bugs a lot, all except roaches (I shall continue to work on this one). I raise mealworms for my geckos and quails, and my husband raises flightless fruit flies for his poison dart frogs. So I’m around bugs a lot. Butterflies are very meaningful- not only do they represent beauty, they also imply to be a product of growth and transformation.
This is my very 1st ATC experience- I’m both excited and a little nervous. I cut out 2 2.5”x3.5” cards from 350 GSM (which converts to about 130 lb.) paper, . From the internet dictionary I printed out the definition of butterfly on regular copy paper, torn them out by hand, then stained them with Tim Holtz’s “Distress Ink” http://www.timholtz.com/ink.htm.
Technorati Tags: Art, ATC, Butterfly, card, Distress Ink
Monday, November 8, 2010
homemade journal
I came across a video that shows how to make your own art journal. There are 3 parts total, and here’s the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8mi2Wxhee4 to part 1. Her instructions are clear and simple, and requires no special binding equipment except for an awl, needle, and linen thread. I used watercolor paper instead of file folder.
Technorati Tags: Art, Art journal, Masking Tape, awl, needle, thread, watercolor paper
Thursday, November 4, 2010
newbie
Having Apple as my neighbor has its perks- I can get my hands on to its latest gadgets fast. My name is April. As you can probably tell by now, I live in the Silicon Valley in California. Besides my husband and my 2 teenage sons, I also share my life with:
- 1 Standard Poodle
- 3 Leopard Geckos
- 1 pair of Parrotlets
- 9 budgies, 2 of which were born inside my aviary
- 5 Button Quails
- 1 Lady Gouldian
- 1 pair of South American Cichlids
- 40+ baby South American Cichlids
- 5 outdoor Japanese koi
I am new to doing art. After taking a course taught by a wonderful lady through the internet, my interest becomes more intense. Painting, Mixed media work, Art Journaling, and ATC are my current favorites.
It is my wish that through this blog, I can meet new friends and share ideas. Please feel free to leave comments, especially positive and encouraging ones :).
Thanks for stopping by.
Technorati Tags: Acrylic, Art, Collage, Mixed-Media, Paper, acrylic skin