Full Deck Challenge, Take 2

 In June 2022 I stumbled upon ShanoukiArt and her Full Deck Challenge where she was arting up a deck of playing cards.  Between June and July of that year I got halfway through the deck inspired by her techniques and style.  But then something happened...I don't remember what but I was stopped in my tracks.  The rest of the deck sat on my desk for over a year and a half.   Occasionally I would uncover it and be reminded that I needed to get back to it but The Muse is a finicky mistress and she had other plans.  

Fast forward to Dec 2022 and I have been rediscovering ATCs over the past couple of months.  I joined a swap on SwapBot and, what do you know, the inspiration pic was one of the Full Deck Challenge cards.  "Oh, yeah!  I remember those!".  In an agreeable sort of mood, The Muse was totally on board and not only did I get the swap done, but I've also been burning the rubber getting through the deck; in a week and half, with guests visiting, I've done the following:

Some of these I like better than others but I learned a little something while creating each of them.  The next one is the ATC I made based on the previous FDC card.

It feels so good to be dinking around in the studio again and getting my fingers all messy.  Yay, 2023!

Watch.Learn.Play Preview Workshop

 Truth be told I still haven't finished all of the lessons in this online workshop, but I've already learned so much in the four I have completed (though, to be honest, it may not LOOK like it - haha).  In each lesson we create a master board and then cut it up into quarters.  My biggest take away is that I need to push myself to try more layers and cover things up sometimes.  As you'll see below, I'm still working on this...😉

Lesson 1:  Oops...I forgot to take a picture of the master board, but these are my finished pieces.  I was pretty happy with this batch.

Lesson 2:  Still no pic of the master board...

Lesson 3:  Hooray!  A masterboard pic!

Lesson 3:  Hmmm...too busy?  Wrong colors?  I don't know...not loving these.

Lesson 4 Master board

Lesson 4: Ugghhhh...really not loving these.  How is it that I liked the first day but progressively was less impressed (not with the class, but with my work)?  I guess that just means I need more practice.

I still need to do the last lesson.  Maybe tomorrow...

The Desk is a Mess

 Somebody I follow on IG asked a question I thought was interesting and funny...  "Are you an art monogamist or an art polygamist?".  I had never really thought about it that way before, but I almost always have several artsy endeavors going at once.  Definitely a polygamist.  My desk always looks chaotic.  The thing I like about this is that while I'm working I discover random bits laying around that end up being perfect.  If I was neat and tidy things wouldn't come to me so naturally and it would be harder for me to be creative in the moment.

Here's what's been going on for me. I FINALLY finished a big project...a 4'x6' forest painting for my friend's newly opened cafe.  Yes!  I have never ever worked that large so it was a big sigh of relief to install it in its permanent home.

As always some ATCs are in the mix too.  I went through a mad phase of signing up for SwapBot swaps and I've been getting busy getting them done.  

"Connections", green-themed swap

"Weirdo", interactive swap

"Oops", tan-themed swap

"Killer Kitty", extra sent with a swap for her son who collect cat-themed ATCs

So many more to make...

Until then, happy creating, or blog-scrolling, or whatever...😉

#The100DayProject: Days 91-100...ALL DONE!

 Woo hoo!!  100 days of scoping my stash!  I've rediscovered so many cool tools, techniques, supplies over the last few months.  Here are the last 10 days...

Day 91 and Day 13 of #birgitkoopsengelprintingchallenge (comb): acrylic paint, gel plate, comb, rice paper, Archival ink, rubber stamp, sheet music, sandpaper, Distress Stain, film strip tape, Copic markers, Pigma Micron pen.  Coincidence that this image popped out to me on Friday the 13th?  My subconscious must have been awake...

Day 92/100 and Day 14 of BKGPC (textured roller): "Love Letter to the PNW" - handmade textured roller, acrylic paint, gel plate, Sizzix die, gel print scraps, cheesecloth, Sharpie, Pigma Micron pen

Day 93/100 and Day 15 of BKGPC (foam stamps): foam heart stamps, archival ink, gel plate, acrylic paint, dye ink, Stampotique rubber stamp, Copic markers, patterned paper, pencil, Pigma Micron pen, heart stickers

Day 94/100 and Day 16 of BKGPC (punchinella): punchinella, gel plate, acrylic paint, Pitt pens, Signo Uniball pen, brayer clean-up paper

Day 95/100: Stampotique and VLVS stamps, Copic markers, gel printed index cards, acrylic paint, Signo Uniball pen, Dylusions ink spray, phone book page, stencils, Posca marker, handmade paper, Woody pencil

Day 97/100: Memory Box dies, Inka Gold Metallic Rub, Sharpie, Signo Uniball pen, stencil, modeling paste, tissue paper, washi tape, acrylic ink, gel printed stickers, gel printed background, gel print paper scraps, Asian language newspaper, cardstock, dye ink, rubber stamp, mark-making paper

Day 98/100 & Day 23 of BKGPC (from the toolbox): acrylic paint, gel plate, S hook, cheesecloth, phone book page, gel printed tissue paper, papers from collage pack, twine

Day 99/100: paper scraps, thread (sewing machine).  These scraps have been floating around on my desk for a while in some cases.

Day 100/100: pre-printed index card, random paper scraps, china marker, printer, Copic markers

It's been a great run but I have to admit that I'm glad it's over.  I think it's time for me to take a break from challenges for a while.  🥴  Cheers!

#The100DayProject: Days 81-90

 Woo hoo!  10 days to go...I'm feeling accomplished.  The gel plate has been used daily over the past 10 days.  At some point these cards may have some more work done on them, but for now, here they are...

Day 81 (Day 3 of the Birgit Koopsen Gel Printing Challenge - Handmade Stencil:  tyvek envelope, Sharpie, X-acto knife, acrylic paint, gel plate

Day 82 (Day 4 of BKGPC - Pill strips):  Pill strip, acrylic paint, gel plate

Day 83 (Day 5 of BKGPC - something from nature): trailing geranium leaves, acrylic paint, gel plate

Day 84 (Day 6 of BKGPC - cotton swabs):  cotton swabs, hot glue, wine cork, acrylic paint, gel plate

Day 85/100 (Day 7 BKGPC - random found object): acrylic paint, gel plate, aluminum can tabs, matte gel, cardboard

Day 86/100 (Day 8 BKGPC - sewing thread): eyelash yarn, acrylic paint, gel plate

Day 87/100 (Day 9 BKGPC - bottle cap): bottle cap, acrylic paint, gel plate

Day 88/100 (Day 10 BKGPC - lace):  stencil, alcohol inks, acrylic paint, gel plate, Copic markers, Pitt pen, Signo Uniball gel pen, snarky stickers, paper scraps, book text

Day 89/100: acrylic paint, paper napkin, speedy carve, carving tools, dye ink, Posca marker, paper scraps, pencil, needle & thread, book page

Day 90/100: I've been watching a collage artist over the past couple of months who uses beautiful handmade papers.  I caved, didn't scope my stash, and bought some.  As soon as they arrived (i.e. today) I busted them out to use on this card. Acrylic paint, gel plate, packing tape, rice paper, mark-making paper, handmade papers.

Only 10 days to go...I think I'm going to make it through the whole 100 days this year - woo hoo!

Red ATCs

 Monochromatic projects are fun to create.  I like figuring out how to use the variety of papers and media to create a cohesive whole.  Over the last few months I've joined a series of swaps over on SwapBot that are color-oriented.  These ATCs are for the red swap.

"Leaky Hat"

I made this one first, but the further I went along the more dark pink it looked to me.  So I made the next one as an insurance ATC.  😁

"Lady in Red"

I've been 'scoping my stash' for the last 80+ days as part of The 100 Day Project and I like the way it's infiltrating my creative habit.  The stamped image and sentiments were the only things I made especially for these ATCs; everything else was scavenged from my stash and several bits were things that had been sitting there unused for a while.

Media:

• Gel print scraps
• Book page scraps
• Washi tape
• Distress Stain
• Copic markers
• Memento ink
• Stampotique stamps (Mela, Crown Quote)
• Used postage stamp (collected by my dad at some point in his younger years)
• Signo UniBall gel pen
• Wink of Stella pen
• Zig Millenium pen

That's a wrap.  Thanks for peeking in!

#The100DayProject2022: Days 71-80

 I've been feverishly working on a large painting for a friend's cafe.  She asked for a forest scene and that was why I signed up for Alisa Burke's class a couple of weeks ago.  Many of my cards are a product of her class, but then I felt overloaded with green and foresty things (the 4'x6'painting is done - just needs to be sealed - yay!) and veered away from that theme towards the end of this batch of cards.  May 1st (Day 77) also was the beginning of a new gel printing challenge; I love me some gel printing...

Day 71/100: Bark Pattern.  Used acrylic paints, Pigma Micron pen

Day 72/100:  Doodle Trees.  Used acrylic paints, Pigma Micron pen, Signo UniBall pen, Stabilo PointMax pen

Day 73/100:  Cut it Up (cut up the card from Day 68). Used acrylic paints, Crayola crayon, Stabilo pencil, Signo UniBall pen, Sharpie

Day 74/100: Brushstroke Ferns.  Used a pre-collaged background, acrylic paints, Pitt pen

Day 75/100: Leaf Patterns. Used Sharpie, Signo UniBall, Memory colored pencils, Pitt pen, Copic markers, Tombow ABT marker

Day 76/100: acrylic paint, Stabilo pencil, Sharpie, ballpoint pen, Posca marker, Signo UniBall, Plumchester P4 pen

Day 77/100: I was working on something earlier and some gel prints were sitting on my desk.  Gel print rainbow from scraps!

Day 78/100 and Day 1 of BKGPC = 'Something From the Kitchen'.  Used acrylic paint, gel plate, wax paper

Day 79/100 and Day 2 of BKGPC = Hot Glue Stamps.  Acrylic paint, gel plate, hot glue

Day 80/100.  Not my favorite.  Pre-gel printed background, hot glue, tissue paper, modeling paste, Versamark ink, pearlescent embossing powder, rubber stamp, cardstock, embossing folder, Dylusions spray ink

That's a wrap through Day 80...woo hoo!  Only 20 days to go...