Running a bit behind

This week was the last week of school for the boys and you would think that things would have been winding down. Instead, it was even more hectic than usual. Sunday is the deadline for lesson two of the ATC workshop I have been doing. I had time to finish two of the three techniques early in the week but couldn't get to the last one until today. I really enjoyed all three of the techniques in this lesson. The Inky Layers technique was probably the most challenging for me. I always feel like my layering of papers looks forced. I liked the results but I really need to practice this more. I also used the basic concept of this technique without the paper layers (which also produced a lovely background with the pigment inks accented with the glaze). I plan to make a few stencils that I can use for the future out of some acetate packaging that I have been saving.


The last part of the lesson required one of the backgrounds to be used to create an ATC. Because I was running late on finishing the assignment, I don't feel that the two ATCs I created are my best work but they are okay.

Now I'm off to work on my newest project. I joined a book group that is working through The Collage Discovery Workshop by Claudine Hellmuth. I need to work on developing my own definition of "collage". Watch for more of my studies related to this book in the future. :-)

I'm it???

Isn't it funny how when we were kids we found all kinds of games to play to entertain ourselves. Some things never change. Even as adults, we look for ways to entertain ourselves. I've noticed games of "blog tag" before and now it is my turn to play (thanks to my friend Edith).

These are the rules.... each player starts with 7 random facts about themselves on their Blog. People who are tagged need to blog 7 facts about themselves and post the rules as well. At the end of their blog list 7 people you are tagging. Let them know that they are tagged by leaving them a comment.
So, time for my 7 random facts:

1. I've become obsessed with watching "The Starter Wife" on the USA network (and it has only had two episodes!).

2. I have a small scar below my bottom lip from when I fell off the sofa when I was 1 1/2 years old and my tooth went through my lip.

3. My "baby" is graduating from kindergarten on Friday.

4. I have developed a sunflower seed habit when I go to my sons' baseball games. If it is a particularly stressful game (like when my son is pitching), I can have a two bag a game habit. I blame my original addiction on my dad and sister. They are the ones who taught me how to crack a sunflower seed and eat the nut in one quick twist of the wrist. :-)

5. I take a two-hour nap almost every day (which will be ending this week since the boys will be home on summer vacation).

6. I hate giving up -- a case in point is the current ATC workshop I'm doing through the Artists of the Round Table Yahoo Group. I made an ATC background using a baby wipe (see my last post) according to the first lesson plan but I really didn't like it. Today I decided that I was going to use it on an ATC and I have to say, I LOVE THIS CARD!!! Check it out for yourself.


7. My favorite thing to wear is The Perfect Tee from Old Navy. I think I own over a dozen in a variety of colors.

So, now it is my turn to tag people. :-) Here are the people I've tagged:
Melynda
Deborrah
Brenda
Greg
Angie
Aimee
Celeste

Finished My First Lesson

Last Sunday I found out about an online artists group that was doing a workshop based on the Bernie Berlin's Artist Trading Card Workshop book. It started that day so I spontaneously signed up because I loved the book and really wanted to go through it and try all the ideas (I couldn't have asked for a better way to do it). I joined the Artists of the Round Table (A.R.T. for short) and finished the first assignment for the workshop today. Here are the results of the first lesson.I don't think that the intuitive watercolor technique is my cup of tea. I do like how my sheep ATC turned out but I think the rest of the backgrounds I made will be used for collage style ATCs. This particular watercolor card was made using twinkling H2Os (I am just a sucker for a little bling). The second technique was to create a background with a watercolor saturated baby wipe. This background I didn't make into an ATC because I realized that the key to this type of background (at least for me) is to use one that is not imprinted with little images. However, the paper that I had underneath the baby wipe when I was coloring it turned out beautifully. I used a piece of it for the background on the "Wish You Were Here" ATC. And, yes, I used the twinkling H2Os again for this technique also. The last technique for this lesson was to used Lumiere paints on a paper towel to create a material for an ATC background. I've used paper towels for ATC backgrounds before so I knew that I would love this part of the lesson. I had a great time playing (which I really needed) and can't wait for the new lesson that will be posted on Sunday.