Catch up and Give Thanks-Milwaukee Live ATC Trade Nov. 2008

Last Saturday I attended the Milwaukee ATC Live Trade, again. This month the theme was Books and Authors and I made an interpretation of one of my favorite books, "Cold Mountain". The Trade was starting at 3 so I left around noon, as I was going by myself this time and wanted extra time in case I got lost or something. It was a lovely day for a drive, and I made it up there in great time. There were a lot of people there, I think around 25 or so. I met a lot of really nice people, and finally got to meet and talk to Mel a flickr contact in person and trade with her. She is a wonderful artist. Here are a couple of pictures of the trading room--We met at the Greendale Library, in Greendale Wi this time. I was so excited that I only took these two pictures!!

Hereis a of pictures of the Trades I made--
This is my card-Cold Mountain

Last week I was received a wonderful gift in the mail. A beautiful piece of Art -A Box for Peace, by the artist Franck de La Mercedes. What a wonderful and heartwarming surprise.

HAPPY THANKGIVING EVERYONE
AND
PEACE BE WITH YOU

What an Honor!!!

My great friend Shelly has honored me with an I Love Your Blog award!!

Shelly has been an inspiration and support for me this past year and I am so fortunate to have met her and truly honored that she gave me this award!!

As a condition to accepting the award, there are a few rules

1. The winner can put the logo on her blog (see above);
2. Link to the person who nominated you for the award
3. The winner then nominates at least seven other blogs (see below);
4. Include the links of these blogs on your own blog (see below).

SHELLY ALSO TAGGED ME AND THERE ARE RULES FOR THAT TOO--

1. Post the rules on your blog.
2. Write seven random things about yourself.
3. Tag seven people at the end of your post.
I have opted to Nominate and tag the same group, as time is short this weekend-

So, here goes
#1 the rules are above...
#2 Seven random things about me
1) I am the oldest of 3 children
2) I have two of the best dogs in the world, Daisy and Dylan-Jack Russell terriers
3) I LOVE my ART, music and reading
4) I have read "To Kill a Mockingbird" about 20 times and "Cold Mountain" 5 times
5) I collect little "things", really I am a pack rat
6) I have worked for the same company for 24.5 years(25 years in June 09)
7) I am married to an Irish poet

#4 Tag 7 people

Valerie
Femmy
Nancy
Marion
Carrie
Mam'zelle M
Karen

So--let the games begin
Thank you again Shelly!!!!!

Creative Slow down

It has been about 10 days since my last post and I have done only a bit of creating. I finished and mailed the Tag pages for ATC Connection's 2nd Anniversary book-fingers crossed that it got to the hostess in time. Will post a picture when I get the finished book back. I have been working on the cards for the Gypsy ATC book for Advanced Artist Trading Cards-UK. I only have to make 8 Cards but both sides need images and deco-I have a lot of time left as it is not due til January.
I did finally finish the cards for the Milwaukee ATC live Swap that is taking place on Nov. 22. The theme was Books /Authors and I decided to use one of my all time favorite books--Cold Mountain, by Charles Frasier.
I have only done one piece that was for me-

The Sunbathers

This is a 4X6 postcard size collage. I am not sure just why I was so taken with this photograph but I love the expression on both faces. I coated the card with beeswax and that gives it the hazy look in the background.

4X 6 Postcards- deux fois

I am sure my French grammar, a la Babel Fish.com is incorrect, but times two!! deux fois.
I have been working on 4X6 postcard format cards lately. Not completely to the exclusion of my ATC's but almost. I do like doing the larger sizes for some images and ideas. I am still hanging onto the less is more challenge I placed upon myself, and I really like what is happening.
For the following Cards, I did some layered backgrounds and something I picked up reading Sally Jeans book as well as Claudine Hellmuth's book on Collage with beeswax. The cards in this
post I made during the past two weeks--