Happy Holidays

I am in a creative slump or rather standstill. The holidays have taken over and I am too preoccupied with work and shopping and planning , etc to sit down and make ART. I will be back after the New Year--ARTing away. Good or Bad--it is my ART. Thank everyone who has looked at my blog this year and everyone of my I-friends for your support and kindness.

Happy Holidays. MERRY CHRISTMAS--Happy New Year!!
xox
Lynne

BLOWING MY OWN HORN

I am so excited!! Walking on air all weekend.
I have been published in the Winter 2008 issue of ATC Quarterly!!

Some of my Work is on page 7 in one of the Triptich features. What an honor.
Not only that, but I had sent an ATC for consideration for the Centerfold section Theme "Puppy Dogs" and my Daisy Super Star was selected as well!!!! So --Double Whammy!! Double fun for me

NOW--GO MAKE ART

Lynne

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--

Milwaukee Live ATC Trade-October 2008

My husband Joe, a freelance writer, has been working on an article about ATC's. He has been corresponding with Chuck Stake (aka Don Mabie) in Canada. The artist responsible for bringing ATC's to North America, Chuck has been such a generous and encouraging person not only to Joe but to myself. He urged us both to find and go to a live trade. Because to Chuck--the trade is the THING!!!
I have been looking all over for live trades here in the Chicago area, but they are few and far between. I have been in contact with a tiny group that has been meeting up in Elgin, and there are several Stamp/Scrap shops that hold "trades" you drop off then pick up your cards all on a theme--but I wanted a LIVE swap.
Then I found what I was looking for...
Yesterday I went to the Milwaukee Live ATC Trade meeting. It was so much fun. I met so many truly nice and talented people/Artists yesterday. I felt true joy! It was amazing, I was in a room of strangers who "GOT" me. They made such an effort to make me and the other Newbies welcome. To talk to other people who knew what I was saying, whose eyes don't glaze over when you mention beeswax or vintage images, or gel medium. What a treat!!
Here are a few pictures of the Meet up

Below are the cards that I received in the trade.

I am definitely planning on making the drive up to the Milwaukee area in November for the next meeting. The theme is Authors and books and I already am filled with ideas!