Sunflower series

I found some lovely sunflower quotes and phrases that inspired me to create.

I've been missing my painty fingers, so pulled out both the watercolours and acrylic paints. A quick masked frame and watercolour background, followed by oranges, yellows and brown acrylic sunflowers.

Discontent with paint alone, I trimmed the painting down and mounted on patterned paper, machine stitched a frame with some lace, fabric and ric rac scraps. The phrases were typed and stitched onto the reverse, to tell a little story.

I'm happy with these bright little artworks  and hope to trade them to add some special pieces to my tiny curated collection.

Looking for trades so don't hesitate to message me! 

Thanks for looking, comments encouraged xx

"River rocks" ATCs

I've found some lovely little sketchbook tutorials - these are a couple of my favorite watercolour artists that break down the techniques into beginner sized "chunks".

Find them on Instagram here (Andrea) and here (Lacey)

These are my interpretation of River Rocks. I imagine reaching into an ice cold, clear running river and skimming stones - unsuccessfully, because I'm not outdoorsy or athletic 🤣

Lacey at @rebelunicorncrafts posted a great tute and this little collection of mine uses her ideas, you can find her reel here.

And that's it for another day. Thanks for looking, commenting, sharing & trading xx

"Sea Series" ATCs

 I loved creating these ATCs! 

Lots of paper - a couple of recycled envelopes, patterned paper, book pages, tissue paper; ink & gold paint pen; resin shell "add ins"; embroidery thread and seed beads; my trusty typewriter 🙂

It was a labour of love and I got so caught up in the creative process I lost all track of time - something that does not occur often enough.

A crafty friend was overdue a trade and had first choice of these little canvases, chosing "She sells sea shells". I listed the others for open trade and have been picky with the options to trade from, beginning to believe that my art is my currency.

I'm delighted with these and am so glad I put the time, effort & creativity into producing something that makes me happy.

As always, comments welcome and I'm always keen to trade

Thanks for looking xx

"Catittude" ATCs

After receiving some beautiful collage & mixed media art in my mailbox and art group feeds I thought it time to give it a try. 

Admittedly, these are nothing like the amazing surrealism or junk journal collage I admire, but more of a mixed media style that feels familiar to me. It seems I'm not quite ready to step too far out of my comfort zone yet.

I made a series of 5 ATCs using various papers for my backgrounds, including playing cards #9 😉, book pages and patterned paper. Acrylic paint was applied with a scraper, bubble wrap & a punched paper scrap as a stencil. Duct tape transfer method was used to re-imagine cute cat stickers into a collage element and machine stitching added some texture. Finally some sassy phrases and an embellishment or two completed these ATCs with catittude.

 😾 Meow

One of these will be posted to the US in an exchange with a cat lover, the rest will be kept for when I need a trade for something particularly special.

I have gotten a bit picky with my exchanges lately, and loathe trading something that has taken me hours to create for a sticker on patterned paper or a simple doodle. I wish woman once said "your art is your currency, spend it how you choose", and I've taken those words to heart.

As always, thanks for looking and comments always welcome xx

ATC happy mail

 Have been so caught up in the exchange of happy mail that I've forgotten to post my latest artistic pursuits - I'm using that term VERY loosely 😆

If you're ever looking to trade just leave me a comment - I'm located in Australia 🦘 but trade internationally.

More floral ladies

ATCs made exclusively from RAKs and extras received with trades

Hive activity

(Bees are honestly my absolute favorite subject to turn into art)

Noojee

Watercolours painted from photos I took on our weekend away back in September, for a National Park themed swap - I received a lovely prickly pear from Arizona in exchange 

Acrylic flowers

Another incarnation of a module from the online class I've been undertaking

Mounted on black cardstock they turned out better than anticipated 

Watercolour doodle

Just because....

Acrylic mandala style

To use up paint left on my pallette

Yet more floral ladies

Somehow I've managed to lose this lady, she's nowhere to be found and I haven't traded her - go figure 🤷

And that is all for tonight. 

It's not all of the ATCs I have to share - I have been particularly busy crafting and particularly neglectful of house cleaning - but as a result my letter box has been full to the brim with beautiful, creative 'nerd mail' from around the globe 🌎

Thanks for looking 

Trades always invited & comments always welcome xx

Floral Ladies ATCs

 I loved pulling out the watercolour paints to create these beautiful ladies, with their floral locks. A simple face, a splash of paint, some doodled flowers - and a whole lotta time - was all it took. I'm delighted with the finished ATCs 🙂

Orange - Traded

Red - Traded

Purple

Golden - my favorite 😍

Pink - 

or maybe this one is my favorite? 😍

Someone missed out on the Vintage Rose Ladies I painted last year, and while we were arranging a current trade she asked would I make her one. I was surprised when she asked to take both ladies, so made a few extras to trade in the Facebook group.

My watercolour technique is a bit haphazard but works for me. Practice makes perfect, so there are many, many watercolour ATCs to be butchered in the process yet!

Thanks for looking, commenting & trading xx

Hydrangea ATCs

Repeating a previous painting class I've found my results are very different just a month apart. Not better technique necessarily, but definitely more confidence in my brush strokes and taking initiative with composition.

February 2024

January 2024

Traded

Traded

Sadly one of my ATC trades did not arrive safely at its destination in the USA. The ATCs and extras were all removed, leaving only the note. 

So as not to disappoint my trade partner, and since it was through no fault of her own, I repeated the ATCs - same but different - and have resent them with a bundle of extras to ensure it is happy mail 💌

RAK gifted

I'm thoroughly enjoying my little sketchbook classes and developing a reference journal of my progress.

Same but different is a concept I really could get used to.

Thanks for looking, commenting, trading and sharing xx