Altered Dominoes

For a few days I have been having a go at altering dominoes for another swap on a forum.

The middle and the small top domino have glitter in the lacquer which doesn't really show up properly on here.

This is one side of each, I still have the reverse sides to do.

I am not showing the one I have completed for the swap - it is a small one - the others are the more usual playing ones - I bought a set in a charity shop so have lots to swap and share.

I would love to be able to drill a hole in them - so that they can be used for all sorts of things - but that is beyond my capabilities at the moment!

Indigo Swap - Zuzu's Forum

I remember seeing the film 'The Color Purple' and being moved by it - so this is what I was thinking of when I made this - from a stamped image Kath sent me - for which I am very grateful It took ages to colour in with watercolour pencils and gold pen, and then I went over the black areas, and coloured the white mounting surround black. The textured backing card I have stamped.


I was thinking of Zuzu, for whose forum I was making these ATCs. She is getting married today - and is wearing a gorgeous deep red corset - alas the colour scheme for this swap is Indigo. I added some texture with the different shades of purple threads, and in reality it is deeper shades of purples, and the background is inked with silver penwork by me.


The Warrior - a stamped image from my friend Kath, which I have coloured in different shades of purple.

I was try to show her strength by drawing in the 'Auras' around her!

I am not sure if these are good enough to enter - but I did have a happy four hours making them today.

Faces Theme - Swaps Received

I was so thrilled to get my Faces swaps in return for the ones I entered on Zuzu's Forum.


'Sarah's Face' by the lady herself Zuzu. I love the stamped face - the soft chalky pink, and the collaged wording and bumble bee - also the mirror images of bees stamped underneath.



This is Ginger's face ATC. I can't put this one down - there is so much to feel and see. And the wonderful warm colours.


This one is by Nes - a lovely combination of greens. I love the soft chalky green colour and the face is so enigmatic.




This is a lovely zingy stamped ATC made by Anne

Thank you ladies - you are so clever and I can learn a lot by studying these

A Wedding Card for friends - in the forum and blogging world

I made this for a lady I do swaps with - she is getting married on the 4th July - yes Independence Day! Her husband to be wears specs so I drew a pair on the groom - and I thought the lady looked like Louise too.

Louise likes embossing and textures - so I layered and layered and layered a Tim Holtz Distressed embossing powder on the card, and bought ribbon to match - in the hope that it looks a similar colour to her outfit



I won't tell you how long it took. The lady is a wonderful artist, so it made me nervous making it - still its the thought that counts.



The inside.

They are a lovely couple and I wish them every happiness on their special day - and hope one day to meet them.

Textures Swap on ATCards

I recently joined in my first swap on ATCards Forum and sent off my ATCs to the USA and have recieved these in return.




The top one is pieces of material collaged onto card.

The middle one is by the swap host

And the bottom one is made out of threads on the card then machined - three totally different styles.

I am looking forward to the ones I should be getting from Australia in return for swap I entered my Aussie themed cards.

Bollywood?

A friend Kath, kindly send the me stamped image on this set of four ATC's (I have yet to cut it up).

It immediately made me think of Bollywood and the beautiful Saris and gorgeous colours.

I used alchohol inks - three colours - for the background on glossy photo paper, then added metallic gold ink to give it a lovely warm sheen - hard to see in this scan, so I took a photo which shows it up slightly better.

I used gold mulberry paper torn up to make the framework, and gold and pink gems to pick up the colours. Once again - it looks better 'in the flesh'.

I can't decide if I will do any more to it. I am going to see how it looks in the morning. Then I have to cut it up - on not!




This is a photo and it shows up the gilding a little better - but not all over!

Architecture Swap - For Mandy

This one was made on white card, with a rich cream backing paper which I stamped with Latin text. I carefully inked around the edges to try to give it an 'aged' look with the addition of distressed embossing powder. This I carried across to the architecture to link it all together - and to give the feel and impression of stonework. I gilded the fairy wings to give a focal point.




Black and white study on a black card which has been embossed with a black shiny powder to give the effect of pebble dashing. There is embossing on the building which highlights the fancy brickwork,arch and door.



A black and white work, with a soft white stamped background, the silver on the foreground images looks smooth and dull silver to the naked eye.



I am delighted that Mandy chosen this one as her hostess gift. For some reason you can not see the colouring.

Black card stamped with latin writing, the house I coloured with water colour pencils a pale shade of grey, the glass in the windows a soft pale yellow so that it looks like the lights are on in the house and gives it depth.

The Venus De Milo is coloured pale cream with water colour pencils and the foreground flowers are coloured yellow to mirror the windows - but slightly darker.

I had a real struggle with this theme, but am so glad that it stretched my imagination to think of ways to interpret it. And of course I had a very happy three hours or so 'playing' in my studio making them.