Learning by doing and a little serendipity

.It still amazes me when serendipity steps in and blesses your life in unexpected ways.  I have been wanting to try my hand at Artist Trading Cards (ATC) and had been looking for a good trading site when I found Swapbot.  It turned out that Swapbot not only helps facilitate ATC trades. but other types of arts and crafts trades, also.  They also facilitate pen-paling.  Not only am I learning about ATC's and thoroughly enjoying it but in seeing how others do their art I am learning new methods and styles.  Some of the sponsored swaps even come with tutorials so you can learn and swap of equal value.  Some of what I have learned is new and different ways of using my art and sharing the joy it brings me.  One of my discovers was in Mail art; in seeing how others did their mail art I took it a step sideways and started using stickers (see photo).  I tried different methods and papers but now I use address labels to make my envelope stickers.  The 2x4 size Avery (48363) address label  is great and so is using the Avery (25395) self adhesive name badges.

. However one of the greatest things I've learned is the art of writing a good letter.  There is a knack to it; to make it enjoyable to both you and your reader.  In todays world of text messaging and short e-mails, this artform has been largely lost.  From recieving and writing letters from those I trade with I am developing that skill.  Just like in doing a blog I have learned to express myself better (still learning) by doing and seeing others blogs ( I go back and read my early posts and wow what a difference) With pen paling, writing is on a different level.  I am now learning to more effectively communicate with others and especially my grandchildren,  Since my grandchildren are growing up, living far away and most are in school, writing can now be a way to establish ties with them.  What a potential blessing this is; all because I joined Swapbot .  You just never know what blessings can come from seemingly little events in your life. SERENDIPITY at work.

On top of the things I am learning I am also gaining in friendships, double blessings. 

The photos are what I have sent on recent swaps.  The top one is 3 different swaps with 7 different people.  The bottom photo is a swap, Stuff an 6x9 envelope.  One of the nice things about this kind of swap in I can thin down my art supplies of excess and know it will be appreciated.  A new way of the old trading system.

Fun, fun

 

Enjoy

☺☺☺Johnina☺☺☺

Moonlight in daylight

These pictures were taken tonight just before sunset.  I still think it is odd to see the moon during the day even though I have seen it many times.  Tonight though I was fascinated by the moon being on the horizon and the clouds were creating interesting shadows on the moon.

For some reason It reminded me of the children's poem Bed in Summer by Robert Louis Stevenson.  Don't know why exactly, maybe because it seems odd to see the moon in the day to me, much like the child's question in this poem.

Robert Louis Stevenson

Bed in Summer

From Child's Garden of Verses

In winter I get up at night

And dress by yellow candle-light.

In summer quite the other way,

I have to go to bed by day.

I have to go to bed and see

The birds still hopping on the tree,

Or hear the grown-up people's feet

Still going past me in the street.

And does it not seem hard to you,

When all the sky is clear and blue,

And I should like so much to play,

To have to go to bed by day?

Another  Moonlight in Daylight photo taken tonight.

Have a good evening and good night

Enjoy

☺☺☺Johnina☺☺☺





Eye in the Sky

This cloud formation reminds me so much of a friendly version of  the eye from Lord of the Rings.  I was so glad that I had my camera with me this morning and all ready to shot when I saw this as I am a big fan of Lord of the Rings
I really loved the books and the movie did a wonderful job of portraying the characters and the vision of the books.  When we first bought a copy of the Fellowship of the Ring it was on VHS tape; we didn't own a DVD player yet.  Then we bought it on DVD.  Although we have yet to get Blu-ray player, the movie has been recently re-released on Blu ray, so I guess we will have to buy that version in the not to distant future.   This is one of those rare movies that lived up to the books.  I've read the books so much I wore out my first copy that I bought as a teenager.  I've read my second copy several times now. This is a true classic that never gets old.  As an artist  I've also enjoyed the books that depict how they came up with the artwork for the film.  I was amazed when I typed in Lord of the Rings on amazon at the number of items available there.  Lots to enjoy.
Below is just another sky scene that I took this morning for you to enjoy.

Enjoy
☺☺☺Johnina☺☺☺

WrittenInc makes you think

WrittenInc is one of my all time favorite blogs.  Carmi posts everyday and he always gives you something to think about.  Today's post posed the question of where do you find comfort when the world doesn't seem to offer any?  Not only does Carmi give his thoughts but the people who comment are also generous with their answers and it makes reading the comments just as thought provoking as his posts.  I left my comment there,

He also does a thematic challenge every week.  This is were his followers can post a post from their blogs depicting his theme.  This weeks thematic challenge is Autumn.

I don't very often post a special post just for his theme; I have been blogging long enough so I can find a post to fit his theme from past posts and this is acceptable for his challenge.

But as I have recently been reorganizing my photos I have come across lots of autumn photos that I don't think I have shared before so I posted on his weekly theme today.  I hope you enjoy them. 

 Happy Autumn

Enjoy

☺☺☺Johnina☺☺☺

PS click here for information on my latest giveaway. Enter and good luck

ATC's adding texture- Swapbot

I was doing an Artist trading card for a trade for Swapbot and wanted to add some texture to the background of my zentangle design.  I had seen this technique on youtube and thought I would try it.

This is my result:

My photos were not that great, but I think you can get the idea.  I love using textured backgrounds with my artwork.  I liked the way this turned out but next time I will try using more alcohol.  I used a spray bottle because of the small size of this project.  I did the first layer in pink and the second layer in purple, because those were favorite colors of my swap partner.  As you can see I added a couple of my stickers and of course I can't leave the envelope alone.  I don't send out letters or packages without them being decorated anymore.

I also did a mail art swap.  I added a letter, two stickers from my photos and blank note cards again using my photos.  I send according to my swap partners profiles.  This person likes purple, zentangle and realistic frogs.  With these swaps; I send to one person and someone else sends to me.  This is kinda cool as I get to know more artists this way.  I am also learning to use my photos in different ways.  I'm now making stickers, envelopes, and note cards.  I've got a current swap making postcards, so I'll figure out how best to do those.  I have been using my photos for more than printing up and hanging on my walls.  I've discovered more ways to enjoy my photos and to share them with others. 

I hope you have enjoyed seeing what I have been up to and it helps get your creative juices flowing.

Enjoy

☺☺☺Johnina☺☺☺

PS the give away of my stickers is still in progress scroll down to Giveaway #3 for details and good luck.

  



Disorganized organization

A couple of days ago i opened up my computer only to be greeted by the dreaded blue screen.  Fortunately I was able to start my computer without any more problems; however It reminded me that I had not backed up my photos for about a month.  When I was backing up my files I realized I really needed to organize my photos.  Yet another task that I have neglected lately.

When I was going through my photos I discovered some photos I really liked and don't think I've ever posted so just for fun I am posting just this and that photos.

Hope you

Enjoy

☺☺☺Johnina☺☺☺

PS scroll down to enter my latest give away

Give away #3

Tears in my eyes- Thank you

♥♥♥thank you, thank you, thank you ♥♥♥  
(See my last post)  This morning I got up and decided to check on Laura's wish list.  Surprise, surprise, pick myself up from the floor, more than half her list has been purchased and sent.  I have such wonderful family and friends.  It truly brought tears of gratitude to my eyes.  I don't know who sent what, but Laura will when her packages arrive and I'm sure she will tell me.  In the meantime you know who you are and I am humbled and thankful for your generosity. 
Love to all
☺☺☺Johnina☺☺☺