I Just Can't Stop! Metal and Cards!

 I seem to be making lots of ATC's lately - but the two groups I am in are just the best and I enjoy the challenge. These cards are made for Arts In The Cards and the theme for the month is, what else - "Halloween". We had brilliant sun today - which was wonderful .. but made the cards look a bit more washed out then they really are.

 I will be away for a gals get-a-way this coming weekend - home on Tuesday. We are going to a retreat cottage at The Crazy Quilt Shop in Roslyn, Washington - of Northern Exposure fame. Have a look under the "retreat" tab. I am so excited. I am bringing knitting, journaling stuff  (metal included) and hand sewing. I had thought to work on my large bed quilt but ended up just wanting to relax and not lug a machine. If you look at the cottage you will see why I say this!

 Below: the back of the cards

 This is a card I made - in metal of course! - for a friend who recently was married. She is originally from Barbados and he new husband is from France - so of course I used the three flags in the card! I am becoming so besotted with working in metal - makes me chuckle to myself!

Too Fun Not To Post!

I saw this little video on the Classic Elite yarn blog and just had to share!

The Art Of Book Marks

The PageKeeper is my current favorite - simplicity itself - but it works very well

As a life long bibliophile I have, on occasion, purchased or been given some lovely book marks that transcend the droll roll of marking your place in a book but rise to the level of Book Mark Art. Some markers hold memories, others are simply markers that work and work well, while others both work and are eye candy. I love book markers and think any true reader should experience the joy of having at least one beautiful marker. In case you are wondering - no I have not lost a marker - amazing but true and I AM knocking wood as I write that!

The PageKeeper noted above is simple and effective. It's my current favorite and I had to have at least two - that is a record for me - generally one of any kind is enough - but this one works so perfectly that I had to have more than one! I mean who reads only one book at a time?!

This is a "memory collection" and I love gracing the pages of my books with these beauties whose memories make me smile. The beautiful lace bookmark is from my friends Jim and Louise Lane. It's from Hampton Court Palace - a place I want to re-visit so much! I have never been able to take it out of it's wrapper! The "Creation" book mark was designed and made by my friend Julie Wildman - whose calligraphy is utterly spell binding - she is (can you tell?!) a calligrapher and graphic artist). The eagle book mark was given to me by Cathy Pike in 1992 when I left American Airlines to venture into an unknown life and re-invent myself. The plane was from when I got my pilot's license in 1983, the "No Puffin" marker is from a trip to Alaska and the Z is because it begins my last name - my maiden name I mean.

The group above is of the more "normal" flat variety, Alaska was from another trip to that breath taking state. The face is a favorite painting and was given to me by friend, Lauren Franciosi, The lighthouse just arrived on Friday from friend Karen. It's a lighthouse in Greenport, New York where I lived long ago. Karen lives there now and a group has had the lighthouse restored so she sent me this lovely reminder of another page in my life. The poem next to the lighthouse was sent to me by my adventure buddy, Sarah Smith - she moved away to to the East Coast and this small bookmark always keeps her near. Next is a marker that is from a salmon recovery project -my DH was involved with the recovery project in his own way for many years and this makes me think of those days when he went and feed 30,000 salmon babies twice a day until they were big enough to release. Next in the row is from author Brandy Purdy who writes historical fiction that I am quite fond of. She sent this with a book for me to review. The two markers on the bottom are from our local library and I just happen to fancy them a lot! Can you begin to imagine a world without reading and books? I sure can't!

A close up of the lighthouse and the friendship poem

AHHHHH - the two markers shown above are truly works of art. The are made by Hook Mark and they are very special. The one on the left is from friend Jim Lane. It was a Christmas gift one year. He gave his wife, Louise a cross - the Buddha for me. I had bought the less precious one on the right just because I loved the green glass. These are wonderful marks and make very special gifts. Lots to choose from.

Below on the left is some gizmo that works okay but more often than not manages to just get tangles on things. It works alright. I don't even remember what company makes it - but I did get it at a bookstore. I remember that much. On the right is a very efficient. lovely and usable maker made by Levenger. This is the largest size they make and it has a place for two pens - or a highlighter and a pen or pencil on the top. Beautifully well made and a good bargain to boot! They come in a smaller size for regular mass market small paperbacks - this one is more for trade sized books. They come in other colors and it's a very efficient marker!

That it for my short stroll through the Art of The Book Mark - at least those that I have. Odd how something so small can hold memories, be a work of art or elegantly hold your place in a great book. Yes, I do love book marks and am always open to trying out  a new one!

Tales of Papers, Inks and Finding The Perfect Journal. Thanks Exaclair!

Note: gray fonts indicate links - fort some reason I have not been able to change the color in this template.

I have reviewed the Quo Vadis Habana journal in the past. It has become my favorite journal for general use. When friend Karen from Exaclair asked if wanted a new colored plain Quo Vadis Habana journal I say "of course". She asked if I wanted raspberry, lime, red or black. Of course I chose Lime. What I did not know until it arrived that it is so much better than just lime. The color is called anise green and it "the" green that makes my heart sing. This plain paper journal is 6" X 9" and contains 80 sheets of Clairfontaine premium 90 gr paper. Totally yummy stuff to work on! Clairefontaine makes - IMHO - the best of the best papers for writing, drawing, painting, sketching etc. They are also, in a world that sometimes seems mad with unending waste - very environmentally correct. They manufacture their own papers made only from sustainable forests. and are PEFC  rated. The Habana journal's cover is made from a silky smooth material that feels warm to the touch. I love it!. The corners are rounded- another small detail that I love, it has an elastic closure (color coordinated of course!) and an expandable pocket in the back of the journal for all of those little bits of ephemera that you always seem to find along the life's way

Knowing that I go through sketch pads at a sometimes alarming rate Karen also graced me with a chance to have a look a Clairefontaine sketch book too. This book (8.5" X 11") is filled with 160 pages of 90 gr lovely white  paper - it's great for all general sketching and mediums and even will handle a light wash with something like watercolors - which I am know to spritz about with wild abandon at times - who needs hair color if one has a watercolor spritz?! (only joshing!). While it is true that I am indeed grateful to be able to review Exaclair products my being enamored of them has ONLY to do with their superiority and excellence. My opinions on not biased - if I found anything wrong or inadequate I would chime in....I just have nothing but praise. If you are looking for fine art papers - go with Calirefontaine. Need a new journal, blank, lined or day planner style? - go with Rhodia, Quo Vadis or Exacompta. For any paper need Exaclair offers a superior product that will suit. They also market my favorite fountain pen inks - J.Herbin. Who can;t get excited about glorious colored inks made by a French company that has been in business since 1670?!

Speaking of inks and J.Herbin - here is their newest ink - an anniversary issue called, simply enough, 1670. It is a deep rich red. I could not wait for it's release here in the states so I had to order it from France directly. Problem is that I hate to break that authentic looking seal! Think of all the history that this company has endure and prospered though. Amazing! Unusual and wonderful!

Happy Labor Day (for the USA) and It's Been A Long Time But I've Not Been Loafing!

 Remember that you can double click the photos for a larger view

I couldn't believe it when I saw how long it has been since I last posted. No reason for it either. Time just slips away so fast. Life really is an E-ticket at times isn't it ?!

I have continued my obsession with all things metal. These are a group of ATC's that are being sent out to my friends at Arts In The Cards.   Each month brings more and more fun with this group and I am so grateful to be a part of it!  I find that having a theme is an excellent motivator for me - I have never worked too well this way but I am beginning to really enjoy the challenge of making something that fits the need! Swapping regularly has also really given me some great ideas for the future.

These cards began as a piece of black foil that was burnished over a piece of alligator glass (it was one of my favorite types of glass when I was doing stained glass and fusing so I still have some). I burned off some of the color over the stove which altered the black somewhat and removed the black in some places. Next I added some color where I thought it was needed. The butterflies were punched from either paper, metal or etal - as were the 'moons'. The theme for this month was a 'favorite quote' - most of my favorites are a bit longer and I wanted something smaller - the one I chose has always been a favorite and it worked well size wise

The black dragonfly on the card on the right is is an

example of the black metal that the card backgrounds were at first.

This next batch of cards using some of my favorite, oft chosen, images are for another swap that I am horrendously late in sending out. I had fun yesterday in getting caught up. All of the cards on this page have been sent out into the world today and are on their way to their new homes. I have only three more ATC cards (for another swap) left to finish and send out tomorrow. ALL CAUGHT UP! Phew what a great feeling that can be.

I have signed up for some wonderful classed from one of my favorite journal artists - L.K. Ludwig. Author of, among many books, my favorites. "True Vision" and Creative Wildfire". She has a great - really big - sale going on now for her classes and I had been wanting to sign up for some time. Now that I am almost caught up I can begin working my way through the classes (I chose 5 to begin with).

My next surgery - a two level fusion will be on either October 19th or November 2nd. I have to choose and let them know tomorrow. I'm looking forward to having it over and done with and to feeling good all the time!  Happy Labor Day To All - hope it is labor-less - or if it includes labor - labor only of the fun sort !