Bought the mag, loved the shawl

5 more rows to go, then blocking, dyeing and beading....

SOAPBOX - Artist Trading Cards Part 1

ATCs: WHAT ARE THEY? WHO WANTS THEM? ARE THEY FUN? WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH THEM?  mmmmm well this is my view

What are they?
3 1/2 by 2 1/2 card stock YOU decorate and OTHERS collect.  People make, swap and collect. Between friends, in groups, via your local scrapbooking shop, via internet groups.

     ATC Fun are a terrific group on yahoo

Are they easy to make? Not everyone finds it easy to start off.  Sometimes a theme will drive you towards just one idea and the card is done in minutes.  This is what happened to me when I made my dragonfly ATC.  I was embroidering something at the time and really loved the metallic thread... which reminded me, when I thought about it, of how the whole dragonfly shimmers in the light.

Other themes or ideas can take a while to get together.

So how do I start?  I think the easiest way to begin is to find a photo (it is going to be for inspiration so copyright is fine) and then use ink, paint, crayon, decoupage or whatever you are in to....reproduce it.  "Reproduce" is not really what you will be doing.  You only have a small surface are so you will probably find one section of the picture that really appeals to you.  From here... you make a card that is an interpretation of what you love about the photo.

I found a Christmas card that I really liked and used fabrics to reproduce a snowman. I guess Ive pinched the hat shape but really the Christmas fabrics I had guided me to his final look.  I had some copper like paper that I used to cut out a wood nose.  I chose some handmade paper that had some texture to it... for the head so I got a "snow" look.

NEXT time : why on earth? and what do I do with them all?  how do you feel about inchies?

TIME AFTER THAT : can the digital world help me make wilder (read contemporary, exciting, original)  ATCs?

In the post tomorrow to S.A.

Osgood Family Digital Journal is now online

I love photography and keeping track of what we are doing.
Ive been considering a digital family journal for sometime

Trees - Child's screen

I've just extra leaves to quickly attach, complete the binding .... then "Trees" is done.  Over 100 little tiny trees hand quilting.... yep..... it's official.... Im insane LOL

The number of screens is slowly growing... they take some time to make but Im really very proud of them.  Would you like to see them all?

Business "supporting" umm themselves

Wow it is a 24/7 thing working at your own small business.  I seem to have it on my mind constantly and Im never doing just one thing at a time now. I just thought I would make a note of a couple of things that are happening right now.  I dont know if anyone reads my blog regularly but lots of people are working hard on their own business and some of this might ring true for others.  It might help someone.  Anyway this is more of a note I suppose to document where Im up to now.  It feels like a turning point... something (good or bad ??) is going to happen.

*Jack & Bill* are boy dolls that I have been planning for some time.

I finally am happy with the beginnings of Bill's head.  Im not sure if I have shared his little face before so sorry if it is a repeat.

well Im out the door to advertise our cleaning business.... have Sam on his bike and Charlie along for the walk.... will see how many streets we can cover.  I am determined to make a go of this cleaning business.  I know that I can do a great job and that I will enjoy the work.  I just need to find the happy customers!!!

Perhaps because Im nearly 50.... well Ive been thinking I should get over myself, stop being so afraid of being very ugly lol, and get some photos collected for my children.... for when Im gone.  Cheery yes I know.  They arent going to be glamor shots... what would be the point of that... that isnt how they are going to remember me.  Sorry for the fright hee hee

Some of the bits n pieces Im using to decorate my seaside hook book.  I left the coaster there on the table because gallons of coffee go into every creation LOL  Ive taken out my first pics because they were too repetitive.... I think progress photos from this step on will be better.  I really love this hook book!

Second pic : for the needle book Im stacking some shell shapes.

Second pic : I lost the shell shape when I stuffed it for a pin cushion... but then I "quilted" and added runs of beads and now the shell shape is coming along nicely.  Ive some tiny "real" shells and sand to sew at the bottom.

Second pic : my crochet hook holder page is coming along nicely.  Will people want more than 6 or 7 hooks here?  I have so many crochet hooks... should I make another page?  Im just not sure... and Im not sure if I have another page in my brain to create.  Im using Tunisian crochet inside out to make the sea garden hook holders.