July Blue Postcard

I just realized I never posted a photo of my July postcard, which had a blue theme. Maybe that's because it wasn't one of my favorites. But it's kinda cool, and in the interest of record-keeping:



I just painted and stamped the background, then printed the raven image onto a transparency and burned its edges with a candle. It wasn't easy to get it fastened down, as the heat made it buckle, but they made it through the mail just fine.

Rainbow Collage with My Handpainted Papers

I don't know where this idea came from, but I figured I needed to use all the background papers I've been painting, so I just cut 2-inch squares and arranged them in rainbow order from the top left to the bottom right of a canvas, "et voila!" This piece is 18 x 24 inches.



Here are some close-ups:







This will now hang in my daughter and her boyfriend's apartment, right above their giant TV. It reminds me of giant TV screen pixels!

Gothic Shrine

I've had a LOT of fun the past few weeks creating a very different kind of project: a piece of artwork with a Gothic theme. This is for a unique exchange in which artists send in their projects for photographing, and the coordinator then puts together a book of all the works, along with process narratives by each artist. Each artist receives her artwork back, along with one of the books, which will be embellished with items sent in by the artists as well.

I started with a triptych frame I'd picked up from a yard sale. My research into the Gothic period turned up arched windows, rose windows, dark wings, madonnas, angels, gargoyles, illuminated manuscripts, and rich ornamentation.

And here's my result!











Now to find the right box and ship this baby off . . . then on to the other three swaps I've signed up for this month!

NEW Handpainted Paper Packs for Sale

My background paper obsession is still going strong. It's just so much fun to get out the paper and paints and stamps and texture-making do-dads and go to town.

Here are the full sheets of the papers I've made in the past week, including many painted onto antique encyclopedia pages. (Please note: the colors will appear different on different monitors. On mine, they are a bit washed out.)







As before, I'll sell packages of at least 10 pieces about 5 x 5 inches in size for $8. I'll accept payment via PayPal or money order. One person sent me cash last time and that worked out fine, but it's a bit risky. The first person to order will also get a little extra surprise (hint: if you look at my recent blog entries, you'll have a clue). I have 13 packages for sale this time. Last time I had ten and they all sold out within a week!

This second batch of packages will include a mixture of these new papers and some of the papers left from my previous packs. See that post here.

Here are the contents of a sample pack (you will receive different papers, but I will include an assortment of colors):



If you'd like to order a pack, just e-mail me at lori@lzcommunications.com.

Thanks!

Paper Beads

Wow, I am amazed at the wild and unique beads you can make with paper, UTEE, glitter, microbeads, and embossing powders. I spent just about all day Thursday and Friday on this, so if you decide to try it, beware!

Here's what I came up with:

Bob and Marianna's Recycled Sweater Bags

Oooh, this recycled sweater bag thing is so much fun! And now it's turned into recycled shorts and vests and coveralls too.

These bags were made for Mark's colleague Bob, who has been sending me sweaters from Washington and BC Canada by the droves, and his wife Marianna. I think they're a new step forward in my bag-making journey.

Bob's bag is a book bag, with pockets from a child's pair of rip-stop shorts on the flap and a belt for the strap:





The lining is made from a rip-stop vest, with the pockets cut off and repositioned:



(these two are shot with the bag turned inside out)




I made Marianna a tote bag in bright colors, which I know she likes, with buttons to snaz it up a bit:







The inside of her bag is made from a pair of bright yellow coveralls. Here's the lining before I put it into the bag:





I have four (4!) boxes of sweaters already felted, so I guess I'll start a recycled sweater bag factory: thanks, Bob!

Handmade Paper Packs for Sale!

I went a little nuts making background papers over the past couple of weeks. I just felt like playing with paints and inks and rubber stamps and foam stamps. The thing is, I couldn't possibly use all these papers in a lifetime!

Soooo, I've decided to try an experiment. I'm selling packages of papers, approximately 5 x 5 inches or 5 x 6 inches in size, with at least 10 pieces in each package (some will be duplicates), via my blog. Each package is $8, including shipping. I will accept payment via PayPal only. At the moment I have 10 packs made up, but I can make more if there is interest.

Please e-mail me at lori@lzommunications.com if you are interested in buying a package. First come, first served!

Here are some photos of the big sheets of paper before I tore them into size for the packages:












And here are a few close-ups of some of the papers:














And last but not least, here's a photo of the papers as you will receive them in your package:



Thanks for looking,

Lori