The Postcard Twitter Art Exhibit

I found this organization by accident.  And I'm glad I did.   I am participating.

There is a little time for you to register.  Proceeds go to Charity.   The sponsoring City is Edinburgh.  You can host an event in your city.  I will explore the possibility as we have a GREAT art community here in Phoenix.

#TwitterArtExhibit founder, David Sandum

“Through art we can change the world.”

#TwitterArtExhibit utilizes social media and public engagement to generate income for charities and nonprofit organizations. In the past, #TwitterArtExhibit has generated funds for a library suffering from deep funding cuts to purchase much-needed children’s books, for an abused women’s shelter seeking to improve the lives of the families they serve, and for an arts organization mentoring underprivileged young adults in preparation for careers in the visual arts.  Artists, worldwide, donate postcard-sized, handmade original artwork to the TAE.

Artists worldwide donate postcard-sized, handmade original artwork to the TAE
TwitterArtExhibit organizes a local, physical showcasing of the art.
The public is invited to buy the art at an affordable, flat price.

This provides artists with new exhibition opportunities, new audiences and benefactors, and appeals to art enthusiasts all over the world.

http://twitterartexhibit.org/

Springing Forward, Sleepy Head

No one is sure just how much daylight is saved globally each year, though Physics indicates NONE. 

• Daylight saving was ostensibly started to save energy, but it turned out people enjoyed having an extra hour of daylight after work. Except in Arizona, where sunlight only extends the heat-related misery.

• The Navajo Reservation observes daylight-saving time; the Hopi Reservation does not. The Navajo Reservation surrounds the Hopi Reservation, so if on Monday you drive from Flagstaff to Gallup through Tuba City and Ganado, you'll change time on four occasions.  

• Western Indiana used to be even more confusing as some counties and cities observed daylight saving while others did not. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 put an end to that foolishness, leaving Arizona as the only two-timing state, so to speak.

• The U.S. first adopted daylight-saving time, called "Fast Time," in 1918 in support of the war effort. It was repealed seven months later.

• On Feb. 9, 1942, Americans set their clocks an hour ahead and kept them there until Sept. 30, 1945. It was officially War Time, with zones reflecting the change (Arizona, for example, was on Mountain War Time).

• China may or may not manipulate its currency, but it does mess with the clock. Though spread over five time zones, China recognizes only one, Beijing time. It is supposed to promote unity, but tell that to those who live in the far west when the summer sun sets as late as midnight.

• If the U.S. observed the one-time-zone policy (Washington D.C. time, of course), the summer sun in Arizona would set as late as 10:42 p.m. and weather-related crankiness would hit an all-time high.

• In 1991 and again in 2014, a few lawmakers floated the idea of having Arizona join the daylight-saving parade. Republicans and Democrats were united in their rejection of such a proposal, offering brief and shining moments of true bipartisanship.

• Daylight-saving time could be harmful to your health. A 2014 study led by the University of Michigan Frankel Cardiovascular Center found the number of heart attacks goes up 24 percent on the Monday following the spring-forward. One theory is that the increased risk may be linked to that lost hour of sleep.  

Each of you who comment will receive clock themed digital stamps.

A Month for Rest and Retreat

March is not only National Craft Month but the energies right now have us all having unsettled sleep and seeking rest.  So it's a good thing I guess that I am about to go away and host a Creative Escape Weekend Retreat.  Where we will be getting both our craft on and a little R & R.

I haven't been doing too much creatively over the last few weeks but am planning on giving our attendees a journal so they can take notes etc from our events proceedings which is all about exploring the feminine archetype of the Sovereign Queen.

These journal are cut from thick cardboard that I save from the backs of my Water Color Paper Pads with a Sizzix Travellers Journal Die.

Because we are coming into Autumn here and the Archetype we are exploring is connected to this season I have used a Autumn color palette and leaves as my inspiration.

I chose to cover my journal covers with paper rather than apply paint directly to the cover.  I used my Gel Plate to apply the paint to my paper for the cover.

Starting with Autumn tones of Red and Orange and a Leaf Stencil.

Further Detail was added with a assortment of leaf stamps and colors of Distress Oxide Inks.

Brown Ribbon was added to tie around my journal and keep them closed, and this also gives the particpants an opportunity to add more decoration to at a later date.

I simply painted the inside covers and then added two signatures of Water Color Paper inside my journals to finish.

This now gives my participants the opportunity to write and create throughout the weekend in  between our two main creative tasks.

I am looking forward to this weekend to get my Craft on as I didn't have much time to do so last month.

What are you creating this month?  Be sure to check out all the wonderful products you can be creating with over in the DIY Studio Store and we'd love to hear or why not share your creations with us in the DIY Design Studio Facebook Group.

Danie xx

Sending the Green and the Gold St Pat's Cards

I'm Irish, can you tell?

Fun will be had at the Moore house on March 17th.   I have started wearing my shamrock jewelry already!

Being vegetarian it puts a crimp in the corned beef and cabbage, but no worries, potatoes and onions and cabbage will do.  I never acquired a taste for Beer, and that's why God invented Jamesons!  My Dad ate kidney pie, something I never got the taste for that either.  Colcannon is great, minus the bacon and add the kale!  

I started with a variety of patterned papers and cut them to size as A2 Blank Cards** - 4 ¼ x 5 ½.  This means that you will be able to have 2 cards for each 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper.  Cut the 8.5 x 11 in half and fold in half.  you can use them vertically or horizontally.    These papers have a white reverse which is great for card interiors.

The cards are simple and clean.  I added Dew Drops to the front with my dew drops glue dots or PPA (Perfect Paper Adhesive),  Some are inked around the edges, some are not.   

I used a printed saying on a solid paper, cutting to size and corner rounding it with a punch.  After cutting you can age or accent it by rubbing the edges lightly with a stamp pad or marker.  

This is attached to the interior with double-sided tape.  Before attaching it you may want to add ribbon or as I did, twine which had a gold component enhancing the St Pat's theme for the Pot'o'Gold.

Stamping the envelope is a fanciful way to preview what's on the inside!

**  Sometimes Card sizes can be confusing, here is a handy chart of sizes, this is the folded size.

A1 Blank Cards - 3 1/2 x 4 7/8

A2 Blank Cards - 4 1/4 x 5 1/2

A6 Blank Cards - 4 1/2 x 6 1/4

A7 Blank Cards - 5 1/8 x 7

A7.5 Blank Cards - 5 3/8 x 7 1/4

A9 Blank Cards - 5 1/2 x 8 1/2

Pocket Enclosure Cards - 4 7/8 x 6 7/8

Slim Blank Cards - 4 x 9 1/4

           ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We surely want you to have a rollicking good time on St Pat's Day.  

A Childs Play Event

The past weeks have been full of creating for a charity.

ChildsPlay is a nonprofit organization and fundraising is an important facet for them. 

I was privileged to assist with the design of the Centerpieces.   The prototype has a Sansevieria (snake plant, mother-in-law's tongue) but we think it will be something more graceful along the lines of a spider plant.

Thank goodness for my Silhouette machine. Echoing the circles on the invitation was a snap!  Well, 1,000's of them later!!!  Add the 'stems' and they are ready to insert into the plant, add the rice lights (mini, fairy lights) and a dramatic whimsical centerpiece is done!

25 table centerpieces x 10 circles x 3 or 4 rings and discs add up!

It was a group effort enlisting another friend who has a Silhouette and assembly line adhesive.  I think they will be fun and appreciated by the attendees.

Cards With a Focus on Dimensional Florals and Much More!

So, who here has tons of card making supplies, but is always running to the store last minute when you need a card?  

I know right!?!  I hate that!!!

Well, the other day I decided that I was going to get ahead of that nasty little game and I made a gaggle of cards...all a bit different and ready for whenever I need one.  I dug into my stash and just grabbed what jumped out at me.  I knew I wanted to put an emphasis on dimension and florals...all else would fall into place. 

I added greetings/sentiments to some and others I left blank so I had some flexibility.  

So, let me show you what I did...

This one has pretty French themed stickers, beautiful Prima paper flowers and flat back pearls to match the floral centers of the small flowers.  I also created a matching envelope.  I think that just adds a little something extra. 

Next, we have a party themed card made with primary colors and layers of embossed papers.  I also used the White Gold Glam Stickers on this design. 

We go vintage and shabby on this next one with multiple torn papers, washi, more paper flowers, a giant gem and a dimenstional sticker that says "Time With Friends Is Time Well Spent" 

Here is a close up...I kinda LOVE this one! 

This card features layers of embossed papers again - in a red, black and cream theme.  We have a scrap of intricate lace, a cream and black paper flower with a red silk ribbon flower added to the center.  So sophisticated...

Next, we have a pretty little butterfly themed greeting.  This just pops with Spring! 

Here is another with a coordinating envelope.  So pretty and soft in pink and taupe...maybe for a bridal shower with that pretty vintage lace.  

And, our final card.  This classy card was made with someone very special & classy in mind.  It will be in the mail before this post even goes live.  A special someone has a Birthday in a few days and he deserves a card created just in his honor.  Hope you like it "Gruncle" Buddy!   

This was created with layers of paper, embellished with Shimmer Spritz, silver Glam stickers, a stamped Birthday image and a fabric and pearl flower. 

Okay, I think this will hold me for a couple months anyway.  I hope I have inspired you to get ahead of the game and keep you out of the expensive card isle.  

Thanks for joining me. 

Steph S. 

Supply List - 

Aleene's Tacky Glue

Misc. Embossing Folders

Misc. Paper, Fabric & Ribbon Flowers

Shimmer Spritz in Frost

Gold & Silver Glam Stickers

Giant Gems

Misc Papers and Paper Pads

My FAVORITE Super Adhesive Double Sided Tape

My FAVORITE Fussy Cutting French Scissors

I believe everyone is thinking of SPRING

When mid-February arrives each year most people in the Northern Hemisphere are pretty much done with winter.

It's time to break out the flowers and colorful decor to cheer us up from the gloom of winter.
Here are a few items of inspiration for your home.

Paint an old frame (or dollar store / thrift shop frame) also get bunches of colorful flowers.   Hot glue them onto the frame in a pleasing arrangement and take a look at spring!  For extra pizzaz, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil on the silk flowers.  NOTE: Use painters tape to mask off the mirror before painting to keep it neat and clean.

Fresh smells of Spring can be so easy to have in your house,  What is your favorite scent?  Mine is Lilacs, nothing says spring to me like lilacs and hyacinth.  Use the essential oil of your choice with baking soda.  Or for a truly clean and freshening effect use only the baking soda and change it out every couple days.

Shake the jar daily to increase the aroma or cleansing.

images borrowed from cleaningtutorials.net

 

Add our jar accessories to make it PRETTY and consider painting the jars with our chalk paints, and our DIXIE BELLE paints.  We have brushes, pro brushes, and sanding tools

Colorful faux succulents from Stacey Turner Creations 

Have fun getting SPRINGY