technique swap -LOVELY POST!

Marilyn Butler has written the most lovely post and shared about our technique swap and what she receieved HERE. Yes, you are right, marilyn. I used everyone's own technique tag for the cover of their book, that is correct!

Marilyn's tag  & envelope -yum!

This was a lovely surprise! Thanks again, marilyn.

mail art swap!

The back of one of Frieda's envelopes for our Mail ART swap

I only announced this swap one week ago and we already have 42 participants registered, so cool. I can already tell this is going to be a fantastic swap!
My dear friend Frieda in Scotland registered, and has even finished and mailed her pieces already, wow! You can catch a sneak peek here on her blog. I did not know if Frieda would be able join in because she is working towards finishing up work for her solo exhibition, "color-quilts-collage" which will be held at the Tweeddale Museum in Peebles, Scotland April 2nd - May 28th, 2011. Frieda is an award-winning quilt artist. The most exciting part for me is I am planning a visit to her in the middle of this exhibition and we will go see it together! I have not booked my flight yet, but there is plenty of time. It is really so exciting! Frieda & I have been corresponding and sharing our art for 5 or 6 years now. When Frieda's mail art pieces arrive, I will scan them so you can view them in detail, postage stamps and all. She has gone above & beyond and also tucked beautiful fabric postcards she made inside each envelope. You can see them on her blog.

I have needed to send off a few things lately and created a few Mail Art envelopes rather quickly with rubber stamps and cool postage stamps. Here are a couple of simple ideas for you, below:

Have fun - and see you in the mail soon!!

Any questions please email me. 

a new swap - Mail Art!

a new creative swap sharing mail art!

I’m hosting a mail art swap ; ^ ) I just love seeing artful envelopes and postcards in my mailbox. This truly makes my day, and my postman Ken’s day too! I would love to introduce you to mail art and/or expand your knowledge and enjoyment of it. For this swap, I've written a lesson all about mail art. This pdf file includes an introduction to mail art, instructions for making your own envelopes out of fabric or paper, a link to a template & instructions for making faux postage, options for mailing, instructions for nature printing on your envelopes, lots of theme ideas and many examples of mail art for inspiration. I’ve also included lots of links to websites that I have researched out for you as additional information on mail art, including links to a few videos if you are more of a visual learner. You will receive a link to this 22 page pdf file via email immediately after your registration is complete. If you have joined my swaps before, you already know that the pdf files I include with my creative swaps are well worth the registration fee in themselves! The pdf files are a mini version of my online workshops, filled to the brim with ideas and inspiration.

The fee for the mail art swap is $12 and you can register on the sidebar of the creative swaps blog. This includes the 22 page mail art lesson, documentation on the creative swaps blog of all the mail art sent in for the swap - plus return postage/ handling for all the swap pieces you’ll receive in return, sent inside a mail art envelope created by me, whoo whoo! Additionally, you’ll receive with your returns a list of all the snail mail addresses for everyone completing the swap. My hope is this list will encourage you to send out more mail art on your own after the swap concludes! Here are the specs:

*Create 3 mail art envelopes OR postcards and mail each one individually to be received by me no later than December 4th, 2010. Please DO NOT put them in one envelope to me. You may send them as you finish them or all at the same time, whatever works for you.
*Size + type: Envelopes and Postcards sized AT LEAST 3 ½”x 5” and NO LARGER THAN 10”x 12”. *Each piece of mail should be decorated in some way with your return address visible - important!
*Decoration includes, but is not limited to: paint, crayons, fabric, colored pencils, digital art, collage, various papers, rubber stamps, drawing, printmaking, sewing and/or . . . ? ?
*You can be as simple or as elaborate as you like with your mail art -
any style is OK. Envelopes can be sent empty, with nothing inside.
*The theme will be OPEN -but I will have suggestions you can choose from.
*Consider matching your artwork to your postage stamps or adding faux postage stamps (more on this in the mail art lesson).
*You may create your own envelopes/postcards out of fabric or paper. You could recycle envelopes OR use new blank envelopes/postcards – just add your art or alter them.

I will receive your envelopes and postcards individually in my mailbox so each one will be cancelled as it goes through the mail stream. As they are delivered, every postcard or envelope will be documented on the swaps blog with a link to your blog or website (if you have one). When the December 4th deadline arrives, I’ll swap the mail art pieces I’ve received among all of the participants completing the swap. Everyone will receive THREE different pieces of mail art in return. Your returns will be sent to you in a mail art envelope that I have created myself – my bonus gift to you! * IF you have the time and would like to send 4 individual mail art items in for the swap, the 4th one will be considered a gift for me. I will happily keep the extra mail art piece for myself! Each participant will actually be receiving 4 pieces; the 3 mail art pieces from the swap and the envelope I create and use to send your returns home in. NOTE: THREE pieces of mail art is the requirement, but four pieces are welcome and the only way to send a hostess gift if you desire (not required).

If you would like to participate but aren’t sure what mail art is, or you don’t know what to do, don’t worry!! My mail art lesson, which is sent to you as an easy to download and print pdf file when you register, will have tons of mail art examples, idea, instructions and inspiration to get you started! Go to the sidebar of the creative swaps blog and look for the BUY NOW button for the mail ART swap - and sign up!

See you in the mail –the envelope is the museum!

Technique Tag swap complete! (A video)

All the books have been created from the Technique tags that you sent in and each book has been sent home . . . To all of the participants all over the world! 

Thank you for your wonderful artwork! I've created a video. I think it's best to watch this video in full size - enjoy! 

To view it at animoto, click here.

quick update: technique tag

hi all, I just wanted to let you know the swapping of the technique tags is done, on paper!! I like to map my swaps out on a chart first before moving things around to make sure I've got it going on alright. I've also put a few of the tag books together and I think they look great! Here's a tease, Barbara DeLisle's book. I am using one of your own tags as the front cover.

I imagine I will finish making the books up by tomorrow afternoon, so I expect to mail them Friday morning. I'll definitely let you know that they are on the way : ) hooray! And yes, there is another creative swap in the works, stay tuned . . . 

Marianne Baugher: Technique tag Book swap -last upload!

Marianne's tags & envelopes were the last ones I needed to scan for this swap - whooo whoo! Now I need to swap all the tags and envelopes so everyone who participated ends up with a "book" of techniques; one of their own tags and nine other envelopes/pages with a tag inside, bound with metal rings. I'll probably get started tonight. Here are Marianne's amazing tags and envelopes . . .

all of Marianne's envelope fronts

two different techniques, on the back & front of her tags

lifting up the written technique to show you the actual tags

close up of the crackle technique over patterned paper

Marianne also wrote a wonderful post on her blog about her tags, you'll find it here. Thanks so much Marianne and also to everyone who sent their Technique tags & envelopes in! I will be back with an update soon on the swapping process. 

I am also busy writing a lesson/article about Mail Art for our next creative swap that I will be announcing later this week, I hope. If you are new to mail art you can learn all about it, and if you're not new to this art, I hope to expand your knowledge of it and give you a great experience with my lesson & swap. We'll exchange 3 or 4 pieces of Mail Art that you'll be sending to me individually. It will be a lot of fun and I will be back with more information  later!! lenna

Sue Stout: Technique Tag Book swap!

From Sue Stout in Missouri, a cool batik resist technique . . .

WOW! i am loving all the various techniques!! Thank you, Sue.

Yvette Snowden: Technique tag swap

From Yvette in Maryland I received a wonderful package of tags & envelopes!

click for more detail

wow!

Thanks for participating in another swap, Yvette!

Rachelle Lawlor: Technique Tag Book

I received the last 4 packages I was waiting for on Saturday . . .  here are Rachelle Lawlor's tags!

Awesome job, thank you Rachelle!!

Nadia Breton-Sergal: Technique tag swap!

All the way from France, Nadia Breton Sergal's tags and envelopes have made it to Florida! I am so happy to have Nadia join us, her tags & techniques are beautiful and unusual.

I love this card Nadia enclosed with a note on the back, below.

I did not know Nadia was a painter and a sculptor when she signed up, as this is her first creative swap with me. I look forward to having you participate in more swaps with us Nadia! : ) 

I am up-to-date with all that has come in for this swap and I am wishin and a hopin to receive 5 more packages by Saturday. If you can't make the deadline, please let me know. Thanks! 

Laura Hummel: Technique tag swap!

From Laura in Maryland, gorgeous, vibrant tags!

Also enclosed as a hostess gift was a beautifully collaged notebook Laura made for me, so sweet! Gifts are not required but of course are delightful to receive. This one is beautiful and practical, thank you Laura.

Kitty Mitchell: technique tag swap!

Kitty Mitchell in New York combines 2 different techniques for her envelopes and cards! Click on each image for a larger view.

And look what Kitty did . . . She packaged up the bits and pieces leftover from her technique project as a hostess gift for me, see below. I thought this was a really cool idea and I truly appreciate all these background papers you've made to play with. Thank you, Kitty!

I can't wait to put these books together. Saturday 10/9 is the receiving deadline. After that, I'll be busy swapping these treasures out & making books for the participants. 

Rena Matus: technique tag Book swap!

I received Rena Matus' tags today for our technique book swap. I love the soft colors and paint she used! Click on any scan for more detail.

Thank you, Rena! I miss seeing you at in-person classes in Connecticut, but am so glad you and your sister are still participating in my creative swaps. This makes Rena's 11th swap! 

JoY Meadows: Technique Tag swap!

I just love these tags & envelopes that Joy sent in from Ohio, don't you agree?? I have got to try this cool technique!

I think the colors she chose are simply beautiful and free-flowing . . . 

and the technique so interesting!

and Joy enclosed this tag special, for me. 

Totally not neccessary, but oh, so enjoJOYed!

thank you, Joy.

Jo Johnson; Technique Tag swap!

Jo from Indiana created a variety of colorful tags for our swap with a couple of variations on her techniques. Take a look!

Click for more detail

The colors you used are gorgeous Jo . . . the tags, envelopes and the tassels, wow! I look forward to trying your techniques. Thanks so much for joining us in another creative swap!