Sketchbook-Japan postcard

This is turning out to be a collaberative project.  My friend Carol helped me out but giving me paper, tourist brochures,stickers, and a Japanese fortune that she collected while in Japan.  Her DIL, HT, helped by writing the note in Japanese that is similar to the note that we handed drivers when we hitchhiked through Japan.  My stamps and vintage postage stamps from my friend, Mike's collection round it out.  I used my new Nick Bantock stamp for the background and a web image of a pachinco machine.  I'm ready to paste these in my Sketchbook.

Sketchbook-traveling across country-postcard

Postcard for traveling across country...from Iowa City, Iowa to San Francisco, CA.  Vintage map, Greyhound bus, and bus ticket.  Found a vintage stamp. Postage in 1969 was 6 cents so I figured a 4 cent postcard would be fairly correct.  I'm trying to be somewhat accurate, but not quite finished with my postcard.  Still something missing.  I'll keep looking, but wanted to post my progress.  Thanks to Rebecca, I've remembered some events of the trip.  Some pleasant, some not so.  More to come.

Think Monday~Think ATC...Santa Claus

Here is my entry,better late than never.

Vintage image of ole Santa, Nick Bantock art stamp background, vintage music, and teeny buttons sent to me from elpimpi in Poland.  Check out the other entrees here:  http://tmta.wordpress.com/

Sketchbook-Egyptian postcard

I'm not sure where this postcard will be put in my sketchbook.  Vintage map, vintage picture of pyramids, vintage stamp on back. Image of Tut from a brochure advertising an exhibit of King Tut artifacts. Scarab beetle on real papyrus from Egypt (part of a bookmark, (my friend Jerry, brought me from his trip~ thank you).  And of course a faux stamp on front.   Am I having fun or what?

Sketchbook...Postcard invitation

Let the journey begin.  Rebecca has invited me to go to Japan to meet Dave.  Ah, romance. 

Check out my faux Arizona postage stamp.

Sunday Postcard Art-Vintage Christmas

Vintage Christmas Sunday Postcard Art

Vintage music, wrappping paper, from opening presents yesterday, made to look vintage, red snowflake stamps, TH script stamped with TH Rusty Hinge Distress Ink,and some vintage edging on a red polka dot card stock.

View the other entries to this challenge:  http://sundaypostcardart.wordpress.com/2011/12/18/a-vintage-christmas/

Sketchbook Beginning

Inside cover..tried some stamping.  Love the brown, black, and white combination.

First postcard...used some already painted paper, vintage heart diagram, vintage Hopi pottery postage stamp, tea bag label,  TH clock stamp, and a sentiment.  More to come when you see the back of the postcard.

India...Taj Mahal.  Used white paint on crinkled image, vintage stamps, fabric label, antique image of Indian postcard, and painted entire surface with YES glue.  Stamped with my favorite flipflop spiral stamp.  I think the chick postage stamp is from Tammy in our paper swap.  (Please correct me if I am wrong).  I really am not sure about the YES glue surface, but will see how it dries.  I'm gluing the entire postcard to the book page with YES glue.

I really like the sepia colors against the book cover.  Can't paste in the Taj until I have my final book layout to know its placement.  Thanks for the advice, Lenna.  You are GOOD inspiration.  Any advice or comments are appreciated.  I have one more postcard finished and one waiting for that extra something.  My desk is a mess! LOL

Sketchbook Project 2012

Brooklyn Art Library

A new adventure awaits.  Thanks to my friend, Lenna, I will be participating in the Sketchbook Project Limited Edition sponsored by the ArtHouseCoop and housed at the Brooklyn Art Library.  http://www.arthousecoop.com/projects/sketchbookproject

I recieved my brown sketchbook and have been planning and thinking about it for days.  Even though my book is Untitled, the theme is postcards from places I visited on an around-the-world trip I took with my dear friend, Rebecca, in 1969.  My postcards are collage inspired by Nick Bantock (my idol).  So far, I have completed one postcard and have four others awaiting me on my desk.  I wish I had original ephemera from my trip, but alas, who would have thought that I would want or need it now.  Luckily, the book is not due until April 2012.

I'm wondering if I should paint the pages...they seem so thin.  Lenna has taken her's out, added foldout pages and rebound the book.  I don't think I am that ambitious, but I want the postcards ( mostly 4" x 6") to have a suitable background.  And the background can't be too busy so I may stick to just a solid color.  So many questions.

Does anyone, who has experienced this book, have suggestions?  Should I try watercolor crayons?  I really don't have anything to practice on other than old computer paper which seems to be about the same weight.  What about glue?  Acrylic medium?  Seems a little wet.  Maybe Yes Glue.  Might experiment and glue my postcards to one piece and then glue that piece into the book.  Seems like that would be a problem since the book is suppose to be only 1" thick when finished.  Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Off and arting. 

I000 Hits Giveaway~Winners

Everyones' a Winner
Thank you everyone for visiting my blog and all of your support.  So.......everyone gets a prize.

Jewels...Christmas Tag...I have your address
Tammy...vintage paper...need your land address
Yvonne...Postcard.....please send your address again
Carole...Postcard...need your address
Sandy.....ATC..need address
Michelle...vintage paper...need your address
LynnF...vintage paper..need your address
Heavens2Betsy...ATC...need address
Lenna...ATC..I have your address
Cheryl...ATC...need your address

It was fun.  Thanks again and enjoy!
email me: bethbynum@aol.com

Think Monday Think ATC-Script

Holiday Script.  My ATC entry.  Check out this ATC site:  http://tmta.wordpress.com/2011/12/12/schriftscript/

1000 Hits- Time for a Giveaway

Balancing.  The first collage I sold!

OMGoodness, I can't believe 1000 Hits.  Thank you everyone for taking an interest in my blog.  I wish everyone would leave a comment so I could respond.  Life in my art world has been very exciting.  Who would ever think that I would be so blessed.  So, I haven't made up my mind, but the giveaway will consist of vintage paper, and ATCs, Christmas tags, and a postcard that I have made.  Leave a comment and spread the word.  Giveaway will close Sunday, Dec. 11.  I LOVE Giveaways.  MUDGE (our Scottie) will do the honors of randomly drawing numbers for winners.  You can even make a request.  Bring on the fun...and it isn't even Christmas yet!

"Spirits Set Free"-SOLD

"Spirits Set Free"-SOLD  (Honorable Mention)

Uncommon:  Exploring the Grand Traverse Commons. Rinaldo Hall Exhibit November 5-January 1

THE VILLAGE Grand Traverse Commons

Breakfast Brownies Mail Art

Artwork by Dave Dube

Where to begin?  Got a cup of coffee?  Got some time to spare? 

I love Mail Art, I love Nick Bantock's art, I love Brownies ( those little guys and the chocolate type), and I love a good story.  Not too long ago, all of these loves came together.  I was hunting Brownie stamps because my friend Lenna sent me some Mail Art with brownies on it, she also has been involved with Nick Bantock art stamps, and I took my first Collage on Canvas with her.  So, what?  Well, she sent Dave, from Old Paper Art, mail art with Brownies and on his blog is called Lenna, Queen of the Brownies.  Now, these are not ordinary brownies, but Palmer Cox, Brownies.  I decided to send Dave some brownie paper with Palmer Cox brownies.  Dave is a fabulous artist who created his magical artwork on old papers.  I'll let Dave describe what happened next: 

http://oldpaperart.blogspot.com/2011/11/brownies-palmer-cox-variety.html

Anyway, I was thrilled to recieve Mail Art from Dave.  I love Dave's artwork.  I'm happy to report that his envelope is framed and has a place of honor in my studio.  The whole thing was one of those "just do it" moments and look what happened.  Thank you , Dave, from the bottom of my heart.  And a big Thank You goes to Lenna who started me on the MailArt path.  And to Nick Bantock, a big thank you for his wonderful artwork. It's truly amazing how this big world works.

Anyone who knows me knows that I have a long standing story about Brownies...the chocolate kind.  But, that's for another time.   LOL

Mary Green's Dec. Challenge

I love working with the images from Mary Green's: Green Paper.  Hopefully, my postcard conveys loneliness and longing between sisters, friends, mother /daughter.  Perhaps parted across the wide Atlantic Ocean.  Here is my December challenge entry.
http://greenpaper.typepad.com/green/2011/12/december-collage-challenge.html

Officially Winter?



East yard

<><>

<>

<><><><>

Snow on the crab apples.  Lovely!

Loking west toward the maple woodlot.  Poor pathetic fenced vegetable garden.

 We, here in Michigan, always hold our breath until the snow starts to fall and stays.  Some years it starts snowing the first of November and just keeps going until Spring.  Other times, we don't see snow until Christmas.  I don't really care since I don't have to go anywhere.  I have the woodstove cranked up and it's toasty in here.  I have plenty of food, so I won't starve to death. LOL  And, I can keep busy with my art projects.  I'm posting these scenes for Leslie, since she misses Michigan so much.  Enjoy!

Gingersnap Challenge 127~Livestock

Postcard from the Royal Herd is my Livestock entry in the Gingersnap Challenge 127.  Not only did our farm have cattle, but we had a number of barn cats we considered livestock, thus the Gato stamp..

Check out the Gingersnap Challenge here:  http://gingersnapcreations.blogspot.com/2011/11/gc127-random-redhead-challenge.html

MailArt~Nov.~Turkey Wrap

Gobble,Gobble.  This month's MailArt theme was Turkey Wrap...turkey dead or alive as long as it was turkey.  The verdict is in.  Another fabulous MailArt swap.
Here's my postcard from Jewels:

So much fun to see the old TV dinners.  And, check out the conversation in the ad.  That would never be enough for my husband to eat  Dad's probably gone to the nearest restaurant or grocery store to get a real meal.  Anyway, very clever!  I know J wanted this theme because she already had an idea of what she would do.

And here's a postcard from Leslie:

I got a big kick out of seeing Freida on a turkey.  A turkey zetti or zetti turkey.  I know Leslie likes to use her gel pens so this was just the chance. Again very clever!



Here's my take: Tortilla package.  On the front a piece of pumpkin pie for the address and silverware

 Inside a lettuce postcard, a turkey postcard, a tomato tag, and a cheese tag.

Back of postcards and tags.

  I had fun putting the cheese, tomatoes, and lettuce on my copier.  I know my weird sense of humor kicked in and I couldn't wait to send the whole package out.  Surprisingly, it went through the mail without a problem. I had my chance to do something totally different.  Who knows what I will send next!







Sunday Postcard Art~Lest We Forget

Sunday Postcard Art~Poppies
I haven't forgotten the veterans.  Thanks go to my uncles, friends, neighbors, classmates, gymmates, co-workers, and my dear husband.  These are just a few of the men and women, in my life, who have served this country.  Here is my postcard art in remembering.

Butterfly Effect

Here is my entry to the Butterfly Effect organized by Two Sisters Studio in Alberta, Canada. My butterfly, torn from stamped paper, looks somewhat like an Eric Carle butterfly. This is a worthy project. There is still time to join. For more details: http://twodressesstudio.blogspot.com/2010/08/butterfly-effect-open-is-calling-you.html

GingerSnap Challenge 125 "Farm Fresh"

"Farm Fresh" is the GingerSnap Challenge 125. My entry is called "Farm Fresh Carrot Gentleman". He is made with transfers, carrot image, veggie images from magazines, lettering cut out from magazines, and some round stamps and stickers from Cavallini & Co..

Which reminds me, I should dig my carrots before the snow covers them andthey can't be found. I'm told my Grandpa put boards over his carrot rows and dug as needed. I think that's the way to go then they will be really fresh. Once a farmer, always a farmer. YUP!

http://gingersnapcreations.blogspot.com/2011/11/gc125-chestnut-theme-challenge-farm.html

Postcard Swap-Creative Lenna

Can't forget the wonderful postcard swap this summer hosted by Creative Lenna. What lovely postcards were shared with me. I am amazed at each one.
From Jewels in Michigan:

I knew she has been hankering for one of my cards and I just love Auntie Monica. Stamping, transfers, each letter of the message cut out. What a perfect trade. J is part of a little group that I met on Lenna's swap page. We share MailArt each month. I'm so glad we are dear friends.

Leigh, from Spain. Such colorful artwork. I am so inspired by her blog. She is mucho talented and again, I loved the card. I certainly could take some watercolor lessons. LOL She is busy right now designing and creating costumes for Carnival.

Sabine, in Germany: Well, Lenna was pretty sneaky. She knew I admired Sabine's work and I was a Nick Bantock fan. I had no idea Sabine's artwork is on the cover of the new Nick Bantock Tribute book. How wonderful for Sabine! Sabine has an extra special style and I am proud to own one of her postcards. I want to get the Bantock book so Sabine can autograph it for me.

Thank you all for sharing your talent. I really enjoyed the swap. And thank you Lenna.

Until the next swap...

"Spirits Set Free"-Honorable Mention

First Ever Prize

Wah..hooty! Last evening BigF and I attended a lovely reception for "Uncommon: Exploring the Grand Traverse Commons" at Building 50 Grand Traverse Commons. The good news is that my entry, "Spirits Set Free" received an Honorable Mention. How thrilling!Myfriends came to cheer me on...thank you. So, with five juried shows this year, I have an award. Am I asking too much for someone to buy the piece? The other good news is that my friend, Nick who also is at the Wild Raisin Gallery, won third prize. So, anotherWah...hooty!

See the exhibit at Rinaldo Hall November 5-January 1.

It's My Birthday and I can Cry if I Want to...

Beth Ann ~age 4

No tears for me on this day. Yes, it's my birthday, but I'm happy to proclaim it. My God, how many people make it to 66 and have all body parts functioning. Did I mention I had eyelid surgery yesterday, so my eyes are crying somewhat. Now I look like Elizabeth Taylor (when she was young). The stitches look like fake eyelashes.

Seriously, I'm happy, healthy, and blessed. Or as hubby says, breathing in, breathing out. So here's a toast to me and you...peace, hope, and love. Put more fun in your life and do something outrageous everyday..look to this mischievous child for direction.
Hugs...QueenB

Goth MailArt-October

MailArt just keeps getting better and better. I just love the results of our October theme: Goth. Take a peek and you'll see why.

Leslie's postcard:

Love the image which is surrounded by cording. I was happy that it came safely through the mail. When I started reading this obituary, I thought OMG this person was really something...especially the excellent apple pie maker. Little did I know that this was all made up...,oh, that girl (L) has quite the mind. She is the writer of our group. Creating with words is just as much fun as with images. Great job.

Jewels':

Again,OMG! Barnabus from Dark Shadows. I haven't thought about this show for ages. When I was in college, we would rush next door, they had a TV, and watch this show. We never missed it no matter how much homework we had. We were hooked! Move over zombie movies and Twilight. This was first. Check out the back~
Even a cool address label. Here's a better view: And inside was one of my favorite Halloween witch images~
Love it! Love it!

Can't forget my Mona Goes Goth postcards:

More fun than a gaggle of gargoyles. I can't wait for the mail to come each time and I'm honored to be a part of such a creative group. I think you will agree. Until the next time: Turkey Wrap...whaahaaha!

Donna Did It Giveaway

Lovely Donna, in Mexico, has reached her 100th follower and is celebrating with a giveaway. I don't seem to be able to use her button, but here is her address http://www.donnadidit.net/2011/10/giveaway-read-all-about-it.html

Help her celebrate and check out her fabulous creations.

bb

GC Challenge Black & Gray~Raven~ and Horror Stories

I started working on this GingerSnaps Creation Challenge and then realized that this tag would work in three different challenges.
Here is my GS124 Challenge for Black and Gray, http://gingersnapcreations.blogspot.com/2011/10/gc124-color-challenge-black-and-grays.html
This tag was also made for the GC121 Chestnut Challenge-Horror Stories. Poe's "The Raven", definitely qualifies in my mind for this catagory.http://gingersnapcreations.blogspot.com/2011/10/gc121-chestnut-challenge-horror-stories.html
I'm also including it in the GC123 Random Redhead Challenge-Ravens.
http://gingersnapcreations.blogspot.com/2011/10/gc123-random-redhead-challenge-ravens.html

This is my first time to be a part of the GingerSnaps Creations Challenges. What wonderful work on this site!
Enjoy!

October MailArt~Goth

Goth MailArt
Each month, I get so excited when I hear about our new MailArt theme...October was Goth.

Geez, what did I know about Goth except the kids walking around town with all black clothes, black nails, black lipstick, and black military boots? After a little research, I had a new understanding, subculture not much different from any other rejection of the main culture. It didn't help much until I looked at some Goth fashion magazines and hit on: Mona Lisa Goes Goth. It was a blast to make.

Alike, but different. One for Leslie and one for Jewels. Copied a picture of Mona Lisa. Drew in the eye makeup and colored purple hair. New lips, from someone in a magazine. Glued on image of mini tophat. I made the tophat veil out of onion bag mesh. Piercings and necklace was part of cells up-close from a Science mag. Added a gargoyle and a gothic picture frame. Da Vinci would roll over in his grave. LOL

Backside of my postcard. Eyeglasses...new dollar stamp from Joann's. I will add on as soon as I take pics of my peps's Mailart. Stay tuned.