I'm sorry it takes me so long to post here. I just don't have the time to do this every day. I guess I should learn to do it first thing in the morning huh?

Anyway...other than Andrew's mom being here, it's been pretty uneventful. Life goes on much as it has this past age. I will post some artwork though...lol

Some ATCs.

Here is the call for artists for the Regina, Saskatchewan Mac Kenzie Art Gallery 10th anniversary ATC showing. That is interesting. I have 1 more card to make for that. That may be another post. I'm pretty pleased so far with the work I've done for the show. I'm also going to create a sheet of 9 ATCs to trade with this gallery group in Chicago. There are about a dozen swappers and it's due Feb. 1st. I have also linked up with another gallery show in the fall, (more about that later), and one in Arizona may be an annual show, but they haven't decided yet.

I made a book as a secret Santa gift for my partner in Blissfully Art Jounalling. My second favorite Yahoo group. Here are pics...

Front and back cover look the same

 

This book was a lot of fun to make, even though I've made several.

This was the first I had made in a while though. In 2012 I helped my scrap pals make about 6 of them in just a few weeks, and got a little burned out. I also made a huge one of like a dozen pages for my pal Jina.

This one is made of plain black cardstock in 8.5 x 11 size. I bought it at WalMart for about 3 bucks.

The flower is a flip up panel

pockets inside the side flips

flip ups with pockets under them

 The patterned paper is from Basic Gray, also purchased at WalMart. I also used some ephemera from various books I have gotten in various places. I love to use ephemera. I think it's interesting, and in a lot of cases adds just the right amount of visual and intellectual zip to any given piece

corner pockets are still my faves!

double layer flips. no pockets on this one.

love that French look. The inserts have a lot of pockets 

I think the inserts were the most fun part!

I decided that I liked this book so much I would make one for myself for my birthday! I started it right before the new year. I constructed the book out of old manilla file folders. It came out just fine. Unfortunately I then signed up for several ATC swaps, and have stalled out on my book. I will get back to it soon. I really need to finish the Mc Kenzie swap, and the Chicago swap before I start to finish it.

I signed up for some pin-up swaps that I will post here later on too.

I guess I have set myself up to be pretty busy for the next couple of weeks at least. Which is good. I won't go crazy that way. lol

I will try to finish my Chicago cards today. They aren't going to be really complicated I don't think. They are going to be a practice in recycling. More on that later.

I have only a few other things on my work desk presently. I have the monthly birthstone swaps, a groundhog day swap and a swap on the risque site about legs. I chose an image with interesting stockings for that one. It should be fun too.

My other major projects right now are crochet related. I started a layette for a friend. Her baby is due on my daughter's birthday in May. She probably won't come that day though. Most likely early as it's a girl. Anyway, the hat and booties are finished, and the blanket is started. I also got 5 pieces of flannel to finish and give her for receiving blankets. I had no idea that finishing those was so tricky. I will have to work on them a bit before the crocheting can begin, so I will take them to Sue's tomorrow to see what can be done.

I guess that's all the umph I have for today all.

I hope you have enjoyed today's blog. I will really try to get into the habit of sharing my art more often this year. Since my only resolution was to work on something 'artsy' every day this year, it should be easier to find something interesting to post. lol

Bye for now my peeps!

--Melody