Alphabet Postcards ~ A and B

Postcards. A unique way to send a short message to someone. Short, sweet, and to the point! And 'snail mail' is so much fun to receive. With the computer age that we live in, the main items we receive in the mail are bills, advertisements, and during certain times of the year political 'stuff'. I know, get with it! But in days gone by the postman brought us letters from family and friend. Love those e-mails I receive and sometimes they make me laugh out loud. So family and friends....keep 'em coming!

I love the challenge of creating...and this challenge is an interesting one. Deciding how I would create the series, and recently seeing (on line) an article concerning 'paper cutting', I decided that this was the was I would create each postcard. So, I began the process. I decided that each would be unique in itself with only some of the lettering being the same.

I began with graft paper to design the postcard. Drawing (tracing) the areas that would be cut with an exacto knife. After the initial cuts were made, I taped using a tape runner colored card stock in specific areas, then re cut those areas.

I was concerned about mailing them, but they were received without any problems.

Always pray and Be kind...wonder sentiments we should all live by.

Now...on to the next challenge...C and D! I'll post when they have been mailed!

Until next time remember...kiss long, love deeply, and dance like no one is watching!

Artist Playing Cards ~ APC

I've just complete some Artist Playing Cards (APC), the 8's. Already sent the Jack's, 10's, and 9's to swap partners at Swap•Bot. The challenge of completing four cards for each swap has been interesting. Creating something that either pertains to the card or the month I create the cards has been the way for me to complete the process.


The Jack's were done in July. What better photo to use than something patriotic! Vintage postcard was from the Stampington newsletter and a free download. The postcard consisted of both the girl and the boy. Deciding the portion to be used, the first copy was cut for two cards. The second print was glued to cardboard, cut with an craft knife, then layered to create a 3-D look. Cutting for the 3-D effect was completed with an craft knife. Sealed all with Mod Podge


The 10's called for the 'Ten Little Indians', a nursery rhyme from my childhood. Searching to find Native American photos, I came across art by Allen and Patty Eckman. They created Native American paper sculptures. How I would love to see then, but alas . . . not an option! But thanks to their creativity, the photos were used and placed on corrugated black paper and sealed. The 10's represent the family unit, Chief - Father, Squaw with papoose -Mother and I'll say daughter, and the Boys.

One little, two little, three little Indians; four little, five little, six little Indians;
seven little, eight little, nine little; Indians; ten little Indian boys.

Dressed To The 9's! Remember I stated I had a process I had to go through. Well, dressing to the nines is a term used when I was young or should I say younger. Not sure if it is still being used, but, oh well! It was interesting that the 9's I received also depicted woman. Apparently we, woman, all think alike no matter our age. So four different dresses, four different styles, four different papers, and all cut apart and layered back together! One with pages from a book, one with a sash (ribbon) at the waist, an evening gown pleated with sparkle, and the last silver splashed throughout and a pearl belt. At last, dresses to the nines!



November and the 8's! November? What shall I do? What is happening this month? Veterans Day. Yes. This is what I want to do. See, I told you there was a process! What better to have on the APC than four branches of the military. Each cards can be opened to read the historical information, see the photo. Wikipedia is amazing. Posters, patches, photos of the past, and history.

Did you know that November 11 was selected because it was the date that the Germans signed the armistice at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11 month in 1918. President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed November 11, 1919 a federal holiday. A day to honor those that have died in the service of their country and I think for those that came home. to their loved ones.

The Last Rose . . . Bud!

It's officially Fall! The clocks were turned back (in most areas), last nights frost has encouraged the leaves to fall, and there's the smell of wood burning from a fireplace. Just a few days ago the last of the flowers were catching the rain then turning their faces to the sun with the hope of staying around a little longer. Hence, the last rose 'bud' of summer.

Looking through the attic window I see the sun shining through the trees and an incredible blue sky peeking through the branches. Lots of leaves yet to fall, but I will enjoy the colors while I can. So glad I don't have to rake those leaves!

Photo by Susan, November 3, 2010

Show Update . . .

Meet me at The Farm in Kittrell, North Carolina on Saturday, October 23. The 'craft show' will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Diabetes Management Solutions is the sponsor for this event for The Diabetes Bus Initiative. All booths must have handmade items for sale to the public. This should be an exciting event. I understand that there will also be music and a Diabetes Fair for the public.

I've been spending 'creative time' in the shed working on several pieces of stained glass. I've completed all the pieces I will be taking and now have the task pricing everything.

Meet Zelda and Sam U. Lll.

Zelda contains a candle and I'm sure that she has the time to watch your candle flame. Sam U. Lll sits patiently holding your business card or maybe your reading glasses.




The Kaleidoscope

A kaleidoscope style of stained glass sits suspended in a black metal holder. Light glows through a variety of colors with the use of a tea light.





Wire Bejeweled Candle Holder

One of four wired candle holders, this yellow one plus a black, a blue, and a purple wired candle holder. Each stained glass candle holder is unique in the colors chosen for the glass and the glass and semi-precious beads.



Stained glass items may be purchased by contacting; theatticwindow@hotmail.com.

Showtime! It's Fall.

Fall! The nights are getting cooler along with cooler days. But this is North Carolina...days may still be in the mid to upper 80's! Looking out 'the attic window' I see golden brown leaves falling on the rusty red and yellow green leaves piled high waiting for that strong wind to blow. Hoping the leaves blow into the neighbors yard, I sit and wait with the rake in hand on the back porch! I hear the door open and know that help is on its way. Handing the rake over, I slowly walk into the house and up the stairs to my attic window. Sometimes if we wish long enough for assistance it will arrive!

Working On . . .

I will be at a local craft show in late October. This will be the first show in North Carolina. So, I've been working on various items to sell. I'll post photos of items as days go by. Here for your viewing pleasure is a sampling of things that are ready.





Flower Petal Candle Holder ~ The flickering flame glows through the blue glass creating he mood. What mood you may ask! You make the mood . . . two glasses of wine, quiet music, and someone special. What more can one ask for.








Mirror, mirror . . . Who is the fairest of them all? It would be the one looking into the mirror, mirror!

Each mirror created is one of a kind. Unique in the colors of glass and the composition of the piece.






Treasure Box with Drawers ~ The stained glass drawers will hold your most favorite 'treasures'. That beautiful bracelet given to you by someone special. Your favorite ring. Your grandmother's earrings she gave to you when you turned 16. So many wonderful memories tucked into the drawers.

The treasure box will compliment the mirror.



If you are interested in any of the 'creations' leave a note at 'The Attic Window.'

Inspiration! What we see, hear, or touch.

Inspiration comes in many different forms. We see a sunset, morning rays of the sun streaming through your window, the smile on a loved ones face. But how would we cope if our vision is dimming?

Into my life comes a site I enjoy; www.Milliande.com. I've received treasured art, and sent some, from a variety of wonderful ladies. These ladies encouraged me to look beyond my comfort zone and expand my horizons in the area of art. One of the recent challenges there was for Beth and this is the rest of the story......

"Take a walk with me and get a closer look into my world through my eyes." By poking a hole into paper and looking through the hole you will see the amount of vision Beth has. "I currently have 1% of my vision remaining (2 degrees of peripheral field), complete night blindness and am in the final stages of the disease where the central vision and color perception are fading as well. Although there is a lot of research into a cure, there is currently no cure for Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP). I live every day as though it is a blessing and live lift to the fullest."

Beth's goal is to have her art around the world through Artist Trading Cards (ATC). These miniature creations of art are being created by Beth. I was one of the 'lucky ladies' to assist Beth with her journey to spread awareness about Retinitis Pigmentosa.

So....I see Beth's art, I hear (read) of her journey and I am touched with the strength and grace Beth possesses.

Beth's ATC titled 'Night Lights' captures memories of Summer nights when we were children catching Lightening Bugs with friends and family.

The only thing worse than being blind is to have sight and no vision.
~ Quote by Helen Keller ~

Summer Update . . .

Summer has been very busy and I'm sure it is the same for you.

I recently returned from a vacation to visit friends in Ohio. While there, I worked in a booth at the county fair. What fun that was! I was asked to bring something to display and sell at the booth, so since I have recently been making jewelry, I decided to take some of my 'creations.' Now the jewelry wasn't my idea. Peg (or Peggy as I call my very old friend that I have known since we were both 9 years old) encouraged me to bring jewelry. Surprise! The jewelry was a success and was even seen the next week on the arm of a young lady at another fair in the area!

I folded stars for the fair. When the girls, young and old, were looking through the box of stars, we would ask them if they had been 'good' so far this year and what their favorite color was. When they answered, they were given a FREE star of their choice. We all had fun giving away stars. Several people had a 'lesson' on how to make a star. I wonder if next year people will be looking for the stars and will they bring their friends?

Thanks to Peggy, Karry, Kelly, and their families for the wonderful time I had on my visit. I look forward to another visit and playing Hand & Foot while eating birthday cake. Happy Birthday Stephanie Plum!

Returning home tired, but happy, to friends from Virginia. We all stayed in a local hotel where we talked and laughed for two days and nights. Visiting various sites and eating too much! Thanks ladies for visiting me in North Carolina.

Now I am tired and I know that I will be resting for the next few days.

Music and Flowers!

Completed a 4" by 6" mixed media postcard for a swap at Milliande.com - a community for women interested in creating art. Now I'm not saying that I'm an artist...far from that. But I do love to create! So I attempted this project. I think it turned out nice, but that is my opinion!


The following is my process for this piece:
• Glued a sheet of music to a heavier card stock
• Rubbed ink pads over music; use light browns and yellow; rubbed all with a paper towel.
• Used acrylic paint for the flowers; clear coat over all.
• Using a 4" x 6" frame, I decided where I wanted to cut for the postcard.

'Beyond the Face is a Heart'

I recently completed an Artist Trading Card [ATC] swap of an Annual Family Retreat for the Children's Craniofacial Association. The organization assists with financial assistance to children traveling to surgery; i.e. airfare, hotel rooms, gas, and food costs. The families sometimes travel multiple times a year and are missing work. The assistance helps to ease the burden for the families. The Program Director will be including an ATC when she mails checks to families for assistance. The ATC will be a 'good luck charm' to take to the hospital for IV treatment or surgery.

The ATC sent by the people participating in the swap will be given to the children as a reminder that 'Beyond the Face is a Heart' and to know that there are others interested in them.

Stained Glass Update!

It has been a few weeks since I've stopped in at The Attic Window to let you know what's been happening.

I've been working on a piece of stained glass for a sidelight beside a front door that measures 66 3/4 inches long and 8 inches wide. Cutting, fitting and re-fitting until all the glass was cut and fitted the way I wanted. Watch those fingers! Then to foil all the pieces and that took some time. But it goes fairly fast when you can watch a movie or two. Finely that was done, then back to the table and putting the puzzle back together.



Now the fun begins! Soldering the pieces together.

Work In Progress!

I've been working on the stained glass sidelight and have all the glass cut and I'm now foiling all the pieces. This seems to be a never ending process. But I can listen to music or watch a show while working. But the fingers are tender! It's amazing that I cut all the glass and didn't cut myself, but when foiling, I got cut with the foil.

I have also be doing other 'art' projects. Here are the 'tangled' bookmarks I made for a recent swap.




There are a few other 'swaps' I will be doing. So, we'll see how they go!

But for now, back to my 'work in progress!'

Glass!

What should I do today?

I am currently working on stained glass. Cutting glass for a sidelight beside a front door for a friend. The piece is coming along which is very exciting to see. As the piece progresses, I'll post photos.

The most recent pieces I have completed were butterflies. I sent them to Houston, Texas to a Holocaust Museum for their Butterfly Project. The museum is collecting 1 million butterflies for the children killed during the holocaust. I took pictures of the six butterflies hanging in our trees.

Little Red Riding Hood Star Book

Star Books look very complicated, but they are so much fun to make. This book was completed and mailed for a swap at Swap-bot. My 'swap partner' liked the story of Little Red Riding Hood and I had a 'childhood' book with pictures and the story.

I photographed the pictures, typed the story, then printed all on cream card stock. Creating the red cape for the cover took some drawing and cutting, but was finally was accomplished. The book was completed using red, black and white, and cream.

Other embellishments used were paper napkins, black corrugated paper, ribbon and string, and brads.

Then across the ocean the book went to the United Kingdom and
the lovely lady that received the book.

Note: She loved it!

The Attic Window is now open!

Today is the first day for this blog! Yeah, I did it! As I am 'of the older generation' I will be learning along the way.

The Attic Window is open to anyone interested in 'arts and crafts'. I enjoy a variety of projects and I hope you will enjoy some of the completed ones. I look forward to your reviews (please be kind) and getting to know visiters to The Attic Window.