Floss and Iced coffee

A visual journal entry.  Since I’m doing hand embroidery I’m learning new things about the floss I’m using.  Gouache, ink and pencil crayon. 

We are in Stage 2 of re-opening (our daily COVID numbers continue but are still under 200 here in Ontario) however, I’m not going to coffee shops yet so I made my iced coffee at home. Drawn with gouache and ink added later. 

How to Avoid Making Art

A sampler flower

So this one is a bit of a “sampler” in a way.  I used the spider knot stitch, French knot and filled running stitch on a teabag and a candy wrapper.  The substrate is two index cards, one painted and ink pounced through an around the house stencil.  The 3 x 5 index card was covered in book paper and acrylic ink. I’ve got this vintage book that never fail to have a word or eirds that make me happy.

KEEP CALM - CAST ON

I belong to Postcrossing and send postcards out in the mail to places around the world (yes, even now).  Some people put requests in their profile for specific types of cards: some want Keep Calm postcards.  I’m not sure that this one would be  appreciated though. 

I had fun making this one and I had to creatively figure out how to attach the knitting needles (okay skewers)!  It took a bit of time to knit with them so I couldn’t produce a longer swatch.  Ribbon sewn on to mono-printed index card.

Life is a gift

Meander

I used the chain stitch for my “vines” on a mono-printed card, also teabag and a book page. 

Woman at the window

No prompt- this is a quick painting I did yesterday from my Daily Art app.  “Woman at a Window waving at a girl” by Jacobus Vrel 1650

I liked it because ithe painting leaves so many questions unanswered.  Are they saying hello or goodbye??! The chair is at an angle so it looks like it might express excitement at the girl’s arrival.  But then again, I think not since it is night time so I could be a sad goodbye.  Is the woman a grandma and the girl her granddaughter?

Having FUN

Thanks Tammy, I’m having fun this year with hand stitching!  I learned to make this texture with the split backstitch!

I used mono- printed index card, teabag, Stabilo All-pencil and stitching. 

BAM!

I saw this shape the other day on line and BAM it immediately brought to mind the Batman and Robin comics of days gone by.  Once I saw it that way, I couldn’t unsee it so here it is.

I used transparent gold oxide paint (TriArt a Canadian brand), old book page, black Stabilo all pencil, hand stitching and ink applied to fill out the edges. 

Another day another index card

This morning, I was watching a video by Tiffany of Southern Gals and she was creating a face on cardboard so I thought I would give it a go on an index card (the project continues). I followed her lead and applied an assortment of collage papers with some paint and gesso over the top.  Then, like her I used my left hand to draw a face. I’m keeping it simple and didn’t do any touch ups for her complexion.  I used found text from the vintage book I’ve been using.  Of course I added some hand stitching even though some of it isn’t clearly visible on in this photo.

Health heart and Hope

These are the things that are on my mind these days.  The county had no NEW cases of COVID 19 yesterday! Hope this trend continues.

ICAD -COVID mask

Most of my cards don’t start in my sketchbook however I have been lamenting the fact that I can’t wear lipstick when I go out.  I don’t wear it at home but when I go to town I always apply it.  Sadly, that doesn’t work well with a mask on though.  So, in my sketchbook I thought I would paint my lips on my mask.  Then I thought: yes!! ..... I’ll stitch another pair of lips on the teabag and create a masked face on my index card (shown on the right).  I think I should give it a ho on my actual mask too (maybe). 

I used: teabag, painted leftover collage card on a mini-printed card, ink, book paper and fabric.  Happy that I still had some cotton fabric on hand and it was in the colour of my chosen limited palette.

Abstraction

This one began in my sketchbook.  The final result on the right. Textured stitching on a teabag, found text, book page, found papers, light molding paste and acrylic paint. 

Dandelion

Dandelion- continuing with my limited palette and stitching on a teabag.  I’ve got to admit the French notes weren’t easy for me!  On a mono-printed card.  Thrilled to find the text in an old book!

COVID hair

No prompt- I was watching our Prime Minister yesterday giving his daily address and thought his hair is getting mighty poufy.  Good thing the barbershops can now open since we are finally in Stage 2 of re-opening. 

Yup, no likeness but that’s okay, I think it shows that he definitely needs a haircut. Not that he needs to go out to sn actual barbershop.

The sound of Silence

I just realize how quiet it has been lately. 

I love chicken art

I love “chicken art” and I love making art on cheap,  definitely not precious paper; the lowly but lovely 4 X 6 index  card. The background was made during a mono-printing session and I used my Lamy Joy and then gouache for the colour.  I thought “Hen” should say something but I didn’t have anything suitable so I settled for this found text. 

A happy Red letter day!

No prompt- I’m pretty excited to get my refund in the mailbox today!!  So of course had document it! Even with a pandemic going on I get my refund via snail mail. 

A stitch in time

Re-learning the lazy daisy stitch on a piece of silk and a teabag. Once I got this old adage in my head I couldn’t get rid of it so I wrote it on the magazine piece glued to a gel printed card. 

I had to look up the meaning because my mother would quote this one to me often. She used it to reference my slowness at performing some task (cuz I didn’t want to and was dreading doing it like “go clean your room”!)

Where are the strawberries?

An excerpt from our mundane COVID 19 life!  (Our state of emergency us on until the end of the month). I love my husband but these days he is trying my patience!!! Can you help him find the strawberries??!!! 

Kites

Day 5-  Today’s card was a bit unexpected but I like the end result.  I used teabag, stitching, craft felt, gel print, glitter glue, a bead and markers on the index card. 

Love the quote “Kites RISE highest against the wind - Not with it.”

Began with my name

I created my version of a lupine from my name inspired by artist Este MacLeod

Gouache (no pencil) in my handmade sketchbook! 

Day Teo ICAD

Today’s card was inspired by Ildiko Karsay. Teabag, stitching, deli paper, gel print, ink and a piece of napkin for the bee. 

Day One ICAD

Day one how fun! For my first entry I used two index cards with teabag and stitching, I saw the mountains in the tea stain.  I love teabag art and thought I might have a go! 

Funny thing, I thought the words of the song wasn’t Valerie, Valera, Valer-a-a-ah! And I always sang path not track.  Oh well, you learn something new every day!