Art Lesson No. 5 - Handmade Tags

Before you throw those scrap of card stock cut-outs, pause for a while.  You can save couple of dollars by turning those into personalized, handmade tags.

Store bought tags are usually 49 to 99 cents each.  Might be cheap but those add up come the holidays.  So, why not make your own?  Here's how:

1.  Gather scraps of card stock, paper or cardboard

2.  Cut in desired shapes

3.  Scribble or hand-stamp with your own message.

4.  Punch a hole.

5.  Loop a yarn or ribbon.

It's that easy, you get to help reduce waste by recycling too.

Enjoy your new tags!  

Art Lesson No. 2 - Plan Ahead

First, conceptualize.  Then, sketch or draw.  And then, paint.  These are the basic stages of developing an artwork.  It's a simple plan, but still a plan.  

Planning is essential in achieving your goals.  It helps minimize or eliminate mistakes, therefore saving you time.  Not used to planning?  Then, start with the basics.  You don't have to develop a strict set of procedures, committing your plan to memory may do just fine.

Here's an example of how I planned my project today.  First, I sketched my design, measured, measured again, cut, sew and finally worked on putting the finishing touches. 

Design Sketch for Tank Top Art, ACEO.

Detail.  

Hand-stitched Flower Applique and Crochet Edgings.

Finished Work.

Like this?  Bid now on eBay.

Front Page

My item was featured in Etsy's Front Page last October 2nd.  Thanks fishlegs for the feature.

Laptop Sleeve, $35.

Fit for a Princess

Princess Birthday Pop-Up Card
Mixed media on heavyweight cardstock, 5.5 x 8.5 inches.

The amazement in her eyes as she opened the pop-up card I made for her was priceless. Her jaw dropped as she exclaimed "Wow!". Her 'thank yous' that doesn't seem to end made my day.

Our little niece is growing up. I met her when she was just five, four years ago before I married my husband. My sister in law adopted her from Korea when she was just nine months old. She has those blushing chubby cheeks in her homecoming picture, and a huge bow on her hair. And the first word she said when her new mom pulled off that bow was "No!"

Yesterday, she turned nine. Soon, she'll be nineteen. For now, we'll enjoy watching our budding gymnast tumbles and flips. And today, she was on the phone, telling her best friend about her princess card.

Fairy tales do come true. I know three that ended happily. Hers and her parents.