Dreaming of Kenya

As part of a monthly card swap with very creative women cross the United States, I am creating eight greeting cards which use a recycled material and the same rubber stamp image more than once. After hearing President Obama deliver his first State of the Union address, I decided to use one of the colorful and detailed postage stamps adhered to an envelope sent to me from Kenya.

Technique. Gently peel the postage stamp from the envelope. Glue to coordinating cardstock then ink the edges. Glue to another piece of matching card stock then trim the edges with decorative scissors (postal ridges).

For the main image, I stamped a woman's face (Embossing Art) on a scrap of glossy white card stock and layered onto two pieces of card stock. I used Copic markers to add color to the image.

My favorite item to recycle are pages torn from books written in foreign languages. I cut this one to 5" x 4" then inked the edges of the page before gluing to the card front. I used a text stamp to randomly stamp "dream" (Inkadinkado) on the front of the card before adding the framed woman's face then the framed postage stamp.

I stamped "Dreams Come True"(Inkadinkado) on scrap glossy paper and embossed with clear ink. I used a blue Copic pen to color the text. I used Stampin Up window punch to cut out the embossed text then glued it to the front of the card.

Because I have only one envelope with Kenyan postage stamps, I am looking forward to discovering what may be used for recycling into cards for this month's card swap.

Mail Makeover

BEFORE

AFTER

Through participation in several mail art swaps, I've been introduced to different methods for reusing envelopes. Instead of starting with a brand new envelope to create a gift bag or send a letter, I re-use envelopes I receive in the mail. This approach allows me to use up scrap pieces of paper and reduce the amount of envelopes being tossed into the recycling bin.

Technqiue: To make this gift bag, you begin by re-sealing the envelope. For this one, I used a glue stick to keep the flap down. To form a gusset type sack, you will need to score 1/4 inch from the edge along the top (where the envelope flap is located) and along the bottom. Fold and make a sharp crease along the score lines to form the center fold which will be tucked into the envelope to make the gusset.

I used pages from a discarded French novel to cover a portion of the envelope. Scraps of patterned scrapbook paper cover the top. I used the Cricut - Calligraphy letters to cut Happy Birthday and the star from white glossy card stock. With Copic markers, I added color to the die cuts then glued them to the front of the envelope. The die cuts help cover places where the two papers did not meet perfectly.

Use decorative scissors to make the opening for the gift items. Add a bit of ribbon to make it more festive. To close the gift bag, I put a small amount of repositionable glue on the opening. The ribbon adds a decorative touch; however, it is not needed to close the gift bag.

Here's a link to a video which demonstrates how to create a "bagelope": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oj3Q54QtLgY

Memorial Magnet

SEI has a monthly challenge which appealed to my reduce, reuse, recycle mode of art. They encourage using the refrigerator magnets, which are often found on phone books or handed out freely by business merchants, to create something unique.

Technique: I started with an outdated business card magnet (i.e., the consultant moved to sunny Florida about two years ago). I stripped off the glossy surface then covered the magnet with a scrap from the "Enroute" paper collection (SEI). I placed glossy stickers "Christmas Mint" collection (SEI) in each corner. I used dye based ink on a rubber stamp image (Attainable Treasures) then pressed it onto beige card stock. I layered the stamped image on a green watercolor paper then adhered to the covered magnet. I stamped the text (Stampin' Up) using dye based ink onto glossy card stock. I used the Stampin' Up window punch to cut out the text in the elongated oval shape. I inked the edges of the oval and of each layer of paper used for the stamped image.

Both photographs show the magnet clinging to the exterior of the exhaust fan over the stove.

Nine days after the initial earthquake in Haiti; reports state the efforts will turn from rescue to rebuilding. Hope more assistance reaches those who have survived thus far.

Far More Rapid

The January 2010 issue of the Government Executive has an article by Joshua Filler called, "Flirting With Disaster." The article warns against taking FEMA from under the Department of Homeland Security.

After hearing more reports of food, water, and medical supplies being available yet undeliverable to the Haitian people, I thought the issues related to the U.S. response after Katrina may be similar to those encountered in Haiti today.

Technique: Used rolodex card as the base. Glued on scrap of patterned paper. Cut a semi circle from green water color paper then glued on top of card. Cut words from the Government Executive article and glued them to the card. Used brown dye-based ink on one of my unmounted rubber stamps to create the central image. Used a dark green felt tip marker to highlight the border of the card. On the back of the card, I wrote today's date and some things I want to remember about this day.

Obstacles

Several radio talk shows discuss the delays in getting water, food, and medical assistance to survivors in Haiti. NPR identifies numerous obstacles.


Trying to eliminate relatively insignificant obstacles at home, I sorted through my craft storage and found a Santa door hanger my mother had purchased with possible plans to give to one of her granddaughters. There were other similar items on which she had written "Elisia" and on another "Michele".

I flipped the Santa hanger to see if a name had been written on the back. I saw the possibility of an elephant trunk but not a name.

Using acrylics, stamps, walnut ink, and dimensional glue I created a picture frame. It holds a photo of my mom and her first grandchild, Cassandra (aka Grandma's Princess). The photo was removed from a frame that had hung in her foyer for more than 17 years. My mother collected elephants. I don't know why, but she did.

Why? (The King of Love is Dead)

"Why? The King of Love is Dead", Nina Simone's tribute to the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. inspired me to create mini-Valentines to send words of love. These are on their way.

Techniques Used:
Stamped images embossed with clear embossing powder then colored with various inks. Glue glitter rims the edges. Small heart brads added as accents. Quotes cut from small book of love.

National Public Radio provides more information about the first performance of the song.

why? (the king of love is dead)
by Gene Taylor
recorded by Nina Simone, 1967

Once upon this planet earth,
Lived a man of humble birth,
Preaching love and freedom for his fellow man,

He was dreaming of a day,
Peace would come to earth to stay,
And he spread this message all across the land.

Turn the other cheek he'd bleed,
Love thy neighbor was his creed,
Pain humiliation death, he did not dread

With his Bible at his side,
From his foes he did not hide,
It's hard to think that this great man is dead.

Will the murders never cease,
Are they men or are they beasts?
What do they ever hope, ever hope to gain?

Will my country fall, stand or fall?
Is it too late for us all?
And did Martin Luther King just die in vain?

Cause he'd seen the mountaintop,
And he knew he could not stop,
Always living with the threat of death ahead.

Folks you'd better stop and think
Cause we're headed for the brink
What will happen now that he is dead?

He was for equality,
For all people you and me,
Full of love and good will, hate was not his way.

He was not a violent man.
Tell me folks if you can,
Just why, why was he shot down the other day?

Well see
he'd seen the mountaintop
And he knew he could not stop
Always living with the threat of death ahead

Folks you'd better stop and think
and feel again
because we're headed for the brink
What's gonna happen
now that the King of love is dead?