T is for Tag (or 'Flag') Book

Happy Independence Day to everyone

in the U.S.!  Celebrating with a photo of

my dear old quilted flag wall-hanging, and

patriotic cross-stitch.

Here are additional photos of Book Structures

 to share for the T-Tuesday blog hop.  I think I

have acquired a new obsession!

A flag book, which is a structure based

on the accordion fold binding.  Tags -

or flags - are adhered to the accordion

binding in alternating rows. This book was

completely inspired by the beautifully patterned

paper that had been provided by the instructor.

There were so many to choose from, it 

was hard to decide. But I do love a wonderful

black and white theme once in a while.

From scraps of the patterned paper, I cut out

some of the circles and adhered them to the

tags/flags. Alternating black and white flags

further enhanced the theme. Haven't decided

if I will add text. I am rather afraid to

'mess it up!'

Yes, that's my Santa mug with coffee.

Don't you enjoy Santa year-round?!

This is another folded structure. The way the

patterned papers are cut and woven together

creates a 'secret compartment' that makes a

nice place to add a greeting or secret journaling.

It looks more complicated than it is. The papers

I used are 'two-sided' which makes it even 

more deceiving/confusing. And enough

 time has passed that I'm not sure 

I can figure out how to do make

another. But it's really clever!

A pamphlet stitch booklet with an

envelope flap cover. The rose design was

cut from another drawing I had made and

adhered to the cover.

An envelope book.  The cover collage was

inspired by the brightly colored envelopes 

that the instructor provided.

It's an accordion book, with the openings of

the envelopes on the inside, into which I placed

brightly colored card stock tags cut into various shapes.

I especially like the profile in pink.

From the back, you can see that the book is

constructed by simply gluing the envelope

flaps to the back of the next envelope.

Stop by for T-Tuesday and see what

my blogger friends are up to.  I am

entertaining visiting family this week, so I

will probably be late visiting everyone. I am

having fun with the grandchildren

 and we're having art time together!

Patriotic Index Cards~ A Reprise

 Wishing everyone in the U. S.

a safe and happy Independence Day!

Reprise of Index Card art from previous years...

A Quote to Celebrate the Fourth of July

"Labor to keep alive

in your breast

that little spark

of celestial fire called

conscience."

~George Washington

 

Index Card Finale

A little drawing every day....

keeps the monsters at bay.

Remember...

what is your story?

American Folk Art Index Cards

This week I had trouble doing one 

index card each day...

so I did several in one day.

Not the idea of the challenge, I know,

but made me feel like I was

still staying on track.

All of these index cards were inspired

by folk art.

I bought a book at our local library sale

called "American Folk Decoration" by Jean Lipman.

The first copyright date was 1951!. My book is

a reprint from 1972.  Most of the images

in the book were black and white, however,

with one color plate in the front giving

recommendations for authentic colors to be 

used in the designs.

I've given them my own 'twist.'  One thing I 

really like about folk art is that the artists tended to

load up several leaf and flower designs on one stem.

And flowing curlicues abound on some of the designs.

Many folk art designs are symmetrical, which 

means that the design would have a central motif

with the designs on either side of it being a 

mirror of each other. But I personally prefer

asymmetrical designs.

'Lady Washington.'  This is inspired

by a historic sampler which showed both

Lady and General Washington.  I

"prettied her up" a bit, as the original

looked a bit like a man wearing a dress!

The head-dress and sleeves are

quite high style for the times 

I suppose...

Another folk art flower...

the top and bottom flowers are

designs that have developed over

years of making these.

I often try to incorporate as many

shapes and curlicues as possible

into one flower!

Hope your day blooms with art!

Visit the 'DaisyYellow' blog to see

more index card art.

Index Card Art

I was having issues with Blogger last night...

or my computer is not happy in this heat!

Or all of the above, as I wasn't able to

add any text to my blog post, or even see the scan

 on this post. Had to 'publish'

first and it was there on the blog, even though it didn't 

show up on my Compose screen.  Creepy.

The black and white background is a photocopy of

a drawing that I did several years ago, using Sharpie 

markers.  I cut up the photocopy and used portions

for this card. The berries were a scrap that I saved that

is acrylic on black card stock, hand-painted similar

to some medieval designs. The yellow & orange patterns

are origami paper.  The flower is from patterned

tissue paper gift wrap.  The bit of muslin was painted

with acrylics, and there is pink card stock behind it.

The bird came from on-line, but I apologize that I 

don't know the source.  These were all scraps that

I've saved and recently organized into zip lock 

baggies by color.

Went to the Cleveland Museum of Art

this week and thoroughly enjoyed myself!

Stay tuned for some sketches, notes, 

and information about my visit.

Collage and Drawing on Index Cards

My index cards for June 30 through July 7, 2011

Stop by DaisyYellow's blog to see other participant's

index cards, or to join the challenge! 

I have found that it is easier for me to 

do several cards in a sitting, rather than

one per day.  But I am trying to stick to 'one a day'

in order to make art every day.

Index cards are a great 'warm up' exercise.

Then I often move on to another project or

my art journal pages... 

Collage and Drawing

Mixed media collage on a 4 x 6 index card.

I buy them in a spiral pad so I can take 

them with me. I can work on them 

while on vacation or while waiting

for someone to get done with

an appointment. More fun than

looking at outdated magazines...

A drawing on ledger paper, with some

stamping, purchased tags, and

triangular banners of scrapbook paper,

and painted card stock.

A sketch for some canvases I am thinking

of painting.  3 tall skinny canvases, but

grouped together as one composition.

Colored pencil in my visual art journal.

The right hand larger circle is a light blue. 

On my monitor it is too pale...

trying to use mauve, browns & tans

with accents of blue & purple.

Yesterday's post gave me some trouble,

and I don't know if it was Blogger or

operator error. It will disappear and

this takes its place.

A bit of a dry spell right now,

but hoping to make progress

and get into more drawing!

April Fool

Another 3" x 5" collage on index card...

I like the Joker image,

but not necessarily April Fool's jokes.

I am so gullible that I'm 'taken in' every time!

I hope you enjoy your day

and all your jokes today are nice ones...

Have fun!

Joker

Index Card Collage- 3" x 5"

Assorted collage papers, music, clip art, playing card, scrapbook paper and magazine image.

Face hand-drawn in Sharpie permanent marker.