SERENDIPITY

AFA

2011-08-08T02:06:00.000-07:00

Hand drawn and paintedATCs for the Sarah Bishop swap on ATCs For All

ADMIRE STRANGE REALITY

2010-07-14T07:34:00.001-07:00

Post card format 4" X 6" mixed media, this is gonna be sent out as a RAK

ciao
crafty joan

atcs for all chunkies 4 x 4 2-color chunky challenge

2010-07-02T07:27:00.000-07:00

challenge combination of 2 colours and 5 different art techniques to create a wonderful chunky mixed media page.

MAT ( marie antoinette tag )

2010-05-28T14:13:00.000-07:00

She's on her way to my secret partner for a swap .
ciao
crafty joan

new bijoux artist blog

2010-04-27T01:37:00.000-07:00

COMIN SOON a brand new blog .LE MANI DI CHERY by an Italian bijoux artist with a greyt creative artistic streak.
Keep your eyes open.
ciao joan

39 squares

2010-03-09T12:35:00.000-08:00

Days 8 & 9 for the 39 squares stitchalong

39 Squares stitchalong

2010-03-07T06:28:00.000-08:00

days 6 - 7

days 1 - 5

I've joined in Amy's embroidery stitch along which she's called 39 squares, I've dedicided to do 51 squares....now I've given my age away !!!. It's greyt fun trying to embroider in these 1" X 1" squares and greyt for practising, has been many years since I last tried doing embroidery, I'm a little too heavy handed for this delicate craft and end up strangling the whole thing.

Why not join in
ciao
joan

Art Creations Friday

2010-01-15T02:13:00.000-08:00

challenge for Art Creations Friday is to use this image

A is for ....

2010-01-13T06:57:00.000-08:00

IBI theme is the letter A of the alphabet. A is for ART and art is fun, it's my way of destressing.
Here I 've chosen a zettie theme for my inchie.
TTFN
joan

ALISA BURKE

2010-01-07T02:38:00.000-08:00

Today Alisa Burke has made my day which didn't start off very cheerfully, our greythound has to have an operation on her intestines for a growth of some sort that is causing a blockage.
She offered 5 of her online workshops and I was chosen for one of them, cheered me up no end and also the fact that there are still generous people among us in this crazy world we are living in.

This year I'm goint to try and go more GREEN in my art choices , my own personal choice and also economic choice !!! so I chose the RECYLCING REMIX

IMPORTANT NEWS
for wednesday only the 13.01.2010 she is offering $10.00 of all her online workshops

once again thank you Alisa , more than appreciated
hugs
joan

Them Thusday challenge

2009-12-17T05:11:00.001-08:00

Theme Thursday challeng theme this week is LEGS

Theme Thursday challenge

2009-12-13T11:14:00.000-08:00

Theme Thursday challenge VINTAGE.

FAT YELLOW

2009-11-25T03:50:00.000-08:00

FAT YELLOW art squared 4" X 4".
images by Lisa's altered art. Gonna make myself a coloured fat book using the coloured theme digital collage sheets , have already made 6 fat pages and 2 skinny pages.....was up till 3.00 am
making them as it was one of those nights where I couldn't sleep...............won't tell you what time I got up today !!! LOL

have a greyt day
joan

small world of inchies

2009-11-23T03:01:00.000-08:00

Theme this week is PURPLE on the challenge blog small world of inchies
Images by Lisa's altered art. I've done an inchie (above) and a twinchie (below).

GODDESS

2009-11-15T08:45:00.000-08:00

Art jounal page ' GODDESS', words inspired by Suzi blu.

I need to have my space to breathe and to feel free, 2b me... listen to me and what I would like or want to be ............not what society wants me to be or imposes on me. The only TRUE REAL friend I need is ME, I need to believe in me, myself, and not what others think or believe about me, I need to do what I want not what others want, to confide in me myself as I know 100% I will not betray myself with secrets, problems or be false to myself. I have to live with myself so being a true friend to myself is better for me, if I'm better to live with then so are those who have to live around me.

I'm going to try and be a Goddess ...yes me a Goddess, I'm going to start thinking highly of myself and try to nuture myself from within, pamper myself so that I'm fit and raring to go.

Will let you know how I get on.
ciao
joan

Challenges

2009-10-02T02:48:00.000-07:00

I have just finished drawing some requested whimsy ATCs for some personal trades and I think these two fitted just fine for 2 challenge blogs this week. Thought they would also make a change to the collage ATCs I usually make for these challenges

On theme thursday the challenge is things with wings.

On the three musesthe challenge is zlightly zetti, althoug I think this would have done grand for both challenges.

sorry scanner started to play up whilst scanning this one.

I adore the theme with wings, as wings represent 'freedom' for me. Below are 2 of my favourite ATCs that I made for swaps but I just couldn't part with them and wanted to share with you as the one of the challengs is things with wings.

have a greyt weekend
hugs
crafty joan

Theme Thursday

2009-09-26T13:38:00.000-07:00

Theme Thursday this week's challenge is script.
I made 2 ATCs and couldn't decide which one to use , so this week I've been greedy and used both !

Pink Queen ATC is vintage Italian text, tissue paper, acrylics, gesso and collage images by lisa's altered art ( Queen series ).

Queen is vintage Italian text background, Gel skin Image transfer and collage images by itkupilli.

have a grey weekend
crafty

BUBBLE WRAP BACKGROUND SaWo

2009-09-18T13:50:00.000-07:00

SATURDAYS WORKOUT challenge this week is BUBBLE WRAP BACKGROUND.
I had already prepared some old vintage book pages with acrylics for journals as done by Traci Bautista and now I've just bubble wrapped them with metallic acrylics. Made an ATC only need to put a saying on and it's done .

I know I saw a tutorial about preparing book pages with acrylics, I'm sure it was the talented PATTY SZYMKOWICZ check her out she has a fantastic blog.

have a greyt weekend
crafty

carol annes boutique

2009-09-12T11:31:00.001-07:00

this lady is more than generous with free images on her blog, now she also has a giveaway.
You'd be a fool not to check it out.

TGIF

2009-09-11T06:24:00.000-07:00

thank god it's friday, this week's challenge SKULLS

HAUNTED HOUSE

2009-09-11T06:02:00.000-07:00

ATCs for All swap HAUNTED HOUSES.
images ITKUPILLI.

vintage women

2009-09-10T10:13:00.001-07:00

theme thursday challenge is vintage women

GAELLE BOISSONARD SWAP

2009-09-10T08:34:00.000-07:00

breast cancer awareness swap

2009-09-09T09:59:00.000-07:00

ATCS for a breast cancer awareness swap on ATCS for ALL, images by lisas altered art.

gothic arch challenge

2009-09-01T07:55:00.001-07:00

Challenge blog GOTHIC ARCHES is 2 years old, theme this week CUPCAKE, here's my contribution.
Images by Lisa's altered art

black and white ATCs

2009-06-02T08:40:00.000-07:00

Some ATCs for a vintage black and white swap on atcs for all.

These ATCs are made using mixed media technique, collage, gesso, rubberstamping, watercolours and vintage collage images.

4" X 2"

2009-05-19T11:59:00.000-07:00

crazy amigo challenge this week is to use the measurement of paper as 4" X 2".

here are my entries

HELPING HAND

2009-05-15T05:26:00.000-07:00

this is the theme on mixed media monday this week............am a little in late in contributing, but thought I would use an old ATC I made.

Haven't participated in many challenges lately as my wonderful greythoud Betty isn't too good her bone marrow is not doing its job which should be in producing blood cells or platlets so she is being given a helping hand in the form of steroids.

have a greyt weekend

joan

whimsy block 8

2009-05-08T11:45:00.000-07:00

I'm now up to whimsy galz #90.

whimzy galz

2009-05-04T05:34:00.000-07:00

ATCs hand-drawn, watercolours and ink.

In one month I've made 80 Whimzy galz ATCs with 90% traded.

ciao crafty

Whimsy galz #55

2009-04-25T14:14:00.000-07:00

I'm loving making these whimzy galz ATCs. In the last 3 weeks I've traded about 40 of them on the ATC group ATCS for all. What a fab group and with so many greyt artists, certainly is a challenge to try and better my techniques and learn new things...........something I've been missing for a long while in the world of ATCs here.

Greyt taking part in so many ATC swaps too.

ciao

joan

whimsy gothic gals

2009-04-06T04:02:00.001-07:00

for a swap on atcsforall

Wednesday stamper

2009-04-01T15:33:00.001-07:00

Wednesday stamper challenge is to use the format 2" X 4" and use at least one stamp.

here's mine.

ciao

joan

SMALL WORLD OF INCHIES

2009-04-01T03:35:00.001-07:00

Small world of inchies challenge this week is yellow, here are my inchies and twinchies.

ciao crafty

FLY WITH ME

2009-03-30T02:53:00.000-07:00

Challenge on MMM is come fly with me . The background for this I made with watered down acrylics and plastic wrap.

TTFN

joan

New Season

2009-03-28T13:21:00.000-07:00

SPRING.... a new season has begun and also a new me. I'm going with the flow and am enjoying all the new art I'm learning and making, plus I'm making so many new online friends who are going with the flow too.

Since I'm into this self healing and positive way of thinking it's made me realise that part of the fault was mine as I had a low self esteem of myself , very insecure , worried of what others thought about me but now I'm realising that I surrounded myself with negativity ......... certain environments, situations and people. Now that I've finally broken away from this negativity I feel so much better but it's still a little cold out there.....I'm still like a newly formed butterfly learning slowly but surely how to fly.

please feel free to use the image I've used it's from my personal collection of vintage postcards...enjoy.....go and make some greyt art but most of all make it for yourself and for your self acceptance.

have a greyt weekend

crafty joan

2009-03-21T15:32:00.000-07:00

ATC I WILL TEACH YOU TO FLY.

I'm learning to fly.....yes, to fly in my direction, where I want and how I want. I'm no longer flying with the flock being pulled in one direction, influenced by them and being gullable.

I'm taking some on-line art courses, as I want to broaden my horizons and outlook and some of the artists have also included a self help healing section, and it has really opened my eyes and made me look and question my motives, decisions, judgements etc. I'm seeing myself in a new light and realize how I have been taken advantage of, by myself and also others, and that I need to learn to say NO more often , I have to please myself first and not care about what other people think or say.....Yes to SELF ACCEPTANCE, NO TO NEGATIVITY & YES TO POSITIVITY.

ciao

joan

KITTY CATZ PROJECT

2009-01-08T08:15:00.000-08:00

JENNIFER CARTER greyt and caring artist and person is holding a draw for one of these two above dolls, you have the possiblity to win one of these and it costs $1.00 per chance and the donation goes towards this kitty catz progject here.

What are you waiting for it's for a good cause....start the year of good

hugs

crafty joan in italy

SMALL WORLD OF INCHIES

2008-09-14T14:06:00.000-07:00

Small world of inchies theme this week is sisters. I've made a twinchie ( 2" X 2" ) with a type of german glitter glass on it.

ciao

joan

JUST HAPPY SKETCHING ETC

2008-08-29T07:32:00.001-07:00

Am as happy a larry, doing this online course with Suzi Blu. Didn't realize sketching could be so relaxing......................much more relaxing than housework !!!!! LOL

have a greyt weekend

crafty joan

practice makes perfect

2008-08-28T07:51:00.000-07:00

Have forgotten a little about my blog as I've started doing an online course with the one and only SUZI BLU, I decided that I need to improve my artistic drawing and painting skill. Am enjoying myself so much in this online lesson community and doing assignments.

Here's one of my first coloured in with pencils faces.

ciao

crafty joan

PARTY GAL KIT

2008-08-14T10:34:00.000-07:00

These are my efforts from the Suzi Blu Party Gal Kits sold by the Artist Cellar, am having a greyt time trying to learn how to paint in faces............not as easy as I thought, just can't seem to get the smokey eyes right..........I will not be beaten !!! LOL. I just adore the artist Suzi Blu, not only her artistic work but her philosophy too, she is just one sweetie. Have decided to take an online course with her as I really need to improve my artistic drawing and painting techniques and there doesn't seem to be much new going on for me here, only techniques that I already know and have used for years.........felt like the lone ranger at times as nobody else was interested to keep me company, but it's oh so different at the mo. I've also gone back to making stitcheries and primitive doll making...........just so many greyt primitive doll patterns out there and doll makers too.

It's so nice to be doing something different from the norm going on here which is gesso, gesso, gesso...........the scrapbooking world here has gone mad everything is being gessoed oh and also scrapbooking mixed mediad. As usual from an unknown technique to OTT mode, while surfing blogs you feel as if you keep going back to the same one all the time.

MIXED MEDIA MONDAY : THANK YOU

2008-08-10T10:19:00.000-07:00

I would like to say a big THANK YOU to all those who participated in the THRINCHIE CHALLENGE that I hosted as a first time host on MIXED MEDIA MONDAY last week. You made it all worth while and thanx to Diane for accepting me as a guest host.
hugs
crafty joan

MIXED MEDIA MONDAY

2008-08-04T02:13:00.001-07:00

Hi everyone,
Here's my contribution for this week's MIXED MEDIA MONDAY, the theme for this week is THRINCHIE. What is a THRINCHIE ? well it's art done with a measurement of 3" X 3" square. I was participating in some swaps for inchies 1" X 1" and twinchies 2" X 2", and I thought why not go the whole hog and introduce a THRINCHIE, you can see my first THRINCHIE on this blog in a previous post in June 2008

I saw on a group that someone was questioning this use of why are we nominating names such as inchie, twinchie, thrinchie etc when this type of art has been in use for years as DECO SQUARES . To be honest I had never heard of DECO SQUARE until now........ ART SQUARED, yes , so now I have a new name to add to my ever growing list of mixed media terms.. During this challenge due to a comment left I found out that this size is also called ITTY BITTY collage / art, and Lenna Andrews has just recently done a swap, didn't realize there were so many names for this 3" squared art. I find that using these names , inchies, twinchies, thrinchies etc is easier for the people to remember and associate to immiediately, specialy non mother tongue speakers of English, as most people know how to count in English ....one, two , three.......especially when doing swaps, so from my point of view I don't think it's that bad using these names, do you?

what would you nominate 5" X 5" square = a Quintchie / quinchie, or 6" X 6" square sexie !!! ??? LOL

Don't you just love this world of mixed media ??? I do and I've made so many friends over the years and am still doing so. So a BIG THANK YOU to all you mixed media gang out there for your friendships, your knowledge, your sharing and above all for being you.

Oh and thanx to DIANE of MIXED MEDIA MONDAY for letting me be the guest host this week.
thanx
crafty joan

Ps I would love to know if you have ever participated in any Deco Square swaps or itty bitty swaps and would love to see your work.

cheers joan

Scrappy gals ATCs

2008-07-03T14:06:00.000-07:00

hand drawn and coloured with watercolours and pieces of scrap paper by Basic Grey.

Satudays workout

2008-06-29T13:27:00.001-07:00

Here's my entry for Saturdays Workout,, this week's theme is gesso or gessoed. It's a 4 X 4 page I did for a chunky book sometime back it was for the theme WHITE. I used images by artchix studio of an angel and gessoed over the whole finished image before adding embelishments.

This was the first time I had ever used gesso over any of my art work and I was little dubbious that I would ruin what I had done, but I think it came out just fine.

This page is now in a Chunky White Book amongst some greyt work by some greyt mixed media artists.

BE YOUR OWN ARTIST, NOT A 21ST CENTURY PIRATE !

MIXED MEDIA MONDAY

2008-06-29T12:25:00.000-07:00

When in Rome, do as the Romans.

my late entry to MMM, theme travel. An ATC, background is the crackle technique with decoupage serviette glued on top and then vintage images.

ciao

joan

THRINCIE or THRINCY

2008-06-22T08:49:00.000-07:00

Once, Twice, Thrice.................I thought I might as well go the whole hog and make a THRINCIE as well, 3" X 3". don't know if there is another name for 3" art squared but I thought I would nominate it a THRINCIE/ THRINCY. What do you think is best?

As I was making one I thought I would add it to the inchie and twinchie I did for

SMALL WORLD OF INCHIES challenge 'Celebration', so here they all are together.

bye for now

crafty

CELEBRATION

2008-06-22T08:43:00.000-07:00

The challenge on this weeks SMALL WORLD OF INCHIES is CELEBRATION. I have done a GARDEN TEA PARTY as summer is here and the British love their outdoor parties, also I have used fairy images as I also think of Shakespeare's MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM.

Enjoy

crafty

TWINCHIES

2008-06-20T03:25:00.000-07:00

This weeks challenge on WEDNESDAY STAMPER is TWINCHIES. What's a twinchie? well, it measures 2" X 2" double size to an inchie.

Background is with watercolours then stamped over and then a stamped butterfly and vintage image. As It's hot here in Italy I thought something colourful and summery.

have a greyt weekend

crafty

MIXED MEDIA MONDAY

2008-06-16T06:29:00.000-07:00

TRY SOMETHING NEW is the challenge on MIXED MEDIA MONDAY today. Here's my contribution, this double page LO is for a scrapbooking chunky book about me, 4" X 4", well it's ages since I've really done any scrapbooking, actually years, so I tried to do it in my best mixed media way, this is the nearest I could come up with, to try and keep it to how their taste as, my mixed media isn't usually girly wirly, flowery, colourful enough.

I tried a new acrylic paint with micro pearls inside , same consitency and texture as that of a facial or body scrub, mixed it together with an acrylic blue irridescent . Lovley colour and texture but be warned ...............blinking difficult to then collage anything on top of it due the the surface not being smooth due to the micro pearls !!!!!!!!!!!!!! took me forever and a day to glue on my painted girls and writing.!!!!!!!!!!!! next time images and writing first and then micro pearls acrylic paint !!!!! learn't my lesson thanx to mixed media monday.

bye

crafty joan

PHUNKY DOLLS

2008-06-10T06:05:00.000-07:00

Made these PHUNKY DOLLS last night, now to write out the patterns.

Special thanx to SUZI BLU and EMILY IPOLANI who have inspired me in my work.

These PHUNKY DOLLS are about 4" - 6 " tall, they can be filled with sand/ grit so they stand up or you can sew on a beaded loop so you can hang them or an attachment so that you can put them on you cell phone, bag, backpack etc you can even wear them as part of a necklace, brooch.

Now to think of names for these PHUNKY DOLLs

ciao

crafty Joan

PURRFECT FAMILY

2008-06-09T05:12:00.000-07:00

Here's my contribution to the weekly challenge on the blog MAKE A MOO OR TWO. This week's challenge is CATS, my moos are handrawn and watercoloured.

ciao

craft

SUZI BLU

2008-06-08T10:44:00.000-07:00

Look what I've found a SUZI BLU.
This gal and her art rocks and her Vlogs...........wow.
check her out.
ciao
crafty

TO BE ME

2008-04-28T02:31:00.000-07:00

This is my first attempt at trying to do a mixed media painting, I just can't seem to be able to paint faces especially the shading part of it. This still has to be finished as I have to put some text onto it.

thanx to Suzi, Kelly and Diane who have been my inspiration and giving me a jump start in trying to have a go, specially Suzi and her Vlogs....... Thanx gals.

ciao

have a greyt day

crafty joan in italy

Goodies

2008-03-31T10:37:00.000-07:00

Here' s what I got some ATC Kits .................just luv em.

and some dotee dolls I've made for swaps.

ciao ciao

crafty Joan

GOTHIC ARCH ATC SWAP

2008-01-09T05:44:00.001-08:00

These are for another swap I'm participating in. I decided to take the plunge and sign up to swap-bot and I'm glad I did.

There is such a wide choice of swaps and a low number of swap partners which does not make me feel over whelmed by how many I have to make...................only problem.... I'm now hooked on swaps !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ciao
crafty joan in Italy

DOTEE DOLL " TUSCANY

2008-01-09T05:40:00.000-08:00

This is a valentine dotee doll I made for a swap I'm participating in. This is the first dotee doll I've ever made and I am now hooked. I've named her TUSCANY due to the colours.

2007-12-05T03:28:00.000-08:00

more ATCs. It's greyt to be back in a creative mood and producing.

have a greyt day

crafty joan

ATCs

2007-12-04T08:13:00.000-08:00

Some ATCs that I've recently made 4 some 1-2-1 swaps. Has been absolutley ages since I've made any.

ciao

crafty joan

Hi everybody!

2007-12-01T03:12:00.000-08:00

Have been absent from updating this blog for a while,but I've still been visiting all of you, and trust that you are all keeping well and being crafty.

Haven't been that creative lately so decided to make some ATCs for a cupcake swap I'm participating in.

ciao

crafty Joan

KARI'S ARTFUL BLOGGING PARTY

2007-08-08T04:59:00.000-07:00

Today KARI aka ARTSYMAMA is having a ARTFUL BLOGGING PARTY where most of the guests on their blog have done a blogging tutorial . Go and drop in on her blog and see all the wonderful tutorials the bloggers are putting on their blogs.

I haven't had time to do a tutorial so I just thought I would send a post card to all the gals from Cesenatico in Emilia Romagna, Italy., but still keep it in the artistic theme. These postcards are of the Port in Cesenatico which was designed by Leonardo da Vinci, and all the old fishermen boat sails that you can see are painted. Part of the port has been made into a floating museum.

There is also a Cesenatico artist who uses the old ruined plain sails and does mixed media art on them ..........they look fantastic.

Well I'm off to have a butchers at all the blogs now, so no house work will be done today !!!!!!! don't tell hubby.
ciao
crafty joan in Italy

Believe ATC

2007-07-06T09:41:00.000-07:00

Here is an ATC that will be winging its way to Australia.

Stamps by cherry pie and firecracker designs, stamped onto water colour paper and painted with watercolours. Images then applied onto a piece of vintage wallpaper and some paper flowers added.

Shabby Chic Matchbox swap.

2007-06-14T05:08:00.000-07:00

Hi there, Natash Burns from downunder is hosting a Shabby Chic Matchbox swap, see her blog for details. Sign up day ending 15.06.2007 posting out by 22.06.2007. Seems there are a whole nice bunch of swappers taking part.

have a greyt day

crafty joan

Faux Cupcakes from downunder

2007-05-19T04:44:00.001-07:00

These are some cupcakes I bought from Natasha Burns in Australia. they are my first in a long line to be collection. I'm really over the moon with these as the photos don't do them justice, Natasha has definately got a new client here...........can't wait to get some lavender strawberries and faux sweets .................all at 0 calories yay

ciao ciao

crafty joan

ps photos are copyright please ask rightful owner ( natasha ) for permission to use, thank you

KISSES

2007-05-17T04:12:00.000-07:00

These are a pair of earrings I have been commissioned to make. I have used a scanned vintage image from my postcard collection , sterling silver earwires and hearts and precious stones.

I would also like to send many comforting hugs and friendly kisses to a dear artistic friend in the USA , who was over the moon with some fantastic news only to be kicked in the gut with some bad news and now she will have to wait for some rusults to confirm the outcome, which must be terrible.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the news will again be good. She deserves some good in her life as she has always had to struggle with each day. Wish I could be there to comfort her and hubby.

tata 4 now

crafty joan

FLOWER GARDEN CHARM BRACELETS

2007-05-14T03:39:00.000-07:00

Saturday evening I made 8 flowery charm bracelets, seem to be going thru a fad of making these bracelets with these specific beads. I have been buying some from an American e-bayer 'princess by design' as some of these beads I just can't find here in Italy.

I am making some more for 2 special people in America , can't say whom yet, but I know they often look at my blog. Just hope they like what they see here as it will be something similar.

Am also thinking of starting an etsy shop to sell some of my creations, up to now I've never had the courage as I've seen so many greyt things about that I've never felt up to standard. Me thinks now is the time to try if they sell, they sell if not I tried.

Here in Italy it's very hot, sticky and humid already, to think summer hasn't started yet !!!!!!!!!!! OMG.

off to cook lunch for the tribe
ciao ciao
crafty Joan

Flowery bracelet

2007-05-10T11:11:00.000-07:00

Today has been very hot, so I went downstairs into my studio and decided to make a bracelet with some flower beads. I got carried away and in the end I made 4 bracelets. Here's one of them. These are the only flowers that survive in my house......I don't have green fingers !!!!
ciao crafty joan

AATC

2007-05-06T09:09:00.000-07:00

This is an AATC , a what? an AATC = an altered artist trading card. I made this ATC a year back and I wasn't over the moon with it, something just wasn't right.
I received some rubber stamps last week from firecraker designs and decided to add some of their stamped images to the ATC and for me this time it worked out and I was happier with it.
The ATC background was done using a stamp ink pad on paper for acrylics, then doodled over and a vintage image added, then after one year altered .
ciao ciao
crafty joan

International ATC chain

2007-05-02T06:39:00.000-07:00

Hi there,

I saw this on Evie's blog entry for 23rd April,2007. There's the first international ATC chain going on, all you have to do is make 6 ATCs of any theme and post them to the 6 persons on the list and mail them within a month. You then delete the person at the top of the list and add yours to the bottom, hopefully you will have international ATCs winging their way to you. If you are interested please contact me,

I made these ATCs using Cherry Pie rubber stamps coloured in with watercolurs and put onto a black cardstock background.

ciao ciao for now

crafty Joan

My chain ATCs will go out on Saturday.

FIRST CUPCAKE

2007-04-09T05:31:00.000-07:00

Made my first CUPCAKE ever with a lemon frosting topping and have to admit wasn't bad for a first try, made 20 at lunch time and by early evening all were gone.................wasn't me who ate them all !!! Luckily I managed to get a photo before they all went, only prob whilst looking for the camera I left them outside under the sun and the frosting strarted to melt !!!!!.

I have fallen in love with the faux cupcakes and cakes and all those wonderful blogs and websites..........actually I'm falling in love with PINK , I'm beginning to THINK PINK and liking all that shabby chic. Don't know what's happening to me ...must be my hormones that are changing ..it's not just me that's becoming softer shape wise but also emotion wise too.

tata 4 now

crafty joan

tea party day continuation

2007-03-21T06:30:00.000-07:00

Hi there,

Here I am all alone having my little tea party, I might be here in person by myself but throughout the morning I've been making some new friends in cyber space. Thanks ARTSYMAMA for a wonderful idea and initiative.

What a morning ...drawling over some wonderful blogs and websites, seeing such wonderful china and linen......well this was just too much, I decided to get out all my old china that I carefully wrapped up and put away, so that the kids wouldn't ruin them. I've decided that they are no longer to be hidden away and need to go back on display.....wasn't that the whole idea in the first place to be seen and used. So linens will be washed and old china washed , I've decided that I will display them in my old antique English display cabinet.........only one problem will now have to find a new place for my collection of dolls !!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

Looking forward to continuing the day dropping in on other peoples tea parties.

International Tea Party Time

2007-03-21T03:22:00.000-07:00

There's an International tea party going on which has been hosted by the hostess with the mostess http://artsymama.blogspot.com.

Here in Italy today it is miserable, damp and cold....greyt start to spring !!!!! Up until today the weather has been up in the 18- 19 degrees sunny and hot, short sleeve weather, everything has already flowered , seened so strange to see the end of February and beginning of March blooming with colour . Also first thing this morning I had the boiler man in to give the boiler its annual check-up, I suppose you could say it's been SPRING CLEANED !!! LOL.

I'm a tea drinking addict, I drink about 10 mugs, yes mugs not cups, of tea a day , whatever the weather may be. I drink my tea the traditional English way with milk and sugar and believe it or not I prefer to drink a nice hot cuppa at meal times .!!!!!!!!!!! horror of all horrors.....my hubby after nearly 30 years still can't come to terms with it. I call my cup of tea by different names...............a cuppa, a brew, a cup of char. In the Uk they have teabags in all different shapes, traditional sqare ones, round ones, pyramid shape ones, ones that you pull two strings so as to squeeze the life out of it !!!!!!!!!! I don't care as long as my tea bags come from the UK, as I don't care much for the weak tea they have here in Italy which is more adapted to drink with lemon and fruits. I have my tea bags sent out to me and now that my kids like a cuppa too it's costing me a fortune !!!!!!!!!!.

I like to make my tea by putting milk and sugar in the mug first and then adding the boiling hot water.....I know a lot of people say this isn't the correct way and that the milk should be added after the boiling water.........this is a debate that has been going on for years.......something like the egg and the chicken question...How to you make your cuppa? would love to know. Onw thing I do know is that the Italians really give me strange looks and give strange comments about drinking tea with milk !!!!!!!!!!! I'm English ( sorry British !!! ) what do they expect !!!! LOL.

Last night I made 3 charm bracelets ready for spring, they are made with lucite flowers and glass beads , they are so light to wear, have to say I'm pleased with them.

Hoping you all have a wonderful tea party ,

hugs

crafty joan in Italy

BLOGS WANTED for dolls and stitcheries

2007-03-15T07:15:00.000-07:00

Isn't she just wonderful this doll with her lovely big head, she's a pattern by Missy Ballance of http://littlemissyprimitives.com. I made her about 2 years ago and have never wanted to give her away, I'm a hoarder by nature so most of my handmade gifts never get given to the would be receiver...........they get put on a shelf in my house !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm going thru a 'I wanna make more raggedy, primitive, grungy dolls and stitcheries ' phase. So do any of you crafters / artists out there know of some good doll and stichery blogs I can look at, if so pls let me know

thanx

have a greyt day

crafty joan

Raggedy fairy

2007-03-04T10:20:00.000-08:00

This is a raggedy fairy that I finished off today, poor thing has been a UFO ( unfinished object) for more than a year or two, no wonder she has that expression of surprise on her face !!!!! LOL.
Can't remember off the top of my head, but she's a variation of a plumtickled pattern I got some years back.
ciao ciao
crafty Joan

FUNKY JOURNAL SWAP

2007-03-04T10:03:00.000-08:00

I'm taking part in a FUNKY JOURNAL swap based on the COLLAGE UNLEASHED book techniques by TRACI BAUTISTA. I'm having a greyt time doing it and am just trying to go with the flow. I hope the person who receives my journal will enjoy looking at it as much as I've enjoyed doing it.
I'm having some problems trying to find some materials here in Italy, either because I really can't fine them or don't know what the equivalent is in Italian. I've been fortunate that some artist friends have come to my help and sent me what I need. I would like to say a BIG THANK YOU to all of them, it's very much appreciated.

Beaded Flower Bookmarker

2007-02-24T03:59:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I decided to make a beaded flower bookmarker with some very colourful acrylic flower beads that I bought . Will have to practice a bit more attaching the flowers to the chain, just couldn't get the hang of wrapping the wire. I'm used to doing it Ok with ordinary round beads but with these flower shapes was a whole new kettle of fish for me.

Think I will try and make some charm bracelets as gifts as these acrylic beads are so light. I might even use them on a FUNKY JOURNAL swap that I'm participating in , might even call the journa Funky Flower Power !!!!! LOL.

have a greyt weekend

crafty joan

CHARM BRACELET CRAZE

2007-02-17T02:25:00.000-08:00

I've fallen in love with some charm bracelets made by an e-bay seller in turkey. I just love the way she coordinates the colours with the delicate lucite flowers and beads and by using the lucite, resin and acrylic beads the bracelet is so light. Over the past year I'm starting to have a nice little collection, problem is when I buy them as gifts for others I'm so tempted to keep them for myself!!!!!!!!!!!!.

have a greyt weekend
crafty joan in italy

ATCs for a B.Berlin technique swap

2007-02-14T03:08:00.000-08:00

These are some ATCs that I made for a swap based on using one or more of Bernie Berlin's techniques from her book.

Had great fun doing them, one is using the metal foil tech, telephone book page tech, and inky layers tech. Vintage collage images are from Artchix studio.

I've decided to take part in another swap where I will have to make 60........so I had better go and start.

ciao ciao

crafty joan

Breast Friend project for JoAnna ( Mosshill)

2007-02-10T08:08:00.000-08:00

Hi there,
Well JoAnna Pierotti my American art friend, had her first chemo session the other day but also had a special surprise. In November Lelainia put a call out on her blog http://tatterededge.blogspot.com calling for artist to make some art for JoAnna so as to make a chunky book and a charm bracelet, well here are the finished items on Lelainia's flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/19674523@N00/sets/72157594521084917/show/, this is the slideshow version.
Was a real pleasure to be part of this along with all the other artists and a big thank you to Lelainia for putting the chunky book and bracelet together.
You can also read about it on Joanna's blog toohttp://mosshill.blogs.com
have a greyt weekend
crafty joan

ATC guilty or not guilty?

2007-01-30T05:00:00.001-08:00

ATC guiltyor not guilty?
Originally uploaded by craftinitalia.

New ATC , another tech from Bernie Berlin's book . Here I used vintage papers, coloured once dry with ink , embossed stamped image and used a vintage postcard image.
ciao
crafty

ATC background techniques

2007-01-29T06:49:00.000-08:00

These are some background techniques I've been playing around with since having Bernie Berlin and Traci Bautista's books . For all the samples I've used paper for watercolours and acrylics.
With the top 2 what I've basically done is transfered the excess alcohol ink colours on some metal foil tape by putting the paper on top of the tape and passing over with a brayer. Then on another piece of metal foil tape I've dabbed off the excess alcohol ink with baby wipes and the dabbed randomly over the paper .
On the bottom 2 I've just transferred excess alcohol ink onto a baby wipe and dabbed over paper randomly, the bottom right one I used a clear embossing ink pad and inked randomly over paper and then used gold embossing powder that I then heated with a heat gun.
I'ts like being back at school again...................the best background image is me !!!!!!!!!!!!!! ....what with all the excess colours and materials on my hands.
ciao ciao joan

NEW CRAFTY YEAR

2007-01-23T08:30:00.000-08:00

A Happy Crafty New Year to everyone.

Here's an ATC I did using the metal foil technique explained in Bernie Berlin's new book, 'ARTIST TRADING CARD WORKSHOP'. This book is a must for all ATC enthusiasts and 2 b ATC enthusiasts, it's pleasing to the eye and the techniques are explained in clear simple English. I also used a vintage image that I coloured in using colours for black and white photographs, the flowers are what my friend uses for doing her scrapbooking.

Talking about scrapbooking , I was trying to find some Italian scrapbooking blogs but I just seemed to find the same old ones over and over again on all the blogs, with the same old LO's and ideas from the USA. Is it that there are far and few between scrappers here in italy ???? !!!!!!!! or that they want a monopoly and have the glory for themselves and not let others into their lucrative club ????!!!!!!!!!

Off to play with some more techniques from Bernie's book.
ciao ciao
crafty Joan

HELP NEEDED

2006-11-29T03:15:00.000-08:00

Hi there,
I need your help here. I bought this kit
a year or two back and can't remember the
name of the website, all I remember is there
is the name ' card ' in the title and the kind
lady's name is Robin.
If any one could help it would be most
appreciated, as I would like to buy some
more to make as gifts for next year.
thanx
crafty

ART FOR A BRAVE AMERICAN ARTIST

2006-11-24T08:52:00.000-08:00

This art is for an American art friend, JoAnna, http://mosshill.blogs.com who is facing a very difficult moment in her life right now and who will have a strong battle to fight health wise.
Lelainia of http://tatterededge.blogspot.com put out a request to artists via her blog asking them to create a piece of artwork to make into a book and to create a charm for JoAnna .

Above is the collage I made for the artboo, the L shape stands for Liberty the butterflies represent freedom and the flowers the sweet smell of life.

This is a little prayer ATC for her, I don't know where or when I came up with these words for the prayer, but I think it is sweet and meaningful.

This is a charm I made based on the collage and prayer ATC above, the butterfly represents freedom , the feathers the wings of an angel and the little Madonna prayer cameo with crystals for clarity and faith.

Hope she will like these, and I pray dearly hope that the coming months will be won over.

thanx to Lelainia of tatteredge for letting me participate
crafty

CABINET CARD SWAP RECEIVED

2006-11-07T04:05:00.000-08:00

Today I received my Cabinet Cards from the swap I participated in. Here they are in all their glory..........arent' the just wonderful, I'm over the moon with them. Believe me the scanned photos don't do them justice, to have in ones hands and feel the textures is another thing, I would like to thank the artists AUDREY HERNANDEZ, MARILYN J ROCK and CAROL MYRICK. Also a big THANK YOU to Christine Shebroe for being a great hostess.
Have a great day
crafty joan

Pocket Cover Book no.2

2006-10-31T06:21:00.000-08:00

Here is my second effort of my pocket book cover, must say I'm more than happy with this effort. Had a whale of a time doing the FMS ( free motion embroidery) that I got carried away and didn't want to stop. This time I used greenhouse fleece instead of the nappy liners................prefer the effect of the ironed nappy liners.
Now I have to embellish with cords and beads.

ciao
crafty joan

FREE ART

2006-10-27T05:48:00.000-07:00

I saw this on http://alis-clair.blogspot.com, and decided I would like to take part. so the first five people to respond to this via the comments will receive a piece of original artwork made by me in person. Great I hear you all saying but THE CATCH ?
The catch is that you too have to post this to your blog too so that way we can continue sharing the art.
have a gr8 weekend
crafty joan

Pocket Cover Book

2006-10-21T14:03:00.000-07:00

I decided to do an on-line course with Janet Clark on the joggles website. This is my first attempt at FME ( free machine embroidery) and colouring and melting nappy liners. I am waiting for my supplies to come through as here in Italy.............fashion centre of the world .....you wouldn't believe it I can't find 90% of the material I need to do the course. Shame it's not the craft and hobbies centre of the world then I wouldn't have as many problems finding materials to do my arts and crafts !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OK couldn't wait to get started so I decided to try and find some of the materials.................have spent an afternoon trampsing around and finally found a place that had some chiffon and organza.....................great. Once home started on my quest to half complete the first lesson..........
you can see the result above.............for starters I'm not happy about my FME and definately not happy about the melted nappy liners........................I think I melted them to much. I then put my one layer of black chiffon on top but it was too dark and you couldn't see a thing, so I've scanned the image without it. I do like the colours tho...........my favourite.
Now to see what the teacher will say about it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ciao crafty joan

Altered Cabinet Card No.3

2006-10-19T00:43:00.000-07:00

Here is my final Altered Cabinet Card., I wanted this one to be a fun one.
I'm sure there's a sexy siren hidden deep within all of us just screaming to get out !!!!!!!!!!! LOL.

I immagine her to be real victorian having to live by the prim and proper victorian values of the day, but one she was in her own house behind closed doors ...........................

Look forward to seeing all the Altered Cabinet Cards now the swap is closed.

Was definately a fun swap................ thanx Christine

ciao ciao
crafty
joan

Altered Cabinet Card No.2

2006-10-19T00:30:00.000-07:00

This is my 2nd altered cabinet card for a swap that I'm taking part in, hosted by Christine for Art-e-zine. I'm having a whale of a time doing them . It's great trying to immagine about the unknown person in the photo in front of you, were they married, were they kind, many children, rich , poor etc.

You may be wondering why most people didn't smile in the 1800's when having photos done.............. mainly because the majority of them were missing TEETH !!! not many dentists about in those days and most people couldn'f afford them, also some people were also a little scared of what was about to happen.

You will be able to see all the cards once the swap is closed on Gillian allen's web site http://www.art-e-zine.co.uk, here you can also see other swaps that are open at the moment http://www.art-e-zine.co.uk/artexchange.html

Altered Cabinet Card Swap

2006-10-17T13:53:00.000-07:00

This is one of my 3 altered cabinet cards for a swap that I'm participating in. This is my first time at altering these cards and I've enjoyed every minute of it, can't wait to do another
ciao
crafty
Joan

STC

2006-10-16T06:34:00.000-07:00

STC

In one of my previous posts I said that Italian scrappers were discovering the world of ATCs. I've noticed that the ATCs they
create are made in the scrapbooking style that they are accustomed to using when making their LOS, therefore in my own personal opinion, my personal point of view I don't really consider these 100% ATCs. Please note I said IN MY PERSONAL OPINION before I have everyone jumping on my back and biting my head off !!!!!!!!!!

Therefore I've decided to nominate these type of cards :-

S T C = Scrappers Trading Cards

As you can see in my example above, the card has been created using K & Co scrap paper, fibres, buttons and a vintage image on the tag. Instead of the vintage image you could use your own photo, family, friends, pets etc. and include it in one of your LOs.

Now all I have to do is initiate a STC SWAP, think I will use a theme maybe a colour or a festive holiday..................or maybe you have some good ideas of your own. If so please let me know ...................would love to see your STCs.

have a great day
crafty Joan

ANGEL COLLAGE

2006-10-10T07:28:00.000-07:00

This is my new 4" X 4" art-squared collage. I hope the person / people who receive this will like it.

Today's blog is short and sweet

ciao crafty Joan

ATC TAG

2006-10-03T06:22:00.000-07:00

ATC + TAG

ATCs are now being discovered here in Italy by people that mainly participate in Italian scrapbooking groups who surf the American scrapbooking sites, you could say soon it could be ATC FEVER !!!!! Most ATCs that they are making seems to be in the scrapbooking style.
Here is an ATC that I made last year , it's an ATC made from K & Co scrapbooking paper, vintage buttons and then sewn around the borders then some fibers and a pocket added on top. I then made a mini tag, using a vintage transparency immage and added a bow. Should be to the Italian scrappers taste as this is mainly a scrapbooking ATC to be used on a LO.
I much prefer to make ATCs using the collage, painting, stamping, fabric techniques. I have just started another blog .....actually I started it much earlier this year but ol' dummy here forgot username and password, as the recovery page of blogger wasn't working I clean forgot about it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! what a wally !!!!!!!!
The blog is http://atcmondo.blogspot.com
bye bye for now
joan

MA..LOOK WHAT THEY'VE DONE TO ME !!!

2006-09-06T12:47:00.000-07:00

Today I found some old black and whilte photos , but who they are of and when they were taken I haven't the faintest idea. Therefore I decided to do a technique that is described in the book ' THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO ALTERED IMAGERY' by KAREN MICHEL . I couldn't find any screwdrivers or awls so I used my dollmaking sewing needle which is very pointed and sharp, must say the incisions came out Ok. I then coloured in with watercolor paints. Had a great time doing it that I continued the whole afternoon altering old photo . I'm thinking of starting a scrapbook titled ' WHO AM I ? ', at least it will be a scrapbook with just a little difference.

Tomorrow I will do some collages and transfer images with what the photos I altered today. Oh it's so great to be back creating after a long hot sticky summer..............mind you it's still 30° here.
Can't wait for autum to arrive ........something in the air changes...the smells, the colours..............just luv it.

ciao ciao
crafty joan

SUNFLOWERS

2006-07-29T14:00:00.000-07:00

Sunflowers...................mmm..............wish there were RAINFLOWERS and that some rain would come our way...............I've been doing my raindance but to no avail...........just 10 mins of a little shower today. I suppose I should really look on the bright side and keep thinking another month and the cooler weather will be on it's way.

The Italians are like sunflowers .......... they live for the sun. They complain for 7 months of the year that it's grey, cloudy, cold, wet and miserable but then when summer arrives and it's too hot, what to they do? they start complaining again !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. I'm from London, so like most countries in northern europe, we are used to the grey, cloudy, cold, wet miserable weather, and just try to get on with life the best we can, and for me I find it easier to cope with than the heat and humidity that everytime you move the sweat just drips off you. But then again in summer you have the sun and the sea. It's easy to spot northern europeans in summer.................we're all burnt red raw like lobsters !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! As the song says ' ONLY MAD DOGS AND ENGLISHMEN GO OUT IN THE MIDDAY SUN '. Looking at it ...I suppose I'm better off than my Italian counterparts..................I'm Ok for 9 months of the year........just the 3 months of summer I'm not too keen on.

Above is a page for scrapbooking I did myself a couple of years back using DONNA DEWBERRY's technique of ONESTROKE PAINTING, I suppose I could also say it's in FREESTLYE scrapbooking style , which has now become very popular . Isn't freestyle scrapbooking what we used to do years ago when there wasn't all the scrapbooking pèapers to choose from.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What is FREESTYLE scrapbooking? would love to know your description of it.

ciao ciao
crafty

FORGOTTEN

2006-07-21T08:33:00.000-07:00

It's way too hot to do any creative work , my hands are too sweaty and everything just keeps slipping out of them. So I decided to do some clearing up where I do my creative work, I'm not the most organized of people when it comes to my creative work area , therefore I came across a lot of old work that I did a couple of years back.

I found a lot of work I did while I was going through my scrapbooking phase, some pages that are now probably classed as FREESTYLE, COFFEE FILTER ALBUMS, PAPER BAG ALBUMS, CD ALBUMS , MINI BOOKS made from tags, envelopes and photo slides and much more. After that I was mainly into making raggedy and primitive dolls, quilts and doing stitcheries. Above is a stitchery pattern of my own design ( copyrighted) that I did for my sister in Australia, she's had it framed and put in her daughter's bedroom.

It's been such a joy pulling out these old creative works, maybe I just might start doing stitcheries again especially when the long winter evenings arrive.
ciao ciao for now
crafty
joan

WATERFALL

2006-07-19T02:44:00.000-07:00

Life is like a waterfall, you drift along like a stream then things quicken up and you become a river getting wider and wider, then a rapid until finally you find yourself on the edge and over you go crashing like a waterfall. Well that's my opinion anyway.

I feel like this especially when I try to help people out in person 1 2 1, telephone, letters or today via e-mails. I don't mind helping people ...listening to their problems, giving advice where needed. Many people tell me that I should be harder as a person in this dog eat dog world, but that's just not me, I'm too weak in character.

The thing that bothers me is when you are taken advantage of, you give someone an idea/s, they use it/them and make a profit from it ....but if you need help they're not so quick to return the favour !!!!! You write to people complimenting them for their good work, asking how life is etc...but they just don't do the same to you , make out they never recieved the letter or e-mails. I know it can happen that things go astray but more than once !!!!!!.

That's why I say life is like a waterfall, I bottle up my feelings and anger until they slowly spurt out, I suppose I should say like a volcano, but I prefer waterfall as I'm a water birth sign and an ex swimmer. My problem is that once I've stopped being a waterfall I become a stream again and the whole process repeats itself !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Guess I'll never learn. Why oh Why can't I be just that little bit more stronger and sometimes just say ' NO ' .

Luckily I have meet many good people via the internet and now with blogs..........now that is a completey different topic...............seems like a competition of who can get more comments than the others !!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL .... well here where I am anyway!!

Photo above is an ATC that I made trying out the technique of incision on plaster. To make the ATC a little more flexible so it wouldn't crack if bent, I adjusted the quantity of mixture .............no I'm not telling ,....that's my sercret !!!!!!!!

from a little feeling sorry for ones self
craft

Ps if reading this and you think I may be aiming the above at you, please ask me and I will tell you ...yes or no...
See I'm getting stronger !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL

Those summer nights

2006-07-14T11:12:00.000-07:00

Those summer nights
Originally uploaded by craftinitalia.

An ATC made using the techniques for backgrounds and transfers from TRY IT TUESDAY.