Becoming a Professional

This card was made for my mom's 66th birthday!  One of my favorite cards I've made recently, I think because of how the paint looks, how inspired it was (I realized she was turning 66 and the wheels in my head began to turn), and how personal to her it is.  Along with this card, a donation was made in my mom's name to the Route 66 Preservation Foundation, and the guy who runs the organization, Jim, called her up that day and sang "(Get Your Kicks On) Route 66," which was originally sung by Nat King Cole (you can here Cole singing it here). 

The card measures about 4"x7" and is made of construction paper, gesso, paint, craft sticks, a straight pin, permanent pen, and distressing ink.  Now, my mom isn't necessarily a Route 66 fanatic, but she does love to travel (driving is her main means of transport), and there are some other connections I was able to make. Plus, I love what Route 66 represents: travel and road trips (and everything that is good and bad about them!), nostalgia, a piece of American history, supporting local businesses, and an appreciation of the big expanses of nature and countryside that make up the United States, especially the West.

Small accolades story: When my mom received the card (which she loved, btw), she was with some in-laws. She reported that one of them (who I've only met once) said, "This is the best card I've ever seen!"  Yay!

This weekend, I've been working on creating my very first art resume, for submission to an organization that is hosting a professional development workshop for artists that I'd very much like to attend this spring.  The concept of writing this resume was intimidating at first, but I have to say that now I'm doing it, it is fun and validating!  I have really come a long way since August 2008, when I started this blog and first started thinking of myself as a professional.  This process makes my dream seem one step closer to reality.  I'll keep you up to date on the process.

B-day Card

Thought you might like to see a fun b-day card I made for my friend Phuong.  The button has a hook underneath it, which, when the card is folded up, slips into the tiny circle to clasp the card together.

I love being able to see the sewing lines on the backside of the front.

Here's a close-up of that hook.

Holiday Time Creations

Happy 2012!  January is usually a big month for regrouping and getting back into my routine, and seeing as how this is my first post of the new year, this January has been no exception.  I think since our birthdays are in mid-January, that the holiday season feels like it extends a little longer.  There's still celebrating to do, after all! 

Below are some photos of this year's Christmas card!  They were inspired by the pop-up card I made for last year's card swap, but these were a whole lot simpler.  The third photo is a variation I made with some scraps, which I thought turned out just as cute if not as cool as the original idea.

At the Fine & Funky Art Show, my new friend Jennifer sold pendants that she made out of fabric, lightweight wooden discs or squares, and epoxy. I was inspired to try to make them myself, just as a fun project to do with friends.  So my friends Katie and Haley and I made these one afternoon in December, along with some Christmas cookies (not pictured!). Mine are the two in the 2nd photo.  The rectangles are about 1.5 inches high.

You know how much I love aprons, and I've made many an apron similar to this one but with white instead of black.  Haley said, "I wouldn't wear a white one because I'd be too afraid to get it dirty!"  This comment inspired me to make this black one this week.  I like it a lot!  (Secret: there's a pocket behind that orange square!) The black poses a different problem, almost as annoying as dirt or stains on the white one: lint, fluff, and pet hair.  Thank goodness for lint rollers!  Check out my Etsy shop if you'd like to buy this (or any) apron!

And so, I'm back for 2012 and I plan to post at least once a week starting today.  In 2011 I had 37 posts, and I aim to beat that in 2012!  I also plan to host more giveaways this year, and offer up a few video tutorials.  Please save my blog address as a favorite so you can be sure to come back each week to see what is new.  I'm looking forward to having you around.