Changed Name

I changed my blog's name to SherresArtZone to reflect consistency with my new website. I just registered for www.sherresartzone.com, where as soon as I get it set up, I will post items for sale. I have wanted to take this next step, so I will see how it develops. I am glad my son is around to help me get the website made; computer lingo is not my thing!

Third one in my AOM Tim Holtz-style series. Again, used Distress Inks, Moon Mist on the background; distressed the tag; tape measure sticker, letters and image of girl. Trying to avoid wings and hats for a while!

AOM Tim Holtz Style

Second in my series for the Tim Holtz Style AOM Swap. I used old text for the background sprayed with Burnt Umber Moon Mists. Used Tim Holtz Measuring Tape Paper; menswear-looking scrapbook paper; old dictionary text; 2 vintage images; metal brads and sticker letters. Sanded to give an aged appearance and added Tim Holtz Distress Inks in Vintage Photo and Antique Linen.

AOM for May- Tim Holtz Style

Here is an ATC for the AOM Tim Holtz-style swap. I used Moon Mists on glossy photo paper for the background. I added part of an old dictionary page; another old paper; a vintage image; a Tim Holtz block letter; measuring tape and key stickers. I sanded the card as I went and added Tim Holtz Distress Inks in Vintage Photo and Antique Linen. The card is backed with cardstock that is covered with antique pattern paper that was sprayed with Moon Mists in Burnt Umber.

Poured Ink Technique

This is a sample of the poured ink technique. I will be cutting this up into ATC-sized pieces for the Technique Swap on Arttechniques. The first step is to prepare your watercolor paper. I took a 12 x 16 piece of 140# paper and soaked it in the bathtub for ten minutes. I then laid it onto a piece of masonite board (I had this cut at a home improvement store). After moistening in the tub 4 strips of Gummed Paper Tape, I adhered the tape to the edges of the paper on the board. While the paper was still wet, I poured Dr. Ph. Martin's Bombay India Inks in Yellow, Bright Red, and Red onto the paper and tilted the board various directions to get the colors to mix. I then laid the board flat and applied plastic wrap to the surface, scrunching the wrap up to create interesting marks on the paper. I let it dry overnight and then removed the wrap. A fun technique!

Inspired by Tim Holtz DVD

I was watching Tim Holtz's first DVD today for inspiration for the arttechniquesatcs May AOM (Artist of the Month) Swap. I started by doing a watercolor stamping on an old page of a Trigonometry textbook that had been Xyroned onto beige cardstock; added some paper bits; then added a found image and a slide mount I had covered and put Perfect Pearls and Crystal Lacquer on. I added Gold Leaf Rub n Buf to the textured paper. I then found these cool flowers someone sent to me as a hostess goodie and added them. Lastly I put a dab of Crystal Lacquer and some of those teeny little beads in the center of each flower. Probably not "Holtzy" enough for the swap, but it is "Sherre" enough to please me. Art is making what you like, right?

I Was Tagged!

I was tagged by a fellow ZNE Design Team Member so my assignment is to write 7 random facts about myself. So here goes:
1. I love Lime Coke but they no longer have it on the shelves! I am bummed.
2. I met my hubby on a blind date.
3. My sister and I got lost after seeing "Son of Flubber" when I was young. Eventually found!
4. Would love to be a portrait painter.
5. Used to be a cheerleader coach.
6. I collect pitchers. ( ceramic, etc, not BASEBALL- yuck.)
7. I am married to a sports fanatic and I can't abide watching games on TV. Thus, I escape to the art room!

Painting & Stamping with Leaves

I did this piece after Susan Chong showed her leaf pieces on arttechniques. This one is done on watercolor paper. I used color mists and ink pads. Hydrangea, foxglove, violet, and ivy leaves from my garden were my stencils and my stamps for this project. You can't really see the background's shimmer from the metallic sprays, but it really adds to the piece. Very fun! The one change I would make is to overlap the leaves a bit more.

ZNE May Challenge

The challenge for the ZNE design Team for May is to use the backdrops Chel provided and to make two ATCS using two different letters of the alphabet. I chose "S" and "W." Here is a "W is for Whimsy" ATC. I printed the backgrounds onto transparency paper and put the image of the lady (TwistedPapers.com), along with some glimmery fibers from the Stewart line underneath the transparency. I attached the transparency with 4 floral brads and then used Tacky Tape to adhere the letter and word.

Garden of Prayer

This is an ATC made for the Monthly Challenge on Arttechniquesatcs. Our theme this month is "Flowers." I used some rose pictures from a Jackson & Perkins Rose catalog; gesso; sandpapered the edges of the card; a TwistedPapers image; and some pink rhinestones. Simple, but effective. Gardens are a wonderful place to feel close to God.

Another Snap Swivel charm bracelet; Black this time.

Pictures of two charm bracelets made with Bass Fishing Snap Swivels. More charms could be added to the bracelets. I have done mine in color waves. Have 3 more to make. The charms are representative of artists from Arttechniques, ChristianPaperArtists, and Altered Art Obsession groups. I used size 10 snap swivels. The sample I saw done on the Carol Duvall show used size 5, but they looked too big to me. I used 6 swivels per bracelet (fits a 7" wrist), and added a clasp. Also added seed beads. On the red one I also used a little larger bead, but this made it a challenge to close the swivel. My already pitiful nails are now cracked down the middle of both thumbs.

TwistedPapers.com

I just received 6 image CDs from TwistedPapers.com, and they look to be very usable for altered art, mixed media work. I am going to play around with some different types of paper this weekend and will print some of what I come up with. Very nice people run the company. I will keep you posted!

Enjoy my Garden!

Hope you enjoy looking at the photos of my garden. It is one of my most favorite places to be!

Sherre's Garden

More Photos from my Garden

Sherre's Garden

Here a few pictures from my garden. The yard is filled with the perfume of roses!

Another Fabric and Bead ATC (Artist Trading Card). I did strip-piecing onto Peltex; buttonhole hand embroidery on the outside edge; and added beads.

Fabric & Bead ATCs

Here are my first two Fabric & Bead ATCs for the April Swap in arttechniquesatcs. My machine is old and fritzy. I enjoy handwork more than machine!

Here are pictures of the Funky Journal I made and sent to Marva in Colorado Springs. I did a strip-pieced cover; did Traci's latch-hook binding (loved doing that!), and added some hand-stitched beads by the binding. On the front cover is a heart that has tulle behind it. I put in some colorful confetti that were flowers and butterflies. There are also hand-stitched beads around the heart.I machine quilted the cover with a metallic thread. This was a fun project, both the handpainted papers inside, and the quilted cover.