Sunday, March 11, 2012

Postcard Swap

I am thrilled to have taken the plunge to participate in iHanna's Postcard Swap http://www.ihanna.nu/blog/2012/02/diy-postcard-swap-2012/ We were to make 10 postcards in any style to send to 10 people around the world. I am so excited to have finished my cards this afternoon! Now just waiting for my addresses.
I haven't blogged about my process until I finished and could show the steps I took to get to the end. So ...I started with hand-cutting hearts from my art paper (papers painted with any left over paint I have on my paint pallet, usually spread with a credit card) 

This is the first art swap I have participated in and feeling sentimental as I started thinking of the creative women around the world that I would be exchanging with, I felt that I wanted to send a message of love. I had a vague idea of using a heart as a focal image and putting it on a shabby chic style background.
 Here just loosely threw them on to see the proportion to the card and to work out the positioning of the hearts.
 Collaged backgrounds with book pages, music paper, sewing paper tissue and serviettes.
 Then I gave them a peach-coloured wash.
 At this stage, I dry brushed some white paint to blend the background in further and stencilled a lace pattern...with...wait for it.....decorative cupcake wraps! My friend brought me a few from a wedding she attended knowing enough of my mixed-media "madness" to realise how much I would appreciate it ;) Then glued on the hearts.
 I then flicked some cream acrylic paint from a paint-brush. Loved the effect, even if it looked a bit like snow :)
 My finished cards! To finish off, I doodled around the hearts, put my favourite quote on and shaded around it with pencil.
Here are some close ups:



Finally I stuck on some postcard backs that iHanna provided for us. Even though I will be sending them in envelopes to protect them, I glued on some used stamps for that authentic postal look and to give a symbolic gift of my country. There will also be a personal message on each card.

20 comments:

  1. Yes, I agree. Love is the answer. Great Cards!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Your cards are very sweet, thanks for joining us and sharing Lena! I just sent out the addresses now! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  3. wonderful cards!! don't they look spectacular all lined up together?!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. beautifull
    kiss
    Moni

    www.monicc.wordpress.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Love your postcards :)

    the funny thing is that they are similar to mine in a way - a heart on a mixed media background with a quote - but they are also so completely DIFFERENT to mine :)

    are we supposed to send the postcards in an envelope?? oops - I did not realise and I have already written and addressed mine to send "bare"

    I like my mailart to go openly through the postal system to hopefully bring some smiles to all the people who handle it along the way....

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks everyone for your encouraging comments :)
    Sarah, I believe people have personal preference in sending out "bare" or protected. I love your idea of bringing smiles to handlers of mail (and of course it's more authentic 'postcard'. I must be paranoid...shudder at the thought of the condition of art cards, especially mixed media style, at the other end :/ But this is my first swap so I may yet see 'bare' ones and be reassured ;)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Cute cards. Love your idea of using the heart. Hope one if yours shows up in my mailbox!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Great layered collage cards, wonderful. xox Corrine

    ReplyDelete
  9. What fun to see the whole process! I sent mine bare too, and I'm crossing my fingers that they get there okay. I checked with the postal employee, who suggested a first class stamp so they'd get handled by actual people instead of machines. (Still, crossing fingers!)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Lena,
    Thank you for the beautiful card! It arrived in Natchitoches, Louisiana USA last week and it just made my day! It is simply lovely. Thanks again for an awesome card!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh, how wonderfull Anne! You are very welcome. Happy arting! :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Please excuse the tardiness of this thank you! Your beautiful card arrive with a message absolutely timely and perfect for me. I love seeing your process here ... I just love rubbing my thumb over the surface of the card, sensing the love and care you put into each piece. I am so honored to have received it!

    Much love xo Lis

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh my....Lis, I'm overwhelmed with your thank you. I'm the one honoured that you appreciate my card so much and so glad you received it in the spirit that it was made. I must admit I was in awe of you when I first looked at your blog (when we received our list) You are so poetic, an amazing writer and photographer (all the things I am not) ;)

      I'm off to subscribe to your blog.
      Lena
      xox

      Delete
  13. Lena, I am one of the lucky recipients! Thank you so much for your beautiful mail art love...
    I'll cherish your card for years to come!
    xx tj

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi TJ,
    What an amazing experience this Postcard Swap is! Who would have thought so much love could be spread around the world by women sharing art....So glad you liked my card :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thank you so much for my postcard - it is so beautiful! I'm going to frame it - thank you x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's great Melanie, hope it gives you joy :)

      Delete
  16. These cards are absolutely gorgeous! So nice you shared the work in progress also. :)

    ReplyDelete