Now where was I?  

Posted by: Maria in , ,

I have been busy playing!  LOL  Most of my fun has been at ATC's for all  which I am finding very rewarding.  I am learning some new techniques!  Check these out...





This is what is called encaustic art which is basically taking colored wax, melting it on a smal travel size iron and making beautiful designs.  Then I printed out some silhouettes on transparency film and put it over the encaustic.  I love how they came out.

Almost every one I made, I have already traded.  Then I got a little more bold (and watched a LOT of videos on it) and tried some landscapes.



These are 4"x6" and I bought some frames to paint and frame them in.  There is a very neat art co-op near me that I would love to try and sell them in.  I also plan on making some cards too. 

If you'd like to see more, you can check out my Flickr Photostream to see the rest. 

BTW there are actually 3 more of the Flamingo cards.




They will go in the mail tomorrow for the Flamingo card swap on ATC's for all! 

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Kusudama  

Posted by: Maria

I was browsing...or trolling the net the other day in my boredom and ran across this site Folding Trees and I spent several moments (cough, cough) exploring the site.  Then I saw this


Hmmm...I was hooked within minutes.  The first one I did I used paper printed on 2 sides and 3" squares... Really, BIG, really colorful since I chose 3 different papers and did have with each side!  Then I knew the fold wasn't too complicated and I did a second one with 1 1/2" squares.  WOW. 


Let me just say, the picture does not do it justice.  I fringed and rolled tiny pieces of bright yellow paper and made a center in each flower and then when each half was together I coated the insides of each flower petal with clear glitter nail polish.  It provided just a touch of sparkle.  A little ribbon down the center and a fairy charm and It will make a great pick me up gift for my mom. 

Let's see...what's next?  LOL  Check out Folding Trees!!!

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The Butterfly Effect  

Posted by: Maria

While making my way around the web today in search of others creativity that might spark mine, I stumbled onto a post on Two Dresses Studio's blog and it stuck a chord with me.

One and a half million children perished in the holocaust 1.5 MILLION lives that never had a chance. The Holocaust Museum of Houston has started something called the Butterfly Project (the museum link will take you to the page).  They are collecting 1.5 million butterflies for an exhibit that will open in the Spring of 2013 and they are looking for then to be handcrafted by people from all over the world.  It can be done by individuals or by groups.  Here is the information they provide:

  • Butterflies should be no larger than 8 inches by 10 inches. 
  • Butterflies may be of any medium the artist chooses, but two-dimensional submissions are preferred.
  • Glitter and all glitter-related products should not be used.
  • Food products (cereal, macaroni, candy, marshmallows or other perishables) also should not be used.
  • If possible, e-mail a photograph of your butterflies, to butterflyproject@hmh.org.

Please send or bring your butterflies to the Museum by June 30, 2012, with the following information included:

•Your name,
•Your organization or school,
•Your address,
•Your e-mail address, and
•The total number of butterflies sent.

Mail or bring your butterflies to:
Holocaust Museum Houston
Butterfly Project
Education Department
5401 Caroline St.
Houston, TX 77004
USA


For questions or additional information, please e-mail butterflyproject@hmh.org.
Now Two Dresses Studio is adding a little twist to the project that you can see if you visit her blog.  She is actually collecting the butterflies and posting pictures before sending a box of the butterflies to the museum.

Why Butterflies?

The last, the very last,

So richly, brightly, dazzlingly yellow.
Perhaps if the sun’s tears would sing
against a white stone....


Such, such a yellow
Is carried lightly ’way up high.
It went away I’m sure
because it wished
to kiss the world good-bye.

For seven weeks I’ve lived in here,
Penned up inside this ghetto.
But I have found what I love here.
The dandelions call to me
And the white chestnut branches in the court.
Only I never saw another butterfly.

That butterfly was the last one.
Butterflies don’t live in here, in the ghetto.


Pavel Friedman, June 4, 1942
Born in Prague on Jan. 7, 1921.
Deported to the Terezin Concentration Camp on April 26, 1942.
Died in Aushchwitz on Sept. 29, 1944.

My own son turned 23 this year.  I can't imagine never seeing 24 but hundreds of children a year never do because of the hate in the world.

Need Inspiration?

Butterfly Utopia 
Butterfly Pictures
Primary Games
The Butterfly Site
Color Mountain

Those should get you started but remember they are just for inspiration.  Use your heART!

If you decide to participate and would like to send me a picture of your donation, I will be more than glad to post it!


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