Journey Collage

This collage started out as an experiment for one of my online painting classes by Julie Prichard and Chris Cozen. It went through several incarnations before becoming this collage that I gave to a good friend of mine at her "Croning Party" - the celebration of her turning 60. It was lots of fun to finish something for a specific purpose! I was going through my pictures and realized I had not published it.
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Ransom Note Book

On the first Saturday of each month, the La Jolla public library has a bookmaking class at the Riford branch on Draper Ave. Classes are free, but you have to sign up for them, as there is limited space. The teacher is a lovely woman named Bhavna who is part of the San Diego Book Arts. You don't need to bring anything, but a scissors, glue stick and bone folder would be good to bring if you have them. Here is the current list, since the website for the classes still has the fall information. Click on it for a larger version!

I went to the "Ransom Note" class earlier this month. The book itself is made from one large sheet of paper, folded and cut just right. Here is a tutorial about making the book structure. We went as far as Glue step 4 for this book. For the covers, we cut a piece of a heavyweight magazine cover, and glued another sheet of random small words to it - but I used an image instead - and glued that to the front and back. Then we took one or two magazines and cut out a bunch of individual words, spreading them out on the table, then making little phrases for the book.

It was fun putting the words together. It reminded me a little of the "fridge poetry" magnets.

Paper, collage.
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ATC #226 - Juicy

We are so lucky to be getting some delicious fruits from places with growing seasons different from our local seasons. Pears and blackberries have been my favorites in the last few months.

Stamped, collage.
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ATC #225 - Open the Door

So often we are afraid to go and open the mysterious door to our minds and see what's inside...

PanPastel background, photo, stamped.
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ATC #224 - Dream & Wonder

Photo, stamps on scrapbook paper.
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ATC #221 - The Sea is Calling

Another beach-themed card inspired by my vacation.

Scrapbook papers, Washi tape.
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ATC #218 - Mermaid Dance

Another ATC for the swap.

Collage on painted paper.
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ATC #217 - Secrets

Another ATC for the swap. I made 2 copies of the photo (from a magazine, I think) and cut out the ladies from one of the copies and popped it up for dimension, which is why they sort of look double.

Collage on painted paper.
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ATC #216 - Nature Lotus

Started making some ATCs for a trade. The photo is from Hangzhou, China.

Collage on painted paper.
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ATC #205 - Warm Seas

More painting experiments. I believe this background card was from a class with Chris Cozen where we were practicing blending. The colors reminded me of a tropical sea. I added the bubbles. This is in the top 10 of my favorite ATCs I've made.
Painted paper, ink, collage.
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ATC #204 - Abstract #2

Here is the other card from the painted paper left over from some experiments.
Painted paper, embellishment.
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ATC #203 - Abstract #1

I made a couple of cards from the remains of some old painted papers from one of Chris Cozen's painting experiments classes. Couldn't bear to cover them with more than the origami mesh.
Painted paper, embellishment.
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ATC #202 - Undersea Post

I have a bunch of these faux postals that are printed on transparent sticker paper. They look very interesting when pasted over colored backgrounds.
Scrapbook paper, faux postal stickers.
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ATC #201 - Lonely Gargoyle

What do gargoyles dream about? Do they miss their buddies? Are they dreaming of days running free, where no one thinks they're ugly?
Painted paper, photo, embellishments.
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ATC #195 - Dragon Year

This Dragon image is from an old matchbox cover. I meant to post it the first day of the Chinese New Year, since this is the Year of the Dragon. Oops.
Stamped background, matchbox label, embellishments.
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ATC #194 - Trust the Butterflies

I love the marbled paper background I used for this.
Specialty papers, faux postal, embellishments.
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ATC #193 - Cherish

I've still got a bunch of faux postals to use up!
Scrapbook paper, specialty paper, faux postal, embellishments.
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ATC #192 - Try - An Experiment

The background here was made using my Gelli printing plate, which I love! It is like printing on firm gelatin, but it's permanent and cleans easily. It was so much fun to use. I found that the best print was usually the second one - there is more subtle variations and texture. The embellishment stuff at the top are shavings from sharpening a triangular-shaped fat colored pencil. I love the wavy edges from the pencil.
Acrylic paint, embellishments.
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ATC #188 - Remember Your First Everything

This is from the inside of some candy wrapper, but I've forgotten what candy - probably some chocolate.
Candy wrapper, specialty papers.
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ATC #186 - Butterfly Post

This is made from another of the pretty butterfly faux postals. The background doesn't show up well - it is painted with metallic-looking paint.
Painted paper, faux postal, embellishments.
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Go make art!