Oh how I love...

...Artist Trading Cards - the making, the shipping, and the receiving of them just give me such a sense of wonder.

These tiny little bits of art (2 1/2" x 3 1/2") slip so easily into an envelope and bring so much fun that sometimes I can't stop.  We had a trading session over at Creating & Sharing Mixed Media that got me totally jazzed.  That's a good thing, since the theme was all about songs.  The two trading cards could be based on a whole song, song title, line from a song or our favourite song, with a third one of any theme whatsoever.

I keep a healthy pile/stash/hoard of ATC 'blanks' for such opportunities, and I carefully chose three of them.

ATC Blanks

And then it got really tough, because I Could. Not. Stop.  

ATC fronts

ATC Backs

I enjoyed listening to hours of music so much that I've decided to go back to my original life plan of becoming a world-renowned vocalist.  Stay tuned (pun intended).  In the meantime, these cards have gone into an envelope carefully crafted from two colour-coorinated Gelli prints, stapled, glued and taped together so tightly that the recipient will have no chance of EVER getting into them.

Envelope front

Envelope back

So, here's the scoop - I want to make more.  Do you want to receive one?  If you're into trading with ATC's, here's your change to get an original Win Dinn Artist Trading Card.  Just email me  and I'll happily get into Make Mode just for you.  It's an open theme, so get creative!

It must be Christmas...

... because I keep getting lovely things arrive in the mail.

The ornament exchange on Creating and Sharing Mixed Media Art over on Google+ brought me an extraordinary package from Gerda Frankes, all the way from Holland.

Inside was a veritable cornucopia of goodies in keeping with the Bling theme for December.

The texture on the envelope alone had me drooling.

The metal embellishments and bling inside was even more delightful.  Look at those wonderful leaves cut from pop cans according to the tag attached.

There were two delicious tags incorporating dried vegetation and some fabulous metallic paints. Since I'm a huge fan of nature and dried anything, they're right up my alley.

And have you ever seen a cuter pair of shoes - these are definitely going on the tree this year!

I fell in love with the gorgeous papers included in the package, along with these miniature slabs of wood.  You know they will end up in a painting soon!

Look at the glow on this one.

This one is so rich and deep, and those copper accents make it sing.

I love how the gold grid shows through on the unpainted areas on this leaf print!

Gerda, you sure know the direct route to my creativity heart - so very inspiring.  Many thanks, and Merry Christmas to you from Canada!

Good grief -

- you'd think I'd gone back to work full time given how things have fallen off the table.  I didn't even get one post done last week, never mind two.

I'll make up for it today, though.  I thought I'd show you some tags that I've been making over the last few months for a tag swap on a Google+ community called Creating and Sharing Mixed Media Art.

I've been enjoying the process of creating the tags nearly as much as I've enjoyed receiving them.

From a tag for Women's Day

to a wintery scene,

to one that was un-themed, I love the creative challenge of working in a 3 x 6" size.

I like the fact that, unlike a painting, they do not (necessarily) take weeks to develop,

and they can utilize those Gelli prints that I'm so very fond of making.

 I can test techniques with abandon, and who know's what could happen if I find one I like?

 Like a painting, each one has its own unique flavour and style.

I'm delighted that I found this community that has me hooked on this style of creativity. What's your current addiction in the world of art?