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Showing posts from April, 2022

March 2025 Procreate Designs

Looking back on the art I’ve been making for the past few months I’ve done quite a bit of digital work.  I started really delving into Procreate when we went on Vacation earlier this year, and I haven’t stopped exploring the possibilities since.   While planning for our vacation in late February and early March of his year I opted to take only my camera and iPad.  No knitting, no sketch book, no art supplies.  This was the first time I’d ever taken only my iPad, with the intent of creating art while on a vacation.  I had a plan to limit my supplies and challenge myself to only using procreate.  My plan worked, I learned a lot about procreate and I enjoyed to process.   The biggest thing I learned was how very freeing being able to sit on the couch or the porch at night with just an iPad and a pencil was.  There was no figuring out where to put supplies, or how to juggle a sketchbook on my lap, or being confined to the table.  The other bonus ...

Heart to Art Part 4 - Sustainability

If you've just found my blog, I'd encourage you to go back and read Part 1 , Part 2 , and Part 3 before reading this post. In the opening paragraph of this series, I mentioned making my art more sustainable. That may have you wondering what I mean by sustainability. It's quite simple. Sustainability to me means that I would depend less on other artists, think stamps, and dies. While I intend to continue to use what I have in my stash I've already begun to make more sustainable choices. I've started focusing more on the consumables of making, the paper, ink, glue, etc. The industry is propelled by buyers' consumption. New products are designed and the influences are sharing what you can make with the latest release. No one talks about what they do with the older stamps and dies. Which really got me thinking about what I would do with everything if I kept following the pattern of buy, buy, buy. We only have so much space in our studios, craft rooms, clo...

10 Ideas for Sending Cards

Do you find yourself stumped for reasons to send cards? This list should get your brain jump-started for great reasons beyond the usual suspects. I've also linked the articles that I pulled a few of these ideas from and would highly recommend checking out their full lists as well. Check your Facebook Calendar and send your friend or family member a card for their birthday. So much more personal and meaningful than the "wall" post everyone else does. ( From the 30 Ideas for Letters to Write post at Green Fingerprint ). Drop a note in the mail that includes a blank card with a stamped, self-addressed envelope or postcard for the recipient to send back. Better yet, leave off the address and encourage them to pay it forward to someone in their address book. ( From the 30 Ideas for Letters to Write post at Green Fingerprint ). Love Letters, there's nothing better than a handwritten love letter. New homes and new jobs are both great ideas and something I never think ...

Heart to Art Part 3 - What's Next?

This is part three, of the series. If you missed the first two parts, I suggest you go back and read Part 1 & Part 2 . In part one, I talked about why now and shared a bit of the back story. In part two, I shared a bit about my current struggle. I'm sure you still have questions, as do I if I'm frank about things. What's next, might be one of the biggest questions I think we both have. The honest answer is I really don't know. I'm learning this as I start this journey. Does this mean no more cards? No, at least not right now. Cards are still my preferred "canvas" so to speak. I enjoy their small size and the satisfaction of being able to complete a small "canvas" without weeks of involvement. That said, there will be a slow and gradual evolution in the style and type of cards available. I will be slowly adding my original artwork to the shop, some pieces are already available and more will be coming. My focus is to continue to wo...

6 Tips for a Successful Card Shower

What exactly is a Card Shower?  It's a planned mass mailing to encourage friends and family to send a card to the person the shower is celebrating. Tips for a Successful Card Shower: Select the Shower Date - Once you've selected a recipient, determine the date for the cards to arrive.  There is no exact science to this, a few cards will be early and some might be a little late, but the goal is to have a target date for cards to arrive by. Make a List of Participants -  Who are you inviting to send a card?  Do you have contact info for all of the participants?   Include All the Details - Participant's name and address, the reason for the shower, and the date the cards should be received. Send Shower Details to Participants - Shower details can be sent in a variety of ways - mailed postcards, sending an email, group text, or maybe as a post on social media. Be Clear on Expectations - Communicate with the participants letting them know the expectations of ...