Sunday, July 24, 2011

A Tag, A Pendant, and A Question

I've been pretty much MIA in the Wendy Vecchi group, but this weekend I did manage to complete a piece for the current challenge over there.  If you're not yet a member, now would be a GREAT time to join, because Wendy is giving away NEW stuff from the latest CHA, both to folks who commented on her blog, and to some random members of the yahoo group.    Anyway, this week's inspiration comes from page 38 of Wendy's second book, and the directions from Lori, our fearless leader, are to include at least one of Wendy's stamps, and a bird.

I came up with this tag:



The background is some old text and a crumpled up piece of Tim's glasseine paper. The text was colored with two of the new distress stains, mustard seed and shabby shutters.  A stencil was laid on top and the whole piece was sprayed with Adirondack Color Wash, in lettuce and sunset orange.  On the glasseine side, one of Wendy's leaf stamps was done in olive archival ink.

As for the bird, it (and the leaves) are from a Stampin' Up! punch, and I punched them from some of the scrap paper that lines my spray booth.  Now doesn't that sound professional?  It's actually just a cardboard carton from a UPS delivery, but it does contain the sprays.  And by always having an assortment of scraps on the bottom, there is a never ending and always changing supply of sprayed paper in very cool (sometimes) color combinations.

After I finished, I decided that the deep pink of the bird was a bit overwhelming, but I liked the color.  My solution this time was not to alter it, but to add some more of it elsewhere on the tag.  Hence the three pink stones on the bottom.  That's an old decorating trick, sprinkling a bold color in more than one area of a room.  It works on tags too.

The next bit of art I played with this weekend is a pendant.  I used one of Tim's facets.



Can you guess what that black and white patterned paper is?  OK, I won't make you guess.  It's from the inside of a security envelope.  Are we green, or what?  The black and white dots were done with Ranger's Enamel Accents.  The dangly thingies on the top are just some baubles I made with some of the many beads in my stash of discarded, unwanted, unloved costume jewelry.  Friends, relatives and neighbors all contribute regularly to that stash and I welcome and appreciate all donations.

And now for a question:   Do you queue?  I'm in several art journal groups, I participate in many swaps and try to make something for favorite challenges every week.  There are also other things like birthday cards, presents, etc.  Often when someone in one of my groups receives a journal to work on, they mention that it has been added to the queue.  In other words, they work on things in the order in which they are received.  Others have calendars and work on projects in the order of their due dates.

I have trouble with that.  For example, there are some things that are due by the end of August.  But I've been working on the ATCs I'm making to swap on the Tim cruise in late September.  Why?  Because I got an idea and just had to go with it. 

So, I was wondering.....do you work on projects in some orderly fashion, either by date received or date due?  Or do you work on what you're inspired to work on regardless?  Do you queue?

Having said that.....I am pretty obsessive about never being late for anything, so even though I may not do things in any logical order, I do get them all done before the due date.  Just thought I should mention that, because inspiration or not, being late for something you signed up for is not a good thing.



15 comments:

Ellen said...

Lovely work again Eileen.

Regarding your question. I don't work on "first in first out". I just cannot. It is my creativity that needs to be in that direction. Besides that I need to prepare , my workshops and live is bussy also, so I am trying to be on time when I sign-up. I wish I could do more SWAP's or challanges, but it is just a short of time to do so.

Vic said...

Your tag is beautiful, pendant, too! Glad you could make some art. I work on things when my mojo jumps in with an idea - always have swaps & challenges in my head awaiting ideas.

Anonymous said...

I just LOVE it when you get to create....Amazing pieces girl...and love the use of the security envie!!!!

Margaret Kane Ward said...

Both pieces are lovely. Thanks for sharing such great inspiration.

Dorothy said...

Love your tag and jewelry piece Eileen!
I don't do many swaps but when I have a project that I assign myself I work on that first and try to complete it before I move on. Like right now...I must come up with a Christmas card design so I can get started on them. I did by Tim's new Christmas stamps and am soooo ready to use them!

Lori said...

Very cool tag! Love the brightly colored bird, and great tip about the color! Thanks for once again, joining the MAC! Good to have you with us this week! As for creating, I usually work by due date, unless I'm really hit hard with an idea, which almost never happens. lol.

Lori said...

Forgot, the necklace is awesome too, btw. Love the touch of enamel accents!

Alicia B said...

Oh Eileen Both pieces are awesome! I SO love the pink. One can never have too much pink in my opinion, LOL *Hugs*

Lesley said...

The colours are fab on the tag......and i adore the pendant, very pretty!
I kinda go with the flow with work.....whatever my brain is telling me to do! I do wish i had more time for swaps/challenges etc but with 3 kids under the age of 7,its pretty hard!!

Anonymous said...

your tag is beautiful. I do work in an order. I try to ger all that I can get done as early as possible. I use the post it notes program on my computer and have them on my extra monitor of my different projects that are due.
Great idea with the inside of the envelope... sooooo crafty

Patzee said...

Very cool tag and as usual, lots of great design tips. Your pendant has me eyeing my bills in a new way. I wish I quequed! I ponder, I make feeble attempts, and in the midst of a mega production, I sometimes get inspired about another project and just switch gears. Like you, I hate to be late. But unlike you, I haven't found my inspiration for the cruise ATC. You go, girl!

Tammy D said...

Lovely work Eileen!

Debby said...

Great work there! Glad you got in the art groove again. I work on what I want to at the time but I do try and never be late if I am in a swap.

LaStamper said...

Wow your greenness is to applauded. I would not have known you used your spray catch sheets nor the security envelope. Both are well executed and so very green. I do try to queque, but find I end up working on whatever idea surfaces and then have to play rapid fire creating to meet the deadlines.

Marjie Kemper said...

Love the recycling of the envelope - neat idea and it looks so elegant. Interesting question, too. I don't work in chrono order but like you I am mindful of deadlines and commitments. I keep a list handy of what's due when and I try to pick off the things that most appeal with the time allowed.