Playing with watercolors again

I've gotten out my Twinkling H2O watercolors again and decided to prepare some backgrounds in this little journal I have had forever and just never seem to get around to using. Maybe some pretty colors will make me want to art up some pages?

I've lost track of how many times I've started new art journals over the years. I've got the starting thing down, it's the sticking to it and finishing one that I've never experienced.

But I am ever optimistic that there will finally be a breakthrough and I will actually complete one. I'm sure it'll happen right before I finally figure out where that one sock disappears to in the dryer, find the perfect purse,  get down to my goal weight, and fully grok the Epicurean Ideal - so I probably shouldn't hold my breath or be too disappointed when this too goes on the pile of unfinished projects.

ATC Swap Cards

Cards I made for Rita's swap. Watercolor backgrounds, rubber stamping, packing tape transfers, and illustrations cut from a 1944 McCall's magazine.

Xmas in July Tag Swap

My gift tag for a Xmas in July tag swap. I re-colorized an old photo in Photoshop and added a scanned marbled tissue paper background.

Here's the finished digital image:

I printed the image out onto some adhesive paper and mounted them onto upcycled drink coasters for a sturdy tag base. Then added some gold ink around the edges and some ribbons. Festive! :)

Here's the original image pre-Photoshopping:

Bookmark Swap

My watercolor bookmarks with magazine page spiral thingees and a quote by C.S. Lewis.

Playing with magazine pages

I am having a lot of fun making these magazine page spiral thingees. I have no idea what I'll use them for, but I love making them. I made a pair of earrings from them following this YouTube post by Mark Montano.

My earrings: