#8 the ferocious gigglers moley exchange!

[katilady]

First mail-by date: September 1, 2010
Subsequent mail-by dates: October 1, 2010, November 1, 2010, December 1, 2010,*,February 1, 2011,March 1, 2011, April 1, 2011, May1,2011,June 1, 2011,July 1 ,2011 Mark your calendar NOW!
Due back in hand: August 2011
*Please note the December/January extended mailing time
# of Participants: 10
Sign up by: ASAP
Withdraw by: WITHDRAWALS NOT ALLOWED after August 1, 2010
Materials required: One blank Moleskine JAPANESE pocket album. Size is roughly 3.5" x 5.5". Find on Amazon here. http://www.amazon.com/Moleskine-Japanese-Album-Pocket/dp/8883701046/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1278453974&sr=8-1Find at MoleskineUS here. http://www.moleskineus.com/japanesebook.html

You're responsible for:
•Choosing and explaining your theme.
•Creating a four (4) page spread (3+ pages in some cases) in each journal you receive.
•Shipping to the next artist participant.
•Paying for First Class mail and MANDATORY tracking/Delivery Confirmation.
•Theme: Artist's choice. You may choose "No theme" if you want participants to "follow their muse."


PARTICIPANTS & THEMES

1. AnnD- non sensical nudes (http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/showpost.php?p=740004&postcount=59)
2. AmyFaerie dark art with found poetry (http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/showpost.php?p=772813&postcount=304)
3. BigKay- reject mania (http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/showpost.php?p=755621&postcount=141)
4. CatPratt my secret garden (http://atcsforall.com/forum/showpost.php?p=741598&postcount=76)
5. Cindyjob dark fairy stories (http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/showpost.php?p=740968&postcount=65)
6. Grrrdjules circus! (http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/showpost.php?p=738107&postcount=23)
7. Katilady outsider art dreamscapes (http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/showpost.php?p=737962&postcount=18)
8. themuppet Mistress Mayhem's Orbacular Tentacular Spectacular...with Zombies! (http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/showpost.php?p=755236&postcount=138)
9. Siena Whimsy-Funky: In Search of Adventure (http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/showpost.php?p=756469&postcount=160)
10. Skyjules vintage halloween OR mystical magical halloween (http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/showpost.php?p=739368&postcount=48)


TRAVEL PLANS
Please note that the order of mailing will differ for each journal. Yes, this is absolutely more confusing than mailing to the same artist after each round of creating. The reasons behind jostling the order of mailing are (1) To keep the swap lively and challenging, by changing the person you're "working toward" in each round; and (2) To balance shipping costs across all participants, so no one player ships ONLY internationally to the next player in each round

RED = ACTIVE. Actively working on pages.
GREEN = TRAVELING. Journal en route to next player.
TURQUOISE = Completed.

•AnnD - Amyfaerie- BigKay - CatPratt- CIndyjob - GrrrdJules- Katilady- Siena- Skyjules - themuppet

•GrrrdJules - CIndyjob - themuppet - Big Kay -Amyfaerie- AnnD- CatPratt-KatiLady- Siena- Skyjules

•CIndyJob - GrrrdJules-AnnD- Katilady- Siena - themuppet - Skyjules - Big Kay - Amyfaerie -CatPratt

•Amyfaerie - Siena- Skyjules - themuppet - Big Kay - CatPratt- grrrdJules - Cindyjob- AnnD- KatiLady

•Skyjules- Big Kay - KatiLady- Siena- CatPratt- Amyfaerie- themuppet -AnnD- Grrrdjules - Cindyjob

•Siena- KatiLady- Cindyjob- Grrrdjules - themuppet- Skyjules- AnnD- Amyfaerie- CatPratt-Big Kay

•themuppet- AnnD - CatPratt - Amyfaerie- Skyjules- Big Kay- CindyJob - GrrrdJules- KatiLady - Siena

•CatPratt- themuppet- GrrrdJules - CindyJob- KatiLady - Siena - Amyfaerie - Skyjules - Big Kay - AnnD

•BigKay - CatPratt - Amyfaerie - Skyjules - AnnD - KatiLady - Siena - themuppet - CindyJob - GrrrdJules

•KatiLady - Skyjules - Siena - AnnD -GrrrdJules - CindyJob - Big Kay - CatPratt - themuppet - Amyfaerie

REQUIREMENTS
Because this swap requires a huge, very long-term commitment of time and resources, and because it is absolute heartbreak when a journal goes missing (unfortunately, it happens), there are special requirements for participation in a swap of this type.

You must:

•Be an actively trading AFA member (defined as: positive iTrader across 2 swaps in the last 3 months)
•Have 3+ months in good standing (no neutrals or negative iTraders)
•Have an iTrader rating of 25+
•Be willing and able to do your very best work on a strict, inflexible time line, over a long period
•Be willing and able to complete three (3) 3x5 journal pages in the themes chosen by your fellow participants
•Have the cash resources necessary to ship eight journals around the world using First Class mail with mandatory tracking

NEED TO KNOW

When finished, each journal will be full!
All page elements must be flat (or mostly flat.) Nothing hanging off the edges either, please.
A Round Robin of this type is time consuming and not inexpensive, and requires your very best work. So please be absolutely certain you have both the resource of time, and the resource of cash, to participate through August 2011, before signing up.
Once you've committed, withdrawals are not allowed after August 1, 2010

HOW TO JOIN
•Please indicate your chosen theme. Please post at length about your theme when you sign up. Discuss color palettes and subject matter. Include photos or links if you'd like to direct participants with even more specificity. I'll create a link to your theme description in the Participant list, for easy future reference.
•Please send me your address and telephone numbers ( even if you think I may already have it)I'll be creating a mailing list of swap participants which I'll distribute via PM. I will also keep it on file for when you lose it :)

waiting list
themuppet
kiddio
goodmorningstarshine
marla412

[katilady]

ARTIST INSTRUCTIONS
•Purchase a blank Moleskine JAPANESE pocket album. Size is roughly 3.5" x 5.5". Find on Amazon here.
•http://www.amazon.com/Moleskine-Japanese-Album-Pocket/dp/8883701046/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1278453974&sr=8-1Find at MoleskineUS here. http://www.moleskineus.com/japanesebook.html
•Decorate the covers, if you choose. This may be completed either before or after the journal travels through the rotation. Some prefer to decorate before, to establish theme, palette, and mood. Some prefer to decorate after, to prevent damage to cover art. You decide!
•Please include: (1) Your real name and address; (2) your username; (3) your assigned "travel-plan" (see below); (4) a sign-in area for artists; and (5) any special instructions; in the opening pages of your book -- which you should also decorate. These first pages are a great place to establish tone, mood, theme, and/or color scheme for your journal. If you want players to decorate their three pages consecutively, be sure to specify that. If you prefer they break their three pages up across the accordion pages of your Moleskine, let them know that, too. You get to set the guidelines for your own journal. So use your first pages to do just that!
•In addition to decorating your opening, informational pages, please create at least one, 2-page spread in your own Moleskine journal. Yet another opportunity to establish theme.
•Be sure to "fix" your art well, to prevent smudging. Allow plenty of time for drying before shipping. Waxed paper between pages is a great idea.
•Please communicate regularly via email, PM, or preferably, in this thread, whenever you have (1) received or (2) shipped a book. Include tracking numbers. We're all investing a huge amount of time, talent, and care in this project, and we want to see everyone's Moleskine journal home safely.
•Most important: Be creative, do your very best work, stretch yourself, and have a blast!

SHIPPING INSTRUCTIONS
From the date a journal is received, each artist will have about three weeks before the journal is due in the hands of the next artist on the "travel plan." The mail-by date, every month, is the 1st. Please watch your timeframe carefully and think in terms of "mail by" dates in your planning; I'm going to be a stickler on timing. (If the 1st is a weekend or holiday, the next business day will be fine.)
Please be extra considerate when mailing to international participants; it will take longer for them to receive the journal you sent, cutting into their creating time. If you can ship sooner than the 1st and the artist is ready to receive from you, or if you can expedite delivery by using Priority or Express mail options, please do so, as a courtesy.
If, on the 1st of the month, the person you are about to mail to is behind schedule and still has an unfinished journal in hand -- naughty, naughty! -- skip that person, and send your in-hand Moleskine to the next person in your "travel plan" instead, so no backlog with any one participant is created. Then, PM the swap host to determine next steps.
When the "travel plan" for each journal is complete, the journal will return to its original owner. I'd like to wrap this swap up on time, by late August, 2011.
Please do not use Media Mail instead of First Class mail. It typically takes longer in transit, and might mess up our timeline. First Class mail is mandatory. Delivery Confirmation/tracking is mandatory. Priority (expedited) Mail is recommended, but optional.
Remember to pack your journal carefully (use a box or bubble mailer,) but also, to keep your parcel as small and light as possible, to minimize shipping charges. Please reuse/recycle packaging whenever possible. This means opening those boxes and envelopes carefully. Thanks!
For US residents, an FYI: The USPS Priority Mail "Small Flat Rate Box" ships for $4.95 to anywhere in the US, at any weight up to 70 lbs., and is plenty large enough to accommodate our Japanese Moleskine journal. Bonus: These boxes are FREE at any Postal Service location. And Priority Mail shipping takes just 2-3 days, domestically.
.................................................. .................................................. .................................................. ......
JUST FOR FUN
Here, some examples of what Japanese Moleskine journals look like with art inside. Fantastic!

http://moleskinex12.blogspot.com/
http://moleskinex46.blogspot.com/
http://moleskinex70.blogspot.com/
http://moleskinex61.blogspot.com/
http://lilymuse-collage.com/gorgeous-moleskine-charcoal-art.html
http://armandfrasco.typepad.com/.a/6a00e009806a868833010536daa51c970b-800wi





here we are gang! i am excited to see everyone's themes! there may be a slight change to the schedule, but everything else is good to go!

[AnnD]

Wahoo!

[Penlowe]

:sits in the corner watching the cool kids play:

no, really, I will definitely be lurking this group!

[Skyjules]

Hoorah! Wow, I don't know how you guys figure out that whole shipping table - amazing!

[katilady]

cindyjob did it! :notworthy:

[CIndyjob]

Which is no doubt why there will be glitches but if everyone gets everyone else's eventually it'll all be good, right ?
I'm so glad we are doing this...who has a theme yet? It is so HARD to decide!

[TimeInMyHands]

BUMMER! I'm too late! :( I've wanted to join a Moley group for awhile and this is a fun group!!

[catPratt]

wow. lots of information. thank you for organizing this project. I am working on ideas for my theme and have ordered my moleskin. so we are to decorate the cover of our own moleskin, then
-how many pages total do we do in the start of the book..inside cover, and then how many pages?
-do you typically gesso the pages?
thank you!

[Skyjules]

ferocious gigglers?
I use Google a lot and thought just for fun to see if maybe I didn't know what ferocious gigglers might refer to...I did a google search. Know what I found? Katiladys blog!
(still don't know what it is though:jiggy:)

[katilady]

cindyjob said she didn't care what we called the group and i told her if she let me pick i would choose something silly. she said go ahead, and now we're the ferocious gigglers. i like to think of it as a term for people who live passionately!

catpratt, let me double check the number of pages but i think we do the opening pages (2) and then the three following that are the actual accordian spread. i'll let you know for sure!

[CIndyjob]

UH...
'member how i said I was sure there would be issues....in the rotation that Amyfaerie starts I put Skyjules twice and no GrrdJules . DUH. I cannot edit it . Sorry Kati that you have to keep cleaning my my mistakes.

[katilady]

done! and no worries, this is a team effort!

[grrrdjules]

I'm mildly confused but I'll figure it out! Now how to choose a theme, hmmmmmm. I'm thinking circus.

[CIndyjob]

ooooohhhh. circus is a fun one !!!

It is HARD to pick though isn't it???

[BigKay]

Thanks for putting up the thread! This will be my first moelskine group ever and I'm wacko excited about it. :twitcy:

I need to think over my theme for a day or two though. I'm having a hard time coming up with one that's not filthy.

[katilady]

i heart you katie!

i want a theme that is fun, as my other moleys have been kinda 'deep'. this time something lighthearted. i think.

[katilady]

so my theme will be: outsider art dreamscapes.

see wikipedias definition of outsider art (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outsider_art).

i am going to borrow eraserqueens description of dreamscapes: "Dreamscapes have emotive color, elements of surrealism and a sense of space. Look for altered images of people, a suggestion of a horizon, buildings or suggestions of architecture, mist and maybe creatures that live there."

here are some examples:


http://www.illustratedatcs.com/forum/gallery/images/772/medium/1_Fish_Tossing.jpg (dragonfly on iatc's)

http://www.illustratedatcs.com/forum/gallery/images/630/medium/1_Vintage-Nude2.jpg (dadreemer)

http://www.illustratedatcs.com/forum/gallery/images/641/medium/1_mononchunky_sal.jpg (me)

http://www.illustratedatcs.com/forum/gallery/images/772/medium/1_illusive.jpg (dragonfly on iatc's)

http://www.illustratedatcs.com/forum/gallery/images/118/large/1_speak-xsm.jpg (ashazart)

http://www.illustratedatcs.com/forum/gallery/images/301/large/1_DreamBoat1-available.jpg (surrealism on iatc's)

[CIndyjob]

Very cool theme Kati. That will be a fun one to do and be good for mixed media or hand drawn!

[amyfaerie]

question . . . these little moleys come with 60 accordion pages, but that's really only 30, 'cause we're only using the fronts, right? then if 9 people are putting art into the moley, we should be doing 3 page spreads in each moley . . . 3 x 9 = 27. that leaves two pages for the owner of the moley to begin with.

i'm just sayin', as i don't want people running outta room in their moleys!

[amyfaerie]

my theme is going to be "dark art + found poetry."

[amyfaerie]

wow. lots of information. thank you for organizing this project. I am working on ideas for my theme and have ordered my moleskin. so we are to decorate the cover of our own moleskin, then
-how many pages total do we do in the start of the book..inside cover, and then how many pages?
-do you typically gesso the pages?
thank you!

you can decorate the cover of the moleskine once you receive it fully filled with art--or you can do it before. it's up to you. you should be able to do the inside covers + the non-accordion pages, plus two of the accordion pages, if kati's findings are the same as mine.

usually, people don't gesso the pages, BUT the pages do NOT take watercolor paints. so, they're great with acrylics and with art markers and pencils, but the paper doesn't hold up under extremely wet media. wait 'til you feel the paper for yourself, and i think you'll find that the gesso might be a personal preference, but many people don't do that.

[grrrdjules]

Awesome theme Kati! Mine is definitely circus - from dark and freaky (think Carnivale TV show) to 1950's midway retro themes.

images and Carnavale intro: http://blogs.nyu.edu/blogs/lp1013/katep/2008/09/

more Carnavale: http://www.hbocarnivaletarot.com/

history and tons of stuff! http://www.circushistory.org/Photos/Photo.htm

more history and pics http://www.circusinamerica.org/public/

[CIndyjob]

question . . . these little moleys come with 60 accordion pages, but that's really only 30, 'cause we're only using the fronts, right? then if 9 people are putting art into the moley, we should be doing 3 page spreads in each moley . . . 3 x 9 = 27. that leaves two pages for the owner of the moley to begin with.

i'm just sayin', as i don't want people running outta room in their moleys!

Yes, you are right! Since I cut and pasted parts of the original write up that I did from when we still thought we would only have eight people I bet I missed a number .

[katilady]

if there are 30 pages and 3x9=27, wouldn't that leave 3 pages for the owner, not 2? as well as the 2 intro pages, right?

[katilady]

awesome themes amy and jules!!

[katilady]

apparently the 1st post is too long and i have exceeded my letter count, so i am going to spit up some of the info!

[Skyjules]

Katilady - outsider art - I've never heard of this! Another thing I love about ATCs I am always learning something new!
Cool theme, looking forward to it!

Amyfaerie - I like your theme too - I love found poetry and hardly get a chance to do it.

Everyone is coming up with great themes. I was thinking of the Elements air earth fire water spirit - not sure yet though.

[goodmorningstarshine]

Mother F. Kati, I know it's a long shot, but could I go on a waiting list until August 1 in case the unthinkable happens?

[katilady]

added you to the waiting list gms!

[RobbyGirl]

Kates thanks for organizing...Luscious Theme, I love it! I'm ready to do some ferocious Giggling!

CJ adore you for organizing this sweet thing!
The rest of you ...Yeah I am drooling over the whose, whose in this Moley Group!

I see a specialist for my wrist on Thursday, once I find out whether they are going to do surgery or not I'll choose a theme. In the vein of positive thinking I ordered my Moley, surgery be damned!

[catPratt]

wow, I love the themes so far. I feel challenged! Not sure on mine yet. Cindy sorry about your wrist. maybe that means your art is going to take on a more gestural, loose toward abstract quality, a whole new style!

[themuppet]

I was like five minutes too late to get into this one, so I'm going to pout and heckle from the sidelines.

[katilady]

i did put you as #1 on the waiting list mupps!

[katilady]

Everyone is coming up with great themes. I was thinking of the Elements air earth fire water spirit - not sure yet though.

i think adriayna had this as a theme in one of her moleys. i bet if you search in the gallery you can see some of the art!

[Bright-Spark]

I never get invited to the best parties...........:(;)

Have fun folks!

[katilady]

sparky, you've been mia for months! welcome back!

[goodmorningstarshine]

Me and Sparky went on a gun moll bank robbing spree for a long time. Now that we are rich ladies living in Jamacia, we thought we'd try to find a moley group. When we take a break from sipping fruity drinks and doing live action visual art on cabana boys with finger paints.

[Bright-Spark]

goodmorningstarshine, you are sooooo on my wavelength! Deep breath, relax, (me that is) don't think about painting no cabana boys (no idea what a cabana boy IS, but I don't think I should be let loose near them....

Not mia, just wholly taken up with preparing my portfolio for Art School. And NO, contrary to popluar opininion I didn't do it to meet the nice young male students. Freshers week is only two months away! LOL :twitcy: Would you let this woman loose near your grandson?

[CIndyjob]

AHHHHHHHHH CatPratt..don;t jinx me! My wrist is fine. Robbygirl jacked hers up playing tennis.

[goodmorningstarshine]

http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/randalls/cabanastrawberry.jpg Here's the picture I took of Rapheal yesterday, Sparky. He'll be heartbroken that you've forgotten him so soon, especially after your creative use with the color yellow. ;)

[RobbyGirl]

Yep...I have the "jacked" up wrist but I did art all weekend and it cooperated ...woot!

[katilady]

oh dear, look at that cabana boy!

congrats on the school thing sparky, i've missed ya!

[themuppet]

i did put you as #1 on the waiting list mupps!

It's all right, I'm not really bent or anything. I don't really have time anyway or the inclination to add yet another commitment that I can't really keep up with. :)

[TimeInMyHands]

BUMMER! I'm too late! I've wanted to join a Moley group for awhile and this is a fun group!!

Ya'll completely ignored me!
http://dl8.glitter-graphics.net/pub/1178/1178748o26lq4udw5.gif (http://www.glitter-graphics.com)

[CIndyjob]

Awww, don't be a sad robot.....we only have Mupps on the waiting list in case poor Robby has to get the surgery which I am sure she will not since I have had my fingers crossed for a week...which might be why I made a lot of errors typing the mailing list! Really though, I wanted to be in one for ages and then I just figured if I did not get the ball rolling myself I might always be waiting around ....SOOOOO...I gave Amyfaerie the third degree over sub standard Chinese Food and here we are.....so maybe you should get a group together. Judging from the response it would fill quickly and we could lurk each others threads and have fun with it together.

[TimeInMyHands]

Thanks Cindy! LOL, At least I know I'm not invisible now!;)

I'm still throwing the idea around...probably will wait until late Fall to join a group unless something really awesome comes up!
Have fun peoples!!:yes:

[Skyjules]

My theme is Halloween .
I posted some images I thought were cool here (http://skyjules.com/halloween.html).

No clowns please - yah, I'm one of those that just don't care for clowns in any shape or form.


UPDATE:
My instructions say "knock on the back door for your trick-r-treat"...

...well, I decided the trick-r-treat bags made the book way too fat.
So I will be mailing them separately.

(So if you knock and no one answers, then you can always leave a note or something!)

[katilady]

cool theme julie!

i used to have a major fear of clowns, specifically ronald mcdonald. then when i was 6 or 7 i had dream about him and was never scared again!

how is everyone else doing on themes?

[catPratt]

oh Cindy, so sorry! scrolling up and down and here and there I lost my way and no way are you jinxed. in fact, i think it is good luck! to healthy wrists, including Robbygirls!

[Skyjules]

And funny thing is I used to do clown work many years ago before I did face painting. Guess its okay to wear the makeup ....I just don't want to see it on anyone else! ha ha

[grrrdjules]

It doesn't have to be clowns...think freaks and geeks or elephants and horses...
my 2 molies came today! (I knew I'd want a second one!)

[grrrdjules]

So I'm thinking I'll make mine begin with a story of someone who runs away to join the circus and then the rest will be up to you guys - does that work?

[katilady]

sounds awesome jules!

[Skyjules]

Cool idea to make it a story Jules!

[RobbyGirl]

I've chosen my theme as a good luck omen prior to my visit to the orthopaedic specialist on Thursday to ward of potential surgery...Good Ju Ju vibes...Good Ju Ju Vibes


Cityscapes in the style of Chagall's Paris Through the Window (http://www.abcgallery.com/C/chagall/chagall3.html)
-Any city is fine doesn't have to be Paris
-"Extra Happy bonus" for including a window, surrealistic images and bold use of color!
-Any Medium is fine, just a feeling of Chagall.

[Skyjules]

What a great idea RobbyGirl - I'm excited to work on that one!
(maybe I'll do Sugar Land, Texas through the window?)

[katilady]

ooooh, a challenging theme robby!

[AnnD]

My theme is nonsensical nudes. So . . .

If the nudity has a strong artistic heritage or makes sense in context, I don't want it. No nude art modeling; no naked ladies stretched out on couches in the afternoon light, contemplating things; no odalisque; and very definitely no single mothers diligently working the pole so little Johnny can have books for school.

Instead, I want nudity that doesn't make a damn bit of sense. For example:
- Nude woman / man / couple in a McDonald's
- Nude woman / man / couple shopping for a dinette set
- Nude woman / man / couple on the space shuttle
- Nude zombies at a cheerleading convention

Note: The nude people can have shoes, socks, thigh highs, leg warmers, hats, antlers, wings, jewelry, and/or gloves, but they should not wear clothes or any items that would conceal the good parts. ;)

You can do with this theme whatever you like. Satirize the odd marriage of prurience and prudishness in American society. Comment on standards of beauty by drawing nontraditional bodies in the buff. Or just have fun drawing weird naked people.

Thanking you in advance for all the fabulous, nonsensical nudes,
AnnD Bossypants Baby Powder Jr.

[RobbyGirl]

LOVE IT Annie!

Thanks Jules glad you like it! I mulled over so many themes and didn't want it to be mundane, on the same note though I hope it doesn't sound intimidating. I'm only looking for a general feeling of Chagall I certainly don't expect anyone to paint like him! I think a collage interpretation would be really cool too! AKMamaof2 did this really awesome surreal collage (not cityscape that I love!) I'll find a link and post it here too.

I'm so excited about this moley swap! My book came yesterday and I can't wait to get started but I'm thinking I'll leave the cover until last so it won't get beat up in transit.

[Penlowe]

Lurker Comment Incoming:
I've found the covers have held up amazingly well in my current moley group which is quickly winding to a close. We've all used bubble mailers throughout the year this has taken and they have all looked really good. The pockets in the back & extra contents, maybe not. I have an item on my desk that fell out & I need to mail it along because I didn't find it until the book was already gone.

[katilady]

great theme annmydarling!

robby, your theme intrigues me as much as it intimidates me! it'll be fine!

goodpoints penlowe.

[grrrdjules]

ooooooh, fabulous themes, I'm not too scared yet :unsure::jiggy:

[Skyjules]

I'm a little scared of Anns theme, really creative idea I'm just not so good with drawing bodies. I don't get hers til the end...lots of time to practice!

(actually the body part is easy it the hands and faces...)

[CIndyjob]

My theme is going to be Dark Fairy Stories. Think old school Brother's Grimm and give it a dark or dirty little twist if you like .I am good if you stick to the "script" or turn the tables, whichever youlike. I prefer illustrations of people over critters but I am down with the Big and Bad or a Nasty tempered old Bear if they have some sweet natured heroine plotting to take them down....I love the forest environment and night in the forest is even better. I live for the hidden, unexpected detail. If you can please put the name of the story you are illustrating on the back of the page I would love it .
Below are some links with images and stories that may help establish tone. I also included a link to the lyrics of the songs from Into the Woods, which have some good imagery , I think.




http://www.google.com/images?client=safari&rls=en&q=trina+schart+hyman&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=7kQ_TOmeCI-mnQf48PjgBA&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CDIQsAQwAA"]


http://http://www.americanmcgee.com/gallery/main.php (http://www.americanmcgee.com/gallery/main.php)


www.familymanagement.com/literacy/grimms/grimms-toc.html

http://www.lyricsondemand.com/soundtracks/i/intothewoodslyrics/

[CIndyjob]

I love circus folk, and nudies and outsiders and dreamscapes and Chagall and I am nervous over found poetry! Great themes! I cannot wait to get started!

[katilady]

fun theme cj!

[grrrdjules]

So, I do my initial pages and mail by September 1, right?

[katilady]

yes ma'am!

[RobbyGirl]

No surgery...Woot! 3 more weeks in my brace but I'll be able to start my book and get it out in time :)

[katilady]

yay robby! that's awesome news!

[AnnD]

That is SUCH good news, Robby! The moley aside, you must be incredibly relieved! Congrats!!!

[RobbyGirl]

Thanks guys! I am so thrilled, have to admit I was sweating bullets waiting to hear. I would have been out of commission for 3-6 months!

[Penlowe]

RobbyGirl may I ask how old you are in relation to the wrist problems? I have Repetitive Stress Injury in my wrists & elbows. If I really don't pay attention and push too hard I get pain all the way to my shoulders. If I had taken better care when I was in my twenties I wouldn't be so limited now that I've hit forty.

i.e. when it starts hurting, DON"T just take a pain med & keep working. Stop doing what hurts all together. Take the pain med, but don't go back to doing whatever irritates your wrist until it doesn't hurt without the meds. Another thing is look into stuff like posture and the way you sit when you work at a table, these could be exacerbating the problem.

[CIndyjob]

Great news Robby! I can uncross all my fingers now!

[catPratt]

RobbyGirl, what great news. You must be SO relieved, and looking forward to 3 weeks from now.
I've chosen my theme. My Secret Garden. I loved that story as a kid, but this is not cutesy or childlike, this time. I am hoping you all will use your own illustration/art styles...and sense of humor, and whatever ideas you might have as to what might be hidden/lurking in this garden. there might be a sea with mermaids, a vast sky that leads to outer space, a graveyard could be there, deep dark tunnels, and who knows how many creatures real or otherwise, that can only be seen if you stop and are quiet. This is a place with day and night and all the seasons. the trees could be a bit creeky and I'm certain some of the plants are poiseneous. I see many details. AND I don't want it to be REALLY gross. A little gross is ok.
what do you think?

[RobbyGirl]

Thanks guys! Awesome theme Cat!

Penlowe, thanks so much for the concern, fortunately I do not have a repetitive motion injury but an impact tennis accident where my wrist was hyper extended damaging cartliage and ligaments on the ulnar side of the wrist. It seems to be healing really well and I was lucky to be able to see a top sports wrist specialist. I've managed with no pain meds as they don't agree with my system and have been pretty good about taking it easy. The brace helps a lot.

[katilady]

great theme cathy! open to lots of possibilities!

[katilady]

i am really digging all the themes! i want to encourage everyone (although it's not mandatory) to post some pics of your theme. i've found having visuals to be helpful!

eta: if you do post pics please post them in the post where you have stated your theme. i have linked to these on the front page and this will help them not to get lost. :)

[AnnD]

After looking at the examples a few times, I have some StoOpid QueStionz.

1. I think all of the examples show consecutive, three-age spreads. I like the idea of breaking it up and doing three separate pages at three separate points in the journal, but then, that approach also seems like it might require more work from each artist. Does anyone have a point of view on that?

2. The opening post talks about all of the written information required in each journal. Does that all go onto that opening page? (I believe it says, "This journal belongs to . . .") How about the artist sign-in? It would be super helpful to me to see a photo example of the page(s) in the front.

3. It's my understanding that the paper does not like water, which makes me a little nervous, because then I can't use my watercolor pencils quite as liberally as I ordinarily would. My remaining option is to use markers, which bleed through to the back of the page. Is it okay to have an unsightly back?!

I will promptly think of 7 other points as soon as I post this, but until then, I think that's all. :eek:

[katilady]

i think watercolor pencils will be ok, cause they don't have to be nearly as wet as watercolor paint. also, here's a pic from my iatc's moley showing the 2 front pages (the page on the left being the inside cover):

http://www.illustratedatcs.com/forum/gallery/images/641/large/1_moley_darkgoddessa-003.jpg

the left page contains my instructions, the right page has my name and address. the pocket in the back of the book can also be used as the sign in sheet.

it's fine if you want people to do 3 seperate pages ann, just make sure you include that in your instructions.

[Skyjules]

I updated my theme (updated it in the earlier thread)
I really love everyones different and unique styles here - so my theme is Halloween however you want to portray it! Just go for it! Yay! I'm so excited!

[RobbyGirl]

Annie I'm grateful for all the questions I have them too!

KatiLady thanks so much for the above examples they really help since I'm a Moley Newb!

[RobbyGirl]

Okay I opened up my little Holey Moley and from what I can tell I get to do:

The cover front and back
The inside of the front cover (My Theme Plan/Instructions?)
The "In Case of Loss" Page (My Address info?)
The backside of the "In case of Loss Page" (My Flight Plan?)
The inside of the back cover (is this the signature page for everyone?)
The first 3 pages of the accordian pull out. (My version of my theme?)

is it less specific than that can I spread that info anyway I want across my "given" pages?

in all of my Capricorn Anal-Retentativeness (Attentiveness :) ) I want to make sure I get this started right...LOL:eek:

[katilady]

as far as page count goes, that's perfect robby. but you can do them in any order you please. all i personally think is important is that there are 3ish pages for folks to work on and that there is theme info in there. anything else is totally up to you and i think we can be flexible on it.

[CIndyjob]

I think you have it Robby but I also think it is YOUR moley so as long as you put the info that you want us to have before we set our pencils to it then I fail to see why you cannot put it in any order or in any place you like it. I am hoping at the end of this we have collaborated to make ten amazingly inspired, unique journals.

[CIndyjob]

LOL...Kati and I think alike. Be afraid Kati....be very afraid.

[RobbyGirl]

Awesomesauce....I had a silly fun idea for my travel plan page(s) now that I'm sure I have ample space to work with. (Rubbing hands together figuratively because the damn brace makes that impossible...and scurrying off to start mixing paint and find my little scissors...bwhaaa hhaaaa.)

[katilady]

are you hanging out in my head cindy jo? :P

[catPratt]

here's a technical question for everyone...I'm thinking of gesso-ing my pages so paint will work ok. have heard that is ok to do. how do you all keep pages from sticking from eachother? maybe it is because it is very warm and humid here, but I've been testing and things stay sticky? some sort of medium to coat all? i gotta paint, that's what I do! but i don't want it to get all messed up and look terrible.

also wanted to chime in a bit about the covers staying nice. i used to do a lot of mail art, sort of just to drive my post office crazy, to see what they'd actually mail. there is something very cool that happens as art puts on miles. these will be much more protected than postcards or whatever that has art out there on the outside going thru machines and such, but everybody's touch will add something special to mine...so i'm doing the cover at first to put the visible distance on it. that's it!

[katilady]

hey cathy, you can use parchment paper to keep pages from sticking together. wax paper isn't advisable because the wax can get on the pages and make it hard to use markers and whatnot.

[catPratt]

thank you Katilady. where did I hear about wax paper?! I will not do that.

[amyfaerie]

i agree--if you decorate the cover BEFORE sending it out, then it comes back with wonderful scuffs and paint smears and signs of its journey. i think i'm doing the same thing this time around!

[Carolina Soap Chef]

My oh my oh my...once again I have missed out on joining in on a moley exchange. Is there a secret password that I am missing? I am constantly checking for new one and my timing is always the day after it is marked "FULL". How do I get in the network of those "in the know". I see so many of my old arty friends here & would love to share in the fun. If...for any reason someone drops out or if there is a trick to knowing when another one is opening up for sign ups, please let me know. I've been trying since 2008 & always miss the boat. I will be enviously watching & drooling over all the fine & beautiful creative art that I am bound to find here on your exchange. Have fun girls & please don't mind me peeing in from time to time.;)

[katilady]

berkeley the best way to get in one would be to start one yourself. a lot of these are filled before they are even posted. :)

[CIndyjob]

Csoapchef, we had a bunch of people who asked about the group literally five minutes after we filled so if you are interested in starting one PM me and I would be glad to pass their names on so you could start one up...I was in the same boat and got tired of waiting for a spot to free up.

[CIndyjob]

:v_spin::v_spin:SO you gigglers, I have had confirmation from everyone and SIena and BigKay are still pondering themes but this is absolutley a GO!! After August 1 I will send ou the addresses so you can prepare to mail your book to the first artist on your list!

[katilady]

sweetness!

[Skyjules]

Wow a whole month before we get to mail it off! I'm anxious to start...but guess I better finish mine first though...

[Marla412]

Kati dear,
Can I be put on the waiting list. Yeah right, like FOUR people are gonna drop off the face of the planet before this thing starts!! But you never know.......(mapquesting the participants to see who lives close enough to accidentally "drop off the planet"....).....

PM me if you start another, BEFORE it gets full, please, please, ohhhhh pretty please!!

Marla
(with NO projects on or off line and all the moving and unpacking done - lonely here - NOW maybe I"ll have time to get back into the swing of things!!)

[CIndyjob]

There are now five people on the "waiting list" If you all got together then you would only need 3 more people to have a full group! Based on all the PMs I have gotten you could fill it in one day and you all could start your group the same time as we do!

[CIndyjob]

Okay I have been sketching and my girls are going off to power shop this afternoon...as soon as I have the house to myself I am going to start my front pages....unless I chicken out. I know as soon as I get some paint in it I will be excited...right now that looooong expanse of emptiness is SCARY!

[Marla412]

Off to read the instructions on how to host one of these.....never hosted before but I am VERY ORGANIZED and can be as STRICT AS A DOMINATRIX to keep things in line....let me see what other qualifications are reqired...

[Marla412]

DRATS!! NO CAN DO HERE - you have to have hosted FIVE swaps before you can host one of these Moley groups....sigh....anyone else qualified and willing?? I even HAVE a spare Moley here just begging to be altered...

[katilady]

marla, some of the other ladies on the waitlist have hosted before! pm them and see if they are able to host, that's what cindyjob did! she couldn't host so she asked me to. :)

btw, it's great to see you here! we need to meet up again soon!

[katilady]

robby, my mom LOVES your theme! she adores both cityscapes and chagall!

[Carolina Soap Chef]

It would be great if someone could host. I am not able to because I have never hosted & I believe this exchange would be a bit more complex & laborious than a regular swap. Please pm me the names of the others who are on a wait list. Maybe one of them is an experienced host who might be willing to take on a Moley Exchange.:jiggy:

[katilady]

the waitlist is on the 1st post. :)

[CIndyjob]

Ha Ha...yep I whined at Kati and it WORKED! Maybe PM some people who you have traded with and whose work you like...again, I kept missing these things and got tired of that happening so I rounded up people who I knew were good reliable traders and who make amazing art and here we are!
Good luck to you guys. I read every single moley thread here and on iATCS as well as pciking Amyfaeries brain in person at AFA to learn as much as I could about it all too.

[grrrdjules]

Hi boss ladies:

Is there a travel plan that includes cities so I can make the travelling circus poster for inside my journal front? If not, no worries, I'll make up the ones that I don't know!

Jules

[Skyjules]

Traveling Circus poster....cool!

[katilady]

you can look at each users location and see if they have a city listed, pm them if they don't. :)

[grrrdjules]

Well f* duh. That's why I'm a lowly player and you, my dear, are management ;)

[catPratt]

I'm in Fayston, Vermont.

[katilady]

i had to rep you for that jules, lol!

[HotMamaRama]

Well sh!t Bugs!!! I want in on one of these!!! Next time you ladies get one going add me to the list will ya PEEERRRDY PAAALEASE!! All my favorite peeps are here!!!

[poeticpaper]

I always miss out on these, too!

[AnnD]

OMG, Trina, I don't know if you meant it to read like this, but I am immediately adopting sh*tbugs into my vocabulary!

[HotMamaRama]

Yes Ann it is shitbugs! I was worried about the editing here and what we can get away with, so I seperate and change letters around sometimes as to not to offend.

I make up alot of my own curse words. I used to have a potty mouth, but since having kids I try to edit myself. So when I start to say a bad word I try to add stuff to the end of it in hopes that, the longer the word, the less likely my kiddo's will remember it and try to USE it in public! ;) Another favorite is F*ckbuckets. Though, I do that one more for my hubby's sake, I don't use that one in front of the kids.
Though I will say that thanks to Jules, "Nunballs" has been a GREAT replacer for some of my other ones. :wubclub:

[AnnD]

Hahaha! Nunballs is brilliant. I say motherf*ckbucket, mainly because it's absurd.

[katilady]

i like to bring religon into my cursing with stuff like jesuf^ckingchrist!

[RobbyGirl]

I had so much fun spending the morning creating this "old" window for the front of my Moley. I measured and cut it, then covered it with masking tape for texture and layered on 5 layers of acrylic to give it depth and ageing. It might not look like much but I'm quite happy that it turned out just as I wanted.

[grrrdjules]

It looks cool!

How far is everybody? I have my first two pages but I really can't decide on my rules. If I say you can do whatever you want re singles, doubles or triptych then the last few people and especially the last is well, kinda screwed. Is that just the nature of the project, that it evolves that way?

[catPratt]

neat window Robby!

[katilady]

most people, as far as i know, have everybody to the same thing whether its singles or something else. but if that's how you want yours i don't see what the big deal is. :)

[Skyjules]

Well, I'll get this party started and post some images.
Here is my simple cover - its silvery (doesn't scan well)

My inside cover that will show the route. I'm waiting to hear everyones themes, (hint hint) thought I'd post each name on the "path" with a little image representing their theme. That way later on I would remember what everyone else did as their theme in this Moley exchange.

And the 3rd page is my guest list for everyone to sign in and my "back door" (the back pocket)

Still have to paint my 3 pages, which I have drawn out just haven't started it in the book yet. Mainly because I'm in the halloween mode because of all the halloween swaps and I keep changing my mind about what I want to draw on my 3 pages!

Party on...

[RobbyGirl]

LOL Jules we must be channeling each other a bit. I also have little images to represent each persons theme, I was mounting them on top of little airplanes for my "Flight Plan."

I love your scroll page!

[AnnD]

That's beautiful - and I love seeing what other people are doing!

[Skyjules]

Robbygirl can't wait to see your little airplanes! Great idea!

[Skyjules]

It looks cool!

How far is everybody? I have my first two pages but I really can't decide on my rules. If I say you can do whatever you want re singles, doubles or triptych then the last few people and especially the last is well, kinda screwed. Is that just the nature of the project, that it evolves that way?
NOoooo! don't let the last person get screwed! I'll be the last person on your book :swoon: :swoon: :swoon:

Seems like they usually just pick one way - in this exchange we all get 3 pages. You can tell them to do 3 in a row or 3 singles. I would think that 3 singles would be tougher/take longer - but its your book and any way you choose its gonna be cool with your theme!

[katilady]

looks AWESOME jules!

we need folks to get their themes figured out asap!

[Skyjules]

Thanks Katilady!
I've been researching Outsider art. I'm loving it and so glad that your book is the first I work on since I've got ideas bubbling around in my head already. So I've been drawing some dreamscape outsider art type drawings and they are very "freeing" to do! Great theme!

[katilady]

thanks julie! yay that you're excited! i am looking forward to seeing what you do. :D

[CIndyjob]

I PM'd you all and as you know we have a new player to replace Robbygirl who, sadly, has had to withdraw because of personal reasons . Kati will move this revised mailing list to the opening post of our thread but all it really does is replace Robby with Themuppet.

So VERY sad panda to see Robby go but HUGE round of applause for TheMuppet for stepping in to take her place.

(((((Group#8 Group HUG))))))





•AnnD - Amyfaerie- BigKay - CatPratt- CIndyjob - GrrdJules- Katilady- Siena- Skyjules - TheMuppet

•GrrdJules - CIndyjob - TheMuppet - Big Kay -Amyfaerie- AnnD- CatPratt-KatiLady- Siena- Skyjules

•CIndyJob - GrrdJules-AnnD- Katilady- Siena - TheMuppet - Skyjules - Big Kay - Amyfaerie -CatPratt

•Amyfaerie - Siena- Skyjules_ TheMuppet - Big Kay - CatPratt- grrdJules - Cindyjob- AnnD- KatiLady

•Skyjules- Big Kay - KatiLady- Siena- CatPratt- Amyfaerie- TheMuppet -AnnD- Grrdjules - Cindyjob

•Siena- KatiLady- Cindyjob- Grrdjules - TheMuppet- Skyjules- AnnD- Amyfaerie- CatPratt-Big Kay

•TheMuppet- AnnD - CatPratt - Amyfaerie- Skyjules- Big Kay- CindyJob - GrrdJules- KatiLady - Siena

•CatPratt- TheMuppet - GrrdJules - CindyJob- KatiLady - Siena - Amyfaerie - Skyjules - Big Kay - AnnD

•BigKay - CatPratt - Amyfaerie - Skyjules - AnnD - KatiLady - Siena - TheMuppet - CindyJob - GrrdJules

•KatiLady - Skyjules - Siena - AnnD -GrrdJules - CindyJob - Big Kay - CatPratt - Themuppet - Amyfaerie

[RobbyGirl]

Thanks so much Mupps! I'm so sad to have to pull out, I've already put lots of hours into my Moley. My little family is in crisis right now, I'm not ready to "talk" about yet. I will be around making art and trading but need to avoid the larger committment to keep myself completely available to my guys who both really need me right now. Have fun, I'll be watching and coveting your wonderful art.

[AnnD]

Robby, I'm so sorry to hear there's a crisis. Sending you big hugs!

[themuppet]

I sincerely hope everything works out quickly for you, Robby!! Hugs hugs!!

Jules... I was such a huge fan of Carnivale that I pondered plucking out an eyeball when I found out it didn't get picked up for a third season. I still occasionally wake up in a cold sweat with the final scene running through my head.

[themuppet]

Okay... My theme is...

Mistress Mayhem's Orbacular Tentacular Spectacular...with Zombies!

I don't know why it ended up coming out like the name of a freakshow, but it totally did. So you can totally go there. Bring on the freaks! As long as your spread has either eyeballs, something with tentacles, or zombies, we're golden. Bonus points for robots, toasters, martinis, and/or stuffed bunnies.

I really just want you to go nuts. Lots of detail would make my loins all tingly. I'm pretty open to whatever interpretation of the theme strikes your fancy. Unchain that little psychopath in your head and give her a crayon! Maybe I'm the only one with a psychopath chained to a water heater in my head, but whatever.

[CIndyjob]

oooohh....I was hoping you would pick zombies or robots or tattoos. You made me so happy! You keep yours chained up , huh? That would explain the rattly noise whenever you walk real fast!!

[AnnD]

mupps, you rule.

[BigKay]

Hi everyone,
Sorry about going MIA for a while. Things got hectic and I learned a valuable lesson while I was gone: no more art commitments in summer. My house is too hot and the 200 kids a day at camp really suck out every bit of patience, energy, and urge to live that I have in me. BUT! In two weeks, they all go home and my urge to live returns.

I'm still at work so I don't have time to catch up on the entire thread but I'm sorry to see Robby go and totally thrilled that Mupps joined.

Muppet, I LOL'ed when I read your theme because here is what I have been writing in Word today and was ready to paste for my theme:

I have been thinking about the theme for this book for a while and after dismissing a lot of ideas, I decided that I couldn’t decide.

What I would love is if the pages you make for me could include some (or all) of the themes on my rejected theme list. Rejected themes include: chaotic mania, transsexual leprotic sparrows, smoking children (crack, cigarettes, whatever you like), the zombie apocalypse, sweaty fat guys, awkward robot romance, glittery rainbow unicorns. Additional weirdness is always welcome.

Please do not draw me a book full of unicorns! One will be funny. Lots will be scary.

I would also love for the book to unfold to a continuous image of a scene, so please try to blend your work a little with the previous artist.



Can I do that?
Just give a string of ideas of stuff I like that I'd like to see all in one book?

[katilady]

that sounds awesome katie!

[Skyjules]

Okay Mupps and BigK...my mind is officially blown.
Now how do I get work done today when my brain is so fried?

Guess I'll have to channel my inner freak zombie to work on your pages... gulp... change is good!
:swoon::swoon:
(a swoon guy for each of you)

[AnnD]

Skyjules, you're going to wind up having so much fun! Before you know it, you'll be collecting transsexual zombie sparrows with leprosy and unicorn horns.

BK, I've missed you terribly, but your string of rejected themes makes me giddy! :jiggy:

[Skyjules]

Holy crap I'm starting to sweat...I don't know if its from fear ...or excitment...
:twitcy:

[BigKay]

I've missed you too AnnD! And the rest of you too. It's good to be back, even if I'm only half back, as I stick my head up from beneath the wave of sweaty kids I'm drowning under.

Katilady listed my theme as Reject Mania which will not only be the title for my moley, but possibly my autobiography.

I love you all. In the creepiest possible way.

[katilady]

we love you too bigkay!

i am glad you liked how i listed it, i wanted it to convey your theme and be snappy! :D

[catPratt]

I'm scared. AND I'm the first on BigKay's docket. I'm preparing to leave for a Maine vacation today, so this will be fun to think about as we motor along. I'm leaning toward chaotic maniac rainbow unicorn zombies. This group is pushing me away from my usual sweet/colorful/curly into the realm of dark rotting fleshiness, of which I am glad. I've been trying to get darker with my art, just can't ever seem to actually do it. I'll try so hard for you all!

[katilady]

it'll be a challenge for me too, but i am looking forward to it. :)

i can't wait to see zombie unicorns. will they be breathing rainbows?

[catPratt]

zombie unicorns breathing rainbows...sounds good to me. if I don't accomplish it, maybe you can!

[CIndyjob]

BK...I love you and your theme in an even creepier way , if that is actually possible!

If we are gonna blend across pages to make one continual image maybe we need to leave like an inch or so of blending room empty on the last page?

[katilady]

cj in other swaps folks either left a little room OR (and this was more common) they spread their art an inch or so onto the next players space.

[CIndyjob]

I was thinking that it would sort of end up both ways, like ease in to the next persons space a little...all cozy like .

[themuppet]

BigKay, I'm so ready to tongue kiss both you and your theme. Let's go smoke and discuss it.

[katilady]

can i watch? maybe take some pics? :eek:

[CIndyjob]

Hey you smokey little lickers....We got us a moley love fest going on!

[Siena]

Should I just jump in and smooch first and ask questions later?

Theme... theme... theme... I'm going to sleep on it and will be back to this thread in the morning with an answer!

[grrrdjules]

oh my. rainbow farting unicorns, sweaty brats and tongue kissing - did I miss anything? The continuous thing is slightly intimidating just from a we-don't-all-have-same-art-supplies perfectionist kinda way but it's all good!

[BigKay]

Mupps, if you're offering me a make-out session, there's nothing to discuss. I accept. We can still totally smoke though.


BigKay, I'm so ready to tongue kiss both you and your theme. Let's go smoke and discuss it.

I'm not feeling all crazy perfectionist about the blending together of a continuous image, I just want it to have a nice flow rather then sharp edges where one artist ends and another begins. I started my intro pages last night and already didn't leave Cindyjo's suggested buffer zone for the next person. I got carried away in my love for rainbow farting unicorns, sweaty brats and tongue kissing.

[Siena]

Sorry to break up the love fest with business! Here's my theme:

Whimsy-Funky: In Search of Adventure

And what the heck I mean by that is:
I want a whimsical, funky feel to my layouts (with a smidge of retro, if you like) (but by funky I do NOT mean zetti, please). I want little whimsical/funky creatures, which could be people, animals, or made up creatures (a la Mupps). I want said creatures to be in search of adventure... so they might travel (especially to London, Paris, or Africa), they might explore the seaside, or under the sea, or a rainforest, or head to the circus or an amusement park, head out on a bike ride, or *anywhere* fun and/or adventurous!

So... whimsy-funky creatures/animals/people, in a whimsy-funky setting, in search of adventure and fun. :) Just like me.

[CIndyjob]

I love it Siena! I think we have some awesome themes to work with and it is gonna be a great little book when we finish!

[katilady]

cute theme bug!

[themuppet]

ooOoOoOOoOoo awesome theme, Siena! I have a great idea for it too, so hopefully I won't forget it by the time I get your book.. lol!

[Siena]

Thanks, guys!

Write it down, Sarah!!

[Skyjules]

I made a chart for myself of everyones themes and the mail route. Thought everyone else might like to use it too. (I promise I'm not anal - I just like making charts. If I were anal my office wouldn't look the way it looks!)
Here is a sample of what I did - colored the squares with my name and wrote at the top the order of what books I'll be working on... download PDF here: Gigglers (http://www.skyjules.com/Gigglers.pdf)
Heres my sample:

[grrrdjules]

Nope. Not anal at all. :wacko:

I have my intro and just need to do first two pages...http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/images/361/1_INtroPages.jpg

[AnnD]

OMG, it's SOOOO good, Juli! I absolutely love all the legs on the woman and the helmet strap on the man!

[grrrdjules]

That's her twin sister :)

[Skyjules]

LOVE the tour poster! Such a perfect idea!

[CIndyjob]

Should we be getting these TO our first person by Septemeber 1 or mailing by then? I am hoping we can try to have them in each others hands by then so we get started on time. I have to mail to Canada...GrrrdJules how long would you say I need to be sure it will be there? 10 days? A week?

[AnnD]

Is there a dipshit smilie? I could use one. I see the heels now.

Sorry, Jules . . .

[BigKay]

I don't know what happened to my subscription to this page but it got deleted. All fixed now.


I have my intro and just need to do first two pages...

Love it, Jules!
I started mine too but I did 3 pages since the book has 30 pages and there are 10 of us. Did I go too far?

[katilady]

you did right!

[CIndyjob]

For once,BigKay,you did NOT go too far!

[BigKay]

Whew! Thanks, Kati.
Cindyjo, I'm not sure you'll still be able to say that after you see my intro pages.

[themuppet]

They're awesome, Jules! And I love the tour poster idea, too..

BigKay, now I'm beyond intrigued!

[CIndyjob]

I started the painting in mine today...NERVOUS!!!!!

[AnnD]

Shhhh! I haven't started mine at all. I'm a little skeered.

[CIndyjob]

I know...it is nervy but I got all inspired today. And then I got a second dose of inspiration tonight ...YAY!

[Skyjules]

Cindy -you must have been inspired, you finished your pumpkins and skulls swap cards too! (they were great!)
I was hoping to finish my 3 pages and some other art this weekend... but alas, I have to help my mom pack. She's moving at the end of the month. But her back is so bad she hasn't been able to pack everything herself. Shes moving closer to me so thats cool since we're pretty good friends.
maybe sunday night, lots always gets done on sunday nights for me.

[grrrdjules]

I would say 10 days to Canada is generous. I usually figure on 5-6 business days to the US so I would think the same to here. Keep in mind we don't have mail on Saturdays like many of you do and I always go air rather than ground just to be safe. I vote for postmarked by the first of each month...

[AnnD]

OK, can I get a group hug?! I don't know WTF is wrong with me, but I am about to start mine, and I am practically hyperventilating. I just had Jason pour me a glass of white wine . . . at 12:41 in the afternoon.

:eek: :unsure:

[CIndyjob]

Awwww...you will be fine. It is nervy though!!

[katilady]

you can do it annie!

[Skyjules]

{{{{HUG}}}} *slug of wine* {{{{HUG}}}}

I've already found that a little bit of gesso covers up little mistakes....:twitcy:

[grrrdjules]

I totally understand Ann! I have my "business" pages done and now I'm just as worried about doing my 3 real pages.

[katilady]

yea, gesso is my friend!

[catPratt]

hugs to you Ann, it will be thrilling to see what you do!

[AnnD]

You guys are the best!

I have done my first two pages (meaning, in my case, the pages with the "flight plan"), but I do feel much better now that I've at least done something! I'll press on tonight and upload pics of my progress before bed.

Hugs!

[AnnD]

OK, I lied! I just discovered that it's really not best to press on unless you're 144% sure everything is dry. LOL.

Here is a photo of my opening spread, which given my level of anxiety beforehand, I am pretty pleased with.

[catPratt]

wonderful Ann. LOVE those happy little spacemen! so SO fun.

[CIndyjob]

I love it! My first bit is drying right now!

[CIndyjob]

Here is my title page and the next one....the back page is inked and ready to paint tomorrow then I need to do my first spread AND decide if I am doing the cover before I mail out! EEEK!

[AnnD]

OMG, those are SO cool, Cindy! I love all the detail on your title page! Is that a bloody ax you gave yourself, by the way?!

;)

[katilady]

beautiful work both of you!

[catPratt]

Love love love your work Cindy!

[BigKay]

omg I love both of your intro pages.
Cindyjo, all of that detail is awesome and the for some reason it kind of scares the bejesus out of me and Ann, well, what's not to like about space men and nudity? Flippin' amazing. I really really love them.

I finished mine yesterday too and seeing all of yours I'm not really sure that I did them right but since it's my book it doesn't really matter. Right!? I posted some pics on Flickr but let me see if I can pull one off to post here.

I'm totally nervous and excited to get started. Like, nail-biting, hyperventilating, AnnD nervous. And excited.

[katilady]

kay your pages are awesomesauce!

[BigKay]

Thanks Kati, the travel trash can is my favorite part.

[CIndyjob]

LOL! Jesus points for returning it! My love for you knows no bounds BK! These moleys are going to be so amazing we are probably gonna have to go on Oprah or something....

[CIndyjob]

Like, nail-biting, hyperventilating, AnnD nervous.

And that right there is a special kind of nervous...with a side salad of cute!

[BigKay]

OK, can I get a group hug?! I don't know WTF is wrong with me, but I am about to start mine, and I am practically hyperventilating.

I know I'm a little late with the group hug for you Ann, but I was totally there too. I think it's because I wanted to make my pages nice so you'd all have this magical mystical experience when you got my book, which I'm not sure I ever really accomplished. I made myself feel better by telling myself that it was my book so in the end, if it sucked, it didn't matter because it was mine. I think my nerves are going to be a gazillion times worse when I have to draw in someone else's book.

I decided not to do the cover. I like the plain black. When I was finishing my pages, I was really close to finished and got some art goo on the last page (which would be Juli's) but because I'm crazy and didn't want her to have to work around my goo, I replaced the page and added an extra. So my book has 31 pages. I added one more thinking I could do something on the extra page at the end when it gets back to me after its year-long journey.

[BigKay]

LOL! Jesus points for returning it! My love for you knows no bounds BK! These moleys are going to be so amazing we are probably gonna have to go on Oprah or something....

My love for you is pretty mega too, CJ. Like, whoa, gigantihuge.
And I think that technically, since you are all working towards getting the journal back to me in one piece a year from now, that you get the Jesus Points just for working in it and mailing it to the next person. So, you know. That's a perk.

[AnnD]

BK, I adore you! Candidly, I had a magical, mystical experience just looking at your moley on the interwebs. In real life, I might have to take it into the coat closet just to be alone with it. And maybe play Spin the Stinky Tennis Shoe.

I decided not to do the cover, too. But then I did this whole paint-glue-paint-heat-gun thing on my intro pages in an effort to give outer space some texture and depth, and lo and behold, I got "art goo" on my cover. Sigh. Guess I'm doing my cover now.

[AnnD]

P.S. Cindy, I agree with you. These moleys are going to be SICK (which in Magic is the ultimate compliment, man).

[Skyjules]

Ann, Cindy, BigKay,..really fantastic pages, can't wait to see them in person!
I've tried to explain moley exchanges to mundanes and nobody understands how much fun we have!
I worked at our Texas Renaissance festival about 10 yrs. "visitors" were referred to as mundanes...(anyone who didn't work there)...or sometimes they were just called "visitor" but sort of whispered and not in a good way ha ha)

[Skyjules]

Heres my route pages finished. The sign in sheet is the next page (I posted that earlier)
I have some flat little trick-r-treat bags I was putting in the back for everyone to take one, but they made the book too fat to close. I made them as flat as possible. But I may end up putting 3 in there, then mailing 3 when it gets to the 4th person etc. hmmm...We'll see.

[katilady]

that is gorgeous jules!

[BigKay]

I agree! That page is beautiful, Jules.
I just got even more nervous about being the first person to work in your book :eek:

[themuppet]

Holy CRAP you guys are producing some wonderfully magical stuff! Ann-D, LOVE the naked moonlady.. CJ, I totally dig it!! Love the travel plan. BigKay, double makeouts for you.. the trash can is absolute brilliance. Jules! The colors on your are fabulous!

Okay, I think I've just used up my gushing allowance for one day (har).

*faints*

[grrrdjules]

Wow. These are all fantastic and I feel far less pressure now that I've heard your tales of art goo!!! I figure I can always do a page and glue it over top if I supremely fuck up.

[CIndyjob]

This is a little bit of a crappy scan and the black spot on RRH's lip is really some of that famous scanner goo...but I am pretty happy with it anyway...I hesitated about doing Red RIding Hood but figured "WTH, she is my favorite and if I am gonna have a fairy tale moley I love she better be in there...now even if all nine of you do nine other RRHs I will be happy and if no one else paints her for me I got that base covered.

[Skyjules]

I love her Cindy! Was gonna rep you but I have to spread more love it says ....

[AnnD]

She's fabulous! And I love the wolf lurking in the background!

[katilady]

she's a beaut cindy jo!

[AnnD]

As far as I can tell, I am no longer allowed to rep anyone, ever again. Apparently, I need to go on a spree.

Skyjules, your route page is fabulous!

[knesi07]

crap! i missed this one! i just finished up 3 moleys and now i'm ready to take on another. if anyone hears of any...PM me!
have fun with this girls and if anyone drops out....i'm just saying! :)

[catPratt]

BigKay, your pages are great, the trashcan, too funny. Skyjules, gorgeous. Cindy, Little Red is wonderful and magical and that wolf scares me, all hiding himself in the back like that. I just can't even imagine one of these books filled to the brim with the creations.
I'm so nervous to be the first in yours BigKay. my sweaty fingers are slipping off my keys as I type. I am sketching on your pages madly, since I am also now finished with mine. I did decide to do the cover. I'm thinking I will enjoy the wear it accumulates after being in everyone's hands for a month. I love that sort of aging. So here we go, take a look at mine.

-cover door knocker, based on multiple gargoyle pics in a book I have.
-the key to the round door within the big tree. Not sure where the round door came from, the hobbit?? i'm not sure but I knew that's what it HAD to be all along.
-instructions page and my first three. the elf guardian gate keeper to this garden. She's standing on a big rock, and i'm asking each of you to leave her an offering, at her feet, somehow on those three pages. Let me know what you think!

oh, my work always turns out more sweet than I'd like it and I know for this it sort of sets the tone. BUT please know that if that is not your style, and i know several who will remain nameless, it is not. SO don't do cutey/sweet, do your own style. I love zombies etc, and am currently trying so hard to put an edge to my own work. ok? ok.

[Skyjules]

oh, my work always turns out more sweet than I'd like it and I know for this it sort of sets the tone. BUT please know that if that is not your style, and i know several who will remain nameless, it is not. SO don't do cutey/sweet, do your own style. I love zombies etc, and am currently trying so hard to put an edge to my own work. ok? ok.

Yeah, me too, what she said...
except for the zombie part...I'm currently working on trying to draw them myself and I'm sure that's where the love will be comin' in. Rumor has it that I'm gonna love them.

[Skyjules]

As far as I can tell, I am no longer allowed to rep anyone, ever again. Apparently, I need to go on a spree.

I know! Me too! Seems this group is one big love fest!

I've been so busy spreading the love on other threads that when I was out today, and a driver on the road was nice to me...my hand was reaching in the air looking for a "you rock" button!

[katilady]

catpratt your pages are so vibrant! what kind of paint did you use?

[themuppet]

oh, my work always turns out more sweet than I'd like it and I know for this it sort of sets the tone. BUT please know that if that is not your style, and i know several who will remain nameless, it is not. SO don't do cutey/sweet, do your own style. I love zombies etc, and am currently trying so hard to put an edge to my own work. ok? ok.

I know you can't be referring to me, cause I'm pure sweetness and light. :dull: hahahahahah!

Your pages are really fabulous, though. Like Kati said, the colors are wonderful!

[catPratt]

I use mostly Pelikan gouache, Van Gough watercolors in the small travel white case and those pinkish flowers are from a cheapo Prang watercolor set of my 4 year old's. the prang colors are amazing. I had to ask before I used them, he is very particular about his art supplies.

[katilady]

oh good to know! you know, someone else said they really love the prang watercolors. maybe i should try some!

[CIndyjob]

I use Prang a lot too. I like them because they are portable in their little tray and I do not have to bring tubes with me.

[themuppet]

I was drooling over Cindy's set of Prangs at AFA. That hot pink one is still haunting my dreams. I have had a set sitting in my dickblick shopping cart for months waiting for me to be able to justify ordering them. lol!

[katilady]

do you guys have the 16 count prang or??? i want the one with the pink in it! :D

[catPratt]

my set has a very cool pink in it, as well as an amazing turquoise, a fab red.etc. mine says "PRANG Professional 16 semi-moist watercolors. there are 4 fish on the upper outside of the case. the lid opens top and bottom outward from the middle. I gotta get another set.

[CIndyjob]

16 count . You can order refills for the pans too. The turquoise and magenta, yellow orange and yellow green are to die for really. I order them for my students and they run less than four dollars a set so if they are a lot more than that online or in the store let me know and I will hook you up and you can just reimburse me.They would be pretty cheap to mail I expect.

[themuppet]

I think they're $8 on dickblick.com, and completely out of stock until mid-september. So I'm totally willing to take advantage of your generosity! :D

[katilady]

the square pans are in stock mupps!

[themuppet]

I know :( but they don't sell the refills in the droolworthy colors in the square pans :(

It'll probably be mid september before I can justify an order anyway... A late bday present to myself or something!

[grrrdjules]

I know! Me too! Seems this group is one big love fest!

I've been so busy spreading the love on other threads that when I was out today, and a driver on the road was nice to me...my hand was reaching in the air looking for a "you rock" button!
haha, jules I love the idea of a real life "you rock" button. Anyone remember those sort of flip book paddles years ago that people used in their cars and they had messages - good and bad - that you could flash at other drivers? Maybe it was just an Ontario thing.

catpratt those are gorgeous. I love the door knocker - are you using pastels?

[grrrdjules]

der, perhaps if I read BEFORE posting! It looks like pastel lol.

[catPratt]

the door knocker is in acrylic. tried to get lots of texture like stone would be.

[Skyjules]

Anyone remember those sort of flip book paddles years ago that people used in their cars and they had messages - good and bad - that you could flash at other drivers?

I used to have one of those paddles!
Ha ha I totally forgot about those.
Man I wish I still had that - probably would go for a lot on ebay.
ahhh the good ol' days.

[katilady]

i wanna invite my fellow moley folks to tonights chat. i'll be talking about grungy layered collage making. 9pm est.

[grrrdjules]

the door knocker is in acrylic. tried to get lots of texture like stone would be.
It is luscious no matter what you used! I am intimidated to do my cover...I may do it at the end. Working on the rest of mine this weekend in between logging crap for behaviour therapy for NIc and making MORE salsa and tomato sauce.

[AnnD]

I am intimidated to do my cover, too! Like . . . WAY intimidated!

I did jump in there with my first spread, though. Please don't hate me when I tell you that I'm going to have you all do one-two page spread and one one-page spread. Which isn't so much a spread as a page.

:eek:

Anyway, here's my two pager!

http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/images/4576/large/2_ALice_and_the_Nude_Hatter.jpg

[grrrdjules]

Hilarious Ann! Love the facial expression on Alice!

[grrrdjules]

I'm finished, yippeeeee! So to make mine more interactive, you can take your chances and spin for what you'll do for your panels!
http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/images/361/1_3-panels.jpg

[katilady]

great work ann and jules!

[themuppet]

Awesome stuff!!!

Ann-D, I love the hatter's ear-digging nonchalance. Jules, interactive moley is genius!

[catPratt]

Ann, that is a great illustration. I also love Alice's face, her resignation. well done. and cool tableware!
Jules, colorful and so fun. the spinning wheel, what a great idea.

[CIndyjob]

They are sooo great. I'm really itching to spin that wheel Julie! And Ann...did you use me as a model for Alice's bangs? Cause I feel you might have!

[AnnD]

LOL! Cindy, your jokes have indeed inspired me to give everyone horribly short bangs. No actual hairs on your head have been impugned, however, because your bangs are lovely.

Thanks for the love, y'all! *Beams happily*

Juli, those three pages are magnificent! And the spinning wheel is totally inspired!

[AnnD]

Here is my single page, followed by my library pocket (with the sign-in sheet inside), followed by my dilemma.

[AnnD]

DILEMMA!

So I sealed the naked outer space lady last night, and let's just say things got freaky. And streaky. And I almost cried.

I thought I had tested every product I used, but apparently, I had not done adequate testing on my metallic silver pen and my white Uniball, both of which streaked.

Is sealing absolutely mandatory?! I like the things I have created, and I don't want to wreck them. I've tried Krylon (which makes everything buckle) and couple of kinds of Mod Podge.

I will be sure avoid the use of the offending pens in other people's journals. :cry:

[katilady]

that sucks ann!

i would say that sealing should be up to the individual and the materials they use. imho anyway.

[themuppet]

I'd say sealing is mandatory if you're using pastels or charcoal or something similarly messy and rub-offy. In three moley swaps, I think the only spread I've sealed is one where I used pastel on the background. Otherwise I wouldn't stress it.

Cinderellis. *dies laughing* <3!!