#9 - "Finally! Another Moley Group" - First Mail date Nov 15, 2010

[corrie04]

Japanese Moleskine Journals | Mail by: 11/15/2010 - WE ARE FULL

(I shamelessly stole the wording from curbsidetreasure without her permission... but with heartfelt “THANKS!”)

Grab a journal and choose your favorite theme!

First mailing date: NOV 15, 2010
Subsequent mailing dates: 11/15, 12/15, 1/15, 2/15, 3/15, 4/15, 5/15, 6/15, 7/15, 8/15 - Mark your calendar NOW!
# of Participants: 10 total.
Sign up by: ASAP
Withdraw by: WITHDRAWALS NOT ALLOWED

Materials required: One blank Moleskine JAPANESE pocket album. Size is roughly 3.5" x 5.5".

You're responsible for: Choosing and explaining your theme. Creating a 3 page spread in each journal you receive. Shipping to the next artist participant. Paying for First Class mail and MANDATORY tracking/Delivery Confirmation (USA).

Theme: Player's choice
Mediums: Any

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. Once sign-ups are complete, I'll create a "Travel Plan" master list, and distribute it to players via PM.

Orange = Done
Blue = In progress
Purple = tip in complete

MAILING ORDER

11/15 - PENLOWE
12/15 -KARENM
1/15 -CORRIE
2/15 -LILBAD
3/15 -1ORANGE
4/15 -BRIGHTSPARK
5/15 -NOVASMEM
6/15 -GMSS
7/15 -TIPULIDA
8/15 -GINA-B (returning to Penlowe)
-PENLOWE

11/15 - CORRIE
12/15 -PENLOWE
1/15 -1ORANGE
2/15 -KARENM
3/15 -NOVASMEM
4/15 -LILBAD
5/15 -TIPULIDA-(send to Gina-B)
6/15 -BRIGHTSPARK
7/15 -GINA-B
8/15 -GMSS (returning to Corrie)
-CORRIE

11/15 - 1ORANGE - complete
12/15 -CORRIE
1/15 -NOVASMEM
2/15 -PENLOWE
3/15 -TIPULIDA
4/15 -KARENM
5/15 -GINA-B
6/15 -LILBAD
7/15 -GMSS (returning to 1Orange)
SKIP 8/15 --BRIGHTSPARK

-1ORANGE
11/15 - NOVASMEM
12/15 -1ORANGE
1/15 -TIPULIDA
2/15 -CORRIE
3/15 -GINA-B
4/15 -PENLOWE
5/15 -GMSS-KARENM (send to Lilbad)
6/15 --BRIGHTSPARK
7/15 -LILBAD
8/15 -KarenM (returning to Novasmem)
-NOVASMEM


11/15 -TIPULIDA - complete
12/15 -NOVASMEM
1/15 -GINA-B
2/15 -1ORANGE
3/15 -GMSS
4/15 -CORRIE
5/15 --BRIGHTSPARK
6/15 -PENLOWE
7/15 -LILBAD
8/15 -KARENM (returning to Tipulida)
-TIPULIDA - rcvd

11/15 - GINA-B - complete
12/15 -TIPULIDA
1/15 -GMSS
2/15 -NOVASMEM
3/15 -BRIGHTSPARK
4/15 -1ORANGE
5/15 LILBAD
6/15 -CORRIE
7/15 -KARENM
8/15 - PENLOWE (returning to Gina-B)
-GINA-B

11/15 - GMSS -
12/15 -GINA-B
1/15 -BRIGHTSPARK
2/15 -TIPULIDA
3/15 -LILBAD - tip in completed and mailed to GMSS
4/15 -NOVASMEM
5/15 -KARENM
6/15 -1ORANGE
7/15 -PENLOWE
8/15 -CORRIE (returning to GMSS)
-GMSS

BRIGHTSPARK - ON HOLD - CORRIE HAS MOLEY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

11/15 -LILBAD -
12/15 -BRIGHTSPARK-
1/15 -KARENM - tip in completed
2/15 -GMSS - tip in completed
4/15 -GINA-B
3/15 -PENLOWE
5/15 -CORRIE
6/15 -TIPULIDA
7/15 -1ORANGE
8/15 -NOVASMEM
-LILBAD

11/15 -KARENM -
12/15 -LILBAD
1/15 -PENLOWE
2/15 -BRIGHTSPARK
6/15 -GINA-B
3/15 -CORRIE
4/15 -GMSS
5/15 -1ORANGE
7/15 -NOVASMEM
8/15 -TIPULIDA - tip-ins mailed (july)
-KARENM

..................................................

PARTICIPANTS & THEME

1. Corrie04 (USA)- - OPEN THEME!!! Do as you wish.
2. Brightspark (Scotland) - OUR FEATHERED FRIENDS
3. 1Orange (New Zealand) - Black and blue Abstract / Zentangles
4. Novasmem (USA) - Brightly colored Noah's Ark (mostly hand-drawn)
5. Tipulida (Sweden) - "flowers forgotten in the corner of your garden" - and if you don't have a real garden, well that opens for a lot of interesting interpretations....
6. Penlowe (USA) - Fairy Tales & Childrens Stories
7. Goodmorningstarshine (USA) -[COLOR="Black"]Under the Big Top: A Colorful, Whimsical Creepy Carnival/Scary Circus
8. Gina-B (UK) -Women of myth & legend - please include her name/the legend title somewhere, even if tiny.
9. Lilbad (USA) - Ireland, old houses, lavender, sheep.
10. KarenM - Trees (Uplifting and positive)



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
* Have 3+ months in good standing (no neutrals or negative iTraders)
* Have an iTrader rating of 25+ (IATC iTraders count toward this requirement)
* 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


................................................. ..................................................
SWAP GUIDELINES

ARTIST INSTRUCTIONS
* Purchase a blank Moleskine JAPANESE pocket album. Size is roughly 3.5" x 5.5".
* 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"; (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 four pages consecutively, be sure to specify that. If you prefer they break their four 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 one, 3-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. Wax 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!

[Penlowe]

Checking in!
I have a book already and my theme is:
Fairy Tales and Childrens Stories

[corrie04]

Gotchya!!! Thank you.

I still need to pick out my theme. Hmmmm... what to do. What to do...

[lilbad]

Dang, saw this when it's too late!

[corrie04]

lilibad - You're welcome to join. I can change the # of pages from 4 to 3. I would love to have you as part of the group.

[Bright-Spark]

WOW, what a wonderful international group of artists we have. This will be so much fun!

Can I still think on my theme boss? I thought I had made my mind up, but now we are ready to start, I'm dithering.........

I love the themes chosen already and I would like to chose one which can be easily interpreted and enjoyed by everyone. Off to do some serious thinking!

Thanks again Corrie for organising.

[Bright-Spark]

PS I might just go off and check out other moleskine exchanges to see what themes have previously been chosen:rolleyes:

[lilbad]

Thanks so much for including me. I am excited about this swap!

[corrie04]

Sparky - Of course you can wait for a bit on the theme. That's why I didn't list the themes from the waiting list... in case someone changed their mind.

Lilibad - I'm so glad that you're part of the group!

[goodmorningstarshine]

Ugh! I have such a hard time choosing themes! I have an idea what I'd like, but I'm going to give it just a few more days to ponder.

I need to order my moley now...How do we do that? Decorate the cover if we want and make a sign up page?

[Gina-B]

I'm pretty sure I've narrowed down my theme, but am going to sleep on it, just to be sure!

Thanks so much for organising/hosting this Corrie!

[corrie04]

Ugh! I have such a hard time choosing themes! I have an idea what I'd like, but I'm going to give it just a few more days to ponder.

I need to order my moley now...How do we do that? Decorate the cover if we want and make a sign up page?

I order my moleskines through Amazon.com.

You can decorate the cover, make a sign up page, and do 3 of your own pages.

* 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"; (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 four pages consecutively, be sure to specify that. If you prefer they break their 3 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 one, 3-page spread in your own Moleskine journal. Yet another opportunity to establish theme.

[corrie04]

I may still change my theme, but I think I'll probably end up "going with it"

[Bright-Spark]

I may still change my theme, but I think I'll probably end up "going with it"

No, you go with it! No pressure, but I think it a great theme, you'll end up with such a rich variety of pages.

I have only done one moleskine group before this, and I am still astonished when I look at all the lovely pages created. My theme that time round was 'My Favourite Things', as in the artists favourites.

[corrie04]

That's what I was thinking, too - Sparky... about the variety of pages and that I would get to learn about some new artists.

I bet you had some really awesome pages with your old theme.

[Penlowe]

I've known what theme I wanted since halfway through my last Moley group, does that make me a dork? I also already had my book because it seemed silly to pay for shipping for just one book last time so I have had this book sitting here waiting for a group all this time. I'm pretty sure that makes me a huge nerd.

My cover is nearly finished, my opening pages are plotted. I'm not excited or anything....

[lilbad]

Hey nerd friend....I also have my book!!

[goodmorningstarshine]

I'm about to buy three, just in case. ;)

[Bright-Spark]

I also already had my book because it seemed silly to pay for shipping for just one book last time so I have had this book sitting here waiting for a group all this time. I'm pretty sure that makes me a huge nerd.



:nah::nah: well, if it does, I better put my hand up too!
Mine has also been sitting patiently on the edge of my desk, waiting for it's turn......;)

[Bright-Spark]

Okay, I've made up my mind, I think...:rolleyes:

My theme is:

'OUR FEATHERED FRIENDS'
Birds or ducks of any shape or form, real ones, made up ones, fantasy birds of paradise, sparrows or tits, maybe your favourite bird? Dark ones, bright ones, all welcome.

MEDIUMS:
Happy with any medium that suits the artist, the more variety the better!

[Gina-B]

Nice theme's so far! I'm already inspired

I may still change my theme, but I think I'll probably end up "going with it"
I was thinking about this all evening - my fav tends to change so when your journal comes round to me it'll be 'One of my favourite artists!' ;)

Ok. I've got it.
Women of myth & legend - please include her name/the legend title somewhere, even if tiny.

Any medium that you're happy working with

This can be interpreted any way you feel inclined, I know some people aren't happy with figure work so you don't actually have to draw a person!

[Penlowe]

Bright-Spark & Gina B I love your themes!

[Tipulida]

Ooh, it is starting ...., suddenly I get all nervous :twitcy:
My theme will be something with flowers, I have to think a little bit more - but you should know that I love faded flowers, seedcases and things like that.
Hm, maybe, "flowers forgotten in the corner of your garden" - and if you don't have a real garden, well that opens for a lot of interesting interpretations....

I have to go to order my moleskin now!

[ArtsyLady]

OK...I'm ready to begin my very first Moley adventure...Excitement....I am choosing Brightly colored Noah's Ark....I would like to keep it mostly handdrawn but you can incorporate some collage elements...

I still need to locate a book...

I have a question.....We are looking to purchase a house and might be moving within the next 6 months...will this be a problem? I will be able to let you know well in advance of the new addy..is this OK?

[ArtsyLady]

Ordered albums today...they should arrive between Oct 7-15...that should give me plenty of time to create my cover and page...

[corrie04]

Moving is not a problem... just give us the new address when it's available.

[1orange]

Wow, Things move fast around here!
I'll check back in shortly with my theme,
but now I am very thrilled and can't wait to start.

[1orange]

Yep I have picked my theme:
Black and blue Abstract / Zentangles.
Any media will be fine

[Penlowe]

Wow! This is such an awesome group :jiggy: loving all the themes you guys are picking!

[Bright-Spark]

What a wonderful variety of fantastic themes!

No pressure goodmorningstarshine, but I'm interested to see what you choose?

[Gina-B]

Great themes everyone! lots to get our teeth into here

[Tipulida]

This is going to be a challenge :)
I just ordered 2 Moleskins (just in case...) and they will arrive in good time I hope.

You who have done moley groups before, are there anything a newbie need to think extra about ...?

[corrie04]

Tipulida - They moley exchanges are great fun. I'd suggest looking at some of the other moleys that the other groups did. I'm always inspired by the creativity!

[corrie04]

will everyone check the first posting please and let me know if there were any special instructions that I forgot to add with your theme choice. (Ie. Collage only, hand-drawn, nothing green, etc)

[goodmorningstarshine]

Ugh, looks like I am the last one without a theme. Okay, I have two favorite all time themes...dark fairy tales and creepy carnivals/circus'. Since Penlowe is already doing fairy tales, I'm going to go with the creepy carnival theme.

Please allow me to go into some detail. I love bright and colorful whimsical art. My very favorite artist is grrrdjules. I'm not joking. She's my favorite; I love her. Here is a card she made for my Creepy Carnival/Scary Circus swap last year:
http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/images/361/small/1_2HeadsBetter.jpg

When I say that I want creepy carnival I really mean is eerie. So things look bright and colorful and whimsical, but there is something lurking beneath the surface. The type of thing that makes the hair on the back of your neck stand on end.

Allow me to give another example from Juli. This is her layout for Cindyjob's dark fairytale moley:
http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/images/361/large/1_cindyjob.jpg
See what I mean? It's bright and colorful, but still somewhat terrifying. Those trees are beautiful blues and purples and pinks, but they still look ominous. And there is something lurking in the forest...you can see it amongst the trees. Those kids are in serious trouble and you know it.

Anyway, please feel free to be more explicit...branch slightly beyond eerie and in to macabre, if you like. A cheerful looking clown with dead eyes and a hidden butcher knife? Great, as long as it looks whimsical. A troupe of ghosts trapped in the circus and forced perform every night? Terrific...actually, I like that idea so much I may use it on my three page layout!

Feel free to use brighter/bolder colors than Juli does. I'm not asking anyone to try to be Juli; I really want to see your style. I was just trying to use her examples to describe the the "bright, whimsical" aspect I'm looking for.

Anyway, after all that yammering, let me sum it up with my title: "Under the Big Top: A Colorful, Whimsical Creepy Carnival/Scary Circus"

[Gina-B]

Wow! Thanks Goodmorning - this is a challenge I'm really looking forward to, I love grrrdjules' work too!

[Bright-Spark]

Yeah, another great, but challenging theme!

[corrie04]

i ordered 2 moleys frm amazon when i first contacted everyone and they're stl on back order. ugh.

[ArtsyLady]

I ordered them last friday...they didn,t say anything about back ordered...

[goodmorningstarshine]

I ordered them Monday. They say they won't be delivered until between Oct 12-23, so I guess that means they are still on backorder. :(

[corrie04]

they ddnt say back ordered per se, but the ship date isnt until mid oct for mine, either.

[lilbad]

Gheesh,,,,,don't know if I can compete with jules....her art is amazing. I am much better with florals!!!

[goodmorningstarshine]

ma'am, you are a terrific watercolorist! Just watercolor some whimsical, colorful, eerie circus scenes.

So much easier to say than to do, I know. I'm kind of freaked out about some of our themes, but I'm just going to do my best and call it a day! ;)

[lilbad]

Well, I'm more of a realist....but will dig into the whimsey bag and see what I come up with!!

[Gina-B]

I bet what we've all chosen as our own themes are more what we're comfortable with. But I love the idea of the challenges behind these.

I actually think I'm going to have a harder time decorating my own cover...

[corrie04]

That's one thing that I like about moley grps. I'm always forced to go out of my comfort zone

[ArtsyLady]

I hope to have time to create the cover...if the books are back ordered and take long in getting here I might have to wait until it's finished traveling...

[corrie04]

Same here

[lilbad]

In other moley groups, we have enclosed atcs in the back pocket....one for each player. Is anyone up for that?

[Penlowe]

My last group it was optional, which I prefer. I think a moley spread is enough work for one month.

[goodmorningstarshine]

I'm gonna second that. I might do it, but I'd prefer that is wasn't a requirement.

[corrie04]

I probably won't do the atc's

[lilbad]

That's fine with me....just wanted to make sure!

[Gina-B]

woohoo, mine's arrived... !!

What is the norm for the reverse of the pages?

[goodmorningstarshine]

I think that you're supposed to sign the back?

[corrie04]

Yep. Sign the back and add any other information that you would like to

[Bright-Spark]

ma'am, you are a terrific watercolorist! Just watercolor some whimsical, colorful, eerie circus scenes.

So much easier to say than to do, I know. I'm kind of freaked out about some of our themes, but I'm just going to do my best and call it a day! ;)


That's one thing that I like about moley grps. I'm always forced to go out of my comfort zone

I agree with both sentiments, I know in my last group when I saw some of the themes I immediately thought 'I can't do that!', but I had so much fun researching the theme and creating a page I was happy with.
Great way to stretch yourself, like being at Art School!:rolleyes:

[corrie04]

Lilbad - I corrected the spelling on your name... Geesh, you're so picky! Ha. Ha. Sorry about that!


On another note: I'm going to work on the travel plans this weekend. I'll post when I have everything all set up.

[lilbad]

OK, Cory....thanks! LOL!

[corrie04]

Lmao.. Funny

[1orange]

Can some one help me out, I'm just a little unsure about how many pages in total i create in my own book, is it 1 page for all my info, then another 3 for my own design. Or is it just 3 pages in total? Sorry I'm just not sure.

[corrie04]

On the non-accordian pages, create your sign in page and travel page. (I think there is one page that you can use as a title page, too.)

Then you will do the first 3 (or any 3) accordian pages of your own theme. That helps establish the "mood" of your moley and helps the other artists get an idea of your theme.

Hopefully that answers your question.

[Penlowe]

If you look in my gallery you'll see my first moley book. The window & door pages that open are where my info & the sending order are, those are the inside cover and first page of the book that isn't accordioned.

[1orange]

That did help me thank you.

[Gina-B]

I love the cover Penlowe, very nice.

[goodmorningstarshine]

Okay, since I don't know when my moleskin will arrive, I measured out sketch paper in the size of a 3 page layout and sketched my layout. I didn't go with the 'ghostly carnival" theme, but I am quite pleased with it. Now I just need to get my book!

[Penlowe]

In the last book group I did a couple spreads on other paper and inserted them into the book. I highly recommend either doing 3 panels (especially if you are using watercolor paper) OR doing one panel but do not bend it until you get it in the book. The folds tend to get a bit wonky with use & travel, so you can't expect them to be factory perfect.

[goodmorningstarshine]

Oh, thank you! I was thinking of using carbon paper and tracing them in, then painting them...

[ArtsyLady]

I have been tracking my books, they should be here today...So, I think I'm hearing "it is better to do the art on separate paper and then glue into the Moley" Is this what most people do...It makes sense...no accidentally getting the other pages messed up...so do you have to try to blend the art with the previous pages?...I so what to do this right...

[Penlowe]

I think most work directly in the moley when drawing, collaging or acrylic paints. The moleskine paper just isn't suitable for watercolor, so if you like watercolors you have to work on other paper & glue it in. I think I did watercolor for about half my spreads, so I did a lot of gluing in.

[corrie04]

I work directly in the journal. And novasmem... Don't worry so much about everything being pristine... Just make art and be happy!!!!!!

[corrie04]

Btw.. My moleys shipped from amazon, so they must have gotten some in.

[goodmorningstarshine]

I received mine today! I'm working on group #10 first since the mail date is earlier, but I have everything sketched out and ready to transfer in for our group too!

[Gina-B]

sketched out and ready to transfer in for our group
That's organised!
I found myself getting stuck with trying to concieve the 'perfect' cover - so may well do that last or I'l never get started...

[ArtsyLady]

My journals came yesterday...they were earlier than they were expected...Time to start creating...Yea
Thanks Corrie....I'm sure once I get underway I'll be fine...trying new thinks always makes me nervous at first..

[Gina-B]

Me too! That's why I'm just looking at blank pages. I now know why the fundamental part of a moley excahnge is doing your own first pages - can you imagine having this 'starting rut' with someone else's?:eek:

[Tipulida]

I'm still waiting for mine to arrive... :(
I think it's hard to start doing the pages without the book in my hand...,so I have to work a little bit harder when they arrive :)

[corrie04]

Hey everyone, KarenM is going to be joining us.... Which will hopefully make the mailing order easier to figure out.

[ArtsyLady]

Welcome Karen...

[goodmorningstarshine]

Hiya Karen! Welcome to the party!

[Gina-B]

Welcome!!

what's your theme?

[KarenM]

Thanks for the welcome!! I am late to the party ;) I need a day to contemplate on the theme...but I have a moley waiting in the wings . I knew I would be doing another!! Love these little books.
BBL,

[Bright-Spark]

Welcome KarenM, looking forward to seeing what your theme is!

[corrie04]

Got my moleys in the mail today. Karen - Glad you found the thread.

[ArtsyLady]

I think I'm done my cover...I would like to seal it, but am afraid that the black ink will smudge or smear...I think I will try a spray sealer...

[goodmorningstarshine]

Oh, so pretty!

[KarenM]

I think I will choose "Trees" and I would like for the tone to be uplifting. Thanks

[Penlowe]

ooohhhh!!! I love trees! so much variety possible in that theme too, I approve!

[Bright-Spark]

What a wonderful theme KarenM!!

I'm looking forward to getting started, but I have to get going on my own first.............

[ArtsyLady]

Thank you GMS...I really like your theme Karen...

[KarenM]

Yes, I too need to get started. I have my moley and an idea...just need to get myself in motion!

[Tipulida]

I have a question, you state that "... MANDATORY tracking/Delivery Confirmation (USA). does that mean that tracking is not mandatory for me who live in Sweden?

I just got confirmation that my moleskins will arrive more than a week before the first mailing date :)

[corrie04]

Tiipulida - It's hard to track the international mailings, without a huge expense... so don't worry about it.

Karen- I'll update the first thread with your theme!

Novasmem - Gorgeous cover!

[corrie04]

The mailing order is up on the first thread. I'll compile a list of the mailing addresses and send them out in the next week or so.

[lilbad]

Karen, love your work and so tickled to have u in this group!

Nova.....love that cover!! What medium?

[lilbad]

Corrie, darling.....are the # of pages we will do less now? I see we have grown to 10. It's fine with me, but just need to know!

[Penlowe]

I was messing with that this morning myself :) I very gently penciled in numbers in the upper left corner of each spread, they come out to 3 pages each.

I'm glad the mailing order is up! I've been waiting on it to work in my book :jiggy:

[Penlowe]

Yow! I better get thinking! I think I'll be getting the hardest one first. I don't have just one favorite artist....

[ArtsyLady]

Nova.....love that cover!! What medium?[/QUOTE]

Thanks....I sanded the cover, then added gesso to the surface..The rest is a combo of acrylic, twinkling H2O's and copics...i'ts the black ink I'm afraid will smear....

[1orange]

So I have already started working on my 3 additional pages, and with 10 players, it does not work out that they all can do 3 pages, now even more confused? Have I missed something some were?

[Penlowe]

The number count comes out if you count from the first accordion panel. If you use the back of the single page as part of your spread it'll create one 4 page spread. I'm using that as part of mine, so my book will open with a 4 page spread.

[corrie04]

In the other moley group that I'm in... we had 10 players and we each did 3 accordian pages (after the initial non-accordian pages)

[corrie04]

For my theme... feel free to do more than one artist. You can do all 3 panels with different artists, if you would like.

[Penlowe]

Phew! I think I can narrow it down to three :)

[Gina-B]

Nova, that is a beautiful cover!
I know what you mean about the black ink, I did that with some cards - the ink was supposed to be permanent but wasn't. Maybe we'll just have to be more careful.

Thanks for sorting all of this out Corrie, I actually think I've managed to somewhat work it out in my head too. maybe. it is early in the morning over here ;)

[KarenM]

Spray of protection is a good idea for your cover. It gets handled a lot in it's travels :)

[corrie04]

Thanks, Gina... Just go with it. What will be - will be.

[goodmorningstarshine]

I finished the cover for my moley! It's not quite this bright in real life.

http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/images/2256/large/1_Moley_cover__cirque.JPG

[Gina-B]

love it! I'm still a bit stuck.

[Penlowe]

OMG! gmss I LOVE your cover! so inspiring! I lurked the circus freaks swap but never made any, I may need to tap into that lurkdom and do some side show characters for your book... when it comes around to me....

[corrie04]

totally awesome, gmss!

[goodmorningstarshine]

Okay, I did my first layout. The color is way off in this scan. I may create a better border before I send it on. This is :

The Acrobatic Sweets Sisters Performing Without a Net!
http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/images/2256/large/1_scary_circus_moley_spread.JPG

[Gina-B]

Oh that's lovely! And I actually had a dream of what I was going to do for yours

(hopefully - my dreams of art are usually better than I can actually do, lol!)

and, what's going on in my head should work well with what you've done, hurrah!

[goodmorningstarshine]

Thanks Gina!

That one Sweets sister is dead.

[Gina-B]

:biglaugh:

I see it now!!

[1orange]

Wow, thats great work, i love it.

[corrie04]

that's fabulous! I haven't even started mine! Yikes!

[lilbad]

I love it...so creative. I am still in the thought process myself, Corrie!

[Gina-B]

I started my 3-page last night, I am going to be silly and try something I've never tried before. (Figure if I am going to experiment, it may as well be in my own moley!!)

But, I do think I may leave my cover until it comes back - I'm thinking of adding embellishment that would only push the postal rates up which wouldn't be fair. Of course, I may yet change my mind... ;)

[Tipulida]

I have got my moley now, but have been away 4 days so I havn't got the time to start yet. It is great to see your others work! It starts my creative center :)

[Bright-Spark]

I'm still thinking, but realise I better get a move on!:)

[goodmorningstarshine]

hey guys, I successfully darkened up my Dark Fairytale layout for #10, and I'm thinking about trying to darken my layout for this one too.

I have some pretty cool youtube videos that I think can be used as inspiration for my theme:

Imagery (not necessarily the song) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRVrQsdWDds)
Song (Not necessarily the imagery) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzNFwxsSPwU)
Actually 2 Songs...and the video seems a little creepy, too. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtiELTmFSN8)

[goodmorningstarshine]

Hello? Is anyone out there?

[Bright-Spark]

We're here!! Just trying to work on our moleys:)

[Penlowe]

Hosting a camp out in my back yard this weekend, then I get my life back!

[lilbad]

Off to Seattle for granson's bd and three soccer games. I am thinking hard, tho!!!

[Gina-B]

Hoping to get a bit of time today/this weekend to scan my 3-page. I really am nearly sure that I won't be decorating my cover until it comes back.

Now need to work on the sign-in page...

[ArtsyLady]

I'm done sketching out 3 page layout...I'm in the contemplation stage, haven't decided what medium I'll use...I mostly use marker and colorpencil..but since this whole Moley thing is something new, I might try to use a medium I'm not as comfortable with...

[Gina-B]

That's what I've done Nova!

I've been wanting to try egg tempera forever - I've had a bunch of ground pigments for about a year, and processed some others to a cheat method a long time ago too.

So, I decided to go with it, as egg tempera was used on parchment, I figured the smooth paper should be a good substitute

http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/images/4117/small/1_rhiannon.jpg

The scan is a little darker than the actual painting - but because it has an initial ground of a green (as was traditional) it is darker.

I'm very surprised at how the egg tempera has turned out - it has a nice intensity of colour and a shiny, almost plastic feel. But, it's no good over the fold - as you can see it has cracked, so if I use it again I will need to design so that it doesn't get folded!

I think that I will probably do my sign in pages in coloured pencil or pencil - just so that I can see how they react to the paper - as I said before, I'm happy to experiment in my own book, but would hate to mess up someone else's!
:nah:

[goodmorningstarshine]

That looks terrific, Gina-B!

[Bright-Spark]

Those pages look fabulous Gina-B!

[Tipulida]

It is time to start now, I want to do watercolour but as you say the paper is not so good for that ..., but I think I figured out a design.

But I have trouble with the cover, what medium do you use to decorate that? I think that watercolour is not a good choice :unsure:

[Penlowe]

sand, gesso, then whatever you want :) The covers weren't intended to be arted on, so you have to prep the surface regardless of what media you want to use on it.

[KarenM]

I also gesso the cover and often the pages inside. It gives more weight to the paper and I sometime , use watered down acrylic as you would watercolor...but may want to try this on a test sheet of paper.

[corrie04]

GMSS and KarenM - I need your mailing address, please. If you already sent it... sorry, but you'll need to send it again because it's not in my inbox anymore.

Once I have that, I'll send out the mailing addresses, so that everyone has it for their records.

[corrie04]

awesome pages, Gina!

[Gina-B]

Thanks folks!

[lilbad]

Gina, I love your pages. Do we already have an address list? I didn't receive one, Corrie.

[ArtsyLady]

Where is the sign in page suppose to be? is it to go in the back envelope? and does everyone sign their pages of the book or just the sign in page....

[goodmorningstarshine]

I think it's up to you. I'm probably going to make a sign in booklet for the back pocket...that's what I did for group #10.

[Gina-B]

a sign in booklet for the back pocket
Oh that's a nice idea! (brain ticking away again)

I'd like to state for the record that you all can do whatever you want on the backs of your pages - sign it, whatever. I actually hate the idea of all that blank paper ;)

[KarenM]

I have done a couple of these and I love the idea of a short bio. on the back of the pages you do. Just my opinion. The travel log is on the inside cover of the ones I have done.

[corrie04]

totally up to you Novasmem!

[goodmorningstarshine]

Okay, I am so relieved. So very, very relieved. My moley has been missing for the past 2 weeks. I didn't realize it until this Saturday, when I finished up with group #10 and was ready to start working on this one again. And it was nowhere to be found.

I tore my apartment apart once, then tore it apart a second time. No sign of it. I tried to retrace my steps and figure out where it possibly be, but all I remembered was that every time I looked in my bag for my #10 moley I kept finding #9 instead.

And then finally this afternoon I remembered having it out while I was sitting on the floor at my mom's house, trying to find stash items that would go in it. So I called my mom, who had no idea where it was, but miraculously, my great-aunt Naomi knew right where it is!

My mom lives 50 minutes away, so I'll be picking it up when I go to her house this weekend. And I'll (thankfully) have it in the mail on time! Yay!

[ArtsyLady]

Gmss...hopefully that is the last time it comes up missing...glad it was located

[goodmorningstarshine]

Yeah, I know. There definitely wasn't enough time to get another one.

I received my first other person's journal for #10 and am surprised that I don't find doing someone else's nearly as stressful as doing my own. I think it's because it's only a third of the work: just one three-page layout for each other person's as opposed to the travel log, sign-in page, cover, back pocket and 3 page layout for mine.

[Gina-B]

Phew!

Thanks goodness you found it!

[corrie04]

Okay, everyone... I'm going through some emotional garbage, so I'm changing my theme! LOL. It'll be open to whatever you want to do. If you still want to do your favorite artist, go for it... but I just need to get emotion out and I'd probably give my self a heart attack, if I had to try to imitate someone else's style right now. Sorry for the last minute change, but luckily it only affects me for the time being! Thanks for understanding. I'm updating the first post.

[Penlowe]

Gah! No! I need a theme, please. I'll stick with your original one if you don't list something new.

[corrie04]

You're more than welcome to keep the theme of favorite artist.... I just can't do that for my own pages.

[goodmorningstarshine]

I will make up my own theme. From research I do on you. That will be fun. I'm not so in to the 'favorite artist' thing...you really would have wound up with a grrrdjules knock-off.

[corrie04]

Sweet....

[lilbad]

Out with the garbage, Corrie......I said, OUT!!!

[Penlowe]

SO, I went to the Doctor and the pain in my right arm is Carpal Tunnel. I'm glad I know what it is, got my wrist brace and my industrial strength ibuprofen and I'm not hurting nearly so much :D

I'm ready to do some moleys!

[lilbad]

Try icing!

[Bright-Spark]

Corrie, sorry to hear about the garbage, hoping it passes soon.

I think I'll probably stick to your original theme, since I loved it so much!

I found with my last (first ever) moley I was disappointed with my own first pages just because of the way I was feeling at the start, but I love all the other pages everyone else did. I have a feeling it will be the same this time round too :yes:

[goodmorningstarshine]

I got my moley back! Woo!

[lilbad]

Ok, I have just read all 8 pages of this thread, reread the instructions, and am ready to start. I have done two other moleskein trades, but this one has made me kinda tense! Don't know why....the challenge of the themes, i guess. upward and onward!!

[KarenM]

Lilbad, "Be anxious for nothing", ;) I have some of your lovlies and whatever you do, I know I will love it! You rock!

[lilbad]

Karen....u are toot sweet! I am just having a hard time getting started.

[goodmorningstarshine]

Worked on my moley some more last night. 5 more days until mail deadline. :swoon:

I'm really really super glad I'm getting Brightspark's moley first. Her theme is the one I feel most comfortable with, so I'll be off to a good start.

[Gina-B]

I have mailed mine. Not because I'm super-organised, oh no, but because I'm still feeling the effects of a rotten case of flu but had to go out today. So I thought I better mail now in case I feel crap again! ;)

I have left my cover blank - I think that it will be much nicer for the cover to reflect the contents in a few months' time!

[Penlowe]

Mine is 90% complete. Technically I could send it as is, but I want to tweak it just a tad more.

[lilbad]

Whew! Just finished my intro pages for my moley. You can see them in my gallery if interested. The cover is done as well. Will get it into the mail tomorrow or Friday. The game is afoot!!

[ArtsyLady]

Lilbad....amazing pages....will be difficult to come up with anything to top that...Tomorrow being Veterans day I don't think there will be mail...I'm going to finish my tomorrow since I have the day off and will get it in the mail on Friday...not sure what to do for the sign in page still...

[Penlowe]

Oh! You are correct! no mail and my bank will be closed tomorrow.

[goodmorningstarshine]

And I will be off work, since I work for the government! Perfect timing, so I can finish up my moley.

Wow, Lilibad, those pages are incredible. I am now concerned. Just like you feel intimidated by whimsy I feel intimidated by realism!

[corrie04]

gorgeous! I'll be working on mine this weekend. Have the mailing order page and sign in page started, but have to actually do my pages.

[lilbad]

Mine are no big woop.....pic better than actual. I had fun, tho.

[Penlowe]

Okay! I declare my book ready for the postal system! uploaded to my gallery.

[corrie04]

MOST FABULOUS!!

[goodmorningstarshine]

Most terrific, Penlowe! I lurve how you made it so that red and big bad can move around the page!

[Penlowe]

I brought home about a yard of laminator plastic (you have to run a tail every time you start doing a big batch on the big school laminator). I forsee doing lots of things with transparencies in the near future....

[Gina-B]

Beautiful, both of you!
Looks like we really are getting going now folks!

[Bright-Spark]

Apologies for the radio silence, internet and phone down at home. Literally. The telegraph pole on the road has fallen over, and not sure how long it will take to fix......

Anyway, my moley will be going in the mail on Saturday.

I haven't done the cover, mainly because I want to use some pheasant feathers I found, which may not travel well, disturb some of you, and possibly fall foul of customs rules for certain countries.

Once I am fully back online I will post pics to the thread.

Hope everyone else doing well, and lilbad, I love your art too, so don't worry!

[ArtsyLady]

I never thought of using the tail piece, always though it was such a waste...will have to save some now...

[Penlowe]

I'll admit it's not an original idea. Last year I subbed a lot, while in the Pre-K I was asked to help with a project where we did a submarine and all the windows that were cut out were covered with laminator trash plastic, it was seriously cute and really inspiring.

[KarenM]

Lovely work ladies! My pages are inked in and I am headed to workspace to have some fun :)
Mine will probably be in the mail on Mon., a.m.
Off to do my "art work", have fun!! one and all!!!

[lilbad]

Corrie, you can officially mark Lilbad's moley on it's way to Brightspark!!!

[ArtsyLady]

ok...so I did not quite finish my three page spread....I was working on packaging and sign in tag....

[ArtsyLady]

Would anyone be interested in a travel bag for their Moley?

I can put your Moley in it when it comes to me...
very light weight should not add to postage cost

[corrie04]

that's absolutely marvelous, novasmem...

[corrie04]

Penlowe - I'll be sending my moley and my Altered photo CJ CB page together.

[corrie04]

The travel bag for the moley is a great idea! You are more than welcome to throw mine in it, if no one else wants it, novasmem!

[Penlowe]

I've already got a travel bag, but thanks!

[Tipulida]

Gina-B, your moley arrived today! My cats where as interested as I was, the egg-tempera .. :)
Novasmem, I posted my moley to you today - and I want a travell bag! So great you where the first stop for my book :)

[lilbad]

The travel bag is a good idea....thanks! Looks like the little books are on the move!

[Gina-B]

Novasmem, even unfinished, that's lovely!

So glad it arrived safely Tipulida - my cats liked the smell of the egg tempera too. Very Interesting.

[ArtsyLady]

I sent mine this morning, There is no tracking for international deliveries, they said that they could express mail it with a receipt confirmation at a cost of thirty dollars....I am not able to do that....since it was my book I took the chance and sent it regular first class...at $5.92 .What is everybody else doing? I'm sure I'll have another international mail and it won't be my book next time....suggestions>>>>

I have enough bags for any who would like one..

Thanks Gina....I liked how it was going and did not want to mess it up by rushing...

[corrie04]

Novasmem, don't put the extra cost into the international deliveries. We'll just hope that everything will arrive in a safe and timely manner

[Penlowe]

The easiest way to track international deliveries is to use UPS or FedEx, both of which will cost more than USPS but less that the USPS int'l tracking fee, roughly $15-20 bucks. It's your call if you are really worried about it. Personally I think the assortment of countries we've got in this swap post to each other pretty well from my experience and I likely won't spend the extra money. Now if we had any of out South African friends or anyone in Spain, yeah I'd spend the money.

[ArtsyLady]

Tipulida...will let you know as soon as it arrives...looking forward to working on it

[Penlowe]

Mine is packed up ready to go on Monday, it should be a short trip too, USPS likes I 35 for those north/south deliveries :)

[KarenM]

Mine is finished but putting finishing touches on it today. Letting it "dry" and shipping on Monday.
Novasmem, so nice of you to offer, if you have enough, would love a bag!! :)

[corrie04]

Here's mine... Nothing too exciting, but I journaled about what I'm going through right now.

http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/images/477/1_This_That_Moley.jpg


My journal will be in Monday's mail to Penlowe.

[goodmorningstarshine]

That looks terrific, Corrie! I love the colors and I especially love the way you did the sign in bubbles. I'm working on mine right now...maybe I will have sign in bubbles.

[lilbad]

Corrie,
That's lovely!

[lilbad]

But, but, I counted 5 pages....?

[corrie04]

The first two pages: title page and sign in page....
Then 3 pages for my entry

[goodmorningstarshine]

I just did my sign in...it's going to be on the back cover. It's a little "Admit One" ticket booklet I made. I probably should have put it in the pocket rather than gluing it to the back page (it made the back of the book too thick) but it's too late now. I'd tear up the whole back if I tried to take it out.

[lilbad]

OK, sounds great you two!

[Gina-B]

Corrie, that's really lovely!

I screwed up my sign in as I put everyone's name in already! Ya'll can sign on the pocket - all over the backs of your pages - wherever your muse takes you.

It will actually be very interesting to see what you all do, as this is my first moley I reckon I will have a completly different take on it when we've finished!

[Penlowe]

Mine is all pack and hitting the PO today :D Karen watch your mail box!

[goodmorningstarshine]

I managed to do a huge amount of work last night and get my moley 100% done.

Next problem: I apparently don't have the addresses in my inbox. Actually, my inbox looks pretty loopy this morning. I've got a bunch of messages with the wrong titles on them.

Could someone please forward me the address list? I'm going to mail out during my lunch break today.

[KarenM]

Shirley, book is in the mail today! I will post pictures later.

Gina, no worry! I also filled in the travel log...I've seen it done both ways.

Also, I forgot to put my little bio in the back of my pages, but PLEASE put a small bio., and your inspiration for your work on the back of your pages, I really enjoy reading and seeing all of you.Would love a picture of each artist back there too..BUT I know that may not be possible,just greedy here LOL.

Penlowe, I will let you know when I receive your precious journal!! Can't wait!!

[goodmorningstarshine]

Good news...somehow the message with the addresses is back (?) I'm filling out a customs form right now.

[KarenM]

Here are my cover, front pages and 3 page spread for my "Tree" journal :)

[lilbad]

Wow, Karen...such wonderful pages. Can't wait to get my hands on it!

[ArtsyLady]

Karen your cover is amazing...

[KarenM]

Thanks ladies!! I love these little gems...what a nice way to share our art!!Looking forward to the year of journaling!!

[lilbad]

I agree.....this will be so much fun.

[Gina-B]

Karen, that's beautiful!

I think that seeing all of the beautiful art 'in-person' is going to be an inspiration itself.

[KarenM]

I agree, Gina. Even when we see them in our galleries...nothing beats that tactile touch and in-person contact. Yummmy art !

[1orange]

Done , done and done.....Sorry I'm a few days late but I have just finished and now it's on it's way to you corrie. Now I can't wait to see everyones books.

[corrie04]

Karen.... as always, your work is Gorgeous!!

1orange - can't wait to get it!

[KarenM]

Sarah, your lovely journal is now in my hands...ideas are bouncing around in my head!

[lilbad]

Karen's journal arrived! Going to be hard stacking up to her standards....great pages, Miss!!

[Penlowe]

:hopping up & down in her chair:

[KarenM]

Thanks Shirley,,,I always love your work...not to worry!
Sarah, it is exciting, isn't it? Little books floating all around the world! WOW are we lucky!

[ArtsyLady]

Anticipation.....anticipation.....

[Gina-B]

me too! ;)

[lilbad]

I have Karen's ready to mail. Do u want to see your pages, or do u want to wait until you get your moley back?

[KarenM]

I'm like a kid at Christmas...go ahead and show me !! Please, please ,please!

[Penlowe]

Corries book arrived today!!

[lilbad]

Pen, wish I would have mailed Karen's when i mailed that last pkg! OK, Karen, I will show u!

[lilbad]

OOps, it's in my gallery!

[1orange]

Novasmem your book arrived today, and the blue bag is such a good idea. Looking at the work you did in your book, i got lots if ideas from it so i just had to start on it straight away.
I would love to show you what i have done but my scanner is not working, so I'm sorry you have to wait until you get it back.

[1orange]

Novasmem did you want me to sign it some were or any thing, maybe the back of my three pages, any ideas on what you want me to do if anything. Also if you have any extra blue bags I would love one for my book, if that was ok. It was you right that was giving them away?

[ArtsyLady]

So happy to hear that it is in your very capable hands....no problem about scanning..always love a good surprise. There are two tags in the back pocket...if you would like to leave any comments...and yes if you could sign the front of your art work so I know who did the awesome art. I do have bags to give you if you are interested. I have blue, yellow, purple, pink and green bags.

[KarenM]

Shirley, I peeked and love my pages...again, thanks!!
Leesa, I checked and you won't have my journal until about the end, but if you have any bags left...I sure would appreciate it :)

[Gina-B]

lilbad, that's beautiful, I love how you did everything in blue, it really does evoke the winter.

Ah, these bags sound so good, if there's one going... ;)

[lilbad]

Thanks, Gina and Karen...had fun painting them!

[lilbad]

Ok, Karen's moley is making it's way to Penlowe!!!

[goodmorningstarshine]

I still haven't received Brightspark's moley...I'll let you all know when I do.

[Bright-Spark]

There's good news and bad news.............

I received Lilbad's lovely moley in the mail today, it's in good shape. no problems there!

Me and mine on the other hand? I've been in bed since a week past Friday, took ill when I got home in the evening, and didn't surface until Monday past. Stuart (whom I'm currently staying with) kindly offered to take my moley to the PO on Saturday, which was really good of him. It would have been, if he had actually remembered to take it!!!!!:arghh::arghh:. He's been away staying with a friend, so whilst I have been languishing in bed thinking at least the moley's gone and thankful Lilbad's hasn't appeared since there was no way I could have started on it, all the time the moley has been in the back of Stuarts car, in some bag, only surfacing last night when the bag was emptied.

I took it to the PO today and have paid extra to get it there quickly and with a tracker.

GMSS, I am really sorry, and will understand if you feel you don't have time to do the pages in my book, please just pass it on to Lilbad.

Not a great start to my moley adventure....... But, I am feeling loads better and have my ideas for Lilbad's pages.

[Penlowe]

Oh no Spark! well at least it surfaced sooner rather than later.
I have bitten the bullet and started on Corrie's moley. I have even :gasp: 'done my own thing' in it as she left it open to whatever we wanted. I'm a bit panicky still but it looks nice... to me... so far... I will be sweating it until I post it though.....

[goodmorningstarshine]

That's terrible BrightSpark! I hope you feel better soon. I'm so sad that you had to pay more to get sent faster.

I'm still struggling with Xmas items, but if I still haven't received your moley by the time I finish those I may just work on it on seperate paper and glue it in. That's what I did with my first group 10 moley and that worked just fine.

[ArtsyLady]

I'm still without Tipulida's moley...I was hoping to work on it while I was off for the holiday...

Hope it is here by Friday...

[lilbad]

Brightsparks....get well quick! Nothing like being ill and relying on the mercy of others! Glad to hear my moley made it safely!

[Penlowe]

KarenM's moley is here, been here a couple days actually but I've been busy. I'm not touching it until Corrie's is in the mail.

[KarenM]

Glad it's there , safe and sound. Thanks for letting me know!

[ArtsyLady]

I rec'd Tipulida's today....yeah it looks great so far Karin

[Gina-B]

Goodmorning, yours has just arrived - Beautiful!!! I love what you've done with the cover.

[Tipulida]

novasmem - thankyou, I was a little bit worried when you wrote earlier it didn't reach you yet, but Sweden seems to be far away ... :)

[corrie04]

I'm still waiting for 1orange's book to arrive.

Is anyone else still waiting for the 1st journal to arrive? Please check the 1st post and see if I have the mailing ordered marked/highlighted correctly.

[Tipulida]

I have uploaded my three pages to my gallery.
It is with purpose I havn't colored all three pictures, after all, they are forgotten ...., so the colour sort of left them ....:err:

[corrie04]

OMG... I love the simplicity. I feel like I can reach out and touch them, and they'll crumble into dust and seeds... Amazing!

[ArtsyLady]

Karin, I was working on this and wanted your ok before I affixed to your book...I have a hard time not using color....this is a wild morning-glory so it's not necessarily forgotten...let me know what you think

[Tipulida]

Ooh, Nova - it's wonderfull!
It is completely OK to use colours, just go wild with them.

corrie - thankyou, you're just to kind!

[ArtsyLady]

oh I'm so glad you like it...I have a really hard time not using color....this was somewhat muted for me....I start with a wash of watercolor and add more color with pencils and outlined with ink...