#20 - Happy Crafters Moley (Moleskine) Group~Full

[Nicky]

First Mail Date: November 1, 2014
Subsequent Mail-by dates: December 1, 2014 - January 1, 2015 - February 1, 2015 -March 1, 2015 - April 1, 2015 - May 1,2015 - June 1, 2015 and July 1, 2015
Due Back in Hand by: August 1, 2015
Withdraw terms: NOT ALLOWED - be aware - LONG LASTING COMMITMENT!

WE ARE FULL!! -
- sorry, no spots left in this swap -

Materials required: One blank Japanese Moleskine accordion style pocket album. Approximate size is 3.5" x 5.5". Available at Amazon.com and at MoleskineUS here. http://www.moleskineus.com/japanesebook.html

AFA says 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) journal pages in the themes chosen by each of your nine (9) fellow participants
•Have the cash resources necessary to ship ten (10) journals around the world using First Class mail with mandatory tracking

It is also mandatory that you share your mailing address, a phone number, and a contact person to the host. This is to be sure no journals go MIA - info will only be shared with your fellow Moley members.

You're responsible for:
•Choosing and explaining your theme. Each artist will choose their own theme, color scheme/do and don’ts, and special instructions for their own moley’s. You may choose "No theme" if you want participants to "follow their muse."
•Creating a three (3) page spread in each journal you receive.
• Include at least your name, username, and date completed on the back of your spread.
•Shipping to the next artist participant. Use a well padded bubble envelope, sturdy box or a small Flat Rate Box.
•Paying for First Class mail and MANDATORY tracking/Delivery Confirmation.


Artist Instructions:
1. 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!

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. In the past there have been issues with journals piling up with one player who is unable to keep up due to unforeseen circumstances. Please communicate to the group if you find yourself falling behind. There are several ways to work around that but we can't help if we dont know what's going on. Communication is essential!

7. Please be sure to mail these journals at the post office personally. There have been incidences in other groups of journals being placed in a player's personal roadside box for mailing and having it stolen.

8. Do remember that NO TIP INS are allowed and do not add bulky stuff to the moley to make sure that no damage occures during travel.

9. Most important: Be creative, do your very best work, stretch yourself, and have a blast! Oh, and try to show your art in the thread - we all love to share in the fun!

Participants & Themes:
01. Nicky - Theme: Anything Japanese (geisha, martial arts, Kabuki theatre, samurai,
landscapes, Tori, Japanese characters etc.)
Do's: Prefer handdrawn/handpainted art
Don'ts: please no collage (except for the Japanese Origami art)

02. Coyote- Theme: Hamsa Hands
Do's: Create a Hamsa Hand from your own hand print or two! You have three panels go crazy with the designs.
EACH HAMSA HAND MUST HAVE AN EVIL EYE IN THE CENTER (look at my gallery for some examples).
These are to hand painted/hand drawn only! no collage or embellishments. I like to keep my books flatter.
Don't: copy and past from the interwebs or Pintrest.

03. Waffle- Theme:Long Live Sustainability" - it's inspired by this cute notebook I
found at the store last weekend. See here! (http://bit.ly/1CXVm88)
Do's and don'ts: I would like each spread to include a quote about being green, sustainable, environmentally
friendly, conserving natural resources, taking care of the planet, nature, wildlife, etc.
The three page spread should include a quote that does not take up more than one whole panel of space.
Artwork could be natural landscapes, habitats, plants, wildlife, cute critters (caricature, kawaii style), people
doing green activities like recycling, etc.
You can use any medium you like - if you do mixed media/collage just make sure it's not too thick so the
journal can still fold up and close easily.

04. Trilov - Theme: MAGICAL; what does this word mean to you?
Do's: Handdrawn/handpainted, some collage ok but not as main focus of the artwork
Don'ts: no negative nellies! No gore, no horror.

05. DebbaPeot - Theme: Whimsical girls with frogs. (girls, angels, fairies, goth,
vampire etc).
Do's and don'ts: one scene covering 3 pages or 3 separate pages with girls with frog.

06. KentuckyDakota - Theme: The Trunk in the Attic
Do's and don'ts: No tip ins.

07. Angelmuz - Theme: Children's literature. See list of books on Angelmuz' profile
page and let her know which one you are going to do. (Be quick to have a good pick - once a book has been
chosen by someone it will be taken off the list ;) )
Do's: handdrawn/handpainted, collage and mixed media - all techniques are welcome.
Don'ts: no shoddy work; no magazine pictures and NO DISNEY characters.

08. Jazzie - Theme: Shakespeare Inspired (see #79 for further details)
Do’s: I really like it when one page spills into another – we are truly collaborating that way. It doesn’t have to
be much, say ¼ of the page adjoining your last page. Don’t worry you won’t be doing extra work, my spread
will trail into JSilver’s and hopefully a little bit of her work will poke into goatgoddess’s and so on.
Don'ts: Please don’t use tip-ins. I feel this isn’t really Moley-worthy as you’re creating the artwork outside of the
Moley. I think the point of this exercise is to work on this unique format itself. Otherwise, we could all create
three panels on cardstock and mail that to the owner and let them glue it in, right? Yes it’s scary, but have a
plan and when in doubt, leave the bulk out.

09. JSilver - Theme: Windows and the views behind them.
Do's: HD/HP preferred, but use the method you do BEST!!
Show at least one window in the 3 page spread; however, a window on each page is great. See #25
Don'ts: just nothing negative, no gore or nudity. (I want to share with my grandkids)

10. Goatgoddes - Theme: Myths and Legends (any culture)
Do's: artist choice on style of art (collage and drawn, all is welcome)
Don'ts: no too much nudity

[Nicky]

Mailing Schedule.

We will mail to the same player for the entire 9/10 months. See below who is mailing to whom. I have tried to keep the travel distance for each moley to a minimum thus hoping to keep the costs as low as possible and to keep the risk of moleys getting lost small. First mail date will be November 1, 2014 - all moley's should be heading for home on August 1, 2015

Thanks to Goatgoddess for her willingness to send moleys over the big pond to me. Next to my eternal gratitude I will try to think of some way to reward her :D
Thanks to Jazzie for checking the mailing schedule (I'm not too well kn-11ow with the location of all the US states) :goofy:
Angelmuz is in the middle of the California section because she will be moving from Canada to CA in February (making moley mailing life a lot easier for her) :wub:

JULY MAILING:
Coyote (IN)----------------------------------- HOME
Waffle (GA)------------------------------------ HOME
Trilov (CO)------------------------------------ HOME
DebbaPeot (NV)------------------------------- HOME
Kentucky Dakota (CA)------------------------- HOME
Angelmuz (CA)---------------------------------TRAVELLING HOME SINCE 19-11
Jazzie (CA)------------------------------------ HOME
JSilver (TX)------------------------------------ HOME
Goatgoddess (TX)----------------------------- HOME
Nicky (NL)-------------------------------------- HOME

[JSilver]

Yea!! I would like to stress #4 is essential. Down here in the South, we have very humid and HOT days. PLEASE put waxed paper between your pages so that your artwork doesn't stick together in the folds. You'll be glad you did!! SO looking forward to this journey with all you gals!!

[kentuckydakota]

Checking in. Whoo-hoo! Can't wait to get this party started!:D

[angelmuz]

Me too, I am here...must think of a theme!

[Coyote]

Awesome found it! I have my theme, but I am altering it a little. I am at work right now. I will have a lunch break here in 20 minutes to write down all my details. :-)

[goatgoddess]

Nicky do you have room for one more? thank you for hosting this one - I've just not had time to do it lately.

[Nicky]

Sure we do goatgoddess... welcome to the team. Will send out PM's to ask for personal details as soon as we're complete - only one spot left (oh and Jazzie, DebbaPeot and Trilov that need to sign up officially here).

[Nicky]

Oh wee - just had a PM from Waffle and now we are FULL!!!! GREAT. Hope to have time tomorrow to send out the PM for details.... start thinking about your themes ladies....

[Coyote]

Feathers!
Do: Watercolor, color pencil, paint or sketch beautiful feathers across the section of pages. In the lower right or left hand corner of each page please cite the birdie the inspiration came from. If you want to affix a real feather to the page as well as the hand painted or hand drawn feathers please feel free to do so! Also, They can either be realistic feathers OR zentangle crazy inspired feathers. But PLEASE use a REAL bird's feather as your inspiration!
Don't: Use stickers, Crayola markers, Sharpie printed computer images, magazine images, etc. I want these to be strictly hand drawn or hand painted. Also, please double check through the book to make sure you are NOT duplicating a feather some one else has made.
I will be placing some feathers in the little pocket at the end of the book. I have some Mourning Dove feathers (Loo-da-loo according to my Dad), a Mallard feather (quack), a spotted feather I found in the woods...(assuming its a sparrow or a something), a Cardinal feather (Red Bird), and maybe, MAYBE my prized possession a perfect Blue Jay tail feather that my mom found on my birthday last year specifically for me! If that one is in there please please please make sure it gets home safely!

[TriLov]

checking in!

Theme: MAGICAL, what does this word mean to you?
Dos: HD/HP, some collage ok, but shouldn't be the main focus of the artwork
Don't: No negative nellies! Think positive! No gore, no horror

[angelmuz]

Theme: Children's literature. I have listed books that I loved as a young person (and still do) on my profile page. I would love it if everyone would please do a different one, so as each person picks a book (please PM me to tell me what book you are picking) I will remove it off of the list.
Don'ts: Just the normal, don't do shoddy work. If you are a collage person, by all means please do collage, Mixed media is wonderful (my fave), and hand drawn of course. Please don't use magazine pictures as they don't hold up well. And please don't use Disney as the main character of the story, I am looking for a more classic look. I hope that each artist will do the type of work that they do best and will enjoy translating that into a page that encapsulates part of the story. Hopefully it will be fun!

[JSilver]

Woo Hoo a full house. Great themes, ladies. I'll have to think on mine. You've all made great points in the do's and don'ts.

[Coyote]

angelmuz i need to figure out a way to do a linoleum print on a moley journal......It can be done!

[Coyote]

Nicky Question: is this the order of sending
Nicky ---> Coyote ---> Jazzie ---> JSilver ---> Angelmuz ---> KentuckyDakota ---> DebbaPeot ---> TriLov ---> Goatgoddess ---> Waffle ---> Nicky? Mine will start with Jazzie and make it's long journey back around to me and you will be my last entry?

Do I PM everyone my address?

[Nicky]

The order of mailing has not been decided yet Coyote... there are a few here who are not comfortable with the difficult mailing schedule - and to be honest - I haven't been able to figure it out completely myself. Some prefer to mail the moley they worked on to the same person all the time, to keep it simple... I feel strongly for that system but then there will be one of you constantly mailing to me and I'm in the Netherlands... that's the only bottleneck I fear.... Off to bed now and I'll have a look at it again tomorrow.

[kentuckydakota]

Theme: The Trunk in the Attic.ie- Attics with dark dusty corners, cobwebs and mysterious bulky items under sheets, attics full of antiques, a map, a doll, a coffin???or perhaps a finished attic with a rocking horse, flower box outside the window, and children huddled around a board game or having a tea party.
Whatever you imagine in the attic, but always a trunk in the attic somewhere. Trunks that open, trunks with something sticking out, steamer trunks with travel stamps on it, whatever you like, but always a trunk.
Let your imagination run wild. Work in your strongest medium- HD/HP is my favorite but if it's not your strength, please do what you're most comfortable with. Please no tip ins if possible. Please keep all pages in portrait orientation.

[DebbaPeot]

I would like to have my theme whimsical girls (girls, Angels, fairies, goth, vampires, etc.) with frogs. Your pages can be all (1) one scene or each page a seperate girl w/frog. You are free to use your creative muse of hand drawn/ hand painted/ collage.

Also just an FYI. I see my surgeon on weds and will know surgery date and hospital time frame, this shouldn't interfer with our start date, but just wanted you all to be aware.

[kentuckydakota]

Quick question on the feather theme- is there any problem mailing feathers across borders to any of our non USA players? There was a discussion at one time in the host forum about mail getting opened at the borders because it had nature themes or items in it. I'm sure feather art is ok, I'm just wondering if there are restrictions on real feathers? Anyone know?

[JSilver]

I was wondering about real feathers in the mail, too.

I ordered my moley today. Hopefully it won't take too long to get here. (fingers crossed)

Gee, you gals have WONDERFUL themes. I'm racking my brain.......

[Nicky]

Never heard of any restrictions in mailing feather to the Netherlands - haven't got the entire address list ready yet but as far as I can see now most players are in the US

[Nicky]

JAZZIE dear, can't seem to send PMs to you since your box is full!!! Please provide me with the details requested below a.s.a.p. and I'll provide an address list for you all (without the phone numbers and e-mail since they are for emergency matters only and will stay with me):

Screen name:
Real name:
Full address:
Emergency phone number:
E-mail address:
AFA Buddy (if you have one):

Thanks!

Nicky:wub:

[Coyote]

Feather Questions:

I have read up on rules about certain types of feathers. If the bird is considered a "protected species" then none of its eggs, feathers, body etc can be bought or sold.

In that respect, the blue jay and cardinal feathers will not be in the book. I have received feathers through a trade that crossed country borders and the feathers made it safely to me.

Now, on that note, I'm sure that border patrol is looking for people trying to smuggle large quantities of feathers and birds across country lines, not a little black notebook with pretty pictures in it.

Great Blue Heron's are one such bird, owning any piece of a Heron is punishable by law. A fine or jail time may occur if you are caught with their feathers, eggs, a whole bird, etc.

Now if you have any doubts about the feather you are sending it would better not to send it.

[Coyote]

To clarify, the Cardinal feathers were given to me during a swap, and the blue jay feather was found in my parent's back yard. I also have Hawk, Goose, Swan, Pigeon, and Duck feathers from living by a lake.

Plucking a bird for it's feathers and then sending the bird back to the wild naked is not okay, finding a feather in the woods is not a big deal.

[JSilver]

Thanks for your info, Coyote. I find feathers in my yard from time to time and I hesitated to use them in my artwork. Now I know.

I have decided on my theme: Windows and the views behind them.

I've always been fascinated by what goes on inside people's homes and other places where people gather. A view into others' worlds; a glimpse of other lives. Windows provide just enough of that view: a snapshot; a frame around the real portrait of life.

DO'S: HD/HP preferred, but use the method you do BEST!!

Show at least one window in the 3 page spread; however, a window on each page is great.

Then show what's going on inside: behind the window. (Think: cafe window with patrons inside; kitchen window with cooking ; lovers by the fire; children playing; garden shop; art shop; etc. Holidays, ordinary days; any season, any time of day, any where in the world.

DON'TS:just nothing negative, no gore or nudity. (I want to share with my grandkids)

I KNOW I will LOVE whatever you decide to do. Great art comes from great people!

[kentuckydakota]

Oh good. Sounds like it won't be a problem.

We have lots of seagull feathers out here on the coast. There's no way they are endangered- they're a menace. :) Beautiful feathers though!

[Coyote]

Seagull! Could you stick a few in my moley?

[angelmuz]

Nicky I had never thought of the problem with one person always sending to you. I had to send over the border in the last swap. Other people didn't want to because it cost to much. So I guess it really could be an issue. It is far more expensive to send to the Netherlands than to send local I assume. So what if we all chipped in an helped finance whoever has to send to you all the time, and maybe help you as well. I don't know how much it costs to ship to you. I think it was costing me around 6 or 7 dollars every time I shipped across the border. But if we all sent a little extra money, perhaps that would even it out. I remember that I did feel sort of sad that other people would not send over the border when there was one occasion that they could have. Instead they sent it to me so I could send it and pay the extra postage. So I do think it would be nice if we others chipped in on the postage for the back and forth across the pond. That is if you stick with the same person.

[kentuckydakota]

Seagull! Could you stick a few in my moley?

Sure, I'll try and remember to add a few in :)

[goatgoddess]

I don't mind sending to you Nicky - or to Canada which ever works out best :)


The order of mailing has not been decided yet Coyote... there are a few here who are not comfortable with the difficult mailing schedule - and to be honest - I haven't been able to figure it out completely myself. Some prefer to mail the moley they worked on to the same person all the time, to keep it simple... I feel strongly for that system but then there will be one of you constantly mailing to me and I'm in the Netherlands... that's the only bottleneck I fear.... Off to bed now and I'll have a look at it again tomorrow.

[angelmuz]

Well I suppose goatgoddess could send to Canada and I could send to netherlands. The only possible problem is that I am moving to California in February. Of course that would nix Canada altogether I think. I will be out with my sister Kentucky Dakota so her and I wanted to be able to just hand ours to each other out there and save postage... So that might work well.

[goatgoddess]

now for a theme.......

[goatgoddess]

angelmuz that is cool that you will be closer to your sister.
I really don't mind sending to the Netherlands. I don't like sending 25 lbs of something overseas but this small isn't bad at all. :) with the kids grown and gone I have a bit more play money now :)

[Nicky]

So as off February all you players will be in the US... Thanks Goatgoddess for offering to mail to me! Next question: if we decide to mail to the same player all the time (probably the easiest way because it is easier to remember) there is no need to distribute the entire address list to all players. In that case you can receive the details from the player you are going to send the moleys to for the next 9 months...

Waiting for Jazzie and DebbaPeot to provide their address details. As soon as I have them, I will figure out a mailing order. Hope Jazzie picks up on this because her box is full so PMs do not reach her :(

[jazzie]

HI!
I'm here, but in the middle of a move, so I'll be back later to catch up.

[TriLov]

Do we put anything on the back of the 3 pages that we create our art on?

[Coyote]

I'm confused. How do we get everyone's moley if we continue to send to the same person the whole time. If that is the case would this be the order of things.
Nicky always sends to Coyote, Coyote always sends to Trilov, Trilov always sends to Angelmuz and so forth. It would go around in a circle, so my first post would make sense. I would always trade who evers moley I got next in the swap to Trilov. Or if we reverse it, I would always send the Moley to Nicky. Right?

If we do it that way then this should be the way it goes
Coyote to Nicky
Nicky to Trilov
Trilov to Angelmuz
so forth and so on until I got my back from say....goatgoddess who always sent to me.

Or am I way off?



So as off February all you players will be in the US... Thanks Goatgoddess for offering to mail to me! Next question: if we decide to mail to the same player all the time (probably the easiest way because it is easier to remember) there is no need to distribute the entire address list to all players. In that case you can receive the details from the player you are going to send the moleys to for the next 9 months...

Waiting for Jazzie and DebbaPeot to provide their address details. As soon as I have them, I will figure out a mailing order. Hope Jazzie picks up on this because her box is full so PMs do not reach her :(

[jazzie]

JAZZIE dear, can't seem to send PMs to you since your box is full!!! Please provide me with the details requested below a.s.a.p. and I'll provide an address list for you all (without the phone numbers and e-mail since they are for emergency matters only and will stay with me):

Screen name:
Real name:
Full address:
Emergency phone number:
E-mail address:
AFA Buddy (if you have one):

Thanks!

Nicky:wub:

Sorry - I'm in the middle of a move and have been offline for a few days. I'll get the info to you.

[Nicky]

Sorry - I'm in the middle of a move and have been offline for a few days. I'll get the info to you.

Oh dear - in the middle of a move??? How horrible - I just hate moving! Good luck!

[Nicky]

Just wait until the order of mailing has been decided. I will decide who mails to who when I have got all the addresses and I can make sense of your locations. After that I will let you know who it is that you will mail to. And yes, in that way you will get every moley once and it goes round in a circle until the last one can sent it home.



I'm confused. How do we get everyone's moley if we continue to send to the same person the whole time. If that is the case would this be the order of things.
Nicky always sends to Coyote, Coyote always sends to Trilov, Trilov always sends to Angelmuz and so forth. It would go around in a circle, so my first post would make sense. I would always trade who evers moley I got next in the swap to Trilov. Or if we reverse it, I would always send the Moley to Nicky. Right?

If we do it that way then this should be the way it goes
Coyote to Nicky
Nicky to Trilov
Trilov to Angelmuz
so forth and so on until I got my back from say....goatgoddess who always sent to me.

Or am I way off?

[Nicky]

Do we put anything on the back of the 3 pages that we create our art on?

Hi Trilov - I suggest to add your artist info on the back of the page (screenname and real name, date and anything you'd like to tell us about you and your art?). In that way you'd know who did what - I for one would like to know that.

[goatgoddess]

yes it's very fun to see the pages as they the months go by and you start getting molies with more art in them - to see who made what and learn more about each of the artist.

[goatgoddess]

for my theme I will go with Myths and Legends - feel free to use any culture - don't feel like you have to stick to just the Greek and Roman ones.

DO's - Artist choice on style of art - collage or drawn it's all good.

DON'TS: not too much nudity, I like to share your art with others (friends and family) and some are not so open :).

http://www.pantheon.org/

[Nicky]

Taking all remarks into consideration and with a bit of help from The JAZZ! I've come up with a mailing order that should make sense. It can be found in #2 and will stay there for the rest of the time.
As soon as I have received all addresses, I will mail you the details of your partner (even if it is not necessary ;) - it's my duty as a host).

Please try to complete your themes by the end of this week, so we can all start thinking on what to do for our first moley....

[Coyote]

It all makes much more sense now. I am no good with figuring things like this out.



Just wait until the order of mailing has been decided. I will decide who mails to who when I have got all the addresses and I can make sense of your locations. After that I will let you know who it is that you will mail to. And yes, in that way you will get every moley once and it goes round in a circle until the last one can sent it home.

[Coyote]

The japanese moleys extendout, do we do a two panel spread or a three panel spread?

[Nicky]

Hi Coyote,

Like it says in the first post, we do a 3-page spread. That is why you are getting my moley first... you already did two lovely pages in my Japanese moley and I'd love you to add one more to make it the required three (3) pages... Can't wait to see what you come up with :)

[TriLov]

Received my moley in the mail today! Yay! I saw how small it was and I had to go back and check the measurements! LOL
Does anyone have advice on the mediums to use on this paper? Does watercolor work well?

[Nicky]

Lol TriLov... now you know why we do 3 pages... so we can at least expose our art on these small pages... but small books are easier to mail out too.
As for watercolor - I'm not sure... I mostly use color pencils and markers. They work fine.

[kentuckydakota]

I found watercolor a bit difficult and when dry it looked a bit chalky in the last one I did. Could be the watercolors I was using. I wonder if there's a treatment for the paper that would make watercolor work better?

[Coyote]

If it is okay with you, i would love to do a completely new 3 page spread. I don't want to add any more to the one I did, i would be afraid to make it to busy since the other pieces in tour book are so clean and simple.

I was planning on creating a traditional Japanese scroll with calligraphy and painted cranes across 3 pages.

If you would like me to add a third panel to the paper crane drawing I made first I certainly can. If not, that is my idea for a new three panel spread.

[jazzie]

Use gesso if you're going to use any paint - the less liquidy kinds work best when applied in a really thin layer with a make-up sponge (pouncing). There is less warping that way. Covering with wax paper and putting a heavy book on it helps too. Same thing if you're gluing any paper, use the driest stick you can find instead of any liquid glue.

They make clear gesso and absorbent grounds for watercolors.

I've had good results using all kinds of acrylics, gouache, and watercolors when applied thinly. I think Distress Paint would look great on a Moley page because they have no fillers that will flake off (check out Tim Holtz tag tutorials on Youtube). If you're heavy handed with acrylics they are going to crack on the folds and start falling off before the Moley gets back to its owner - I've seen it happen in both groups I've been in.

[Nicky]

Hi Coyote - that Japanese scroll sounds great (perhaps on the 3th page since it will have crane(s) too and the theme is consistent with the lovely Origami cranes you already did?) See, the problem is that my moley will be 2 pages short if you do another 3-pager... To avoid that I would have to order a completely new moley to start with and I can't get that done before the end of this month (it will not arrive in time).

[DebbaPeot]

This mikey group will be great! I'm heading for surgery Friday so my 10-12 weeks of no walking on my knee and then a years recovery will be perfect for me and am excited to see everyone's moleys. Hugs!!!

[waffle]

Hi everybody! So happy to be on another journal swap. I just ordered my moley and hope to get it by Monday. Yay!

I agree about using Gesso to make a base layer for painting in the moley - however I recommend using acrylic paint instead of watercolor. I've had more success with that.

My theme will be "Long Live Sustainability" - it's inspired by this cute notebook I found at the store last weekend. Here's a link: http://bit.ly/1CXVm88
I would like each spread to include a quote about being green, sustainable, environmentally friendly, conserving natural resources, taking care of the planet, nature, wildlife, etc. The three page spread should include a quote that does not take up more than one whole panel of space. Artwork could be natural landscapes, habitats, plants, wildlife, cute critters (caricature, kawaii style), people doing green activities like recycling, etc. You can use any medium you like - if you do mixed media/collage just make sure it's not too thick so the journal can still fold up and close easily.

[goatgoddess]

very good hints - yes my last book cover molie I was very heavy handed on the acrylic paint (layers) and it is very cracked along the binding, need to repair it at some point.
I've been wondering about those Distress paints - will have to try them.


Use gesso if you're going to use any paint - the less liquidy kinds work best when applied in a really thin layer with a make-up sponge (pouncing). There is less warping that way. Covering with wax paper and putting a heavy book on it helps too. Same thing if you're gluing any paper, use the driest stick you can find instead of any liquid glue.

They make clear gesso and absorbent grounds for watercolors.

I've had good results using all kinds of acrylics, gouache, and watercolors when applied thinly. I think Distress Paint would look great on a Moley page because they have no fillers that will flake off (check out Tim Holtz tag tutorials on Youtube). If you're heavy handed with acrylics they are going to crack on the folds and start falling off before the Moley gets back to its owner - I've seen it happen in both groups I've been in.

[TriLov]

Thanks for all the tips! I worked on my first 3 pages last night and tried a thin layer of watercolor. It was ok, but I'm not super happy with the results. It does pill easily if you add too much. I ended up using tombow markers(no water) and some colored pencils. It came out better than I thought it would. I'm glad I tried it out first on my moley! I may stick to markers and acrylics.
Does anyone know if Sharpies will bleed through? My thought is yes, but I don't use Sharpies much.

[TriLov]

This mikey group will be great! I'm heading for surgery Friday so my 10-12 weeks of no walking on my knee and then a years recovery will be perfect for me and am excited to see everyone's moleys. Hugs!!!

Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

[Nicky]

Good luck with your surgery Debby dear! Hope all goes well and that the recovery will go smooth!

[JSilver]

Yes, Deb, hope all goes well and you recover in record time.

Watercolor does pill and is not my choice. Sharpies DO bleed; so be sure the rest of the pages are out of the way.
Acrylics and colored pencils are my favorite. Sometimes with a little pen to accent.

[JSilver]

Hooray! Moleskin arrived today. Wheels are turning; doing doodling to finalize my intro to the moley.

[Coyote]

I'm still waiting for B and N to tell me my moley arrived so I can pick it up. I'm getting anxious.

[waffle]

Yay! My moley is here! Can't wait to get started on it.

[Coyote]

I have my Moley! thank goodness. We need to create a 3-page spread to establish theme and to get the ball rolling, but we also need to create a sign in area. the moley has an "If Found" section at the front where I was planning to write my info, then on the first panel or two I was going to create the sign in page. THEN after that was going to be my 3 page spread.

Will that work? Also, could you post as example picture of what is expected so I am not way off. I can't find anything in the gallery section of the web site.

[Nicky]

Hi Coyote,

I've done 3 pages... with the 3x9 pages from the others, that will just fill up the moley nicely... I know that it says that you need a sign in area for those working on your album, that's in the standard instructions so I left it in - for those who like to do that - please feel free to do so - I for one would like to see artist info etc. on the back of the pages the artist has created.

On the first page of my moley are my details and below that is a list with the names of the players in the order of sending and a small box after their names that each player can tick off of color in once they have worked on the moley. Sort of a combination of a sign in page and trafel plan... but it is up to you how you do this.

If you make sure that the last 27 pages remain blank for the other 9 artists to work on, you can do whatever you like in whatever order you like with the first remaining pages.

Will see if my scanner is in a good mood today (has been playing tricks on me for the last few weeks) so I can scan my first moley pages for you... remember, just as an example for what I did... No rules here - keep in mind that it is YOUR moley so whatever you do, you should be okay with it.

We've almost got all themes from our participants (only Jazzie has not decided yet - but she's probably busy due to her recent move as well) so the thinking about 'what to do for whom' can start as well - soooo much fun!

[Nicky]

Here's my 'moley starter section' hope it gives you some ideas Coyote!
The karate spread is on the same paper as the rest but scanned in b/w so that explains the difference in color.

[Coyote]

Amazing artwork Nicky. I remember seeing it and being blown away when we traded moleys. I have a perfect addition to the pages I have done so far ready.

Thank you for clarifying!

[Coyote]

JAPANESE MOLESKINE EXHIBIT IN LONDON (http://www.moleskine.com/en/news/japanese-albums-relay)

Watch it, Love it, Do it!

[jazzie]

I'm leaning towards 'Shakespeare Inspired' for my Moley theme - will elaborate later...

[JSilver]

Ouuu, that sounds good. I'm making sketches of what I want to do. Nothing actually in the moley yet.

Nicky, I like what you've done. Very nice. This is gonna be the best moley swap yet!

[Coyote]

CHANGING MY THEME!!!!

Hamsa Hands
Do's: Create a Hamsa Hand from your own hand print or two! You have three panels go crazy with the designs. EACH HAMSA HAND MUST HAVE AN EVIL EYE IN THE CENTER. look at my gallery for some examples. These are to hand painted/hand drawn only! no collage or embellishments. I like to keep my books flatter.

Don't: copy and past from the interwebs or Pintrest. X-P I do not like it when my administrators tell me, the art teacher, the get ideas from Pintrest for things. It makes me cringe inside. DO YOUR BEST WORK!!!!

[kentuckydakota]

Ok, just trying to think this through.
My hand doesn't fit on the page fully. So if I'm to use my hand print I would either get a partial hand on each panel or have to scan and shrink and print in the computer and cut out for the book, or perhaps do one hand across the three panels sideways.
Do you have a preference on those options Coyote?

[Coyote]

MY HAMSA HANDS LINK (http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/index.php?n=415517)

Above is a link to some hands that I made. Now your hands should be done side ways across three panels. That way you have a lot of room to create your hand's design and the back ground to the pages. I want the whole 3 panels to have some sort of detail and color and beauty.

[JSilver]

What am I supposed to do with all the feathers:duck: I plucked from my neighborhood birds??:( JUST KIDDING!!!!:P

Ok, I'm changing gears in my mind:twitcy:>>>>>Hamsa Hands with evil eyes>>>> Think I got it.:idea:

[kentuckydakota]

:biglaugh: Poor naked neighbor birdies.

Ok, I got it Coyote. That totally makes sense now.

[Nicky]

Deadline for mail out is getting closer... just waiting for Jazzie to elaborate on her theme. Hopefully all you gals have your moleys in the house and have finished or are working on your 3 introduction pages....Don't forget to show them to us before you mail out your moley and you will not see it (the actual moley that is) until some time August next year.

[kentuckydakota]

I don't have my moley quite yet. They have it in finally at my art store but I'm down with a cold so haven't been out to pick it up. If worse comes to worse I'll just do the bare minimum before mailing and finish it up when it returns home.

[Nicky]

Oh sure hope your going to feel better soon - not feeling fit:twitcy: myself... Just take good care!:eek::swoon::wub:

[jazzie]

Moley Theme: Shakespeare Inspired
I’m leaving the interpretation of that up to the artist. Use his image, his words, the image his words conjure up for you. I don’t care where you get your ideas – reading his plays, sonnets, scouring Google, Bing, Pinterest for ideas – whatever – wherever – however you get your ideas doesn’t matter to me. If you’re still stumped, PM me and I’ll give you some ideas. My only request is that you don’t repeat something someone else has already done – there’s enough material to get around that.

Medium:
Whatever you’re best at…

Do’s:
I really like it when one page spills into another – we are truly collaborating that way. It doesn’t have to be much, say ¼ of the page adjoining your last page. Don’t worry you won’t be doing extra work, my spread will trail into JSilver’s and hopefully a little bit of her work will poke into goatgoddess’s and so on.

No No’s:
Please don’t use tip-ins. I feel this isn’t really Moley-worthy as you’re creating the artwork outside of the Moley. I think the point of this exercise is to work on this unique format itself. Otherwise, we could all create three panels on cardstock and mail that to the owner and let them glue it in, right? Yes it’s scary, but have a plan. Sketch it out on tracing paper, see if it fits and make adjustments before you dive in. Once you’ve started if you find you’ve made an oops – stop and take a deep breath. Will anyone but you know it’s an oops? Don’t worry about it. If it’s really a mess, figure some way around it –you are a creative person – find a solution. The other reasons I don’t like tip-ins are they often don’t fit the panels they were meant to and add a great deal of bulk to the end product. I didn’t stipulate this as a no-no on my first Moley and ended up with half of the pages glued on with cardstock spreads that don’t fold well and make the Moley almost impossible to close. Not what I was expecting after waiting a year for it to come back. When in doubt, leave the bulk out.

[JSilver]

Me thinks I doth understand thee!

[angelmuz]

Yes and in our last swap we all agreed that we would not do tip ins, can I assume that that will be the same here? Cause I don't want tip ins either.

[Nicky]

No tip ins... I agree. I will post it in the first thread so we all remember!

[TriLov]

Here are my first 3 pages. My sign-in page will be before this but it won't be anything special! :-)

http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/images/22921/large/1_Moley.personal_pages_1_2_3.jpg

[TriLov]

Do’s:
I really like it when one page spills into another – we are truly collaborating that way. It doesn’t have to be much, say ¼ of the page adjoining your last page. Don’t worry you won’t be doing extra work, my spread will trail into JSilver’s and hopefully a little bit of her work will poke into goatgoddess’s and so on.

Jazzie,
I like the idea of one page spilling into another. That would be a great Moley group in itself! No individual themes, just one page working its way into the next page and the next artist's work!

[jazzie]

There are some good examples of this on Flickr and on page 3 in my gallery is the beginning of my first moley - I'll try to snap a pic of where camcas came in and what she did.

[Nicky]

So lovely Trilov!

[JSilver]

Gorgeous, Trilov. I love what you do.

[TriLov]

Thanks!

[Coyote]

I am going to send my book away on Monday! Waffle, watch out!

[Nicky]

Mine is going out on Monday as well so keep an eye out for it Coyote! Can you all let us know if you are able to send out the moleys next week? Deadline (1 November) is closing in on us!

[kentuckydakota]

I'm going to try but am still pretty sick. I do have it in hand now The minute I'm well-ish I'll jump on it and mail it quickly.

[TriLov]

Mine is ready to go. I'll be mailing out sometime next week.

[Nicky]

I'm going to try but am still pretty sick. I do have it in hand now The minute I'm well-ish I'll jump on it and mail it quickly.

Oh dear, is it still that nasty flu thing you mentioned about a week ago? I sure hope things will get better for you soon! :wub:

[angelmuz]

Oh good gracious Holly get better dear!!! I haven't even started mine, just got hired for Christmas season at Target.. yay... maybe... I better get a move on.

[angelmuz]

Oh and in lieu of halloween I decided to put my princess mask on my avatar... I got tired of the witch one... lol! this is me at 15 or sixteen... ha ha... no wise cracks kentucky dakota dear....

[JSilver]

You were gorgeous, angelmuz. Looks like a model for Seventeen magazine.

Mine is in the paint booth. Will try to get done early in the week. But will definitely make it by deadline.

Holly hope you are getting lots of fluids and rest.

[jazzie]

Still are gorgeous, but man you were hot!

I just found my Moley - still unpacking and haven't been able to set up my art space yet. I'm going to work on it this weekend - don't know where I'll do it or what mystery art supplies I'll be able to find, but I know what I want to do.

[kentuckydakota]

Thanks gals, I am mending but it's slow going!

My silly not-so-angel muzzykins, I already thought the wise crack before I saw the warning but I refrained from sharing it ;)

[Nicky]

Hmm - don't we share everything here Kentuckydakota (except of course that flu - I've got plenty of that on my own -hahahaha)....
But I agree with JAZZ.... marvellous pic Angelmuz!

[kentuckydakota]

:laugh: Nicky, it was something about a "Charlie's Angel's wanna-be", but, you know, that's all I'm saying.;)

[Nicky]

Hmmm - now I'n getting even more curious. I think that I am going to change that mailing order and have YOU mail to me KentuckyDakota... then you can write that story down and add it to the first moley you mail out to me - ....:twitcy:;):twitcy:;)

[kentuckydakota]

:laugh:

[angelmuz]

glad you had fun on my account girls. I got tired of the other picture, but you know as you age you stop taking pictures of yourself if you can help it! I really need a new pic. And yes Holly I get the joke, Farrah Fawcet Minor they used to call me in Choir class. Remember when she was a "Major". My that was a long time ago.

[Nicky]

Like this pic Angel - but I liked the other one too... Know about stopping to take pics... I hate it when we have do get another pic done at work for our entrance pass!

[goatgoddess]

I do plan on sending on time - if not a bit early - fingers crossed!


Mine is going out on Monday as well so keep an eye out for it Coyote! Can you all let us know if you are able to send out the moleys next week? Deadline (1 November) is closing in on us!

[Nicky]

Mine went out just now! Coyote be aware!
Can be followed on www.internationalparceltracking.com
Barcode: RN615290756NL

[JSilver]

Trying like heck to get mine in the mail tomorrow. May be Thursday.

[Coyote]

Mine went out just now! Coyote be aware!
Can be followed on www.internationalparceltracking.com
Barcode: RN615290756NL

Got it! I will track it all the way here!

[DebbaPeot]

I've figured out You can modge podge in bed with your leg propped up and a newborn in your left arm!!
I've got my pages almost completed and my sign in page is in my moleys back pocket. I will take pics and probably end up posting them on my facebook page since I can't really get up and about. I'm hoping to send mine out on Friday after a Doctors appointment.

Trilov- fabulous spread!

[JSilver]

So, other than Deb and Trilov, are we posting our spreads?

Deb, was there a deal at the hospital? Every surgical patient gets a newborn? Or did you just happen to get lucky?

[Nicky]

Posted mine - and I sure hope we all post so we can all enjoy the art created :jiggy:

[DebbaPeot]

I posted pic of my spread on facebook as I can't get to the computer to upload pics to AFA unless someone knows how to do it from my phone? My Facebook is: Debby billy Peot

I haven't decorated my covers, but I got my travel plan, return if found, and of course my 3 page layouts.

My sign in sheet will be in my back pocket.

I got a special while after arriving home from the hospital. Two grandbabies!! One on the 17th and the other on the 24th. Both girls. One here and the others in MO. And I don't get to see her until after I can walk (12 weeks) and get through airport security! Lol

[JSilver]

Congrats on the two new grandbabies. So lucky, you are. I love little grandbabies. So sweet and cuddly. My youngest (I only have two) is about to turn one year old and we are going up to see him and celebrate. Can hardly wait.

[Nicky]

Great news Deb... something worth looking forward to!!

[waffle]

My moley is almost ready to go, trying to decide if I'll make a cover now or later. Humm....

[Nicky]

My cover will be decorated afterwards - the risk of damage during 10 shippings is a bit too much for me.

[DebbaPeot]

I just am so excited for you J. I hate to say it, but I've been baby hungry for the past few years, so we are hoping that grandbabies will fill my void (which I'm sure it will) tee hee

I am going to decorate my mole cover after it arrives home. Mostly be cuz I didn't leave myself enough time with everything that's happened.
I can't wait to see everyone's art and Ohhh and awe over it. I'm so excited!

[TriLov]

Congrats, Deb!
My moley is in its way to you.

[JSilver]

Moley finally made it out the door. Tracking # 9114901230803012037941 headed toward Goatgoddess. Posting spread a little later.


BTW: I'm so excited. Going to a "Rocky Horror Picture Show" event tonight. Bands, beer and the movie. This is a cult classic that people dress for. DH and I have our costumes ready. I'm Magenta and he's Riff Raff ( in older bodies, that is!!!)

[Coyote]

My journal is in the mail!

[kentuckydakota]

I'm going to hopefully get my moley in the mail tomorrow. I should have the travel pages finished, but I doubt I'll get my 3 page spread done. I'm still fighting this bug and it's taking everything out of me. I'll have to finish my pages when it comes home.

[Nicky]

Tomorrow will be the first of November - the date that your Moley should start it's journey. I've got 4 confirmed travelling moleys - can you please all confirm that your moley is on its way as of tomorrow?

If you're running late (and I sure hope for all of us that we don't start that way) please let us know too!

[Nicky]

I'm going to hopefully get my moley in the mail tomorrow. I should have the travel pages finished, but I doubt I'll get my 3 page spread done. I'm still fighting this bug and it's taking everything out of me. I'll have to finish my pages when it comes home.

Too bad that this bug is still bugging you (no pun intended)! I don't think anyone will have a problem with it that your spread will be done later though.

[DebbaPeot]

Mines heading to KentuckyDakota today.
Tracking number: 70133020000219070854

I also received Trish's moley today. So excited!!!

[Coyote]

waffle my package is on its way here is the tracking number from USPS: 9114999944238517645262
Its traveling first class priority and should be arriving on Monday according to the post office.

[JSilver]

My moley spread. Why did I chose something so hard??!! Anyway,....151474

[Nicky]

Wow - lovely JSilver!!!

[JSilver]

Thank you!

[angelmuz]

Some of you guys told me what books you wanted for my moley and I took them off the list. Can you let me know again which ones they were, because I stupidly forgot who had which one. I think Coyote asked for King arthur and Kentucky dakota asked for Charlie and the chocolate factory, someone asked for twenty thousand leagues... Anyway remind me please. I am making mini books so i need to know who to put where. Thanks guys. And I hope to ship out tomorrow for sure, got a bit behind with my new seasonal job, but will be done in time.

[Nicky]

Hi Angelmuz - I had 'The Wind in the Willows

[TriLov]

Yay, so glad it got there, Deb!

Great work, JSilver!

[JSilver]

Thanks, Trilov.

angel, I have 20,000 Leagues.

[goatgoddess]

got here Saturday!
how cool - hope you had fun at the show! post pics
by the way your journal is very cool - wonderful work - hope I can come up with something worthy!


Moley finally made it out the door. Tracking # 9114901230803012037941 headed toward Goatgoddess. Posting spread a little later.


BTW: I'm so excited. Going to a "Rocky Horror Picture Show" event tonight. Bands, beer and the movie. This is a cult classic that people dress for. DH and I have our costumes ready. I'm Magenta and he's Riff Raff ( in older bodies, that is!!!)

[goatgoddess]

mine will be on the road today - this weekend was more messed up than I thought it would be - sorry!! but it's packed and ready to go now - I have pics on my phone I will post after work.


Tomorrow will be the first of November - the date that your Moley should start it's journey. I've got 4 confirmed travelling moleys - can you please all confirm that your moley is on its way as of tomorrow?

If you're running late (and I sure hope for all of us that we don't start that way) please let us know too!

[goatgoddess]

my husband has to have surgery on his eye this month. the 11th so will be off that week to tend to him - hope to have time to do art too while he's napping. so if things work the way they should I should have JSilvers journal done early.

[Nicky]

Wow - moleys done early are always great - such a relaxing thought. But hang on to them a bit longer and don't mail out too early - just keep in mind that mailing out too fast might make people nervous...

[Nicky]

Please confirm that your moley is on it's way and when you receive one so we can keep track of them :P

[jazzie]

Mailing mine today - was without wheels on Saturday. Took picks on my new fancy phone but haven't figured out how to upload them...

[Nicky]

Lol - sounds like me Jazzie - haven't got a clue how to get pics from my phone to my PC

[jazzie]

I've had it three weeks and just figured out how to answer a call - I've been waiting until the pretty song ends and then calling the person back :~]

[Nicky]

Hahahaha - I know that too - my ringtone is "We all stand together" by Paul McCartney. I keep picturing all those lovely frogs from that videoclip in my mind and forget to answer...

[waffle]

Coyote - the moley arrived in the mail today! Very nice cover art.

[waffle]

Trilov - Here's the tracking number for my Moley - 9405511899561242029132

[Coyote]

Waffle Awesome, I am glad it got to you safely. Thanks! I have fun with linoleum one day.

Nicky your wonderful moleskine arrived at my door today! I checked tracking around noon my time today and it said it hadnt even left yet, but when i got home my fiance handed me a package and said this came for you for the Netherlands. Im thinking dang FedEx, way to win my support for life.

[jazzie]

Here's my tracking no. 9114 9999 4431 3216 9277 31

[Nicky]

Great to hear that moleys are arriving! Tracked mine yesterday and indeed it said that it had not yet left the country. So now I know that it travels superfast!

[Coyote]

I figured they didn't update the tracking. Keep that in mind everyone. If FedEx tracking says it hasn't left the country of origin yet, chances are it has and has not been updated. If you see that the tracking has been stuck at one thing for a few days call Fed Ex or UPS or the Post Office or what ever.

[JSilver]

Jazzie, I'll be looking for it. Funny, you and I and Goatgoddess are doing the same mail order as the last moley swap!!

[jazzie]

I know. I think gg had the same idea to lessen the travel time between peeps.
I just took down both of your Halloween decorations from a 2011 swap.

[goatgoddess]

that is funny but it works :)

[JSilver]

Me, too, Jazzie. I decorated with all the Halloween art from all the swaps I've been in. It's so much fun, looking at it again, just like Christmas!!! LOL!

Jazzie's moley arrived!! Love the intro and first page. Now to put my thinking cap on to see which way I'm going to go with it.

[Coyote]

Nicky I had a burst of inspiration yesterday. I got your moley done! Waffle I am going to wait until you are done with my Moley then send you Nicky's.

[Nicky]

Wow Coyote - you're fast ! I haven't even received Goatgoddess' moley to work on yet and you are already done~~~~~

[TriLov]

Wow! Coyote! Will you be sharing a photo with us?

[Coyote]

MOLESKINE FOR NICKY (http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/index.php?n=429320)
BOOM!

My pages for Nicky. The cranes were already there. I added a hand cut linoleum block print of the Japanese kanji for Crane (checked and doubled checked with my high school's Japanese teacher). Inisde it has an outline of a crane with the word peace written inside.

The quote says: "There will one day be peace in this world."

Enjoy!

[Nicky]

How lovely - can't wait to see it for real! (But I have to wait for 9 months lol)

[kentuckydakota]

Don't know if I posted this, but my moley was mailed out a few days ago.Sorry I've been playing least in sight. Still not well, but hopefully soon.

[TriLov]

Great job, coyote!

[Coyote]

Thanks everyone. I'm glad you like like it Nicky. I can send along the crane block stamp for you to use anytime you want.

[Nicky]

I'll keep it in mind Coyote - thanks!

[TriLov]

I received Waffle's moley! Hoping I get some time to create this weekend!

[DebbaPeot]

I sent my Moley out to Kentucky on the 4th. Tracking# 7013 3020 0002 1907 0854
Sorry it went out late, but I had a hard time getting a driver to take me to the post office due to me leg.
These layouts are fabulous!!!

[Nicky]

Mail status - wow - 6 out of 10 have already arrived... can't wait to get mine so I can start working on it :)

Nicky (NL) ---> Coyote (IN)------------------------------------- arrived
Coyote (IN) ---> Waffle (GA)----------------------------------- -arrived
Waffle (GA) ---> Trilov (CO)------------------------------------- arrived
Trilov (CO) ---> DebbaPeot (NV)---------------------------------arrived
DebbaPeot (NV) ---> Kentucky Dakota (CA)---------------------arrived
Kentucky Dakota (CA) ---> Angelmuz (CAN/CA)---------------- arrived
Angelmuz (CAN/CA) ---> Jazzie (CA)---------------------------- dispensation
Jazzie (CA) ---> JSilver (TX)------------------------------------ arrived
JSilver (TX) ---> Goatgoddess (TX)----------------------------- arrived
Goatgoddess (TX) ---> Nicky (NL)------------------------------- arrived

[kentuckydakota]

DebbaPeot's moley is here. Yay!

[Nicky]

YEAH - Goatgoddess' moley arrived today!

[kentuckydakota]

Angelmuz called me last night and told me she had my Moley. :)

[Nicky]

Great - then all moleys are safe and we all can start working.

[Nicky]

:realmad: ARGGGHHH!!! I was working on Goatgoddess' moley - had to take a break to start preparing some food for diner and burned the tips of three fingers on my right hand.... now I will have to wait with finishing the moley until things get better...:arghh::arghh::sad::sad::arghh::arghh:

[goatgoddess]

sorry about your fingers but glad the molie got there ok - I think I may need to send a tad earlier than the 1st

hope you heal up quickly! ouch!

[JSilver]

Nicky, so sorry about your burned fingers. That REALLY hurts. And you never realize how much you use those parts until you can't use them. Speedy recovery wishes.

[Coyote]

Sorry about your fingers Nicky! I've burnt my hand cooking before too. Art really takes a hit when your hands are hurting. I hope with lots of aloe they feel better.

[Nicky]

Good advice Coyote!!! Thanks. I have a special medicine and put it on last night... now the fingers feel a lot better already but the burned spots are still tender... hope to be able to get back to the drawingboard in a few days!

[DebbaPeot]

I've completed my spread and will post pics on my facebook page. Debby Billy Peot.
Here is the tracking info for Kentucky and I'll send it off in a day or two. Hugs!
usps#70133020000219070847.

Nicky, I hope your hand starts to heal and feel better! Hugs!!!

[DebbaPeot]

Quick question for Coyote. Regarding your Hasma hands, is there a proper or correct way they are to be seen? Palm down? Palm facing up? Fingers at top or bottom?

[Nicky]

Girls - sending earlier than the end of the month is no problem but make sure that your partner (the one you are sending to) is ready to receive a new moley - we wouldn't want moleys to pile up and people to get stressed over it, okay?

[Coyote]

Quick question for Coyote. Regarding your Hasma hands, is there a proper or correct way they are to be seen? Palm down? Palm facing up? Fingers at top or bottom?

There are two ways the Hamsa Hands can be
1. Varada Muhdra: left hand facing down: dispensing of boons
2. Abahaya Muhdra: right hand held up right: safety

Other than that, as long as it has the evil eye in the center it is artistically up to you. :-)

[DebbaPeot]

My bad Nicky! I am sending the Moley this week due to thanksgiving next week. Sorry.

[Nicky]

No problem Deb - as long as you make sure that your partner (on the receiving end) doesn't have a problem with it... and it's already the 20th anyhow!

[TriLov]

Here's a pic of Waffle's moley. Sorry about the bad quality. The lighting in my office is horrible!
Going out today.

[Nicky]

Lovely TriLov!!!!

[JSilver]

Very nice, Trilov. Can't wait for you to get hold of my moley.

[TriLov]

Thanks, Nicky and JSilver!

[DebbaPeot]

Tri, wonderful layout! Love it!

[Nicky]

The hand has healed enough to get back to doing some art. The pages for Goatgoddess' myths and legends moley are done. She opened her moley with Huggin and Munin - the two Ravens from Nordic mythology. I have added Tooth grinder (Tanngrisnir) and Tooth gnasher (Tanngnjostr), Thor's chariot-pulling goats.
Done my details on the back of the pages.

The moley will continue its journey on Monday (25th).

[JSilver]

Oh, WOW!! Great spread, Nicky.

[DebbaPeot]

Fab spread Nicky!!

[Nicky]

Okay ladies - the last week of this month has arrived. I sure hope that you are all working hard to finalise the art in the moleys at hand and that your will be ready to send the moleys forward at the end of next week!

Some of you have not been around much - please make sure that you drop a line in the thread (preferably once a week) so we all know that you are still with us!!

[angelmuz]

I am still here and I haven't even started Holly's she is gonna kill me.... getting to work now!!!

[jazzie]

Nice spreads being posted!
Still haven't figured out how to get mine from the new fancy phone to the thread :~(

[kentuckydakota]

My art is sketched and at the inking stage. Should be on track for an end of the month mail out.
And my next book has arrived. I'm forcing myself to finish the first before opening the second...maybe.;)

Put down those cute grandbabies and get to work angelmuz! :mad:

[Nicky]

Holly won't kill you dear - if she does you will never be able to get the spread done ;)
Especially when there are grandbabies involved :)

Mine is done and started its journey today! Trackcode: RN284044882NL. To be followed on www.internationalparceltracking.com

[Coyote]

Waffle Nicky's moley is going to be sent to you Wednesday!

[JSilver]

Jazzie's moley off to visit Goatgoddess: tracking # 9114999944313528512472152361

[Nicky]

Thanks for posting ladies - great spread JSilver!

[jazzie]

Spectacular JSilver!

[Coyote]

Nicky and JSilver great work! Both at really cool. Love the goats!

[TriLov]

Great work, Nicky and JSilver!

[DebbaPeot]

I received waffles Moley from trilov today!
Fabulous work ladies!!

[goatgoddess]

how wonderful - love them!


The hand has healed enough to get back to doing some art. The pages for Goatgoddess' myths and legends moley are done. She opened her moley with Huggin and Munin - the two Ravens from Nordic mythology. I have added Tooth grinder (Tanngrisnir) and Tooth gnasher (Tanngnjostr), Thor's chariot-pulling goats.
Done my details on the back of the pages.

The moley will continue its journey on Monday (25th).

[kentuckydakota]

OK, here's Debba's moley- girls with frogs. Might still add a little something but basically done. And I should have it in the mail on Friday.

[jazzie]

So CUTE!

[Nicky]

How adorable KentuckyDakota!!

[Nicky]

lovely art ladies - hope to see the rest of it too... 50% has been shown now ;)

[kentuckydakota]

Thanks ladies. That was a fun theme! I'm loving the art so far too. More, more. :)

[Nicky]

Debba - can't seem to find yours on facebook? Did sent you a friendship request just now.

[TriLov]

That is so cute, kentuckydakota!

[waffle]

Hope everyone had a happy thanksgiving holiday! I am finishing up the spread for Coyote's moley and will mail it out Monday.

[DebbaPeot]

Kentucky, I loveyfroggies and girls! Awesome!!!

I will look for the request Nicky on FB.

I have finished Liz's layout. It turned out Awesomesauce!! I'm very proud of it. And of course, it too has been posted tomy FB. I'll try to copy the link and post it here.
I will wait until Kentucky as soon as she is ready for it. I know I'm ahead of schedule, but I have been working on everyone's themes for their layouts and being laid up in bed gives me time to focus on creating.

[Nicky]

All right ladies - the last day of November... please let us know the status of the moley you are currently working on and when you expect to send it on... thanks!!!! Not all moleys seem to be travelling yet... This is what I know:

DECEMBER MAILING:
Nicky (NL) ---> Coyote (IN)-------------------------------------- arrived
Coyote (IN) ---> Waffle (GA)------------------------------------- arrived
Waffle (GA) ---> Trilov (CO)-------------------------------------- arrived
Trilov (CO) ---> DebbaPeot (NV)---------------------------------- arrived
DebbaPeot (NV) ---> Kentucky Dakota (CA)----------------------- arrived
Kentucky Dakota (CA) ---> Angelmuz (CAN/CA)------------------ arrived
Angelmuz (CAN/CA) ---> Jazzie (CA)----------------------------- arrived
Jazzie (CA) ---> JSilver (TX)------------------------------------- arrived
JSilver (TX) ---> Goatgoddess (TX)------------------------------ arrived
Goatgoddess (TX) ---> Nicky (NL)------------------------------- arrived

[angelmuz]

Hi girls fantastic art posted Nicky and Kentucky Dakota! And speaking of... Holly, you JUST HAD to pick such a hard subject for me didn't you? Not only did you ask me to visit the attic of "you know who", (which by the way she was kind enough to let me take a peek), but seriously, you went a bit too far when you asked me to try to find her old movie documents! I did manage to find them while avoiding the Cheshire cat who kept trying to steal presents as well as give me away as I surreptitiously searched. (you like that word??) You should see my house now. That doggone Pixie turned it into a tornado of art scraps. What a mess. But I held onto your prize and they will be on their way with your moley to the next unfortunate sucker who has to go into some other attic and find treasure for you... You will probably ask them to steal Elsa's gloves, Sneezy's handkerchief or Capt Sparrow's gold tooth. Good luck ladies. This one is a slave driver!

[angelmuz]

here they are

[kentuckydakota]

Oh my gosh! Totally adorable! I'm so glad Tink made you play in her attic with her. :)
Already can't wait to get my book back!

[Nicky]

That's gonna be a little while Dear - books won't return until August next year... but you've always got that marvellous picture to look at!

[DebbaPeot]

Nicky, I have Waffles (Liz's) Moley and it is completed for December.

[Nicky]

I know Deb.. that's why you've got 'arrived' at your name... You already received the December moley. So cool that you're already done... we all have to wait for the new moley to arrive - sigh!

[angelmuz]

i am sending out two molies on monday, just fyi nicky

[Nicky]

Thanks dear - I'll update the schedule

[Coyote]

Sorry, Nicky. Mine will go out as of today, December 1.

[Nicky]

Got it pencilled in Coyote!

[DebbaPeot]

Angelmuz, I sent you a pm. Are the choices from the list of themes you are currently collecting? If so, Can I sign up to do Mary Poppins?

[goatgoddess]

did mail out yesterday - so it's on its way - need to get the pictures off my phone.

Oh the molie from JSliver - it's here - I think Saturday.

[Nicky]

Great Goatgoddess - always glad to hear that moleys actually make it!!

[Coyote]

Waffle and Nicky Nicky's moleskine is on its way to Waffle. It does have tracking through USPS, but the receipt is not with me at work. I'll post the tracking number when i get home.

[goatgoddess]

ok finally (so far behind) got some pictures

husbands eye isn't much better - he still can't see much but it just going to take time

so first up is my book the inside cover - painted over my address so it looks a bit strange in the upper left side.

http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/images/200/medium/2_crows1a.jpg

and then the 3 page spread - crow brings the light - not sure why I got hung up on crows but love this myth I ran across while looking to see what I wanted to do so had to add it
http://lpsmythologywiki.wikispaces.com/American+Indian+Myths--Crow+Brings+the+Daylight

http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/images/200/medium/1_crow.jpg

[goatgoddess]

And for JSliver - her Theme, Windows and the views behind them.

this ended up hard for me - not very good at drawing people yet and almost cheated and did the goats outside the window <g> but I hung in and did the theme and it's good to do something outside my comfort zone - now the lady artist bless her heart came out a bit goofy looking but overall it was fun and made me try something new.

http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/images/200/medium/1_jsilvers_molie.jpg


funny how you find things you wished you had fixed before you sent it off once you post a pic <G>

[Nicky]

Great idea of the artist behind the window, Goatgoddess... I'll put on my thinking cap and try to figure out what I'll do next.

[JSilver]

I love it, Goatgoddess. Anything inside a window is acceptable. I'm proud of you for going the extra mile.

[Coyote]

Goatgoddess can the mythology be from any culture? I found a great story about a Coyote who brought the humans fire, he stole it from skookums (Sasquatch).

[goatgoddess]

yes any culture - anywhere in the world - that sounds great, haven't ran across that one yet.


Goatgoddess can the mythology be from any culture? I found a great story about a Coyote who brought the humans fire, he stole it from skookums (Sasquatch).

[Nicky]

Hi Coyote, the first post says:
10. Goatgoddes - Theme: Myths and Legends (any culture)
I suppose that answers the question ;)

Your story sound great - can't wait to see what it will look like when you're done!

argh - just noticed that the Goatgoddess beat me to the answer ;)

[Coyote]

Thanks! I'm excited to get GoatGoddess's journal. I check my mail every day.

[jazzie]

Nice spread gg!

[angelmuz]

Here is my moley spread. I made a sort of library theme, with a bunch of little cut out books. Everyone needs to "check out" a book and then sign their name in it and replace it in the shelves. Then do their three page spread on that book. There is a little extra book which is a "book sale order binder" in it you will find the order of shipping. On the back page where people are supposed to sign, there is nothing, cause I forgot, then got too late. So knock yourselves out ladies and sign and decorate to your hearts content on that page!

[Nicky]

How absolutely lovely Angelmuz.... such a cute idea with the little books!!!

[JSilver]

Looking forward to it, Angelmuz.

[waffle]

Oh, I did get the Japanese moley this last week - Nicky's!! Sorry for the delay, just now realized I hadn't posted about getting the book.

[Nicky]

Put it in the schedule Waffle....

Coyote - any sign of the moley yet? The trackntrace here says that in entered the US on December 1, then it gets stuck on the message IN DEPOT... I assume that the Dutch mail has stopped tracking and that it is in the hands of the US mail now. Hope it gets there soon!

[kentuckydakota]

Hi all- just checking in as I happen to have my computer with me tonight. I've got "magical" themed pages sketched out, should be a bit ahead of the game this month. Yay!

Angelmuz, your pages are a delight!

[Coyote]

Put it in the schedule Waffle....

Coyote - any sign of the moley yet? The trackntrace here says that in entered the US on December 1, then it gets stuck on the message IN DEPOT... I assume that the Dutch mail has stopped tracking and that it is in the hands of the US mail now. Hope it gets there soon!


I have checked all weekend. I have not gotten anything yet.

[goatgoddess]

Angelmuz what a cute idea - can't wait to see it.

[Coyote]

AngelMuz Do we do our spread on the book we told you about? For example, I chose King Arthur from your list, do i choose a book that is left over or still do King Arthur?

[angelmuz]

Yes, You do king arthur, I put your name in the little book already as I did for all the folks who already pm'd me with their choices

[Nicky]

Hubby just called that a little package from Debra arrived... that must be the moley - can't wait to get home tonight!!

[Coyote]

Nicky, I have not received goatgoddess' moley yet. Hopefully is will be there when i get home today.

Waffle, has it arrived yet?

[Nicky]

So weird Coyote - the tracking system tells me that the moley as reached the US on 26-11. Then it went in the delivery route on 1-12 (time 12:23) and after that it says it is IN DEPOT on 1-12 (time 12:24). Doesn't sound like they are delivering to me...

[Coyote]

checking now........

[Nicky]

Waffle, has it arrived yet?

Waffle confirmed the receipt of the moley on December 7 - see #236

[TriLov]

I have Coyote's moley!

[JSilver]

Anxiously awaiting Angelmuz's moley. Just bills and junk mail!!! MAN!!!

[jazzie]

Angelmuz I can't remember if you had delays last Moley round in your mailing or receiving or both - I remember something right? I'm hoping to get to my PO Box tomorrow - fingers crossed that it might be there.