#22: More Moley Fun!

[Coyote]

WE ARE FULL! LET THE CREATING BEGIN!

First Mail Date: November 1, 2015
Subsequent Mail-by dates: December 1, 2015; January 1, 2016; February 1, 2016; March 1, 2016; April 1, 2016; May 1 2016; June 1, 2016; July 1, 2016; August 1, 2016.

Materials required: One blank Japanese Moleskine accordion style pocket album. Approximate size is 3.5" x 5.5". Available at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, 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. (See the attached images for ideas.)

4. Please 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 don’t 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 occurs 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!

[Coyote]

Participants & Themes:

01. Coyote:
1. Theme: Aquariums: Each 3 page spread should be a complete aquarium Complete with the creatures living in the aquarium.
2. Dos: I would love to see a variety of aquariums, everything from a full fish set up, to aquatic turtles, salt water aquariums, reptile aquariums, etc. Have fun with it!
3. Don'ts: NO FINDING NEMO! I do not want a book full of Finding Nemo. These should be original pieces. I want to see a variety of aquariums.
4. Media Preference: I love hand drawn/hand painted, I love collage! Please do what inspires you! No tip ins, make sure the book can fold flat when closed!

02. SchmancyFancy:
1. Theme: "Madame Fancy's Sideshow Curiosities." I want my very own, panoramic freakishly fantastic circus sideshow/freak show.
2. Dos: Research real vintage side show acts or make up your own freakish characters. I want this to be one long panoramic view of the same sideshow. My only MUST is color. Bold, beautiful color!
3. Don'ts: No abrupt stops. I have seen in some moleys where one artist's work continues over into the next just a tiny bit to help make it flow. I love the look of this. Hopefully my first few pages will be a good example.
4. Media Preference: Whatever your heart desires. As long as it fits the theme and my moley closes well enough.


03. Nicky: Theme Post (http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1722113&postcount=5)
1. THEME: Wizards & Witches
2. DO's: I'd love to find a 3-page spread with a witch or wizard in his working space or in action, So please don't limit yourself to just a wizards/witches face... tell a story if you can.
3. DON'Ts: No tip inns, preferably no paint (it makes the moley thick)
4. MEDIA: I prefer hand drawn work - that's what I do myself.

04. Zandradee
1. Theme: New Beginnings
2. Dos: I'd like a visual exploration of what this might mean to you. Think of synonyms like starting over, renovation, recovery, rebirth, fresh start.... Any style at all - abstract or realistic or whimsical or?
3. Don'ts: As long as the moley will fold, I'm happy.
4. Media Preference: HD/HP or mixed media. Or both. :-)

05. DeniseMDupree:Post (http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1722733&postcount=12)
I wanted the whole spread to be a single scene, as opposed to seperate scenes, one continuous i age throughout the whole book.
1. Theme: Halloween: Each 3 page spread should be full Halloween scene.
2. Dos: 3 page spread. I would love to see: a row of houses decorated for Halloween, a haunted house scene, a graveyard scene, a group of trick-or-treaters, a Halloween party scene, or whatever scene you are inspired to create. I am hoping that each spread will tell its own Halloween story.
3. Don'ts: NO CLOWNS. I am not afraid of them, I just hate them (I don't know why lol, just a weird pet peeve thing I guess).
4. Media Preference: Preferably hand drawn/hand painted. If you do decide to use other media, please keep it as light and thin as possible.

06. Tandy:
1. Theme: Famous Landmark
2. Do: Pick one landmark in your city/state (for USA) or country (for international). Please fill all three pages with one scene (as a spread). Also, please write a little something about your landmark and why it is important on the back of your pages. Please sign the back of your pages also.
3. Don't: Put a bunch of different landmarks or repeat a landmark someone else has already done
4. Media: HD/HP (no oil paint)

07. Bluesky:
Theme: In the garden done in Cori Dantini style
Do: anything found in the garden, birds, bees, flowers, butterflies, trees, gnomes, fairies and so on. Of course, Cori Dantini style girls! Would also love if positive sayings, phrases or words are included. If the three pages could be a continuous scene that's great!
Don't: There are no don'ts.
Media Preference: HD/HP with mixed media.

08. Waffle:
1. Theme: Pretty Girls, Mixed Media Girls in the style of Suzi Blu
2. Dos: Three page spread with one pretty girl as the focal point
3. Don'ts: No thick collage / mixed media so the moley can close
4. Media Preference: Hand drawn, hand painted, light mixed media

09. Theweavershand
Theme: altering magazine images in my art journals so my theme is designed to challenge all of you to experiment with altering magazine images.
the images you choose and the way you choose to use and alter them will be completely up to you. my only requirement is that there be an image cut from a magazine that you have altered in some way featured in your spread.

here are some examples of what i have in mind. please feel free to ask any questions or share any uncertainty you may have with me.

Of course, Teesha Moore is a pioneer in this style and I love her take on it but I dont want you to feel limited to do it the "Teesha" way so I've included some examples of different styles that use magazine images.


10. Linda4atcs
1. Theme Space Station Vacation
2. Dos A bunch of Aliens from different worlds enjoying themselves, in a variety of activities. The station has Holo decks so you can enjoy any environment. Alien inspiration in Star Wars, Deep Space Nine, Babylon Five, The Fifth Element check out the Art in this swap hosted by Drake22ice., or my aliens in post #137
3. Don'ts Nothing bulky, keep it flat and fold-able.
4. Media Preference
Hand drawn, hand painted, light mixed media

Mailing Schedule

We will mail to the same player for the entire 9/10 months. Look below to find you partners.
First mail date will be November 1, 2015 - all moley's should be heading for home on August 1, 2016

Mailing Schedule: You will send the moleskines you decorate to the same person each month. Below I have written out the mailing arrangements, I have tried to keep it fair. In the last moleskine swap Nicky mailed across the Atlantic to me, so I will mail across the Atlantic to her. 

MAILING PARTNERS

Coyote (Indiana, USA) ---> Nicky (The Netherlands)

Nicky (The Netherlands) ---> Zandradee (United Kingdom)

Zandradee (United Kingdom) ---> Schmancyfancy (Virginia, USA)

SchmancyFancy (Virginia, USA) ---> Waffle (Georgia, USA)

Waffle (Georgia, USA) ---> Bluesky (Florida, USA)

Bluesky (Florida, USA) ---> theweavershand (Texas, USA)

theweavershand (Texas USA) ---> Tandy (California, USA)

Tandy (California USA) ---> Linda4atc (California, USA)

Linda4atc (California, USA) ---> DeniseMDupree (Michigan, USA)

DeniseMDupree (Michigan, USA) ---> Coyote (Indiana, USA)

The map I drew works out to a very nice looking circle!

REMEMBER: You will sending to the SAME PERSON for the entire year. This means COYOTE will always send a moleskine to NICKY. Everyone's moleskine will cycle through the list until you are left with your own moleskine at the end.

Think conveyer belt. :-)

[Coyote]

THEMES

Everyone needs to post on the thread the following things:
1. Theme
2. Dos
3. Don'ts
4. Media Preference

Them you need to PM me the following things:
1. Full Name
2. Current Address that you will use for the whole swap
3. Email
4. Phone Number
5. Location (i.e. Indiana, USA)

Please DO THIS by the END of AUGUST.

[Coyote]

1. Theme: Aquariums: Each 3 page spread should be a complete aquarium Complete with the creatures living in the aquarium.

2. Dos: I would love to see a variety of aquariums, everything from a full fish set up, to aquatic turtles, salt water aquariums, reptile aquariums, etc. Have fun with it!

3. Don'ts: NO FINDING NEMO! I do not want a book full of Finding Nemo. These should be original pieces. I want to see a variety of aquariums.

4. Media Preference: I love hand drawn/hand painted, I love collage! Please do what inspires you! No tip ins, make sure the book can fold flat when closed!

[Nicky]

Ah - we're getting action here - will see if I can find peeps to fill the last two spots.
Here are my details:

1. THEME: Wizards & Witches
2. DO's: I'd love to find a 3-page spread with a witch or wizard in his working space or in action, So please don't limit yourself to just a wizards/witches face... tell a story if you can.
3. DON'Ts: No tip inns, preferably no paint (it makes the moley thick)
4. MEDIA: I prefer hand drawn work - that's what I do myself.

[waffle]

1. Theme: Pretty Girls, Mixed Media Girls in the style of Suzi Blu
2. Dos: Three page spread with one pretty girl as the focal point
3. Don'ts: No thick collage / mixed media so the moley can close
4. Media Preference: Hand drawn, hand painted, light mixed media

[DeniseMDupree]

Hi I would love to sign up, I will post my theme in a little bit if that is okay?

ETA - What is a tip in? And is this the correct notebook: http://www.amazon.com/Moleskine-Japanese-Pocket-Classic-Notebooks/dp/8883701046

[Coyote]

Hi I would love to sign up, I will post my theme in a little bit if that is okay?

ETA - What is a tip in? And is this the correct notebook: http://www.amazon.com/Moleskine-Japanese-Pocket-Classic-Notebooks/dp/8883701046

I will sign you up!

Post your theme whenever you have a chance.

A tip in is a page that is made outside of the book then glued into the journal. It makes the journal heavy and the pages won't fold.

Yes, that is the right moley!

Yay!

[schmancyfancy]

WOO HOO! I'm so excited to get started! I will post my theme soon. I hope we can find two more artists so our books can be filled to the brim with creative overload... sorry, I'm just really excited!

[meran]

What does "no paint" mean? Watercolor is very thin. I usually use acrylic in mine, to great success... Does this mean "markers or pens only?"

I know I've been inactive forever. However, I'm looking for something to get me out and about... And I always liked Moleys... The last mail art swap I participated in was a moley for LemurKat, with Swaggertoes, since she was staying with me for the summer. That would have been two years ago. (The short story: in that time, my oldest dog's heart condition worsened. He had valve disease, which finally ended his time with us on March 18, 2015; his daughter fell thru a broken step on our deck, and barely escaped being paralyses; I had an emergency tonsillectomy at age 60, shortly after Bambi went back to Ohio, which took a while to recover from; found out I have a major endocrine disorder, and got it under control-mostly; and last Thursday, had an emergency tooth extraction, for which I'm rewarded by two weeks of bed rest. So, bored, I'm coloring. Yup. Coloring. Though they're looking really good!)

I'm definitely hand painted, hand drawn; I don't "do" mixed media (well, occasionally, but it's rare, a special circumstance.) Is that a problem?

I'm set for the moleys- bought a "bundle" at the time.

Since many of you don't know me, I've been doing atcs since March 2007, was very active for a while. Feel free to look in my gallery here, though I've not uploaded any recent work. (My original scanner crapped out, and now the scanner I have doesn't "like" pinks or sometimes yellows. Still looking for a better one.)

I work more quickly now... Have been working on larger pieces (though not much larger; the ATC size is still a favorite, though I ~adore inchies.)

Edit: not sure why my iTrader is so low... If my Illustratedatcs.com number is to be honored, I think I'm in the 4-500 range. Honestly, I stopped worrying about that number long ago. ��

[theweavershand]

thanks so much for the invite, Nicky! I'd love to play if you still have the space.

[DeniseMDupree]

All right, I hope I filled this out right. I was trying to be clear that I wanted the whole spread to be a single scene, as opposed to individual scenes on each page.

1. Theme: Halloween: Each 3 page spread should be full Halloween scene.

2. Dos: 3 page spread. I would love to see: a row of houses decorated for Halloween, a haunted house scene, a graveyard scene, a group of trick-or-treaters, a Halloween party scene, or whatever scene you are inspired to create. I am hoping that each spread will tell its own Halloween story.

3. Don'ts: NO CLOWNS. I am not afraid of them, I just hate them (I don't know why lol, just a weird pet peeve thing I guess).

4. Media Preference: Preferably hand drawn/hand painted. If you do decide to use other media, please keep it as light and thin as possible.

[Coyote]

thanks so much for the invite, Nicky! I'd love to play if you still have the space.

Yes there is space! I'll add your name!

[theweavershand]

Awesome, thanks! i'll get back to you with my theme.

[Coyote]

Awesome, thanks! i'll get back to you with my theme.


Sounds good to me, take you time.

[Nicky]

What does "no paint" mean? Watercolor is very thin. I usually use acrylic in mine, to great success... Does this mean "markers or pens only?"

Hi Meran, In my case watercolor is fine ... just no thick paint (oil paint for instance)... thin acrylic is okay too (some can't do thin - I have bad experiences with that). I am only trying to prevent that paint makes the moley thick and it will not fold neatly.;) - my moley has to travel a long way so it's just a precaution.

By the way - just checked out your gallery...wow - lovely art and such cute doggies and kitties!!!!

[meran]

Nicky, I'd never use oil paint on these things! One: it'd soak in, blotchy, nasty; two: no time to properly dry! Btw, I've used gold foil on these to great effect, they fold just fine, though I've no idea to use it this time.

I don't do the thick impasto style. (That would be fine for chunkies , lol) My acrylics are thin, like watercolor, in fact, I've used watercolor too. No flaking either, on anything. I'd hate to put all the effort in just for it to be ruined :(

Theme later, folks. I'm supposed to be sleeping... The pain woke me. Which is good, because I needed to take my midnight antibiotic. (Yeah, I'm late ;) ) Will post tomorrow.

I guess I should prep my book. Lol

Thanks for adding me. I very much appreciate y'all letting me in. I SO need the diversion!

Denise, I don't like clowns either. No fear for me either.

I finally figured out WHY last year: clowns act like drunkards. Red nose, fumbling about, knocking things over, almost feel like an uncle who will take inappropriate actions (like molesting kids), can't be trusted with ~anything. Since 95% of my family are Irish drunks, I grew up watching family members so drunk they blacked out (or stayed awake, but with no idea of what they were doing, or even, KNEW what they were doing, but figured they "had an excuse"). Has anyone seen the movie The Lost Weekend? Old old movie... If you have drunks in your family, you should watch it. It's NOT funny, is a warning against overdoing alcohol.

Anyway, sorry if that's an over-share. But if you think about it, you may be uncomfortable around them because of the unpredictability of behavior from them.

PS. I recently found out that the Clown College (there was one!) recently closed its doors - no more interest in it!

[zandradee]

I just read the PM -- am I too late? I'd love to do this!

[Nicky]

Nicky, I'd never use oil paint on these things! One: it'd soak in, blotchy, nasty; two: no time to properly dry! Btw, I've used gold foil on these to great effect, they fold just fine, though I've no idea to use it this time.

I don't do the thick impasto style. (That would be fine for chunkies , lol) My acrylics are thin, like watercolor, in fact, I've used watercolor too. No flaking either, on anything. I'd hate to put all the effort in just for it to be ruined :(

Sounds good Meran - in this way paint will be no problem ;)

[Coyote]

I just read the PM -- am I too late? I'd love to do this!

Yes, I am sorry Zandradee. :-(

[zandradee]

Thanks anyway. Have fun, everyone!

[chatty]

Coyote thank you for the invite..*smile*..I see you are full...I am sorry I did not get right back, I have been evacuate from my home due too one of the largest fires I believe in California...live in Hayfork, CA....it looks like you all are going to have fun! Maybe next time I can participate.

[DeniseMDupree]

Meran - Not an overshare at all :) That's actually a really interesting thought. I'd never considered that my bad experiences with alcoholics could be connected to my dislike of clowns. Hmm, this is very interesting.

chatty - So sorry to hear about the fire! :(

[Tandy]

06. Tandy

1. Theme: Famous Landmark
2. Do: Pick one landmark in your city/state (for USA) or country (for international). Please fill all three pages with one scene (as a spread). Also, please write a little something about your landmark and why it is important on the back of your pages. Please sign the back of your pages also.
3. Don't: Put a bunch of different landmarks or repeat a landmark someone else has already done
4. Media: HD/HP (no oil paint)

[Coyote]

Greensburg Tower Tree (http://www.decaturcounty.in.gov/Greensburg's_Famous_Tower_Tree.htm)

Yes, it is literally world famous. The Honda Civic is made in Greensburg. There is a real, large, tree griwing out of the tower. Swear on my dog. I live here....sigh...I live here.

[meran]

Coyote, right now, I've give one of my eye teeth to live in Indiana... I'm very tired of the ineptitude of the MDs here. Experienced it just, again, today. (Hubs said I had the dentist ~floored. Now, he says I need to see an oral surgeon. I knew I needed that two weeks ago.. Sigh..)

Here's my info:




Everyone needs to post on the thread the following things:
1. Theme

Colorful Dogs (will post examples) see attached photo

2. Dos

As per Coyote's instructions (just in case I got those wrong, feel free to ask. I don't bite 😉)


3. Don'ts

No mixed mediums, please. It'll just make it difficult to fold properly, etc.

4. Media Preference

Paint, pencil, marker, inks... If you have any other ideas, post on the thread.. I'm pretty open to most things.

[meran]

Second try on the pic

Finally!

Yes, these are chunkies. NO, you're not making those for me, and definitely no attachments (although.... I could see how I could attach some ribbons... Lol)

But you can see that these dogs aren't the usual colors. Unless you live in Oz, or one of those fanciful places.

It would be nice to carry through the artwork from page to page, but I don't need scenes, necessarily. Or close ups like most of these are. You could imagine a Doggy Daycare (oh, I think I'll title the book that!) with dogs running around, doing doggy things, (and yes, whizzing on something is acceptable, though probably not mounting behavior �� )

And the dog theme could extend to "dog" toys. (I have some "roadkill" dog toys, and a big Fat Cat for them to chew on too. It's only limited to your imagination!

If you're struggling with the animals, just know that I'll be struggling with the people in y'all's themes �� It's all relative. And accepted.

Can't see what you all come up with! (That includes me)

[Tandy]

Greensburg Tower Tree (http://www.decaturcounty.in.gov/Greensburg's_Famous_Tower_Tree.htm)

Yes, it is literally world famous. The Honda Civic is made in Greensburg. There is a real, large, tree griwing out of the tower. Swear on my dog. I live here....sigh...I live here.

Those courthouse tower trees are so cool! That is a great landmark and just the type of thing that would be fun in my book. Of course, I'm not holding you to it if you decide on something else. :)

[DeniseMDupree]

I'm pretty excited to get started :) Just out of curiosity, do you guys typically plan what you will do ahead of time, or wait until you have an artist's moley? I'm already getting ideas as I read through the themes :)

[meran]

I'm planning now, though I try to keep some flexibility to fit in with the one before mine.

I don't want clashing colors or moods... Many times, if I can figure out the color palette of the previous artist, I'll use some of those, to carry the theme through
(That came across strange... I meant, not in MY moley but in all those I work in. I try to harmonize my work with that of the artist previous to mine. Btw, I think I may be the last person to work in everyone's moleys... An enviable position! I get to see ALL of them before anyone! Lol )

Coyote, all the moleys I've done have been for 4 pages, not 3. (I'm looking at many of my designs in my sketchbook).Any idea of when the pages we should work on changed in number, from 4 to six?? Just curious. I even ran out to buy a larger sketchbook just because of the size of the 4 pg spread. (I'm glad I checked that item!)

[meran]

Thanks Nicky!
:embarrassed:

Many of those you see were watercolor, acrylic, or colored pencil. (Btw, some of my cp work has up to 15 layers... My avatar, for example. I just keep going until I'm happy with it.)

I just found your post; since I missed it, I'm going thru the posts to make sure I've "met" everyone ;)

[meran]

Chatty, I hope the fires are over (for now. I know it's the season), and you're home, with everything safe and sound!

[Coyote]

Meran

The moleskine swaps, as far as I know, have always been a 3 page spread for each player. The moleskine you should use for this swap should be brand new. Meaning you purchase it specifically for this swap.

It should be a Japanese Style 3.5 x 5.5 inch Moleskine. See the link I posted in the thread started for a link to Amazon.

Your theme is going to be awesome! I love the chunkies you posted.

[Nicky]

Hi Meran,

We use the 30 page Japanese harmonica moley... with groups of 10 players the only option is 3 pages each... Wonder what kind of moley you used in the past that you could do 4 pages each?

Love all the theme's posted so far!

Coyote: what happened to player no. 4??? Did she withdraw?

[Tandy]

Here are my "check-in" pages and my "this book belongs to" page:

http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/images/21438/large/1_Check-In-Pages.jpg

http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/images/21438/large/1_Book-Belongs-To.jpg

[Nicky]

Looks great Tandy... I will have to do something like that for my sign-in pages too.... on the 2nd page is a printed form where one should put its name etc... (what we do on the last page)... so I will need to glue a page over the original one.... Still brooding on something that fits with my Witch 'n Wizards theme.

[meran]

I've contributed to several moleys, for several years now.
Only once on atcsforall.
Come to think of it, here, it was a three pager. But the others were always 4 pages.

I have the correct moley 😉 Would you like to see my sketches? I also have the completed moley pages. I believe we only had nine players though.

And it's the "Japanese accordion" version 😉

I've never done all the super organized pre-pages either. (I'm not complaining here, just giving facts). We always had a card that was put into the pockets, with a ribbon pull tab, for the artists.

[meran]

The pocket part

[meran]

4 pg spreads

It was from 2010, and 8 artists... I did 3 pages, everyone else did 4 (but it was optional to do 3). And we began on the back of the This Book Belongs To page.

[Bluesky]

Theme: In the garden done in Cori Dantini style
Do: anything found in the garden, birds, bees, flowers, butterflies, trees, gnomes, fairies and so on. Of course, Cori Dantini style girls! Would also love if positive sayings, phrases or words are included. If the three pages could be a continuous scene that's great!
Don't: There are no don'ts.
Media Preference: HD/HP with mixed media.

[Coyote]

Meran! Those are awesome!

[Nicky]

Managed to get my "check in" pages done. He is only a sorcerers apprentice but I wouldn't chance to ignore or try to by-pass the registration!!!! The Book of Wizards and Witches has been started... :jiggy:

[DeniseMDupree]

I am loving these check-in pages! I can't wait to do mine :) Gotta think of a cool idea first. I did think of a question though, how are these pages with inks and watercolors? Like copics, or spectrum markers? Will they seep through? Or will watercolors create wrinkled pages? I didn't want to risk messing up my book by testing it out.

[Nicky]

Mine are done in marker and polycolor pencils... must admit that I did the drawings on a separate piece of paper and glued them in the moley.... didn't want to risk drip through on the second page (first page is the back of the cover... that one is pretty safe to work on.

Printed the opening page of my moley as well (found a lovely page that I altered to make it appropriate for my moley theme ;) ) ... now I'm up to drawing the first three pages.... have to get my thinkin' cap on for that and with another week of work ahead (and a busy week at that) I won't be able to work on the moley until next week.... but then I have 3 weeks of holiday... lots of things planned but lots of time for art too!!!

[Coyote]

I am loving these check-in pages! I can't wait to do mine :) Gotta think of a cool idea first. I did think of a question though, how are these pages with inks and watercolors? Like copics, or spectrum markers? Will they seep through? Or will watercolors create wrinkled pages? I didn't want to risk messing up my book by testing it out.

Ive watercolored pages befire, they dont warp to bad. Some in,s like copic and prismacolor will bleed through. A layer of gesso for some paints may be needed. :eek: but other than that, ive had luck with most other forms of color.

[DeniseMDupree]

Cool, thanks Nicky and Coyote :)

[zandradee]

Hello again. I'm so pleased to be included. :-) Here's my thematic info:


1. Theme: New Beginnings
2. Dos: I'd like a visual exploration of what this might mean to you. Think of synonyms like starting over, renovation, recovery, rebirth, fresh start.... Any style at all - abstract or realistic or whimsical or?
3. Don'ts: As long as the moley will fold, I'm happy.
4. Media Preference: HD/HP or mixed media. Or both. :-)

Feel free to ask me any questions should they arise.

[schmancyfancy]

Okay people... Here we go!
1. Theme: "Madame Fancy's Sideshow Curiosities." I want my very own, panoramic freakishly fantastic circus sideshow/freak show.
2. Dos: Research real vintage side show acts or make up your own freakish characters. I want this to be one long panoramic view of the same sideshow. My only MUST is color. Bold, beautiful color!
3. Don'ts: No abrupt stops. I have seen in some moleys where one artist's work continues over into the next just a tiny bit to help make it flow. I love the look of this. Hopefully my first few pages will be a good example.
4. Media Preference: Whatever your heart desires. As long as it fits the theme and my moley closes well enough.

I am very excited to start our moleys! :jiggy: We have a great bunch of themes going on.

If anyone has any questions for me, feel free to ask. My first moley swap... I'm so excited!

[Tandy]

I'm pretty excited to get started :) Just out of curiosity, do you guys typically plan what you will do ahead of time, or wait until you have an artist's moley? I'm already getting ideas as I read through the themes :)

I am not much of a planner when it comes to art. I just let inspiration hit me with a stick when it is ready. :biglaugh:

[Tandy]

Theme: In the garden done in Cori Dantini style

I love Cori Dantini!

[Tandy]

Managed to get my "check in" pages done. He is only a sorcerers apprentice but I wouldn't chance to ignore or try to by-pass the registration!!!! The Book of Wizards and Witches has been started... :jiggy:

Great job Nicky...and I wouldn't want to mess with that apprentice!

[Tandy]

I did think of a question though, how are these pages with inks and watercolors? Like copics, or spectrum markers? Will they seep through? Or will watercolors create wrinkled pages? I didn't want to risk messing up my book by testing it out.

Copics, Prismacolors and other alcohol based markers will bleed through the paper, but the way the book is set up the artists will only be working on the front of the pages so the back isn't all that important. Watercolors work fine, just don't use an excess amount of water (I wouldn't try painting wet into wet on this little books).

[Nicky]

Wow Michelle - that's a mighty challenging theme you've got there....

[schmancyfancy]

Wow Michelle - that's a mighty challenging theme you've got there....

...Too challenging? If everyone thinks it's too much, I can think of something else. Let me know what you all think.

[Nicky]

I don't think so Michelle - I have the experience that ideas will not come until I really need them ... so in the end I'll probably think of something appropriate ;)

[Coyote]

In regards to SchmancyFancy's theme. I have been looking at past moleskine swap themes and have decided that her theme is just as challenging as some from the past. In #20 Moleskine Swap and #21 moleskine swap there are some themes that were difficult to do, but the challenge was fun.

Her theme is basically one long (continuous) circus freak show. This means:
-Bearded Ladies
-Sword Swallowers
-Fire Dancers
-Tattooed giants lifting cars
-People with horns

Freak Show History (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freak_show)

Here is a little bit about what a Freak Show is.

[schmancyfancy]

Thanks Coyote. I was about to type out the whole spiel, but you did it for me!:jimlad:

[DeniseMDupree]

This might be a silly question but how does the continuity work with regards to media and things like that? Like if the first one is painted, then do we all paint them? Or just try to match colors?

[Coyote]

This might be a silly question but how does the continuity work with regards to media and things like that? Like if the first one is painted, then do we all paint them? Or just try to match colors?

Try to match color schemes and lines. For example if a circus tent cuts off right before your pages, try to continue the circus tent. You do not need to match media.

[Coyote]

Mailing Schedule has been posted!

Check it out on page one. It's post #2 (http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1721935&postcount=2)!

[Nicky]

15 minutes left at work and then my 3 weeks holiday starts... must have time to finish my moley pages in these weeks!! :jiggy:

[schmancyfancy]

3 week holiday?!?!? My jealousy is oozing. Have fun!!!

[Nicky]

I have been sooooo looking forward to some time of from work... it's been real busy these last few weeks.... Since hubby is out of a job for more than 5 years now, money is tight and a 'real' holiday was out of the question... until my penpal in Germany invited us so now we can spent 6 days with her and her mum in Germany, isn't that great? And on top of all of this my boss had a surprise - he gave me an envelop with a 'little present' yesterday, to do something nice during the holidays... in it was € 150 ($167).... so sweet!!! We will most certainly spend a nice weekend somewhere!

[waffle]

Got my new moley in the mail today! Got a good rate on Amazon so with shipping it was under $10.

[Nicky]

If anyone want some practice for DeniseMDuprees Halloween pages, why not join Linda4atc's new journal pages swap - Creepy Halloween 8x8 Fantasy Pages? Click here (http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/showthread.php?t=31274) to check it out! Working on a 8x8 scale can be so much fun!

[schmancyfancy]

If anyone want some practice for DeniseMDuprees Halloween pages, why not join Linda4atc's new journal pages swap - Creepy Halloween 8x8 Fantasy Pages? Click here (http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/showthread.php?t=31274) to check it out! Working on a 8x8 scale can be so much fun!

Thanks for the heads up Nicky... I just signed up!

[Nicky]

That's great Schmancy!! See you there as well ;)

[DeniseMDupree]

Oooo thanks for the that link, Nicky :)

[Nicky]

How nice to see that you've signed up too Denise!

[Nicky]

Hooray for the holidays.... a few days at home without obligations and I managed to finish the 3 opening pages for my Wizard and Witches moley. Like I mentioned before - the starter page is a print - altered to fit the moley...

With a theme like Wizards and Witches and being a huge fan of Terry Pratchett's Discworld novels, it was impossible for me to resist - two of his witches would have to open my moley.... Esmeralda (Esme) "Granny" Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg came flying in!

I can hardly wait to get started and get this moley on the road !

[zandradee]

I got busy on Pinterest to come up with some stuff that people might wish to utilise when approaching my very broad theme of 'new beginnings.' Motifs could include eggs, seeds, dawn, butterflies, phoenix, ouroboros, hares, robins, ravens, spiral and lotus flowers. Whew. Here's the board I compiled: https://www.pinterest.com/zandradeerjw/theme-ideas-new-beginnings/

[DeniseMDupree]

Love those pages, Nicky! I am considering printing my title page and sign in pages as well. Decisions, decisions :) At least there's time.

Thanks for the link, zandradee :)

[Tandy]

Great pages Nicky.

Zandra your Pinterest board will be very helpful when it comes time to work on your moley. Thank you.

[theweavershand]

okay...ive been completely fascinated with altering magazine images in my art journals so my theme is designed to challenge all of you to experiment with altering magazine images.
the images you choose and the way you choose to use and alter them will be completely up to you. my only requirement is that there be an image cut from a magazine that you have altered in some way featured in your spread.

here are some examples of what i have in mind. please feel free to ask any questions or share any uncertainty you may have with me.

Of course, Teesha Moore is a pioneer in this style and I love her take on it but I dont want you to feel limited to do it the "Teesha" way so I've included some examples of different styles that use magazine images.

http://balzerdesigns.typepad.com/balzer_designs/2011/03/art-journal-every-day-from-magazine-to-art-journal-page.html

http://pluckingdaisies.com/the-weepies-humming-bird-art-journal-page/

http://blog.journalcraft.co.uk/?p=140

and here are some of mine...

http://theweavershand.blogspot.com/2015/08/random-journal-pages.html

[Coyote]

theweavershand

This theme is fantastic! I have so many magazines (hundreds) in my classroom closet. I will begin to search for images.

I am loving everyones themes! This is shaping up to me an epic swap! We have a FULL house now. I need to change the Mailing Schedule, so don't get to excited about that quite yet.

First Mail Out Date will be November 1, 2015

[Coyote]

FINAL MAILING LIST PARTNERS

It worked out that Tandy and Linda4atc live in California which will make moley sending super easy for them.

Final Mailing Schedule Link (http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1721935&postcount=2)

[theweavershand]

Excellent! I've done these swaps both ways and I much prefer the "mail to the same person" method.

[Linda4atc]

OK Call me dunce, twice now I have gone on an online search for these moleskins. It looks like all the ones I am finding are regular book pages not the fold out pages. Can one of you in the know give me a link or the correct words for the search please?

[theweavershand]

http://www.amazon.com/Moleskine-Japanese-Pocket-Classic-Notebooks/dp/8883701046/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1440555417&sr=1-7&keywords=moleskine+journal+japanese

[Nicky]

Hooray - off for my 6 days of holiday in Germany... see you all on 31 August or (if home late) 1 September

[Coyote]

Hooray - off for my 6 days of holiday in Germany... see you all on 31 August or (if home late) 1 September

Lucky ducky! Have fun!

[Coyote]

OK Call me dunce, twice now I have gone on an online search for these moleskins. It looks like all the ones I am finding are regular book pages not the fold out pages. Can one of you in the know give me a link or the correct words for the search please?

Linda were you able to find it?

[Linda4atc]

Yes just ordered it, 3-5 days it should be here.
Thank you theweavershand. Nicky great pages, and have fun!

[theweavershand]

no problem, Linda. happy to help.

[Coyote]

Themes in a Nut Shell

1. Coyote---Aquarium Scenes

2. Nicky---Witches and Wizards

3. SchmancyFancy--- Continuous Circus Freakshow

4. Zandradee---New Beginnings

5. DeniseMDupree---Continuous Halloween

6. Tandy---Famous Hometown Landmark

7. Bluesky---In the style of Cori Dantini

8. Waffle---In the style of Suzi Blu, Pretty Girls

9. Theweavershand---Altered magazine images

10. Linda4atc--- ? ----

[Linda4atc]

I have been tossing up a few ideas...... Your Christmas Memories; Under The Sea with Mermaids; or an idea inspired by Kynara's theme in Moley group #21, Vacation on the Space Station. It would be a bunch of Aliens from different worlds enjoying themselves on a space station.

I am kind of leaning towards the last, anyone else have an opinion?

[schmancyfancy]

I have been tossing up a few ideas...... Your Christmas Memories; Under The Sea with Mermaids; or an idea inspired by Kynara's theme in Moley group #21, Vacation on the Space Station. It would be a bunch of Aliens from different worlds enjoying themselves on a space station.

I am kind of leaning towards the last, anyone else have an opinion?

I am loving the Alien Vacation! Mermaids is my #2 choice.

[Bluesky]

Christmas or mermaids

[Coyote]

I have been tossing up a few ideas...... Your Christmas Memories; Under The Sea with Mermaids; or an idea inspired by Kynara's theme in Moley group #21, Vacation on the Space Station. It would be a bunch of Aliens from different worlds enjoying themselves on a space station.

I am kind of leaning towards the last, anyone else have an opinion?

I like the Vacation on a Space Station idea. If we do that, are you okay with Star Wars.

[Linda4atc]

Yes the people from the Star Wars saga are welcome to vacation on the space station. Bluesky you prefer the other two but would you be unhappy with the space station idea?

[Bluesky]

No its your book its your choice on speaks to you the most.

[Bluesky]

Sorry on what speaks to you the most. Sorry brain a bit scrambled. ( trying to see what tropical storm Erica is going to do( I live in Miami)

[Linda4atc]

Cool, hope the storm doesn't cause any trouble.

I guess Vacation on the Space Station it is then. A bunch of Aliens from different worlds enjoying themselves on a space station. Some alien inspiration in Star Wars, Deep Space Nine, Babylon Five, The Fifth Element check out the Art in this swap hosted by Drake22ice (http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/showthread.php?t=30645).

[Linda4atc]

OOOoooo I just started watching the SiFi series Defiance, it also has some cool aliens!

[Coyote]

Update!


Themes in a Nut Shell

1. Coyote---Aquarium Scenes

2. Nicky---Witches and Wizards

3. SchmancyFancy--- Continuous Circus Freakshow

4. Zandradee---New Beginnings

5. DeniseMDupree---Continuous Halloween

6. Tandy---Famous Hometown Landmark

7. Bluesky---In the style of Cori Dantini

8. Waffle---In the style of Suzi Blu, Pretty Girls

9. Theweavershand---Altered magazine images

10. Linda4atc---Aliens Vacation on a Space Station

[Linda4atc]

My moley arrived, now to figure out what to draw and find the time to do it. LOL

[Coyote]

Finding the time is always a hard thing. lol. I have some birds to finish for a swap, but I have so much other stuff going on right now I don't think they will get done. :(

[theweavershand]

mine is due in the mail middle of next week. finishing up Linda's spread for our other moley group and then ill be looking for images for mine. looking forward to it!

[Coyote]

Okay! Lord, I am getting married in less than a month people! I am so nervous! I have no doubts I want to get married, but I'm still nervous! How is everyone doing with their moleskines?

I am working on my 3 pages and will post it soon.

[Linda4atc]

Wow congratulations. I think being nervous and excited at the same time is completely normal. I even get nervous about taking trips, which silly.

[Linda4atc]

Zandradee and Coyote if you need a little help with the postage sometime during this group speak up. I just mailed a mole to Canada today in the recommended small bubble envelope and it cost me $9.45. It isn't fair that you two will be mailing international every month. I for one would be happy to chip in.

And I redid my info so it fits in with the rest I'll pm it with my personal info. I'm not sure if I sent that yet.

[Nicky]

I know all about it Linda - hosted moley group #20 - being in The Netherlands and having players in the US and Canada only was pretty expensive.... mailing a moley was € 16 per shipment!!

[Coyote]

Zandradee and Coyote if you need a little help with the postage sometime during this group speak up. I just mailed a mole to Canada today in the recommended small bubble envelope and it cost me $9.45. It isn't fair that you two will be mailing international every month. I for one would be happy to chip in.

And I redid my info so it fits in with the rest I'll pm it with my personal info. I'm not sure if I sent that yet.

That is so awesome of you! Every little bit helps. I will let you know if I am in need of assistance.

While we swap I wanted to let you know I am hosting a new standard size ATC swap:

The Green Man

It hasn't been posted yet, but if you wanted to check it out when it is posted and see if it is something you'd like to do.

:-)

[Coyote]

Remember

For all the lives lost, We Remember.

9-11-01

[Coyote]

Announcement!

My wedding is coming up super quickly. I will be away from the forum October 1-6. If you need anything or have any questions about this swap, please contact Nicky.

I have everyone's addresses and will be sending you your partner's info during the week of October 19. That is my fall break from school.

I hope everyone is well. Let me know if you n eed anything. :-)

[Nicky]

How exciting dear - don't get too nervous now! Hope you'll have a smashing wedding and a lovely honeymoon break!

[zandradee]

Best wishes for a truly splendid day!

[Linda4atc]

C?ongratulations to you both. Wishing you a perfect wedding and wonderful life together.

[Bluesky]

Here's to a wonderful life together!

[zandradee]

I've done my check-in pages....

[Tandy]

Very clever sign in pages Zandradee!

[Nicky]

How cute zandradee

[Linda4atc]

hmmmm your pretty butterfly gives me a couple of ideas for mine.

[Linda4atc]

OK I am having trouble here. This is only my second moley. I have counted three times and my book only has 28 pages, 29 if I count the back of the "In case of loss" page. How can 10 of us do 3 pages each? Is my book faulty? Do I need to add pages? I have noticed some of the books do have pieced foldouts. If I do add to it, I don't think I have a paper like this, should I add them to the front so it will be my own art on the different paper?

[Nicky]

How strange Linda - I have 3 moleys in the house and they all have 30 pages... You do have the 'harmonica' version of the moley, do you?

[theweavershand]

every moley swap ive done has the travel log and in case of loss on the inside of the front cover and front of the one single page respectively and the first 3 page spread starts on the back of the in case of loss page (if that makes sense). that usually works out just perfectly.

[Coyote]

OK I am having trouble here. This is only my second moley. I have counted three times and my book only has 28 pages, 29 if I count the back of the "In case of loss" page. How can 10 of us do 3 pages each? Is my book faulty? Do I need to add pages? I have noticed some of the books do have pieced foldouts. If I do add to it, I don't think I have a paper like this, should I add them to the front so it will be my own art on the different paper?

Is your book a Japanese moleskine? Harmonica style? zig zag. If not then you can do one of the following options:
add pages to the end in a similar heavy weight paper for the last person (who shouldnt mind at all)

or

buy a japanese style harmonica moleskine. BUT! thats more money you have to spend on a moleskine and I know how expensive that can get.

[Coyote]

Saturday: October 3: My wedding. I am going to be in Chicago from Monday through Wednesday next week. Phew....then! When I return Thursday I will be sending everyone their partner's mailing info and making sure everyone is on track.

PM me if you have questions!

[Linda4atc]

Yes it is one of the Harmonica style books. I guess it is just missing a single page at the end. Tandy will be the last artist in my book. Would you like me to add the page? probably better to remove two and three so the whole spread is on the paper. Or would you prefer to do it yourself at the end? I can see pages are added with a half inch tab glued under the previous page.

I went back to the link in post #79 where I bought it, to try and figure out if it was possible used purchase from a private seller, but I can't tell.

[waffle]

Well, I just wanted to say hi - working on my mixed media girl book - it's sooooo pink and cute right now.

[Coyote]

I'm married! woot woot! New name and all!

[Nicky]

WOW - Hope you had a wonderful day.....
Congratulations from the Netherlands and I hope you're having a swell time!

[Bluesky]

Congrats!!!!!

[schmancyfancy]

So happy for you!!!

[waffle]

Congratulations on a new chapter of your life! Best wishes!

[SunTrade]

This is very interesting. I have never done one. Maybe I will try next time.

[SunTrade]

I'm married! woot woot! New name and all!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

[Bluesky]

My sign in page.

[Bluesky]

My title page.

[Bluesky]

This is my if lost page. The message portion flips up and my address is underneath.

[Bluesky]

Last of all, my three page spread.

[Nicky]

How cute Bluesky!

[schmancyfancy]

Those look great!!

[zandradee]

Lovely stuff, Bluesky!

I was going to post my three-page spread but I keep getting an 'upload of file failed ' error message. I'll try some other stuff.

[Tandy]

Lovely stuff, Bluesky!

I was going to post my three-page spread but I keep getting an 'upload of file failed ' error message. I'll try some other stuff.

Your file is probably too large.

[zandradee]

Yes, it is. I've been trying to shrink it - which was so easy when I had PhotoShop... but I figured it out with a freebie called Gimp (of all things!)

[Linda4atc]

Really Cool zandradee.

I am starting to work on my pages here are some of the aliens I have done in the past...
http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/images/259/medium/1_Cute_Monsters_2-2015.jpg
http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/images/259/medium/1_4-2015_Aliens___pets.jpg
http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/images/259/medium/1_Star_Wars_8-2015.jpg
http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/images/259/large/1_my_art_for_kynara_2-2015.jpg

[Nicky]

Great 3-pager Zandradee.... will probably get your moley last so I'll have a lot of lovely eye-candy to look at before I start ;)

Some funky aliens Linda - love your Yoda (although he looks pretty worried .... hihihi)

[Coyote]

I have been missing out on some amazing stuff being posted to the wall! I am loving all the posts I am seeing!

[Coyote]

Mailing Addresses Have Been Sent!

Alright everyone! The addresses for your mailing group have been sent out. You should have gotten 3 addresses in the email. one is your address the other two are the person you are sending to and the person they are sending to.

Some of you have 2 groups of addresses, these are the people before and after you. so in reality, every one should have at least 3 addresses for people in the swap. I have the master list of addresses in a SAFE place. :) If you lose the PM or the addresses please let me know or just email your partner.

I have posted the mailing schedule in POST #2, please check that so you know who you will be mailing to each month. remember we are rotating the moleskines to the same person each month. So Nicky will alwasy send a different persons moleskine to me each month. (House keeping reminder. ;))

If you have any questions or concerns please email me or PM me. :-)

First Mail Out Date Required Is: Monday, November 2, 2015: Please Post the Tracking Number here so your partner knows!

Have fun!

[Coyote]

Please take a moment or two to take my POLL

POLL (http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/showthread.php?t=31650)

[theweavershand]

i need to get busy on mine! this month just flew by!

[Nicky]

I have posted the mailing schedule in POST #2, please check that so you know who you will be mailing to each month. remember we are rotating the moleskines to the same person each month. So Nicky will alwasy send a different persons moleskine to me each month. (House keeping reminder. )

Uh, I thought that YOU were mailing to me and I was mailing to Zandradee, Coyote?

[Coyote]

Uh, I thought that YOU were mailing to me and I was mailing to Zandradee, Coyote?

Yes. lol. :twitcy:

[Coyote]

Monday, November 2, 2015:

Alrighty everyone. Our mail by date is coming up quickly.

1. Coyote: READY
2. Nicky: READY
3. Bluesky:READY
4. Zandradee:
5. Waffle:
6. Linda4atc: READY
7. DeniseMDupree: READY
8. Tandy
9. theweavershand: READY
10. Schmancyfancy:

Let me know by posting either:

READY

OR

NOT READY

Please post the tracking number and date mailed to the thread as well. Let's get this party started! I am so excited!

[Nicky]

READY - it will go out tomorrow... will post tracking number as soon as I have it.

[Bluesky]

Ready. Mailed. Pm'd the tracking #.

[theweavershand]

and it is already here! spooky! i need to get on the ball and get mine done. i've got the last one in my previous swap to do, mine to start this one and Bluesky's waiting in the bullpen. its going to be a moley weekend for me!!

[DeniseMDupree]

READY - but not mailing until Monday

[Nicky]

Mailed out - check HERE (http://www.internationalparceltracking.com) - tracking code = RN891354055NL

[Linda4atc]

I don't think I mailed late once in my last moley group. But I keep getting side tracked and I will not be ready to mail tomorrow. Mondays I have class and the teacher has asked us to be punctual since we have a model to pose for us. I get up at 6am and won't have time to finish tonight. I will get it out in Tuesdays mail, very sorry. :embarrassed:

[DeniseMDupree]

Mailed! USPS : 9505 5135 2202 5306 1264 33

[Linda4atc]

Stayed up an hour and a half past my bed time but got a lot done. I will be ready to mail tomorrow for sure.

[theweavershand]

still working on mine. hoping to have it in the mail tomorrow but it may be Wednesday before i can have it done, dry and ready to ship.

[Coyote]

nICKY, Mine is in the mail on Wednesday.

[Nicky]

Haaaa... it's gonna be great mail time again.... Received lovely journal pages today - as my husband told me... can't wait to see them when I get home late tonight... and now I've got your Aquarium to look forward too.... FUN!

[Linda4atc]

http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/images/259/medium/1_10-2015_My_moley_cover.jpghttp://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/images/259/medium/1_10-2015_event_pages.jpg
http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/images/259/large/1_10-2015_my_moley_pages.jpg
Heading to the post office now.

[theweavershand]

here is my travel page and 3 page spread. hoping to have this in the mail tomorrow.

[Linda4atc]

Cool, That should be a fun theme to work on.

[Linda4atc]

Somebody that doesn't get confused... please tell me which book I will have in February. LOL
I need to prepare for that one ahead of time since I am going to Art Diego, traveling by car and visiting family. I may be gone up to two weeks.

[theweavershand]

Linda...if i'm reading things right it looks like you will have Waffle's in February but someone double check that to be sure.

[DeniseMDupree]

Linda - that's so cool!

[Nicky]

Oh wonderful pages from both of you!!

[Nicky]

Yep Linda - I agree with the Weavershand... Waffle's should be the one

[Coyote]

Linda4atc: Yes, Waffle's will be the one you have in February.

[Linda4atc]

Awesome note self get sketchpad and google Suzi Blu!

[zandradee]

I was in Denver last week visiting my family. I left my moley with my brother, who works in a mail room, to mail on my behalf on Monday. He tells me the tracking number is 7015 1660 0001 0547 6872. Woo hoo! It has begun (movie trailer announcer voice). ;-)

[Coyote]

Everyone is off to an awesome start! I however, am behind! AHHH! I hate it.

[Tandy]

My moley will be heading out to Linda today. I'll post pics and the tracking number later.

[Linda4atc]

Well I could do redwoods or vineyards for my area but it looks like we are the only ones in California so there are a lot more possibilities:D

But let me confirm something, you want us to pick only ONE landmark?

[Bluesky]

There is a book by suzi blu.

[Tandy]

Well I could do redwoods or vineyards for my area but it looks like we are the only ones in California so there are a lot more possibilities:D

But let me confirm something, you want us to pick only ONE landmark?

Yes, just one landmark. I'd like one scene across the 3-page spread. When I post a picture of mine it will make more sense.

[Tandy]

There is a book by suzi blu.

It's a great book too! I have it. It is on how to draw faces (whimsical). She also has tons of videos on YouTube.

[Tandy]

Here are the pages from my Moley:

Sign-in Pages:
http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/images/21438/large/1_Sign-In-Pages-sm.jpg

Instructions and Travel Plan:
http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/images/21438/large/1_Instructions-Travel-Plan-sm.jpg

My Landmark, Agri-Empire Potato Shed (3-page spread):
http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/images/21438/large/1_Agri-Empire-Spread-sm.jpg

Information about my landmark on the back of my 3-page spread:
http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/images/21438/large/1_Landmark-Description-sm.jpg

[Linda4atc]

Cool pages. My first choice is/was Disneyland. My son and I both grew up in southern CA and have many memories of the park. But I would probably credit Disney animation for waking my artistic muse. I remember being in awe of the beautiful landscapes and such in Bambi and Snow White when I was a child.

Another choice would be to do a local Anderson Valley Vineyard. I drive right past most of them every time I go into town.

But after seeing your example I think maybe the Skunk Train would be a good choice for your moley http://www.skunktrain.com/history.html Do you have a favorite? Or one you don't want?

[Coyote]

That is such an awesome landmark spread! I have to think about the landmarks around here.

This is my 3 page spread for my moleskine. Aquariums. This is my interpretation of my fish tank full of tiger barbs.

Collage in the background, hand drawn, hand painted fish, rocks, and plants. Black border to emulate the "tank walls".

My moley will be sent out today. November 6 2015

[Nicky]

So lovely Aquarium Coyote - can't wait to get my hands on that moley to add some fish and such!

[Linda4atc]

neon tetras were always my favorite when I had an aquarium. But I quit keeping one when ants decided to make a nest in the tanks heater! I had a very thick line of the little pests following the edge of tank and table down to the floor.

[Coyote]

neon tetras were always my favorite when I had an aquarium. But I quit keeping one when ants decided to make a nest in the tanks heater! I had a very thick line of the little pests following the edge of tank and table down to the floor.

Ants are gross, no matter where they are.

We have some neo tetras in with the barbs, then we have a tank with 2 baby turtles and a few sun fish, and a terrerium with two baby tortoises. Plus a dog....

I have a zoo in my home.

[DeniseMDupree]

Beautiful pages everyone! As for aquariums, I have a 55 gallon with 5 albino corydoras catfish, 2 gold panda mollies, 2 Bolivian rams, 1 gold mystery snail, 1 ivory mystery snail, and 12 ttwmonth old platy fry - some will probably be mickey mouse. I also have a platy in my 10 gallon quarantine.

[Tandy]

Cool pages. My first choice is/was Disneyland. My son and I both grew up in southern CA and have many memories of the park. But I would probably credit Disney animation for waking my artistic muse. I remember being in awe of the beautiful landscapes and such in Bambi and Snow White when I was a child.

Another choice would be to do a local Anderson Valley Vineyard. I drive right past most of them every time I go into town.

But after seeing your example I think maybe the Skunk Train would be a good choice for your moley http://www.skunktrain.com/history.html Do you have a favorite? Or one you don't want?

Linda, make whatever inspires you. However, I do love the idea of the Skunk Train and its historical value. :) Here is the tracking #9505 5110 1893 5309 5040 92 for my journal. It is projected to arrive on Monday.

[Linda4atc]

Cool I figured the "Skunk" part might not go over well with some people so I wasn't sure. But in fact most of the time more modern trains run the route.

[theweavershand]

so many wonderful themes and they are all starting off with such a bang!

my moley is on its way to Tandy. the tracking number is 9500 1134 0688 5311 1646 11.

[zandradee]

Currently, we have no fish. When my two older children were the age that my two younger children are now, we had a small aquarium with different sorts of basic goldfish - one for each family member. My son named his Captain Orangey Spotty Black. My daughter called hers Tzeitel, because I had just done a production of Fiddler on the Roof. My husband called his Thumper.


But I'm here, not to write about our old fishies, but rather to crow: I have Nicky's moley! I have Nicky's moley! In fact, it arrived Friday -- pretty quick! It's lovely, Nicky, and I will be very thoughtful and careful and good!

[Nicky]

So wonderful to hear that it travels so fast to the UK Zandradee... can't wait to see what you come up with

[Bluesky]

Have anyone heard from waffle? I'm supposed to receive her journal?

[Tandy]

Hmm, Waffle's profile shows she hasn't logged on since 10/29/15.

[Coyote]

Denise I got your moley in the mail!

Nicky it's on it's way to you!

[Coyote]

Have anyone heard from waffle? I'm supposed to receive her journal?

I have sent her a PM and reminded her to post if her moley is traveling. :rolleyes:

[Coyote]

1. Coyote: TRAVELING to partner.
2. Nicky: TRAVELING to partner.
3. Bluesky: TRAVELING to partner.
4. Zandradee :RECEIVED BY partner.
5. Waffle: TRAVELING
6. Linda4atc: RECEIVED to partner.
7. DeniseMDupree: RECEIVED by partner.
8. Tandy: TRAVELING to partner.
9. theweavershand: RECEIVED to partner.
10. Schmancyfancy: TRAVELING to partner.

Let me know when to change the TRAVELING or UNKNOWN to RECEIVED!

[Nicky]

Hi Coyote - Zandradee has received my moley and I can't wait to get your in my hands!

[Bluesky]

Theweavershand had received my moley.

[Coyote]

woot woot!

[Linda4atc]

Tandy's landmarks moley is here. Going to print out some images to use for reference today.

[waffle]

Hi all - sorry I've been so busy this month! My moley is almost ready, I will post when it's on the way.

[Linda4atc]

OKay Monday I need to print out some info on the Skunk Train for the back of my pages and I'm done with Tandy's book.
http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/images/259/large/1_11-2015_moley.jpg you can mark mine Nov. DONE ready to mail.
In the last group we did not mail ahead of time unless the person we mail to had also completed their book ahead of schedule.

[Coyote]

That is awesome! Skunk Train!

[Nicky]

Great train Linda.... and fast work too....

[Linda4atc]

LOL Well the decision as to what to do was made so I just got busy.

[Tandy]

OKay Monday I need to print out some info on the Skunk Train for the back of my pages and I'm done with Tandy's book.
http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/images/259/large/1_11-2015_moley.jpg you can mark mine Nov. DONE ready to mail.
In the last group we did not mail ahead of time unless the person we mail to had also completed their book ahead of schedule.

I LOVE IT LINDA!


I received theweavershand's journal on Friday.

[Coyote]

Sound off! Who has received their partner's moleskine?

[Linda4atc]

me:wub:

[zandradee]

Me! :D

[schmancyfancy]

Me too!!

[waffle]

Got a moley from schmancyfancy today!! The freak show has begun! :D

sorry mine is late but it will go out in the AM. Just had such a hard time deciding what to draw. Finally ended up with a vertical spread.

[Linda4atc]

I just checked a cool audio book out from the library. Lots of aliens. http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/n/larry-niven/draco-tavern.htm

[Nicky]

Got Coyote's moley today... envie was badly damaged and the left top corner was missing but the moley is in good shape - thank heavens!

[Coyote]

Got Coyote's moley today... envie was badly damaged and the left top corner was missing but the moley is in good shape - thank heavens!

Seriously! Lord, I hate the postal service some times! It's a goog thing I had it in a ziplock bag. :( :skeptical:

[Nicky]

indeed ;) but the hole at the corner was almost large enough to let the entire moley slip out... that would have left me with an empty envie - difficult to work on your moley in that case.... so glad it was still tucked inside.

[Coyote]

indeed ;) but the hole at the corner was almost large enough to let the entire moley slip out... that would have left me with an empty envie - difficult to work on your moley in that case.... so glad it was still tucked inside.

Yeah geez! I am going to start taping up the sides with duct tape! I would hate for a moleskine to go MIA because of the mail service!

[Linda4atc]

The bubble envelopes are usually durable enough. I hate the thought but things could be bad for us. They hire all kinds of extra help during the holidays and the people are not necessarily well trained professionals. When I commented that something was supposed to have been there days before she mentioned the temp help. She said they got a whole bag of mail labeled to them but filled with the mail for totally different zipcode. :eek:

[Coyote]

Important Announcement

Ladies: As we get into the holiday season our moleskines will be traveling with countless other packages. Please make sure your package is well taped and shut completely. Also, make sure you send the moleskine in side of a plastic ziplock baggie. This way if anything wet gets inside our moleskines are not destroyed.

I hate to think my moleskine almost went MIA on its way to Nicky when we just started. It hurts my heart. I want our moleskines to have a safe journey around the world. :)

That is all, thank you for reading this!

[waffle]

I shipped my first moley to bluesky - here's the tracking number 9505511003075321376593

[Coyote]

I shipped my first moley to bluesky - here's the tracking number 9505511003075321376593

Hooray!

[Coyote]

Nicky. I will be done with Denise's Moleskine by November 30 and hope to send it by December 1. Will you be ready for another moleskine?

[Nicky]

Hope to have time this weekend - I suppose that should work out!

[Coyote]

Has anyone else scrolled their curser over their green rep points bars? I am awesomesauce on fantastitoast! Hahah.

[Bluesky]

Received waffles moley yesterday.

[schmancyfancy]

Has anyone else scrolled their curser over their green rep points bars? I am awesomesauce on fantastitoast! Hahah.

Apparently I'm on the road to fame. Haha.

[Coyote]

Received waffles moley yesterday.

Eggs-cellent!

[Tandy]

Has anyone else scrolled their curser over their green rep points bars? I am awesomesauce on fantastitoast! Hahah.

Oh my gosh! I just did this. It said "Tandy should simply stop getting rep at this point." :biglaugh:

[Linda4atc]

LOL Tandy I got that message a long time ago. Good thing we can still get reps because I think of them a rep hugs and I always enjoy a good hug.

[Tandy]

LOL Tandy I got that message a long time ago. Good thing we can still get reps because I think of them a rep hugs and I always enjoy a good hug.

LOL. I never knew there were messages if you scrolled over it.

[Tandy]

So I sat down today to work on Amy's moley (theweavershand). I looked up what her subject was and cringed....altered magazine images. Most I you know I primarily do hand-drawn/hand-painted with an occasional mixed-media piece, but almost never do "collage" or deal with magazine images. Well Amy, you definitely took me out of my comfort zone on this one. The good news is about the fourth page into the magazine I found the perfect images...Jellyfish. Now jellyfish are right up my alley! I was able to make this technique work and it even came out decent. :) Here is what I came up with:

http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/images/21438/large/1_Jellyfish-Theweavershand-sm.jpg

[Linda4atc]

Awesome! you can drop that puppy in the mail to me anytime, I'm ready.

[Tandy]

Will send it out on Monday Linda. :)

[Nicky]

Managed to finish Coyotes moley today. Here's my aquarium....
Will wait until the end of the month before I send it on to Zandradee (or early if you let me know that you're ready for it).

[Linda4atc]

Cool assortment of fish. But if that black one is a beta he may have to be secluded from the others. LOL

[Nicky]

IF it had been a beta - indeed, Linda. But this is a Black Molly.... we used to have them in the tank in the earlier days. Some have straight tailes and some have specific pointy tales (at least we had them that way). The fish encyclopedia says: "The Black Molly is well suited for the community tank because of its peaceful nature, and is compatible with other peaceful, large fish that can withstand similar water conditions."

[Linda4atc]

Awesome. I really know very little about raising fish. My mom raised and bred fancy guppies she sold to a pet store. But when her husband found out they were paying her for the babies he got greedy. He went and bought more fish and added to her tank. The fish were sick and that ended that.

And I had that aquarium with some assorted fish but like I said the ants invaded that. I still enjoy looking at other aquariums and the little beta bowls at the store. I think they look lonely in their little bowls, so sad.

[Coyote]

I am loving the pages I am seeing so far! They are awesomesauce! I am working on Denise's halloween pages right now!

[schmancyfancy]

Soooooo... I just realized I didn't post the tracking number when I shipped my own moley out into the wild. I will remember to do so for now on Waffle.

And the art is looking GREAT!

[Bluesky]

Here's the pages waffle did for herself.

[Bluesky]

Here are the pages I did for Waffle's moley.

[waffle]

Thanks so much for posting photos of my moley!! Can't wait to see everyone's cute mixed media girls. And, you guys can do a vertical or horizontal spread - it's up to you! For me it was easier to do vertical to include more of the body.

[Nicky]

So cute ladies! Love Waffle's pages and the one Bluesky did is soooo cute

[Linda4atc]

Those are cute Waffle, and it may be fun to work vertical in your book, especially for the girls like you said. I like skinny pages for just that reason. But for me (and I am guessing for most peeps?) I want all he pages going horizontal. LOL

That said TaaDaa Amy's book arrived today and I have already started collecting magazine images I may use.

[Tandy]

That said TaaDaa Amy's book arrived today and I have already started collecting magazine images I may use.

Yay! Another book made it to you safe and sound. That is why I use the small priority mail boxes. I've never had a problem of them getting damaged in transit. :)

[Linda4atc]

Yes but it cost more. I usually put it in a ziplock bag then a bubble envelope.

[zandradee]

Here are my witches for Nicky....

[Linda4atc]

So cute. My soon to be ex-daughter-in-law loves owls, and because of her I really got into them the last couple years. But She dumped my son, and I have to find a way of not thinking of her everytime I see an owl.

[waffle]

I mailed the circus freaks moley to bluesky last week, just hadn't posted the tracking number! Here it is 9505500018175329000066 It's expected to arrive tomorrow!

Hope you all had a lovely thanksgiving break.

[Coyote]

So cute. My soon to be ex-daughter-in-law loves owls, and because of her I really got into them the last couple years. But She dumped my son, and I have to find a way of not thinking of her everytime I see an owl.

Oh my god! That's horrible! Right before Christmas or has this been going on for a while? I am so sorry for your son!. :(

[Coyote]

I mailed the circus freaks moley to bluesky last week, just hadn't posted the tracking number! Here it is 9505500018175329000066 It's expected to arrive tomorrow!

Hope you all had a lovely thanksgiving break.


Happy Thanksgiving! My dinner dicussion got extremely heated over the American Education system. It was bad.......:(:skeptical:

[Nicky]

So cute Zandradee... ~~sigh~~~ and it's gonna be a long wait to see it in real life ;)
Coyote's moley will go in the mail to Zandradee on Wednesday!

[Coyote]

So cute Zandradee... ~~sigh~~~ and it's gonna be a long wait to see it in real life ;)
Coyote's moley will go in the mail to Zandradee on Wednesday!

Denise's moley will be leaving the United Sates on Friday. I have 2 weeks left in the semester and just found out I need to gather students to paint a mural by December 11. They told me this morning....great....thanks!

[Nicky]

Great Coyote - good planning! They could have thought of that sooner, if you ask me.

[Bluesky]

I received the moley from waffle today. I also mailed a moley to theweavershsnd today. Its tracking number is 9500111066085334471730. Coyote good luck with the mural!

[DeniseMDupree]

Hey all,

Just checking in. My semester (grad school) is very slowly coming to an end. I have been swamped with work and battling a little cold, but I should be mailing out by Friday. :)

ETA: Just checked my green bar, apparently I have "a brilliant future" lol

[Linda4atc]

Good to see you DeniseMDupree, I will mail to you tomorrow.

Thank you Coyote, it happened a couple months ago but she did it in a really crappy way. She threw him and a bunch of his stuff out around 10pm. I live over 12 hours away so couldn't help. Later she moved in with her boyfriend, and all the stuff they bought together and a bunch of his personal stuff was left behind. The house (her grandparents) was repossessed and when he went there he found everything out in the yard and ruined by rain.