Skinny Book: Colorful Mixed Media Trees! Due August 1st

[adriayna]

im oDue date: August 1st, 2008
Signup by: Until full
Number of participants: 40 max
Number of pages: 4 - 10 pages (what you send, you get in return)
Size of Pages: There isn't consensus about skinny book page sizes, so we will be making them 3" wide by 7" high. This will make a great shrine size!
Colors: These should be colorful and bright!

Skinny Book Swap:
Colorful Mixed Media Trees


After working on my tree shrine, I realized that a skinny book swap with a tree theme would be a lot of fun. Here is the original shrine:

http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/file.php?n=11695&w=o


So, for this swap we will be making 3" x 7" pages (vertical only, like the picture) with a mixed media trees theme. This means anything goes--fabric, hand-drawn/painted, collage, or anything else! Please make your pages colorful, bold, and bright as well!


I'm not sure how each participant is going to display them or bind them, so please do not add too much chunk to the sides (feel free to send some fibers or whatever loose).


Skinny Book Guidelines:

1) Each player who joins can send between 4 - 10 pages, 3" wide by 7" high. Whatever you send, that is what you will get back in this swap. Please send your best work!



2) All players must pay for their own postage, including international participants. The last swap cost about $2.50 - $3 in postage for 8-10 pages. International shipping runs about $4 or so. Please send it as loose stamps or well concealed cash. I can also take paypal (PM me for my address)

3) International participants - All participants are REQUIRED to send postage, including international participants. My post office, in fact, does accept International Reply Coupons. You can send me IRCs if you'd like or else you can send me postage via paypal or US stamps if you have them. International shipping should be about $4 USD. If sending IRCs, you should send 4 of them.

4) Bubble mailers-- PLEASE send me a bubble mailer to mail your pages back in (I will reuse bubble mailers that you send if you send an address label). The bubble mailer should have your complete return address on it. On the back, put your userID and swap name.

5) All pages should be IN MY HANDS by August 1st, 2008. PM me for my address when you are ready to send.

6) Backs should be decorated nicely, maybe some scrabook paper layers or a stamp, with your artist info. Just like for chunky books.

7) Please make sure your pages are sturdy and thick - mat board, or several layers of watercolor paper/cardstock for backing.

Players:

1) Adriayna
WITHDREW
3) Curbsidetreasure
4) MissKoolaid
5) bluebelle235
6) jonquil
7) Artedar
8) stormarlea
9) egrobeck
10) Electablue
11) Lily Lemon
12) Natasha

WITHDREW
14) Carole Cadek
15) knesi07
16) livia
17) rocketwoman
WITHDREW

19) Katiev
20) mynameisjenn

21) Rachel
22) Jetleg
23) detephoto
24) Yellowden
25) Eraserqueen
26) Mtforester
27) Goatgoddess
WITHDREW
28) LisaB
29) Goodmorningsunshine

[altermyworld]

mwahhhhhhhhhhh i am the first
Ang

[curbsidetreasure]

yay for summer time swaps :)
i would love to join in!

[adriayna]

So happy to have you both join :)

[MissKoolAid]

Definitely something I want to try! Sign me up please!

[curbsidetreasure]

i'm excited for this swap, i already have a couple of ideas swirling about...lol

[adriayna]

Welcome MissKoolaid! :)

[adriayna]

i'm excited for this swap, i already have a couple of ideas swirling about...lol


Yeah! Me too! :)

[adriayna]

Is everyone ok with the size? I measured it out, and I thought it would be a great size, but its 1" smaller on both edges than the "standard" skinny book size. Let me know what you think.

[curbsidetreasure]

well, i think the size is fine, and i'm sure there can be more skinny book swaps in this size too ;)

[altermyworld]

I am fine with the size, i wanted something fun to do over the summer, i have NO swaps i am in at the present or at least ones i have not completed, this will be fun, can you make it so they are truly chunky, i really miss it when someone doesnt add fibers and such.
Ang

[adriayna]

Ang, do you think that the chunky stuff will interfere with doing them like an acordion book? If not, I can ask for more chunk! :)

[altermyworld]

ahhh never mind i reread your instructions .
I am just finding the chunky books are getting less chunky, due to the fact that binding is becoming different than the normal bound ones. And that is the one thing i like about chunky books is the tactile feeling of the fibers etc.

I certainly don't want to rain on this gorgeous tree parade. Maybe hanging from the bottom, would work. eh?
Ang

[Bluebelle235]

Oooooooh, please can I play too !!! This is just toooooo hard to resist.

[jonquil]

would love to join please:yes:

[Sue W]

I would love to join please ... :yes:

[stormarela]

I want to join please... I was just outside checking my little oak tree,, and yay! it has new leaves!

[adriayna]

Welcome bluebelle235, jonquil, sueW, and stormarlea :). Thank you for joining!

[egrobeck]

oooh, count me in! thanks!

[adriayna]

Yay! Welcome Egrobeck! :)

[Lily Lemon]

Oooh, I'm on the fence. I want to but I've never done this size or theme before. I'll give it a go -- there's plenty of time to experiment and start over again if needed! may I join?

[ElectaBlue]

I would like to join, but I have a few questions. Are these similar to a chunky book in that we decorate the backs and have them on something sturdy? I was looking at my scraps of matboard and have a bunch that are exactly 3x7. Is matboard too heavy?

This is such an exciting size and I love trees, of course!

[adriayna]

Lily Lemon - this is a good kind of swap to start with because you can send in a small amount and don't have to commit to any particular number of cards. With a lot of chunky book swaps, once you sign up you are stuck making 15, which can be overwhelming to any artist! So please join us :)

Electablue - yeah, I should specify that. I'd like the backs to at least look decent, liek the chunky books. And mat board is great! These should be a bit sturdy if we are going to turn them into either books or shrines. The shrine I have pictured has mat board as a basis too.

[Lily Lemon]

I'd like to join then! Thanks!:)

[Bluebelle235]

Ok - dumb question no. 1 : Is mat board the stuff picture framers use ??

[curbsidetreasure]

yup, mat board is the stuff they use at the framing shop.

[Natasha]

Could I join this swap :)

[HelloWhitney]

Hello!!
So I am very new to this place. And still learning all the lingo.
Are we talking about making artists books here, where each page has art created on it? Or are we talking about making a jornal or book with the covers being the art for someone else to use?

I have made a lot of books, and know lots of bindings a techniques that I don't really get to use anymore.

So I am excited for this!

[adriayna]

Lily Lemon & Natasha, welcome! :)

[adriayna]

Hello!!
So I am very new to this place. And still learning all the lingo.
Are we talking about making artists books here, where each page has art created on it? Or are we talking about making a jornal or book with the covers being the art for someone else to use?

I have made a lot of books, and know lots of bindings a techniques that I don't really get to use anymore.

So I am excited for this!

Yes and no, haha. This swap is for pages for a book, basically. Then you can bind them yourself however you see fit. Some people will make them into a shrine (like on my first page), others may hand bind them. Here is a thread that talks about binding options a bit more: http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/showthread.php?p=110444

I've hosted book swaps in the past though, which might be more of what you are asking.

Regardless, you are welcome to join us!

[lildebi]

I would love to join this swap. As usual Adriayna, your work is just stunning. Put me down for 6, I want to do 10, but I'll start at 6 and go from there if time allows. Thanks:-) I think I still have your addy.

[Natasha]

I have made a start :0 Cut out my board and have done my coat of Gesso. Going to have surgery some time in July. the date hasn't been confirmed.

[adriayna]

Natasha, oh, what surgery do you need to get! I hope everything is ok. And you are probably the first person to start on your art!

Welcome lildebi! I'm glad you can join us!

[Natasha]

I am getting my right thyroid taken out. Potentially the whole lot. This is a good distraction. I have lumps the doctors are not 100% sure about even after a biopsy.

[adriayna]

Oh no! Well, do let us know how it goes and if you are ok.

[curbsidetreasure]

looking at the size of the pages, i think it would be fun to bind the pages on the top instead of on the left side..so im going to do that.

[adriayna]

Yeah, that is very true! If you were making them into a book. I'll probably be making a screen out of them to display on a shelf or something.

[Carole Cadek]

Please sign me up :)

[adriayna]

Welcome Carole! :)

I wanted everyone to know that I will be out of town starting tomorrow again. I have a conference to go to in Austin, TX, and then will be visiting the Dallas-Fort Worth ATC group for a sleepover. I return late on Tuesday night, so I will be updating my swaps the following wednesday. As before, Reuben will stay here and get my mail, hopefully this time putting it in the right place. Thanks!

[knesi07]

adriayna-
i'd love to join. i was reading the posts and was on the fence, until you shared your idea of making a screen out of the pages. i have to say, i LOVE that idea and have a perfect spot to display...so....sign me up please! :yes:

[livia]

Please sign me up, this is far enough down the road I can make this swap

[rocketwoman]

i'd love in. sounds like great fun.

[adriayna]

Welcome knesi07, livia, and rocketwoman! :)

[Gingersnap]

Sign me up, please.

[adriayna]

Welcome Judi! Glad you can join us.

Who else wants in on the fun?

[KatieV]

I do!! :D

[adriayna]

welcome katie! :)

[Sue W]

I'm going to have to with draw from this swap ... my apologies for this.

[ArteDar]

Oh Danna....I wana play....well, I already started mine and they are lookin' good enough to submit.....hope ya have room for me.
LUV and Hugs, Dar

[adriayna]

Welcome dar! Sorry to see you go, Sue W.

[rosepetals]

I would like to sign up, please! :)

[adriayna]

Welcome rosepetals! :)

[Rachel]

Hi,
I'd love to join!

[jetleg]

Oh, this looks right up my alley, may I play please?

[adriayna]

Welcome Rhachel (and welcome to the site) and welcome Jetleg!

[ArteDar]

Hi gang! Just wanted ya to know Dana I posted 'em to you Monday.

[adriayna]

Ok, thanks Dar! They aren't here yet~!

[jonquil]

well have cut up my mat boad into the appropriate size - looks a bit weird since I have been making heaps of 4 x 4 chunky pages recently. They are coloured and ready for their trees. I have used my supply of starburst stains as the background and then stamped and embossed etc over it. I just love them as they are so easy to use and have a wonderful shimmer. will post some pics of them some time over the weekend.

[adriayna]

Sounds wonderful!

Dar! Your awesome trees have arrived, along with the rest of the goodies! First one done, even before myself! :)

[ArteDar]

HeeHee....if it was a contest for fastest I win.....but, I really didn't have much else going on and need something fun to do....this is a theme that was challanging and took days for me to finish....good thing I didn't put it off 'till later.
:)

[MissKoolAid]

I haven't even started mine yet! Well at least my bases are cut and gessoed.... :huh:

[detephoto]

is it too late to sign up for this one? i'd really like to play!
amanda (detephoto)

[adriayna]

No, absolutely not! You are welcome to play, detephoto! :)

[egrobeck]

well, my blanks are cut and gessoed too, but I'm stuck. no ideas coming. I made 3, then realized they're not to have chunk or fibers on the sides...but no problem, I'll keep those for my book - I usually make extras anyway..but what to do...not being able to add fibers is going to cramp my style a bit...but what to do to make the trees pop (the pages just look so bare to me without fibers and chunk)..hmmm.... anyone got a good source of images for tree art on the web where I can browse and hopefully get some inspired ideas? (I've already looked at the trees here, and googled tree art, but I don't want to mimic anyone...hmmm) can we use photos? I have some really cool photo manipulations of trees...???

[Bluebelle235]

I haven't started my pages yet, but I know what I want to do, just finishing up some other committments first.

[MissKoolAid]

So I worked on my pages for the past few days. I think they're done but I'm not sure. I might still add to them. Any ideas or suggestions? Go see them in my gallery (http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/index.php?u=726).

[adriayna]

Egrobeck - like an altered photo? This is mixed media/open, so anything goes provided you don't do 4 prints of the same thing or whatever :P

Misskoolaid - Those are so bright and fun! I might add some stamping--on the tree itself or else on the background. Maybe some distressing on the edges as well. But I distress every edge I can these days, so maybe I'm just obsessed with it!

[MissKoolAid]

Misskoolaid - Those are so bright and fun! I might add some stamping--on the tree itself or else on the background. Maybe some distressing on the edges as well. But I distress every edge I can these days, so maybe I'm just obsessed with it!

Hmmm good suggestions. I think I'll try distressing the egdes. Just out of curiosity, what method(s) do you use for distressing? There are so many ways to do it and I like to try different techniques.

[Lily Lemon]

Ok! I finally have one done! The scan doesn't show that there's a lot of metallic and iridescent paints and papers

[adriayna]

Oh that is AWESOME Lily! :)

Re Distressing: I like using some ink and a makeup sponge and going around the edges.

[MissKoolAid]

Cool page Lily.

Thanks Adriayna. That's what I usually do too but I might try something different this time. Time will tell! :D

[jetleg]

Great job lily and Miss Koolaid

[YellowDen]

I would like to join. I've attached photos - let me know if you have any suggestions for improvement.

[adriayna]

YellowDen, welcome! I love the colors :)

[ArteDar]

Oh ladies your trees are sooooooooo beautilul and then SOME!!! Love 'em!

[adriayna]

I will be out of town starting today and going to July 6th. I'm pretty sure I won't have internet (I didn't the last time I went there!). I will update the thread when I return. We still have open slots, so feel free to post to join. Feel free to ship trees--the post office is holding all of my mail. Thanks everyone! :)

[MissKoolAid]

All done. Finally. I added ink to all edges and then heat embossed some of the edges. I'm keeping one of them and there's an extra one for Dana.

http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/file.php?n=21268&w=m http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/file.php?n=21269&w=m

[egrobeck]

ok, I finally figured what to make - I sat down and made some twinkling H20 backgrounds, and the colors just spoke to me. and then I found a neat stamp for the tree trunk and they went together pretty quick after that. I made 6 cards for the swap and 4 for my personal book, but I may make more for the swap if time permits. (I'm sending fibers for all the pages, but they won't be attached - this way everyone can attach them how they want) Here's 2 - to see the rest, go to
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cookala

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3105/2618810331_0196a79e96.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3133/2619633156_09b42da670.jpg

[curbsidetreasure]

beautiful work everyone :)
seeing all these pages is really inspiring and giving me a lot of great ideas!

[adriayna]

These are all great. And so colorful! :)

[curbsidetreasure]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3071/2621884886_5381be0c87.jpg http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3158/2621061507_702d9c70e7.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3224/2621062415_a69b3be6e8.jpg http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3196/2621061877_06eaf514ae.jpg

my pages! i first did a background by watering down green acrylic paint. dribbled that over the pages, then i added accents of decorative paper and ephemera.

[mtforester]

excellent idea!! may I join please?

[EraserQueen]

Can I join too? I already made some pages :D

[EraserQueen]

Here are the one's I've made:

This first set is mix of real tree shapes and abstract painting techniques made from a tree painting I did on canvas that I've cut down. The scanner didn't pick it up well, but I've used metallic paint, and perlX powders mixed in gel medium applied over punchenello...


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3122/2621519191_e6ba299ff9_m.jpg http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3259/2622342120_c65f571859_m.jpg http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3247/2621518585_653d42bb24_m.jpg

This second set features more stylized tree shapes and graphic composition. One is inspired by the tree paintings of Ford Smith.


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3229/2621518269_dcc437d999_m.jpg http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3256/2621517995_0fd3b20509_m.jpg http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3051/2621517673_4872677993_m.jpg


You can see larger versions here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/littleboots

[knesi07]

these are so nice...just want to touch them

[adriayna]

Certainly! We have more room. Welcome Eraserqueen and Mtforester!

Lovely work! I'm excited to see everyone's pages :)

[MissKoolAid]

Gorgeous pages, both of you!

Eraserqueen, I especially like that second set. It really speaks to me for some reason (but both sets are absolutely beautiful!)

[ArteDar]

YES....I love what I'm seeing.....FABULOUS!

[livia]

Here are mine- There is some glitter on each one, which does not show up on the scans.

[curbsidetreasure]

livia - your trees are beautiful! i am sure they are even more beautiful in person :)

[Lily Lemon]

I made two more:

[Lily Lemon]

And another two:

[Lily Lemon]

And the 6th and last. Now I need to figure out what to do with the backs!

[pumpkincoach]

Dana~ May I please play? I have had my eye on this for awhile and have some free time this month. Thank you!

[adriayna]

Lovely work everyone!

Certainly rebecca! You are welcome to join us :)

[goatgoddess]

I thought I had joined this - but I see I haven't so let me get to it and ask

may I Please join the swap?

[ElectaBlue]

Everyone has been posting such wonderful trees!

I put mine in the mail today. I ended up getting a little carried away (how unusual) and made 15, so I mailed in 11. Ten for the swap and one for Dana. I put a sampling of them in my gallery if people are interested. Here is an example:

http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/file.php?n=21405&w=lhttp://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/file.php?n=21399&w=l

[pumpkincoach]

Great Trees Electablue! I especially like the yellow one!

[adriayna]

Deb, you are most welcome.

Lisa, awesome trees! You know I'm your biggest fan :)

[ElectaBlue]

Yeah! I have a fan! I was in such a hurry that I forgot to include a note, so make sure you keep one of the pages as an extra.

Rebecca, thanks for the comment on my trees! The yellow one pops so much online, and in person I really prefer the other ones.

[adriayna]

Ok, not like you have to tell me twice, hahahahaha~ :)

[Natasha]

EVeryones trees are beautiful :D

[MissKoolAid]

My trees went postal today. Money for postage is in the envelop. There's an extra tree in there for you Dana.

[egrobeck]

adriyana - will be posting my pages on Monday - you should have them before the end of the week if all goes well.

[adriayna]

Ok, great! I look forward to seeing both set of trees! I pick the mail up from the PO tomorrow, and am looking forward to seeing if there are any trees in there!

[KatieV]

I have been having fun with my trees. I've got all my backgrounds done, and I think maybe these two trees are finished:

http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/file.php?n=22787&w=s (http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/index.php?n=22787) http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/file.php?n=22788&w=s (http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/index.php?n=22788)

[MissKoolAid]

Very cool KatieV. The additions are simple yet very effective.

[adriayna]

Yeah, I agree. Those are really lovely!

[adriayna]

And finally, I've had a chance to go through my STACK of mail!

Electablue- your awesome and fantastic trees are here. Wonderful wonderful!!!!!`

[Lily Lemon]

Mine are all packaged up! Now to get motivated to stand in line at p.o.in 96 degree heat! :(

[Bluebelle235]

I have finished one of my trees, but thought I had better check first to see if it acceptable as it looks more like a shrub than a tree!! The leaves are made of printed lunch wrap, cut and folded, the trunk is twisted shoe lace. The background is crumpled tissue paper, coloured with Polished Pigments, it is shinier in real life.

Is it OK ???

[adriayna]

That is perfectly acceptable! And quite wonderful! :)

[knesi07]

wOw! bluebelle...that's really pretty!

[Bluebelle235]

Thanks!! I'll get busy then!! ;)

[goodmorningstarshine]

Can I make trees for your books? I haven't swapped on atcsforall before, but I've swapped a lot at swap-bot.com.

Thank you!
Crystal

[altermyworld]

Dana i need to withdraw, I am just not feeling the inspiration , i am enjoying my pool and reading and i leave for vacation in two weeks and i need to clean my house as Zhenia's coming to visit right after i get back. Just not enough time.
ANg

[adriayna]

Ok Ang. We'll miss you, but there is always another day and another swap!:)

[MissKoolAid]

Joy, your tree page is beautiful!

[livia]

My trees are on their way. I sent enough postage to cover the way back, including a confirmation.

[adriayna]

Ok, thanks for letting me know, Livia :)

[jonquil]

Here is my first tree - the background is cajun carnelian red starburst stains and is really shimmery. I finally found a way to use my swarovski crystals as well. stay tuned for more colour

[jonquil]

Here are the next two

[adriayna]

Beautiful! :)

[Bluebelle235]

My trees will be in the post today.

[Lily Lemon]

Sent!

[jonquil]

Here are my last four - they will be going out in the mail today

[Bluebelle235]

Jonquil, they are gorgeous and the colours are divine.

[MissKoolAid]

Oh so pretty Jonquil!

[ArteDar]

Jonquil.....ya really made BEAUTIFUL trees.....love the quote as well.

[stormarela]

I've drawn out my trees, and finally I have a plan of how to finish them! Here's a peek of them so far.

[adriayna]

Great! I've been working on my trees off and on this week. I'm using a dimensional paste. They are coming out cool! :)

[adriayna]

Trees have arrived fro egrobeck and misskoolaid! Great work! :)

[MissKoolAid]

Good to know! Can't wait to see your trees Dana.

[Bluebelle235]

I've drawn out my trees, and finally I have a plan of how to finish them! Here's a peek of them so far.

Can't wait to see them finished. :jiggy:

[adriayna]

They are "in progress". I'm trying something different than usual! :)

[stormarela]

Here they are again, painted, stickled, and outlined with gold....

[Bluebelle235]

Lovely colours, Susan.

[adriayna]

Lovely work! :)

[Rachel]

Hello!

I sent these in a few days ago so you should hopefully be receiving them soon! Loved the swap!

Rachel

[adriayna]

Probably today! :) Those are nice!

[Lily Lemon]

I'm guessing mine will arrive today!

[LisaB]

I have been watching this thread forever, but wanted to make sure I could make them before committing myself. I have made several of these, may I join? I would have them out to you this week. Of course the scan takes out the shimmer from the metallic pens I used... sigh...

http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/file.php?n=24601&w=l

[jonquil]

ooohh - they are gorgeous LisaB

[adriayna]

Sure Lisa! Welcome and nice trees! :)

[ArteDar]

Oh....how kewl Lisa....I'm so happy you joined....LOVE your trees too! :wub:

[adriayna]

I've been working on these some more--they are taking FOREVER! But they will be very cool! :)

[Carole Cadek]

Phew, I finally finished mine! They are in my Gallery if you would like a peek. :)

[LisaB]

Inky, they are awesome sauce! I love them!

[ArteDar]

Phew, I finally finished mine! They are in my Gallery if you would like a peek. :)

MAGNIFICENT......so real looking as if they were a photo instead of your painting.....drool is all over the keyboard and getting messy :swoon::swoon:

[adriayna]

Wow Carole! Those are stunning! :)

[LisaB]

Mine are in the mail - 6 to swap out and 1 for you, Dana!

[Lily Lemon]

Did mine arrive yet?

[adriayna]

Great! thanks Lisa!

[adriayna]

Lily - probably! I have a big stack of mail here from Mon, Tues, and today, but I haven't gotten around to opening it yet b/c of the upgrades! :)

[Carole Cadek]

Thank you :) They are now postal and should be there in a few days. (At least that is what the postal person assured me of. LOL)

[adriayna]

Hehe, probably 2 days with as close as you live to me, Carole! :)

[Carole Cadek]

Yep, that's what she said :)

[adriayna]

More trees are here! :)

Mynameisjenn- great work! So colorful! :)
Livia - Beautiful and delicate trees!
Rachel - I love these! Great work! :)

[Lily Lemon]

Still nothing? i'm really bummed if they're lost. I sent a lot of time on them!:(

[egrobeck]

wow, everyone's trees are so wonderful! fab work everyone! this is going to be another really awesome swap! yay!!!

[adriayna]

Lily, I have a few more packages that have arrived today, but I was in indianapolis all day with our ATC group, so I will open them tomorrow. Hopefully yours is one of them :).

[pumpkincoach]

Dana~ I am sorry to say that I am going to have to withdraw from this swap. I am just not getting any inspiration here....thanks anyway and maybe next time!

[adriayna]

Ok, thanks for letting me know. Sorry about not being able to post about Saturday. I had unexpected guests stay over Sat to Sun and I just got a chance to get online now!

[adriayna]

More pages are here!

Lilylemon - yours have finally arrived. They must have taken the scenic route :).
Stormarlea - wonderful work and so colorful!
Lisab - I love these!!!
Jonquil - Beautiful and lovely!
Carole cadek - you must have some amazing trees for reference where you live. Great job!
Bluebelle235 - I love them!

THank you for the extra pages as well. Its like christmas seeing all these lovely trees!

[Carole Cadek]

Glad to hear they arrived safe and sound. And yes they are some pretty cool trees on the property and the surrounding properties. :)

[Lily Lemon]

More pages are here!

Lilylemon - yours have finally arrived. They must have taken the scenic route :).
Stormarlea - wonderful work and so colorful!
Lisab - I love these!!!
Jonquil - Beautiful and lovely!
Carole cadek - you must have some amazing trees for reference where you live. Great job!
Bluebelle235 - I love them!

THank you for the extra pages as well. Its like christmas seeing all these lovely trees!

Well, I'm glad they've arrived. I hope they measure up to all their wonderful, beautiful, amazing counterparts! :)

[goodmorningstarshine]

These went in the mail yesterday morning. They will be coming to a mail box near you soon!

[adriayna]

Ok, great. I hope everyone who hasn't yet mailed will do so ASAP! :)

[adriayna]

Some chunky book pages. I need to get better photos of these!

I have more too, didn't take photos cause they aren't quite finished!

http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/file.php?n=26273&w=l

[KatieV]

I saw these in person, and they are great!! Really nice to touch, too.

[adriayna]

Yeah, the pictures aren't really great at all. Meh.

[Bluebelle235]

I saw these in person, and they are great!! Really nice to touch, too.

Oooh, you lucky ducky, you !!! How awesome, they look fab.

[LisaB]

Was that gesso you used or white acrylic or guache? Inquiring minds want to know!

[Natasha]

I am running a bit late. But mine will be on their way soon :)

[goodmorningstarshine]

Adriayna, your trees are so beautiful! I just love them! I was trying to figure out which one was my favorite, but I love each of them equally!

[adriayna]

Actually, I used this wall texture paste that I found in the sale asle at hobby lobby for .47 cents. It was an ugly bright pink, but I went over it with gesso and such and now they look nice!

[goatgoddess]

last min again but nearly there - will post when they hit the mail.

[adriayna]

Ok, sure gg! :)

[ElectaBlue]

Dana, I like the way you think! Great idea to buy some atrocious pink texture paste and use it creatively. I sure hope I get one of your trees so I can feel it for myself.:embarrassed:

[goatgoddess]

dropped my trees in the mail this morning on the way to work - sending four with the 5th for you - thanks for hosting - had too many ideas for this one which tends to lock me up - kept flipping between this idea and that idea but finally picked one - sorry for the last min!

http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/file.php?n=26547&w=mhttp://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/file.php?n=26546&w=mhttp://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/file.php?n=26545&w=m

[Rachel]

Hey Goddess,

Those trees are absolutely beautiful! Did you use acrylics for the background colors?

[KatieV]

I'm a little worried - I mailed mine on Tuesday and usually my stuff gets to you fast!

[adriayna]

I have more trees that have arrived on Friday and Saturday! :).

Goodmorningstarsunshine - Beautiful skinny trees! Thank you for the xtra!
KatieV - They indeed did arrive! I love them! Beautiful. I love how you sewed them on. Thank you too for the extra! :)

[goatgoddess]

Thanks - the blue one is mostly acrylics but most of them started with a base of prismacolor markers.
they are layers of paper, lumiere and or prismacolor markers - leaves are cutouts of dec. paper - layers of achol ink tinted glaze.

Hey Goddess,

Those trees are absolutely beautiful! Did you use acrylics for the background colors?

[goodmorningstarshine]

Rock on! I'm really glad you've received them!

[LisaB]

Thanks - the blue one is mostly acrylics but most of them started with a base of prismacolor markers.
they are layers of paper, lumiere and or prismacolor markers - leaves are cutouts of dec. paper - layers of achol ink tinted glaze.

You cut out every single one of those leaves? Yikes! I would have kicked the dog or something if I had to do that, you have more patience than Job!

[Lily Lemon]

You cut out every single one of those leaves? Yikes! I would have kicked the dog or something if I had to do that, you have more patience than Job!

LOL! That's why I bought a leaf punch to do the leaves on mine!

[goatgoddess]

Yeah LL I was wishing I had a leaf punch by the time I was done <g> I did do the whole fold the paper several times then cut out the leaf thing which saved some time Lisa - besides something to do while watching "so you think you can dance" :)

[KatieV]

I did do the whole fold the paper several times then cut out the leaf thing which saved some time :)

Wuh?? I didn't think of that when I did mine, lol :spinny:

[curbsidetreasure]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3069/2708851382_8a0562ac41.jpg

these are my last three trees :) i am sending my pages out on monday.

[adriayna]

Thanks for letting me know, Annie!

Everyone should have their pages in the mail TODAY to make it on time :)

Internationals - if you haven't shipped yet and aren't sending global prioriy, please do NOT send.

[Natasha]

I won't be sending mine then. I am international. I'm sorry.

Here is a pic I have 10 of them.http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3245/2710311590_00553ed1c9.jpg

I don't think I will do this again at least not in the near future.

[adriayna]

Natasha, this swap was posted in May and you signed up, knowing the deadline for the pages to be in my hands was August 1st. I'm sorry you are not able to mail in time to make my deadline, but internationals should post at minimum 7-10 days before the deadline. I don't hold my swaps up for late paraticipants.

[Lily Lemon]

Natasha, if you want to trade one-on-one I can make an extra page for you. Let me know!

[Natasha]

I am going to see how much it would be to express post my pages. It may not be as expensive as I thought. So they might get there. We are also a day behind in dates here too.

[Bluebelle235]

internationals should post at minimum 7-10 days before the deadline.

I always allow a minimum of two weeks because the mail is so inconsistant.

[LisaB]

Me too, Bluebelle, I mail mine sometimes 3 weeks before the deadline. International mail is too unpredictable to risk mailing too close to the deadline. Mailing to Canada from the US takes over 2 weeks, for crying out loud, and we're neighbors! Geez!

[adriayna]

Yeah, seriously! Well, I wish your pages the best of luck Natasha! Lucky for you I'm going camping on the 1st and 2nd so I won't be swapping till sometime next week :)

[Lily Lemon]

I hope they make it 'cause they're really beautiful!

[adriayna]

Yeah, me too! :).

[knesi07]

mine are going postal tomorrow am (express)
here's a peek

[rocketwoman]

what a bunch of cool book pages everyone has made. Mine are on their way also. I'll post the book pages tomorrow. thanks!

[adriayna]

PLEASE do not send express mail. I am not going to be here on Saturday or Friday morning to get it. And then I will need to make an extra trip to the post office. Priority is sufficient and they will arrive in plenty of time because I am camping from the 1st to the 3rd.

[knesi07]

CRAP! I just sent it express, but not federal express, post office express. you shouldn't have to pick that up. my mailman always just leaves them at my door. If you have to make the trip to the po, don't bother. just send them back to me when you go to the po to send everyone elses packages. i like how they came out and i'll find something to do with them.
sorry :shocked::(


PLEASE do not send express mail. I am not going to be here on Saturday or Friday morning to get it. And then I will need to make an extra trip to the post office. Priority is sufficient and they will arrive in plenty of time because I am camping from the 1st to the 3rd.

[adriayna]

Sorry, I should have PMed you. This happens to me all the time at the end of the swap and I always end up missing the express packages. My mail service here in town isn't very good--sometmes they don't leave me a notice that they tried to deliver, and the express package sits in the post office for several weeks till I come in and someone realizes that it is back there.

[knesi07]

oh, that's terrible. don't even bother trying to complain either. my po is always so crowded, with one person working. that's why i end up mailing late all the time, cuz i dread going there. just mailing a package can mean a 20-30 min wait on line. i complained several times, and nothing changes. the postmaster general could care less, and they keep raising the cost of postage! it's frustrating!
i'm seriously considering buying my own scale!
oh well, dana, i'll leave it in your hands. do whatever you wish, just don't stress over it! enjoy camping...me, i'm a city girl...going into manhattan tomorrow to met to take in some art! (my kids are at sleep away camp until friday) have a great weekend!

[adriayna]

Yeah, my post office is horribly crowded too. I hate going in there with a swap--you can feel the eyes of all those waiting in line bearing down on you. Really negative energy--like I am ruining their day because I am there with 20 packages!

I will just go there on Monday and see if it is there, if I am not here when it arrives. No worries :).

I must admit--I lived on Long Island for two years and I came to call New York City the "pit of despair". (Long Island was the "accursed isle" :) ) I hated it so bad, going into it with the buildings and all the nasty smells and the mean people. And driving through it trying to get home to PA was even worse. You couldnt' drive through during the night because of bridge contsruction, and during the day the traffic was so bad. So you just couldn't. You can keep your NyC, and I'll keep my camping, hahaha!

[knesi07]

hehehe...long island is a tough commute...i'll go over the bridge at $8 a pop and drive to NJ to go to the beach rather than deal with the island!
luckily, i'm in westchester county. the commute into the city is no biggie...just hop on metro north (which i can walk to from my house) and in 28mins i'm in grand central.
my other option is driving down the west side hwy, but parking can get annoying.

going to work on my zodiac pages now...i'm totally hooked on these chunky pages!

[Bluebelle235]

(Praying that Kathleen's pages arrive in time for the swap out ~ they are awesome.)

[knesi07]

thanks bluebelle!

[jetleg]

Mine went out on Monday, priority they should be there today or tomorrow. I forgot my address label, I am sorry. My scanner is not working so i couldn't scan prior to sending. My life has been very crazy, scary lately. So my brain is scattered four sheets to the wind.

Enjoy camping Dana, I wish I was going, lol

[adriayna]

Its ok, Jetleg! I will reuse your bubble envie and make an address label. No big deal :)

[adriayna]

A bunch of trees have arrived!

mtforester - lovely work! I love the deep greens!
Eraserqueen - so colorful and fun. I love them!
Knesi07 - Great trees! Thank you for the extra painted papers :)
Curbsidetreasure - lovely layers!
Jetleg - lovely work! I just love the little leaves :)
Yellowden - I love the layers and texture of these! Thank you for the extra goodies!
Goatgoddess - I love the layers and text. Wonderful! Thank you for the extra tree!

[adriayna]

I will be camping this weekend, so I plan on swapping these out next week. The latest they will be swapped is Friday night and the latest they will be mailed is Saturday. We have a few sets still on their way, so I hope that they make it on time!

[goatgoddess]

Whooooweeee - just made it - thanks for the update :)

[adriayna]

Actually, yours arrived yesterday, I was just a bit busy and didn't have time to update the thread! :)

[goatgoddess]

no you busy! <lol> you do more in a day than I can get done in several days. just glad they are there and thanks for a hosting such fun swaps :)

[knesi07]

oh good! glad mine made it without difficulty! yay! all the worrying over nothing. never know with the us post office! hehehe

[adriayna]

So our last set of pages haven't arrived yet. I will wait to Thurs and then swap out, as I plan on going ot the P.O friday morning.

[detephoto]

hey there -- that's so weird that my sister's pages (mtforester) made it there before mine, because i mailed mine on monday and hers on tuesday ... they should have gotten to you first! :confused:

[jetleg]

My scanner is working here is a sample of my tree pages

[knesi07]

very nice jeanette. love the backs!

[MissKoolAid]

I like how you did the backs too. I might have to borrow that idea for some chunkies!

[adriayna]

Yeah, they are really nice in person! :)

[adriayna]

WOOT WOOT WOOT WOOT~! (yes, a quadruple woot!). BOTH of our last two sets have arrived--including Natasha's from Austrailia! I will be swapping these tonight, but will not make it to the P.O till Thurs or Friday. Yayayay!

[Natasha]

I'm so glad they arrived safely :)

Hope you like them.

[curbsidetreasure]

i can't wait to get my returns :)

[stormarela]

looking forward to these fantabulous trees!

[adriayna]

So all of the trees were in the mail Friday! I can't believe i forgot to post that! I will leave feedback for everyone today. I hope that you are all happy with the returns.

I expect US participants' returns to start arriving tomorrow :)

[Carole Cadek]

Oh, I can hardly wait :)

[ArteDar]

I GOT MINE!!!!! BRB.....have to go sit down to open it.....I hate it when I fall and hit the floor....LOL!

[adriayna]

YAYAYAYAY!~!~!!!!!!

[ArteDar]

WOW WOW WOW!!!!.....good thing I was sitting down for real……I’m so thrilled with my returns!
Dana, you are a Superstar and a fantastic hostess. How wonderful and generous and what a surprise to get one of your stunningly beautiful tree pages….it so personifies you and your heart. Thank you ever so much!
Curbsidetreasure….wonderful collage, (text)we pray….perfect for me!
AmandaO….the crackle finish is amazing and adds a tree bark look that’s sooooo kewl!
Rachel…mixed media collage is fantastic…(text) tree does not fall…lots of thought went into this!
ElectaBlue…wonderful textures and colors and skinny tree that stands out!
Natasha…delicate white swirly tree mixed media on sheet music with rhinestones and flowers, wonderful fantasy!
TammyF…luxurious fibers and beads made into a fabulous tree!
Dana…#9 Tree in your fav colors and swirls with the texture and raised leaves is gorgeous and an unexpected treasure.
I absolutely LOVE ALL of them. I will be putting them together soon and will share a picture of my fabulous forest of phenomenal trees.
Thank you once again…..was fun and rewarding to be a part of…..BTW……I’d do it again!

[adriayna]

So glad you enjoyed you returns, Dar! :)

[knesi07]

ok, so if dar got her returns today, chances are i may too! my carrier doesn't come until the end of the day though! after reading her post, i'm busting in anticipation...:swoon:

[Lily Lemon]

I got mine!WOW! Off to leave rep points and itrader!:)

[Lily Lemon]

I couldn't leave points for Jonquil ( I left iTrader for her a few days ago. Is that why?) but I'll be back!

[goatgoddess]

got some wonderful trees! adriayna - thanks so much for hosting - off to leave rep points for KatieV, Yellowden, Natasha, and Jetleg :jiggy:

[curbsidetreasure]

i got mine today too ! :D

thanks dana for being a great hostess and i am off to leave rep points! really great work, i love them all.
i received from: egrobeck, natasha, rocketwoman, adriayna, stormarela, electablue, artedar, jetleg, yellowden, and detephoto.

[adriayna]

The mail travels quickly! LOL~ So glad everyone is enjoying their returns.

[ArteDar]

OMGoodness....I need to get time and take time to give my fair share of reps for my wonderful TREES! :sleep:

[jetleg]

Dana, Thank you for hosting such a fun, inventive swap. I truly enjoyed making my pages. I would also like to thank the artists who's pages I received. Thank you to Goatgoddess (Debra), Electablue (Lisa), Curbsidetreasure (Annie Yu) and Carole Cadek.

[Carole Cadek]

I now have a whole forest of amazing trees!
Thanks for hosting this great swap, Dana!
And thanks to jetleg, egrobeck, Natasha, EQ, stormarela, ElectaBlue, KatieV, Dana and detephoto for building my new forest. ;)

[goodmorningstarshine]

I am just loving my trees! I got them today, and thank you all so much!

MTFORESTER- thank you for the awesome pine tree! I love the painting you did on it; the greens and browns are beautiful!

Natasha- Your trees is so lovely. The colors make me happy, and I keep turning it back and forth in the light so I can see it shine.

Jonquil- The silhouette tree reminds me of an evening in the fall. That sparkly stuff on the French text is yummy looking! What is that?

knesi07- I received a tree from autumn, and I think it is just lovely. The quote is so fits so well, and I'm going to use the fibers you included to hang leaf charms off of it.

stormerela- I love your glittery tree! It reminds me of winter, with the snowbirds shivering on it's branches.

Yellowden- your tree is so cool and stylized! I can't stop touching it! It reminds me of a tree in a Dr. Seuss book.

Rachel- Your tree reminds me of something out of the Victorian era. I love the way you used the old book and made it look so distressed. I also love the little danglies hanging off the bottom!

Bluebell- I thought your pages looked awesome from where you imaged them, but they don't look half as cool as they are in person! The leaves are all perfect, and the technique you used on the background is beautiful!

Thank you all again for such wonderful pages, and thank you Adriayna for hosting this wonderful swap! I may now be obsessed with trees, too!

[adriayna]

Yay! I am SO glad everyone is enjoying their returns :).

[ElectaBlue]

I received my trees while I was out of town. I am thrilled about the trees I received from Eraserqueen, Curbside Treasure, Carol Cadek, Jetleg, Bluebelle, Artedar, LisaB, Lilylemon, Stormarela, and Katie V. Thank you to everyone and to Adriayna for hosting!

[Natasha]

I have received my trees. They are all so lovely and unique. I received a card from Amanda. Could I have your user name to leave you a rep. Adriayna, Carole, YellowDen, Goatgoddess, Katiev, Curbsidetreasure, Goodmorningsunshine, knesi07 and detephoto.

There is one that I can't read the username. It has a lovely raised print of two bears climbing a tree.

Thank you so much Adriayna. Especially your patience with me :)

[ArteDar]

AmandaO....need your screen name hun so I can give you rep.

[EraserQueen]

I seriously LOVED my returns :D Thanks Dana, Bluebelle, Electablue, Lisa, Carole, KatieV, Lily Lemon, and Livia! :jiggy:

[KatieV]

I got back from camping yesterday and beautiful trees were waiting for me! I got great pages from CarolCadek, Electablue, EraserQueen, Goatgoddess, Jonquil, LisaB, Livia, MTForester, Natasha, and Stormarela.

Thanks for hosting Dana! (I found the postage that I had sent in still in my envie! Will bring it to you at our meeting in Indy)