Pandemic Projects Anyone?

July was Christmas in July for me as I created more Christmas cards then I will ever need to send this year (even with the expanded list I have prepared). 

I used some of the techniques I've learned in my new online art workshops presented by Amanda Evanston. For cards I painted watercolor paper with abstract florals. After they dried (tick, tock, tick tock) I cut the paper to make designs for the front of our cards. 

Sending a hug in the mail

I ordered the large and small daisy punches
from Stampin" Up.  Now I'm putting flowers
on everything. 

I'm back on mission. Sending cards to family and friends has been a mission of mine for years, however, I slacked off in 2018. I went down to holidays, some birthdays, sympathy and thank you notes (some handmade some on stationary--Mamma always said a thank you  note cannot be neglected).

I have continued to make some cards, But I've also made quite a bit of art for gallery sales and for workshops. Bottom line on the cards--I stopped mailing them. Current events have led to more time in the studio.

For mother's day I got a boatload of supplies from Stampin' Up. I ordered so many that it made sense to sign up as a hobbyist demonstrator. So for the next 140 days I'm a Stampin' Up demonstrator. Here's the link to shop on my demonstrator page if you are so inclined...

https://www.stampinup.com/ecweb/default.aspx

"Froggie Went a Courtin' "

Just a little hello by Norma Anne Chattin 2020

This card made me smile all day. It has even inspired me to--gasp--make another one almost like it.

I have a hard time making things just alike. But this one may appear again, it's just too fun.

Stamp: Tutu Toad by Stampendous
Stamp: Artisan Textures by Stampin' Up
Stamp: Itty Bitty Greetings by Stampin' Up
Banner Punch: Stampin' Up

Techniques: Watercolor pencils, background stamping, Inked edges, and not visible but very cool: Image coated with mono liquid AQUA glue(tm) to stand out on card.

You can get the Stampin' Up products online and if you so desire, order them from my demonstrator page:

https://www.stampinup.com/ecweb/default.aspx


*Side note: Anyone remember the song "Froggie Went a Courtin'" by Burl Ives? Sir Henry had never heard of it, but it's a fond memory from my childhood. Here's his version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ote_7U3NatM  He plays a great guitar with it.
Kermit also dd a version...

Finally, original art returns

"Finally Frannie" by
Norma Anne Chattin
copyright 2020

I couldn't get myself motivated for  South Florida exhibit, the gallery closed, my Mom needed extra attention, my Mom died...I stopped making original art.

It took "shelter at home " to reignite my art. I began by using collage techniques with rubber stamps, recycling previous pieces, and finally moved to the originals you see today.

"May you shine" original art
by Norma Anne Chattin,
 copyright 2020

Rubber stamped art
designed by
NACChattin 2020

"Color My World," original art by
 Norma Anne Chattin, copyright 2020

More designed art

Here's a post from my phone of recent cards using a variety of products. These are all using a Laurel Burch Stamp I purchased locally from Every Thing Scrapbooks & Stamps.

I used a variety of backgrounds including dye inks, print paper, tempera paint crayons, Marvy Markers, and even a bit of white-out.

 

Stop me before I pin(terest) again

My Palm Tree Dreams card (shown with C-19 nails-frown), I
 was inspired to use this layout and ink-blended background
by watching YouTube video from Zindorf Stamps:
https://youtu.be/TWFVUFVesBQ

I rarely post my designed art, which is the art I make from the vast array of awesome products available in the world today. My reasoning is:

1. I don't wish to take the time to carefully photograph items when I could be making more stuff.

2. There are so many incredible photographs of beautifully made items similar to what I am designing that already exist online.

I find and save my favorite designed and original art pieces on Pinterest(tm). Here's a link to my Pinterest hub: https://www.pinterest.com/nachattin/ There are very very few of my own designs there because I'd rather go make them and teach them as opposed to taking photographs...remember that part?

My You Tube channel also has some (OK, a ton) of videos categorized by topic into playlists. I think you can click here for my channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRWZ5ZmQQC7wFHzZA-MnU0g?view_as=subscriber or you may just have to search Chattin and find it. Keep in mind, the treasure is not within the few videos I uploaded but in the playlists.

I contend that when we want to know more about a person or fall in love with someone or when someone has left our orbit, we can find insight into that person simply by following them on Pinterest or checking their saved videos on YouTube(tm). Yes, of course you could troll their Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, but that's so obvious.  Look beyond what someone is posting of their own work, service, or product and peer closer into what they actually save--it's fun.

More recently created cards I designed: 

Dogwood Shimmer

Blue Palm

Sunny Flamingos

So many Thank you notes

So much gratitude, so little time. I have more blessings than I can count. 

I went "back to basics" a month ago and made a thank you card using rubber stamps by Stampin' Up, beautiful metallic paper from Anna Griffin, Memories brand ink, my Fiskars 12" cutter, and a bone folder. 

The result was this cleverly folded beach themed card.The pattern, as with all patterns in recent years, was found on Pinterest.

They do it so well

I enjoy making videos and posting them on YouTube. I have not posted one in ages.  There's a good reason for that...

So many others do it so well, there's no need for me to do it again.

 I say this with gratitude, appreciation, and quite cheerfully.

 Here is a link to the playlists on my channel:
https://www.youtube.com/user/nachattin

 As you view it you will see some of the things that interest me. Many of them I've never mentioned on the blog because they are not topics I focus on here in the blog.
This means you now have some insight into what interests me in the world. It also leads me to suggest that you look at the playlist on any You Tube channels created by individuals. I have found this enlightening, possibly because I'm always curious and occasionally find myself down a rabbit hole..

Here are some recent greeting cards I made inspired by videos and Pinterest which is another rabbit hole I'll address another time-smile.

Both cards are goofing around
with doodles
and Grunge stamps
 by Stampin' Up.

They are also here because everyone likes photos and reads more with pictures.

Crazy Birds in the Studio

“You have to start somewhere.” Here’s the somewhere I’m starting.

There have only been a couple of products that I “had to have” in the last year. Crazy birds stamps by Tim Holtz was one of these.  Here are some samples:

The sequins make the magic.

There are dies to cut the birds that I did not buy but my friend Lynn did...

I wish more of the birds faced right

that would be more appealing on a

card.

These designs are very simple. The birds are just so adorable that there is no need to put tons of effort into cards. 

Coordinating papers from a paper pad

by DCW make assembly easy.

I stamped all of these in one sitting on white paper that had been colored with distress ink stains by Ranger via Tim Holtz. I cut some out and I left some right on the background.

Keep in mind, I prefer to make art than spend a ton of time taking photos of it--smile. Editing pictures distracts me for hours because after I crop then I want to adjust color and size and contrast and....