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Halloween Swap
Today I received my returns for the Halloween Swap. For this swap we had to create Halloween atcs in any media.
Below are the cards I received.
Created by Robin. 
“Sleepy Fields”
Created by Amelia
Created by Tiffany Here are the cards I created for the swap and the host.
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Folded Art ATC Tutorial
Back in September I visited Longwood Gardens. While there they gave us an accordion type map with a thin piece of cardstock on the back and front. As soon as I saw it I thought “This would make a great atc.” I figured two atcs would make up the front and back cover and the piece of paper could have art on both sides. Below are pictures of the map.
Front of map when closed. 
Back of map when closed. 
One side of the map when open. 
The other side of the map when opened. This past week I created a few. They are fairly easy to create. They just take a little more time since there is a lot more art to do. When folded they measure 2.5 x 3.5 inches and when open they measure 9.5 x 10.5 inches.
Here are two Folded Art ATCs when folded together. 
Here is the one side when opened. 
Here is the other side when opened. Below is the tutorial for making your own Folded Art ATCs. If you do create some I would be very interested in seeing them. You can leave the link to them in the comments section or email me the link.
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Art Journal 1: Beginnings
Back in February I started to art journal. What is art journaling? Art journaling is a way of expressing yourself in illustrated form in journals and diaries. It really has no set rules. Which is great because I don’t believe art should have rules. I believe you should be able to express yourself however you like. When I had first looked into art journaling a few years ago I had come across websites that stated art journaling had to be done a certain way and that there were certain rules to follow. Due to this I decided to not art journal but this year when I started to do artist trading cards I was again interested in art journaling. This time when I looked into it I found that the majority of art journalers don’t believe there are rules so I decided to start. You can read more about art journaling at Twelve Squared Creations or you can google art journaling and you will find many pages that talk about it.
I have had fun art journaling these past few months. My first art journals have been about figuring out what I like and don’t like, trying new techniques and trying my hardest to not be a perfectionist. That has been the hardest but it is something that doesn’t go well with art. So if I make a mistake I just keep going instead of tearing the page out and starting over. Despite how a page turns out I always post it. I have also tried not to plan anything. I just sit down at my art table and just do whatever comes to mind or express however I feel.
I completed my first art journal in August. There are a few pages I don’t like at all but there are many I like and a few I love. It has been a great experience and I plan to continue art journaling. Below is a slideshow with all the pages in my first completed art journal which I titled Beginnings. The images are in the order that they are in the journal and not in the order I created them. You can also view the pages in the portfolio section.
I hope you enjoy my art journal.
Art Journal 1 – “Beginnings”
Created using Slidely – Slideshow Maker. -
Blick’s Tangle Art Challenge
A few weeks ago I participated in Blick’s Tangle Art Challenge in which you could submit a tangled art piece everyday for two weeks for a chance to win $300 in art supplies. Shortly after the challenge ended three winners were randomly selected. I was quite happy to find out I was one of those winners.
To view my entries for the challenge you can click here to see my week 1 entries and here to see my week 2 entries. To view all entries visit Blick’s Tangle Art Challenge page.
Below are my prizes. I can’t wait to start being creative with them.
A large assortment of Sakura Pigma Pens and two tangle books; One Zentangle a Day by Beckah Krahula and Time to Tangle with Color by Marie Browning. 
Several different Strathmore Artist Tiles in watercolor, bristol and vellum paper. There is even a set of black tiles. -
Textured Abstracts 3 Swap
This weekend I received my returns from the Textured Abstracts 3 Swap. For this swap we had to create cards in any media that included the colors black, white and a pop of another color; as well as it had to be textured.
Below are the cards I received.
Created by Becky 
Created by Kate 
Created by Loretta Here are the cards I created for the swap and for the host.
