home is best

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I created some cards this morning. I purchased an old 1895 hand written document a while ago and have been dying to put it to good use. Now I copied it in color, which gave a nice tinted background. I then added a color-copied old photo (via tuscan rose), a piece of torn map, some found words and small dried leaves.
It reads: Memories, Fun, Great Moments. Home is Best.

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A gift tag. Same document background, a piece of tissue paper, a torn heart (gouache on a magazine) and a found word: "Ihanimmat". Finnish for the most precious, the most wonderful.
You could go on and write the most precious memories, or the most wonderful meals or smiles or whatever it is you need to say. I want to leave it open, so you can fill in your own message, the most wonderful being just a prompt.

tree inchies - or are they?

I spent yesterday making inchies for the tree inchies swap organized by Joanne. Never having made inchies before I found it quite challenging. An inch x inch is not a whole lot of surface to design on!

I took two different approaches. For the first one I carved a rubber stamp. I prepared a background on a page from a literary magazine from 1956 and printed my trees on top. Turns out I hadn't measured carefully and my inch was more like an inch and a quarter... which of course means the picture had to be cropped. I added some detail by stamping and hand coloring. Sorry, the quality of photos is poor due to lack of sunlight yesterday. All pics click for bigger.

The second set was digital. My goodness, I sat like three hours manipulating this little fella.
I started with an old engraving, zoomed onto a nice scenery, created what seemed like a gazillion of layers - in reality only six! I had in mind a delicate, hand-tinted look like they did in early 1800's, very pastelly and serene. I like the look, but I am not sure whether a digital inchie of this sort would be acceptable. I mean, it is not great artistry or original collaging. OTOH I am not happy with my stamped trees either. They are a bit, shall we say, rustic...

Anyone who reads this would you please comment, pretty please! You'all are likely to be more experienced in inchies than I am, and your input, any input, is greatly appreciated.

first off -

I would love to tell more about myself. I am a graphic designer by training, but have worked an awful long time as a textile designer. That is my dream job. I should say "was", since the problems in my mouse hand got more and more serious and I had to give it up, more or less. No more 10-hour days at the computer for me! (I do feel sorry for myself, no matter what you guys think...!)
After some serious physical therapy, acupuncture, the works, I feel the surge coming on for creating beautiful imagery. I am fascinated by atc's and inchies. Both require tight designs, but I love the fact that they can be witty, funny, playful and beautiful, all at the same time, and I don't have to think commercial. "Think pretty" will be my new mantra!

Here are some cards I made recently. I was going to my niece's wedding, and at first I thought I'd give her and her fiancee this. It reads "Words from the Experienced". Love is tough, and you need someone to tell you this. Right?
Well, I reconsidered, and gave them another card instead which read "Happy Day Every Day".


Then there's this: Doors Will Open.
You need keys to each other's hearts.

(you can click both for bigger)

Card on top reads: Handsome Men - How Dare You!
Don't ask me what I meant with that. I found the words in a magazine and thought them quite witty...