crafty mcgee

more cards, more experimentation

Kristin is hosting a bird-themed ATC swap. I decided that I really wanted my cards to look like old trading cards, so anything 3-D was out. I found some cute bird drawings I had saved from an old Martha Stewart magazine, copied some of them, printed them on watercolor paper and "painted" them with watercolor pencils. I scanned fabric for the background and pasted the birds on top in Photoshop. I then printed it out on 50% hemp/50% straw paper that has a heavy newsprint-like texture. It did some smooshy things to the colors, and they actually do look old! I hope the folks who receive them like them.

illustration friday: jungle

I had originally wanted to print the drawings on fabric, and sew it together as a little quilt, but decided it would take too much time. So I scanned the fabric, manipulated it slightly, and added the drawings. I think I like this better than my original idea.

spring, part 2

Here's the other project I was alluding to in my last post - my "Spring" ATCs for Amy's swap. I used my gocco background, drew the animals, put a fancy little floral stitch around the edge with my sewing machine, and added a few flowers from dimensional origami paper. This will be another great one - as you can see from the examples here and here.

Here's the page from my sketchbook that I scanned the animals from. A lot of folks mentioned in the comments that my "Illustration Friday" picture looked like fabric. Which, like most things do, got me thinking. I could make some "Barnyard Fowl" fabric with the chicks and the ducks, or maybe a "Woodland Spring"  with the deer. What do you guys think?

illustration friday: night

Another drawing and photo collage. I like the way this one looks - a little mysterious.

a witch, a witch!

Here's my entry for Penelope's  "Draw a Witch" contest (there's a link on the right at the top). There is some amazing art on the site, I suggest you check it out (if you haven't already).

illustration friday: lost

boys. The first thing that came to mind when I saw the topic. This image was a lot of fun to put together. The background is a freehand drawing, and the boys are from various vintage children's books.

illustration friday: float

This was a very fast sketch, but I think I would like to try to develop it into an embroidery piece (someday).

illustration friday: fresh

Here I've been uploading my Illustration Friday drawing on Friday, when that is actually the day that the topic changes! I've been real close to last on the list since I started. So from now on Wednesday or Thursday will be illustration Friday for me. I tried to capture a breeze for this weeks topic: fresh. I like this, especially considering that I did it during a break at work.

illustration friday: escape

illustration friday: depth

I don't have too much to say about this one. I was originally thinking about water, but changed it to something much broader. I like having to come up with these little sketches every week, it's a useful kick start for other endeavors.