Tuesday, Tea and a Tiny Bird

Good Morning Tuesday.

 I am enjoying these Tuesday gatherings with Elizabeth and friends. 

You don't need to drink tea to join in and you don't need to be crafty either.

 Just a weekly catch up with friends. 

 This week I would like to show you the

 techniques I used to make this 5x7 art card.

The reason for this tutorial is because a few
people have commented on the vellum.

I did not use vellum anywhere on the card.

I made 4 of these for a monthly Happy Art Swap
 that my friend Sandie hosts.

You can find out more on her blog.
there is a link in my sidebar.

 In this tutorial I am not making the same card. 

This time I am making an envelope.

A bit different, except for the stitching. . . the techniques are the same.

I made the envelope for a mail art group I am a member of on facebook.
I am leaving the photos small but you can click on them to get a closer look.

The Art

The first step is to cut your paper into strips of varied widths.
and weave them together and adhere them to a heavy paper.
I also added a few extra bits and pieces
for added texture and color.
I am using 90lb. Strathmore Mixed Media paper.
I use Delta Water Soluble Varnish as both a glue and a top coat.
I like it because it's inexpensive and it dries quickly and will not get sticky in high humidity. Great for mail art.




Let the varnish dry for a few hours
or overnight.

Use Gesso to block out an area for an address or if you are making a card block out an area for your sentiment or quote.
 I also used the gesso as a base layer for my bird and the dots along the sides.

I lightly drew the bird with pencil. The gesso will cover the pencil lines.

I used the end of a foam
brush to make the dots

The good thing about having so many dogs is I always have something to do while gesso dries.

In this next series of photos I am using watercolor pencils to
add color to the bird, the branch and the bubbles

Use a little water and a brush to blend the colors.

I started out lightly and added more layers of color as needed.
You can add color while it's wet, but use a light touch.

next I added the bunting at the top.This is a fabric type scrapbook paper.
Perhaps this is what looks like vellum. . . but it is a sheer fabric.

The outlines and details were done with a micron pen and an ultra fine sharpie.
I did not stamp black dots on the envelope like I did
on the card  because I like the light airy look.

finished size - 7"x11"

All it needs now is an address,
a letter and a gift card inside and
  I will stitch the top closed and send it on it's way.
I am pretty sure the person I am sending it to has a seam ripper to open it.


Sorry for all the photos. I think they are pretty self explanatory. 
If you have questions you can ask them in the comments
and I will answer here in the comment section.

The Tea 

The tea is my standby Lipton.
yes with one packet of Splenda and 1 oz. skim milk.





The Mug is from
 Meadowlark Gardens in Northern VA.
I haven't been there this year.
I used to go there every weekend.
I don't like to venture out as much as I used to.
I am very content staying home with my dogs.

Thank you so much if you read the whole way to the end.

Have a Happy Tuesday !

Marianne

T stands for Tuesday is a new weekly blog link up party 

hosted by Bleubeard and Elizabeth

       

Update on DutchBoy. He is still with us. But I think it's time. The lifeguard is holding on. I am torn. I feel as though we are torturing this poor dog by not letting him go. I wish they could speak.