A Deck of Cards

To some these are merely playing cards...

Soldiers Deck of Cards - Inspirational Video

To others, they mean a whole lot more.

***

Inspirational Card Deck 

I was very inspired by this project.

The project was posted on my

 Friday's Link Love

which I feature artists, DIY projects, art journals, free downloads, etc.

Since Friday...

I was asked by several of my follows if I was interested in creating 

An Inspirational Card Deck.

Are you kidding me... YES, I replied!!

I've been creating these over the weekend, thought I would share them with you.

Maybe, just maybe... you might get inspired to create a deck.

Share with others... some inspiring words!

This deck can be flipped through and placed anywhere, uplifting words right at your reach.

Such a wonderful project by 

Christine Mason Miller

Interested?

email me

artistaprilcole@gmail.com

Happy Monday

Mail Art ...

What a great way to start out the week...!

These two talented ladies decided to spread some art love.

**  Pay It Forward Project **

I received my gift from:

Andria Kaskey

Andria sent me this wonderful handmade envelope mini journal

Also, a ton of goodies, collage, vintage paper, and artful embellishments 

to play along with the journal.

"What fun!!"

THANK YOU ANDRIA ((hugs))

***

**  Birthday Bash Celebration **

In honor of Renee Mak's Birthday 

she wanted to give something of herself...

 her talents and a few delightful pieces of her artwork!

"How sweet is that?"

***

I received one of her beautiful cards...

THANK YOU RENEE ((hugs))

I just love her bold, bright, colors!!

She makes me feel so alive, every time... 

I visit her site and see her beautiful artwork.

Here

***

As for me...

I am off to the post office today!!

Time for me to do a little spreading of my own, "art love" that is.

You could call it "Irish Luck"... if you wish!!

***

Happy Monday!

Monday In Motion...

Most people tend to dislike Mondays... I don't know why that is? 
Honestly...
I adore the being of a new week, another start to gather more inspiration, 
an arrival to new creativity!

{motivational jump-start}

Your work is going to fill a

larger part

of your life and the only way to be

truly satisfied

is to do what you believe is

great work

the only way to do great work is to 

LOVE

what you do

* STEVE JOBS *

Mini Junk Journal Book II

You will find an earlier post here on the process and materials
I used to create this junk journal book.

Here is a peek...

  an inside look...

 These mini junk journals were created for 

* Pay It Forward 2012 Project *

You can read all about it 

HERE

{I have all 3 of my participants}

Please, feel free to visit their sites, there is still time to join in on the fun!

Nifty-Thrifty Finds

I have to admit... I do love going to our local thrift store! I find it relaxing... 

I might not always find something, I do not feel it was a waste of time,
and most of the time I get inspired just by looking around.

I did wish to share with you, over this weekend, these sweet findings.

I scored!

I can not wait to fill this up with my art supplies. 

I think having my supplies ready and available, is important.

I've seen this at Michael's for $24.00.

(I simply adore the inside pattern, but wasn't willing to pay that much for it.)

At the thrift store I paid $7.00!

An EASEL!!!

Are you kidding me... I just could not believe it! 

This is brand NEW.

I already have a standing easel, but I was wishing someday to own a table easel.

This will work perfect... for those days, I am not feeling well, but still wish to paint.

Retail price $79.99

I paid $16.00. Yes, I scored!!

Happy Monday!

Oh I Wish... for a handmade gift!

source

* Pay It Forward 2012 Project *

Erin Keane

at

http://art-is-try-artistry.blogspot.com

Is the host of Pay It Forward. 

Erin explains how this project is stemmed from a 

Facebook challenge, which took place at the beginning of the New Year for 2011.

You can read about it here as she explains how the process of "pay it forward" came about.

***

I also, had the great opportunity of participating in this last year of 2011.

It was very inspiring!

I received all five handmade gifts.

Created and crafted by very talented, beautiful artful souls.

I made new friends along the way!

Which I am, still in contact with, to this very day.

I also want to give credit to 

Andria 

http://andria-drawingnear.blogspot.com

Who is always so willing to share and inspire others with her 

art, thoughts, tutorials, and links to such projects/swaps as this one right here.

Thank you!

Creating art and sharing our talents with others who are like minded...

has a very powerful and inspiring effect on us all.

Care to join me, here's how it works: rules

#1

Want to participate, please leave a comment on this post.

The first three people who whole heartily, are willing to commit to the project

will receive a small handmade artful gift from me!!

#2

Post this project on your blog / website.

(FEEL FREE TO COPY AND PASTE FROM MY SITE THE RULES)

Gather three new participants .

Be willing and able to "Pay It Forward" by sending out your gift!

** Please link to this original post **

I, in turn, will include a link to your post 

so that we can follow the project from its origin.

#3

Now, that you have made your decision.

Committed to the project.

Posted your comment.

Created your own very own post of the project to your site.

Email me 

artistaprilcole@gmail.com 

Your full name and mailing address

 Date of when you will be posting your announcement of the project.

A Link to the post as well.

I will be sending you...

a heartfelt, handmade gift created by me!!

In turn, give (small, simple, heartfelt) handmade gifts to your participants.

Let the create joy grow exponentially!!

Will you be the first?

1. Bonita Rose http://www.bonitarose.com/2012/02/join-fun-pay-it-forward-2012.html
2. Theresa http://visualjournaling.net
3. Lindsay http://dryadajournals.blogspot.com/2012/02/pay-it-forward-2012.html

*No worries... once you have notified me I will place you name and link to your site.

Happy Thursday to you!

Mail Art - Tribute to Artist

These wonderful artist 

shared their talents

and 

sent out

"HAPPY MAIL".

They deserve a around of applause... don't you think?!

created and sent by : Harmony

http://feedyoursoulart.blogspot.com

***

  created and sent by: Fran

http://wethree3.blogspot.com

* watercolor *

ATC

created and sent by: Corinne Marie

 

* mixed-media collage *

ATC

*ATC*

 created and sent by: Karenann Young

http://karenannyoung.blogspot.com

Thank you

This really makes my day!

What is arriving in your mailbox?

Do you wish to exchange some "happy mail"?

Leave me a comment or an email.

***

Have a wonderful Saturday!

Mail Art...

Makes me very happy!

doesn't everybody... 

get super excited when there is something artful in their mailbox?

Let me give you the grand tour.

This is where all my "happy mail" comes from...

It is so delightful.

To reach my hand in there and pull out "mail art".

It ranges from day to week...

from all over the world...

and

the envelopes, everyone is getting so creative!

Love it all.

They are a work of art!!

Almost a shame, to rip open at times.

Let me share with you...

some of the things that surround me, as I make my way to the mailbox.

My mini birdie flag.

"welcome"

I adore birds as you can tell.

You betcha!!!

The American Flag.

I've have a long list of family members who have severed this country.

Also to include... 

My Husband, a Marine who served in The Vietnam War.

My Son, A Combat Engineer, in the Army, served in Iraq.

I made this hanging rooster, years ago.

All out of found scrap wood.

With all the moving I have done, over the years...

There are a few things, I refuse to leave behind! 

I simply adore my Tin Man.

The pie tin hat, serves as a feeding tray for the birds.

My Husband is trimming our front tree right now...

so he is just relaxing in my 

bright yellow Adirondack Chair!

And, right on the front porch, by the foot of our door is...

These Lady Bug Rocks!

I got these rocks years ago, at the beach, painted them with oil paints.

The "smile face"

my daughter made out of a ball of pottery clay.

It is simple but sweet, I think!

Yes...

I am colorful from the inside out!

I do hope you enjoyed the tour.

I have received some wonderful "mail art".

By incredibly talented artist.

I will be sharing and posting about it all very soon!

I am very grateful for everyone... 

who has sent me a piece of their artwork

and 

 are willing to shared their talents with me.

Something very magical happens...

when you share a common interest, 

something you feel very passionate about...

A friendship!

develops along the way.

***

A Tribute To Mail-Art

Mail-Art is about: sending artful things.
It is the desire to make sending things something special.
If you can send it you can make it.

Collage Artist - Ray Johnson (1927-1995)

Known primarily as a collagist, and was a seminal

figure in the history of early Pop-Art.

He is considered the 

"Founding Father of Mail-Art".

Ray would mail small collages to people, and encourage them

to add or subtract to the work and them mail it on.

If you are interested in learning more about 

Ray Johnson

There is  documentary on DVD

http://www.amazon.com/How-Draw-Bunny

Here is some artful-mail that arrived in my mailbox...

It always make you feel special, doesn't it!!

Janet K Briggs

http://jkbees.blogspot.com

Karenann Young

http://karenannyoung.blogspot.com

***

Let us continue sharing our talents... 

connecting with other creative people...

and

making others feel special too!

I can not think there any other better way...

 than through art?

Happy Thursday!

Junk Mail Stationery- sending words of inspiration

So I got to thinking...
How do I wish to start the New Year?
Better yet, what could I offer, of myself, to others?
A word of inspiration! 

I came across this video by yellow owl workshop.
This Junk Mail Stationary tutorial... was perfect!!
This was just what I was looking for, something to do with all the extra holiday wrapping paper
and other scraps I had laying around.



My wheels started turning!
I had purchased this tablet of Inspirational Quotes some time ago, and had yet to put it to good use.

I had downloaded these cute free download birdies I got from this site Here
With a little thought and creativity...
I decided to glue them onto decorated paper clips and attach a quote.
(There is a reason why, I did not post a picture of my finished craft.)

My next thought was...
"Wouldn't it be nice to send these out?
An artful thought, an inspirational quote... sent by a little birdie."

I got it... a little bird told me!!

These are a gift, from me to you. **
A little "artful" creation made with love! 
I wish to start the year off by sending you a spark of inspiration...
For you to know you are loved, and to share my talents
by gifting you with one of these artful clips.
(I think these are adorable; can be used in your art journal, as a bookmark, 
add as an embellishment, whatever your heart desires!)


WOULD YOU LIKE ONE...?


** I HAVE FOUR AVAILABLE!
Email me at  aprilmariecole@gmail.com
Leave me your mailing address.
The FIRST four to respond will receive my gift.


Let's keep making art and inspiring each other... a little bird told me!

Happy Monday