The Art of giving Cards

my work space in it's typical state . . . no sign of hoarding here

Ever since I was a kid, I have been a terrible hoarder . . . probably as a reaction to my mum being a stream lined, efficient non-collector. One of the things I have always had issues parting with has been cards, there is something about them that brings out my sentimental tendencies. Sometimes it was because of the images on the outside of them, other times what was written on the inside but mostly who they were from. I have shoe boxes filled with them!

experimenting

Over the years, what with our dependency on the internet and social networking sites, the art of sending physical mail or cards has subsided. It is such a treat to get something that is not a bank statement or bill in the post. That is where I really like the idea of producing carefully crafted, hand-made ones, ones that people would really want to keep . . .

work in progress

or even possibly frame . . .

as they really are little illustrations in themselves.

As you can see there is a slight February-esque theme to some of them being produced at the moment. They are available for sale on either ellaCute on Etsy
or ellaQuaint on Felt

Bunny Valentine

Greeting Cards

Greetings!

Ooooo it has been a wee while since I posted on here, I must get better at maintaining this blog. I just completed some more hand-made artCards today so I thought I would share some of my favourites. 

This one was meant to be more gender neutral, but according to my flatmate (who ought to know) if it has embroidery on it, it is girly.

OK more embroidery here too . . .

This one is too sweet, I love the contrast of the colours within the embroidered speech bubble. This one was meant to be more feminine.

Lots of lovely different papers have been reused within this tui card. Some vintage wallpaper and handmade paper I bought back from India a few years ago.

I love the idea of being able to have a character say what you want it too. Who knows what this rabbit will eventually end up saying.

They are available for purchase on Felt 

artCards

Finally I got it together to put up some of the artCards that I have made for sale on Felt. They are time-consuming to make, but so much fun. Being a chronic hoarder, you know the ol' 'it can be re-used' adage, these little art works are a fitting end for some of the treasures that I have collected over the years.

daisy rabbit

Old magazines, vintage lace fragments, recycled calendars, handmade paper, inherited silk embroidery thread are just some of the ingredients that go into this range. They are all original designs and lovingly hand-made.

butterfly kisses

The silhouettes of the animals are hand-cut too, using stencils that I have made myself. The way that the light casts shadows upon the ground of the beasties is very effective.

golden birds

The cards will be available shortly for purchase via ellaQuaint on Felt

Texture Fix

A couple of years ago, I made many lovely cards using a wide variety of different collaging materials. Included within that was some recycled, handmade paper that Liz brought back from India. At the moment I am house sitting and I saw sitting out a card that I had made for a dear friend's birthday.

I so love the different surfaces and textures used in here.

The green form is of recycled paper, I have used old embroidery thread and a found kereru feather. Unfortunately I just could capture the colours within it, you only get a hint at the iridescent colours.

Detail 

However, I am happy with how the camera picked up the different textures. I wonder if I could paint a single feather with that much precision and detail. It is quite amazing the difference between the insulating part and the sleek half used for flying.