Tuesday, 27 July 2010

Birdies


Well, the school summer holidays are finally here :-)  Of course that means I don't have to go to work for a few weeks, but it also means I have my own two school-age children at home. Hmmmm!! 'Where are we going today?' and 'What are we doing now?' seem to be their favourite questions. They haven't quite remembered how to r-e-l-a-x yet!

I haven't got any brain space for journaling at the moment - you know, you have to actually think when you are journaling! So here's a few birdhouse magnets I made for a swap with a trading group I am in. They are approx ATC size. The rules were that each magnet had to include at least one bird, and some other natural element, so I added the eggs. The birds are from Lisa's Altered Arts although I gave them human eyes I cut out from a magazine.

I painted the backgrounds with acrylic paints, and then for extra depth and colour I added some spray inks by altered originals. Here they are in close-up:




Well, my other half is away for a few days so that's one less to look after ;-)  Who knows, I may even get to journal a bit this evening ......

36 comments:

  1. Those birdies are fab. We're on week four of the holidays already and it seems to be moving faster this year. It is nice to be off work.

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  2. These are really yummy Kate, love the colours, and so much detail in such a small space :) I'm still looking for work, but I'm really, really, really enjoying being so chilled. All my teaching friends are worn out. Trouble is, they have money and I don't !!

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  3. Absolutely scrummy. Love the colours but I especially love your eye for detail and all the fiddly little bits you add. Enjoy your holidays!

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  4. These are really great Kate, very inspirational. Have fun holidays

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  5. Ooh Kathryn, they are gorgeous. You are so inspirational. Annette x

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  6. Fabulous magnets - the recipients are going to be well chuffed. I really love the zigzag stitch on the blue one! Many thanks for your comment on my tumblefish postcard - yes it is digital. Sometimes I cut out and glue and recolour digi elements but this card had to get to Indianapolis unscathed.

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  7. Oh so cute. I love little birds even ones with human eyes.
    Talking of looking after things how is the cute bunny?

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  8. Love the fact that these cute little works of art are calendars! Lovely AND useful, can't be bad! x

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  9. Oh, you know how much I like everything house-shaped and of cours BIRDS!! So these little birdhouses are just perfect :-)
    Hope you´ll have great holidays, have fun!

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  10. These are so great - loving the blues, and they'd look perfect on my fridge ...

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  11. I love all of these. You come up with the most amazing ideas. And, love that stitching! Your style always comes shining through. Have a great day. - Kathy

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  12. These are delightful. I'm so glad I found your blog; your work is so beautiful.

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  13. oh these are wonderful - I want one!!!!
    do you ever sell your work??

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  14. What a fine little flock, Kate! They're darling, and whoever received them will be thrilled. Hope you had a chance to get some journaling done. Hugs, Terri xoxo

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  15. thinking? what's that? yeah i get that all 2 well

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  16. Love your bird magnets Kate! All the details and of course your fab use of color!

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  17. Loving the new bird magnet art! I am on summer break from work/teaching, too, with just a puppy to look after during the day. Dinnertime is another matter all together, though...hmmm.(PS. Your earrings shipped last week, so I hope they will be arriving soon! ♥Thanks again!)

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  18. I love anything with birds and words! So your work is great, wonder what you would do if you were thinking!! Enjoy your time off.

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  19. You are such an artist when it comes to backgrounds Kate, the colours you use always grab me! And I've spotted your trademark stitching in there... I am shortly going to be picking up a machine left to me by my Aunt and I am so going to get some stitching on my work! (After a little practise of course!!)

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  20. They are really lovely, Kate. How original to use human eyes in birds faces. Gives them personality.
    Love Sue x
    ps hope to see you in August

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  21. WooHooo!!! Welcome to your summer vacation! You made it!! And yes, that is exactly what I hear ALL day from my two as well. Your birds are incredible! Enjoy yourself!

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  22. So sweet, so Kate! These a lovely and just your style.

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  23. Fab bird magnets and very novel idea using human eyes for the birds eyes. Love all your little details and the eggs work fantastically with the images. Enjoy you holiday, I know how you feel with the "what are we going to do today" syndrome, my two children ask me this every day. Tracy Evans x

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  24. Love these magnets and the eyes on the birds look brilliant xx

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  25. Fantastic Creations!
    Blessings, peace, and love to you,
    ~Tonya

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  26. Hi Kathryn, found your blog through the Winter 2010 issue of Art Journaling. am Irish, live in London UK, 60ish, and have just discovered art journals. I like your work, and will return here often. thanks for sharing. Carol Ann

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  27. GORGEOUS magnets Kate. Love their eyes!
    Good luck with the school jollies, aren't they a pain!! at least there's not the mad rushing in a morning!! hehe.. have a great time.xx

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  28. Your bird magnets are really attractive. Love the shape and colours

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  29. I love your style and the colours - these are wonderful.

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  30. Oh I love these Kate...love the eyes too... awesome work as usual... :)
    Jenny

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  31. Thse little works of art art sooo lovely, and of course the beautiful way in which you use colours draws you right in for a closer look at all that lovely detail, And you did this without your brain being switched on!!! You must have a newer model than me, that has an on off switch. Mine is an older model which tends to burnout in early adulthood, which means that they are then permanently off Lol. sue x

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  32. These are stunning Kathryn, absolutely fab
    Anne xx

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  33. Hello!! Love the birds - they are just the right mix of cute and creepy (that IS a compliment!!) Love the colours and their funky lil' hats. Are ya getting excited yet?!? Only 9 sleeps to go!!! xx

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  34. I am in love with these Bird Magnets, they are really cool. Do you do anything bad? I mean really, everything you make is so wonderful and eye catching. I would love to sit down and work with you for a whole day, that would be so awesome for me. For now I will just have to continue to admire your beautiful works of art and gain as much inspiration from them all as I can. Thank you for always sharing your amazing work BTW.

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