Monday, September 2, 2013

Labor Day Giveaway!

It's Labor Day in the US today. That always means the end of the summer and is a little bittersweet.  But my little lake community commemorates the change of seasons with a big party.  This year the theme was the '50s, and Freddie, Samy and I had fun playing dress up!

Labor Day is supposed to be a day off to honor workers and give them a day of rest -- but the reality is that it's become another day to shop.  Stores are open, things are on sale, commerce never seems to rest!

So in that spirit, I have been busy making trades for the upcoming Art is You retreat in Stamford next month.  I can honestly say that going to this retreat last year changed my life!  I met amazing people who have become great friends, and I can't wait to see them!! 


I started by painting several cereal boxes with black gesso, and then using gold and copper paint to stencil using my Hebrew/Hamsa stencil from Stencil Girl. 


 

I then went to town, glazing the boxes with acrylic ink and glazing medium, collaging patterns and images from gelli prints and snippets randomly torn from pages of the current issue of Somerset Studios Magazine, which this month features sister stencil girl goddesses Mary Beth Shaw, Pam Carriker, and Sue Pelletier!



I doodled with glitter glue (always fun!),  added flowers punched from gelli prints, some crown embellishments from my stash (because we're all princesses at Art is You), and words cut from an old book called "Where the Heart Is."



I know not everyone reading this post will be at Art is You.  So if you'd like one of these cards, let me know in your comments as I'll be giving away 3!   Update: 9/12:  This Giveaway is now closed.  The winners are  Micki, Butterflycrafter, and Christine Kiehl!  Send your snail mail addresses to me at jessicabethsporn (at) gmail (dot) com and I will get your trades out to you!

Linking to Carolyn Dube's Gelli Print Party, and to my favorite Monday blog hops:  Make It Monday, Mandarin Orange Monday, Creative Every Day, Inspire Me Monday, and Be Inspired.

P.S. If you want to share in my older daughter's experience these next 10 months in the Czech Republic, here's the link to her blog!  She's there on a Fulbright scholarship to teach English and has already had some amazing insights.

Your comments make me so happy and let me know you were here. I read and treasure every comment and will happily answer any questions as soon as I can.

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39 comments:

  1. Already following Mariel! Will not see you at Art Is You until 2014, but would love one of those 3 beautiful cards to hold me over until then! ;-)

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  2. Your ideas "little" or big are great! So are the colors!

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  3. Love the picture of the 3 of you at the top of your post! You must be so proud of your daughter - will visit and follow her blog for sure.
    Your art as always is gorgeous! Would love a chance to win one of those pieces!

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  4. What a fun project! Love the colors you used! And I hope your daughter loves the Czech Republic... I spend part of a summer there a few years ago and loved it! There is a wonderful book museum out in the middle of nowhere... she can Google it (and then figure out the trains, it has been a while since I was there).

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  5. I LOVE THESE!!!! I have never heard of black gesso before but now I MUST have some! I also need to get on board with stamps much more I think. I could and should use them in my projects.

    I'd love one of these cards if there are any spare.

    Thanks so much for linking up!

    Sarah @ A Cat-Like Curiosity

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  6. Jessica, you and your daughter and husbond, looks just WONDERFUL in your 50`s dresses!! and your cards are gorgeous in their glittering and wonderful colours on the black background !!
    I wish your daughter an exiting and wonderful time in Czech Republic -what a difference from home, it must be for her!!
    Hugs,Dorthe

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  7. I am impressed you are already working on trades! Very good time management, my friend. Happy Labor Day. See you tomorrow!

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  8. Fabulous art!
    I would love one of your cards!

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  9. You all look fabulous in your 50's attire, how fun! I would love to be one of the winners of your pretty cards! :) hugs, Kimberly

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  10. Those are beautiful. Love your work (and your videos :-). I would love to put my name in for one of the cards. I hope your daughter is enjoying the experience. It sounds like she is.

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    1. Hi Micki - you won! Send your snail mail address to me at jessicabethsporn (at) gmail (dot) com and I will get a trade out to you asap!

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  11. I"d love one! I'm sure your daughter will love the Czech Republic. We spent a month there, and the people are so wonderful!
    Rinda

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  12. I can tell you had fun at your 50's party, as well as making those cool cards. Blessings!

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  13. Love these cards. I always learn so much from you..

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  14. oh my goodness! What amazing magical art! Truly lovely! I love how you used cereal boxes!!! How wonderfuL!!!!!! Oh and I adore your photo!!! HOw beautiful! Polka dots and lovely fashionable beautiful dresses and red! I Love red and polka dots! Truly beautiful! I would totally love love a card!

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  15. Your blog/art always inspires me to play with color more. I love the card you made. What are those paints/inks in the big bottles with the drippers (???). I don't know what they are actually called! Thank you.

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    1. Hi Lynn - those are acrylic inks -- very highly pigmented and they mix beautifully with glaze. Thanks for asking!

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  16. Love that dress and skirt!!! Gorgeous collaged trades! Love the black and red!

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  17. what a great shot of the three of you-love your dress! That must've been such a fun party! Lucky you to be going to Art is You. I know you'll have lots of wonderful things to share here. Love your trade pieces too.

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  18. First, I love the way you, Samy and Freddie dressed up for the 50's. So fun.
    Love your trades.. I sure hope I get a chance to make some. Can't wait to see you.

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  20. such a good looking family - and great collaged trades Jessica!
    sorry -- 5 mistakes in my earlier comment.. lol.. had to delite it!

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  21. Great post! Love the shot of you and your family and the display of your work. Thank you for sharing on Mandarin Orange Monday:)

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  22. These cards rock!!! Totally wish I owned one, because I bet they even look better in real life than on camera.

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    1. you won! Send your snail mail address to me at jessicabethsporn (at) gmail (dot) com and I will get a trade out to you asap!

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  23. Fantastic cards and photo Jessica. I saw this on MIM..Loz

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  24. Interesting collage papercraft project. Thanks for sharing with us at Make It Monday this week.
    Remember, to be in the running to win the prize from our sponsor this week just leave a comment for another entry. Be sure to mention you saw them on Make It Monday. The more entries you comment on the more chances you have of winning!
    Hugs,
    Sandy

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  25. You are rockin' the 50's look! What a great family photo! And those cards- fabulous! And thanks for the reminder about trades- I need to get busy on those so I am ready! Thanks for sharing with the party!

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  26. I would SO love to attend the Art is You Retreat one day. It is a dream of mine.
    You all look so cute in your 50s attire in the photo!!
    An angel must have sent me to your blog... I am 1/2 Czechoslovakian and will definitely keep up with your daughter's visit to the Czech Republic. My Grandfather and Grandmother came to America from Czechoslovakia. My Grandmother died very young so I never knew her, but my Grandfather lived a long full life. He was a hardworking good man and I loved him so much. It will be fun and interesting to read about your daughter's time there.

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  27. Wonderful cards! I wish art retreats were closer to my home. :)

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  28. So I missed the chance to win one; however, they are BEAUTIFUL and I just thought that I would share my thoughts. Like NatashaMay I wish the retreats were closer to me too! Love the pic with you and Samy in the red dresses. You look great in Polka dots! I really loved this post and how you described Labor Day to those outside the US. So true, I agree. Happy Friday and keep on crafting and sharing as your fanclub is very interested and inspired!

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    1. Hi Christine - you won! Send your snail mail address to me at jessicabethsporn (at) gmail (dot) com and I will get a trade out to you asap!

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  29. Oh, the retreat sounds wonderful!! I hope you have a wonderful time - and know they will love their gifts. I really love the black base and (naturally) all of the glitter :)
    AND your family photo at the top is great - I love your red dress!
    Thank you too for your sweet comment about homeschooling. Fingers crossed :) xoxo

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  30. What a beautiful photo of your family! No....I didn't see a thing with those trades :) LOVE them!

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  31. How beautiful. Thank you for your inspiration today.
    susan s

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  32. How did I miss this....These are fabulous! xox

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  33. These cards are absolutely gorgeous. No one would believe these were cereal boxes at one time.

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