Nostalgic tags

Hi beautiful

I'm continuing on with my postage stamps delight, adding them to tags this time.  Both stamps are celebrating Australia's past - one the centenary of district nursing in 1985 and the second, for Australia Day 1984, shows Cook's Cottage, the home of Captain Cook's parents, brought to Australia and reconstructed in Fitzroy Gardens, Melbourne.

Both tags are recycled "clothing" tags, coated with gesso and coloured with distress inks.
Pieces of torn text paper were added over the gesso on the "Sweet" tag with additional texture added using rubber stamps. The postage stamp is adhered to chipboard and sealed with clear accents.

Sweet

On the second tag, napkin tissue was adhered over the gesso base. Die cut chipboard buildings and a lamppost were added to depict Melbourne . The "M" stands for Melbourne. The word Melbourne has been stencilled and lies behind the embellishments.

One of a Kind - close up

One of a Kind

I've enjoyed combining history with mixed media on these two tags.

Love

Cara

Truth

Hi beautiful

In my last post, I shared my enjoyment of using a postage stamp as the image in an art piece. The next stamp I've chosen is of an owl, a barking owl no less. I was drawn to its wide open gaze and its seeming eagerness to fly as it leaned forward. The word "adventure" sprung to mind.

Seeking out an appropriate quote, I was delighted to discover that to Native Americans, the owl is "the harbinger of truth, particularly to self and a creature who brings magic on its wings" (taken from What is my spirit animal). Given my theme for the month is truth, this prompted my art piece today.

Barking Owl

I like to think that this owl is with me on my journey to seek out my true self.

Love
Cara

Courage

Hi beautiful

The start of the new month, March, brings fresh opportunities to consider my intentions, my direction for the next  31 days. 

I was lucky to find a diary in late January that really appealed to me. Titled "Every Day Matters: a year of inspiration for the mind, body and spirit", it completed perfectly my collection of journals for 2016. I do love my daily journals! This one I'm using to record images of each week. Each month, there is a theme and affirmation, along with inspirational comments. Truth is the theme for March with the affirmation, " I choose to stay close to my truth". In the first week, it suggests to consider 3 emotions I want to be true for my life. One of the emotions I've chosen is courage. 

In a new notebook, very much like an autograph book, (5.75"x 4"), I've combined the artwork of a postage stamp with a quote on courage. Handwritten in ink, with watercolor outline and pencil shading. 

Courage

I thoroughly enjoyed doing this. A great way to ponder on a theme and appreciate the beauty of postage stamps. The first of a series I think.

What emotions do you wish to focus and act on in this month?

Love

Cara