Schuyler's Remains

Schuyler"s Remains (LTC #114)

I carved this image just for fun as a stress reliever. When I finished it I sent a picture of it to SandD and Miss Chievousness. SandD promptly asked me to make a card out of it and send her two. This piqued my interest so I asked why and got this story....

A few weeks ago Shawna was asked to bunny sit for a teenager that she knows. If you know Shawna yo also know she is the sweetest woman alive and would do anything for anyone. She quickly realized she was in for quite the task when she walked into 23 bunnies versus one. She had to clean up after them, water them and feed them. Shawna is also a very blunt person, and she decided that this family needed to learn a little bit more about raising a harem of bunnies. While they were on their vacation she started to text them bunny trivia before she would feed them. After they did a little research to answer her questions there will be a few changes in the house of bunnies. Need less to say this was a fabulous story and to top it off when the family returned "Schuyler" would talk so much about her rabbits that one day Shawna tole her that when she died her skull would probably resemble a rabbits. Shortly thereafter I happened to text her the picture of this carve. A card was born........

For Schuyler and her nest of bunnies.

All I Can Taste Is This Moment....(LTC #113)

You Rock! Swap

Iris (LTC #113)

Red Rocks Amphitheater may be one of the most amazing places ever to watch a concert! I miss so much about Colorado but one of the things I miss most are the music venues. I chose this image because it was a poster for Red Rocks, and because it reminded me of one of my favorite songs by this group. I then mounted it to paper that reminded me of the smaller venues in Colorado such as The Bluebird,  and the Filmore. It just screams wallpaper for one of those funky yet amazing little theaters. 

Iris...Live at Red Rocks...

Red Rocks Amphitheater Morrison, Colorado

I've seen many concerts there, even been backstage once. There is nothing like watching a Colorado Sunset and millions of fans from the stage of this natural amphitheater!

Under The Gotham Moon...(LTC #112)

Whatever swap

Love Will Tear Us Apart (LTC #112)

"It's hard to resist a bad boy who's a good man".

Its always fun to do a carve just because. Then every once in awhile a swap comes a long at just the right time. Heres to the perfectly timed and whatever swaps!

Once again I carved a stamp to compliment the back of the card. I love my signature stamp but I also love carving something a little extra for the backs of my cards now and then.

Fun Fact: Sometimes there are extra little details to my cards that few notice. Les Miserables: Fantine was stamped on paper with French writing on it and this card is stamped on paper with images of super heroes on it. On some of the cards you can see some of the comic book art in Wonder Womans face.

Easy, We're just having a little fun....(LTC #111)

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Swap

You Be Thelma, I'll Be Louise (LTC #111) Aug 2014

A friend will help you up if someone knocks you down. A Best Friend says "Stay down, I got this"! 

An homage to Thelma and Louise just seemed like the perfect card to do for this swap. Thank you Miss C and SandD for looking at my many variations and helping me to release this card into the universe.

She's Morphine, Queen of My Vaccine...(LTC #110)

Rock/Alternative Swap

Breezeblocks (LTC # 110)

I absolutely love to join song swaps. I love music as much as I love letterboxing so whenever I can combine the two I get excited. The last card I had made before this was the wild things card. This particular alternative song by AltJ has some of the words from that book intertwined in it. So I set out to find an image.

Please don't go, please don't go
I love you so, I love you so
Please don't go, please don't go
I love you so, I love you so
Please break my heart, 

The song is definitely a bit macabre so I wanted to find something beautiful to pair with the violence the song portrays. I absolutely fell in love with this picture. All I had was some crumbly pink to do the lettering, but the card just wasn't quite complete without it. I used a number of techniques to get the coloring I wanted along with bringing the bubbles to life. I loved the swap, the song, the card...all in all another top experience for me!

** I rarely do a card for no reason so 90% of the time there is information about the card on the clue page of Atlas Quest. The video is below...Rated R for violence, please use your judgement before watching.

Max & Carol Sail Through Days to Queens (LTC #109)

Where The Wild Things Are swap

WHeRe THe WiLD THiNGS aRe: New York

                                                                         (LTC #109)

This is one of the more imperfect carves but I absolutely fell in LOVE with the image when I found it. It was begging to be made into a card. I can totally see Max visiting 5 Pointz in Queens and becoming a street artist as a teenager. This is a perfect reminder for myself that even when I can see flaws in my carves some cards just need to be made and let loose anyways. Even with all of the mistakes that I can see this card is one of my favorites. Sometimes...it's all in the image!

Movie Posters, Artificial Sun and Breast Cancer Awareness. (LTC's 103, 105 & 107)

Mod Swap

 HG Wells: The Invisible Man (LTC #105)

I originally carved Summer Memory for the Mod swap I joined but then I found this image and wanted to see if i could carve it. It came out perfectly. It'l like an itty bitty little movie poster. Since I had already carved Summer Memory I decided to have double the fun and make two cards. I enjoyed Invisible Man the most though. I've been on a poster kick ever since. I have a ton of concert posters, movie posters and design posters I want to carve.

Mod Swap

Summer Memory (LTC #107)

Based on art by Agnieszka Grochalska. We didn't have much of a summer here in Fairbanks, Alaska this year...so I carved a summer instead. If you can't see the sunshine you might as well make a little.

Mod Swap Card by ~Miss Chievousness
Carve by ~Seattle Bound

Mod~ She Has Wings (LTC #103)

I carved this image in honor of an aunt of mine that survived breast cancer and had a double mastectomy. I wanted to remind her that she's beautiful. I couldn't create a card I liked though. Sometimes I think I get so close to an image and it becomes so intimate that I won't like it no matter what I do. Miss Chievousness asked me if she could give it a try. So here is the first of what I hope will be many collaborations. Earlier in the blog I featured our second collaboration. Hopefully soon there will be a third.

Madonna, Beetlejuice, and Tigers Oh My....(LTC's 102,104,106 & 108)

Portrait Potpourri Swap

Strike A Pose (LTC #102)

I had this image transferred and was simply waiting for a reason to carve it until this swap showed up. The paper worked perfectly, it was lightly patterned and lit up with a few swipes of the marker. I also got to use part of the stamp from Le Chic Chat again to add Vogue to the card. This card came out better than I planned. I'm rarely happy and satisfied with my own work so this card was a rare occasion for me.

Poetry Swap

Back of card

Poetry: The Tiger (LTC 104)

The Tiger by William Blake

Tiger! Tiger! burning bright
In the forest of the night
What immortal hand or eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry? 

In what distant deeps or skies
Burnt the fire of thine eyes? 
On what wings dare he aspire? 

What the hand dare seize the fire.......

Anthropomorphic Swap

Beetlejuice: American Gothic (LTC #106)

Using this for an Anthropomorphic swap was a bit of a stretch. They aren't really animals taking on human characteristics...but hey, close enough. I was dying to carve this image so I did! I added a second card featured in an earlier post on this blog that fit the rules more traditionally. Both carves were fun, Beetlejuice! Beetlejuice! Beetlejuice!

Fun Fact: In one episode of each of the first three seasons, the word "Beetlejuice" was used off-handedly in a joke. If you've seen the movie Beetlejuice, the titular mischievous ghost (played by Michael Keaton) would appear in the world of the living if anyone said his name three times. So, sure enough, on the third mention by a Community character, this guy appears in the background for exactly two seconds:

Bond, James Bond Swap

Bond, James Bond: Octopussy (LTC 108)

There are some very cool retro inspired art posters out there for the Bond movies. Couldn't help but carve one. It may not be what comes to mind when thinking about James Bond but It was fun to carve and design!

Strong and talented women..Red, Ruthie & Lucille (LTC's 99-101)

Movies Of A Different Color Swap

Back of card

Movies of A Different Color: Red Riding Hood (LTC #99)

There were so many fabulous images out there for Red Riding Hood. In the end I chose that particular image just because I wanted to attempt to color a blood moon. I did an extra image for the back to eventually plant as part of a Twilight series up at Denali. It works just as well for red Riding hood.

Traveling Sideshow Swap

Back of card

La Bella Ruthie: The Snake Charmer (LTC #100 kind of)

I had so much fun making this card and scouring the net for images. This was a fascinating subject with so many cool and challenging illustrations to choose from. This card is definitely in my top 5 favorites. I enjoyed carving it, coloring it and piecing it together.  After cleaning up my LTC list this card came in at 100 even though it was technically the Miss Chievousness card that was 100. Coincidentally this swap was hosted by her as well.

I Love Lucy Swap

I ♥ Lucy: An Everyday Religion (LTC #101)

Love Yourself First and everything else falls into line. ~Lucille Ball

This is an extra long card but I loved that it had so many of the famous episodes in the image.

 

She Flies With her own wings finding strength in Perseverance and Art (LTC's 96-98)

Victorian Calling Card Swap

Right Shoulder Tattoo

Victorian Calling Cards: Alis Volat Propriis (LTC# 96)

I made this card for the Victorian calling card swap. It features the same saying that I have in my tattoo but in Latin. This card is meant to be a representation of me. I have birds featured in most of my tattoos as a symbol of devotion and strength, there are crab legs representing my zodiac sign of cancer, feathers to represent parts of my family and the signature scarf. I have scarves collected from many of the women in my family over the years dating back to the 20's. If I were going to make a calling card to represent me, this image was as close as I could get. There are three eggs in the nest as well. One to represent my son, one for my daughter and one dedicated to the ones I have lost.

The Invention Factory Swap

Perseverance (LTC #97)

Made for A Thomas Edison Swap. I used perfect pearls to light up the bulbs. 

Art Nouveau Swap

Art Nouveau: Make Art Not War (LTC #98)

This is art from a T-shirt I own made by the company Obey. Not only is it an awesome message but it may be the most comfortable T-shirt in the universe. Life...It's in the little things.

100th Card, Stamping Steel, A water spouting dragon, and the Rocket Girl launches (LTC's 90(100)- 94)

100th Card made for the Dia De Los Muertos Swap

Dia De Los Muertos: 100th LTC Miss Chievousness (now listed at LTC #90)

This was actually card #100. But I cleaned my list out a little (not thinking), so now it shows as 90. To me it counts as #100. I had even put off making it so that it truly would be #100. I wanted this card to be special. What better way could there be to celebrate my 100th card than to honor my best friend of 20 years and name a card after her in a swap she listed with a subject she loves. I come from a biker family and Miss c owns a Harley...so here's to the Motorcycle Club De Las Chicas Muertes.

75 Years of Superman Swap

Back of card

75 Years Of Superman: Man of Steel (LTC #91)

I had seen packages of tin at Joann's and had been dying to try to make a card on it. Then this swap was listed and I knew it would be perfect. After burning myself a few times embossing the front of this card I then tried to stamp the backs. I realized I would have to emboss the back too for the stamp to show. However when i embossed the back the front melted. I ended up doing way too many of this card over because of that. Luckily...I had some vintage superhero postcards that ended up being the perfect backing for this card. Everything fell into place for the making of this card. I love it simply because I got to try stamping on something I had never used and it was the perfect medium for the subject.

Gargoyles & Grotesque Guardians Swap

Garguiem (LTC #93)

The gargouille was a dragon and a legendary creature originating from France. The gargouille (known as Garguiem), was allegedly a serpent-like water-spouting dragon that appeared in the Seine River in France. It was said to terrorize boats and flood the land. This water-spouting dragon (more like a serpent dragon, because of its long snake like body) appeared in the Seine River in France. It was said to terrorize boats and flood the land. In the legend, Saint Romain, the Archbishop of Rouen, lured the monster to shore using a convict, and then made a cross with his fingers to tame the monster. He then led it into town where it was slaughtered. Some accounts said it was burned. The accounts of burning said that neither the monster's head or neck would burn, so they were mounted on the town's cathedral to display God's power.

The creature was then said to have been carved onto buildings to be used as a water drainage, therefore creating the modern Gargoyle.

King Swap

Back of Card

King: You Will Know Her Name (LTC # 94)

As I've said before I do love carving the macabre so when Aiphid listed this swap I jumped on it for the chance to play with blood again. There were so many choices of cool carves to try but I had just seen the remaking of Carrie and I wanted to continue practicing portraits. Not to mention carving Carrie gave me the chance to play with some fake blood spatter again.

Out Of This World Pin Ups Swap Dec 2013

Out Of This World Pin-Ups: Rocket Girl

I was nudged to join this swap, some unnamed people even sent me images to entice me. Glad I joined, I really enjoyed this carve along with coloring it. On my actual set of cards I colored her green to add to the alien feel. Fun Swap!

Fantine, Robert Palmer with Wolves and a little Street Art (LTC's 87, 89 & 92)

Les Miserables Swap

Les Miserables: Fantine (LTC # 87)

I switched highschools in the middle of the year my freshman year. I was given two days to read this book and write a 15 page paper. I think that teacher was one of the devils hand maidens. I didn't sleep or eat and I missed my other classes. I finished the book and got a B on the paper. Although I hated the book at that time it is a memory I will never forget. Now that I'm a mother the story of Fantine makes me cry even harder. There is no love like a mother's.

Graffiti Swap

Back Of Card

Zabou's Wolves (LTC #89)

Made for the Graffiti Swap. Loved the 80's feel of the image and loved it even more after stamping it on the brick paper. This is one of those rare occasions where the card came out exactly as I planned it.

Graffiti Swap

Back of card

Begging For Change (LTC #92)

I had some extra time after finishing some of my other cards so I did a second LTC for the Graffiti swap. I loved the simplicity of the message. A simple card with a bold statement. Although its not one of Bansky's pieces, it reminds me of him. If you have no idea who that is...google him, he has some amazing work.

Morphine & Cocaine, The mind Of Jules Verne and The Plague (LTC's 85-87)

Old Time Labels Swap

Back of Card

Papine Alcohol & Morphine Syrup (LTC# 85)

I absolutely loved this swap. There were so many interesting labels out there to choose from. After I carved and picked my image I found the cocaine toothache drops. I had to carve it for the back just because! It makes you wonder about the medicines we use nowadays. It hasn't been that long since the days we treated people with cocaine and opiates. Who knows...maybe Jules Verne was being treated with some of these medicines when he came up with some of his ideas. Hopefully the Plague doctor kept some of this on hand.

Jules Verne Swap

Verne Sous La Mer (LTC # 85)

I've just started to practice carving portraits. This was my first attempt. i liked the image and thought it was the epitome of Verne. I wasn't thrilled with the outcome but I have found that portraits are my weak spot and the only way that I'm going to get better is by pushing myself and learning different techniques.

Things That Go Bump In The Night Swap

Back of card

Plague Doctor (LTC # 87)

I do enjoy carving the macabre. The plague doctor masks have always been especially frightening to me. Who knew that they weren't intended to be frightening...

In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, some doctors wore a beak-like mask which was filled with aromatic items. The masks were designed to protect them from putrid air, which (according to the miasmatic theory of disease) was seen as the cause of infection. Thus:

The nose half a foot long, shaped like a beak, filled with perfume with only two holes, one on each side near the nostrils, but that can suffice to breathe and to carry along with the air one breathes the impression of the drugs enclosed further along in the beak. Under the coat we wear boots made in Moroccan leather (goat leather) from the front of the breeches in smooth skin that are attached to said boots and a short-sleeved blouse in smooth skin, the bottom of which is tucked into the breeches. The hat and gloves are also made of the same skin… with spectacles over the eyes

At the Copa...you'll fall in love, With Calvin & Hobbes (LTC's 83 & 84)

Copacabana (LTC #83)

I carved this while sitting at my Dad's side the last time he was in ICU. I made it into a card because it was yet another occasion that this hobby held my hand. I am so thankful!

They All Grow Up Swap~ Calvin and Suzy

They All Grow Up (Card #84)

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Calvin & Hobbes. Many people have tried to copy Bill Watterson, but like Charles Schulz he was simply one of a kind. I do love the fact that people like to try and keep the characters alive. One of my favorites is "Hobbes & Bacon". When I have time I may carve that too. I did this image because I knew exactly the strip to send along with it...

Calvin & Hobbes by Bill Watterson

Miss Chievousness The Great, Vintage Train Tickets and some Imagination (LTC's 79-81)

non sic dormit, sed vigilat ~Miss Chievousness

Miss Chievousness is Amazing!

So Miss C and I have been Best Friends for over 20 years. This means we tend to think the same, act the same, carve the same images......

The down side....well for all of you...there isn't one. For me....it means I have an abundance of a card I don't want to share because she totally hit the Bulls Eye on this card! We happened to carve the same image and little miss overachiever managed to make an entirely 3-D functioning Ouija Board. Am I upset....no I am in complete and utter awe. Her talent continues to inspire me. So I have featured her card above mine because it definitely tops it! Even if the Ouija isn't your cup of tea...you have to admit she created an awesome card!

Extra Card for When I Grow Up.... Swap

When I Grow Up I Wanna Be A (Ghost Whisperer) Swap

Childhood Dreams: When I grow up I wanna be a....

Ghost Whisperer. (LTC #79) an an extra thrown in....

Skull Planchette (LTC #80)

 One of my earliest childhood memories is of playing with an old heirloom family Ouija Board. I carted it with me everywhere I went. One day my Aunt was over at the house and saw me playing with it. She proceeded to lecture my mother about the evils of ghosts and toys of the devil. As a small child I sat blissfully unaware of the argument taking place until I noticed my mother crying. I'm told that immediately after my Aunt left I went and hugged my mother and promptly said...."It's okay mom, I sent the ghost home with her". I was all of four years old and it's still a favorite family story. So when choosing one of my many childhood dreams I decided to go with the most fantastical and improbable one...Rachel: The Amazing Ghost Whisperer! 

I Love This SONG! Swap

Me & Bobby McGee (LTC #81)

I ran across this image and was actually carving it for an event. I had the not so fantastic mystery material and a very very dull gouge. Needless to say about 1/4 of the way through it got messed up but I decided to complete it anyways. I finished it, stamped it, hated it and threw it in a box to never be seen again. Then this swap was posted. So I decided to set aside my criticism of myself and attempt to use the stamp. I got comments about how busy it was and how it took from the carve. What was amusing for me...was that was EXACTLY what I was going for. I picked a patterned paper so the imperfections would be more hidden. My main goal was to make it look like a cool, funky, slightly hippie train ticket. I still don't care for the carve and it's not the best card I ever made,  but it was fun, and when it comes to art...that makes it perfect. It's all about fun. There are many versions of this song...I happen to really love the one my Jennifer Love Hewitt. Only second to Janis anyways.....

Carving just to carve again

Imagination (LTC #82)

Another card I created just because I had some spare time.

All The World Is A Stage (LTC's 76-78)

Petrushka: The Clown's Reverie (LTC # 76)

In Russia, an old man recounts his memories of earlier days when he was assistant to a travelling puppet showman. The three stars of the show - three marionettes called Petrushka, the Ballerina and the Moor - lead their own lives beyond their performances on stage.

Petrushka is in love with the Ballerina, but she only has eyes for the Moor. One night, love and jealous rage erupt from the puppet box and in front of a horrified audience, the Moor murders Petrushka.

This tale is based on the famous ballet "Petrushka" by Igor Stravinksy.

This is one of a set of cards I made based upon the folktale and ballet. 

Petrushka: Waltz of the Moor & The Ballerina (LTC #77)

This was the second in a set that I carved just as a challenge to myself I loved the end result. I wish all carves and cards ended up the way that I first envision. So far of all of the cards that I have made, these two are my favorite.

Mas Que La Cera (LTC #78)

"Más Que La Cara" is Spanish for "More than the face".

I have always been intrigued by the idea of Masquerade Balls. I love the idea of getting to know people without seeing their face, there are so many more facets to a person than their appearance. Throughout our life we wear so many masks dependant on who we are with, where we are and the circumstances at the moment. As Shakespeare said in "As You Like IT"....All the world is a stage...