Outlandish Tales: What's Inside

I participated in a swap at ArtFest that was coordinated by the talented Portland artist, Nikki Blackwood. This was a swap between members of Camp Runamuckus, a group of women who share housing in Dorm 225 at Fort Worden. Nikki random matched up the interested women into pairs, who then exchanged information about each other to help figure out what to make for the swap. Nikki drew my name so we were officially swap partners.

I've known about this swap for several months and had played around with a couple of ideas of what I wanted to make for Nikki. At an early point, I was going to make her a set of blocks that represented our theme of Outlandish Tales, but I jettisoned that idea long ago. For a while I thought I might do an altered tin since Nikki loves rusty, vintage, edgy pieces. Again, this didn't quite feel right. I finally settled on creating a set of images on Formica tile samples, something I could embellish and place into a rusty tin. I started in on this and really made some progress. But a few days before I was leaving for ArtFest, it just wasn't working, the Formica didn't have the right sound or feel. I decided I would take something I had started at Art and Soul a couple of years ago, rework and revamp it, and make it Nikki's. I cried (really, I did) as I realized I was going to do this. So, with reluctance and excitement, I took my Vintage Metal Deck from the wall and began transforming it into a story of outlandish proportions. And all of this was done the day before I was leaving! I worked on the metal deck for all of last Tuesday and managed to get it completed.

A bit of the process (Destree popped over late in the day and breathed new life into a few of the pages).




The completed deck:




All wrapped up and ready to gift:


Nikki opening her gift from me:


Nikki made me the coolest altered book cover, incorporating lots of vintage lace and metal and numbers and paper and even a big 'ol brass D!


And just in case you are curious or want to see more of the pages I created, here are some close up shots of what's inside.

Dayna Collins does . . . an art exchange!

Several weeks ago I was invited by one of my arty blog friends, Kim of Merlin's Musings (Kim lives in Australia!) to join in a mail art exchange. Well, I thought she meant mail art would be swapped around between artists, so I said yes. Lo and behold, it was actually a chain letter kind of affair. You know the kind. You receive a letter with two names and you send something to the person at the top of the list, then you move the second person's name to the top and invite six friends to join in. This swap was no different, but I figured I could find six friends who would want to play. So, I sent a little art piece to a woman who lives in Portland, moved Kim's name to the top, and invited six friends to join in (warning them in advance that it was really an artistic chain letter). If all went according to plan, I would receive 36 pieces of art. Well, I haven't received 36, but I have received more than I expected!

I thought it would be fun if I shared some of the things I have received (besides what I've pictured here, I also received some handmade greeting cards, a Christmas towel, and a lovely silken potpourri pouch).

From Barb Pearson in Canada, I received this adorable card and a pin she titled O, Canada.


From Candace (who I've been in an altered book swap with in the past), I received this very cool mandalaesque collage, which is mounted on wood and ready to hang.


My friend Bobbie sent the invitation letter to one of her relatives in South Dakota, who cross-stitched this sweet little Christmas ornament, although I like the idea of celebrating PEACE year round, so I've hung it in my studio as a gentle reminder.



Kathyanne White of Arizona sent this fabulous little hand bound journal with painted pages and beads galore.


Chris Bolmeier, of Omaha (where my son now lives!), sent several goodies in her package. Including this cool collage . . .


. . . . a pile of her colorful business cards . . .


. . . . and a couple of her personal cards.



This creative use of leather? vinyl? leatherette? pleather? was created by Deborah from Florida.


And last, but not least, I received an original poster, AN ORIGINAL, from Mary Anne Radmacher. If you aren't familiar with Mary Ann, well, you should be. This gift was kinda like getting something from a rock star!



It sure is fun getting mail these days.