First Endeavors

This shows my recently retired LTCs, which, oddly enough - are my first efforts.... My very first effort was a portrait of my son (followed closely by a portrait of my daughter, for obvious reasons - she wouldn't leave me alone til she had one too... ;-)) They are sort of retired, sort of not retired - I may do more, but I haven't decided yet.....

This is The Fox, I made for LTC trades #2 - and it might be a spoiler for anyone looking for my PT's...... oops - well, it's another chance to get the image!! One think I like about LTC's is the chance to recycle stamps. I totally agree with SHH, that I personally don't mind seeing a stamp image - it makes me want to get it in MY book!!

But I digress - I spent a lot of time on this bad boy, with gesso, and paints, and stuff - took forever. The effect is worth it, but I haven't spent this much time on any others..... sorry.... ;-))

This is one of my favorite images - I sent it to the Sprite and Highlanders WNY gathering in 2007 - so it might be a spoiler for any of you NY'ers. I did the red flames with watercolor pencils - one of my favorite "things". It's a great day in my life when I can use watercolor pencils ;-)) The ink is Brilliance Pigment Ink (graphite black, the best black in the world). You can own some yourself, check with ACMoore, Stampeaz and Dixiegraphix (the latter two carry the Dewdrops, my favorite ink pad!)

I've been a Johnny Cash fan for years. My folks took us to see him at the KY State Fair - more years ago than I care to admit.... This image is from the movie "Walk the Line" with Joaquin Phoenix (who was amazing as JC), and Reese Witherspoon (who was pretty darn good too).

THis LTC was for the Tea Trading Cards ring - one of my favorites! Besides being a total iced tea junkie, I like hot tea as well. However, there is no better tea than Southern Iced Tea, which was the theme of my card. And no better restaurant tea than Pal's - a small drive through chain in NE Tennessee - and the tea is worth a trip - trust me! It's better than Bojangles, better than (and I cringe to say it, but they generally make good sweet tea, at least in the South) McDonald's. Check this link for a great article about the development of Pal's Big Tea and it's effect on the restaurant chain:

http://www.palsweb.com/news.htm

Go to the article: Pals Big Tea Celebrates 20th Anniversary

These are the backs of two of my current cards, and this is likely how I'll be doing the backs (for the most part) in the future. The little label on top I can print by the zillions on my computer, and just fill in the blanks. The mini sig stamp is much easier to do than my full size one, and takes up less space (obviously!!). The bottom card was done with a stamp that I carved from one of Eli's drawing - so I gave him credit with his own label.

I have, in the past, wanted to include more information, so I've typed the info, put it into 6 point type (which I can barely read myself!) and pasted it on the back too. However, using the "clue" feature on AtlasQuest.

If you've managed to stay with me this long - thanks for looking!!