Japan Journal

NYC in Japan--you gotta love it.

Working on Secret Projects

If you have been following along, you will know that I have a night job as the doorman for a Broadway theater. The show has been in previews and opens on October 29. I have been busy making cast gifts to commemorate Opening Night. I made three books by hand for the three leads of the show. Two of these books are bound in full leather. The other book is a one-quarter leather bound book.

For the rest of the cast, I am making a card that features silhouettes.

I will post pictures after Opening Night so that the surprise isn't ruined.

Japan Journal

This was another of the hotels that we stayed. This hotel features fresh flowers and kimono-clad elevator operators. I embarrased this young lady when I asked to take her picture. The only reason she acquiesced was because I was a foreign patron of the hotel.

Japan Journal

We stayed at this hotel for four days and I would walk by these fountains every day. It wasn't until I was checking out of the hotel that I realized that these were supposed to represent the signs of the zodiac.

Where the Wild Things Are Swap

Here is the last of my current unfinished swaps. This postcard is supposed to commemorate the US release of the movie Where the Wild Things Are. The postcard is supposed to be postmarked on October 16 which corresponds to the movie release.

Halloween Postcard Swap 2

Here is the second in my series of Halloween Postcards for the non-traditional Halloween Postcard Swap. The background is a alcohol-ink based postcard in shades of green and yellow. The Boo is cut out of lime green cardstock. The shadow is cut out of a lemon yellow cardstock.

I think that these would make great Halloween Party invitations for a kid's party. Once again, simple, but hopefully, effective.

Halloween Postcard Swap

So, rather than sleep this weekend, I decided to get a jump on my swaps. This postcard was for a swap based on traditional Halloween colors. The foundation of the card is one of my hand painted alcohol based postcards. On top is a cat face cutout that is then mounted on top of the base. Since the color scheme is based on the traditional Halloween colors of orange, black and white, I think that this fits.

Granted, it is a simple postcard but I think that it is effective in its simplicity. I will mount this on a piece of orange cardstock so there will be a smooth surface to write on.

Japan Journal

These pages combine two of my favorite aspects of Japan--old architecture and kimono. The background on the left page features a tradition kimono print. The kimono on the right was from a store window display--it was done with a photo transfer technique on a direct ink-to-page process.

Projects that I am working on

I just thought that I would share with you some of the projects that I am working on:

1. A Halloween postcard swap using tradition colors of orange, black and white. I am working on a silhouette of a witch on a broom and a standing witch. I might decorate the background with watercolor or use a stamped or embossed background.
2. A Halloween postcard swap using non-tradition colors--orange, black and white cannot be used. I am planning on cutting out mini-ghosts from leftover card stock scraps and layering them on top of each other so they look like they are flying. On each ghost, I will punch two holes for the eyes which will allow the eyes to be the color of the ghost beneath it.
3. I am still working on my Where the Wild Things Are Postcard Swap. I am planning on doing a papercut based on the little boy sailing on the boat to the island. I am doing this in two versions. One that will be featured on a postcard for the swap and another will be for a framed art piece that I will give to one of the leads of the show that I am working.

Also, I am finishing some more Holiday Card designs that I will be Goccoing this year. So, the creative juices are flowing--I just need the time to do them. Starting next week, at least I will be able to start doing some of scalpel work while working at the theater.

Saying Hello!

I'm sorry that I haven't been blogging as much as I normally have but I have a good reason. I have still been creating but I started a new night job as the backstage doorman at a Broadway theater.

I have still been creating stuff for my store and my swaps but I have been limited in time right now in order to get my new responsibilities on track. Once the show starts a regular schedule I will be able to bring some things to work on at my new job.

Just to be clear, I am still working my day job as well. What I hope to do is to eventually ween off of working my day job and start doing more creating for my store while working nights at the theater.

So, right now, time is limited but sometimes you have to sacrifice for future gain.

Japan Journal

Today's feature in the Japan Journal deals with giftgiving. My boss thought that I was crazy because I wasted the equivalent of a $10 bill. The page on the right uses direct ink to paper. The paper used for the background on the right is an actual kimono design that has been translated to paper.