Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Landscape of the Imagination

Last year, one of my mail art friends, Gini, sent me an amazingly clever postcard on which she created a landscape from different business envelope liners.  The technique immediately went on my "Must Try" list.

I decided that an Envelope Liner Landscape would be perfect as a second spread in Danielle's art journal for our Round Robin.  (You can see the first spread here.)  I have a collection of liner designs in grey, blue, red, and green to choose from, and ended up being perhaps a little "obvious"--green patterns for the ground features and blue patterns for the sky.
I included some tissue tape along the bottom, created houses from a grey liner pattern, a sun from a soap box (I told you...I save everything!), and some fun rub-ons for a bit of a surreal feel to the piece.
I added the notation "landscape of the imagination" along the foreground.
I used a swirl punch with one of the grey liner designs to create smoke coming out of the houses' chimneys.
Perhaps you, like me, will never again throw a business envelope into the recycling bin without taking a second look at the pattern inside!

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I guess we all have those days where it is hard to find the silver lining to all of the cloudiness.  Today was a bit like that for me. 

The day began with heavy rainfall and steely grey skies.  I had to take my younger daughter to the allergist this morning from her biannual appointment, and ended up having to hold her down while she screamed and writhed during a skin test and a blood test.  Every mom's nightmare.   For a second day in a row, she had three pottying accidents, which just added to the ever-climbing mountain of laundry I fight daily to control.  Everyone seemed mysteriously incapable of hearing what I said at any given moment.  I have two people that I would really like to call on the phone for long conversations, but never seemed to find the time.  The cat got into the plants...again. 

I could go on, but I won't. 

The fact is, the sun did come out, and the girls and I played our own style of soccer, baseball, and basketball in the backyard before dinnertime.  I got all of the Easter eggs filled for their preschool egg hunt.  I got a good meal on the table for dinner, and am even enjoying a glass of wine before bed.  The dishwasher is humming and the dryer is whirring, so chores are getting done even as I relax on the sofa.  And, best of all, tomorrow is a brand new day! 

So I guess there is a silver lining after all.

21 comments:

aimee said...

I love what you did with those envelope liners, Andria! Hope your week gets better and that the cat stays out of the plants! xo

Anne said...

I've never seen security envelopes in anything but blue or gray. You gave me a great idea for my journal page! And I really NEED one of those circular punches!

erin said...

Fabulous!!!

uncustomary said...

I really really really like the criss cross houses. Ohhh my god. Will you make me a little house and send it to me? I need one.

laurie said...

i would love to jump into your surreal world of business envelope innards! :-) very clever and inventive. i had a day similar to the one you describe and can totally relate - ugh! but it all seems to work out despite the wear and tear it takes on our bodies and souls!

Tricia said...

I love your collage! I have lots of envelopes saved, but haven't done anything with them yet. You have have inspired me to use them in my next collage! :)

Rossie said...

Wow! I will look at the envelopes my bills come in with a different view now. :)

Anonymous said...

Wow...nice creative work with the envelopes!
Lynn

storybeader said...

I love the idea of using the inside of my envelopes, that I saved also! Thanks for the tip - I love it! I think the air is getting worst and that's why everyone is having trouble with allergies. So sorry it's affecting your daughter, so young. Glad the day ended well. {:-Deb

Beansieleigh said...

YES!! I've always saved my envelopes too, using them whenever and wherever I can find a use for them in my junque/art journals! I think they're just too pretty to throw away! (It's a real sickness sometimes, I think!.. But as long as I'm USING them, right?!) ~tina

Deborah Weber said...

I love your landscape of the imagintion. And I love patterned security envelopes. They seem to be so much more difficult to find these days, and whenever one arrives I celebrate.

Jo Murray said...

Have been saving those envelopes with a similar project in mind. Doubt if it would top yours tho'.

bohemiannie! art said...

Your envelope art is incredible. I really think tomorrow WILL be a beautiful day for you!

Janet said...

Your journal spread is great and I can't wait to see it in person when it makes its way to me. The little spiral punch looks like fun...I have to find one now.

I hope tomorrow is a much easier day for you. I don't have little ones at home but I still have days where nothing goes right and I just want the day to be over. Enjoy that glass of wine!

froebelsternchen said...

fantastic Andea!
Great blog - great Artwork!
Thank you for stopping by my blog!


maybe you want participate once this year in our monthly challenge over on:
ART-JOURNAL-JOURNEY

xxx from Austria

Susi

iHanna said...

I think it's so sad that most envelopes have text or black pattern, I miss those old blue patterns and I'm always looking for them... What a neat idea to make the whole spread with them. Love it Andria!

anika said...

this is so great! i've been stashing security envelopes to collage with, but haven't quite gotten around to playing with them. I'm thinking they might make an appearance soon! Thanks for the inspiration. Also, I really love the little details you added like the smoke and rub-ons. definitely a fun spread!

Caatje said...

Beautiful fantasy landscapes. Sorry you were having a bad day. Been there, done that. Had one yesterday myself, one of those days when all the wrong buttons get pushed and you run up against all your own flaws and weaknesses at once. Sigh. Still feeling icky over it. Hope you're all happy again soon.

Danielle said...

You are so creative - using those liners in that way. And I love your positive attitude & finding the good in a not so good day.

Unknown said...

Those envelopes are going to be scruntinized now!! LOL.
GREAT collage.

Natasha said...

I love this!! What a stunning idea, now it looks like I will be collecting envelopes as well as my other collections...hoarders anonymous here I come! :)