Monday, March 23, 2015

Liberate Your Art Postcard Exchange and Blog Hop 2015 April 16


For the past 3 years, I've participated in Kat Sloma's Liberate Your Art Post Card Exchange, where she encourages us to print our art to postcards, and then share them with other creatives around the world.  This year, I sent off my new batch of postcards in good faith with plenty of time to meet the due date.  And then the day before the swap, Kat kindly emailed me to say she received my empty envelope, but no postcards, and no stamps, no labels.  ???   Apparently lost in the mail on the way to Milwaukee.  Hmmmmh ...  Funny the post office delivered an empty envelope, and didn't return it to me.  I was pretty bummed, thinking I wouldn't be able to participate this year after all ...   

But this is such a wonderful community that Kat is fostering.   I am honored and humbled by it all :
Back in January, I posted a collage of the images I was considering printing to postcards for the 2015 exchange.   Through the FaceBook Group, several people liked my work so much that they offered to do an extra swap with me.  Some of them were new people, and some I'd met in previous years.  So even though I didn't get to participate in the official swap this year, I still got to be part of it all--liberated my art (again), and met some new people around the world.  Things worked out just fine!

Here are the cards I received this year all of them EXTRA Swaps since my P/Cs got lost on the way to Oregon :

Tulips in Paris from Janice Darby in California -- next to my leafy green teapot.

Welcome burst of color from Sara Calhoun in Atlanta, Georgia.  Our spring hasn't started yet!
From Snap Lane in Houston, TX. 

Still cold enough to have a fire burning here.  
Only Frost Fairies so far, but they do beautiful work, too!
These are my husband's big ol' feet sitting next to me.


From Amy Irwen in Minnesota.  A beautiful mixed media piece.

From Juana Almaguer in Langley, WA
Just wanted to show you, Juana, that your rocks and shells and corals landed someplace where they are appreciated.  I dug out my Olokun Head (aka Shell Head Lady), cleaned her up, packed her up in a backpack and trekked her down to the still frozen shores of Lake Winnebago as the sun was setting tonight.

 2nd card from Kat van Rooyen in Tazwell, VA.


 This is the postcard Kat Sloma (OR) sent to all participants in the 2015 LYA Postcard Exchange.  Even though my envelope arrived empty, with no stamps, Kat still sent me a postcard.  Thank you so much, Kat!  It's beautiful--pictured here on my art desk in the porch.

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Here are my Postcards I sent out into the world (wherever they landed -- At some point, you just have to let go and send them out into the world, and trust they will play their part in making the world a more beautiful place, whether they end up where I sent them, or if they landed where they were needed most (at least, that is what' I'm choosing to believe).  All of these have previously appeared here on Sweet Leaf Notebook :

Grunge Horse  (Landed in Idaho)

Balance

A Dream is a Wish ... (Landed in California)

October Moon (Landed in Georgia)

Sandy - (Landed in Sweden)

Indigo Moon (Landed in Virginia and Minnesota)

Storm Coming (Landed in Texas)

Pick More Daisies (Landed in North Central Wisconsin)

Topaz Tulips (Landed in Virginia and Washington)
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2015 Liberate Your Art Video, compiled by Kat Sloma.  Participating Artists contributed 1 image of their work for this year's video.  Enjoy!

Blog Hop

15 comments:

The Idaho Beauty said...

These are all so beautiful. I'd be hardpressed to pick a favorite but the barn one made me pause longer than the rest - very dynamic. So much of the success of these is your growing eye for composition and setting a mood with your manipulations.

I know it's hard to let go when plans go awry like your lost pcs but I had the same thought of what unexpected joy they may be bringing elsewhere not to mention the extra joy you experience from the supportive action of your group. What a worthwhile use of your time, this work with photo and software.

Snap said...

Well done! A great selection landed in your post. I think the group on FB is the best group yet. I'm already looking forward to next year. Thanks so much for swapping!

GalleryJuana said...


That was a bummer with the post, but it looks like you made your own happy ending!

I am glad we could do the side swap. Your topaz tulips card is beautiful! And I am so chuffed at how you photographed the one you received from me:) Love your shell head on the lake shoreline.

Suzette Rothlisberger said...

I'm sorry your postcards got lost, but they will find a home somewhere. You've collected some real beauties along the way. This is my first year of knowing where may cards landed...2 of them anyway, so it's been exciting. Take care and I hope to see you again next time.

janice said...

Oh Michele, I'm so sorry your postcards got lost in the mail!!! But glad you got some out for side swaps, I love my bleeding hearts(they don't grow here in California). I look forward to swapping again next year!

Joanna said...

So many beautiful cards. love that you included the video on your blog. Good closing!

Anonymous said...

too bad your cards got lost..but I am also glad you participated in the side swap!

~*~Patty S said...

Lost mail is such a nightmare...very sorry that happened to your beautiful art cards!
Looks like there was a happy ending in spite of that misfortune.
This was my first year participating.
Happy beginning of the weekend

twil123123 said...

Such beauties...it is definitely a shame your cards were lost. Would love to swap if you are interested.

Anonymous said...

Heartbreaking that your envelop to Kat arrived empty. I love the cards you made, and I'm glad you were still able to get some back!
--Rebecca of Industrial Grace Restoration

chasing the sun said...

I would also love to swap if your were interested..
I love your blog :-)
lcomperry@yahoo.com
http://lisacomperry.blogspot.com

chasing the sun said...

Acch..I hope you don't get a duplicate comment from me..
I love your blog!
And the beautiful cards that found their way there :-)
I would love to swap cards with you if you were interested:-)
lcomperry@yahoo.com

http://lisacomperry.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Lovely blog post! So glad you were able to participate despite the cluster... Loved your images. :D

Unknown said...

Sorry to hear that things went a little awry in the postcard swap for you--yet, I suspect those postcards had someplace to go and are having their adventures even as I write this! Come visit me at: http://www.kathrynvwhite.com/blog/2015-liberate-your-art-postcard-swap-so-much-fun Cheers!

twil123123 said...

Gorgeous works sent and received... Happy year of creating until we do it again!