ta-da!

Whew!  Got a few things moved from to-do to ta-da.  I've been wanting to carve an elaborate X and O so I started with a sketch.  Since I like to make coordinating images I just kept drawing.  Then I lifted each portion of the composition by tracing over it – I have a trick to insure the best symmetry – I draw an x/y axis on the trace, then copy only one quadrant of the image.  Next, I fold on an axis and trace the tracing.  It doesn't matter that you are drawing on the back since you can see through it.  Repeat across other axis and you should have a pretty symmetrical design. 

 MWnewtoolsprocess1    

Here are the test prints…tomorrow I'll get out the paint!

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Since I had these photos of my sketch I decided to open in photoshop and erase bits out of it to make custom brushes and mess around with how these will look with color.  Squeee!

MWnewtoolsprocess2

Last weekend I finally finished and mailed the Pink Wink thank yous.  It feels so good to move that task over to the ta-da list.  And as I said before, it was great therapy to revisit the project and bask a while longer in the pink glow.

MWtadaPINK  

And one more ta-da from this week - our NJ/NY HIM Street Team gathering for HD!

MWHD09event  

Comments

29 responses to “ta-da!”

  1. kelly Avatar

    WICKED cool!
    LOVE the stamps!!
    Looks like you guys had fun 😉
    thanks for the pink wink thank you 😉

  2. JeriAnn Avatar

    Not only are these new stamps amazing, your tip is one I can really use. It reminds me of the kirigami I have so much fun with — folding paper into quarters or eights then cutting to get a repetitive shape. Don’t know why I haven’t thought to do that with a drawing.
    Thanks for the lovely note. When my son took it out of the mailbox, he asked, “What’s this Mom? It looks too cool to be an ad or bill.” He was right. It’s the coolest thing I’ve gotten in my mailbox in some time. Thank you!

  3. Jennifer White Avatar

    PHENOMENAL X’s and O’s…. and leave it to you to have a trick to trace, can’t wait to see the final outcome!

  4. J to the P Avatar

    I can’t stand this….
    THOSE ARE AMAZING!!!! I’m not worthy 🙂

  5. Regina Avatar

    stunning new stamps. Thanks for showing the process. And I really MUST learn to make custom brushes. You inspire me, Woman!

  6. Cath S Avatar

    OMG those new stamps are going to be amazing. But I have *no* idea how you make your own brushes…

  7. Maj Carita Avatar

    Michelle, I really, really like that x and o symbol you created! I was tempted to say like a rose has thorns, so does your “hugs” and “kisses”… but I hope you know I don’t mean that at all!!!

  8. Elizabeth Avatar

    I just love your sketching never mind the beautiful stamps that you create. The architects fine design hand is so evident in all of your work- LOVE IT!!~!!
    I got my Pink Wink Postcard- FRAME -ABLE!!! But I ahve tucked it into my visual journal so I can see BOTH sides- thank YOU for sucha beautiful treasur- Pin WInk just keeps on keeping on!! Shannon is So very proud of you!!! I think that I must take a lesson from you and do my sketching on graphpaper- duh??!! that would be a great place to start and thanks so much for the tracing/symetry tips!!
    Big Hugs!!!
    XOXO
    Elizabeth

  9. Kim Mailhot Avatar

    Wow Michelle !!! You are such a magician you even make geometry look easy !!! These are incredible stamps ! The testing looks so good.
    Looks like HD was a fine time ! Yay !
    I got a wink in the mail on Tuesday – loved it ! It is on my bullentin board to remind me about how wonderful things can be when you take the time to reach out and connect…How lucky are we, right ?
    Yay for your Ta-Da list, Madame !
    OX OX
    Kim

  10. Marilyn Lynch Avatar
    Marilyn Lynch

    Hi Michelle,
    I’m so touched by your thoughtful note. Totally unexpected and so much appreciated. It’s a keeper for sure, tucked into my bulletin board of very special bits and pieces.
    Marilyn
    a former Jersey girl now living in Rhode Island

  11. tina Avatar

    Love your new stamps.
    Kudos for all those Ta-Da’s.

  12. Chris Avatar

    Oh, that Fallon!
    It’s great to see pictures like this. I love being in a big group, having fun, everyone talking, people sticking gum under the table and taking other people’s party favors…
    maybe that only happens at my parties.
    Anyway, Michelle! Michelle? You’re not doing something else while I’m talking, are you–you MULTI-TASKER!
    Michelle, I can really see your architectural (drafting?) training in the way you sketch and block print your letters. It’s great style and flourish that makes it uniquely yours.

  13. Kathleen Avatar

    The XO layering is especially wonderful! Love it when the tools are as gorgeous as the art!!

  14. Bonnie Avatar
    Bonnie

    Oh Michelle, the stamps are gorgeous……but when are you going to put them in rubber for US???
    I need new stamps….I need some inspiration! I am in a bit of a rut.
    I am saving ‘my card’ from you to remind me of what can happen when people come together on a
    mission, trying desperately to help someone going through a crisis, hoping all the while that the
    individual will feel the prayers and love in a tangible way.
    Most of us know you through your blog but never underestimate how much we have come to care for you kiddo. You keep us inspired, giggling and shopping on Etsy for cemetery dirt (My husband thanks you….NOT!!!), and dreaming of becoming better artists……….
    You are such an inspiration to us. We GET you kiddo! *

  15. forcryeye Avatar

    Fantastic girl! I love the way you explained your trick! The X’s and O’s are Fantastic! I can’t wait to see what you will come up with for St. Patrick’s Day! I am sad to say I did nothing for HD09 but listen to our guys…which is what it is all about I guess. I would have liked to have spent it with Ville and the boys. Hee.

  16. LIsa Hoffman Avatar

    I’m going to have to read your instructions v-e-r-y S-l-o-w-l-y. But I get it. Delicious. THEN, the brushes?…..I love your colors too. Very “You”.
    Thanks for another share. It amazes me that you just give and give. Generous x’s 10……(wink)

  17. Barbara Avatar

    Michelle,
    Thanks so much for the lovely thank you card. Your hand must have been mighty tired after sending all those thank-yous. LOVE LOVE your new designs/tools. The creativity just keeps on coming!!! Thanks for all the inspiration.

  18. deb Avatar

    Love the stamps…but, you know me…LOVE the color combos! 🙂
    xo…deb (junkin’ yaya)

  19. Megan Warren Avatar

    Wow – Michelle love your new tools and the *wink* bowl!

  20. Kelsey Avatar

    I too thank you for the wink card that arrived today here in Australia and for your most heartfelt words. We both know the pain of losing a loved one/s in 2008 and we’re also certain that 2009 and beyond is going to be better because we’ve had those special people in our lives.
    Love the drawings and the stamps, hopefully they’ll make it onto your new rubber!!! No….I haven’t forgotten!!! hahahaha
    I introduced a couple of new girls to the delights of Ville and the boys in my last atc class, they so loved the heartagram stamp and they reckon the music’s not bad too! lol

  21. Ellen-Mary Avatar

    I don’t know why I didn’t ever think to use graph paper. Since I map out knitting patterns on graph paper you’d think it would be a no-brainer. Great idea, Michelle!
    The beautiful Thank You card is tucked into my mirror. You are very welcome! I was happy to be part of honoring your sister.

  22. Maj Carita Avatar

    I too got a *wink* in the mail yesterday. Beautifully designed, beautifully written! Thank you so much, Michelle!

  23. jan Avatar

    My “wink” came in the mail ealier this week. I am amazed that you personalized it with a hand-written message. That was certainly no small feat. Your generousity is so very much appreciated. here’s a wink back at ya!
    jan in ohio
    ps. love your X/O carved stamps!

  24. Jane Avatar

    Totally cool . . .as always. Such intricate carvings and I love your tip on how to make things symmetrical- (that’s a big challenge for me.) Thank you for your comment too. I miss Dad and Mom, and I know you are missing Shannon. As you said: Better to have a broken heart than an empty one! I love that thought. Life goes on, and we heal- with help from our friends. I get so much from your Crusades and all the Street Team Members. You are an inspiration.
    Thank you for everything.
    -Jane

  25. Seth Avatar

    Amazing stamps Michelle. So interesting how you create them too!

  26. heather Avatar

    wow…you are so talented…i am always in awe.

  27. Leslie M. Avatar

    These are beautiful. Thanks for the details about how you got them so symmetrical. Love the Photoshop manipulations!
    xo

  28. Sarah Avatar

    amazing stamps, so incredibly neat thanks to your clever symmetry trick, you’d never believe they were hand carved!
    I love love love my wink-card, can’t believe it got across the Atlantic in only 3 working days, will keep it safe x

  29. Rosie Avatar

    Thank you so much for the beautiful postcard! It was wonderful to receive a handwritten thank you! I just loved being involved in something so meaningful, so thank YOU!
    I love those new carvings… I haven’t stopped either!! You are SO inspirational… you don’t realise the impact you have made in my artistic life Michelle. I do, when I look back at the artist I have become compared to what I last year. I’ll always be grateful to you.
    Hugggggggggssssss
    Rosie

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