Postcards from Summer...

After making the fabric postcards shown in a previous post, I next tried my hand at making altered photograph postcards. These three resulted from the effort. Some will be part of Lenna's Creative Swaps in which each participant is making three mixed-media postcards to trade. The theme is "A Summer's Day", and we'll complete the sentence "Summer is..." on each card. "Sunlit" is the title of the card shown above. It's of boats anchored in Perkins Cove.

Our trip to Maine in early August was a beautiful time, and in such a beautiful place. So I chose the photos of the Perkins Cove and Kennebunkport areas to feature in the postcards. For each one, I placed an oval mask on part of the photo and then coated the rest of the picture with gesso. These were glossy photos, so the gesso made the surface able to receive paint and inks. On top of that, I colored with watercolor crayons, followed by water to activate and blend the colors. Some stamping, stitching, and added text followed.

Then I layered the photo side with cardstock or scrapbook paper backing, and a middle of lightweight cardboard. Lastly, I stitched the edges by machine, couching yarn on the edge of "Rainbow Beach".

This was a stretch for me, using materials that are somewhat new. But it was fun to do, and I like how each photo is enhanced by the added design elements. All they need is the tried-and-true postacard sentiment... Wish You Were Here!