thevmatt

I am a mixed media artist in Lynchburg, VA. My instagram is vmarloweart. I'mma Homeschooling momma of 3....1st, 5th, and 7th. I stay BUSY with extra curricular: karate, swimming, wrestling, basketball, softball, baseball, football.....on and on! lol. I believe in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I have many interests, but am here for swapping. I like to send quality items and works. I mainly join ATC, mixed media, fb/deco, and greeting card type swaps. So, yea....Happy Swapping Y'all.

****Read "Right Now" section to know what is going on right now lol!!****

So, some of my hobbies are martial arts, volleyball, watching youtube crafting/arting videos. I love to look through Pinterest for ideas, and new takes on art/mixed media.

I mainly do mixed media on my ATCs. I love stamped images, stencils, different papers to gelli print on, I LOVE LOVE LOVE gelli printing....if you have not gotten one... DO - you will not regret it!!!

I homeschool the kids. So, I do a lot of researching on all the topics that go along with that;) Its hard...that's all I'm gonna say! LOL!

Before I list all these "wants"...I just want to say that I am always growing and learning in my art...so one of the best things anyone can give me is more knowledge of their techniques, so if you are sending anything mixed media or handcrafted....a brief or detailed;) explanation of your steps to get what you got is just really awesome and very appreciated!!!

Things I like to receive:

1.) Stamped images: Really any, and I especially love them stamped on WHITE TISSUE PAPER. I will take as many as you can send. The tissue paper is very easy to add to any texture, and then it turns translucent except for the image lines. It's really neat, if you have not tried this, please do, it opens a whole other world. So, some image ideas: - sentiments (any, holiday, hellos, happy birthdays, any!) - Cute girls: I do like bigger images, but any mixed media ones, gorjuss, etc. - ANY mixed media stamps - different colors too. - any shapes, objects: examples are - coffee cups, trees, flowers, shoes, butterflies, houses, postage stamps, clocks, keys, anything;) - Background stamps- any big background stamps would be cool. NOTE If you do decide to send stamped images on tissue paper, don't worry so much about them tearing or being folded, etc. just fold them up flat to mail, no big deal;)

2.) used postage stamps - I collect them and would love any you might have on hand. They can be any...but of course the more unique the "better";) Some of my favorite designs are people, buildings, animals, landscapes, and planes...ok, so I just named about all the design categories...haha. I do like the postage mark on them, not the black sharpie cross over, but I will not refuse a stamp, any will do!

3.) handmade, by you...pretty much anything: Any gelli printed backgrounds, any mixed media-type backgrounds. I probably would use them for ATCs, but I would prefer the cuts larger.....like so they can fit in the envie of course, but almost the size of it...hope that made sense. They don't have to be "perfect"....honestly they will be layered on 1,000 times any ways;) I like handmade card embellishments, ATCs, flip books, etc. I love making greeting cars, so if you make them, I love to see other cards and see how they are put together....get some ideas.

4.) Plain and simple embellishments: nothing fancy or really thick - regular round brads, enamel dots, simple paper flowers, border stickers, border punches (the papers punched out by you, not the punches themselves), plane tags (big ones), journal cards, etc.

5.) die cuts: The papers (not the dies) - doilies, any Tim Holtz alteration or mixed media die cuts, flowers, fences, trees, sentiments for holiday and birthdays...ANYTHING hahaha.

6.) Decorative papers and stickers: Very plain with these too...I like grungy, shabby chic, vintage type card stocks, not really out doorsy bee design type stuff...unless its Tim Holtz grungy looking....pretty much everything looks good with his style.

I would rather not get any tea bags, cosmetics, candies, or other non craft related things.

I just like nicely put together swaps that fit the requirements...lol! I don't rate down for swaps that I think are ugly or don't agree with.

ATC/MIXED MEDIA JAMS: I am active with these so feel free to send!

If your in an "invite only" group that has ANYTHING to do with MIXED MEDIA....invite me please;)

Private MIXED MEDIA swaps welcome....send me a message and set one up!

I usually always have excess Art Decos...if your wanting some, just ask. I prefer USA only. Thanks!

CURRENT STATUS on SWAPS!!!

10/13 It's more stable....hopefully getting this boot off soon! lol!

9/23 - So, I have a severely sprained ankle...happened about 5 days ago. I cannot walk on it...and thus makes it hard to get crafting done...when it's more stable and I'm able to stand and walk on it, I will pick back up again. Hopefully it won't be much longer;)

Feb. 22 I had a radical hysterectomy to remove cervical cancer...it was isolated with no lymph invasion. I am trying to stay motivated for a healthier lifestyle...and really taking the time for myself and doing the things I love which are swapping here and doing mixed media paintings. I remind myself over and over, its okay to say no, I don't have to do everything. I post my art on Instagram, which is fun to have that community.