How great is it to get mail? To tear into the envelope and hear from a friend? Here’s some envelope templates. Make your own out of old maps or other crazy such things. And here’s to getting real mail!
All curled-up and cozy this end of February. Betony Coons, a Giants & Pilgrims artist and founder, created these original illustrations to represent peace and rest.
All three pieces are available at http://www.etsy.com/shop/graysparrow?ref=shop_sugg
Original illustrations by Betony Coons
“Curled up” – india ink on watercolor paper.
$50 each – $75 framed.
All images ©Betony Coons 2014
Kyle Steed is a wonderful and accomplished artist. You’ve seen his work in commercials (the Walgreen’s new font) or maybe you’re one of his followers on Instagram (he’s one of their featured gramm-ers, with good reason: ). And Giants & Pilgrims LOVES him, his family, and his work.
Kyle graciously donated some of his doodling time to make a beautiful, hand lettered illustration for our February Almanac. We present it here now for download in postcard format. We suggest you print it on card-stock, cut out the postcards, and write a note to someone you care about.
The words come straight from our Almanac “poetic intro” for February, with the theme of “SEND”.
Click the link below to download a printable pdf of the postcards:
See more of Kyle’s work at www.kylesteed.com
One of the twelve paintings done for Almanac No. 1 featured here. This piece coincides with the song “All the Lights” to be released soon!
The simplicity of the things we capture and hold on to- feathers representing hopes, butterflies for dreams and so on. What have you kept close in the dark?
In process…
12X12 inch prints can be purchased at Betony’s etsy shop – www.graysparrow.etsy.com
Joni Lissak
Artist & Lover of Elephants
Joni teaches art at a charter school in Greeley, CO with an undergrad from the University of Northern Colorado. She produces intricate, beautiful, and interactive art shows. (One being a narrative thread of paintings inspired by a Regina Spector song.
Gallery goers could listen, touch, and contribute to the show).
Click the download button below to get the high resolution 5X7 file. Print it out and place the music jar somewhere it will “play” for you.
[purchase_link id=”233″ style=”button” color=”white” text=”Purchase”]
(Note: click the download button, then the purchase button – it will be $0.00, then click “download now” to get the high resolution file)
Contact Joni for art commissions:
box.of.paints@hotmail.com
So these are snowflake patterns from crochet directions that Betony designed to make beautiful all on their own! Below are a myriad of creative ideas as to how to use them.
We hope they make for a great addition to your home, celebrating this winter season. And perhaps they can be an indoor activity to do in the Great Cold happening right now!
Click the link below to download the pdf:
IDEAS:
Print them out on card stock paper, cut them out and sting them together to make a beautiful winter garland.
Print them on vellum paper and hang in your windows.
Copy and paste them to make into your own notecards, stationary, or thank you notes. Hobby Lobby or Michaels have great blank printable cards that you can just run through your home printer.
Print them (or send off to Office Max or office store) on sticker paper and cut out as stickers.
Use as a drawing reference to draw or paint your own intricate snowflake designs.
Print them out on decal paper and transfer to candles
http://www.amazon.com/Laser-Premium-Waterslide-Clear-Sheets/dp/B0013L7OGS/ref=sr_1_4?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1389109332&sr=1-4&keywords=decal+paper
Use as an embroidery pattern on a pillow
Print it out on fabric using this freezer paper method:
http://thegraphicsfairy.com/print-fabric-freezer-paper-method-2/
Create a seasonal cheese tray with a wood cutting board and the wax paper transfer method shown here: http://www.unexpectedelegance.com/2011/09/01/wax-paper-transfer-tutorial/
Save those free ugly coasters from your local brewery and mod-podge these designs over the top.
Each month as Giants & Pilgrims creates all the content and stories and art for Almanac No. 1, a theme will be chosen that resonates with the month and the place we find ourselves in this year. For January our theme is “Begin”.
January is a blank canvas. A snowy field. Untouched clay.
Now is the time to reflect and be resolute again.
The resolutions we make now guide and direct our new year.
So here’s to new beginnings.
May the fresh start find you this season.
And now
we
Begin
On October 31st we celebrated a very well-known holiday. Halloween was a blast this year for the Coons family. We dressed up, trick-or-treated with lots of friends, and had way too much candy.
November 1st, however, we also celebrated a holiday not nearly as well-known. The day after Halloween, or All-Hallows-Eve, is All Saints Day.
All Saints Day is a holiday in the Western-Christian calendar set aside to honor all of the saints, known and unknown. A friend of mine, K.J. Tencza, several years ago came up with a way of celebrating this holiday in a very non-traditional way. We gathered together on the Friday night of All Saints Day and lit candles for those who have been a light in our lives- people that God has used in significant ways to shine and guide us. As people lit the candles they shared stories of those who have meant so much to them and how deeply they’ve impacted their lives.
It was a really incredible time. By the end of the night I felt this wonderful sense of gratitude; I am so thankful for the people in my life. And the lives of others. Encouragers, supporters, teachers, family.
We didn’t want to stop there, though. Betony made a “Family Tree” chart for people to take home and fill out how they liked. You could write in family members or take a more creative approach: who has deeply impacted your roots? Who are the people- family, writers, friends, teachers, people from camps, retreats, etc, who have been a part of your lineage as a human being? Who has truly shaped your soul? And write those names in.
We are providing here the same “Family Tree” chart for download here. Print it off and take some time to reflect as you fill it in. And let it enrich your November! Here’s to the Adventure!
Click the small thumbnail below to download the large size file.
Much love,
Tim (Giants & Pilgrims)
We were asked to play at the first ever festival put on by “Under the Radar”, an internet radio station that plays more thoughtful, creative music, often of a spiritual bent. They called the event “Under the Radar: Escape to the Lake”.
It was such an amazing experience, not just because of the people and the music and the opportunities, but also because we got to take the family!
Betony, Lucy, and Harriet got to come. And then we brought friends (musician Craig Basarich, photographer Thomas Nash, artist Kathryn Buncik) to help with the trip. It was a Circus Caravan of Fun wherever we pulled up!
On one of the days we were there Betony led an Almanac Adventure. Together with some other folks they made boats together and asked the question, “What do you need to let go of this season? What are the things you want to load into this boat and leave at the lake- lightening the weight of life off your shoulders and into this vessel?”
People really got into it and took the creating seriously. Well, not too seriously. A ton of fun was still had. It made for a special moment during this get away to Wisconsin.
