Penny Richards' photos with the keyword: Obama

First batch of painted pins for the new season. No, you can't buy them. I'm sending them to campaign volunteers (probably in Pennsylvania and North Carolina, but if you're working with the campaign in a swing state and want pins, let me know). Also, yes, I know one of the pins was upside down when I scanned them. :)

If you're in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, or Wisconsin, and I know you in any way (I've lived in all three states), or Ohio, AND you're willing to hand a few of these out to friends, coworkers, baristas, or fellow volunteers, just holler and I'll send a handful your way. First come, first served.

Made in response to this news story: Stephen Hawking both British and Not Dead Painted wooden pins with collage and sharpie elements.

One is destined for a student campaign worker who did a great job in Durham NC; the other is headed to Washington DC, for a friend to wear during the run-up to Inauguration Day. Wood base, acrylic painted backgrounds, punched scrap papers, lots of modpodge, bar-pin backing.

Scholastic poster on a classroom window, 1/21/09.

Okay, I didn't make the shirt itself, but I reverse-appliqued onto it, just to try the technique. The lettering looks better in person, but it's still very handmade looking, in a good way?!?! blogged here: pennamite.wordpress.com/2008/09/09/accomplished/

My first attempt at reverse applique--because I needed a t-shirt for the season ahead. I think I need a better camera to capture the stitching, because it's the same color as the t-shirt. The underlying jersey fabric is also cut from an old black t-shirt.

To make my reverse-applique Obama shirt, I printed the word OBAMA in 100pt outline font, and cut out the letters (don't worry about the middles of the O, B, and A's right now). I used a small amount of undiluted white acrylic paint to stencil the word onto a thrifted blue Geoffrey Beene 3/4 sleeve t.

Made this for Lisa W., who expressed a desire for one, without paying $10 shipping from one of the online shops. It's printed on my printer, modpodged onto an old pin, and decorated with punched paper flowers, ink, and paint. I'd wear it myself, but I'm more of a Swimteam Mom for Obama. Hey..... This was fun, and quick, and I can definitely see making a bunch more in coming weeks. Blogged here: pennamite.wordpress.com/2008/09/19/hockey-mom-for-obama/

Told you I'd have to make some more. Made from paper scraps and modpodge, using old buttons as the base. I'm going to carry these and further similar creations around with me, so if you know me in person just ask and I'll give you one from my bag; if I know you, *and* you live in a Red or contested state, shoot me an email and I'll put one in the mail for you.

Made a new batch of Obama collage pins in more autumnal colors--these are smaller than the other ones. The round pins are made by recycling old pins and paper scraps; the star pins are made on wooden blanks, with bar-pin findings glued to the back, and acrylic paints, nail polish, and paper bits on the front. (Words on the star pins are cut out of a disintegrating novel.) Lots of Mod Podge, as usual. The previous offer stands--if I know you somehow, and you live in a red or contested state, I'll give you one of these, just shoot me an email and tell me which one you want, and I'll plunk it in the mail within 24 hours.

Somewhere in Durham NC, there's a voter-registration dynamo named Louise. Louise is so tireless in her work that her kids are sometimes embarrassed--but Louise proclaims, "this is HISTORY! I don't have time to be embarrassed!" This pin is for Louise.

Made this pin for Johanna, who is in a red part of a blue state. Painted wood blank base, inkjet text, punched scrap paper, lots of modpodge, some nailpolish too.

I needed another Obama t-shirt, so I used the same stencil and applique procedure as I did for my first one.

These are going out today and tomorrow. The "moral issues" pin is for a teacher at a a Catholic school in Washington state; the mom star pins are going to two women in Pittsburgh; "Hockey Dad" is for someone at school here, who does phonebanks; and the little pins will be part of another packet headed for Durham NC.

All of these are headed to Durham NC, to a friend-of- a-friend who's going to hand them out to other volunteers. All on wood bases, with acrylic paint, inkjet wording, and punched scraps of paper for the flowers. The one labeled "Meet Thao Vote Obama Die Happy" is a tribute to a volunteer named Thao, who's like a one-woman recruiting film--her enthusiasm is contagious, and just working with her makes other volunteers feel wonderful. And "WXDU DJ for Obama" is for Sarah, the friend-of-a-friend--she, I, and our mutual friend have all been DJs at WXDU, the campus radio station at Duke University. Funny sidenote--Sarah saw the "This is History" Louise pin, in person, on Louise!