Give an Inch

Project 52  #7

Normally, I find working on tiny things tedious. However, in this case, I simply let the papers do the work, adding very little to the squares. I took a page from Somerset Studio's Jul/Aug '08 issue after being inspired by Anni Schwabe's(handgathered@hotmail.com) pieces. This was actually a lot of fun and came together very quickly. Working the background was something I focused on here since I am new to that. I did lots of light layers of color with some stamping and was pleased with the outcome.

House of Ladies

Project 52 #6

Girls rule, boys drool! Ok, they don't really, but they might drool over these lovely ladies! I simply swooned over Somerset Studios, Summer 2009 Gallery issue. I've chosen many projects to attempt from these pages. This particular book is my version of Donne Goldstein's(donnegold@cox.net) shown in the magazine.

I had promised myself that I wouldn't buy any more scrapbook paper this year. Yeah, right. (I see you grinning right now because you have done similar!) Sooooo...I was doing really good with this. I was! But, then...sighhhhhhh. Really, it's DCWV's fault! They came out with the Mariposa stack. Have you seen it with the lovely butterflies, birds, and script? You simply must see it!

When I saw it, I mentally drooled but I was strong and went right on home without it! (proudly, too)

(here I cut a vintage postcard in two---if the shoe fits...)

Of course, my little pea brain was dreaming about the 'House of Ladies' project I was about to embark upon. Well, what can I say? The paper was already on the pages in my head. Just so lovely, delicate but strong, light and airy, romantic, feminine...

Furthermore, my name means 'butterfly', I told myself. Firmly armed with my justification of adding yet more paper to my superfluous collection, I promptly showered and went and bought it!

It was worth it, wasn't it?

Whimsical X-mas Ornaments

Project 52  #5

From Sew Somerset's Winter 2010 issue, I found this charming idea. Jane Hallmark submitted darling felt Christmas ornaments. Having lots of scrap felt on hand, I decided to try some too. It just so happens that I was packing up my Christmas things at the time I finished these. I know that I am going to be delighted to rediscover these little treasures when I bring out the decorations next year! It will be a present in itself. Thanks for the fun idea, Jane!

Bathtime Babe

Project 52 #4

I bet many of you have fond memories of giving your babies baths. So do I! This was always one of my favorite photos of my now teenaged son. The idea of making a little assemblage piece with it came to me in a dream. This kid would find the only puddle at the day care to play in, go out and play in the rain, and spend endless hours in paddle pools and once a giant garbage can filled with water!

This assemblage piece uses a cigar box with the lid removed. Various scraps of papers and paints were used for the background. I cut out a window stamp and placed images behind it and used a tiny spool for a flower pot on the windowsill. Lucky for me, I had an old mirror sticker to finish off the background.  I hope you all remember happy, splashy moments of your children too!

Icicle Dolls

Project 52 -#2 Belinda Schneider thought up these ornaments for a Christmas swap. Sew Somerset's Dec/Jan 2010 issue showed some of the results by ladies she swapped with. You can see that I hung them on a tree in my back yard but it's difficult to see the detail. Below, I pinned them to my cork board for a better(but not as attractive) look. I put my spin on them by choosing to use photos of old movie stars:  Marilyn Monroe, Rosemary Clooney,  Katherine Hepburn, Ann Margaret, and Audrey Hepburn. I just love these little glam girl ornaments and have safely packed them away so that I will be delighted and surprised next Christmas when I bring out the ornaments!

Exploring the ideas of color and texture to represent personalities was something I really tried to focus on during these pieces and I was happy with the results. Don loved Ann Margaret; he fell in with her when he was just 8 years old. That's a long crush, people!

p 52 link

http://eclectionsofvanessa.blogspot.com/2010/03/how-are-your-new-years-resolutions.html

52 Projects-#1

Claudine Hellmuth inspired my first project. She makes wonderfully whimsical collages with family photos as shown in her book Collage Discovery Workshop:  Beyond the Unexpected. I highly recommend the book if you are a beginner like me. As you will see, I imitated one of her pieces as I was a bit lost on where to start. That is actually the exact point of me borrowing ideas from magazines, so that I can learn and have a jumping off place to start.

That's me, my fiance Don, and my son Basil along with Xena, the dog(who is neither a warrior, nor much of a princess---more of your fun-loving stereo-type of a blonde!), and Polly, the cat(who is being her usual haughty self). Note the separation of the pets. Polly is not one iota afraid of the dog, she just thinks the dog is annoying and of a lower species. Truly a snobbish cat because she feels the same way about her owners!

It was a lot of fun creating the characters and we all had a chuckle over it. Xena thought is smelled nice and wondered if it was at all like a frisbee. Polly thought is was beneath her and slowly turned and walked away with her tail held aloft; but I know she liked the happy vibes in the room. 

On this project, I also learned not to worry about my lack of drawing skills and that just the suggestion of what the picture needed was good enough to tell the story. Anyway, I wrapped this one up and gave it to my son for a Christmas gift. Surprisingly, he really liked it! I even got a small smile from him. If you have teenaged boys, you know how hard that is to elicit at times! Then he stunned me by immediately hanging it up in his room! Whaddayouknow?!(pass me the smelling salts!) I was immensely flattered. Have a wonderful day and thanks for stopping by!

How are your New Year's Resolutions coming along?

Me? I made fun resolutions this year. One thing I decided to do was 1 mixed media project per week of the year for a total of 52!

This is to force myself to explore new techniques and ensure that I get enough creative time in for myself...something that used to be lower on my priority list. Why not make a resolution that makes you happier and more well-balanced. Other obligations work themselves out somehow or other. So here's what I did: I pulled out all my old Cloth, Paper, Scissors, Somerset Studios(and other various Stampington and Co. mags.) Then I perused and picked 52 projects to try and wrote them on index cards.

Now I just pull out one randomly and begin the project. Admittedly, I'm a little behind but there's Spring Break, then summer vacation to catch up. I'll get there!

As an aside, I started thinking about the correlation between there being 52 weeks in a year... 

and 52 in a standard deck of cards. So I went web-surfing.

Apparently, many others have considered this too and have discovered some interesting facts. created entire stories around the fact. And even a song. What else comes in sets of 52, I wondered? Well, the English alphabet does if you count lower and upper case.

There was once a comic-book series entitled 52. I didn't find anything else, so far but am keeping my eye out. And of course we have heard of the B-52 Bomber; which later became an awesome band in the 80's(well, I thought so, anyway)! But I digress...


I have been on a long hiatus from blogging but have decided to return to keep myself on track with this resolution and will begin posting them soon. I look forward to reconnecting with old blog friends and making some new ones!