I think this is my favourite one this week: crowns, music notes, typography, gossamer threads. Great fun making this.
Friday, 27 February 2009
King of the Birds
I think this is my favourite one this week: crowns, music notes, typography, gossamer threads. Great fun making this.
Small worlde gardener
More birdie and gardening ATCs, had a run on them. Did a spot of gardening in the weekend, well our vege garden, it is getting slightly overgrown with weeds.
Spring Delights
I know it is still summer here in NZ, and soon autumn, but because most of my viewers are northern hemisphere, I thought you may like something to remind you of spring, it's just round the corner. And that is going to be this month's ATC Challenge, a card depicting spring.
Birdie's Awake
Thought I better get some more ATCs up, and will look at another ATC challenge. Got a little too much work on at the moment, but will try for you guys.
Friday, 20 February 2009
The Essence of Imagination
I came across this tale and thought I'd like to share it with you, let your imagination go.
"Once Upon a Time there dwelt by the sea a young girl whose habit it was to gather dweedles and squinkies along the shore. Late one autumn evening as she was returning to her cottage, a great and fearsome wave overcame the girl and, rendering her senseless, swept her far away. When she awoke, the girl found herself upon the coast of a strange land, being observed by two tall, birdlike creatures. "Alas," she said, as she picked herself up from the sand and pulled the seaweed from her hair, "where in the world am I, and what am I to do?" She no sooner spoke than the two creatures lifted her high into the sky and carried her inland over the heart of a great dense forest, where they released their hold on her, and she plummeted toward the trees.
The girl feared for her life, but at the last moment landed gently in front of a humble shack in the doorway of which an old crone stood staring at her with a piercing, yet kindly eye. The old woman beckoned with a gnarled finger, "Come inside, my dear, and have some tea. I have much to say and little time." Upon entering the crone's hut, the girl was amazed by all manner of mysterious objects which sat upon shelves and seemed to watch her as she crossed the room to the large chair the old crone offered to her. "Sit, my child, and be not afraid. Your destiny has brought you here that you may fulfill a purpose upon which rests the very Essence of Imagination."
A delicate cup of flavorful brew appeared in the young girl's hand at which she sipped as the old woman spoke of bygone days and ancient lore, of mystical powers and gentle breezes. She told the tales of love fulfilled, of passing time and sleepless nights, and all the while, the young girl sipped her tea and spoke not a word. At last, the crone produced a satchel from which she carefully removed a collection of aged, bound books, and setting these before the girl, laid her withered hands lightly upon them and cast a heavy sigh.
"Child, before you now are the Works of Figments, vessels of expression forged in the absence of gravity and bound by the deities of vision. They contain the verses and memories of all that is, and was, but only by the works of they that put pen to their pages can their secrets be revealed and conveyed for all of time. It is your fate to carry these treasures back to your world and see that they every one be filled with the truths of living. Go you now, and carry out this task."
The crone leaned over and with her finger gently brushed the cheek of the young girl, who then nodded drowsily and felt herself being lifted and transported to familiar shores. When she awoke, she found herself reclining in the shade of her own cottage, the satchel of books at her side, and resolved at once to embark on her destiny."
~ Anonymous ~
"Once Upon a Time there dwelt by the sea a young girl whose habit it was to gather dweedles and squinkies along the shore. Late one autumn evening as she was returning to her cottage, a great and fearsome wave overcame the girl and, rendering her senseless, swept her far away. When she awoke, the girl found herself upon the coast of a strange land, being observed by two tall, birdlike creatures. "Alas," she said, as she picked herself up from the sand and pulled the seaweed from her hair, "where in the world am I, and what am I to do?" She no sooner spoke than the two creatures lifted her high into the sky and carried her inland over the heart of a great dense forest, where they released their hold on her, and she plummeted toward the trees.
The girl feared for her life, but at the last moment landed gently in front of a humble shack in the doorway of which an old crone stood staring at her with a piercing, yet kindly eye. The old woman beckoned with a gnarled finger, "Come inside, my dear, and have some tea. I have much to say and little time." Upon entering the crone's hut, the girl was amazed by all manner of mysterious objects which sat upon shelves and seemed to watch her as she crossed the room to the large chair the old crone offered to her. "Sit, my child, and be not afraid. Your destiny has brought you here that you may fulfill a purpose upon which rests the very Essence of Imagination."
A delicate cup of flavorful brew appeared in the young girl's hand at which she sipped as the old woman spoke of bygone days and ancient lore, of mystical powers and gentle breezes. She told the tales of love fulfilled, of passing time and sleepless nights, and all the while, the young girl sipped her tea and spoke not a word. At last, the crone produced a satchel from which she carefully removed a collection of aged, bound books, and setting these before the girl, laid her withered hands lightly upon them and cast a heavy sigh.
"Child, before you now are the Works of Figments, vessels of expression forged in the absence of gravity and bound by the deities of vision. They contain the verses and memories of all that is, and was, but only by the works of they that put pen to their pages can their secrets be revealed and conveyed for all of time. It is your fate to carry these treasures back to your world and see that they every one be filled with the truths of living. Go you now, and carry out this task."
The crone leaned over and with her finger gently brushed the cheek of the young girl, who then nodded drowsily and felt herself being lifted and transported to familiar shores. When she awoke, she found herself reclining in the shade of her own cottage, the satchel of books at her side, and resolved at once to embark on her destiny."
~ Anonymous ~
Monday, 16 February 2009
Jewellery Holder
Here is a jewellery holder I have just made. I've used feather trim, beaded rim, lots of flowers ontop, prima papers and some Mamelok relief die cuts.
Currently I have it holding my new Simply Swank Altered Art jewellery. If you are keen on this then our store will be running a class. Stay tuned.
Saturday, 14 February 2009
A selection of altered art jewellery
These ones I have used Simply Swank soldering products:
These ones Magenta and Nunn Designs (for the patera):
These ones Magenta and Nunn Designs (for the patera):
Thursday, 12 February 2009
Marie Antoinette
This acrylic book has been made using Prima Marketing's Corina Neilsen Designs (her Whisper Collection).
As wife of the Dauphin of France later Louis XVI, she made the huge and sumptuous Palace of Versailes her playground … and turned a deaf ear to the cries of starving peasants clamouring at the gates. Quoted from Victoria Holt's book "The Queen's Confession."
She was frivolous, indulgent and pleasure-loving. Marie Antoinette danced her way to revolution and disaster.
SO why do I honour her with this acrylic work? Because the decadence of the Court blinded her to reality. And perhaps, more so, because in her prime she graced and gave patronage to the arts and fashion, a fickle world she was to learn. So, it's not that I honour her decadent lifestyle, but that period of history in the 1770s+ that produced a pompous and extravagant fashion, not just in clothes and large hairstyles, but most of all in the interiors of the homes of the aristocracy.
The last Queen of France (an Austrian woman) "squandered the finances of France, the fruit of the people's sweat, for her pleasure and intrigues." (Victoria Holt). It's a very sad story.
Here, the height of fancy!
The Trianon, her special place of refuge especially made for her.
And her own 'made-up' hamlet:
As wife of the Dauphin of France later Louis XVI, she made the huge and sumptuous Palace of Versailes her playground … and turned a deaf ear to the cries of starving peasants clamouring at the gates. Quoted from Victoria Holt's book "The Queen's Confession."
She was frivolous, indulgent and pleasure-loving. Marie Antoinette danced her way to revolution and disaster.
SO why do I honour her with this acrylic work? Because the decadence of the Court blinded her to reality. And perhaps, more so, because in her prime she graced and gave patronage to the arts and fashion, a fickle world she was to learn. So, it's not that I honour her decadent lifestyle, but that period of history in the 1770s+ that produced a pompous and extravagant fashion, not just in clothes and large hairstyles, but most of all in the interiors of the homes of the aristocracy.
The last Queen of France (an Austrian woman) "squandered the finances of France, the fruit of the people's sweat, for her pleasure and intrigues." (Victoria Holt). It's a very sad story.
Here, the height of fancy!
The Trianon, her special place of refuge especially made for her.
And her own 'made-up' hamlet:
Peter Rabbit ™
I love pop up books and ended up getting some for my kids. But I over ordered on one of them, and rather than exchange it,I decided I would 'alter art' it, having recently read a comment by someone who had done this as well (yes a bit indulgent of me I know).
But I decided Peter Rabbit ™ could wear a crown, and have some wings too. Take a look:
This is personal work for my own use and not for resale as Peter Rabbit™ images are copyright.
But I decided Peter Rabbit ™ could wear a crown, and have some wings too. Take a look:
This is personal work for my own use and not for resale as Peter Rabbit™ images are copyright.
Saturday, 7 February 2009
Valentines Paper Project
One of my staff member's has made a beautiful 3D Valentine's Heart ... of course for Valentines Day.
Here it is:
