Sunday, June 26, 2011

My Newest Altered Book & Pink Sat.

Finished Pages and Tag
Last week I finished up a two-page spread that I was doing with my book on the theme "Butterflies".  This was a mock-up or practice try before I worked in a round-robin book that I am in. It was my first time to work in someone else's book, so I was pretty nervous. I opted to experiment in my own book first. Her book turned out slightly differently than mine did, but I really liked both of them. Mine is a little more "vintage" and a little darker; hers is a little more bright and happy. Here is my process. Unfortunately I forgot to take pictures when I was starting out, but basically, I gessoed the pages, sanded them and then decopauged a paper napkin down. Then I painted the surface with some diluted gesso to tone down the color.  I used a different napkin above than the one below and then I glued on some matching ribbon and rubber stamped and inked the edges.


Next I used spray color over an old plastic table runner and used acrylic paint and I pencil eraser for the dots. I then rubber stamped and embossed the butterflies.

After this was done, I added the dress figure that I made, the fan, the flower and the tag. I cut a slit through part of the pages to make a pocket for the tag to slip into. I also inked and embossed the slit opening to keep it from fraying or tearing.

And then I stamped the quote on and added the brown velvet ribbon. I also put some swirls on my painted dots with a glitter gel pen and added some of the glittery gel pen to the flower. That doesn't show up very well on the photos, but in real life it adds a lot of interest. I also stamped a few smaller butterflies all around in the background.




I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out. I'm linking up with Beverly over at How Sweet the Sound. Head over there and check out all of the wonderful pink posts.



Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Rednesday - Tulips and an Altered Book Spread

Today I am sharing a few reds for you. I don't know what it is about colors for motivating me to blog!


Some pretty red and yellow tulips from our bike ride around Mackinaw Island.

 
Interesting "plate flowers" made from glassware that I spotted at our Art Fair last weekend.

An in-progress altered book spread titled "The Birthday Fairy"

And not in red, but my two very pretty daughters!
 
I'm linking up today with Sue at  A Very Cherry World and Rednesday. I haven't shared there in a long time, but I do so love the color red.  So zip over there and check out all of the Rednesday posts!



Saturday, June 11, 2011

Pink Saturday

I'm back! I took a few weeks off to get finished with the school year and take care of chores that had been sitting patiently waiting for me to complete them. So this week I'm back and will be joining Beverly over at How Sweet the Sound for Pink Saturday. I have missed visiting all of the talented bloggers that share each week the pinkness in their lives. Today I am going to share a smattering of "pinks" from the last few weeks.

May Tulip in Our Yard

Crab Apple Tree Blossoms - Our city is known for its Crab Apple Trees.
Another May tulip : Lone Ranger planted by a squirrel in our side-lawn

Flower bouquet presented to me by my dh at the Medieval Feast  - my last hurrah of teaching at the Home School High School Co-op.
Beautiful gazebo along our historic main street with pink flowering tree in the background

Happy Pink Saturday to all my "pink" friends and especially Beverly,our wonderful hostess!




 

Friday, June 10, 2011

Aileen's Musings: 1000 Steampunk Creations Giveaway

Aileen's Musings: 1000 Steampunk Creations Giveaway: "Its Here! If you love the steampunk style art you'll find this book to be very inspiring to look through and it will surely get surely get your creative juices flowing!" Be sure to click on the link and enter Aileen's give-away.

1000 Steampunk Creations Book Cover

What I love about steam punk is it reminds me so much of my Dad. He was a "junque" collector and always saw the potential of other peoples' cast-offs - so often metal and machinery. Our back yard was "steam punk" way before its time - LOL! I would love to start putting some things together in memory of him. It is awesome of Aileen to have a give-away of the book. I haven't done any steam punk yet, but would love to give it a try. This may be a new direction in my art endeavors. I am a little like my dad in that I see potential in everything - it is a gift and a curse! Ha.

Wednesday, June 01, 2011

Birthday Dinner at CC with Grandma and Grandpa

My two lovely daughters.

Since we have three April birthdays, we have a communal birthday dinner. This was a lovely time at the new Country Club. The interior is just beautiful.