Blown Fuses

Something about a pink stove tickles me, well, pink. Would you like to own one? I found this ad in an old Life magazine and felt like Martha (not THE Martha) deserved a Vintage Gluebook spread...

I can't help but think that honkin big roast in her oven would cause all kinds of blown fuses just to get the darn thing to cook! LOL. Enjoy, Jewels. 

Experimentin Again!

I try at least once a week to take time for artsy things (usually Saturdays). I'm pretty lucky - when we remodeled a few years back I was able to stake out an area that combines my laundry room and "studio" - pretty handy to have a sink as this is the spot where I get messy!

I've been trying to do new things - so reading up on techniques, looking (with envy) at what others do in magazines or blogs, and generally taking the plunge.

I've done gel medium transfer but never with acrylic paint. Never knew you could do it! Got the idea from this great book which I bought when it first came out - Image Transfer Workshop by Darlene Olivia McElroy et al

Pretty straightforward - I wanted to try transferring images out of magazines (I'm finding the older the better ink wise - he was in a 1958 issue of Time). Acrylic paint - a lighter colour is better to use for a good transfer (have tonnes of that from my decorative painting days back in the 1990's - there does not seem to be a shelf life on this stuff) and a sturdy surface (here I used watercolor paper) - that's it.

Paint the surface and the picture (remember, it will transfer backwards so think about any text on your image). Work quickly so everything is still wet for the next step.

Adhere to each other and be sure to smooth out - I used a putty knife and brayer to get a good "stick". Let it dry well (I used an old hairdryer to speed the process but gave it at least an hour before the next step REALLY you should leave overnight to dry).

Wet the paper and start peeling ( I find using a paper towel helps) - wahoo he is coming through...

Once you have all the paper off, voila, you can use any way you want - I actually don't mind that it was not a perfect transfer - adds to the "aging" effect don't you think. I decided to make an ATC as he was small enough.

A handsome dude! Aplomb and all (can't remember the last time I heard that word spoke out loud, LOL). Lots of fun so try it out! Enjoy, Jewels...

Beatles Mail Art Part 2

I posted earlier about my contribution to this months Mail Art swap with Beth and Leslie...I did Paper Back Writer....a lot of fun. Now its time to share what they sent!

You can read how Beth put her postcard here. It came just before Valentine's Day and the song could not have been a better match! She very cleverly used game cards for each Beatle. Wonderful collaging...

Leslie thought her's could have been cuter - are you kidding! I think it is way cool and a hoot too! And yes the postcard is the shape of a Yellow Submarine - with her family peeking out the port holes (including their pets Maggie and Winnie). Wonder what the Postman thinks about all this great mail I get!
Well done ladies! Next month is an Ocean theme - however you want to interpret BUT you need to try at least 3 new techniques... Enjoy Jewels.

Monthly ATC Invite - February Garden Calendar

This month's entry for the ATC invite Penny started over at the Linen Shelf. I liked how January turned out so I think I will stay with this theme for the year using the titles from an old gardening encyclopedia. 

The background for the month is pine trees which I was able to match with the Pine Grosbeak from a vintage birding book (love when that turns out). Added a little stickles around the edges. Still dealing with winter weather here (4 inches at least came down today) at Maple Hill - but Spring is just around the corner. Enjoy! Jewels

Machine Shop Tools

Its going to be a busy weekend. Hubby has gone home to visit his Mum in Canada leaving Miss Gwendoline and I behind to play - I wish that was the case but there is actually work, work to be done (argh). I can't complain though. I'm loving my new assignment and thank my lucky stars every day that I was able, under my own initiative, to get it (easier said then done). There won't be much time for artsy stuff so I thought I'd post an ATC I got done earlier this week...

I noticed I've had a few "men" show up in my ATCs lately - which is not a bad thing. There should be an equal balance of the two sexes don't you think? And this one is a real Manly Man with an axe to grind (LOL). Anyway, I particularly like this one because it is a combination of old and new. The graphics are from old (1950's) Popular Mechanics magazines. The funky black and white paper is from the inside of a junk mail envelope. I've been a paying more attention lately to "paper" I receive before chucking into the recycling bin. This seemed to be a good match! Enjoy. Jewels. 

Beatles Mail Art Part 1

Lots of fun with the February Mail Art with my pals Beth and Leslie (who challenged us to try 3 new techniques, argh! but I managed it). I scanned a list of all the Beatles song (you had to pick one as your inspiration) - do you know how many they wrote! I thought I'd get all artsy and draw a woman's butt going through a bathroom window but I'm just not that good (LOL). Then I saw the cover of the January Somerset Studio magazine. Can you guess what song I chose?

Does the envelope help at all?

Front

Back

How about the postcard inside - pretty sure you've gotten it by now..

Yep - Paperback Writer....Both Beth and Leslie have received and, as always, were very complimentary. Can't wait to show you what they came up with - Enjoy. Jewels 

love match

Well happy Valentine's Day everyone - I managed to get another entry done for Tag Tuesday to celebrate the day. Found this couple in a travel brochure (thinking late 1950s) for New Brunswick Canada of all places. I just thought they were so incredibly funny (her clutching his arm, him clutching his ahems, LOL). 

Read more on how I made it over at Tag Tuesday. Enjoy! 

Back To The Start

A wonderful commercial for an important cause. Just saw it while watching the Grammys...If your a Coldplay or Willie Nelson fan you will love it....

Custom Snapshots

My weekend did not exactly go as planned - I was going to go home to Canada for a visit but the weather turned very nasty here Friday afternoon so I stayed put (and COLD - it was 5 F this morning which Miss Gwendoline was very unhappy about). So I had a little extra time for putz-in. Seems I can fit in at least one ATC on the weekends.

I was flipping through some old Life magazines for another project when I found this great ad for the Polaroid Land Camera (1959). He just has such a goofy look on his face. And I'm pretty sure, when you look real close, the pipe has been drawn in LOL. The background is from an ad for curtains (very retro) and the text is from an old film processing envelope. Enjoy! Jewels 

Heartlines

I Love, Love, Love (did I mention LOVE) Florence + the Machine. Her latest album has had heavy rotation on my car CD player (Ceremonials). I've been listening to the lyrics and several songs have me thinking about different artsy things....

One of my favorite songs on this album is Heartlines. This week's Tag Tuesday theme is Hearts - a match!

Mosey on over to the Tag Tuesday site to see mine, and other, tags - I've already learned a tonne of new techniques from the many participants... Enjoy. Jewels

Posh Penelope

I've been ditzin today trying to get my February Mail Art done (theme is any Beatles song) and had to take a break - my muse is either comatose or, at best, not up to it... So I stopped and, looking at my mess of paper, saw these separate items. An ad from an old Woman's Own magazine for a lovely spring dress pattern, a thank you card, and a vintage needle pack. I had been inspired by Bertie (she has some wonderful ATCs) who had done a sewing theme card recently....

Anyway, feel like it kick started my muse putting this together. Enjoy. Jewels