Matchbox Swap 2011

Here is my January matchbox for this brand-new Flickr swap.

First, I covered the matchbox with gold paper that I had found inside of an envelope that had contained a Christmas card.  Then I added Gold German scrap, and pink German Scrap.  Then the glamorous image and flowers.  The image was originally on the cover of sheet music.  Finally, I embellished the box with Delica beads and Austrian crystal. A brad acts as a drawer-pull.  Can't see what I get in return!

The Artful Bag Challenge

Here's another intriguing challenge that I want to take part in this year - The Artful Bag Challenge.  The January theme is 'playing with paper.'  I created a winter handbag that should be quite in tune with the season!

Dress Challenge 2011 - Impressionism

Thank you, Angela, for carrying on with this terrific challenge, Dress Challenge 2011.  Dress Challenge 2010 was so much fun - and the 2011 version is shaping up to be just as much fun!  The theme for January is impressionism.  I created my dress inspired by one of my favorite VanGogh paintings:

I would truly love to own this dress!  I painted it with watercolor and gouache, in the true spirit of impressionism.  After painting it, I really couldn't see any way to improve upon Van Gogh's inspiration.

Art Creations Friday Challenge #99

First post in 2011 is for this wonderful site.  I really to not feel worthy to be in the company of the amazing artists who participate in Art Creations Friday; but they haven't kicked me out yet, so I will keep creating and learning from their glorious creations.  Last Friday, we were presented with this beautiful image:

Here is my creation:

Little Gift Tins

I wanted to give my grandchildren some money along with their other gifts; but I didn't want to just put it in an envelope.  So I used Altoid tins and decorated them with each childs' photo.  Hopefully, these tins will become keepsakes for their special treasures.

All My Grandchildren Dominoes

I decided to make my grandchildren a homemade game and here's what I came up with - All My Grandchildren Dominoes.

The dominoes were cut from black craft board. Instead of dots on the dominoes, I used one of my six grandchildren to represent the number.  So the kids just had to match up like photos of their cousins.  I used thick matte medium to rub over the photos to make the dominoes sturdier.

I also made up a rule sheet.  Who knows how long this set will last - but hopefully they will enjoy these unique gifts this year!

Snow White

My five-year-old granddaughter, Emily, visited Disney World this summer and attended the Princess' Breakfast dressed as Snow White.

I used this photo to create a watercolor.

Then I used TAP Transfer paper to make a t-shirt for Emily.

Poppies

Think Monday - Think ATC - Theme "Round"

This card is for the weekly challenge of Think Monday, Think ATC.  The theme this week is "round."



Winter

I have previously painted this tree in the Summer and in the Fall.  Here is the Winter version.  I will soon complete the set by painting the Spring version.  The set is for one of my daughters.  I originally gave her the Fall version and she remarked that she'd like to have the same scene in the other 3 seasons!  I'll get there eventually!

Out of the Woodwork

This is for Art Creations Friday.  We were given this background to work with:

Here's what I came up with.  I printed 2 copies of the background and wove them, basket style.  I included some scrap strips of paper I had previously created and some ribbon.  Then I added all of the people.  Coming 'out of the woodwork.'  This was a lot of fun.

Potted Irisis

Dress for December

And so here is December's dress.  It's hard to believe that it's been a full year since this amazing Dress challenge began!  I'm so glad that the fun will continue and look forward to next year's challenge.

For December, I have made a dress with shiny metallic red and silver colors.  It's a ball gown and I can just imagine how this gown is going to shimmer as the lady who wears it glides across the dance floor.

Saucy Tulips

Art Creations Friday - Billie Dove

As I am a silent film fan, I am so thrilled to be able to work with this beautiful image of silent film star Billie Dove.  Billie started out in the Ziegfeld Follies. However, since Mrs. Ziegfeld was worried that her husband and Billie were getting just a bit too close, Billie decided to try her luck in Hollywood.  (Mrs. Ziegfeld was stage and film star Billie Burke, who played the good witch Glinda in The Wizard of Oz.) 

In Hollywood, Miss Dove soon became a hit in silent films and made many popular features.  She retired from films soon after the advent of sound.  She had a three year affair with, and was once engaged to Howard Hughes, the famous recluse billionaire.  Billie Dove passed away at the ripe old age of 94 at the Motion Picture Home.

Sadly, few of her films still remain.  But thankfully, there are many lovely photos that preserve her etherial beauty for us to this day.

We were given this gorgeous photo to alter for Art Creations Friday.

I love sepia-toned photos; but decided that for this photo, I would experiment with using watercolors to softly color the image.  Here's the result:

Dress for November

Can't believe there's just one more dress until this challenge ends!  This has been so much fun!  Thank you, Alice and Camilla , for hosting this unforgettable challenge.  Is there anyone out there thinking of hosting the challenge for 2011?

Well, here's my dress for November.

I'm still obsessed with leaves!  I wanted to design a festive ball gown so I started with brown paper painted with acrylic paint.  I added the gorgeous paper leaves and did not feel that this dress required any further embellishment!

Here is my dress closet.

The box to the right is to hold hats, gloves, etc.  And there's a little necklace form to hold necklaces that I will (hopefully) have time to make eventually.

Art Creation Friday - First Timer

This is for the Art Creations Friday.

This is the first time I've done this challenge.  I am ASTOUNDED at the incredible talent that the contributors to this challenge have!  I urge you to check out their contributions!

This is how I feel whenever I try to read.  I only have two cats; but somehow, it seems like a lot more!

Christmas Advent Boxes

Thanks to the Lovely Leslie for sharing this great tutorial!  As soon as I saw it, I knew that I had to make one for each of my daughters and their families.  Each box requires 24 small match boxes!  Now what to do with the matches!

The match boxes are VERY tiny, so if you plan to make one, be sure to take a box with you when you shop for the trinkets.  I was surprised at how difficult it was to find items to fit!

Mona Catsa

This month's challenge in the Monthly ATC group is to use the Mona Lisa as your inspiration.  I didn't have too far to look!  My cat, Fanny, has the most direct stare you can possibly imagine.  It's quite unnerving to wake up in the middle of the night to see her staring at you.  She's every bit as enigmatic as the Mona Lisa!



I wrinkled and glued tissue paper to the card, then painted it randomly with water colors.  I used a bit of gold German scrap as the trim.  The little heart is made by wetting tissue paper and stuffing it into a small mold.  I then unmolded it, let it dry thoroughly, and painted it with acrylic paint.  The webby-type scrap is something I received from a fellow trader.  I wish I knew where I could get more of this material!  It's wonderful!  If anyone out there knows where I might find some of this, I'd really appreciate your letting me know!

Another Trading Card inspired by Matisse's Cut-Outs

This is the card that I sent for the trade.  I used a beautiful glittery card that I received from one of my great trading partners.  And then the 'cut-outs' are mostly paint chips!  In fact, the orange cut out had that rounded square cut right into it.  The black accents are purchased stickers.  I hope Reni likes it!