Geeze.....Another one?

Yup, more on the Paris theme. LOL. I might have mentioned that there's decos going around in round robin style & they've all got the same theme. Honestly I did this one weeks ago. But a dear friend mentioned that I'm not updating my blog enough so I thought I'd post a pic of this. Hope everyone enjoyed the holidays so far. After New Year's I think that things will get back to normal around here.

The background was some hand painted paper. There's an old postage stamp from France & some french text. The picture & some scrap paper, the eiffel tower cut out is leftover from my chunky pages, then a bit of ink & some neocolor crayon for the blueish. I love those things ;-)

Edited to add comment:

Karen Campbell said...

I love this, Stacie! Someone is getting back a beautiful book :)

Pendants & Herringbone

Lately I've been bitten by the jewelry bug again. There are some things that I want to learn & some techniques that I want to do over & over again (until they're second nature to me). So I've dug out my jewelry things & have been playing a bit. Well- until the whole family got sick- that's not left me with much time. Although I've got a lot to learn, I still thought I'd post some pix. LOL- Easier said than done. These little buggers are hard for me to get a good shot of, I'm not a very good photographer to start with. So, blurry pix aside- here's a few. Quite a diverse group I know. I'm thinking I need more beads- LOL. Actually there IS a class that I want to take next month, we'll have to see how it goes. Until then I'll just keep on playing as time permits.

Remember Paris

Here's a preview of my pages for the Paris Chunky book on BookArtz. I'm really happy with the way they turned out. Acrylics for the background, inks, reproduction of a vintage postcard, vintage paper from a dictionary, more acrylics & neocolor II crayon. I'm excited about this book. I just love chunky books. The thrill of opening the envelope & looking through the book over & over just soaking in all the details & the love that went into the pages. Sigh.....I'm looking forward to this.

Just posted a mini book swap on BookArtz tonight. I love to have a reason to make a book, otherwise I don't seem to make the time for it. But that was the point of posting the swap- many people that I know are like that.

Edited to add comments:

Cathy J said...

Oh Stacie! I can't wait til your package comes in the mail!! Love the whole thing and stamping Remember with white is soooo smart. It just brightens up the page. Lucky me to be a receiver!!
CJ

11:47 AM

Keri said...

Love this! The little cutie carrying the Eiffel tower and her hand bag, I'm sure for a magnifique day of shopping is tres chic!

9:09 PM

Stacie said...

Thanks guys- you're so sweet to comment ;-)

S

7:50 PM

Anonymous said...

Your work is top notch Stacie. I really enjoyed looking at it.

1:00 PM

Stacie said...

Thanks Jane- I appreciate you taking the time to look & to comment

Stacie ;-)

11:15 PM

Anonymous said...

Beautiful!!

Teeny Tiny Collage

After seeing these tiny 1 x 1 collages on Christi's Blog- I just had to give it a go. Boy oh boy.....this is small! There's not much room for anything & I found the hardest part to be- cutting out the images. When time permits.....I'll make more. ;-) I see them popping up on various blogs so I'm sure I'll be swapping them soon. It is certainly a great way to use up scraps! And I need that since I save even the tiniest pieces.

Edited to add comments:

Patty M said...

Stacie, Love your little 1x1's. I have worked on puzzles but this is another challenge. Will have to try. Great Blog.

1:56 PM

Keri said...

This is the first time I have seen such tiny pieces of art. I love them. You're right, it is hard to cut out such tiny things. It's also hard to get to much detail in such a tiny ploace. You did a wonderful job. You have also inspired me to use up those little scraps I usually toss away.

9:11 PM

Stacie said...

Thanks ;-) Between these & some altered business cards I'm using lots of scraps up. Guess I'm really jsut making room for more!

S

More Paris

My mind has entered a fantasy world for a little while. Well not so much fantasy because I did have the good fortune of visiting the city of lights when I was younger, in the early 80's. It was a long time ago. But.....my mind gets to go back there because of some projects that I have coming up. A Paris Chunky book, which I have been painting backgrounds for the last few days. And a deco RR with the same theme. I know.....normally I don't like deco RR's, but it's on BookArtz & some wanted to do a deco but have never done one before- so that's the way it was set up. Here's my deco.

Did you ever finish a project then want to change something? For some reason I thought that piece of paper should overlap the black piece......till I was done, now I don't like it. But it was too late to change it. Now I know next time I won't do that! ;-) But I did like all the layering on this.

The binding was new for me but I really liked it. I've got another one started but it's on the back burner right now so I'll just work on it when I'm in the mood. Really want to finish this chunky book first.

Not so Vintage

This is a spread that I did in an AB. I think my friend Brigitte will be surprised. She's probably expecting something a bit more vintage. I hope I don't disappoint her. There ARE a couple strips from a really old bookpage. It wouldn't be from me if I didn't add that! ;-)

Edited to add comment:
Stacie! I love this page. I am impressed with your original artwork and the fact that you don't use much of the premade artwork (stickers...lol) that so many of us use. This is just a really neat page!

Cathy

Happy Birthday Baby

My youngest turned 3 today. Seems like just yesterday we were awaiting his arrival. Had some yummy chocolate cake that the boys helped me make. His party is this weekend but we couldn't let the day go by without cake!

Not much art time since school started. I do have somethings to upload but not tonight- I've got to get some sleep, that alarm will ring early tomorrow!

Happy Birthday Baby!

Lottery Entry- Out of Africa

This was my offerring for our lottery on the deco group. I haven't worked much with this theme so I really enjoyed this. It didn't scan well- it's brighter in person. The red is more vibrant & the gold is bright. We'll know Monday who will win this & the other gorgeous entries for this month. I'm feeling lucky though!

It's an altered condom. I made the poly clay piece with a mold. There's fabric, paper, mesh, lumieres, a button and fabric paint on this piece. I attached a pin thingie to the back so it could be worn as a pin. I really should try to get a better picture. LOL.

Been very busy with family things so this is the only thing that I've done all week. I'm hoping to have a creatively productive weekend. ;-)

Altered Postcard

This is a postcard that I did using the technique from Try it Tuesday by Claudia Roulier. This was a new transfer technique for me & I had some challenges- probably due to the humidity. I will definitely do more of these as I really enjoyed the process.

BTW- people are getting their Shades of White book & are really happy with it. :-) It was a great project.

I'm working on a couple of decos tonight, but I think I'll head off to bed as the layers aren't dry yet. I'm hoping to finish up quite a few projects in the next couple of weeks.

Thanks for all of your wonderful comments.....it really does make me smile.


Edited to add comments:

audrey said...

This turned out great. Love the image.

3:14 PM

Stacie said...

Thanks Audrey, it's from Art-e-zine. I should put a link to that in my sidebar. Note to self.......add that. ;-)

Hey Audrey- I'm in FL too. Port Saint Lucie to be exact.

3:40 PM

Jeri said...

Great work - I like it!

2:27 PM

Binding the Shades of White Chunky Book

Here's some pics of the table during binding. These books look great & really fat. Back to binding!

**Took these pix the other night but due to some blogger script reason, wasn't able to upload them. There's lots more now.....I'm about 2/3 done & looking to be done this weekend. Yippee!

Edited to add comments:

Keri said...

Shoot, why weren't you more persistent about making me join this project? LOL
Love them!
Keri

12:58 AM

Stacie said...

Thanks Keri. Not sure that you would have enjoyed making 30 of the same thing! But the book really is beautiful. Next theme is Paris (Cathy's hosting) and then Home. I'll let you know when they're announced. ;-)

S

8:30 AM

kelly rae said...

those look so amazing. i love all things white!

3:26 PM

Stacie said...

Thanks Kelly- it was a fun project & the books turned out very nice. I appreciate your comment. With all the color you use in your work I'm surprised to hear you like white! We'd love for you to join us for our next book~ it's the BookArtz group, link is in my blog. ;-)

S

Mail Art

Guess I haven't really finished much this week. Been spending toooooooo much time on the computer. Website isn't much further along as I veered off on a Photoshop tangent. So, more computer stuff to do but not much to show for my time.

This is a mail art piece that I did manage to finish this week. My postman is loving the mail art as much as I am. ;-) This piece started it's life as a cabinet card that I've collected. And of course some vintage text & music sheet worked it's way into the piece.

Edited to add comment:

Keri Pettit said...

Stacie, This is so pretty!! Pretty in a great big gourgeos way!
VEry creative. Love the colors, textural look, the girl. Well, all of it!
Keri

Finished the Altered Purse

Well, really first I altered a pair of jeans & made a purse, then I altered the purse. This was for a swap. I got the pair of jeans at a thrift store. I used lumieres, acrylics and staz-on inks. The trims are glued on with fabric glue. Still not sure if I like it better with or without the belt, but now that's up to it's new owner. ;-)

Edited to add comments:

tammy said...

Stacie - I'm so happy to be the new owner! And, I'm partial to the belt! LOL! The more danglies and sparklies the better in my book! I'll treasure it always!

3:09 PM

Stacie said...

Thanks Tammy~ I'm looking forward to the next one!

Stacie

4:43 PM

Keri Pettit said...

The belt is a keeper. Great project! Do you need Tammy's address it is, 2547 Quail Canyon ... LOL

8:24 PM

Stacie said...

LOL- that's funny! Thanks for the compliment~ it's already at Tammy's house....in her studio pix it's hanging up on her shelves. When I get all my swaps cleared out I do want to make another- or two. And I think for this next purse swap I'll try something different. ;-)

Stacie

A Creation from Keri

I rec'd this beauty as a RAK (Random act of Kindness). I just love the rich red's. I especially love the paper (Treasure Trends) and the ribbon at the bottom. This was so sweet of her and it's a treasured addition to my collection. Thanks Keri- it's appreciated & loved!





Edited to add comment:

Keri said...

Ahh, thanks Stacie. I'm glad you enjoyed it!

Altered Papers

I really like how these papers turned out. I made a little atc book with them. The papers are layers & layers of paints, glazes, inks & stamps with some gesso mixed in for good measure. The look is a little grungy. I've done a few sheets of these lately- I just add another layer when I walk by it. Then when I think it's done I can make a little book & have some left over for another project. I also love these little atc books!

Another Background

I really am addicted to this! This one is on canvas & I had a little fun with the gesso (a la Keri). At some point soon I'll stop making the backgrounds & add something to them! It's just while I have the painting stuff out & spread all over the place I thought I'd do a few. More canvases to be delivered this week....Yippee!

Outside "my" box

Well- I tried another technique from the current issue of Cloth, Paper, Scissors (Summer 2006) and it took me outside my normal boundries a bit, but I stretched & I really liked it. I took the background & used it in a deco. I could play some more - enjoyed it! I'm really liking combination of paint & paper that I've been playing with lately. It's more fulfilling to me than just paper.

Oops- I cut off the top of her crown when I scanned her!

Behind me

As much as I love swaps, I'm glad that most of them are behind me. I've got lots of things that are almost finished so hopefully I'll be posting in the next few days. Here's a slide mailer that I did for a swap that Annette is hosting. The style is much grungier than my usual, but I had fun with it. Just layers & layers of stuff. I hope the recipient likes it. Although the swap didn't specify that one was needed- I decided to break out the soldering iron & add a slide to it. There will be more of that!

Try it Tuesdays!

I'll admit it.....I'm a technique junkie.....can never get enough! I love that Chrysti started & invited me to this group. (See link at right) We'll have a new technique each week to try. And we don't have to create a finished piece- just the technique. And to make it even better- a random person will be drawn (lottery style) to win a prize. I just love this weeks technique- supplied by Karyn Gartel- the Altered Diva! I hope to find some time this weekend to play some more. Here's a couple of my samples.
I don't know why my pix always get out of alignment when I post more than one....maybe one day I'll figure it out. Good thing I'm no longer a perfectionist as this would drive me crazy!!

Edited to add comments:

audrey said...

These turned out absolutely gorgeous. My favorite color is green so I love these and am really drawn to them.

8:31 AM

Stacie said...

Thanks Audrey- the link to the group is in the right side margin- you should join us! There's some great techniques coming around for everyone to try.

8:54 AM

Keri said...

I am a complete technique junkie myself! I especially appreciate finding someone who will share their technique AND write directions. I love to share, but directions push me over the edge!
Most of the time I am just trying a little of that, and maybe this. By the time I'm done, who knows how I got there. LOL

1:04 AM

White

Here's my page for the True Colors Chunky we're doing. I really enjoyed working with white, but not so much the feathers! We're doing a Shades of White book on BookArtz- really looking forward to that.

It's really late at night....I'm catching up on my projects though. Still more to scan but I'll save that for another day or I won't be able to get up in the morning.







Edited to add comments:
crafty said...

Wow, this is so ............delicate looking.
the feather has really tickled my fancy !!!!!!!!!!! LOL
luv your art work .
will stop by often
hugs
joan in italy

7:21 AM
Delete
Stacie said...

Thanks Joan- much appreciated!

Stacie

Deco: Altered Cabinet Card

Had to do a free expression deco, so I'm picking my own theme. My friend Cathy sent me a great little cab card so while I was making copies for a chunky book I added it to the original & copied it also. Then it got mounted onto cardstock & trimmed. Then I made a little deco filled with cab cards for my art buddies to alter. Had to do one myself. Here's the original & my altered version.

First I used gel medium over the part of the picture that I didn't want paint to cover. When that was dry I covered the whole thing with a lovely gold acrylic & wiped off the part covering the picture with a rag. Then when that was dry I painted some color blocks with a metallic amethyst and phthalocyanine green. When that layer was dry I stamped with black memories ink, the squares (cat's life Press) and the circles (top of my glue stick container). Then I added a layer of blue glaze - simply a glazing medium added to blue paint. Again wiping off the area that I didn't want colored. Then I added a piece of vintage text & various rub-ons (Treasure Art Trends- see link at left). Then covered the whole thing with a coat of gel medium. I wanted to protect the rub-ons because this is going into a deco & will be mailed to various artist friends & possible handled. I really like how it turned out. Although next time I would allow more drying time between layers. Can't wait to do another- I have a nice little collection of cabinet cards now, just need to finish up some swaps so I have time to PLAY!!!!!

Edited to add comment:
vicci said...

Hi Stacie....I am happy to find your blog! I love the altered cabinet card

Great Thrift store finds today!

My art friend Tammy is hosting an altered purse swap on our Mixed Media group. I've been in & out of several thrift stores looking for a purse to alter. I also had an idea about making one from a pair of young girl's jeans. Well- today I got a couple of pairs of jeans, a couple of purses to alter, a little mirror thing to alter (I'm thinking kid's pictures & putting it by the front door) & my favorite find......a vintage suitcase, well- the cosmetic case. I was so excited. It's old, and blue & in pretty decent shape considering. I'm looking forward to having some time to alter this little treasure. I think it'll be great to hold some art supplies. I've got some ideas for both the inside & outside. I'll post pix as I go along the process. Very excited about this!

Back to binding.......

Edited to add comment:
Keri said...

I have a vintage cosmetic case, or maybe a liquor case, that I have been wanting to alter and use for art supplies too. I saw this somewhere, but where or where was it. The case stunk so bad when I bought it I had to put baking soda in it and leave it out in the sun for about a month. It still has a little bit of a "scent" to it. Must need some liquour thrown into it. LOL
The reason I bought this case was becauase I had seen a tole painting project where the artist had painted a suitcase. I just had to do that! So I was on the hunt for old suitcases. I have now owned four old suitcases for at least 3 years that remain UNPAINTED! I was bit by the deco bug and put down my paint brushes.

Thanks for the comments!

I really appreciate all of the comments that I've been receiving. And if I was more blog savvy I could probably respond from here......but I don't know how to do that yet! No art to post tonight. I've been working on a couple of swaps, but when I get a chance I've got finishing touches to put on a few other projects then I'll post them. Just wanted to say I appreciate the love!

;-)

Altered Condoms

Okay, you may think I'm nuts, you wouldn't be the first! I made a bunch of these some time ago, before I knew about altered art. I used to sell them regularly at shows & boutiques. I've started some new ones & they are going up in my Etsy store. Depending on how many I get made I may list them on eBay or source a little boutique up here. I've altered a condom by gessoing, painting, stamping, inking & adding a bit of collage. So, what do you think? Comments appreciated! Think it'll start a craze in the altered art world? Or am I nuts? LOL


Edited to add comments:

Gypsy said...

OH MY GAWD! That is brilliant! I absolutely love it! And quirky like me! I think it is great!!! Good for you! I LOVE edgy art!

8:23 PM

Unconventionally_Urs said...

This is ingenious indeed! I love it. For the life of me, when I saw it on gypsy page, I didn't think it was a condom packet. I guess I was looking for an unwrapped condom! Zaitoon (member of soul-vision)

5:22 PM

Suzanne said...

Now THAT's original!
Just be careful not to poke holes in them (ha!)
Very fun...

11:21 PM

I Break for RAK's

Taking a much needed break from swaps this weekend. Give myself a little time to recharge, play & clean up my ever messy workspace. In just letting myself play I'm coming up with some little things that I'll send out as RAK's (random acts of kindness) so some of my art friends. Here's one. It's an altered formica sample.

Waiting for some glue to dry on others & making some little books. This chould be just the recharge that I need!

Knocked Down

Okay like I needed this like a whole in the head- I was sick all weekend. Not just sniffle & sneeze carrying on kind of sick- but the fever, can't hold my head up, must sleep kind of sick. And now I'm trying to catch up on everything.

I did want to post my finished atc from the Noir swap. I used paint splats as part of the background on the top- just trying to "use" the circles. I was happy with it. Now my next swap projects are Floral Chunky, color (brown), and true colors (white).