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Saturday, March 27, 2010

what's UP in the studio- Easter Goodies.........

I have done almost NOTHING this week!  Monday started out great, I got one project finished and another well on it's way, but as the day progressed, I began to feel worse and worse.  And that night, I woke up with a fever and a sore throat like I've never had.....anyway, I spent the entire week being sick and sorry, and TRYING to get work done.  But for me, when I try to paint and I'm not feeling well, it's like I can't SEE properly or something, anyway, everything I tried to do had to be redone, and then redone again.  Finally today I woke after seven hours of sleep feeling relatively human.  I think I might even be able to manage a little work before the kids get up.....
For now, let me show you the one project I managed to get done this week- an Easter banner.  I've been wanting to make a banner for a while now, but just never got around to it.  Then a couple of weeks ago, my blog friend Elizabeth from Altered Book Lover posted a tutorial on how to make a banner with hand embellished papers.  Elizabeth is amazing- she always shares the most creative ways to make art and has lots of Altered Art goodies on her site; I always feel like I'm in the candy shop when I'm at her blog- never know what I'll find, but it's always a delicious treat. This tutorial was a five day challenge she had set for her Yahoo group and she shared images of their results. One of the participants, Linda Manning did an Easter banner which I loved, so much I wanted to make my own. Actually Linda's blog, The Art Sook is gorgeous too, a great find even without the banner.....

So with no more digression, here's MY take on the Easter banner:

For my papers, I veered from the project a bit in that I used antique music sheets which I painted with a thin layer of white acrylics and collaged scraps of doilies leftover from Valentine's Day.  I glued these to card stock for exra stability and color.  Then I just went to all the blogs with free vintage images until I found six that I liked, cropped them down and glued those suckers on.  The lettering started as a brassy gold to which I added a layer of white glitter to try for the look of that 1940's glitter, it looks a LOT better in real life- my camera just didn't capture the effect in this case!  Hey Elizabeth, does this count as bricolage  even though I used my printer?  Everything else was stuff I had readily on hand....
So there you have it, my Easter banner (which I LOVE) my one completed project of the week!  Go check out Elizabeth and Linda's blogs, I guarantee you'll enjoy the experience!
Oh just as a caveat for anyone who clicks on the image to see it better, ignore the view of our back garden which is a WIP progress at this time- we don't ordinarily decorate with garbage cans.....my husband cut down a Mulberry tree last week and is slooowly clearing the debris and then we also built a new raised bed for our veggies and cutting garden which is waiting to be filled with pretties.

10 comments:

Unknown said...

Steph, this is stunning! I love the vintage Easter images you used. Now you have inspired me to make a banner, myself. That will add a bit of fun and whimsy to the dining room. Thanks for the link, too. Off to see what else she has been up to. This is just the sort of thing we should have on our team blog. Get people excited to visit.
Have a sunny Saturday,
Tammy

Luthien Thye said...

wow stephanie!! i think your easter banner is just amazingly beautiful!! i really love it! love everything about it ... the music sheets, the doilies, the vintage images ... and even the alphabets!!! wonderfully done my fren!

TonyaA said...

What a great little banner and great idea for Easter!
Blessings and love,
Tonya

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I finally made it to the computer after a couple of hours in candlelight. When I clicked on your blog post, I saw my name and WOW, was I ever surprised and HONORED. Thank you for such wonderful comments. Your banner is superb. So lovely and SO vintage. This is a perfect example of bricolage, and well put together bricolage at that!

Thank you again for your lovely words about my blog and my project. And thank you for taking the time to make a banner, too.

BTW, your back yard looks lovely, well, most of it,anyway. Looks very colorful and cheery and it isn't even in bloom, yet. Your raised bed is a lot taller than mine. Guess having a hubby makes the project a lot more fun and easier, too.

artangel said...

Oh that is so so so pretty, I just love it Steph!! Sorry you've been unwell - I agree, there's no point trying to work when you're under the weather, it never seems to go right. Glad you're feeling a bit better now :)

Debrina said...

The banners look just great in front of your window there Stephanie! I love the view to your yard too - raised beds and the talk of veges always piques my interest! Thank you also for leaving such a lovely comment on my blog! I see you are good friends with Elizabeth - isn't she just the loveliest lady!!!

Yvonne said...

This banner is gorgeous, Stephanie!

Maggie said...

Stephanie, I love your Easter banner! It looks so festive and sweet!

I'm glad you are feeling better ~ it's impossible to work while not feeling well, nothing turns out! You always accomplish so much, even getting the banner done while you were sick! Amazing!

Plumrose Lane said...

Just stopping by to see what you've been up to and I see you've been busy as always. Love your Easter themed banner, just darling!
Hope all else is well.
Hugs♥
Sharon

Art by Darla Kay said...

This banner is amazing Stephanie! I love the vintage easter theme♥

Thanks so much for your visit and kind words♥
Happy Easter!