My Love of All Things French

Today is Rhonda's My Love of All Things French day! If you click on the above invitation, it will take you to her blog with more information - and photos of some of her lovely collection of French objets d'art!

Since I haven't traveled anywhere since our last excursion to the City of Lights, I knew if I went to my luggage I would find some French paper goods - what most consider garbage, but I hate to throw out tickets, cards to my favorite places, etc. So I make a point of leaving all that stuff in my luggage until the next holiday!
Most of it is perfectly ordinary - the guest brochure for Versailles tourists, tickets to the Opera and admittance to the Louvre. I am glad that I kept a card from the hotel we stayed in the last time: The Hotel Neva . It was wonderful - beautiful room, super-friendly hosts, and only a five (or less) minute walk to the Arc d'Triomphe! The Champs d'Elysee is only a very few minutes walk from there. Although we always look for a new place to stay, I believe this will become our Parisienne home-away-from-home from now on - we were very comfortable there.

This is a photo of the Arc from the corner of our building ... please forgive the blurry cars; my photography isn't all that terrific, I know!
We don't actually buy that many souvenirs when we visit ... but the things below are some treasures we brought back. Rather than re-write a description about these things that I've already done, I'll just say I've written about them on a post here. Please click there to read about my Montmarte silhouettes and my Giverny flea markets treasures.

Thanks for the opportunity to share, Rhonda. I'm going to attempt to find more goodies today for yet another day of My Love of All Things French tomorrow!

Happy Day-After-Valentines-Day

just because I couldn't wait for next year to roll around - and a heart-shaped head is to difficult to resist!

Henry Jaglom's "Hollywood Dreams"

I've long had a love hate relationship with Henry Jaglom's films. Last Summer in the Hamptons, Can She Bake a Cherry Pie?, Deja Vu, Baby Fever - even the train wreck A Safe Place - are all fascinating films. Also, they are conspicuously quirky, self-indulgent and too chatty for their own good. Sometimes they just don't know when to shut up and roll the credits. But, they all have something good to say about them ... I mean, as horrible as it was, it's not hard to image a film like A Safe Place having SOME redeeming moments - it does star Orson Welles and Tuesday Weld for heavens sake!

So, though I've long been a fan (and worst critic) of Jaglom, I somehow never got around to seeing his most popular film, Hollywood Dreams. Tonight we finally got around to watching it and it's easy to see why it's his most commercially successful film. It has wonderful performances - most notably Tanna Frederick, David Proval, and the always fabulous Melissa Leo. Of course, for sheer terror, there is Karen Black being Karen Black - the success of whom is dependent on the individual viewer's tolerance for an outstanding actress being thrust into the most silly roles in films each of which are more horrible than the previous one. I happen to like her (I've never forgotten her breathtaking performances in Days of the Locusts and The Great Gatsby, plus seeing her outstanding performance on Broadway in Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean Jimmy Dean), so I got a kick out of watching her. There is also a very short - almost cameo - performance by Sally Strickland in her most underplayed role in years...no, in decades.

The plot, essentially threadbare tale of midwestern girl comes to L.A. to be a star and doesn't make it, gets more interesting as it goes on. Not that there is much that happens - but we learn so much about the history of this young woman - in very small bits and pieces - that we become intrigued into wanting to know more. One will either love Ms. Frederick or be annoyed beyond words by her. She's a very distinct and unique character actress. She's quirky to the extreme, and there were a few times I was so fed up with her I wanted to throw something at her. Her huge eyes, generous mouth with what must be 67 teeth, and voluminous head of red curls are all twirled, rolled, tortured into bizarre shapes and silhouettes. Sometimes it's amazing. Sometimes it's merely irritating. I do believe her absolute best moments are the first three minutes of the film (an amazing audition tour de force scene which looks to be shot in one take) and the final three minutes of the film (when we discover just how quirky this young woman is; actually we discover she's not quirky - she's stark raving bonkers).

It seemed to me that Jaglom was trying to say something about the artificiality and transitory nature of the film business and the superficiality of the people who are involved. This is hardly earth shattering news, and he was wise to concentrate primarily on his leading lady. Her leading man, Justin Kirk (Angels in America, Love!Valour!Compassion!, and Weeds) does a perfectly adequate job with his role, but when teamed with Our Lady of the Over the Top Quirkiness he never really stands out. Which is a shame because he's one terrific actor.

This is not a film to rush out and rent ... but, if you have nothing else to watch and are in the mood when you can sit through some rather chatty (and occasionally redundant) scenes, it's certainly worth the time to view it. There were moments that surprised me - and I'm sure will surprise you - and some revelations that genuinely caught me. The problem is I was never moved by them. I was never driven to laughter or tears by these sad people. They were interesting to watch, but except for a knock-your-socks-off monologue by Melissa Leo, and a truly funny scene about a high school girl directing a film for class, there is nothing that provokes emotion - only a curiosity. Which can be enough.

Oh - and one major criticism of the art direction. David Proval and his lover/business partner Zack Norman play two wealthy Hollywood agents who live in this sprawling art filled mansion...filled with 1980's lacquered department store furniture. There was nothing that suggested this set decoration was making a statement about the characters - indeed, they are presented as people of distinction and taste. I wish the set decorator had been!

Happy Valentines Day

Wonderful Gift ... and a little thank you

When my friend, Anne, asked me if I was interested in an old atlas to use in some of my art pieces. I said 'of course,' - me turn down vintage ephemera?! - and was expecting a mid-century Rand-McNally soft cover book.

My, my, my! What arrived in the mail was this GORGEOUS early atlas. Very large, very heavy, filled with dozens and dozens and dozens and dozens of full color maps, and information pages with illustrations about the areas the maps cover, etc...it's all in there! The hard cover book is kept in a strong chipboard-style slipcover. It's almost too pretty to cut up. Please, note the operative word there being 'almost.'

I decided the first piece I would create from the book had to go to Anne to thank her for this wonderful gift! I used the Egypt maps and a few of the illustrations that went along with it to construct the basis. Then added some transparencies, some of my inevitable beaded fringe and Dresden scrap, a few children's toys based on Egyptian artifacts - oh, and a wonderful hand-coloured image of Theda Bara playing Cleopatra. I don't have to worry about spoiling her surprise before it arrives because she doesn't "do" blogs. So I'll get it off in the mail - and then start thinking about all the other places in the world to inspire mini-theatres!
Today I actually - are you ready?! - ironed a shirt! I haven't ironed a shirt in years...but I'm attending an online "tea" tomorrow - and being dressed for the occasion is mandatory. I even went to the local gallery and had Jon take a picture.

I think I may need a blog intervention.

Goodspeed Opera House Toy Theatre ... and disappointment

Isn't this a lovely toy theatre! I was so excited to see it on a blog. We live very near the Goodspeed Opera House and have season tickets to their musicals (they don't actually do opera - they produce American musical theatre classics and occasionally produce a new show that makes it to Broadway. Past successes include Annie and Man of laMancha among others). It is amazing the work they produce on a very very small stage. We recently saw a production of The Boyfriend (directed by Julie Andrews, herself - who we got to meet because we're members of the theatre - how fun that was!) and the amount of tap dancing was just awesome.

Anyway. What makes this an extra special theatre for me is that it's a "sister" theatre - actually a TWIN sister theatre - of The Earlville Opera House in upstate New York where I directed almost 2 dozen shows over the years I lived there...and performed in a couple as well! This place has the greatest memories for me - not only artistically and creatively, but I met some of my absolute best friends in the world there. The most amazing thing to me about these theatres is not their (exquisite) woodworking or rounded balconies or wonderful side boxes or delightful raked stages ... but the fact that they are built on the second floor of the buildings they occupy! The Goodspeed first floor is still part of the theatre - it houses their gift shop, box office, and lobby; but, the Earlville Opera House actually sits over a grocery, a hardware store, a gift shop, a real estate office and an art gallery! It's always such a delight to walk into that tiny little unassuming door, go up that long expanse of stairs and voila! there it is - a high Victorian jewel box of a theatre right in front of you!

So, as I said, the Goodspeed is very special to me - in addition to being a first rate theatre producing first rate regional musical theatre (and, yes, mother, there is a great distinction between regional and community theatre).

When I saw this paper theatre of the Goodspeed I was so excited - and then absolutely blown away because the person who made it listed the site which had the FREE pieces and parts of the theatre for download!

Imagine my disappointment when I discovered that I am unable to download the zoomed 100% images to print! For some reason, I can only get the very very small thumbnails to print (and though I want a miniature theatre, I don't think that one 2"x1"x 1/2" isn't really what I had in mind). It must be an iMac 'thing' - usually my mac is the best for doing any kind of image work. But in this instance, I have a feeling THAT'S what is keeping me from downloading the correct size sheets. And it's only 13 of them! I even went out and bought the perfect snow white heavy weight printing card stock so that it would have the right stability.

Oh, well. Excuse this long post about not much of anything. Except my frustration of course. Doesn't happen often to me - but when it does, it gobsmacks me!

However, in spite of my disappointment of the toy theatre - I am happy to welcome my 32nd follower - welcome! And, trust me, these little rant posts rarely happen. This may even be the first ever!

Maybe it's just Friday the 13th rearing its head!

How much fun!

I just received this super Valentine from Peggy at Peggy's Mixed Up Art! How much fun! Love the rhinestone maracas and red foil turban embellishment - but most of all, that fab calypso skirt made from crepe paper fringe!

Isn't getting fun art mail the best part of the day?!

Could the day be over so quickly?!

Well, maybe not completely over ... but it's difficult to believe that it's almost 4:00 in the afternoon! I've been so busy today! Lots of paper work to get done - and not the fun kind of paper work either. The kind with pens and figures and going into envelopes for the accountant. But I did have time to finish a piece that I started yesterday. This mini-theatre is based on A Midsummer Night's Dream, which has always been my favorite Shakespearean play ... it may not be as intellectual or erudite as Henry V or Julius Caesar or King Lear, but it's still my favorite! This is a fairly small piece - 14"tall by 4"wide x 2"deep. As always, click on the photos to get an enlarged view!
The above photo is of the upper level and shows the Dresden scrap, rhinestones, shredded paper, organza, vintage moon image and German glass glittered pennants.
This photo shows the lower level. I used Tom Tierney's paper dolls of Titania, the Queen of the Faeries, and her Court. The photo also shows the handrolled crepe flowers, the German glass glittered paper drapery swags, and the crystal and quartz chips used on the ground. I love the columns which are covered in micro-beads and wrapped with silk ribbon.

I love that piece of paper used on the bottom. I get asked a lot about how I make that paper, so perhaps one day I'll have to work out a tutorial on it.

I got some good mail today! I received my new postcards and business cards ... the business cards are simply a small piece of the painting used as the postcard. I purchased them from Vintage Bella on Etsy, and I'm really happy with them! They're beautiful, the quality is first class, the price was very good, and the delivery was amazingly quick for a custom order. Visit Vintage Bella for some lovely items - and for really good deals on custom printing!



Enjoy your evening. Okay. I'll 'fess up...I'll be watching American Idol, which is on for two hours tonight, and taping Criminal Minds, and watching Damages at 10. I'm such a television slug!

"Love of All Things French" Blog Day

Rhonda at Rhonda Mum has chosen February 16 and 17 as Love of All Things French Days!
Instead of trying to explain it myself, I'll just cut and paste what she has already written about it:

As many of you know, I love all things French. My plan was to do a few posts on some of my favorite items that I have collected such as my Eiffel towers, French books, charms, and more. Then it occurred to me that many of you share that same love. What a wonderful idea for a blog event!

I hope that you will join me on February 16th and 17th. All you need to do is post pictures on your blog, on either or both days, of your items that show your love of all things French. Let me know if you plan to attend by leaving me a comment on this post. On the day of the event, I will have a "Mr. Linky" set up so that you can add your link and others can visit you as well.

For those of you that attend, there will be two giveaways. One on each day of the event. I will be gifting two of you some french goodies. I will post more details soon.

Please spread the word by attaching the above picture and a link on your blog. The more, the merrier! Hope to see you there!

So, I've done my part! There is the picture and the link ... I plan on participating - I hope a lot of you do, too! I now have to decide whether to post pics of my Paris-inspired artwork, or my (fairly poor) photographs taken in Paris. I'll probably opt for artwork.

What a Gorgeous Weekend! ... and My Newest Mini-Theatre

What a glorious weekend, huh?! It was over 50 today and clear and wonderful. I took the dog to his favorite dog walking park - Edgerton Park on the other side of town. What a mistake. Usually Dusty is kind of a champagne color. He came home grey and dark brown with rusty dried leaves clinging to his wet and matted coat. Lovely. N0 - really - lovely. I guess just because it felt like Spring didn't mean I should have started acting as if it were Spring! Still, it was so nice to be outside without a stocking and gloves and shivering every step of the way. It was so nice to be able to be bare-headed-and-handed and only wearing a light coat, half-jogging around the park circular walkways. Just wonderful. And, of course, Dusty was in Seventh Doggy Heaven, out rolling in the mud and puddled snow and salt broth that was pooling everywhere, along with the piles of left over leaves from last Autumn and who-knows-what else! You'd think he would understand he's supposed to look nice. That's what all that hair is for, after all!

I finished a Marie Antoinette mini-theatre today - actually, the largest I've ever made, except for custom orders. It's almost 24"tall x 10"wide x 6" deep. I used lots of embellishments - vintage milinery roses, silk leaves, bead fringe, silk ribbon rosettes, Dresden scrap, lovely images of Marie Antoinette and the Neuschwanstein Castle. There is also a lot of Florentine gold ultra fine German glass glitter. I love the way the stuff shimmers rather than sparkles like regular glitter. All in all, I think it looks quite lavish and lush and extravagant ... very fitting for 'Toinette!



Between the warm weather, lots of fun movies on TCM and HBO and Showtime this weekend, my miserable cold finally abating somewhat, and getting this mini-theatre assembled and completed, I feel as if I've had a wonderful and productive weekend. Hope you did, as well!

Yes, I Still Make Quilts!

I have received so many questions asking whether I still make quilts, I thought I should show my latest piece. It's the latest in my "Real Men Don't Make Quilts" series. The banner shaped quilt is 16 1/2" wide and a tall 63" long. I've always loved the banner shape ... it displays so nicely in a variety of quirky spaces ... I've even hung them on the back of doors! This one is 100% cotton and completely machine pieced and quilted. As always, if you click on the images, you'll get a larger (and better!) look.
The muscle man is an original drawing which I reproduced onto a variety of fabrics. It's hard to read in the photo, but the legend in the lower right of the drawing proclaims "No Frills Manly Man."
These wonderful small images of men exercising are silk screened originals by Red Ant Designs at Lunn Fabrics. I love them - especially the third fella, who seems to be using his head for resistance training! Ouch! Looks like a slipped disc waiting to happen!

This design appeals to me because it looks rather haphazard and free on first look - but upon closer examination becomes clear that it's a very organized and precise design. I first created this design for the "It's Easy to Slip Off the Path of the Straight and Narrow When You're Wearing High Heels and a Push-Up Bra" series, and I've revisited it several times.

So. Rest assured, dear dear readers - yes! I am still making quilts! I don't think I will be able to quilt making quilts for a long time, or the mortgage company is going to get very cranky!

I did list my last four mini-theatres into my Etsy shop today.

I think I'm doing very very well at being productive while suffering this doggoned miserable cold!

I hope all of you have a wonderful, exciting, engaging, productive and peaceful weekend!

Where Did Yesterday Go?

Yesterday I finished up an unusual (well, unusual for me, anyway!) triangular shaped tussie mussie. I think I got that Parisienne shabby chic thing going on with this one. It's got lots of vintage crepe paper, which I dusted with super-fine German glass glitter. It also has vintage lace, lots of silk ribbon and flowers, and a sweet "Believe" frame, which for some reason keeps photographing orange instead of the antique metallic gold color it really is!

The above photo is a special shout-out to Bernadette at Artifacts wishing her good luck on her journey towards becoming a non-smoker. Here is a little pack of cancer sticks shuffling off to Buffalo, and leaving you alone forever. Good luck! And, while you're under that bed, check for dust bunnies!

Yesterday, my cold still had not abated (and has, in fact, remained with me today), so I pretty much lazed around and rested and tried to kick this thing by ingesting as many over the counter cold medications as possible. It was kind of pleasant (or, as pleasant as anything can be resting on a pull out bed in front of the tv!) watching CSI:New York reruns all day and reading the book I got in the mail yesterday. "Abundance" by Sena Jeter Naslund is novelization/biography of Marie Antoinette. When reading this kind of book, you never know what is fact and what is fiction - but with bigger-than-life icons such as The Queen, it is hard to gild the lily too much!


I also got this in the mail yesterday ... a lovely little vintage honeycomb tissue Valentine I found on eBay. The paper clip is holding it while I do a minor repair on it ... I want it to work perfectly when it gets sent out to its new owner in a week or so. I love honeycomb tissue - and I'm trying to find a supply source for it so I can incorporate some of it in my collages, shadow boxes and mini-theatres. It's such an amazing structural piece of paper! It intrigues me and always has!
Speaking of Marie Antoinette, I'm participating in a three-for-three Artist Trading Card swap on the Marie Antoinette Mail Art group. These are my three submissions. Each card had to include feathers and, of course, Marie. These are very dimensional, so they don't scan well. The only parts that really register are the pieces that are 'popped' out on the card and actually touch the scanner glass.

There is a very fun art challenge going on at My Artistic Life by Helga of ArtChix Studios (a fabulous altered arts supply store online). The challenge is to take a 'treat' wrapping and use it in a piece of art. I love the idea. And, since I just happen to have this wonderful box of "Bugs and Bees" Lindt chocolates sitting here, it gives me the perfect excuse to eat them up and use the wonderful foil wrappings in some kind of piece of altered art. I thinking perhaps putting legs and clothes on all of the insects and present them dancing. Sort of a chocolate bug prom. We'll see!

Enjoy this wintry day! I'm going to take my hot cup of tea and lemon and go back to bed and watch whatever HBO or Showtime is offereing this afternoon. After two Nyquils and two teaspoons of cough syrup, I'll probably sleep through it anyway!

I Think I'm Inspired to Make a Valentine's Display...

After seeing this advertisement I received in my email box, I'm inspired to cut and cut and cut and do a serious Valentine's Day display.

Of course, if it rains, I will be very very unhappy.

Doesn't it put you in the mood?

Inspiration

Is it possible? ... could it be? ... do my eyes deceive me?...

Is that really truly bright sunshine pouring through the windows into the studio? It's a miracle. It's been so grey and gloomy and unpleasant the past week ... what a treat to have the sun flood the room with natural light! Of course, we can't have the good without some bad - just so we appreciate the good! All that brilliant illumination certainly exposes my need to dust!


I had planned to work on aging paper tags and labels yesterday; however, it was so dark and dreary, I decided to something more fun and upbeat to cheer up the day. I did a mini-theatre which will house Marilyn Monroe singing "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. It's all flash and Hollywood. Lots of pink paper with gold sparkles - and, of course, a plethora of "diamonds!"

The gentlemen are just standing there now, waiting for Marilyn to be installed in her hot pink satin evening gown! The detail shot below shows a lot of the details used, though it doesn't show off the many 'popped' features, making the piece very dimensional.

I also completed a small mini-theatre which is going to house a late 19th century fashion plate illustration as the featured character. This one has some beautiful vintage burgundy beads, and a burgundy velvet background, lots of Dresden scrap and ruffles with beading.
The detail shows my favorite element. A small folded 'fan' circle with a piece of Dresden scrap and a really lovely brass finding/charm of an art nouveau lady. I can't remember where I picked her up - but she fits in perfectly in this piece.
I'm glad I got a lot of work done yesterday, because today is going to be a complete waste. I have to wait for the repair man to come and repair the dishwasher (what a pain when dishwashers decide to expire! Even worse when they're under warranty, because they're in no hurry to get here!). Then I have to run around doing errands that are no fun at all.

However, I did order some luscious supplies from Etsy and Ebay, so maybe I'll have a fun mail day! I always love getting packages in the mail - especially from art supply businesses that specialize in altered arts - they're always wrapped and tied up so prettily! It makes opening the mail like opening gifts - even if you do pay for them yourself!

Twenty Five Random Things About Myself

I was tagged with this meme on Facebook, but I thought I would also post it here. If you are reading this, consider yourself tagged!

The directions are quite simple: Post 25 random facts about yourself, and tell everybody who reads it they are 'tagged' and should also post the Random 25 about themselves on their blog.

1. I was born in Alaska.

2. My mother was a showgirl in Las Vegas before getting married.

3. I received my first pay check at the age of six, when I appeared as a "child of Dogpatch" with Peter Palmer and Julie Newmar in the St. Louis Municipal Opera Company's production of "Li'l Abner" in St. Louis Missouri.

4. I attended boarding school from first to eleventh grade.

5. I single-handedly got our dress and hair requirements changed at my school when I was in the seventh grade. It's a long story, but involved a Greyhound bus ride and the state police from three states.

6. For a brief period in the mid 1970's I was quite sure I was really David Bowie. Or maybe just Ziggie Stardust. Whichever, I was quite sure I was fabulous.

7. I was a singer in the group "Ruby Suckle and Her Scarlett Nipples" (I was the nipple on the stage left side). We did a lot of gigs until Bette Midler stole our trashy flashy nostalgia rock and rock act. Just kidding. Sorta.

8. I hated musical theatre because I thought it was brain dead tripe for the bourgeois. I changed my mind during grad school, and since have either directed or appeared in over 100 musicals.

9. I was in the original Off-Broadway revival of "Jack, or the Submission" playing Jack in the nude for over one hour. I was also panned royally by the magazine After Dark. I canceled my subscription.

10. During the time I directed high school plays, I was lucky enough to work with some of the most talented high school students anywhere.

11. I became a quilt artist by complete accident - and when I made my first quilt it wasn't really meant to be a quilt. I had never heard of art quilts and thought that quilt was an old fashioned name for 'bedspread.'

12. I appeared on the closing season of HGTV's "Simply Quilts."

13. I used to be 100% against gay marriage - and now am 110% in favor of it.

14. I used to be liberal politically - now I'm uber-Liberal.

15. Of all the places I've traveled, Paris is my all-time favorite.

16. Other than my spouse, all my best friends live in other states - and I miss them terribly.

17. I'm addicted to trashy novels about serial killers.

18. If I could do any play in the world it would be a stage version of the film "Valley of the Dolls" using a gender bending cast.

19. I've become more discrete about my political and religious allegiances.

20. I am with my dog almost every minute of the day.

21. My favorite food is sushi.

22. My favorite colors are purple, gold, and black.

23. I skipped two grades in grade school

24. I got married on Christmas eve.

25. My goal in life is to spend what is left of my life making art, making theatre, making a home, and making love.

I figure my parents had so much to do with my successes (and failures! LOL) in life, that I decided to post their photos and the beginning and end of this post.

Enjoy your weekend!

Snow, Appointments, Cell Phones and a New Mini-Theatre

What a long day! We woke up here in New Haven to over five inches of snow. That isn't really that much snow - but in this city it brings everything to a standstill! All the schools were closed and everything else either ran late or was canceled. Except for my dental appointment, which I decided to trudge through the snow to get to, rather than attempt to drive there. I must admit, one of the terrific things about living in the city is the ability to actually walk when driving seems impossible!

Of course, as the day wore on, the snow stopped and temperature raised just enough to cause deep puddles everywhere and turned all the snow into inches of icy slush. ych. After I took the dog for his final walk tonight, my shoes, socks, pants, everything, was soaked. So, I took it all and put it through the washing machine. It wasn't until I put things into the dryer that I found my cell phone which I carry in my pants when I'm out walking. It's not happy. Not at all. I'm going to hope that it can dry out and will work tomorrow, but I have a pretty fair idea that instead of staying warm and making art I'll be out buying a new cell phone. Well, maybe I'll get a cooler one this time - I've never been happy with the camera on my phone. LOL

This is a pretty large sized mini-theatre that I worked on today. I'm not crazy about it, and it will probably be dismantled for parts. However, one part of it really turned me on. I love the top pale pale green color with the metallic gold accents. I'm thinking perhaps a very pale and gold theatre might be next up. I tend to work in dark and more saturated jewel tones...but there is something about this very light look that is appealing to me. Maybe it's just because it's so dark and gray and gloomy outdoors these days!

I think I will now go straighten up my studio a bit and get ready for "Damages" ... it's always fun to see what kind of mischief Glenn Close gets into each week!

When Accessorizing ...

with gilded gloves, gilded purse, gilded jacket trim, and gilded hair, do you think that gilding your front teeth is going that extra mile or going a mile too far? If you can't see image clearly, click on photo for larger image.

Yesterday I joined a toy theatre swap on

a new group I just joined (If you're also a Marie Antoinette fan, and make art using her image, click on the above image and look around!)

I worked yesterday afternoon and evening and finished up some detail this morning on my entry for the swap. I had fun - it's a little smaller than I usually work - approximately 10" tall - and my big clumsy fingers have a little trouble working around those teensy tiny folded paper fan circles. Again, I used a Tom Tierney paper doll as the character image.

I'm thinking it's probably finished. I may add a couple of feathers do her headdress and maybe some sparkles on her 'jewels' ... but I always get nervous adding at this point. If I mess it up with something inconsequential, I get really ticked off at myself.

Made some tussie mussies today ...

I wish they weren't called tussie mussies ... that's such a ridiculous sounding name for something. Of course, I guess they're rather ridiculous things anyway. My favorite one turned out to the pink, black and gold Casino de Paris one. It's kinda funny and innocently sexy and romantic. And I really like the vintage beaded fringe that are on the bottom with the silk ribbon streamers.

They all have a lot of vintage crepe paper - which I love - it's as soft as fabric, and silk ribbon, and Dresden scrap, and vintage trims, and vintage and reproduction papers and images, and assorted findings and fun things.

This children's one is sweet, too. The paper is a beautiful reproduction of a children-at-play toille type wallpaper. I found a lovely tiny vintage image of a child and put it in a miniature picture frame. And isn't that tiny swag of gold bullion on the frame wonderful?!


This sweet little Victorian piece has a fun piece of vintage German scrap - strawberries on the vine. Sweeeeeet! And a ton of lovely old vintage crepe papers.


And finally, a Marie Antoinette inspired piece. It's all lavender and pink and gold - and has a gorgeous piece of vintage velvet and metallic trim. The illustration of Marie Antoinette is a Tom Tierney paper doll.

Probably won't be making many more of these for awhile. For some reason, I make such a mess when I start working on these. I think it's smoothing glued paper onto a cone shape, which squeezes gel medium EVERYWHERE!

... and I really want to thank Catherine of A Thousand Clapping Hands for explaining to me the proper way to utilize the image uploader properly on this server! Thank you!