Monday, January 26, 2009

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!

9 comments:

bernadette ostrozovich said...

well well well, my friend anne from el milagros studio, just emailed me your blog info and within seconds i realized the wonder of you! i love your vision and your audio ain't bad either! seriously, what a terrific blog, wonderful work, and thank you thank you for the info you share, esp. the link to the peeps who will turn your designs into fabric! omg! my egomaniac's dream come true! one good turn deserves another, so here is a great reason to add just one more pair of scissors to your burgeoning collection. every artist must have these: run, don't walk, to your nearest drugstore and buy a pair of those little curved fingernail scissors. (caveat: don't run back home with them!) when you want to cut out paper imagery really really well, you use these with the curve curving away from the piece you are cutting. it is magical, beats the heck out of exacto knives. because the tip of the scissors are not obscuring your view you can get right up to the edge of the image ridiculously easily! who'd a thunk it? will visit again soon! love the ham shrines. won't say a word about how really appropriate ham cans would be for theater pieces...ps. plz visit my blog at http://ostrozovich.blogspot.com/ i think you would enjoy it and now that you've inspired me to add music...

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Tristan, I love the use of the vintage crepe paper on these pieces. Can remember the *feel* just by the photos. Where on earth did you snag such a find? I didn't think any of it still existed. I remember in some pile of *stuff* my family had, there was a small booklet on making dresses/costumes out of it---that it could be sewn.
Alas, modernization and what we have now..... >:(
Great work!

Kit said...

Hi Tristan,
I too, am working on cones. I adore your tussies. My handles are driving me crazy right now. I thought they'd be cute for Val and Easter. After seeing yours I don't want to show mine. You are just amazing! Kathy

Tristan Robin said...

Kathy, I've seen your work - LOL - I'm sure yours are fabulous!

Unknown said...

Your pink and black one is absolutely gorgeous. The mini theater in the previous post is beautiful, too!

Anonymous said...

Tussie mussies are fun and can be use as an ash tray in the homes of people who don't smoke....

keep fabulous darling

Tristan Robin said...

an ashtray?
LOL LOL LOL
I like you.

Tristan

peggy gatto said...

OOOO-OOOO-, where did I put mine....and I have crepe paper! Thanks for distracting me!!! love this "mussie"!

American Homemaker said...

Beautiful :)