Saturday, January 23, 2016

Marie Antoinette's Opera Comique Mini Theatre



I have to admit, whenever I find out that the theme of a month's projects is going to involve a miniature theatre or house, my eyes light up like a kid seeing his first b.b. gun! I've always been enchanted with and somewhat obsessed with mini-theatres. There's something nostaglic and romantic and downright magical about them! And, of course, my second obsession, Marie Antoinette, being able to be included makes it all that much more enticing.

This structure was begun with one of Alpha Stamps most versatile miniature house blanks - the Square Shrine Shadowbox. Turned one way you get a wonderful little room or theatre with a 'header' - turned upside down you get a charming little coach blank - add wheels and away you ride!

I also added three of the WONDERFUL miniature batter operated carriage lamps across the back - a little luxurious perhaps - but I think Marie and her theatre is worth it! Besides the various metal findings and filigrees used, I found that Flower Soft was the perfect touch to add a bit of texture to the stage prop topiaries.

Look how charming the scene is and how it comes to life with the miniature vintage carriage lamps turned on!
The side panels  with the columns and guards were cut from a collage sheet and added "wing style" to the sides of the theatre, so from the front they look like they're part of the architectue, when actually, they are just deceiving to the eye!
 
Here is a side view of the theatre, showing all the depths and layering which were used - you can also see the "winged" flies on the side and the on/off switches for the lamps which I installed at the top of the theatre behind the large Marie. (By the way, The stage Marie and the large Marie are the same image from the same collage sheet. The large Marie was printed at 600% and the small Marie (and her courtier partner) were printed at 50% of the original size.)
If you would like to make a mini-theatre for yourself, all the supplies are available with one click from Alpha Stamps - who also have lots of other subject matters if Marie doesn't quite do the tricke for you! Just click on the words 'Supply List' below to go right to the list of supplies that I used...the pieces I used from my stash (the pink beads, etc.) are things that you're sure to have around the house in your own stash - or easily available from a discount craft house.
 
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Square Shrine Shadowbox
Sq Shadowbox Opera Comique Collage Sheet
French Ballet Costumes Collage Sheet (1 was printed at 50%
size for stage dancers and one was printed 600% for the rooftop figure)
3 Victorian Sconce Wall Lamp
3  Lightweight Round Filigree
Pink Sweeper Fringe
Gold Ric Rac Dresden Borders
Wide Brass Header Filigree

Thanks for visiting me and seeing my Marie Antoinette Mini Theatre Opera Comique. Hope you're inspired to make something pretty and special - what a great Valentine gift this would make, huh!

...now, go make something beautiful!
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*´¨)(¸.•´ 
(¸.•´♥ Tristan

 



Monday, January 18, 2016

I Think I Need to Move to Spain ...

I am overwhelmed by these homes in Spain. Now, obviously, they're lavish, beautifully designed, and historical. The most amazing thing about them all? They're abandoned ... and just sitting waiting for somebody (me?!) to bring them back to their former glory!
... nothing short of a palace!
... a little Spanish Tara action going on here

... so hard to believe that these stunning details have been left undisturbed for so many years!

This reminds me of some of the wonderful estates in Newport.

... perhaps a little more down-to-earth - but, still, quite a showplace

What a stunning example of art nouveau architecture - just sitting there waiting ... 

Such a shame that abandoned buildings that are available in America look more like outhouses than these Xanadu-like marvels!

Now, go make something beautiful!
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*´¨)(¸.•´ 
(¸.•´♥ Tristan
 
 21st Century American Gothic

 

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

... Just a little something to help you get through Hump Day



The bass player... well you have to watch
Posted by Vic Biggs on Sunday, 6 October 2013

...now go make something beautiful!
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*´¨)(¸.•´ 
(¸.•´♥ Tristan
 

 

Saturday, January 2, 2016

Alpha Stamps Miniature Faerie Theatre

I just love the tiny shadowboxes from Alpha Stamps - and the coordinating 
collage sheets that fit each one perfectly!
 Even though they're a bit in the way when you're working on the piece, the very first thing you want to do is install the miniature carriage lamps on either side of the stage. They need to be done before anything goes any further. Once they're installed all the pain-staking work is done!
 To start this one I used several copies of one image (the curtains) and layered them with pop-dots, giving them a paper tole work look and depth. I also used a riser available which brought the stage floor up to the higher proscenium opening on this particular facade. (Later this month I'll show you another one that doesn't require a riser.) The plaid paper is just a paper 'hinge' used over the apron to give a nice smooth corner to the stage.
 Next, I started fussy cutting, and cut a lot of the figures and characters from a collage sheet (see supply list for collage sheet title). The figures are so tiny, it was a bit of a challenge for my big clumsy fingers, but I was happy with the way they turned out. I added stickles on the faeries' ribbons, a piece of silk ribbon on the horse drawn carriage, and a brass filigree 'halo' over the horse drawn faery.
 Next on the agenda was to add a metallic cord tassel, pink sweeper fringe and crystal "bushes" behind  the dancing faeries. (The quartz crystals came from my stash.)
Finally, we add the theatre facade, add several layers of images for depth, add a piece of fancy
filigree hardware over the proscenium, add a fancy brass medallion at the apex of the facade, trim out the top and bottom with gold foil Dresden trim, add ball-foot foundation legs (I painted mine black with gold balls), and create a multi-layer rosette for the top of the mini theatre.

 If you would like to make a special faery mini theatre for yourself - or as a gift! - here is the supply list - almost everything is available from Alpha Stamps

Theatre Francais Shadowbox Façade

Deep Open Front 4.5 x 5.5 Shadowbox

Deep 5.5 Shadowbox Riser

2 – Wall Sconce Victorian Coach Lamp

Square Shadowbox Curtains Pink collage sheet

French Fairies Shadowbox  Facade collage sheet

Metallic Gold Tassel

Fancy Leaf Header Filigree

Lightweight RoundBrass Filigree

Gold Ric Rac Dresden Borders Set

Foundations (Box Feet)

4 Clear Crystals

Amour Ribbon Set

Large Brass Filigree Corner
Pink Sweeper Fringe
The only items used not from Alpha Stamps is the pink rhinestone in the Leaf Header Filigree
and the papers and rhinestones for the rooftop rosette. Everything else can be acquired through Alpha Stamps.
You can find everything used at this search address: Supply List
 

... now, go make something beautiful!
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*´¨)(¸.•´ 
(¸.•´♥ Tristan

 Cary Grant magically trims the Christmas tree as Dudley in the
holiday classic, "The Bishop's Wife."