Hoffman Challenge

Winners have been announced!  Congratulations to all of them.  Good to see some familiar names.  All the dolls are superb and the awards well deserved.  You can see names and pics here .  Way to go Sondra Dunn!  Two entries and two winners!  WOW!!!   Haven't learned yet which trunk my doll will be traveling in.  Here are pics of her, Rose in Winter. 

Another Class

Front Cover

I have been wanting to take the Metal Deck class from Leighana Light since I saw pics from a book on a group I belong to.  It was AWESOME.  I took her class on Thursday but haven't even gotten half the pages to an acceptable stage.  I also took a class from Leighana on Friday - Ancient Relic book.  Of course, I didn't recheck the materials list so I had the wrong size paper, but it worked.  We used gesso on watercolor paper with pigment inks to create texture and color.  Loved it!  The cover was supposed to be distressed metal or recycled (like from a license plate) tin.  I decided to make mine from soda cans - embossed them, colored with paint, gilders paste and added a clay molded embellishement on the front and a utee heart from a mold I made of a charm I had.  This book is actually finished!  it measures 3.5" wide, 4" high and about 2 " deep with 4 signatures of 4 pages each. 

Necklace Class

I attended some classes at CREATE in NJ this week.  One of the classes (took it yesterday) was a Bits and Baubles necklace class with Jean Van Brederode.  We made components from metal and joined them together with rivits, eyelets, or mini fasteners.  I really enjoyed this class.  Since I can't use some of the patina stuff because of allergies, I brought my Gilder's paste to add color.  LOVE that stuff!!!  Jean supplied almost everything else - all the metal, charms, tools for those of us who didn't have the right ones, fasteners, etc, etc.  Luckily, my good friend Tery also attended the class and she is a Jewelry maker extradinaire so she had lots of tools.  Jean also did an enameling demo and making head pins with a torch.  I stayed away from the fire-not a good thing for me to be around!  The pale green beads are Jade which I had in my stash (think my friend Jeannie got them at a yard sale) and also the metal discs they are set in.  They were gold but what a wonder a little Gilder's paste can do!  The tassel and other beads are also from my stash as is the chain and toggle.  So, here is my necklace.  I am thinking of removing the last two motifs and making them into earings.  Unfortunetly because of my neck, I can't wear heavy necklaces, but I am sure I can find a home for it.

Another Version

I decided to make another version of the folding screen with the floating medallions using printed paper - Curiosity Shop by Graphic 45.  LOVE that paper.  I used many fussy cut images for embellishments.  The medallions are again Soda can metal fronts with Ranger Patina finishes and printed paper on the reverse.  I used some die cuts - the Sizzix Alterations Movers & Shapers small cabinet card, mini typwriter (WAY COOL!!!), keys, lock, mini birdcageBird from one of the Jewelry dies, Bigz Circle die #2 (for the medallions), Bigz Alterations tiny tags and tabs, Bigz Jelli tags, Sizzlets Alterations Vintage Lace cut from Metal tape on cardstock (yes it does cut through!) colored with Patina,  Die-namics circle #4, and the mini rolled roses (LOVE these too!).  Punches for the pole toppers (mostly Martha Stewart), and the Sizzix Vintaj embossing folders to alter the soda can medallions.  On the Butterfly Medallion, I used a sharpie to for the black outline but couldn't use the Ranger glaze because the sharpie would run so I used clear embossing powder to seal it.  Again the feet are bottle caps painted black then treated with gilders paste and Inca Gold paste.  The lock and keys are colored with about 3-4 different embossing powders.  Love how the lock came out - all Ranger products - Princess Gold, Bronze UTEE,  and Verdigris.  I made the hinges using sheer ribbon dyed with Distress stain, but I think I have a better way to connect them using bakers twine.  Next one! LOL  I love how the backs of all the papers are black and ecru which is what I used on the backs. I also used Vintage Photo Distress ink and a few Tim Holtz Fragments.  The whole thing is very vintage looking.  Such a contrast to the rainbow one I did first.  Keep watching for the grand opening of Artsy Soul and the class date!

Happy July 4th

I was going to post a pic of a doll I made dressed in Red/White/Blue but surprisingly I don't have one!  Guess I know what's next for Flirty Flora!  Instead, I think I'll post pics of two new Mermaids I made so I can refine the pattern and make it more complete when I teach the class in September.  After then, I will release it for sale.  I am thinking of calling them my Jersey Girls since I live in New Jersey and am about 3 miles inland from the ocean (as the crow flies) yet making the Mermaids is about as close as I get to sand and surf.  They are definetly Jersey Girls - they have big hair!  Kelp to the right has a tail made from the sleeve of a beaded dress I got for $5 from a thrift store.  The lime green beads are pearls that used to be white but with a little Jacquard Halo Blue paint and Adirondack Lettuce spray, they are now lime green.  Shelli is 22" from the end of her tail to the top of her head and Kelp is 17'.  Now to finish up the pattern then I can get back to the purse.  I think I worked out the design dilemna I was having.  We shall see! 
Thought I'd also share the sketch I did for my Hoffman Challenge doll.  Made some changes.  I mailed her off but I am superstitious and won't share any pics until after the judging.