Funky Art Queen

The altered train cases I do are inspired by an article I once read in the Cloth Paper and Scissors Magazine-Summer 2005. The article is titled "Time Travel" by Linda Linn. Here are the instructions that I use. Supplies: Vintage train case-or also called old cosmetic case-luggage-I usually get them off ebay but I did find one once at an antique store for 10.00. Acrylic Paints-and Paint markers are nice to do detail work collage elements gel medium polyurthane to protect- You paint it as desired. I usually put a couple of coats to increase durability. You add collage elements with the gel medium. Use a damp, soft rag to keep it clean and without fingerprints and smudges Do detail work with paint markers Coat with the polyurthane-allow to dry. Repeat a couple of times to increase durability-so it can actually be carried as luggage and survive. Add some luggage tags. I have used soldered charms I made, old keys, all kinds of things to hang off the handle. Have fun with it.

I finally finished this Vintage Train Case. I have procrastinated this thing to death. I think it is because it had so much to do on it. Anyway, I think I have decided to keep it for myself. I'm going to use it as my journal-to-go case. I will keep my journal, scissors, markers, colored pencils and gel pens and a glue stick and clip art that I find along the way. Oh what fun it will be. Don't you think?

I completed another gypsy purse yesterday. I like the colors in this one. I printed on fabric using the technique I showed you previously. Then I embellished with fabric (tie dye looking) and embroidered around the pieces. I used these cool letters that are like little brads and I just stuck them through the material with the letters stuck on prior. The brads fit very tight and nice. I liked them. Then I sewed some charms and used an iron on transfer for the jewels. I was going to hang fringe off the bottom but after looking at it that way...I did not like it so I decided it was done! What do you think? Oh I am so thrilled that it is Friday! I have planned an Easter lunch at my house for sunday afternoon with my family to include my sister (her husband away at work) and my dad. I enjoy our little gatherings like this so much. I will have to post some pics from that event! Happy Easter ...Easter Bunny "Bach Bach" ! That is what my sister says every year. She started it when a ...

Thanks to everyone who sent me pictures for this book. I now have it listed on ebay. Here is a link to that http://stores.ebay.com/Peace-In-My-Art It turned out to be a fun project. You can see more of it on ebay. I am also working on a Frida Kahlo Tin, postcards for a swap, and an art case that has a few finishing touches. Oh yea, and I am working on a matchbox shrine for a swap. So, as you can see, I have plenty to do. And yet, I am thinking of my next project. Hmmm-I think I want to do some more purses like the Frida one and the Gypsy one.

I find myself suddenly going through an all things brown, yellowed and "faux" antiqued. Seems like one would go through that in the fall. But, I'm falling in love with the antique look. I have discovered the color "burnt umber" as an acrylic paint "tool" to create an antique look. I read about it somewhere. Anyway, this color in a wash and rubbed off of your painted work, creates the antique look. So everything is getting the antique look this week-even my fingernails-yuk. Looks nasty. I am working on a board book called "Wild, Wild West". I intend to put pics and embellish it in the western style. I am thinking branding type stamps like they would use on the cows at the ranch, western fonts, spurs, cowboy hats, etc. But I want it to be mostly women in this book-cowgirls-saloon girls, home on the range girls. Heehee. So, I would like to invite you to send me your scanned photos of your sepia "faux" antique pictures of cowgirls, salo...

Today, I worked on some mail tape transfers and wanted to share that technique with you if you do not already know how to do that. First gather your supplies: Clear Mail Tape, a bowl of hot water, some pictures and some scissors. Here are the directions. Put the tape on the picture and make sure you trim so that it is flush with the picture. You don't want tape or picture hanging off. Burnish the tape side to the picture with a burnishing tool -bone folder or popcycle stick just ensure that it is nice and smooth so no water gets in the sealed areas and creates bubbles- Place the taped picture in the hot water bowl and swish it around a little and let it soak a few minutes. Some pics take longer than others depending on the thickness and tenacity of the paper it was created on. Now gently rub off the backing (the paper) from the picture side. Rub it off until you can see the picture underneath. Pat the picture dry. I trimmed around my pic and used gel medium to adhere it to my mail ...