A Work in Progress

Altered Books Part II

After work today I hit a used book store to look for a suitable book to alter.  We have one of the best used book stores where I live, and it is even not far from my house. I found this on the clearance table.  A 1934 copy of "The Postman Always Rings Twice."  Working around books for so long, and appreciating books as I do, it is a hard concept sometimes for me to think about defacing a book, old or new.  As this cost all of $1.50, I figure it is not a hard-to-find first edition that I should be careful with.  I like the idea of working with older books, as they have more character.  Also the bindings are not so tight and the pages will open up easier and lay flat, which is nice when you are working in them.  This one is also not very large--maybe 6" x 8", and there are less than 200 pages.  So it should be just perfect to work with.

I am not in another round robin, after my bad luck last time around.  I thought I could just work in this one myself.  My theme I am going to work with is:  "The Book of Eve".  In the RR I was in, I also had a "woman" theme--a nice broad topic, so I thought I would stick with it this time around as well.  I hope to start working in it this weekend, but I am not sure how much free time I will have.  I thought I could just try out different techniques from my books on altered art.  This way if something doesn't work--no harm done as it is just for me.

My other great plan this weekend was to do a little online shopping at ARTchix Studio.  Helga has pages of "classes" she offers.  I want to make a "woman's house" like the one that Belinda Schneider has made.  I think she does some of the coolest art, and a lot of her work appears on the ARTchix website.  Of course after seeing the long shopping list that is given, I am planning on just buying a few collage sheets, charms, and some gold foil, and then seeing what I have here at home to personalize my "house" more.   I love all the ideas that are listed.  There is also a Book of Pleasures  handmade book that I have wanted to try for some time that was also made by Belinda.  So many cool ideas...and so little time!

Stitched Mail Art

Look what I received in the mail today.  A Valentine's Day stitched envelope, with a lovely card inside.  I sent one to Jackie, and she sent one back to me.  We belong to a Yahoo needlework group, which consists of very talented needleworkers from several different countries.  Jackie's made the trip all the way from Australia. This is not the first time around I have made or received mailart.  It is quite popular with French stitching groups, and then it caught on here.  If you go to this French Forum, and scroll down the left bar to "la galerie des enveloppes brode" you can see many, many examples of gorgeous needlework mailart.  If you want to take a peek at the few I have made you can click there and see a few of mine.  It is so nice to get lovely mail like this!

My Win

Here is my lovely vintage postcard that I won on Ebay.  I mentioned it before in another post.  I try to stay away from bidding on things.   I had to outbid someone to get this one, but luckily I didn't spend too much on it.  I think it is dated 1931, though I am not entirely sure if it is a 2 or 3 that I am seeing in the date.  The back is covered in writing, and I wish I could read what it says, but my high school French is just not going to cut it in this case!  It is addressed to Ma Cherie Madeleine, but I haven't a clue as to the name of the sender.  It was such an unusual card that I had to have it.  I love the genie's bottle and the elegant lady.  The card is in excellent condition, but in my rush to get it out of the envelope and plastic cover (it was also taped down to a piece of cardboard), I managed to bend the corner!  Luckily it is not noticeable, though.  So this is my newest postcard acquisition.  I wish I could find a book about vintage photo postcards, but I can't seem to find anything out there.  If anyone has any knowledge of them I would love to learn something about them!!

Mystery Sampler Progress

Here is an updated scan of my Mystery Sampler.  This is a Martina Weber design, and I am making a bit of progress on it.  The flower is edged in metallic gold, but it looks pretty dull in the scan, whereas in reality it really shimmers.  The middle part has two birds and the right side another flower.  I am nearly finished with this section, and am ready to work on the middle part.  The border still needs some backstitching and beads will need to be added, but I will do all the beading at the end.  I am doing really well on this Chatelaine design, I must say.  The last couple of mystery projects I worked on, I didn't get past the first section (though honestly I do still intend to work on them--the finished designs are gorgeous!). 

There is an online EZBoard for Martina's designs/mysteries, and I tend to get into trouble when I "visit" there.  I keep finding new projects that are in the works.  This woman is really amazing!  She is quite prolific with her designs and they are always really beautiful.  Here are two that will start in a few months:

Mini Mystery i:

"a "Mini" Mystery which will only take three months to complete a lovely stitched piece...
The title of this new series is "THE ROMANTIC CASTLES" -- This new Mystery will start on April 1st 05 and the last installment will be published on the 15th of June.... We will use a few variegated silks, as well as some solids( or DMC - conversions will be given !!) and metallic braid, Delica Beads and the one or other crystal."

Midi Mystery I:

"This new MIDI Mystery I will be first one in a series of medium sized ( 6 months) Mystery projects - the theme will be "periods of time" and the topic of the first one here now are the Medieval Ages....
.The threads I will use are all silks and metallics ,but of course I will give a substitution into plain DMC for those who prefer this thread. We will use different shades of Delica beads ( subst. by MillHill) and incorporate not only cross stitch but as well Special Stitches ( well explained by diagrams and online help )."

Of course she has quite a few different projects going on at once--they all have their own Yahoo Group.  So not only does Martina design, but she has to coordinate all these groups and answer questions!!  And I am lucky if I can even keep up on my monthly installments!!

If you are not familiar with what Martina's designs look like, you can check out the European Cross Stitch website.  Kathy sells kits for Martina's designs and she has a lot of the finished projects on the site as well.  So much temptation...so little time (and money!)...

Valentine's Day Smooches

"Soul Meets Soul on lovers' lips."

      Percy Bysshe Shelley

M. le Comte de Monte Cristo

Today I finished reading Alexandre Dumas', "The Count of Monte Cristo".  Yes, all 1,462 unabridged pages of it!!  I started right before Christmas, so it took me just under two months.  I think that is pretty good considering I managed to finish a few other smaller books in the interim.  My poor copy is now all dog eared and well worn, and I loved every page of it.  Admittedly a bit long in places, but one of the best adventure stories I have read.  I think I will be missing the Count as I start something new.

I have been waiting to watch the movie, which I did once I finished the book.  I wish I could give it as glowing a report, but movies are never (or rarely) as good as the book.  This movie had a (and I stress) vague resemblance to the book.  But I was really pretty disappointed.  I knew there would be a lot left out, but the director just messed with too many key points and people which greatly annoyed me.  I think Jim Caviezel was totally mis-cast for this part (ever since I saw him opposite J. Lo in Angel Eyes, I can't say I have had a very favorable view of him).  The language was off, they tried to be humorous in parts (or maybe they weren't going for humor...), I could go on, but I will spare you.  The Count of Monte Cristo is this larger than life sort of character, and this movie just did not live up to who I have been reading about for the last two months.

I have to say I saw the Richard Chamberlain version ages  ago, and as I remember it, that one followed the actual storyline much better.  I will have to try and get a hold of a copy of that to see if my memory serves me correctly.  I imagine that if you have not read the book, the movie might be enjoyable, but personally I recommend reading the book instead!!

Valentine's Day Chunky Book

Just in time for Valentine's Day, my chunky book has arrived!!  It is the "Let Me Count the Ways" chunky book, which was hosted by Rose Mary Martin.  The cover art is by Heather Simpson-Bluhm.  At first glance it is gorgeous!!  I can't wait to look through it properly!  These books are really so amazing, and the art is really incredible.  I wish I had more time and money to particiapte in more, but I manage to keep busy with the few I am doing at the moment.  I think there may have only been around 30 of us this time around, but it was enough to make a nice plump book!

This has been quite a nice day for me, despite the rain all afternoon.  I had lunch with my mom and sister (and am still stuffed!).  I even got some chocolate and a lovely candle in the deal.  Afterwords we went shopping, where I went to the bookstore (yes, again), and found a couple of good books.  And when I got home this was waiting for me as well as an order from Amazon (two books--one on hand made books, and one on fabric books).  I will have no problem finding something to do tonight, though truthfully I am rarely bored!

I hope everyone else working on this chunky book also received their copy!!  Happy browsing!! 

Stampington

I love the Stampington company.  It was due to Somerset Studios that I first got hooked on altered art/collage.  The most creative things appear in the Stampington publications, that I always feel inspired and get ideas of what I would like to do. 

After work today, I stopped in at the bookstore (bad idea), and they had the newly released A Somerset Wedding, which I had seen online and thought about buying.  As I have no need for any sort of wedding book/magazine, I was hesitant on ordering it.  But there it was--a whole stack of them actually, so I could check it out first.  Despite being for wedding planning, I had to get it as there is some (of course!) great art, and great ideas in there.  I already recognize some contributor's names after just flipping through it quickly, so I am not surprised I was tempted to buy it.  Now I may just have to do a little online art supply ordering from Stampington this weekend as well...

Altered Books

Last year I participated in my first altered book round robin, and this empty dust jacket is all I have to show for it.  It was a small group, and everyone had to show past work to be considered, and I luckily made it.  Unluckily, though, I never got my altered book back.  I thought there would be no problem as it was stressed from the beginning that everyone needed to be responsible.  Unfortunately the lady who organized this had personal problems towards the end.  And even more unfortunately she had books belonging to a few of us still--mine included. No one has been able to make contact with her about the missing books.  So, although I still love the idea of working on altered books, I am not too sure about doing a round robin again.  I want to just start my own book/journal and alter it entirely myself perhaps.  Part of the fun, however, is the collaborative element involved. 

My other not so happy experience with exchanging art was also last year.  A group of us all made small books to hold ATCs in them.  The book would be sent out to an individual and each person would add an ATC and decorate/alter the page.  My theme was vintage travel, and I had a story started with my heroine, Sophie, ready to travel the world.  Alas, Sophie is still out there travelling.  I wonder if she will ever return home?  I have serious doubts about that.   

I guess this is simply the risk that is taken when you decide to send your art out into the world and hope maybe it makes it way back to you.  Between this and general burn out with ATC swaps, I had taken a break from my paper and paste adventures.  I have thought of doing something along these lines again and just asking someone I know and trust to work on it, and then offering to reciprocate by making something for that individual.  I am not sure how that would work, though.  I made needlework goals, so maybe I need to make some collage/art goals as well.  At the moment I am signed up for a chunky book (Asian Dreams), and another book that will be similar to the Griffen & Sabine books (Pen In Hand Book)--with letters included as part of the art.  I might join in some ATC swaps, but I was thinking I need to try out some of the Somerset Studio challenges.  It would be nice to try and get some of my artwork published there.  In any case, I do feel like getting back to collage again wherever it ends up.

2005 Stitching Goals

I have a list of stitching projects that I would love to accomplish, but most likely won't get anywhere near finished.  In an online stitching group we are having a stitching challenge.  Everyone lists their goals, and for each finish we receive points.  At the end of the year someone will get a goodie package for having accomplished the most.  Maybe if I list my goals here I will be more apt to finish some of them.  My problem as always is not lack of desire, but rather lack of time...

Finish my current WIPs:

• Chatelaine/Martina Weber: Samplery Mystery (this is a monthly installment project, I am working on part 2, so I am keeping up...so far...)
• Birds of a Feather: Peace (this has been waiting on me to finish it for forever--I am 3/4 finished with it)
• Bent Creek: 2003 Snappers (I am stitching these in a long row with 2005-2006 bracketing the ends.  I am just starting Feb.)
• Carriage House Samplings: Dainty Housewren (nearly finished with stitching, but lots of beads to add and will finish it into a pillow)
• Carriage House Samplings: The Houses of Hawk Run Hollow (very behind, only on house #2)
• Blackbird Designs: Peace (this is a Christmas design, and I was doing really well until Christmas passed and I sort have let it go)

Charts I would like to stitch:

• Birds of a Feather: My Betrothed Sampler
• Elizabeth's Garden: Trudy's Flower
• Carriage House Samplings: One Sheep, or Patty Parsley (or any of her great designs--I have several kitted up!)
• Le Chene Dore: Heart Sampler
• Little House Needleworks: The Bookshelf
• Lizzie Kate: My Secret Garden
• Shepherds Bush: Bee Garden (or any of her bee skep designs)
• Just Nan: Silkwood Manor (a big one I doubt I will get to!)
• Just Nan: And Many More (companion piece to my partially finished Twenty Flowers scissor case)
• Needles Content: Sampler Heart

Not asking much, am I??  If I was to get half of these done, I would be happy.  Of course no new designs are listed--I have no doubt there will be things I want that come out next weekend at Market, or later on through the year.  I also tend to do exchanges during the year and maybe even stitch a gift or two, which takes away from my own stitching goals, but as long as I am enjoying myself that is all that matters!

The picture I posted, by the way, is a Birds of a Feather design that I stitched quite some time ago.  I haven't decided how I want it finished.  It is not a very large, but I love anything by BOAF!