A day at the fair

Last night I got a invite out to today's Burlington Antique Show. The vendors were slim and the pickings were too but it's an extremely hot summer here with 90+ days. Add high humidity and an everyday chance for pop up thunderstorms, I guess the vendors thought they'd pass for the day. We still had a fun with a 2 hour treasure hunt and I came out with a few goodies.

This Psalm book is one of two I picked up, the other was German and quickly snatched up by Bob (turn about fair play I guess) The book was in excellent shape for it's age, published in the 1880's and it was inscribed on the inside cover. Given Bob's German heritage we decided it was just to precious to be used in my artwork so I agreed to place it on the bookshelf instead. The one pictured below is the second one I picked up from the same vendor, I suspect it's Swedish.

It's inscribed on the back cover with a date 1816, but I believe it was customary to use these psalms and bibles as family record keepers, the date could be someones date of birth or death.
It's condition is pretty bad so I have little guilt about repurposing it in the future.
Crafty side note: I got a bit of clay from Carla the other day after expressing my frustration about how poorly my Premo clay takes acrylic paint. I used her clay to make some simple textured beads, needless to say I'm thrilled with how well paint took. Guess I'll be buying yet more clay...
Angie

Friday the 13th... birthday

Ever wonder why people believe Friday the 13th to be an unlucky day? You can read more about it here at How Stuff Works.

As for me I really was born on a Friday the 13th and every couple years it comes around that way again. No big plans for celebrating, unfortunately it's another busy day. I will be working during the day and attending a meeting at the kids school in the evening. I did manage to arrange my kids a sleepover at their aunt's house so Bob and I can do something fun afterward.

Look at what I got as a gift...this darling orange Nano i-Pod. Well perhaps I should clarify...

...I sort of appropriated it from Bob. For all the years we have been together I've made a habit of keeping promotional stuff that he would get from work. It started very early on, before we were married, one evening he lent me his blue Adidas jacket ... I continued to wear it for the next 5 years. Then there are the occasional pens, mugs, and such all making there way as mine over time. Bob says he doesn't mind, he says he thinks it's cute...(more like my wife is a klepto and I can't do anything about it since we are legally married). So back to the Nano. Bob has been spending big university bucks with a software company and in return they sent him this Nano with the company name engraved on the back. I was so intrigued by it when it came in the mail Bob asked if I wanted it, I agreed but only as a birthday gift..(those little stinkers are expensive). Luckily he agreed, what a deal... I got music to take to work PLUS I didn't have to come up with gift ideas for my birthday..yippee.

So there you have it you now know I'm 39, I was born on a Friday the 13th, and I steal all my hubby's best stuff...

Angie

Hello Again

Hi! It was such a busy but wonderful week with family and friends. We took the kids on a geological hiking at the Cincinnati Nature Center, found lots of fossil shells along the creek bed. Unfortunately the trail is being studied and we were not allowed to take any of them home with us.

We spent time swimming, the kids loved the day hosted by Carla and her family to the swim park. I mean seriously... who doesn't like 700 gallons of water dumped on your head every 10 minutes or so. Add to that lily pads, slides, diving boards, and water basketball, it was quite a day!

At the end of the week I made Bob spend a day golfing with his dad (not that hard to convince him). The kids and I went with grandma to another Butler State Park and wandered the grounds.

I did get to a few projects in between activities. Here are some Venice faux glass slides for a trade. I'm playing around with sepia as well as black/white to see which looks more authentic.
And while were on the subject of glass slides, I have to take a moment to vent about puddling resin. I have tried this every which way and no matter how I try it takes 2 coats because the first one always looks like this. It is very frustrating...
I made this prototype yesterday, not sure what I think of it. I can't decide if it looks too fussy with all the shells and beads, or perhaps the face is too big? The face is a transfer on white clay, I messed up the ink a bit as I placed the face into the shell, so I need to rethink the method a bit. The last step will be filling it with resin to make it look wet and glassy...a bit like a mermaid under the sea. Perhaps I will think more of it after that step is done.

Stay cool this week it looks like it's going to be another hot one!

Angie

A little quiet time

Dover Image, feel free to use this in your artwork.

Hi all, I wanted to let you know the blog will probably be silent this week. Not headed anywhere glamorous, I was supposed to be working in Chicago for the Craft Hobby Association Summer show (CHA) but unfortunately plans change. Bob kept his vacation days so we have lots of little plans to fill out the week. I'm hoping to get to sit poolside, craft, and take a few day trips with the family.

I'll catch up next week, for now I will wish for you a lovely not-so-hot week ahead.

Angie

What a find...free images

Remember when I used to post free images?? Well I stumbled across a gem of a site today and I want to share...that should get me back in your good graces ;)

It looks like this website offers copyright free images for those looking for textures and backgrounds. Great for graphic artists and mixed media artists alike, according to the website these images are OK to use commercially..wow.

Check it out:

Lost & Taken

I fell in love with a set of black & white trees...perfect for upcoming Halloween projects.

While I website was amazing I had a much easier time seeing all the choices here on Flickr.

Enjoy,

Angie

Something old but new

I realize you already know this but I guess I can say it again...I really enjoy working with vintage images, they just move me in a way newer images don't, plus there is the added benefit of fewer copyright concerns. Luckily polymer clay lends itself to 'faux' work...in my case making something new look like something old.

If you have the July/August copy of Somerset Studio there is a wonderful article by Sara Naumann, she has new artwork published using antique glass sides. While I loved her finished collage work, I was mesmerized by the glass slides. My mind automatically pops to hey I wonder if I can replicate that with polymer?

The pieces above are completely finished and glazed with resin. I love the glass-like look but I have to admit working with resin is a struggle. Below are another set I made using old Cincinnati images, these are pieces in progress, not sanded or glazed, they will most likely make their way to the bead store on consignment when finished.
This is pretty cool too, if you hold the piece up to the light it is semi translucent. I'm still thinking on other ways to use these besides jewelry. It is so outside of my comfort zone to do anything but wearable pieces, I'm trying to keep an open mind.

On another front I finished up 10- one inch size tiles for a swap in a yahoo group that focuses on all things polymer. It's my first swap with a group like this I'm very curious to see what comes back in return.

Angie

Bluegrass Games 2010

We took our girls team down to Lexington for the Bluegrass games this weekend. It was so H-O-T, averaging well over 90 degrees, but the girls didn't let it stop their fun.

Ms. Maria seems to really like being the goalie. It helps that she's not afraid to get in front of the ball, though today she did get her hand kicked and her little thumb is bruised. What a tough cookie.

It's good to be back home and hiding out in the cool basement. I hope everyone else had a great weekend!

Angie