the moments {a series} no 28: inspiration

so excited to finally have to time this weekend to read through my newest copy of ClothPaperScissors. this is one of my all time favorite magazines. i love the articles and pictures of the art work- in almost every issue there is at least one story i can connect with.

in this issue, i really connected with the story, Nature gives Release, of armature and dresses. if you have never made armature you should give it a try....

i have done armature projects in the past....i made a bird here, a teapot, and here is the project i did when i worked with a high school student.

wired up armature

my student and i have played hard over the long weekend to make some armature.....we had talked about the project and what needed to be accomplished and she choose to make a sea turtle. she used 16 gauge for the outer frame and followed up with 20 gauge to support her paper shell. she used watercolor to tint her tissue paper. once all the paper was on her frame, she used glimmer mist to tint the top of the turtle and then, followed up with the shell. for her shell, she used acrylic paint on thin brown paper and then, torn it into small pieces to attach to her turtle. check out her finished sea turtle below....

 i couldn't just stand by and watch....i needed to keep my fingers busy while we talked armature....so, i am working on a "doll" of sorts- or maybe a better word....a princess. my armature is her skirt and body. and then covered with watercolored tissue paper as well. i have not made up my mind on her arms yet....so for now, this princess has very underdeveloped arms.....

 i flattened an old tablespoon and had stamped this precious face onto tissue paper and then, attached to the spoon. i attached the spoon with wire to the body and then, finished the body up to the neck. her crown in on overpainted paper that i stamped with a crown stamp, and then, cut around. if you think the top portion of the crown seems shinier- it is....i used iridescent embossing powder on the top of the crown- cutting both a front and a back and then, finishing with jewels. her necklace is made from scraps of paper wrapped around wire and dipped in UTEE.

our next project that we have started is a found object box with ATCs on yupo paper....stay tuned.

teapot

i started with wire for the armature to hold my paper. i used two different types- a light gauge and something heavier to be the main support.

i wanted to use tissue paper for the outside of my "teapot." i used white paper that i painted with watercolor. if you do this, move quickly and gently with the paint to your paper, as the tissue paper can be delicate. let this dry before applying to your armature.

i used a 50/50 mix of matte medium and water to stick and apply my tissue paper. you have to be a little careful, as the tissue paper can be delicate to apply, but, not too bad. you could use modge podge if you don't have any matte medium. i also used some glimmer mist to add a little glitz.

here is my lid...it is drying. same process...wire up your support and paper.

here is my finished teapot all ready to go to the tea party show. it looks a little like the teapot that jack built (heehee...) oh, well, i am never perfect and this wasn't suppose to be either. i like the quirky shape and handle.

my spout is not necessarily 3 dimensional, but, i decided that was ok too. that part is almost translucent- i couldn't get a good pic of that though. anyway- hope you enjoyed the teapot! do you have a teapot, teacup, or something related to tea? share a link in the comments and join this tea movement!

playful weekend

i couldn't take it anymore...had to at least try the crayon idea off of pinterest...not sure i exactly love my creation- i will have to play around with this a bit more.

 i am loving my bird. i made the armature and wanted to make it transparent so you could see the egg on the inside. i made the egg out of clay which i cooked for about an hour and then, i painted with acrylic paint. the pattern paper body was a little tricky to put on without tearing, but, overall, i am pretty happy. trying to decide if it needs wings? let me know what you think- wings, no wings.....

 this is a homemade journal i actually made last year that has been just hanging out waiting for some inspirational moment to come upon me, which apparently occurred today. i am loving the colors and what is  happening now, so i will let it cook for a bit and finish drying.

i was able to sneak some private time to work in my studio this weekend....hope you enjoy. i am not sure anything is finished yet- it is all still "cooking."