four corners design

A cautionary tale

noreply@blogger.com (amy of four corners design) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 23:33:00 +0000

My original intention with this post was to write about my progress on my word for the year - Begin...how I had begun to tackle portions of my identified projects...but a thorny path ensued...

First off, I signed up for Kim Klassen's online class "Beyond Layers" to motivate me to acquire at least a rudimentary understanding of Photoshop...I registered and the first class was January 16. I plunged right in!

Second...to broaden public exposure of my original collage creations, I began to research area art shows, mindful of the deadlines so I could submit applications on time with great images of my work.

In addition, I signed up for the Imagine the Impossibilities Challenge hosted by 6 great bloggers, indicating that my challenge would be to get a handle on Photoshop by the end of the month...I figured that this would keep me honest...I didn't want to have nothing to say at month's end.

I encountered some bumps along the way...with the first photo assignment of the Beyond Layers workshop, I was lost. My copy of Photoshop 7 is the whole enchilada - the complete professional version. To begin the process of minor photo editing was daunting...and frustrating. After conferring with Kim, I downloaded Photoshop Elements 10...or as I like to call it, weenie Photoshop. Sometimes the lesson to be learned is knowing your limitations...what's possible and what's not. I figured that once I got a handle on the software of Photoshop Elements, Photoshop 7 would be easier to understand at a later time.

I had immediate gratification using Photoshop Elements to complete the first assignment of the Beyond Layers online course...and here's my textured photograph using the subject of "just enough" and applying Kim's "Awaken" texture...

The next lesson in Beyond Layers was a writing assignment...using the idea of the Six Word Memoir from Smith Magazine, you were to capture a moment of your life in six words...several came to mind (including menopause dilemma: chin hair? where? tweezers!) but the one that resonated with me was this...

Begin now- before procrastination sets in

Unfortunately procrastination had already taken its toll...last week my computer hard drive died...and I lost all my documents/ photos/ files/ bookmarks...because, yes - I neglected to back up my computer. I know its my fault - I know better - but my computer was less than a year old, surely it would be operating great for awhile. I had never had any problems before so I was a little cavalier about it...but in second, it was all gone.

Yes, my computer is under warranty so I am getting my hard drive replaced at no charge but the lost files are my problem. I spent last week finding out more than I could ever imagine about protecting hard drives and data recovery. Obviously I am not alone in my cavalier attitude that "this can't happen to me!" since there is quite a business in data recovery...and after conferring with experts, it was possible to get my data back...to the tune of $1200...I couldn't justify $1200...I just had to deal with the fact that it was gone.

So my participation in Beyond Layers has been put on hold since I have no previous photos and no copy of Photoshop of any version to play with. My new hard drive will arrive in about two weeks...in the meantime I am using the Southern Man's laptop but it doesn't have my photos nor my software on it.

My ability to apply to art shows is put on hold - not only do I not have any photos of my work, I don't have any photos of my booth setup from previous shows - a usually necessary element of applications.

But what I do have is some sage advice and some practical information that I can share...in what I hope is a very simple explanation to guide others...because I am assuming that many of you are just like me...you just want to turn on your computer and have it work...

First off, hardware problems are mechanical problems...software failures don't affect hardware components. The techie who looked at my hard drive revealed that the most likely cause of the damage was electrical surge that prevented the needle from reading the discs...having a surge protector is little help when there is a storm raging outside...essentially, your surge protector then is one big electrical cord to your computer. And it only takes a second to fry your hard drive.

The solution - battery backup. This device essentially "evens out" the electricity going into your computer - no peaks and valleys - no surges. And at the slightest hint of an electrical problem, immediately jumps into battery mode to run your computer so any spikes are averted. I bought my battery backup on Amazon - it was about $60, not really that much more expensive than a decent surge protector (which I have now learned is an oxymoron!)

As for data storage, I bought an external hard drive - Western Digital My Passport with 1TB of storage...I save all my photo files as big files so this baby will give me plenty of storage space...and its not much bigger than my smartphone...automatically backs up a file whenever you make any changes to it...again, bought it on Amazon for about $150. There is also "cloud drive storage" available...Amazon is offering 5GB for free, Dropbox offers 2KB for free...here your files are saved securely on their servers but available anywhere...I'm thinking I might use this system as a back-up.

So when Linda from it all started with paint asked me to Imagine the Impossibilities and join in the challenge, I never imagined this would be the impossibility I would face...but I did...and here's hoping that you never do...

I'm linking up over at it all started with paint to share my challenge...there will be plenty of others sharing too...most of whom will be sharing successful projects that will inspire...and challenge others to take on the impossible!

Time is running out...

noreply@blogger.com (amy of four corners design) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 21:20:00 +0000

Just one more week for my postcard sale going on over at my etsy shop...

8 different designs...package of 4 postcards for $2.25 plus shipping...

sale ends Saturday, February 4, 2012...stop on by to have a look...

Due to technical difficulties...

noreply@blogger.com (amy of four corners design) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 03:33:00 +0000

My computer hard drive died on Wednesday...see that empty metal space in the lower left hand corner...that's where my hard drive was...it is now in the hands of a professional in whom I have put my faith. Meanwhile I am using the Southern Man's laptop...but it doesn't have my photo files nor my software programs...so I will be out of commission for a while...thank god for smartphones - I can still check my email...

Hope to be back to normal soon...

Following the path ahead

noreply@blogger.com (amy of four corners design) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 01:03:00 +0000

Well...I've finally gone and done it...
I was holding out, but no longer...
I was convinced by a fellow artisan/business woman
that it really is a great marketing tool...

Would you "like" four corners design on Facebook...if so, click here...

I have just designed a business page on Facebook...another place where you can follow my blog, keep updated with my calendar of events and be the first to know about specials & sales at my etsy shop...

And while I'm at it...feel free to follow me on Pinterest as well...

I'm loving this virtual bulletin board to keep track of great ideas/inspiring photos/cool projects

thanks for the support...I appreciate it!

Cold comfort

noreply@blogger.com (amy of four corners design) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 20:52:00 +0000

Now that January is here, I'm happy for the clean start to the year...but the weather turns unbearably gray and drizzly (well...actually that's been a little snowy lately...no, make that alot snowy...for us here in the Pacific NW!) All I feel like doing is staying inside...working...or reading...or cooking...

I just finished reading Gabrielle Hamilton's autobiography, Blood, Bones and Butter. It was a fascinating read...and not sugar-coated in the least. In the same vein as Anthony Bourdain's books, you might sometimes think twice about your restaurant meal and what it went through before it arrived at your table...but Hamilton's book also inspired me to go into the kitchen and cook...preparing heart-warming and soul-stirring food...or at least, give it my best shot!

We had a ton of carrots leftover from our annual New Year's Day open house...and there's only so many carrots I can chomp on during the day...I thought I would roast them until they were sweet, soft, caramelized, melt in your mouth nuggets...

raw carrots with garlic cloves, sea salt and cracked pepper...

I added chopped red onion, parsley and green olives to the roasted carrots...tossed the carrots with olive oil, a handful of roasted sunflower seeds and a pinch of red pepper flakes along with some rotini pasta...

with a glass of rough red wine, it provided plenty of cold comfort on a chilly January night...

Playing along

noreply@blogger.com (amy of four corners design) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 23:41:00 +0000

snowy day #1
photo taken with Retro Camera app for Android / altered with Kodak Easy Share software with Coloring Book and then Cartoon

It is a little unusual for my part of the world to get over 6 inches of snow in a day...and today we got even more snow...so yesterday was the perfect play day...to play in the snow and to play with the photo apps on my phone...

My artist friend Dave over at Clearer Reflections has been hosting a once a month recipe exchange...the "recipe" being the steps one uses to create an interesting photo image from the pic taken on your smartphone and then altered/edited with all of the apps out there...of which there are many! I'm a total newbie here...but I wanted to play along...I know I cheated with the opening photo - it was taken with my Android phone but altered on my computer...

snowy day #2
photos taken with Android phone and collaged with Diptic app for Android

snowy day #3
photo taken with Retro Camera app for Android / altered with Lomo effect under photo editing features for Android

And then I came inside because it was getting cold...and took another pic...

the forest brook
picture taken with Retro Camera app for Android / altered with Sharpness FX under Effects - PicsArt app for Android

Now I only have a few apps (three to be exact) but it seems to provide enough distraction for me...but check out the other "recipes" at Clearer Reflections...there's a lot cookin' over there!

We have a winner!

noreply@blogger.com (amy of four corners design) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 17:49:00 +0000

First of all - thanks to all who entered my giveaway...I appreciate the support!

And now for the announcement...

Connie of She Dreams Big

is the winner of the Ramsign enamel number giveaway!

Connie, Ramsign Enamel Numbers will contact you directly about your number sign. I encourage everyone else to pop over to their site...you may not have won, but you could still order your own number...

Scratching an itch

noreply@blogger.com (amy of four corners design) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 01:00:00 +0000

With the new year, it seemed like I had a clean palette...I was itching to create...I had a few bits of ephemera hanging around my workspace that were enticing...but did I have the right composition...should I look for a better focus...consider a larger size...and then I remembered my word for the year - BEGIN
so I did just that-

copper leaf - 3" x 5-1/2"
french game card, book spine, birch leaf,
vintage cloth tape, silk thread

winter in paris - 4" x 4"
corrugated cardboard, paint chip sample, cotton flannel fabric,
chinese fortune, silk thread, seed beads, acrylic paint

parisian mist - 4" x 4"
corrugated cardboard, paint chip sample, paper napkin,
image transfer, original photograph, silk thread, acrylic paint

I've been wanting to incorporate fabric into my collages...and stitching...going back to some of my original ideas when I began four corners design in 1999...interesting how ideas cycle back into your consciousness/sphere of influence/inspiration aura over time...so I thought this was the perfect excercise to see where those ideas would take me...

And I am not alone in feeling a need to scratch an artistic itch at the beginning of this new year...

Dave over at Clearer Reflections has been on a whirlwind artistic bent...creating a photo a day and taking it to a different level...with opportunity for others to join in...read all about it here...

A New York Magpie's Eye has likewise been creating a collage a day...simple and sublime at the same time...see her work here...

Carole Reid has started a daily journal that will be a study in circles...I'm not much of journal writer (the blog substitutes for that) but a visual journal is a unique twist...and certainly scratches an itch...read about her work here...

what itch do you need to scratch? ...feel free to share...

A few adjustments...

noreply@blogger.com (amy of four corners design) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 12:17:00 +0000

Its a new year...time to make resolutions/ adjustments/ declarations/pronouncements...

The current issue of Real Simple magazine caught my eye the other day...look at this list...

You would think with a list like this, the magazine would need to be a major tome...but alas, its only 136 pages. It just so happened that a copy of this issue was in the free pile of magazines at the library so I brought it home to read...I don't think I've improved my life for good, but the section on how to correct 17 everyday cooking errors was helpful.
I wonder, with all of these topics covered in January, what will they write about in February?

As for me, have a few announcements of my own...

I've done a little re-organizing of my blog. I have designed a Features page, which is located in the Pages/Additional Details section on the right hand column of my blog...in one location, you can find where my projects have been featured on other blogs or websites. I can't thank fellow bloggers enough for the support they have given me...there's a live link for each individual feature; please visit these sites for plenty of inspiration/motivation for your own projects.

I have closed down my space at Faded Elegance in Snohomish so that I can concentrate on my art projects. There is still a link to Faded Elegance in my blog list so I encourage you to visit and sign up for their email list so you can keep in the loop on all the activities going on there. I have some ideas for future creative workshops and trunk shows and will talk with Kimberly in the future about what might be possible.

I plan to offer regular sales at my etsy shop...there's a link in the right hand column...right now, I'm having a great postcard sale...digital images of my original collages made into postcards...you still have time to send out New Year greetings to friends far and wide...

In the works is a tutorial list of my projects over the last two years, that you will be able to easily access from the right hand column...its not yet completed but I'll be posting it soon.

And don't forget to enter my 2-year anniversary giveaway...details here...those fab European house numbers could be yours...deadline to enter is Sunday, January 15...

A confluence of Twos

noreply@blogger.com (amy of four corners design) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 12:37:00 +0000

January 2012, marks my 2nd anniversary of blogging...little did I know when I started out (trying to transition from a static website to an on-going blog), that it would strike a chord with me...its certainly has become my online journal to share thoughts, ideas, projects, inspirations and even a few recipes.

But what's really surprising to me is that it obviously strikes a chord with others too...to the tune of over 25,000 visits...that's approximately 1000 visits per month...I realize that there are bigger and bolder blogs, but from my small corner of the world, I am blown away.

I can't thank you, the reader, enough...thanks for visiting, thanks for commenting, thanks for sharing, thanks for support. To celebrate, I'm having a giveaway...since I have a small obsession with numbers and metal, it seems only fitting that my giveaway is a set of metal enamel numbers, graciously donated by Ramsign Signs.

Though they make the classic enamel house numbers, you could use these numbers in other ways...labelling large wooden bins for organizing, attaching a favorite number to a gift (especially if its a significant birthday...like sweet sixteen or retirement sixty-five), or incorporating one into a piece of artwork...you decide...if you are the winner.

The winner can choose any house number sign (not name signs or address plaques) with 1-5 digits of any size and design. Ramsign will produce and deliver the sign directly to the winner. The delivery is free of charge and all my readers world wide can participate. And if you're not the winner, pop over to their site anyway...love the classic look of these designs...I'm thinking my front door needs a little lift...

Here's how to enter-

1. Become a follower...or if you already are one, just let me know in your comments.

2. Leave a comment...and my only request here is that your email is active on your profile...please "no-reply" addresses...it makes it impossible to get back to you!

3. Entries will close on January 15th and a winner announced on January 16th.

That's it...nothing involved or complicated...I just want you to come back and visit whenever you want some "creative combinations of everyday ephemera"...

Inside the box

noreply@blogger.com (amy of four corners design) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 13:53:00 +0000

Right before christmas I wrote about the long standing tradition I have with my friend Sue...the box we trade back and forth each year, filled with treasures. Now that the holidays are over and Sue has received her treasures, I thought I would share the contents here...

Sue has started a small handcrafted greeting card enterprise...so the majority of the contents are ephemera she can use in her designs...ticket stubs, photo corners, small tags and vintage flower centers.

I also included an ornament I made from an old christmas card Sue sent me in 1985...she was (and still is...but the loom is stored away now) an exceptional weaver back then and I, of course, kept this handcrafted card for many years. I decided to turn it into a keepsake for her. I love finding a use for those items that are abundant in supply at thrift stores...and embossed brass frames fits that category! I usually have a stash of frames outside in my "rusting area" so that the patina is dulled and even a little rust may form. I trimmed the card so that the weaving was centered in the frame and then added a backing of mat board. I punched two holes in the mat board and threaded a length of ribbon through the holes before I slid the backing into place...I also glued her description from the original card onto the backing...

I use this same mounting technique with several of my smaller art pieces - a great use for those brass frames and an easy way to hang artwork...

Embracing color

noreply@blogger.com (amy of four corners design) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 18:20:00 +0000

While in the midst of christmas decorating about a month ago, I decided that it was time to rearrange the furniture and spruce things up a bit...my big stack of 20+ suitcases moved from the front entry to the dining room, a table from the Southern Man's office came downstairs to behind the sofa, lamps were swapped out, pillows exchanged...but through it all, the slipcovers on the sofa and the overstuffed chair were looking a little ragged...

I bought my sofa and chair from Ballard Designs over 15 years ago...I remember at the time that more than one person thought I was a little crazy to be ordering major furniture from a mail-order catalog without actually seeing it/sitting in it before I bought. But I had fabric samples and detailed measurements with line drawings sent to me beforehand so I felt confident in my purchase...and I have been very happy with my sofa and chair ever since...they both are still in great shape...but the slipcovers were faded and becoming threadbare in places. Well, of course everyone was having a major sale on the monday after thanksgiving...and sure enough so was Ballard Designs...so I ordered new slipcovers...I decided that I would stick with a solid color but didn't want anything as boring as khaki or sand (and off-white was out of the question if I didn't want to wash the covers every week!) so butter was the choice...it sounded so rich and creamy...with a click of the mouse, it was done!

A week later, covers arrive...I take them out of the box and put them on the furniture...I hesitate...the Southern Man comments that it looks more margarine or oleo than butter...

an aside...
I grew up in Wisconsin in the 1960's...Wisconsin, being "America's Dairyland", only sold butter in the grocery stores at that time...people would travel to Illinois to buy margarine (which was and continues to remain, much cheaper in cost than butter). It was called oleo back then...people brought it back in their trunks and sold it to friends and neighbors...it was white and came with a packet of yellow dye that you could mix in to make it look like butter...but it was pretty easy to tell the difference...so needless to say, commenting that the new color of the slipcovers looked like margarine was not a good thing...

Now for those of you who know me, you know I am not a color hound...my attire is usually a pair of blue jeans and a gray top...every hue, tone and shade of gray I have in sleeveless cotton tees to tweedy wool wraps. If the color choices for the slipcovers would have listed "pewter" or "slate", I would have been set...

But rather than return them, I decided to live outside my comfort zone...I realize that this is small potatoes, but its a start. To complement the color of the sofa and tie in the other colors in the room, I decided to enhance a small rusty iron side table I had...it was a simple iron stand with a plain, brown, waterstained wood insert...here's the progress of the table top from start to end...

First layer - pages from an old french history volume...during the bookbinding process, the pages weren't trimmed so I was able to remove a set of untrimmed pages, unfold them and lay them down as the first layer, using my standard formula of Elmer's glue and water...

the second layer is a decorative paper napkin...I separated the three-ply napkin and only used the top single ply so the type from the first layer would show through...

the third layer is a page from an old french book about birds and their nests; this chapter page illustration is finely detailed and placed in the center of the collage design.

After the third layer, I felt that something more was needed...a bit more patterned tissue and a postage stamp was added...then the entire surface was sanded smooth and finished with two coats of polyurethane and one coat of paste wax...

here's the side table in the living room...moving around the margarine colored pillows helps to break up the mass of yellow dominating the room...

As you can see, at least one family member is enjoying the new sofa...maybe because its his color...

linking up to Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm...with the new year underway, there is no shortage of thrifty energy here!

Happy New Year!

noreply@blogger.com (amy of four corners design) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 13:16:00 +0000

moving into 2012...looking forward to all that lies ahead...

Begin...

noreply@blogger.com (amy of four corners design) — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 23:34:00 +0000

With christmas over, I always feel that I have this "prep" week for the new year...sorta like getting ready for the first day of school when I was a child...buying new shoes, getting a haircut, sharpening pencils...there is something about turning to the new calendar that refreshes me. I've been cleaning up my desk and my office...my studio is next but that's a bigger task...I've also decided to adopt a word for the new year...I've been reading about other artists and the word they have chosen...sorta like a mantra...my word for the new year is BEGIN

The seed for this word germinated a couple of weeks ago...I was reading about Cloth-Paper-Scissors magazine request for original art...they were planning a freeArt event...an event where original art would be given out on the street to anyone who wanted it - for free! I loved this idea...one of the reasons I create art is to share it with others...I have no pretense that I'm creating any great masterpiece...just my own view of the world at any given moment. I used a digital reprint of one of my original altered photographs and mounted it on a piece of corrugated cardboard, sewing the edges with red silk thread...it seemed to be lacking something...and usually whenever I think something is lacking, I try to fill the void with a word. And the word that just came to mind was BEGIN...I stamped it out in white paint...it wasn't very bold...but if you looked, you could see it...

And the more I thought about it, the more it seemed that this word would be a good mantra for me for 2012...just begin...no more waiting
until everything was right,
or until I had time
or until I had all the materials
or until, until, until....ad nauseam...
instead...begin

no more waiting until I master Photoshop to participate in expanding my techniques...I signed up for Kim Klassen's e-course, Beyond Layers

no more waiting until I am a full-time artist to validate my artwork...I am getting my portfolio together to submit to more art shows

no more waiting for the perfect purpose to use my junk accumulation...either its getting put to use in an identifiable project or its being donated/cleared out of my studio so I have room to work

well, this should keep me busy for a while...what about you? what's your word for the year?

The Lettered Cottage is featuring "word of the year" party...I love reading what inspires others...come on and join me...

and to keep me honest in what I'm trying to tackle, I've signed up with "Imagine the Impossibilities" challenge...I'll keep you posted...

all is calm...all is bright...

noreply@blogger.com (amy of four corners design) — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 14:50:00 +0000

hoping that all the wonder of the season is yours this christmas...

...and all the trimmings

noreply@blogger.com (amy of four corners design) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 03:20:00 +0000

a simple twig wreath is all my green front door needs for the holidays

its almost christmas...about this time, I like to sit back for a moment,
reflect and gaze at shiny ornaments...won't you join me...

a single red shiny brite ornament sets off the holly branches...

Some years we have a tree...some years we don't...this year, the tree top is in a vintage laundry basket at my space at Faded Elegance...the remaining bottom branches I stuck in this zinc flower bucket, adding in feathers, a nest and sentiments of the season...

Metal knitting needles are ideal for displaying my handcrafted tags of joy, peace & hope...

the bookshelves in the dining room got a little holiday bling too...

a rusty gold-mining pan filled with vintage ornaments and a single candle

completes this simple holiday decor...

Wishing all a happy and healthy holiday season!

Linking up to Saturday Nite Special at Funky Junk Interiors...lots of gazing over there...

The box

noreply@blogger.com (amy of four corners design) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 15:20:00 +0000

My friend Sue and I have a holiday tradition...I'm not even quite sure how it started...or when...but I think it was well over 15 years ago that Sue gave me this small wooden box filled with cookies for Christmas.

The next year I gave the box back to her, again filled with cookies...and thus, the tradition started. We traded the box back & forth, filling it with scrumptious treats...so scrumptious that my first golden retriever Max torn the lid off of the box one year to get at the treats...I repaired the lid with masking tape -which matches the color of the balsa wood and has held up surprisingly well for many years!

I don't know if this incident led to filling the box with other goodies instead of cookies...vintage buttons, hand rolled beeswax candles, ornaments, fragrant soaps and body cremes - all such items that have been in the box over the years.

We've even been saving the wrapping and the ribbon for the last number of years and re-using them...

This year is my turn to fill the box...I have some special items that are perfect for Sue...but I can't share here...she reads my blog...

Do you have any special holiday traditions, especially any that are eco-friendly?
I would love to hear about them!

The Pulse - Master Class

noreply@blogger.com (amy of four corners design) — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 21:35:00 +0000

I am honored to be included among the artists participating in Seth Apter's "The Pulse". The Pulse is an online collaborative project that aims to introduce you to new artists, help you get to know familiar faces even more, and allow you access into the creative hearts and minds of a very talented crew of individuals. More than 130 artists have answered a series of questions which make up The Pulse. Their responses will be presented in a series of online posts which will run every Sunday.

The first project was Style File - click here for the post from Sunday, July 17 which featured my response to describing my artistic style.

The second project was Techniques and Tools - click here for the post from Sunday, October 16 which included my response to my favorite technique/tool.

The third project was Master Class, which asked what artist (living or dead) would you like to take a class from and why...my response is included in today's post...

Not only is he is renown multi-media artist in his own right, but Seth Apter is also a tremendous supporter of other artists...this on-going project is one example...and another example will soon be hot off the press..."The Pulse of Mixed Media"...click here for details and to sneak a look inside the pages...I can't wait until its published...until then, visit The Altered Page for more immediate artistic gratification!

Wrap it up

noreply@blogger.com (amy of four corners design) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 00:42:00 +0000

On the downhill slide to christmas...
the decorations are up,
the presents are ready,
the dinner is planned...all that's left is the wrapping!
People usually fall into two caterories in this circumstance...
wrappers or non-wrappers...
and there's just no way around it...
either you like to wrap or you don't!

Keeping with my holiday theme of using what I already had, I extended this idea to my wrapping as well. Several elements that I used in earlier projects, popped up here again...here's a quartet of ideas for you...

#1 - sheet from wallpaper sample book + "ribbon" made from striped vintage fabric.
Expired wallpaper books are ususally free for the asking at paint/decor stores...the paper is extremely durable and ideal for wrapping small gifts. Fabric ribbon is all the rage...make your own by tearing strips of fabric...cotton tears the easiest...you can either notch or pink the edges for the finishing touch.

#2 - sewn dictionary paper + burlap letter tag.
I have numerous old dictionaries...I picked up one that was bound together with metal posts...I removed the posts and had hundreds of pages without a torn edge...I wanted interesting wrapping paper...I sewed six pages together, with red silk thread for extra pop. All of the pages were from the letter "R". To carry through the theme, I made another burlap letter stretched in a metal embroidery hoop (details here), tied on with red jute twine.

#3 - old map + vintage fabric belt.
I find old maps intriguing... something about scrutinizing all the highways & byways of a place...the allure of travel...use a map from a location that has special meaning for the gift recipient...wrapped up with another vintage fabric belt, complimenting the colors of the map nicely...a holly twig provides the festive touch.

#4 - kraft paper + drywall tape + holiday napkin tag.
I have mounds of kraft paper, courtesy of numerous thrift stores, wrapping my purchases ever so carefully...but by no means is any of this paper wrinkle free...I crunched it up even more and then ironed it flat with a dry iron...it smoothed out the paper but left the texture. I used drywall joint tape to secure the paper around the box...love the texture on the tape! Using another of my holiday napkins, I made a tag with a square piece of corrugated cardboard, embellishing the tag with white paint on the edges and a sentiment of "joy"...thin wire was used to wrap around the present and secure the bird tag with a couple of twisted flourishes at each wire end.

The Southern Man and I spent the day downtown Seattle, taking in all of the holiday hustle and bustle, enjoying a fabulous lunch and picking up a few last minute gifts at Watson Kennedy...off to finish up wrapping myself...need to get to the post office too!

Take a moment for yourself in all the hustle of last minute preparations...the season is meant to be enjoyed! Take a minute and visit Funky Junk Interiors-Saturday Nite Special for lots of holiday inspiration to enjoy...

The sum greater than its parts, #5

noreply@blogger.com (amy of four corners design) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 22:17:00 +0000

I am down to the last two felted wool projects...I'm amazed with what I could get out of the scraps from the five wool sweaters I felted last year...

Project #1 - mini mitten garland

Keeping with the simplicity vibe, all I did was make a paper pattern for a small mitten and cut out lots of mini-mittens. I stitched up the mittens on my sewing machine, again keeping the seam on the outside (just like the stockings) since the felted wool wouldn't unravel. I embellished them with either red felt hearts, vintage pearl buttons or tiny glass ornaments. I tacked the mittens onto a length of red jute twine and made a loop at each end of the twine for hanging the garland.

Project #2 - sweater cowl

I had a large portion of the dark gray sweater remaining...I measured 12" up from the ribbing on the bottom and cut a straight line across...after I folded over a cuff at the top and secured it with two pins, its perfect as a neck cowl...which is great because for some reason, my neck is always cold in winter!

the two "mini-pins" are actually a pair of earrings that my friend Sue gave me for my birthday, but they are just right to secure the cowl so its snug against my neck.

I saved the snips and scraps from all of these felted wool projects...it seems a shame to toss them...but I don't know what to do with them...I would welcome your ideas!

The sum greater than its parts, #4

noreply@blogger.com (amy of four corners design) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 15:29:00 +0000

Going headlong into the holiday...still working on projects that use what I have at hand for inspiration and materials. I wanted to create some original art that could be a gift...or an ornament...or both!

I had these paper napkins that I picked up at a summer yard sale...the napkins had a bird on the front - birds always catch my eye...when I looked at the package more closely, I saw that the design was by Gwen Frostic...I love Gwen Frostic...she was an artist from Michigan who was known for her woodcut designs and her inspirational books...she was very big among the camp counselor crowd I hung out with in the seventies...her look is very iconic and even Martha wrote about her designs in the March 2005 issue. How fitting that I should honor her with a collage piece...

I had a half dozen of these mini canvas frames...they had letter designs on the front...a coat of white paint obliterated all...I glued the paper napkin with the bird image onto the front of the frame using my gloss medium method described here...

You can also see the old gummed label at the bottom edge...it was the same bright red tone as the cardinal...it was the perfect highlight...after I typed in a single word...

I have an old Royal typewriter just for designs like this...there is nothing like the old ink from an old typewriter to give that authentic vintage vibe...

I carefully placed the label so that the type would be centered...since the labels were so small, it took a few attempts to get it right...

After I was done with the front, it was time to finish the back of the frame...they were pretty ugly looking on the back...a square of vintage map with that perfect touch of red would be ideal...

Then there were the sides of the canvas...something more was needed...I recently bought a couple of rolls of that fabulous Cavallini paper tape...with the numbers and letters on it...but this project is about using what I already have...and wouldn't the vintage original cloth tape be better than the imitation paper variety...
I thought so...

Once everything was dry and all the edges sanded smooth, I waxed each mini-collage and tacked the cloth tape around the perimeter of the canvas...and this project was done...

the backside of the collage...love the colors of the map complimenting the colors of the bird...the red ribbon hanger (a single length of red satin ribbon held in place with a trimmers tack) was attached afterward...I remembered that if these are to be ornaments, they need a hanger!

peace, joy, cheer, wish, hope...I think that sums up the season just fine...

Linking up to Saturday Nite Special at Funky Junk Interiors...ornaments are the feature this week...

foggy mornings...

noreply@blogger.com (amy of four corners design) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 12:07:00 +0000

We've been having a spell of fog in the morning here...over the last week, there have been several mornings when the air is quite crisp (well, actually cold for here if truth be told!) and there's a light frost on everything...combined with the heavy fog, there's an ethereal quality to the day...

sometimes the sun will break through but just a block or two away, everything will be dense with fog...

gives a dreamlike quality to this holiday time...

Buy Handmade

noreply@blogger.com (amy of four corners design) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 11:19:00 +0000

There's been a huge outpouring of support for buying handmade this holiday season...and to support small businesses...and why not - these gifts are not only unique, but their purchase strengthens local communities and supports artists.

This past weekend was teeming with community bazaars/artist shows/holiday fairs...whatever you call them, there was a flurry of activity...especially the one I attended...handcrafted candles, artisan soaps, beaded jewelry, carved wooden bowls, felted purses...really, something for everyone on your list. I went to this particular show to support a friend and to foster creativity, whatever its form, wherever it exists...

snowmen by liz dunwoodie and cindy jurecic

There are 20 days left until Christmas...

so in the spirit of Buy Handmade, I'm offering 20% off all sales at my etsy shop...

be it holiday cards...

junk trinkets...

or original art...

you just might find the perfect gift to give...or keep for yourself!

20% off sale...good until December 25...

remember to enter HOLIDAY2011 when you check-out!

A recipe for holiday cheer

noreply@blogger.com (amy of four corners design) — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 16:13:00 +0000

Creativity usually has its spark in something I saw/heard/felt...or a mix of all...and then - eureka! Such was the case with this project...

You may remember that I'm challenging myself to make holiday decorations with only the materials I have on hand...so I gathered up my supplies...

burlap and upholstery webbing...

wire and metal embroidery hoops...

And lets not forget the spark of creativity...here are the three ideas I saw over the last couple of weeks that converged in my brain and produced an inspirational storm...

this signage pic from urban farmgirl...

this painted burlap project from Katies Rose Cottage...

this wired star from JillRuth...

I went to work...I cut out five squares of burlap and painted a white square in the center of each...once that was dry, I stamped a letter in gray ink in the center of the white painted square...once that was dry, I stretched each burlap square into a metal embroidery hoop and trimmed off any excess burlap.

Hanging the hoops would be easy since I could thread the jute twine through the spring mechanism at the top of each hoop...

Holiday Cheer!

I tied each letter onto the banister and then wrapped the upholstery webbing around the handrail. Branches from the holly tree out back supplied the greenery with a touch of red...

the wire star on the newel post is the ending touch...I wrapped wire around a metal embroidery hoop - brilliant inspiration from JillRuth!

I like that its very simple and uncomplicated...and communicates the perfect sentiment of the season...

Linking up to Saturday Nite Special over at Funky Junk Interiors...

now there's an inspirational storm going on!

Remembering Paris

noreply@blogger.com (amy of four corners design) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 13:56:00 +0000

"I dream of paris" amy duncan 2006

Yesterday I had lunch with my sweet artist friend, Wendy Lee Lynds...we finally had a chance to catch up...and she shared some of her Paris loot with me...Wendy visited Paris in September with her daughter...her first trip to the City of Lights...

I recall my first trip to Paris with my sister in 1993...it was all that I dreamt it would be...
this photo of us at La Tour Eiffel is on my nightstand...to fuel future Paris dreams...

Here's sampling of what Wendy brought back for me...the pen and ink drawing will be a great addition to my other pen & ink city scenes...the button is made from an old leather book cover...and the french grammer pages will be excellent collage fodder...

I think I need to keep this section of the grammer pages...knowing how to ask for directions to the flea market is a priority for my next Paris trip!