Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Vintage Newsprint - Art as Promotion



So, you have finally realized that you are an artist and you want to get the word out about the awesome work that you do. How do you afford the printing cost of business cards and promotional material without selling your mom's Buick without her permission (never advised)? Think outside the box and do the unexpected. I was rummaging around in our utility area and I came across old newspaper clippings that my wife's grand parents and great aunt had saved. Names and faces that meant something to them. Articles about when to clean your percolator, what to do if your cattle seemed sluggish, and the latest straw hats available for just $3.00. Marriages, deaths, and updates from the front lines of WW II. These yellowed and brittle glimpses into the past sparked my imagination. I cut a few articles and placed them on various papers I had around from other projects. I began to do some stamping and distressing and soon realized I could make some pretty amazing art and slices of history which could server two purposes. First, the vintage newsprint is re-purposed and can live free from the box in the utility room. Second, I can promote the blog by creating unique bookmarks. I could just as easily have made postcards.  I made a few business cards just to see what they would look like. See for yourself. See it. Create it.

As always, hover of the slideshow and click to stop it and then use the arrows to move at your own pace if it moves too quickly. It generally does (and is beyond my control - my apologies).

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Art is Where you Find it


Today's entry was to have been how to make a pillow from old jeans.  However, one member of this dynamic duo deleted the instructions and took off for a day trip to Ikea!  May she have a safe and enjoyable adventure.  So we interrupt today's programming to bring you this special report.

Art is Where you Find it.

You know us.  I look at an old rusted wrench and I see an amazing piece of history with stories to tell.  I feel that it deserves a place in our home just as I would make room for a painting by one of my favorite artists (such as this AMAZING artist www.tomgirlstudio.com).



And so we come to this simple piece of art which is making a statement about art.  It is more than sticks on the wall.  It is memories of a warm afternoon, of laughs and time shared together.  Of time spent with friends.  Make art something you do, not just something you walk past.


Friday, January 16, 2009

Falling Leaf Scarf


Don't know what to do with that extra felt, muslin, scraps of fabric?  In under an hour, you can make this fashion forward scarf.  All you need is:
  • felt
  • scrap fabric with a pattern you like such as leaves
  • muslin
  • scissors
  • a sewing machine
  • thread
See it.  Create it.  
  1. Using scraps of fabric, in this case a leaf pattern, and scrap felt, place felt behind fabric, pin into place, and sew around shapes
  2. Cut 2 lengths of muslin 6 1/2 inches by 46 inches
  3. Place right sides together and sew around seam allowing 3" to turn right side out
  4. Turn right-side out and press flat
  5. Top stitch near outer edge
  6. Cut out fabric shapes
  7. Position and sew in place




 

 Next time we make pillows from jeans.  Hurry back!