Monday, March 7, 2011

What Do Soap, Metal, and Shoulder Bags Have In Common?

Absolutely nothing, but you'll see some of each right here. (I told you last time, catchy titles aren't easy to come by).

First things, first.  Although I am going away early tomorrow (more on that in a bit), somehow in my mind, creating something for this week's CCC and SSSS challenges seemed like more of a priority than, oh, packing.

Today marks the end of the Compendium of Curiosities challenges.  We've done every technique in Tim's book.  Linda saved a really great one for last....design details.  As usual, I can't divulge the details, but much piercing was involved.  At the same time, Simon Says, show us metal.   No problem combining the two:


This is a very small piece, done on a 4x4" coaster.  The base is covered with TSS rock star black, which was first embossed with Tim's collage folder.  I then embossed some of their cabin red metal on the silver side as well as the red side, with Tim's patchwork folder.   I cut them up, arranged them on the coaster, did some sanding and inking with stazon, and then went on to the techniques.  Don't know if you can see the stitching I did....I probably should have used something other than black wire.

I thought the piece at that point looked a little empty, so I added the ideaology flower, the bottlecap and the Wendy Vecchi butterfly.  In the interest of full disclosure, the bottlecap with the shrink plastic bird was a leftover from last year's cruise charm swap.

On Saturday, I attended a spa workshop at my friend Heidi's place, with Corris as the teacher.  I don't know what was going on with me when this picture was taken, but apparently something was very funny:

That's Kahena on the left and Corris on the right, waiting for the soap to melt.

In addition to the soap, we made a wonderful body scrub and some perfume in a roller top bottle:



At this time tomorrow, barring any delays, I'll be in the Miami airport meeting up with a whole bunch of my art friends for Keys4Art2011.  From there we head to Key Largo and 6 wonderful days of creativity and friendship and great food and a few mojitos as well.  I decorated small canvas shoulder bags for everyone.  Each is a different color, hopefully the recipient's favorite, but I asked that question ages ago, and artists can be quite changeable when it comes to things like that.  They all have our retreat logo, but each is embellished differently.  Of course, I missed a great photo op when I packed up all 18 and shipped them down to Florida without taking any pictures.   But....I do have the one I made for myself, so this will give you an idea of what they look like:



I'll be back with a full report on Sunday.  Stay well, and make art!


33 comments:

Helen said...

Such a wonderful coaster to finish off the compendium challenges - I love it.
Have a great time away.

Dorothy said...

Great art!!
have fun on your trip!!

Lori said...

Flippin' awesome metal piece! LOVE it! Then again, anything with metal in my book can't be bad...no, seriously, the idea to use the black as a background then the patchwork, awesome idea. And everyone will love the bags, great job with those! (I should know!) Have a wonderful time, safe travels, and can't wait to see pictures! Lots of them! Hint, hint...

france papillon said...

we can only hope Linda will do the CCC all over! yours looks awesomely great. and great idea to combine it to SSSS! great eyeleeeen-art!

Alicia B said...

LOVE that metal piece!! Your handbags are just adorable as well and I am sure the recipients are going to just love them! *Hugs*

SusanK said...

Everything is super! Have fun while you're OOT!

Lesley said...

Ooooh i love this piece!!! The TSS metal looks fab!! What a great fab piece of Art.

Tammy D said...

That is so stinkin cool!

Vic said...

I love all metal piece! Your bags look great. Have a mojito for me! LOL

Suzanne Bouchard said...

That metal collage is fabulous!

Melody (lacyquilter) said...

Wonderful metal piece and I love the bag, too.

Linda Ledbetter said...

Eileen, I'm so glad you were able to do your CCC 35 piece before you leave for your trip. I hope you have a SPECTACULAR time at Keys4Art2011-- your shoulder bag is just fabulous!

Your Design Details metallic marvel is truly a thing of beauty! As always, your eye for balance and layout is amazing, and you've created another yet another utterly brilliant work of art. I do see the stitching, and it looks great!

Thank you so much for being such a wonderful part of the CCC! What a treat it's been getting to know you, and I can't wait for more!

Anonymous said...

Oh I LOVE these pieces!!! They are AMAZING girl!!!

Sue Young said...

OOOHHH!I KNEW I shouldn't have read your blog today!!!!!

LOVE the bag though!!!Can't wait to see you tomorrow.Safe journey!
Xo

Nancy said...

Love your coaster, Eileen! A very cool piece!
And your bag - beautiful! I'm sure everyone's going to love theirs! Have a wonderful time in FLA! Soak up some sun & warmth & drop it off here on your way back to NYC, please.

Candy C said...

Hi Eileen!!
LOVE your metal piece!!! Very cool way to incorporate different elements to make such a cool bag!! Very talented and very creative!!! You always do such unique work! Thanks for joining in on the Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge! Good luck!!!

Yelowflower said...

love the metal and that bird is too cute

Patzee said...

Congrats on completing all the CCC--and the last is fabulous. Love the subtle black wire stitching and all the textures. Who would have thought an innocent coaster would end up a star on your blog? Can't wait to see a photo of all the gals in Key Largo chillin' wearing your bag. Have a wonderful time!

Brenda Whitehead said...

Fabulous piece! Have fun on your trip!

teri said...

That coaster is so totally cool looking! And hey, I couldn't stop myself from peeking...can't WAIT to get my bag!! One more sleep til Key Largo!

Sue West said...

This looks so great, I love that embossing folder, and you've used it brilliantly.
Sue :)

Maggie said...

OH WOW this is just brilliant although now I will have to start my project again as I had used the same embossing folder and am in the process of making a hanging which looks exactly like yours!!! Oh well they say great minds think alike ROFL. Off to rethink my project!

Angie Hall Haviland said...

FABULOUS ART and FABULOUS FUN, Eileen!!! Hope you have a GREAT Getaway!!! :)

Deborah Mahnken said...

I love both of these! Those bags are so cute :)

Diann said...

Enjoy your time away with Elana!
Your ART is wonderful as usual, my friend! Diann

Unknown said...

What a fun piece! And, yes, I did see the black wire X's ... thanks for pointing them out. Love it! I just ordered my first batch of metal sheets, and your piece is really inspiring me to start playing. Your bag is really awesome too ... maybe when you unpack all the others, you can take that photo op. I'd love to see the others. Gee ... these would make great gifts for friends on a cruise ... hmmmmmmm.

Nancy Wethington said...

Love this piece! Thanks for joining the challenge at Simon Says Stamp & Show.

Minxy said...

Fab COC piece and i love the altered bag too.
sTAy iNkY
huGs MiNXy

Anonymous said...

Fantastic artwork Eileen! I love the bag! x

Daniele said...

just lovin' your piece of metal art...brill
hugs

Jen said...

The metal coaster is absolutely stunning, Eileen!! I just love it! (And who cares if the charm is left over? It is gorgeous and fits in just perfectly!!!) And the canvas bags - SWOON!!! That flower trim is so scrumptious!!! All of your friends are so lucky - they will LOVE them!!! Have a fantastic time on your trip!!

Unknown said...

Beautiful metal work! Thank you for joining the team at Simon Says Stamp and Show this week ... we hope to see you again soon!

minnie_mac said...

A brilliant piece. Love all the elements.

Marilyn