Monday, May 2, 2011

The Big Apple and The Big E

Yep, got myself signed up for another page swap.  Just can't resist them, and even though they cause me some brief anxiety as deadlines approach, I'm always so happy once the books are assembled.  As I've said before, collaborative pieces are my favorites.

This one was started by Denise at ATT, and I just know it's going to be special.  It's called Journey Around The World, and everyone is doing a page reflective of where they live. (Hence the Big Apple reference in my title).  If I have time, I may add an appropriate charm, but other than that, the pages are finished!


What I did:   the background is a NYC street map, so each page has a different section.  On the bottom I used two stamps to create the skyline; on the left, one from The Stamping Ground and on the right, a Tim Holtz stamp.  The yellow cab (popped up with foam dots)  and the faux postage stamp are also from The Stamping Ground.  I wanted a little Big Apple Attitude, and chose the impatient woman silhouette (high heels and all) from Wendy Vecchi.  Talk about your time consuming fussy cutting!  My craft knife got quite the work out.

Inside the film strip (a Tim Holtz die) are a very reduced in size NYC subway map and a Broadway show playbill....not all the pages have the same one. The tiny attacher adheres the strip to the page.  The very large letters that spell out the abbreviation of my home town were done with my very very favorite alphabet stamp set....vintage Tim from his days with Junkitz. 

Last of all, each page has a bit of an old NY subway car destination in the upper left corner, all from one of the pages in Tim's Lost and Found paper stack.

The back is finished as well, but that will remain a surprise for now.

What about the Big E?????  No, not one of my nicknames (I don't think).  My pal Marita is re-doing her studio and bought these 8" letters to hang on a wall.  I forget what they'll eventually spell out, but she sent one to a few of her art friends to decorate however we wanted.  I of course got an E, and have been staring at it for a few weeks now.  Yesterday, the first day of May, was a gorgeous spring day, and when I got home I was inspired to create this:


Not really my usual thing, but outdoors there was an explosion of daffodils, tulips and other flowers I can't name, so I got out paper flowers, fabric flowers, metal flowers, all sorts of paints and sprays and went at it.

The letter itself was covered with old text, which you can't even see any more, then painted with various soft and sparkly colors of mica watercolor paint.  I wrapped some pastel eyelash yarn randomly around, then started to glue on the flowers.  Then a couple of butterflies decided to join the party.  Here's a close up of one, cut from grungeboard with a Tim Holtz die, then covered with Beadazzles.

                                                                              
The final touch, was to add some black rub-ons (Jenni Bowlin), because I'm a firm believer that when you're working with pastels, a touch of black is important to keep the piece from fading away.

The Big E is packed and should head out to Oregon very soon.  Hope Marita likes it!


20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh My Eileen Your projects are fabulous... I so totally love the Big E.... I really want to give it a try...
Thank you so much as usual for your wonderful inspiration.

Helen said...

The Big Apple pages are fabulous, but I adore your Big E! Stunning.

Elaine A said...

Eileen -

Absolutely fabulous pages! They really have that NYC feeling. What an outstanding job, so fun! And I love your "E" for Marita. That bedazzled butterfly is awesome.

Elaine Allen

inge said...

Hello Eileen,

I wish I could have participated in this swap....
I really like your NY pages : I like the skyline your created and the big black silhouette, the background with the map of NY, the filmstrip on the right,...

i like the whole composition : it gives a real modern feeling on your page.

Your letter E is a contrast with this :)
A real girly approach : I guess it shows the different sides you have.
Lots of flowers : here in Belgium too and I guess in NY not in the gardens but in the parks ?

greetings from belgium
Inge

Nancy Lynn said...

The New York pages are fabulous and the decorated E is wonderful too. The pages depict NY so well and the E says spring all over it with that beautiful butterfly and flowers.

Debby said...

Your pages are gorgeous! Gee I should send you some thing to decorate for my home! LOL. I love the Wendy stamp of the woman on your NYC pages. You did a fantastic job.

Tammy D said...

Awesome Eileen. Those pages so rock!

Gail Bales said...

Eileen,
Your swap pages are wonderful! Hope I am lucky enough to get one of them. Love the E, should make one for my great granddaughters. They would love it, but they won't be as pretty as yours. Thanks for sharing.
Gail in Oklahoma

Kathy Eddy said...

Great pages eileen! They are going to love them. Your big E is fantastic and what a great idea she had in sending them out to have different artists do each etter. Great project and in the end, a masterpiece!

Vic said...

Your pages are amazing! What you did to that "E" is beautiful! (Did you stamp Eileen on the back? LOL)

Alicia B said...

Oh Eileen, Your Big "E" is STUNNING my friend!!! But sadly, I think it should have been an "A" :) Love how you did your NYC Pages as well- How clever!!! *Hugs*

Diann said...

Love your projects and the swap pages really appeal to me...love how you showcased NYC! You go girl! I'm sure these will be a big hit..wish I were in that swap group! Your big E is lovely too with fun Spring flowers! Diann

LaStamper said...

Once again your art just rocks. I love the woman with attitude from WV. I used her in another art challenge and know what you mean about the fussy cutting! I know your "E" will be appreciated and please share what is spelled out.

Marjie Kemper said...

Love your NYC pages! That E is beautiful too.

Lori said...

Ooo, both are just fabulous projects! Those NYC pages are so YOU. lol. Love how you put all those elements together, great idea for the Wendy stamp, totally love it! And your E turned out fabulous, love all those flowers.

Anonymous said...

That is SO gorgeous!! I LOVE all the flowers!!!

Maria Guzman said...

Your NYC page made me homesick for my city during my years growing up there. I have been back many times and always enjoy the experience.

I really like what you did with the E. My granddaughter's name is Emily and I have a large E to decorate for her. You have given me inspiration.

Maria in WA

Dorothy said...

Absolutely gorgeous work Eileen!!!

Patzee said...

Love your NYC With Attitude swap page! So cool you stepped out of your element and did a great job with your Big E. Marita is in for a treat.

2amscrapper said...

I'm sure your friend will love the "E" and your NYC pages are fantastic.