Saturday, March 24, 2012

A Feat of Engineering

That is how I describe the project we did with Kathy Files on our last full day in Key Largo.  Kathy has a very popular blog and website called Paper Phenomenon.  She creates all sorts of dimensional projects....albums, shadow boxes, suitcases, purses, etc.....all with an ulterior motive.  Inside might be drawers to hold treasures, pages for scrapbooking, files, envelopes.....you get the idea.   Elena has been a fan for the longest time, and asked Kathy to create something for us to use to hold all our Mail Love.  I mentioned Mail Love ages ago.  Another one of Elena's brainstorms.  In this age of texting, tweeting, emails, etc., how many of us actually get anything nice in our snail mail?  Elena proposed we send one another something at least once a month, and as there were 19 who signed up for this, we all have a pretty big stack of cards, tags, magazine articles, bookmarks, calendar pages, charms, etc.  So, here is the sample that Kathy presented:



It looks like an antique hutch that you might find atop a desk.  All paper and chipboard.  Amazing, huh? And those "drawers?"  Check them out:



They are actually stand alone albums, containing file folders, envelopes, pockets....all designed to hold our Mail Love treasures.

OK, now that you've seen Kathy's fab work, let me tell you my sad tale of woe.  I admire this sort of thing, but it honestly isn't MY thing.  So, all that assembling doesn't exactly come naturally to me.  Also, we started working at about 9AM and it was well into the night when most of us just had to stop and clean up and pack.  I did finish most of the work on my three albums, but still have to make the box they all go in, and do the finishing touches on the insides of the albums.   Here is what I have to show for myself:



The largest of the three albums, above, opens up to reveal files, perfect for holding cards and tags.   I still have to decorate the tops of the files.  Well, I guess I don't HAVE to, but looking at Kathy's finished piece, I kind of feel I should. 



One of the smaller albums, which opens up to reveal a smaller set of files:




The other small album has two inserts inside, one of envelopes, the other of pockets:






The rest of my unassembled pieces, as well as the rest of the scrapbook paper we used are in the box I left for Elena to ship to me, so it may be a while before I can even consider finishing this.  As neither Pat nor Teri finished theirs either, we plan to get together, and hopefully between the three of us we'll understand how to put the box together.

So, another fantastic Keys4Art comes to an end.  Here's the whole gang (well, minus Kathy, who was probably off somewhere cutting chipboard):




Front row:  Marita, Linda, Jen W-L, Patty, Karen, Gina
Back row:  Val,Teri, Me, Lillian, Sue, Lynne Perrella herself!, Jacquie, Jen R-D, Elena, Daisy, Pat

OK, one more picture.  One of Elena's pups, by the name of Lucky, was wildly attracted to Teri, and could often be found curled up on her air mattress.  Usually on top of her sweater.


14 comments:

Herbie said...

I need music to go with this but AWESOME!!!

Elena said...

I love the way you so colorfully explain everything! Until the next one!

Alicia B said...

What an absolutely amazing storage unit that is! I can't believe it is made of paper as it truly looks like wood! I can't wait until you finish yours and show it off as the startings are stunning! *Hugs*

Anonymous said...

OMG...I absolutely LOVE that storage creation!!! I want one!!! LOL FANTASTIC job....WILL be checking out her site!!!! I'm so happy you had SUCH a wonderful time!!!!

Dorothy said...

I love your project!!!!!

Socrates said...

It's a gorgeous end project. I can see that it would be quite ambitious to finish all this in one day. You did make quite a dent in the project though. I can't wait to see yours finished. It looks great so far.

Sue Young said...

Love it!!! So... When the 3 of you figure it out, let me know ok????? Until then.....
GREAT group shot!!!!!

Vic said...

Fabulous! I look forward to seeing yours finished with the Eileen touch!

Gloria L. said...

Keep checking Kathy's blog - she will be doing a USTREAM class on this project and you will be able to follow all the instructions step-by-step. Great start! The paper is wonderful!

KAT said...

Kathy Orta stuff is fabulous! I've made a couple of her mini's using Tim's products and WOW! She made an album for Tim at the CHA and I will be buying the pattern and making that baby! It's using a lot of his new embellishments and his new travel paper...

Lori said...

Wow, what a mouth dropper! And a huge undertaking! The finished piece will be spectacular, though! Thanks for sharing!

Chrystal S said...

Absolutely amazing work! That must have taken forever to make! It would take me forever and it wouldn't come anywhere near looking as great and this! Wow! Thanks for sharing.

Mary from Maine said...

Love that storage unit -- does she have a tutorial up yet? I do alot of her projects and all coome out just wonderful and her choice of emblishments is incredible

inge said...

Hello Eileen,

This is MY cup of tea ! I would love to make such a desk !
A while ago someone pointed out to her website and I visited ànd immediately bought an instruction to make one of her "desks".
This one is very, very nice too. I must check her website again to download this one...

You HAVE to finish this one !!! You will always be sorry if you don't :)
Damn you , you got her as a teacher !!! when you mentioned the names of the people who came to teach I didn't know her name, but "Paper Phenomenon" ignited the thought that I've seen stuff of her before. You lucky b... :)

I hope all the stuff arrived now and that you are busy to assemble it... Please show us your finished project !

greetings from belgium
Inge